Leica MP (1956)
The Leica MP (1956) is a M-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1956. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- M
- Release Year
- 1956
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- MP, original professional model
- Serial Range
- MP1 to MP402 reported; numbering is not verified as a continuous production allocation, and prototype or conversion exceptions exist
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Magnification
- 0.91x
- Framelines
- 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm, M3-style automatic selection with parallax compensation
- Shutter Speeds
- B and 1 s to 1/1000 s; intermediate markings can differ after factory or service updates
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- 1/50 s
MP (1956)
The Leica MP of 1956 is the original professional M-mount model, developed from the double-stroke M3 for working photojournalists. Its defining production features are the Leicavit MP rapid-wind base, a manually reset external frame counter, reinforced winding components and an M3-style high-magnification rangefinder [1][2].
The camera retains the M3 lens mount, cloth focal-plane shutter and 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm finder system. It has no built-in exposure meter or self timer. LeicaLensList must keep this camera separate from the metered Leica MP introduced in 2003, using the unique slug leica-mp-1956 [2].
History
Development and Launch
Leitz developed the original MP after professional photographers including Alfred Eisenstaedt and David Douglas Duncan requested an M camera that could use a rapid bottom winder. Prototype work began in 1955, and the production MP appeared in 1956 as a specialist professional model based on the M3 [2].
Production Evolution
Leica states that 402 MP cameras were made in 1956 and 1957 [1]. Collector references record black cameras mainly from MP13 to MP150 and chrome cameras from MP151 to MP402, but these observed groupings do not establish a simple contiguous factory allocation. Prototype bodies, early exceptions and later M3-to-MP conversions require separate documentation [3][4].
Special Variants
Black paint and chrome are production finishes within the same Standard model profile, not separate special editions. A small number of atypical finder configurations is reported. Factory and later service work could add self timers, replace top plates or change winding and shutter parts, so current appearance does not always represent delivery specification [2].
Collector Notes
Authentication should include the MP serial on the chassis beneath the baseplate, the characteristic P marking, Leicavit-compatible winding shaft, hardened steel winding gear and documented internal brake arrangement [2][4]. Verify that the Leicavit MP, frame counter, finder and finish are period-correct. Provenance from named press photographers can be important, but it should never substitute for mechanical and serial authentication.
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