The Leica M-A (Typ 127) is a camera from another time—a purely mechanical 35mm rangefinder. It's expensive, but perfectly engineered.Pros:+ Incredible build quality.+ Bright, uncluttered viewfinder.+ Completely mechanical operation.+ Requires no batteries.+ Nearly silent shutter.+ PC sync socket.Cons:- Expensive.- Shutter tops out at 1/1,000-second.- Sync speed limited to 1/50-second.- Omits in-camera meter.A top build quality camera that is like using something from a by-gone era but still offering up some of the best quality and features available on the market. The price is the only stumbling block so it may be worth comparing to this version also by Leica found here: http://amzn.to/1NmKKYM

Well, this certainly has been a long time coming. I first began drooling / speculating about the Leica M-A this summer when it was first announced. First impression was it was a gorgeous piece of art, but something I really didn't need - already owning the M2 and M3. Well, cutting to the chase, yeah, I needed it - and so glad I did! In September, when the camera was officially announced, I placed my order.Leica originally announced the M-A would be available in October (sometime) but were a bit late with that and actually delivered it at the end of November.So, here's some hands on thoughts on the camera. As always, not an overly-techie review, but more of a hands-on impression.BuildThe build is just unsurpassed: a gorgeous hunk of brass painted a soothing matte black. Look at the old Leica M3's and M2's from the 1950's and 1960's that were built the same way. 60 years later, they are still going strong - they are built to last that way. That's why I held on to my 1958 M2 as a back-up to the M-A. As Leica puts it, the M-A is "Pure Mechanical Excellence" - and that's the truth. Nothing extra at all on this pure-bred camera with a family tree which reads like the "essence of excellence" in photography.The M-A takes the best pieces from their legacy of film cameras and puts them together for the ultimate film photographers body. It screams M3 when you hold it - but with a few great updates taken from later models like dumping the removable spool and opting for the M4 and beyond quick-load. Best of all (for me) was they decided to withhold a meter. I know some people would have prefered it had one, but I much-prefer to use an external and really appreciate they kept the body bare-bones and in the image of it's granddaddy.The camera weighs in at 578g (2g less than the M3!) :) Dimensions are the same as the M3: 138w × 38d × 77h. The viewfinder is a 0.72 like most other Leica's (the M3 was the king at 0.91). The 28 (90), 35 (135) and 50mm (75) lines are very bright and pretty close to what you're used to seeing if you've shot M-bodies, and auto-adjust based on the lens you are using. Again, tanks aren't built this well.The film advance lever is buttery smooth and the shutter release as pleasant as can be. After shooting vintage Leica's, I was impressed with just how smooth it was!Then there's the matte black and lack of the "red dot" on this. Brilliant on Leica's part. That black is so smooth when you see it in person. Perfect in my book. And no need for gaffers tape like other Leica bodies. ;)UseIf you've used a film Leica, it's like that. But perfectly smooth and quiet as it's brand-spanking new. If you've had your M3 CLA'd - then its almost exactly like that (or if you had the pleasure of owning an M3 brand new, then like that!!).ConclusionsHands down my favorite all time camera. Next in line is the M2, then the M3 then the Hasselblad 500c.Is this something you need? Perhaps. If you're in the market for a new Leica film camera, then yes! But do you need to upgrade your M2/M3/M4... to one? Not really - but it's easy to justify. If you're like me and really enjoy being the only owner of a piece of equipment, it's very easy to justify. Like I said earlier, there isn't anything magic this does over any of the old film bodies and it cost quite a bit.If you're along my lines of thinking, it's the last camera you'll ever buy. Ever. I plan to hand off my M2 and M-A to my kids when I die - and hopefully they get another lifetime out of each camera. And when you consider that, the cost isn't that scary.