I have seen some Leica MDA bodys, they don't have viewfinder, in fact, there is nothing to see thru, how can you take a picture with this body, is the MDA a display dummy or what, thanks!!

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), April 04, 2002

Answers

The MDa was designed for the LEITZ reproduction units - there were ages without photocopiers as you know - often used in science institutions etc. in the old days. It was also meant for the use with the VISOFLEX-housing. Whenever you do not need the v/f-rangefinder for photography you could use this less expensive LEICA M model. The shutter was identical with the one of the parallel produced LEICA. Before the MD appeared there was the M 1. This housing had a viewfinder but it came without the build in rangefinder-components.

The first LEICA MD appeared in 1964, last production of the MD 2 was in 1987 in Canada.

Today they could give you the opportunity to attach lenses which do not require a v/f: the VC 15 mm lens for example. Or any other lens where you guess the focus and have a seperate, attachable v/f.

Best regards

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), April 04, 2002.

Also used for photomicroscopy.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

The M1 was made from 1959 to 1964. It is basically an M2 without self timer and frame selector or rangefinder window. The rangefinder window was blanked off and M1 was engraved here. The MD was made from 1964 to 1966 and the front of the top plate was blank, no windows at all. It had a special slot in the base plate that accepted a 4mm plastic strip so that data could be recorded on the negative. Both were designed primarily for use with microscopes or with Visoflex for long lenses. One of the most beautiful Leicas ever made were the Md's that were finished in gray hammertone paint along with the matching Viso III. As always Leitz records are "sketchy" at best and as little as 10 sets may have been made with the hammertone paint. One of the super rare collectables.

-- F. William Baker (atelfwb@aol.com), April 04, 2002.