Is the Leica M7 going strong in 2012? - Page 2

sepiareverb · 02-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by presspass

...the shutter is the quietest of any of my Leicas.

It really is quiet. Just reading the "How loud is the Ikon vs G2" thread, and just no comparison to an M7. As silent as a real shutter gets- heck even my iPhone "shutter" is louder than the M7.

I think build is certainly well above most DSLR cameras. Better than SLR bodies I've handled- even the F4. The DX and the display can be finicky, but as stated above that is most often a power issue or the DX dial needing a spin to clean-up the contacts. I'd expect with all the times Leica has had an M7 back for this they've made some changes in the current crop of M7 bodies. Anyone have a new M7 that can report??

Freakscene · 02-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sepiareverb

I'd expect with all the times Leica has had an M7 back for this they've made some changes in the current crop of M7 bodies. Anyone have a new M7 that can report??

I have one very early and one very late M7, and there are numerous differences obvious when you open them, including the materials (particularly polymers) used, the way the circuits are wired, down to the shape of the threads on the slotted washer under the rewind knob.

Marty

sepiareverb · 02-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freakscene

I have one very early and one very late M7, and there are numerous differences obvious when you open them, including the materials (particularly polymers) used, the way the circuits are wired, down to the shape of the threads on the slotted washer under the rewind knob.

Marty

As I suspected. Any differences you notice in use? Does the newer one seem less prone to DX faults?

Freakscene · 02-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sepiareverb

As I suspected. Any differences you notice in use? Does the newer one seem less prone to DX faults?

No differences in use. My newer one is the one that has problems, although each time the old one goes to Leica the more it seems to be similar to the new one. Leica Solms always did a lot of work for me gratis, which seems to have stopped since the Australian service contract was given to Camera Clinic. But the cameras come back faster.

Marty

tightsqueez · 02-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelbialecki

Man, you rock....I have put my Leica m's through a lot, but man, you take the cake........very cool

cheers, michael

Ha ha. I'm almost positive I could, or anyone for that matter, achieve the same results in my backyard.

This may sound odd but I hate when I send an M into Leica and it comes back looking new.

I just want it to "work" good.

leobloom · 02-12-2012

sorry, if I really wanted AE, I prefer Zeiss Ikon for the brighter VF.

scripscan · 09-03-2012

I don't know about anyone else, but I just ordered a NEW Leica M7 Black which will arrive in about 2-3 weeks. I thought I'd add my 2 cents and bring this forum up to 2012.

Best regards,
Glen Converse

kshapero · 09-03-2012

I am just starting to trust my M3 after only 49 years. TeHe.

sepiareverb · 09-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by scripscan

I don't know about anyone else, but I just ordered a NEW Leica M7 Black which will arrive in about 2-3 weeks.

Nice. The M7 was my first M, I was shocked at the build quality compared to the Nikon F4S and Contax G2 bodies I'd been using. It just felt SOLID in a very different way. And quiet.

I still have that first M7, a .72 with old-style DX reader from Jean at Camtec in Montreal. Don't shoot it as much as the MP bodies, but it is a wonderful tool. I prefer the M7 when I'm heading to the city and tend to feel more rushed in shooting. But battery life is still the kicker with an M7- an MP goes and goes and goes on a single 1/3N but an M7 seems so often to drink those electrons right up. And still, in cold weather the M7 flags before the MP. More for the battery to do there for sure, but troublesome nonetheless. Though every digital M has shut down long before the M7 in every Vermont winter test.

jagwar.jim · 10-03-2012

I recently bought myself a Leica M7 second hand and have been loving it. I know what you mean, not many reviews from the last couple of years. I wrote one that will be appearing on my blog next week if you are still interested?

mfogiel · 10-03-2012

I have and use more than 30 cameras in various formats, but if I only had to keep one, it would be the 0.85x m7 (with the 75mm frames removed) and Summilux 50 pre asph.

denizg7 · 10-03-2012

Leica CL is as good as the M7 except some lenses don't work well with it 50mm ones

mfogiel · 10-03-2012

"Leica CL is as good as the M7".
I think you have the wrong number.

kehng · 10-03-2012

I'm selling mine. if i want electronic i'm going to use my m9. if i want to shoot film it'll be my m3. the m7 is lush but was gathering dust.

Roger Hicks · 10-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by denizg7

Leica CL is as good as the M7 except some lenses don't work well with it 50mm ones

Dear Dennis,

What are your criteria for 'just as good'? Personally I'd back the M7's longer RF base, better meter, ability to accept all lenses (including the 135/2.8), better ergonomics and more solid construction against the CL, even if the M7 weren't a lot newer.

Cheers,

R.

thegman · 10-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by scripscan

I don't know about anyone else, but I just ordered a NEW Leica M7 Black which will arrive in about 2-3 weeks. I thought I'd add my 2 cents and bring this forum up to 2012.

Best regards,
Glen Converse

Very nice, I think if I came into a little money I'd get a brand new Rolleiflex. Most of us tend to get this sort of camera used, and I think it would be an interesting experience to be the one and only owner.

denizg7 · 10-04-2012

you have to understand film cameras when introduced have a longer life span than digital cameras.

This is leica's top film camera and will be for a decade or even 15 years..

anyway there is no way they can improve a film camera anymore

steveyork · 10-04-2012

I had an earlier one for a couple of years and put lots of slide film through it without any problems. By the end of my tenure with it the silver chrome was peeling off where it had received a soft knock on the wall. I only gave it up because I wanted more accurate frame lines. Went to M5s, and that seems fitting since my main cameras are Leicaflex SLs. Something in the water in the early 70's.

parasko · 10-04-2012

The M7 taught me how to see!

kmallick · 10-04-2012

Rock solid here! I love the crispy RF patch on my M7 and the solid feel. Only thing I hate is how the sharp edge of the film rewind crank pokes my thumb.

I like how it resembles the new M-E and M (240). They are all missing the USB connectors!

Nescio · 10-04-2012

Well, it's still available, so somehow it's still going strong. What if Leica says goodbye to its legacy? Because that's what their corporate image relies on. Personally I think that film will have to die first before new analoque M's become part of history. But, hey, that's what I thought before Blackrock got a 44% share in Leica... I put my legacy glass on that within 5 years Leica will be a part of LVMH.

jonmanjiro · 10-04-2012

Nikon is still churning out a measly 50 F6s per month at Sendai Nikon. I doubt Leica is churning out anywhere near that amount of M7s.

maddoc · 10-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

Nikon is still churning out a measly 50 F6s per month at Sendai Nikon. I doubt Leica is churning out anywhere near that amount of M7s.

... and these are sold !?

jonmanjiro · 10-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddoc

... and these are sold !?

as far as Nikon is concerned,i'd say yes. but what happens to them when they reach the dealer's warehouses is anybody's guess. may end up just sitting there.

here's the article about Sendai Nikon date Feb. 2012 that mentioned the 50 F6s per month figure. the situation may have changed since then.

http://asia.cnet.com/what-goes-on-in...y-62213402.htm

filmtwit · 10-04-2012

My M7 is nearly perfect (for me)