Leica MDa: Is this THE most reliable Leica camera?

If you’re looking for THE most reliable Leica camera I think I’ve found it with the Leica MDa. Well built, drop proof and no electronics to fail. This might be the perfect Leica!

Today I bring you the Leica MDa (a droppable Leica M4 and a camera that has won my heart). This Leica MDa camera review will cover “blind Leica cameras” (Leica MD, Leica MD-a, Leica MD-2), zone focusing and Leica Visoflex housing (+ YouTube).

Most reliable Leica camera?

People often write to me and say, “Hey Matt, what is the most reliable Leica camera?” or “What is the best Leica ever made?”

If we are thinking long term, first we need to disregard the digital Leica M cameras. At some point these electronics will become obsolete. Yes cameras like the 2006 Leica M8 (the first digital Leica M camera (APS-C not full frame) is still going strong but will it survive another 20 years? (Currently I use the 2015 Leica M262 and the 2017 Leica M10 (Converted to M10-P) and they both feel like 2024 cameras).

Next, we will ignore the early Leica iii cameras as many people now want Leica M mount. (For the record Leica iii cameras are FANTASTIC and some of the best made Leica cameras).

We must also skip over Leica R cameras as honestly I don’t think the reliability is up to usual Leica standards. (It seems well behind Nikon F SLR cameras such as the Nikon FM2n etc).

Ignoring these, that leaves us with Leica M film cameras. I wrote the Leica M film camera buyer’s guide some years ago to guide photographers through the various Leica models. The interesting thing is, the cameras I talk about today were not mentioned in that article. Today’s featured camera is somewhat off radar and probably overlooked by many. The Leica MDa. I also cover the MDa siblings, the Leica M1, Leica MD and Leica MD2.

Best Leica M film camera?

The Leica M film camera buyer’s guide gives you all the comparisons and data you need for Leica rangefinder cameras. To quickly recap, let’s group all Leica M film cameras into 5 simple categories.

• Early Ms – Leica M3, Leica M2, Leica M4 (Perhaps the best made)
• Mid Ms – Leica M4-P, M4-2 (Lighter built, lower quality)
• Early electronics – Leica M5, Leica M6, Leica M7
• Modern Ms – Leica M-A, Leica MP, Leica M6 re-issue (Better made again)
• Blind Ms – Leica MD, Leica MDa, Leica MD-2 (+ Leica M1)

OK, let’s look at these “blind Leica M cameras” in more detail as these are not rangefinder cameras.

Blind Leica M cameras (+ Leica M1)

If we take the old nick name “blind Leica cameras”, this relates to the quirky Leica M cameras that were made without viewfinders. (I will group the Leica M1 in here but the M1 does have a finder). These Leica M cameras are based on popular Leica cameras but were designed without viewfinders (stripped back versions).

• 1959 Leica M1 – Based on the Leica M2 (viewfinder, no rangefinder)
• 1963 Leica MD – Based on the Leica M2 (no viewfinder)
• 1966 Leica MD-a – Based on the Leica M4 (no viewfinder)
• 1981 Leica MD-2 – Based on the Leica M4-2 (no viewfinder)

What is the Leica M1?

The Leica M1 is different to the blind Leica camera models (Leica MD, Leica MDa, Leica MD-2) as it does have a viewfinder but lacks a rangefinder. The Leica M1 is based on the popular Leica M2 and was designed to be used with the Leica Visoflex housing (more on that coming up).

Leica M1 vs Leica M2

Differences between the Leica M1 and the earlier Leica M2 include –

• Viewfinder – Leica M1 only has 35mm and 50mm framelines (no 90mm frame)
• Rangefinder – Leica M1 has no coupled rangefinder (M1 logo in RF window)
• Self-timer – Leica M1 doesn’t have the delayed action option

Leica MD vs Leica MDa vs Leica MD2

Unlike the Leica M1, the Leica MD, MD-a and MD-2 cameras are truly blind. All three cameras share the same basic lack of features when compared to “normal” Leica M cameras.

• No viewfinder
• No coupled rangefinder
• No self-timer “delayed action”

Leica camera without viewfinder – Why?

So what is the point of making a Leica M camera without a viewfinder you might ask? Great question. The Leica MD, Leica MD-a and Leica MD-2 were designed to be used with the Leica Visoflex system and follow the Leica M1.

(*I don’t mean the Leica electronic viewfinders (aka. Leica Visoflex) as these camera were made before electronics. I mean the original Leica Visoflex housing). Photo below shows the Leica M10 with both a modern EVF and the original Leica Visoflex attached.

What is a Leica Visoflex?

The Leica Visoflex housing was developed for scientific and industrial use and converts a Leica M camera into a SLR camera (in simple terms).

Convert your Leica to a SLR camera

Leica Visoflex housing is a reflex housing attachment designed for Leica rangefinder cameras. This basically turns your compact rangefinder cameras into a bigger, clunkier SLR (single-lens reflex) camera by adding a mirror and ground glass focusing system between the camera body and lens. Once added, you can now view through-the-lens and precise focus without the worry of rangefinder calibration issues.

The Visoflex system is perfect for my eyesight and especially useful for close-ups, macro or long lenses. Now your Leica M camera can truly be a do-anything/ photo-everything camera.

Leica Visoflex I, II , III

If we stick to the basic models, there are three Leica Visoflex housing options. The Leica Visoflex I, II and III. How does each model differ you might ask?

• 1951 Leica Visoflex I – Screw mount + later M mount (followed the early PLOOT)
• 1958 Leica Visoflex II – M mount + LTM, smaller and better for handheld use
• 1963 Leica Visoflex III – M mount only, quick release lever, best for digital M

These are the most common Leica Visoflex housing options but the original was called the “PLOOT”. The Visoflex system gives you a ground glass on a mirror box (similar to say the Nikon F3), and then you can add your own viewfinder of choice.

Viewfinders for Leica Visoflex

The most common Leica Visoflex viewfinders are either the 4x magnification eye-level prism finder or the 5x magnification vertical chimney finder. I prefer the chimney finder for ease of focus. (Photo below shows vertical finder + modern EVF together).

Lenses for the Leica Visoflex

Did you know that many of the early Leica 90mm and 135mm lenses have a detectable lens head? You can detach the lens head from your existing Leica lens and mount to the Leica Visoflex housing (via the correct adapter tube) and obtain infinity focus. (If you attach Standard Leica M mount lenses to a Leica Visoflex you only have the option of macro).

Some Leica lenses were developed solely for the Leica Visoflex housing, such as the Leica Elmar 65mm f3.5 that I enjoy (See this video). You also have the Leica Telyt lenses which are telephoto lenses designed for use with the Visoflex system. (Note, Leica Telyt lenses will not work without a Visoflex and these lenses are not Leica M mount).

Back to the cameras

OK, so now we’re up to speed on what is a blind Leica camera and what is a Leica Visoflex, let’s get back to the topic of the most reliable Leica camera.

Biggest weakness of Leica M cameras

If we look at the Leica M camera design and especially Leica M film cameras, what are their biggest weaknesses? For me two factors jump out at me –

• Limited close focus distance (0.7m-1m MFD)
• Short-term accuracy only (Due to rangefinder calibration)

The design of the Leica M camera coupled rangefinder unit presents two huge problems for real world use. Firstly, these cameras can’t be used to photograph items up close. Second, they need careful handling (or wrapping in bubble-wrap!) so not to get knocked out of calibration.

Leica rangefinder limitations

The Leica M3 was designed with a 1m MFD coupled rangefinder focusing system, the same as Leica iii cameras. All later Leica M cameras offered 0.7m close focus and that is still true today with the Leica M11 series cameras. (Note* You can find some Leica M3 cameras that have been modified to focus to 0.7m. Mine have).

Leica lenses designed for close focus

In the past, some Leica lenses were designed with Leica goggles or adapters to get slightly closer than 0.7m-1m. See articles on the Leica Summicron 50mm f2 DR (dual range) and Leica Elmar 50mm f2.8.

Modern Leica M mount lenses

In modern times you can now find Leica M mount lenses that focus closer than 0.7m such as the Thypoch Simera lenses (28mm, 35mm, 50mm). These lenses are only a benefit for digital cameras with LiveView as you need to focus via LiveView at distances closer than 0.7m. (The Leica rangefinder decouples at 0.7m and your rangefinder patch stops moving a you turn your focus).

Leica rangefinder calibration issues

Next you have the issue with rangefinder calibration. When a Leica M camera is calibrated it is very accurate, even with ultra fast lenses such as the Leica Noctilux 50mm f1. (I happily use my Leica M10-P rangefinder with the Light Lens Lab remake of the 50mm f1.2 1966 lens). The problems start once your camera is not calibrated.

Blurry Leica photos?

Are your Leica photos blurry and out of focus? It is likely that you bumped your Leica M camera. Leica M cameras don’t like being knocked, bumped, dropped or vibrated as this knocks out the alignment of your rangefinder.

If your rangefinder adjustment is only slightly off your photos may look in focus in the viewfinder but when you get the pictures developed they are not sharp. If your camera has taken a bigger knock you’ll notice that your rangefinder patch no longer aligns correctly when you are focusing.

To make a truly bomb-proof Leica M camera we need to take out the rangefinder completely and find another way to focus our photos.

Transform your Leica M camera into a SLR

By converting your Leica M camera into a SLR camera you overcome two issues in one go. Firstly, you can now focus as close as you want to without limitation (with adapters, extension tubes or macro bellows). Second, you no longer need to treat your Leica M camera body like a new-born baby. If you drop it, no problem. Heavy vibrations (perhaps a dirt bike adventure with your camera off-road), no problem. Your camera is now merely a very nicely made compact light box and the Leica Visoflex housing lets you focus.

SLR camera experience with a Visoflex

By adding Leica Visoflex housing to any Leica M camera you’ll convert your rangefinder camera into an SLR camera. If you’ve ever used a SLR camera you’ll know what to expect. With the Visoflex system you are using a mirror box and ground glass to focus through your lens (not looking through a little viewfinder window and aligning your rangefinder focus patch). With SLR cameras WYSIWYG as they say when it comes to focus, depth, bokeh and flare. This is a big advantage over the rangefinder system.

Leica MDa + Visoflex III

When I bought my Leica MDa it came with the Leica Visoflex III housing and the Leica Elmar 65mm f3.5 Canada lens (silver). This is one seriously cool setup as the 65mm Elmar lens focuses from 0.33m through to infinity without the need of extra adapters. I’ve been enjoying the setup so much I went on to get a few more lenses to use with my Visoflex setup. Here are a few examples with the silver Leica Elmar 65mm f3.5 on the Leica MDa.

Finally we can focus MUCH closer

Thanks to the Leica Visoflex housing, the normal close-focus restraints of Leica M cameras are lifted and now we can get in as close as we want to. These test shot images were with the Leica MDa + Visoflex III housing.

Leica Visoflex III self portraits

To demonstrate the fun that can be had with the Visoflex on a Leica MDa film camera here are a few mirror selfies.

Visoflex on digital Leica Camera?

Slightly off topic but for completeness, yes you can use the same Leica Visoflex housing with your digital Leica M camera. These photos were captured with the Leica M10-P, Visoflex III and Leica Elmar 65mm f3.5 lens.

YouTube – Leica Visoflex (Converting my Leica into a SLR)

Check out this video to see me convert my Leica M10-P into an SLR camera by adding the Leica Visoflex III housing. The video covers Visoflex vs EVF options for Leica M cameras and demonstrates what is possibly with this equipment.

Back to Leica film cameras

OK so we know that the Leica MD, Leica MD-a and Leica MD-2 cameras have no viewfinder and were designed for use with the Leica Visoflex housing. We also know that the cameras were designed for industrial and scientific work, not for you and me.

In modern times, these cameras can be enjoyed by photographers again and there are two common approaches to using them. The first being with the Leica Visoflex system as they were intended for, but to photography anything and everything, even handheld.

The second method is perhaps more commonly used as not everyone knows about the Visoflex system. If you discover a cool looking, high quality, affordable-in-Leica-money camera that has no focusing mechanism and no viewfinder you naturally use it for zone focusing.

Zone focusing a Leica MD, MDa, MD-2

What is Zone focusing you might ask? Zone focusing is dialling in a predetermined focal distance and aperture onto your camera lens as shown in the photo below. Here the lens is set to infinity.  This is also known as the hyperfocal distance. (See article for lots more info).

Leica zone focusing

Leica lenses are normally excellent for zone focusing as you often have the distance scale markings on the top of the lens (as shown above). It’s simply a matter of approximating the distance to your subject and then ensuring that your lens distance (for the given aperture) provides enough depth to get your zone of interest in focus.

Best Leica lenses for zone focusing

The wider your lens the more depth of focus you have at any given f. stop. This means ultra-wide lenses like 15mm and 21mm are pretty much point and shoot setups. Personally I enjoy the Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f4.5, Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f4, Voigtlander Color Skopar 28mm f2.8 and Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f2.8 as my most used zone-focus lenses.

(Not sponsored haha, Voigtlander just makes some very small lenses and I love that for this style of photography). See my Kentmere 400 film review article for lots of example photos of zone focus photography.

Eyes for your Leica MDa

So far we have great cameras that we can now focus using the Visoflex housing or approximate focus by zone focusing. Next our blind Leica needs some eyes so we can compose our photos.

As there is no built-in viewfinder like on normal cameras we need to attach an external viewfinder using the cameras cold shoe on the top plate. It’s simple a matter of purchasing the correct with viewfinder for your lens of choice. For example if you plan to use a 28mm lens you need to add a 28mm viewfinder to correctly compose your shot.

Accessory viewfinders for Leica cameras

When it comes to accessory viewfinders for your Leica camera, the first thing you’ll likely notice is the price. Viewfinders can be expensive. Nice viewfinders such as those made by Leica or Voigtlander cost more than many used Nikon SLR cameras. (Budget Nikon SLR cameras like the Nikon F80 are much cheaper than a viewfinder and still take great images).

The good news is, if you shop around you can normally find cheaper options even if they are lower quality. The cheapest viewfinders I know of are the tiny plastic-fantastic finders made by KEKS. They look like they came out of a Christmas cracker and you might not want to dirty your nice camera with such plastic but I sometimes use them if running with my camera.

Best viewfinder for Leica cameras

What are the best viewfinders for Leica cameras? The most enjoyable finders to use are the big and bright “bright-line” viewfinders made by Voigtlander or some of the Leica finders. If you don’t mind a tiny window to look through and you plan to use a 35mm lens, Light Lens Lab offer a fantastic remake of a tiny metal Leica finder. (I wish they made a 28mm version too as I use 28mm much more).

See my video on accessory viewfinders for Leica cameras for more info –

Leica MDa zone focusing

To show you some examples photos with this setup, these images were captured with my Leica MD-a using zone focusing. I likely shot them at f5.6 to f8 with a Voigtlander Color Skopar 28mm f2.8 lens and that gives me enough depth to comfortably approximate my focus.

Better than Leica zone focusing? Cheat!

Zone focusing is great but sometimes you don’t have enough light to stop down to f8. What if you need to take a photo at f2 and you have a 35mm lens for example? I know I’m not good enough to guess a distance and be accurate with a 35mm lens at f2. 28mm at f2.8? This gives you a slightly better working distance but still not so easy. So how do I accurate focus a blind camera with such a shallow depth of focus?

On occasions where I have a digital Leica M camera with me, or actually if I have any camera with me with a rangefinder (film or digital), I first check my distance and well, cheat. An example of this was in the Czech Republic recently where I needed to shoot wide open at f2.8 on my 28mm Voigtlander Color Skopar lens. I first checked the distance with my Leica M10-P and then dialled in the same distance with the Voigtlander lens on my Leica MDa. It worked perfectly!

Leica MD-a photos (pre-focused with digital)

A few example Leica MD-a photos shot on 35mm Kentmere 400 film –

No viewfinder, no problem!

As you can see from the photos shared above, not having a viewfinder built into your Leica camera isn’t the end of the world. In fact it’s very liberating, especially if you use a wide lens and zone focus your camera. The question is, if these “blind Leica cameras” are good which is the best model to get, Leica MD, MDa or MD2?

What is the best blind Leica camera?

We know that the Leica MD, MDa and MD-2 can take great photos in real world use and they all share the same benefits of being both robust but also blind (compared to mainstream Leica M cameras). So what is the ultimate blind Leica camera of these three options? Let’s look at the specific features of each Leica camera to determine the winner.

*Did you know that there were also Leica iii cameras made without viewfinders and rangefinders? These cameras were also used with Leica Visoflex housing. Cameras like the Leica ic, Leica if and Leica ig are stripped back versions of the Leica iiic, Leica iiif and Leica iiig. (For completeness you can also get cameras like the Leica iif which has a viewfinder and rangefinder but fewer features compared to the original Leica iiif camera).

So not to get too deep into the weeds, for this article we will only consider blind Leica M film cameras. Let’s go through each in turn.

Common features: Leica MD vs MDa vs MD-2

The blind Leica MD, MDa and MD-2 all share the following common features –

• Leica M mount bayonet (accept all M lenses, old and new)
• Shutter speeds Bulb – 1/1000
• Maximum flash sync – 1/50
• Fully mechanical (no batteries)
• No viewfinder (or framelines switch)(cleaner look)
• Also no rangefinder (normally a combined VF-RF window)
• No self-timer switch (cleaner look on the front)
• Special base-plate option to accept record strips

All three cameras are pretty similar and they can all take the same photos. How do these cameras differ if we look at the smaller details?

Features of the Leica MD

The Leica MD is based on the Leica M2 camera and replaces the Leica M1. Features include

• Leica M2 build quality (amongst the best in Leica terms)
• Film advance lever from the M2/M3 (single piece metal)
• Knurled film rewind knob from the Leica M2/M3/MP/M-A
• M2 manual frame counter dial (not automatic like Leica M3)
• Film loading spool (like Leica M2/M3)
• No writing or logos on front face of the camera
• Leica M3/M2 style script engraved on the top plate
• Leica MD weight – 595g

Benefits of the Leica MDa

Following the Leica MD camera the Leica MDa. The MD-a is based on the later Leica M4 not the Leica M2. Features include –

• Leica M4 build quality (Leica M3, M2 and M4 are the best made)
• Film advance lever from the M2/M3 (single piece metal)
• Leica M4 film rewind crank (faster than M2 rewind knob design)
• Automatic frame counter dial (like all later M cameras – better)
• Leica quick film loading design (no film spool required + faster)
• Silver chrome finish (looks newer for longer)
• No writing or logos on front face of the camera
• Leica M3/M2 style script engraved on the top plate
• Leica MDa weight – 454g (one of the lightest Leica M cameras)

Best Leica M4 camera?

Many people love the Leica M4 camera but is the MDa even better? Comparing the Leica M4 vs Leica MDA, with the Leica MDa you get the same Leica M4 solid build quality, fast rewind crank and fast film loading yet with the nicer Leica M3 film advance lever. This is the only Leica M camera that gives you the best of both worlds. A single piece film advance lever and the faster film rewind crank design.

The Leica M4 is 560g so the stripped back Leica MD-a is over 100g lighter. The MDa has no rangefinder to worry about and less dials on the front giving a much cleaner minimal look. Another huge benefit of the Leica MDa vs Leica M4 is the MDa is around 50% of the cost (for the same build quality and finish).

If you are a zone focus photographer that often uses wide lenses the Leica MDa might be the better choice.

Features of the Leica MD-2

The last blind Leica to be released was the Leica MD-2 camera in the 1980s. The MD-2 was likely a cost saving measure and is based on the cheaper Leica M4-2 camera. Features of the Leica MD-2 include

• Leica M4-2 build quality (Feels lighter and uses cheaper materials)
• 2-piece film advance lever from the Leica M4-P / M4-2
• Leica M4 film rewind crank (faster than M2 rewind knob design)
• Automatic frame counter dial (like all later M cameras – better)
• Leica quick film loading design (no film spool required + faster)
• Black chrome finish (more stealth but marks easier than silver)
• Some models have the Leica red dot on the front (most are without)
• “Leica MD-2” writing logo on front of camera
• Leitz M4-P style script engraved on the top plate
• Leica MD-2 weight – 460g

Why I bought the Leica MDa camera

When you compare the finer details of the Leica MD, Leica MDa and Leica MD-2 the MD-a is the winner for me. The MDa has the single piece winder, faster film loading, faster film rewind and very sleek looking. If I wanted the most stealthy I’d go for the black Leica MD-2 but those tend to be more expensive. (~2500 Leica MD-2 cameras compared to around 14,000 Leica MDa cameras were produced).

The best of Leica (and it looks cool)

For me, the Leica MD-a brings with it the best of Leica without any of the weaknesses. (Well I guess a built-in viewfinder could be useful!) As you may know I love the simplicity of the Leica M-A camera but the MDa is like a stripped back Leica M-A. The MDa has minimal features so for zone focusing using Sunny16 it’s refreshing to just point and shoot a wide lens.

Top 10 film cameras EVER

Discovering the Leica Visoflex housing option has just magnified the enjoyment of the Leica MDa camera 10x. I could be wrong, but my prediction is that you will be seeing a lot more from me using the Leica MDa camera in the months and years ahead.

The Leica MDa has just jumped straight into my top 10 cameras of all time. (See my article on the top 10 cameras as voted by you to see the competition!)

Is the Leica MDa my new EDC camera?

The big question is, will the Leica MDa be my new EDC (every day carry) camera? I love the MDa BUT I think my 1931 Leica I Model C armed with the 40mm Heliar lens will remain my EDC as it’s smaller, lighter and just as bomb proof.

Simplicity is bliss (Less IS more)

The beauty of cameras like the Leica MDa and Leica I Model C is these cameras give you photography in the purest form. If you opt for a 1 camera, 1 lens setup and then zone focus using Sunny16 exposure metering it’s a refreshing divergence from hectic modern world.

See my video on “off-grid” photography as this relates to the Leica MDa cameras too.

Leica MDa for portraits / models

Will I really be using the Leica MDa for my model photography? Absolutely but I guess time will tell. For low light and fast lenses the camera of choice will still be the Leica M-A but I can’t wait to try longer lenses for portraits with the Visoflex.

If you want to learn how to photograph people or get into model photography, I share everything I’ve learnt over the last decade in an easy to read step-by-step guide eBook.

Repainting my Leica MD-a camera

When I bought my Leica MD-a camera the writing on the top plate where it said “MDa -XXXXX” had worn off. I’m a very visual guy so I couldn’t live with this. After some research I learnt how to repaint my Leica camera so I made a video for YouTube.

After repainting the Leica MDa lettering and with a new bright red Wotancraft camera strap attached, the 1960s Leica MDa looks like new again. Very pleased.

YouTube Leica MDa Review (My Leica M4 without Viewfinder!)

Watch an overview of the Leica MD-a (and other blind Leica cameras) on YouTube –

Leica MD not Leica M-D (Typ262)

If you are searching online for information about the Leica MD, MDa or MD2 you’ll likely get a lot of hits for the Leica M-D. To save you time clicking, the Leica M-D “Typ262” is a digital camera that uses a similar name to the Leica MD, MDa, MD2 we cover in this video.

Affordable Leica MDa camera alternatives

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to a Leica MDa, MD, MD-2 you could consider two cameras made by Cosina Voigtlander. The Voigtlander Bessa L and Voigtlander Bessa R. Let’s look at those next.

Voigtlander Bessa L vs Leica MD-a

The Voigtlander Bessa L is the Leica MD of Voigtlander Bessa cameras. Like the blind Leica cameras, the Bessa L has no viewfinder and no rangefinder. Unlike these Leica cameras, it is plastic fantastic not solid metal, and very light weight (only 320g).

Benefits of the Bessa L camera over a Leica MDa (etc) include –

• Lightweight (great if I’m running)
• Built-in LED display light meter (vs not)
• Fast SLR style film loading (vs Leica M fast loading)
• Same Leica M mount bayonet
• The cheapest Leica M mount camera

Voigtlander Bessa T vs Leica MD-a

Another Leica MDa alternative is the Voigtlander Bessa T camera. The Bessa T shares many of the same features listed for the Voigtlander Bessa L above BUT it also has a built in rangefinder. (So you have a rangefinder but no viewfinder). This is a big advantage over Leica MD cameras for accurate focusing but you still need an external viewfinder to compose your image.

Blind Leica iii cameras vs Leica MD, MDa,MD2

As mentioned earlier Leica also made Leica iii cameras without viewfinders. Blind Leica iii cameras include the Leica ic (see video), Leica if and Leica ig. Benefits of Leica iii cameras is they are equally well made to early Leica M cameras AND they are smaller and lighter.

The biggest drawback of Leica iii cameras vs Leica M is (1) they are screw mount only, not Leica M mount and (2), film loading requires cutter the leader which can be a pain.

More Leica MDa alternative cameras

Two other Leica cameras that spring to mind as alternatives to the Leica MDa are those that I use to zone focus. First is the 1931 Leica I (Model C) and second the Leica CL film camera.

Leica I (Model C) vs Leica MD, MDa, MD2

The earliest 1930s Leica film cameras have a fixed 50mm viewfinder but no rangefinder. You need to zone focus this camera as you would with the Leica MDa. (It came out way before the invention of the Leica Visoflex housing).

The fixed 50mm finder isn’t the ideal focal length to zone focus so I normally use the camera with a compact modern 40mm Voigtlander Heliar f2.8 LTM lens (or a 28mm Voigtlander Color Skopar f2.8 lens). Thanks to the small size and low weight (yet satisfying build quality), this is often my EDC camera (every day carry).

Leica CL vs Leica MD, MDa, MD2

If you know your Leica cameras you might find it strange that I mention the little Leica CL film camera. The Leitz CL has a built-in viewfinder, rangefinder and even, if working, a built-in light meter. I consider the Leica CL as a Leica MDa alternative as the accuracy of the low magnification rangefinder-viewfinder window is low so I tend to zone focus the camera.

Benefits of the Leica CL is they are normally quite cheap (in Leica terms), they are M mount and they and compact and lightweight. Drawbacks are, it’s not a “proper” Leica camera (was made in collaborate with Minolta) and it feels much more like a plastic Voigtlander Bessa series camera.

YouTube – Leica MD, MD-a, MD-2 alternatives

This video from a few years ago covers the whole debate of the Leica MDa (etc) vs cheaper alternatives such as those mentioned above.

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