Would you buy M7 with normal (non-MP) VF?

[nokton_user]

I've search the forum and couldn't get an answer:

How big is the non-MP VF in the M7?
At what situations the flare may appear?

And- if you have the chance- would you buy M7 with the non-MP VF?

Thanks.

[Rayt]

I would buy an M7 with the non MP finder if it is cheap enough and I mean at least $500 cheaper. DAG can upgrade the finder for around $200 but Leica made other little improvements on later M7's aside from the MP finder such as a tighter iso dial on the back. Earlier iso dials tend to move when bumped.

[RichardB]

I have had one for about two years. Flair is on a par with the M6 and certainly liveable. Unfortuneately if one has ever had or used an M3, there simply is no comparison and you are spoiled for life!
I just purchased another one new. Viewfinder about the same.
Both M7's do not exhibit ANY random changes of the ISO dial. In fact to test the new one, I wanted to insert an ASA but forgot that instead of pushing in the little button and turning the exposure compensation dial, you simply turn the inner ASA dial and there was no way I could get the thing to turn until I remembered how. I always leave the ISO to the DX position.
No big deal on the viewfinder, if the flair does bother you, you can have it upgraded.
M7's are coming on the market used and new at good prices. Try to purchase new at a considerable discount or from a user/collector that kept the camera and never used it. There are lots of M users like that.-Dick

[BennyC]

Doesn't Leica upgrade the viewfinder of the M7 for free?

[RichardB]

Leica may do that for the original owner. I have just sent in the waranty for the latest M7 and when I hear back from Leica, I intend to ask them that question. The other M7 I have was purchased used but essentially new from a Long Island Times photographer that had gone all digital. My lineage is M3 to M6 0.85 Classic to the M7. By far the M7 with Motor M is the best of the lot!-Dick

[abenner]

Lots of people can't tell the difference between the finders. Its not that big of a deal. I mean people don't lament the M6's terrible finder do they? The M7 and MP finders are not as wonderful as the M3 but they're still great to use when you compare to other RF's.

[urban_alchemist]

I just had a shutter repaired at Leica, and in the mean-time got them to replace the VF with the upgraded MP-finder. I have had the M7 from new, and it is one of the earliest cameras.

Anyway, the replacement finder cost €298 and to tell you the truth, it is not THAT much different, although I have noticed less blinding from flair.

(Speaking of which, for some reason the worst finder is on my MP-3...)