M7 or MP

[paragon]

I know that this has been discussed many times, and they are different, but

If you have the choice of a mint M7 or mint MP - both same price, say US$2,100 - both Black

What would it be?

I have an M6 Classic and an M3 - I love both

But have always "drooled" after both the M7 and the MP

(If I were to be honest, I would only use the MP on holidays and high days and then with velvet gloves), and I would keep the M6 and maybe the M3

If I were to go for the M7, I would probably sell my M6 and the M7 would be my replacement for that

Just an afternoon GAS attack, maybe

 

[Pablito]

(If I were to be honest, I would only use the MP on holidays and high days and then with velvet gloves)

If I were to be honest, I'd say that's a shame.

 

[paragon]

If I were to be honest, I'd say that's a shame.

yes it would be as I voted for the MP - only to be used in temperature controlled environments, cherished but viewed regularly, to be handed down through the generations

 

[mfogiel]

paragon
Since you already have the cameras that are without the AE, I'd take the M7, and my advice would be to get rid of the 75mm framelines, because the 50mm vf as is sucks... consider carefully the magnification too, if your m6 is a 0.72, you could go for a 0.85 M7

 

[Rob-F]

Bill, I had both an MP and M7. I've kept the MP, and sold the M7. My reasons for selling the M7 were minor. The shutter release had a different feel to it than my other Ms. And for the relatively slow, considered way that I shoot, I didn't really need all that automation. The distraction of the red numbers constantly blinking away in the finder probably slowed me down as much as the aperture priority speeded me up.

The shutter release has three stages: The first level gives you a meter reading; the next level is for exposure lock; and the last level is for shutter release. With the button held to the exposure lock stage, the button came to a fairly "hard stop" that you have to press through to actually take the picture. Thus the "hard stop" always came as a surprise, feeling quite different from the action of my other M cameras. So after a year or so, I sold it.

The need to replace two batteries, not just one, was not really a factor in my decision. Actually I liked the on/off switch, which helped to reduce battery drain. All in all, I've gotten along fine without the M7.

The MP, on the other hand, is a real pleasure. It has the same Leica-like feel as my M2 and M3. I put a Luigi case on it to protect it, and I've been happily shooting away with it. And I like the slow rewind knob better than the crank of the M7.

 

[Ororaro]

I believe the MP is nothing more then a M3. If you already own a M3, why not go for a M7? It'sxtremely accurate. The only problem with the M7 is CLAs might be more expensive then for a MP, but at the same time, I believe it won't need CLAs as frequently as a MP.

All in all, if you have a M3, go with a M7. My opinion.

 

[paragon]

paragon
Since you already have the cameras that are without the AE, I'd take the M7, and my advice would be to get rid of the 75mm framelines, because the 50mm vf as is sucks... consider carefully the magnification too, if your m6 is a 0.72, you could go for a 0.85 M7

That really is my predicament

The M7 would be a lot “handier”, (than the M6), especially for colour
My M6 is 0.72, and I now wear glasses

But I cannot see me spending $2,000 again on a film camera, and the MP is just, well, so desirable

Thanks

 

[paragon]

If you are only going to have one body, then get the MP, otherwise get the M7, for then you will have a mechanical and an AE body. If you only have a M7 and it ceases to function, you're SOL, but if you have two bodies, you can always have a mechanical one to use.

I am sure that I will always keep my M3, it is well worn and "owes me nothing"

 

[dcsang]

I'm in agreement with Ned on this one.
M7.

I would like an MP at some point but I would then sell my M2 - no point in having cameras laying around that don't get used imho 🙂

Either way, both are priced reasonably so you'll get good value regardless of which you choose.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Ororaro]

The shutter release has three stages: The first level gives you a meter reading; the next level is for exposure lock; and the last level is for shutter release. With the button held to the exposure lock stage, the button came to a fairly "hard stop" that you have to press through to actually take the picture. Thus the "hard stop" always came as a surprise, feeling quite different from the action of my other M cameras. So after a year or so, I sold it.

Yes, this is awkward at first, but after 5 rolls or so, one gets used to it and totally forgets it.

The MP, on the other hand, is a real pleasure. It has the same Leica-like feel as my M2 and M3. I put a Luigi case on it to protect it, and I've been happily shooting away with it. And I like the slow rewind knob better than the crank of the M7.

Some people dislike the M3 because just of its knob.

Things to consider...

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I had an M7, which I bought for the AE. I had no problems with the camera, and used it along with an M6TTL, and M6 and several others. But at the end of the day, I didn't use the AE often enough that there was any real advantage to keeping it. It was quieter than any M I had used, but not less quiet than a Rolleiflex or the Konica Hexar AF (snik). Because my shooting style caused me to gravitate to my other M's, I would go for the MP if the choice was to buy a new M.

It really depends on how you work.

Ben

 

[sepiareverb]

I have and use both, along with an M5. The AE is a great tool at times, and I shoot the M7 in AE about a third of the time. The M7 is absolutely quieter, but there is nothing as smooth and perfect as the MP.

My MP is used mostly with very wide angles, the M7's with 35 and longer. I carry an MP3 everywhere, unless I'm 'out shooting' when I bring two bodies, choosing between the M7's and the MP. The M5 is my at home camera these days, for getting pictures of the family.

What I like about the M's is that they are all individuals in some way. If I had to choose just one body, I'd go for the M7.

 

[oscroft]

One thing that I read about the M7 that I don't like is that apparently if you manually set an ISO speed that is different to the auto DX setting, you get a flashing LED in the viewfinder - I think that would drive me nuts (I find it hard enough to ignore the meter LEDs in my M6 when shooting with a different exposure).

(Can anyone confirm that the M7 still behaves like this?)

 

[Cindy Flood]

I voted for MP. I have owned M3, M5, M6, M8 and MP. Right now I have M8 and MP. I rarely ever use A on my M8, so that is not a feature that I would consider that important to me. The biggie is that the M7 speed dial will turn in the opposite direction as the M3 and M6. It drives me nuts that my M8 and MP have speed dials that turn in the opposite direction.
The icing on the cake is that the MP is smooth as butter and feels so good in your hand.

 

[thomasw_]

I am reducing my gear for the sake of my personal war on acquisitiveness. I had a few M2s, M3s, a M5 and M6 and a couple of MPs.

The one body I am keeping is my steady .72 MP: it is a wonderful and complete mechanism.

The only other body I loved as much was the M2.....maybe another in the future if I feel the need for a back up.

 

[satbunny]

Mamiya 7II.. same money, huge negs, lovely rangefinder, and you don't actually need a new Leica if you have a M3 and M6..

 

[amoz]

The only problem with the M7 is CLAs might be more expensive then for a MP, but at the same time, I believe it won't need CLAs as frequently as a MP.

Really? Why do MPs need more frequent CLA's?

 

[BigSteveG]

If you are scared of using the camera, you should not buy it.

 

[icebear]

I believe the MP is nothing more then a M3. If you already own a M3, why not go for a M7? It'sxtremely accurate. The only problem with the M7 is CLAs might be more expensive then for a MP, but at the same time, I believe it won't need CLAs as frequently as a MP.

All in all, if you have a M3, go with a M7. My opinion.

I agree with the first part of the statement (allthough I haven't had the pleasure with an M3 ... yet [GAS]) but the conclusion for me is different :
The MP is a NEW M3 - which means it does not have 40-50 years on it. The viewfinder is not going to yellow and you won't have to worry about prism separation because of the Canada resin (or whatever that sticky natural glue is called). My vote went for the MP. And I don't see why a more complicated camera should require less CLA ?

 

[paragon]

If you are scared of using the camera, you should not buy it.

I am not scared of using the camera - far from it

I have a Porsche 911 which I bought new in 1989 - after years of saving. It has now 70,000 miles on the clock - still in very good shape - I enjoy it now as much as the day I bought it - I did not buy it for everyday use and I do not rag it around in the "snow and ice" I have a Honda for that - I do not park it is multi story car parks where it can get dinged with opening doors - I do not leave it outside in the bad weather - it is kept in a garage.

The same goes with my BMW R90S MotorBike, I have an R80GS for "everyday use"

These are not only object to use and enjoy, they are also objects to respect and take care of

Each to his own - that is the way I am

Not bragging, but I am at an age where I can afford to duplicate