Leica MP (1956 Original)
Iconic CameraKnown as "Original MP", "MP 元年", "MP 1956", "Leica MP Original", "MP 1956 元年版"
CameraM-mount mountMade in Wetzlar, Germany1956–1957MP1000110002
The ultimate collector rangefinder — created specifically for Magnum photographers with built-in Leicavit rapid winder. Only ~450 units ever built.
Famous for
- David Douglas Duncan Korean War / Picasso documentation
- Alfred Eisenstaedt LIFE magazine assignments
At Photokina 1956, Ernst Leitz responded to demanding photojournalists — notably David Douglas Duncan and Alfred Eisenstaedt — who needed a rapid-firing M camera for Magnum reportage. The result was the legendary Leica MP ('M Professionell'), combining the M3 rangefinder with a factory Leicavit trigger winder on the baseplate and hardened steel gearing. Only ~450 total units were produced (312 in silver chrome, 138 in black paint), making it one of the most coveted and valuable rangefinder cameras in history.
Key specs
- shutter
- Rubberized cloth focal-plane, 1 - 1/1000s + B
- finder
- 0.91x with 50/90/135 framelines
- weight g
- 620
- dimensions mm
- 138 x 77 x 36
- winder
- Integrated Leicavit MP baseplate trigger winder
- production units
- 450
Variants & finishes
MP-Silver
MP-Black
Market value
Used-market price (USD, estimated median)
Estimates from auction and dealer records — condition and completeness vary.
View data
| Date | Price | Source | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-01 | $45,000 | Auction Median | Good |
| 2020-01 | $85,000 | Auction Median | Good |
| 2024-01 | $120,000 | Auction Median | Good |
| 2026-01 | $150,000 | Auction Median | Good |
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