M7 or MP

[Photon42]

well if you look for a rational answer, take Marek's advise. I was actually predicting him to propose a ZI 😀

I however doubt we talk about technically discriminating factors here. So it's emotional, and then a MP cannot be beaten. Not to mention the retail value.

 

[John Rountree]

That is still the case, but I find this often recurring negative comment to be pretty bogus, right up there with "if the battery dies you only have a paperweight." (Again, it is just too easy to carry spare batteries.) Let's be accurate, the LED is literally the size of period in this post. It flashes at about a 3/4 second interval. It is very easy (for me) to only look at the image in the view finder lines without even looking at any of the LED information. I am sure that anyone/everyone could train themselves to do the same. I use bulk film with uncoded cassettes so the LED is always blinking. I shudder to think of how paralyzing the distraction must be to see a moving person or object that is outside the frame lines, which is one of the advantages of a RF, IMO. The M7 is my camera of choice, it may not be your best choice and that is fine. But, if your only complaint is that tiny LED or a lack of pockets to carry spare batteries, then I don't think you have much to complain about. Neither is a reason not to buy the M7.
Paragon, since you are comfortable using a camera without a meter I would suggest that you buy the camera that feels best in your hand.

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?)

 

[northpole]

I can't think of a single reason to opt for an MP over an M6 other than it might be newer. Save the money and put it towards a new lens- provided you don't want the option of AE.

Me, I'd take the M7 every time.

Peter

 

[Bill Blackwell]

In all practicality (except for the velvet gloves), you would gain nothing with the MP over the M6 classic. If you want/need AE, then the M7 is your only option.

FWIW, since I acquired my M8 I have not used (or missed) any of my three M bodies (M4, M7, and MP). After much deliberation I have decided to sell the M4 & M7 and keep the MP (it's a LHSA Hammertone) as my sole film camera backup.

And I am still wrestling over the wisdom of selling my beloved BP M7 (pictured here on the left). It was my primary user prior to getting the M8.

 

[oscroft]

That is still the case, but I find this often recurring negative comment to be pretty bogus, right up there with "if the battery dies you only have a paperweight." (Again, it is just too easy to carry spare batteries.) Let's be accurate, the LED is literally the size of period in this post. It flashes at about a 3/4 second interval. It is very easy (for me) to only look at the image in the view finder lines without even looking at any of the LED information. I am sure that anyone/everyone could train themselves to do the same. I use bulk film with uncoded cassettes so the LED is always blinking. I shudder to think of how paralyzing the distraction must be to see a moving person or object that is outside the frame lines, which is one of the advantages of a RF, IMO. The M7 is my camera of choice, it may not be your best choice and that is fine. But, if your only complaint is that tiny LED or a lack of pockets to carry spare batteries, then I don't think you have much to complain about. Neither is a reason not to buy the M7.

Interesting, thanks.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

This is all horses for courses, of course, of course.

For my part, I was not fond of the blinking light, whatever its size -- it blinks when you have AE compensation dialed in, it blinks when the rated film speed is different from the DX code, it blinks if you are using a reloadable cassette without a DX code on the canister, or if there was no film in the camera. And there was no way to selectively disengage it. So if your common practice was to rate your film at something other than the DX rating suggested by the manufacturer or if your cassettes were not DX-coded you had to live with it all the time. The implementation of this signal was quite un-Leica like, inelegant and not well thought out, in my opinion. The camera was excellent in other ways.

John is right, of course, that this is not a reason not to buy the camera, but I do not miss that "feature," now that I have sold it.

Good luck in your choice -- if this is the sort of thing that bothers you, I would have a look through a real one before purchasing rather than relying on anything I say, or anyone else on this forum says.

Best regards,

Ben Marks

 

[CCCPcamera]

Use the camera

Use the camera

I would get the MP but for god's sake it's a camera not a museum piece.

 

[nobbylon]

Paragon, 911, BMW R90S and MP, great minds........!!!!!! haha get the MP😀
ps is the BM silver or orange? OT i've been mad about these bikes since I was 12!

 

[MCTuomey]

M7

I think it's the better all-around shooter. I'll get the shot more often with mine than with other M's I've owned. What matters for me, anyway (skill-challenged I know). Took me awhile to make the transition from an M4 and M6, it's now my only interchangeable RF.

I don't think of cameras as heirlooms or collectibles but, again, just my view. I sell what I don't use. A camera on the shelf is a sad thing ...

I'll add my 2 cents on the experience of using the M7 with its "idiot" lights. I don't notice them in use. They're really in the periphery of my attention when I'm shooting. And the "stepped" shutter? Well, it provides for efficient exposure compensation, so I got used to it pretty quickly. I've fired off a few unintended frames early on, but not so after a bit of practice.

 

[paragon]

Paragon, 911, BMW R90S and MP, great minds........!!!!!! haha get the MP😀
ps is the BM silver or orange? OT i've been mad about these bikes since I was 12!

Orange - I'll try to post a photo

 

[PATB]

Between M7 and MP, is a toss up. My choice is slightly in favor of MP for ease of maintenance down the road. Most camera repair place can readily fix an MP.

However, consider this piece of advice from 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..

The M3 and M6 are more Leica that you will ever need. If I were you, I would get medium format, such as the Mamiya 7II.

I was saving up for another MP until I started shooting a couple rolls of 120 in a cheap Holga. After seeing the MF negatives, my attitude about 35mm changed dramatically. I still use the MP 80% of the time as I often need to shoot in low light. However, the bigger negatives of medium format is the way to go if you already have great 35mm, which the M3 and M6 are.

 

[Rob-F]

I believe the MP is nothing more then a M3. If you already own a M3, why not go for a M7?

Nothing more than an M3, eh? Let's think about that statement. Let's see, it reminds me of, "A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke." (Who said that? Kipling? Ruskin?) There is something going on here, involving clever use of language, to be dismissive; to marginalize a thing that is otherwise held in high esteem. Like maybe, "A Cornish is only a Rolls-Royce."

I think there may be a word for this, but I don't know what it is. Innuendo?

The MP is only an M3 and an M2, with the frameline options of an M4P, and the meter of an M6, and a flare-resistant finder, and . . .

 

[hlockwood]

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?)

Yes, it does, but it is (for me) totally ignorable. I have the M7 with 0.85 vf, and I'm very happy with it. For me the AE is important. I still have the option of going full manual, but I seldom do.

Harry

 

[Ororaro]

Nothing more than an M3, eh? Let's think about that statement. Let's see, it reminds me of, "A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke." (Who said that? Kipling? Ruskin?) There is something going on here, involving clever use of language, to be dismissive; to marginalize a thing that is otherwise held in high esteem. Like maybe, "A Cornish is only a Rolls-Royce."

I think there may be a word for this, but I don't know what it is. Innuendo?

The MP is only an M3 and an M2, with the frameline options of an M4P, and the meter of an M6, and a flare-resistant finder, and . . .

From what I understand, the MP is a Back-to-the-roots Camera, and by studying it I came to the conclusion it is a modern M3. Good old Mechanic innards, no flare viewfinder as you say, same knob, same super smooth feeling.

I don't know why you're so nervous about the M3. From what I know, it is the King of Leicas and the one Camera that started it all. If one owns a M3 I think the logical upgrade would be a M7. Again, it's my opinion.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

"A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke." (Who said that? Kipling? Ruskin?)

Kipling said it.

 

[panos]

i would say buy the MP

since it has a better feel no blinking lights and stuff
really basic manual camera

and give ME the M6

and i ll buy some really nice vivienne westwood purple velvet gloves
custom made especially for the MP made by vivienne herself.

Please say yes. please please please

you will enjoy your new camera and at the same time you will be happy that you helped ME by giving me your M6.

you never know one day i may be a very well respected photographer and you will say to your friends that you gave me my first camera.

did i convinced you?

 

[sepiareverb]

Having owned and used both the M6 classic and the MP I think those that say there is no difference are just wrong. There is an immediate and clear difference in the feel of the MP in the hand that is utterly more substansial and precise than the M6. No M I've ever handled winds on as smoothly as my MP. You can kid yourselves, but you can't kid me.

 

[lns]

Having owned and used both the M6 classic and the MP I think those that say there is no difference are just wrong. There is an immediate and clear difference in the feel of the MP in the hand that is utterly more substansial and precise than the M6. No M I've ever handled winds on as smoothly as my MP. You can kid yourselves, but you can't kid me.

Ditto. Not to mention that the MP has a viewfinder that does not flare and a better meter than the M6. I too have owned and used them both.

On the other hand, that M7 in the classifieds looks like a screaming deal. 🙂

 

[thomasw_]

Having owned and used both the M6 classic and the MP I think those that say there is no difference are just wrong. There is an immediate and clear difference in the feel of the MP in the hand that is utterly more substansial and precise than the M6. No M I've ever handled winds on as smoothly as my MP. You can kid yourselves, but you can't kid me.

I agree with Bob.

 

[marke]

From what I understand, the MP is a Back-to-the-roots Camera, and by studying it I came to the conclusion it is a modern M3. Good old Mechanic innards, no flare viewfinder as you say, same knob, same super smooth feeling.

I don't know why you're so nervous about the M3. From what I know, it is the King of Leicas and the one Camera that started it all. If one owns a M3 I think the logical upgrade would be a M7. Again, it's my opinion.

I have to (partially) agree with Ned on this one. The MP is the "king" of Leicas.😀 But if you already have an M3 and it's in good shape, the M7 would probably be a better choice to compliment your kit. However, I've taken a different route in my personal M-evolution. I had considered an M7 last year when looking for my first M, since I had become so dependent on AE with my DSLR. But the higher cost made me decide on a M6TTL. After almost a year of using the M6TTL, I decided I wanted another M forbackup. So a couple months ago, I found myself in a better financial position to consider the M7 again. But the MP was also a contender, mostly because I wanted to stick with an M that didn't need a battery. The MP won, and I'm glad it did. It is an incredible camera to use, with it's quiet shutter and flare-free rangefinder patch. Even though many don't seem to think the flare issue is an issue, I have found that NOT having it happen at all, has made me realize how much it really did happen with my M6TTL! It's so refreshing how tireless it is to shoot through the improved VF. Now it's the different shutter speed knob directions that are driving me batty, and I'll probably end up selling/trading my M6TTL for another MP someday.