Typical M7 reliability?

[spicoli]

Hey Guys,

Im considering the purchase of a used .58 M7 and motordrive. I currently have an M6 and am overall pleased with it, I only wish it were "quicker". I look at the M7 as an investment; however, have read posts both here and elsewhere that question Leicas quality control over the years; ie: progressively getting worse (new MP excluded) and as an investor and user that concerns me.

Anyway, anybody have anything to say, one way or the other, about the M7? Thank you-

 

[jke]

I've had two since 2002. I bought them in the fall of that year. A .72 and a .58. I have shot plenty with both of them, though the .58 gets used more as I wear glasses and use wide angle lenses. No problems to speak of really. The increased automation (electronic AE shutter) makes the possibility of more to go wrong, but it doesn't make it a reality necessarily. But if you got an M7, you'd already have an M6, which I think would be the perfect combination of one electronically controlled camera body and one manual camera body. The AE does come in handy, and it is faster for me, though I have shot with people much more talented than I who could shoot quickly with a piece of wood and a chisel. But I might myself trade the .72 for an M6 or M4 at some point. Just not sure when or whether.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Cameras aren't investments, they're tools. Buy what you think you'll enjoy taking photographs with. Invest in real estate or stocks and take pictures with your cameras.

 

[pfoto]

I wouldn't look at a camera as an investment either. I've used two M7s, one a 0.72x and the other a 0.85x. No problems with either. Great cameras, especially if you shoot slides.

 

[bennyng]

I haven't had my M7 for very long, but so far, it's working great. Love the aperture priority mode! An alternative consideration will be the Zeiss Ikon. Big, bright viewfinder.

Cheers,

 

[Bill Blackwell]

From the date I purchased it in 2005 the M7 was my primary shooter – I loved the AE and never had a problem...

About the motor drive -

The latest version works well with three speed positions on the base - it would be a good match or the M7, but still, I can't recommend it. It adds about two-thirds (with batteries) the weight of the camera and it’s just too heavy a package to be lugging around.

I had one and used it just a few times. After a few hours of it hanging around my neck, I just wanted to pitch the thing.

 

[John Rountree]

I think the M7 is the best camera that Leica has ever made. I haven't taken the time to read the thread about the best camera ever, but I am pretty sure they have all reached the same conclusion. The M7 is great!

 

[TEZillman]

Scott,

I've had mine for four years with no problems.

 

[urban_alchemist]

One M7, seven years, hundreds of rolls, one busted shutter, €300 to Leica Solms...

Still a great camera...

 

[Fuchs]

I have had my 0.58 for the last two years, using it progressively less due to the M8. Always a IV version 35/2 attached to it. Never an issue. Until recently, that I wanted to use a 50mm, and found that the framelines were stuck at 35mm. A short (30') visit to the repairman solved it.

best

 

[lewis44]

Had Two.
First a 0.72 and now a 0.85. They take a licking and keep on ticking. I can highly recommend them.
The first one was new and did not use a motor drive on it.
The 2nd, I got from a pro friend of mine. Looks beat, used with a M-Motor and is a smooth operator. Feels like new mechanically.

 

[cole]

Glad to hear everyone else is enjoying their M7s as much as I am.
I've had it for a shorter time than most people who've already replied, but I've had zero problems with it thus far. It did go through batteries a little quicker than I expected (30 rolls), but at the same time, I always carry a second set with me - no problem at all. I also have an M2, and have found having a full-mechanical body in addition the M7 is a wonderful combination (in addition to providing peace of mind if the 'emergency' shutter speeds on the M7 don't cut it if/when the batteries die).

Go for it, and enjoy the camera! I'm sure it will compliment your M6 wonderfully!

 

[sepiareverb]

I've got three M7's at the moment, and have had two others. Never any trouble with any of them, and I shoot a LOT of film- 75+ rolls in the last 6 weeks. I also have two MP's and an M5, and find the M7's as individual as all M's seem to be. Some are looser, some are smoother, some feel more solid- across the models this seems to be the case. If I could only have one body I think it would have to be an M7.

 

[spicoli]

I appreciate all the responses, I was sure this was going to turn into a flame war... I am smarter than I was before the initial post.

I ask about the reliability as I have yet to own a "pro" camera that hasnt seen a repairman. Ive had a:
-FM3A with meter issues in Mongolia
-D1 in Alaska with a shutter that "wouldnt"
-M6 with iffy framelines 2 weeks after purchase (thank God for 90 day warrantees= free CLA but was without the camera for 4 months

Oddly enough my most reliable camera was my least expensive, a plastic Nikon EM that spent the better part of 2003-2004 in the subzero Alaskan night shooting the Aurora Borealis (another reason for the M7- the 30 second shutter, perfect for the aurora).

I only can justify 1 Leica, and if Im spending Leica money I want a decent return. I lost my a$$ on the D1 ($1500 initial purchase later sold for $600ish), never again. I dont sell my stuff, I just like quality and take care of it, so I see no need losing money if I dont have to. And given the economy, my mutual funds can wait.

In case youre wondering Kurland Photo has what Im looking for, just trying to muster the courage to call.

 

[sepiareverb]

If you're looking, I'd opt for one with the newer DX reader- much easier in use than the original version- films will drop right out like with the other M's, the older DX contacts hold onto the film. My .72 will get to Solms one of these days for that upgrade.

 

[spicoli]

SR- How do I tell the difference? I know there is a difference in the M7 finders; some have the MP finder- some dont, but where the MP finder'd M7 serial number starts is documented. Is the DX upgrade as easy to tell? Have a "buy after this serial number" for me?

Either way, thats good to know. Suppose what I buy is the older version, whats the upgrade costs?

 

[jke]

Your experience on resale with the D1 was the typical experience with a digital camera. On a digital camera, technology not longevity are the controlling factor. Unless you are a heavy user (i.e. a professional journalist or similar) a digital camera need only last until the technology is obsolete because the assumption is that the buyer will upgrade when the technology merits it. So if you don't upgrade as soon as the technology starts to look a bit stale, you are going to take a bath on the resale value because you (in a sense) have to pay someone to take it off your hands by dropping the price to incentivize the purchase.

I paid ~$2500 for my M7 when I bought it in 2002. Now it would probably sell for ~$2000, more if I could somehow tap into the European market directly for that valuable Euro currency. I've had it for almost 6 years, which potentially (i.e. if I sell it and I get $2000 for it) means a depreciation of less than $100 per year. Given how many photographs I have taken with it - now I am no math whizz so take this with a grain of salt - my cost of use would be pretty small. Materials (film, developer) plus a bit.

SO, the end result is that by buying a Leica vs. a digital dSLR, you are actually saving money! How could you not afford having an M6 and an M7? Think of all the money you are saving! :angel:

 

[sepiareverb]

VF serial # match is iffy, and I've no knowledge of when the DX reader changed. The newer version is flat, the older one consists of a row of pins sticking into the film chamber. I've not priced the upgrade, it is only done in Solms if I'm remembering what Gerry Smith said correctly. Something for this winter for me.

 

[lewis44]

I think there is some agreement that around serial # 288xxxx the change was made in the viewfinder, however some earlier could have the upgrade and some later not, because of Leica's production runs.
Mine is 285xxxx and it does not have it, but really it is not a big deal.

Unlike the M6, the M7 has a multicoating on the front viewfinder glass and it does help. I had a M6 0.85 and you could almost get blinded by the flare. The M6 0.72 seemed to have a little better flare resistance than the 0.85. Leica came out with an upgrade to the viewfinder that you can do on the earlier ones for around $200, so if you find one you like and is reasonable, you can upgrade the finder.

 

[pfoto]

Either way, thats good to know. Suppose what I buy is the older version, whats the upgrade costs?

Ask before you buy. The picture below illustrates the difference. Picture is © Michiel Houtman.