Leica MA Silver Chrome Finish

Absolutely dependable

As a purely mechanical camera, the Leica M-A is a precision instrument that has been so dramatically reduced to the essentials that it opens up entirely new creative horizons for photographers.



Form and function

The exterior of the Leica M-A is as timeless as the precision engineering hidden inside.



Two different finishes

The camera is available in two different finishes: the classic look of the silver chrome version continues the design tradition derived from 60 years of Leica M-Cameras.

The shutter-speed dial, the aperture ring on the lens and the characteristic rangefinder for focusing: the new Leica M-A (Typ 127) has everything a camera needs. Many of its components were used in the very first M cameras exactly as they are today. No changes have been made to its mechanical way of working in the past 60 years and there won’t be any reason to do so in the coming 60 years either. The Leica M-A is the puristic perfection of analog photography and now symbolizes a precision-engineered return to the essence of the art of photography.

Compact, analog viewfinder system camera
Mechanically controlled focal-plane shutter
With frame selector
Purely mechanical camera: without light meter and aperture priority mode
No batteries necessary
Reduced design without Leica logo on the front

Camera body
Carrying strap
Bayonet cap for body
Cover for accessory shoe

Camera
Leica M-A (Typ 127) compact range and viewfinder system camera with mechanically controlled shutter
Lens Connection
Leica M bayonet
Lens System
Leica M lenses from 16-135mm
Exposure Control
Manual shutter speed & aperture setting based on readings from external exposure meter or operator assessment
Flash unit connection
Using accessory shoe with center contact
Synchronization
With 1st shutter curtain
Flash sync speed
1/5 s; slower shutter speeds can be used
Flash exposure control
Computer control of flash unit or guide number calculation and manual setting of required aperture
Viewfinder principle
Large, bright line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation
Eyepiece
Calibrated to -0.5 dpt. Corrective lenses from -3 to +3 diopter available
Image field limiter
By activating two bright lines each: For 28 and 90 mm or for 35 and 135 mm, or for 50 and 75 mm; automatic activation when lens is fitted
Image field selector
Allows the bright-line pairs to be manually activated at any time (e.g. to compare detail)
Parallax compensation
Horizontal and vertical offset between viewfinder and lens axis is automatically compensated according to the relevant distance setting
Correlation between viewfinder & film images
At the shortest possible distance setting for each focal length, the bright line frame size corresponds to an image size of approx. 23 x 35 mm. When set to infinity, depending on the focal length between 9% (28mm) and 23% (135mm) more is captured by the film than is shown in the corresponding bright line frame
Magnification
(For all lenses) 0.72 x
Large basis range finder
Split or superimposed image range finder shown as bright field in the center of the viewfinder image
Effective measurement basis
‘49.9 mm (mechanical measurement basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder magnification 0.72 x)
Shutter
Rubber blanket slotted shutter with horizontal movement; extremely low-noise; mechanically controlled
Shutter speeds
From 1 s to 1/1 s in whole increments, B for long exposures of any duration, (1/5 s) for flash synchronization
Shutter release
Standard thread for cable release integrated
Film winding
Loading
Manual film loading after opening the bottom cover and the rear panel
Winding forwards
Manually with quick wind lever or Leicavit M, motorized using Leica Motor-M, Leica Winder-M, Leica Winder M4-P, or Leica Winder M4-2 (from serial no. 10350)
Rewind
Manually with pull-out rewind button, after moving the R lever on the front of the camera
Material
Enclosed all-metal body with hinged rear panel; chromed brass top & bottom cover
Tripod thread
A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4”)
Rear panel / equipment
Indicator for film sensitivity
Dimensions
(Length x Depth x Height) 138 mm x 38 mm x 77 mm
Weight
Approx. 578 g
Items supplied
Housing bayonet cover, carrying strap