M7 and M2 for an MP....?

cole

cole

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Alright RFF, here's my conundrum:

I currently own both an M7 and an M2.

I love the finder and the meter of the M7, but I love the ergonomics, the action and the smaller size of the M2, and the fact that it is entirely mechanical.

My solution? I want to mesh the two together, and go for an MP. I've considered other options such as the M6, but I keep coming back to the MP. I don't like shooting with two cameras (even just owning two is too much for me - I'm a huge fan of simplifying).

Thus, my options are either to sell both or trade both, for an MP. The reason I mention dumping both is that there is some wear & tear on the M7 - a couple of larger scratches, but it is in otherwise pristine aesthetic/working condition. I don't imagine I can get top dollar on the resale, thus having to ditch the M2 as well.

Is this crazy?
Is the MP worth it? By all accounts, it sounds like it is. Though, I'm sure we've all been in a similar situation, where the advice of others is needed to either verify or dismiss one's crazy ideas. 😉

Thoughts...?

Cheers!
 
Although you say you like the finder and meter of the M7, it also sounds like you are not completely happy with it. Why not sell the M7 and see if you can get along with just the M2 (and no on-board meter) for a while? You can then pocket the money or get yourself a really nice lens.

I have owned M2 (twice), M6, MP, and M4. Currently I use an MP and M4, and I think they are both great. If I had to keep only one, I'd keep the M4. Btw, I find it useful two have to cameras, for when I'm shooting w/ two lenses or have two diff. film emulsions, but I know what you mean about simplifying.
 
I wouldn't worry about the scratches. If you can do without AE and the quieter shutter at slower speeds, get the MP. And I say that as a former M7 owner who now uses an MP.
 
I personally love my M7 and notice very little difference between it and my M6 except for AE when I want it and a better finder. I don't notice the size difference at all or any ergonomic difference between the two. To me, the M7 is an M with AE, end of story.

I'd keep them both if I were you. Maybe sell the M2 for an M6 if you *have* to have a meter, but instead, I'd take $150 and get a sekonic 308 meter. I enjoy using that more than the built in meter of any camera I have. Though, its nice to have the built in meter when I leave the 308 at home or am shooting fast. To me the M7 + 308 is a match made in heaven.

I'm confused by you saying you don't like owning 2 cameras, but then have to justify why you need to sell the M2 as well. Isn't the point to go to one camera? Though I really only use one camera and I was going to sell the M6 when I got the M7, I decided to keep it as a backup. It's small and will easily fit in my bag when I take longer trips and its nice to have that extra camera in case one packs up.

I simply don't get the whole all-mechanical thing. The M7 seems like a very reliable unit and i'm more likely to crap out then it is.

I don't know. You can tell which way I feel. You've got 2 very nice cameras - why get rid of them for one camera that is essentially the same? On the other hand, hobbies aren't always rational, and if you think it would really make you happier to have an MP instead of your two cameras, go for it. If you did go that route, it'd be nice if you could get your hands on an MP before you sold your other cameras just to make sure its worth it, but if you want to do it, go for it.
 
JJA - I'd say that's a good idea, but for me, the M7 viewfinder really does make a difference. I find it to be much, much brighter, sharper and punchier than the M2 finder, and for low light (in which I do a lot of shooting) it's pretty much a deal-breaker. Having said that, there's no harm in trying just the M2 for awhile, so I thank you for the suggestion.

Pfoto - Thanks for the response. I can definitely do without AE, and the slower speed shutter doesn't bother me on the M2, so this all gets a thumbs-up. Haha!
 
Tim,

Thanks for the reply. Here's mine:

Tim Gray said:
I'd keep them both if I were you. Maybe sell the M2 for an M6 if you *have* to have a meter, but instead, I'd take $150 and get a sekonic 308 meter. I enjoy using that more than the built in meter of any camera I have. Though, its nice to have the built in meter when I leave the 308 at home or am shooting fast. To me the M7 + 308 is a match made in heaven.
Click to expand...

I do also use a hand held meter, a Gossen Variosix, for situations where I need to be dead-sure of the lighting and can't rely on the latitude of whatever film I'm using - particularly for studio situations where I need to get it right the first time. However, when I'm out on the street (or anywhere outside the studio), I like to shoot fast and ask later, a scenario where using a seperate meter costs time that could make or break the shot. Just personal style, that's all.

I fully understand your stance regarding mechanical vs. electronic cameras, but I'll leave all that discussion for another thread. 😉
 
Provided you have spare battery, you can use M7 just like the MP. I don't see the point. If you want full manual, you can do it on either camera.
 
I had the M6TTL and traded for an MP and quite a lot of cash.
I did that for almost the same subjective reasons than you: design, size, mechanics.
The only real substantial upgrade was about the flare control.

I'm very happy with the trade. But I also have an M2 in average condition, and it's just a beautifull piece of equipement. I don't think I will part from it.

My advice: sell the M7, and try to find a user grade MP. You should not have to add much $$.

AND: get your M2 finder cleaned! It should be bright enough to focus under conditions you can't even shoot!

Good luck!
 
Ahh thats good you have an external meter.

When I'm out on the street, I find that the light doesn't change *that* much usually and I don't meter before every shot. Sure its nice to have that built in meter for when things get moving faster, but I've found metering less makes things faster. A quick check with the external meter and I'm good for a while - the internal meter would work just as great if I always had 18% gray around 😉

The biggest speed boost to my shooting has been to meter less - I'm slowly learning to recognize when conditions change enough to require another metering and slowly internalizing sunny 16 - take a reading and when you go into the shade, open up 3 or 4 stops, etc.

The way I use my M7 of the time is on AE, take a reading, read the shutter speed, and set the shutter dial to that speed. And when things start changing a lot (I move indoors, etc), I can always switch to AE and work really fast.

Go for the MP - sounds like you know you want it.
 
Tim,

Sounds like we've been on a similar page of late, with respect to getting the meters in our heads working. 😉
Learning the EV system has been a blessing for me, even though I don't have it at all mastered yet. It can even turn into a fun game to play ('Guess the exposure, anyone'?).

Thanks again for the response.
 
I should note, I originally wanted an MP but decided to save $1000+ and got an M6 classic instead. When I get it CLA'd, I'll have the finder upgrade installed. So another option is sell the M7, buy and M6 and a buy a lens 🙂

Again if this were a rational thing, we wouldn't be buying $2000 manual film cameras.
 
I have the MP and an M2 (and some M6s, and . . .), and I had an M7. I didn't like the busy finder of the M7, nor did I like the hard stop the shutter button came to just before the exposure. But my experience is that a used M7 and a used MP are worth about the same. You might kick in an extra $100 for the scratches, but I sure wouldn't let go of an M2 to make up that small difference. Keep it for a backup. If you don't appreciate the M2 now, you will later. One usually lives to regret letting go of a piece of Leica gear. Can't say I miss the M7 too awfully, but I do miss it a little.
 
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