The Leica MP, released in 2003 and still in production, is the mechanical film M perfected: an M6-style metered body built with upgraded finder optics and classic controls, its name recalling the 1950s MP made for press photographers.
It has a fully mechanical cloth shutter 1s-1/1000s requiring batteries only for the TTL meter, a flare-resistant finder in 0.58x, 0.72x or 0.85x, the classic rewind knob rather than a crank, and brass top and bottom plates. Weight is about 600g.
Against the M6 it fixes the finder flare and gains the engraved brass build; against the electronic M7 it is entirely battery-independent for exposure. As a current-production camera it anchors used prices for the whole metered film M family.
Used MPs command near-new prices when clean; black paint versions develop the brassing patina buyers actively seek. Verify meter function, check for finder haze despite the improved optics, and be aware 'a la carte' custom builds vary in specification.