Buying an M7. Advice?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I recently committed myself to buying an M7, and have been selling some stuff to get the money together. I'm ready to pull the trigger, and in fact bought a LN- silver .72 from KEH for $2100 two days ago, but they sold it out from under me and didn't let me know until I called today wondering why it hadn't shipped.

There's a black .72 on there now, but it's $100 more because it's black, which seems asinine to me, but whatever. Now I'm kind of leery about the whole experience--when I was choosing rashly I was happy, but now I want to make sure I get one I like.

Where is a good place to look? Are there eBay sellers who are reputable enough to be relied upon? Tony is very reliable, I know, but his prices are generally outside my budget. $2000-2200 is where I'm at. I still might get that other KEH camera even though I'm annoyed at paying more for black. I've been scanning the classifieds, of course, but not many M7's seem to show up there. (The one there now is in New Zealand.)

What I really want, of course, is Akiva's new "stealth" M7, but something tells me he's going to be buried with it. 😉

 

[elshaneo]

Recently there was a RFF member from New Zealand who put up his Chrome Leica M7 for sale on the Classifieds, it looked like a fair deal to me.

Otherwise I recommend patience, buy when You feel that it's the one You want ;-)

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yeah, it's hard to know it's the one you want from afar...there's one on eBay I'm watching that looks good, but how does a guy know, ultimately?

If people could give me some of the advantages/disadvantages of the different finder sizes, that would be helpful, too. I like wearing glasses to shoot a 50, so .72 is my current preference, but I'd love to hear your impressions.

This will be the most expensive thing I've ever bought that is not a house or car...I don't want to be disappointed...

 

[elshaneo]

I currently have the Black Chrome Betriebsk Leica M7 with .72 finder, and I'm really satisfied when I used it with my Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH and Canon LTM 50mm f/1.2

It depends on what lens you like to use most. In my case, it's either 35mm or 50mm, therefore the .72 finder is the best for me ;-)

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'll mostly be using 28-50, probably a 50 maybe 75% of the time, so I'm thinking the same thing.

I see you have glasses there in your av, Shane--can you shoot a 28 with them on?

 

[sepiareverb]

I'd suggest Popflash or Photo Village, both have been great in every transaction I've had with them- I've gotten two bodies from Photo Village (they handled my a la carte order, and found me a .85 M7 later) and three lenses from Popflash. Top notch folks at both places. Popflash manages lightning fast shipping even to VT from CA somehow, two days tops via the post office.

If you're going for a .72 the updated optical DX reader is a nice feature, easier to unload films with it as the film can drop out more like in other M's- the older DX reader makes one pull the film out. A minor quibble, but the optical reader is much easier to find on a .72 than on the other magnifications.

 

[elshaneo]

Yeah indeed my friend, I used to have the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 (sold it to fund the Leica 35mm Summicron purchase), and mounting it to my Leica M7 was good enough for me even if I always wear my glasses, I hate contact lenses LOL ;-p

Here's two photo examples shot with the Ultron 28mm and my Leica M7:

http://www.pbase.com/shanelam/image/114871114

http://www.pbase.com/shanelam/image/114871115

I'll mostly be using 28-50, probably a 50 maybe 75% of the time, so I'm thinking the same thing.

I see you have glasses there in your av, Shane--can you shoot a 28 with them on?

 

[elshaneo]

By the way, if you're going to use the 50mm lens most of the times, I also recommend you to get the 1.25x Magnifier later on, I got one from a HK Ebay Seller and it was cheap around 35 USD compared to the Leica magnifier ;-)

When I shoot with my Canon LTM 50mm f/1.2, and precise focusing is important especially when shooting wide open at f/1.2, I use the 1.25x magnifier as it does help a lot...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Hey you guys, what about Tamarkin? They have a few in my range--are they a reliable seller?

 

[elshaneo]

From what I've been reading, Tamarkin has good reputations. Someone else should confirm that I'm sure ;-)

 

[kshapero]

Well, I would just keep looking, although KEH is pretty good to work with. Oh and yes I am totally buried in stealthness right now. LOL.

 

[thomasw_]

......it's either 35mm or 50mm, therefore the .72 finder is the best for me ;-)

A .72x and then you use a 1,25x attachment for the 50? I think it would be better to use a ,85x VF for both your 35 and 50 shooting. Certainly it is better for the 50, and it is easy to learn composing using a 35 with both eyes open. Then the .85x becomes a great all-round VF magnification for accuracy of focus.

OP--->consider talking to Don [xray] about his red chrome .85x MP. It might be a little more than your 2200 limit, but there's no harm in discussing a possible deal. Perhaps you could sell something or save a bit more to make up the difference?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Don't want an MP--I've got an M2! I'm after the M7 because of AE.

 

[peter_n]

I find it surprising that the 0.72x goes for a higher price than the 0.85x. I would have thought it would have been the reverse. I use both magnifications and like both, but there's no denying that the 0.72x is a good all-rounder. I've used a 90/2 on a 0.72x without problems, but I have excellent eyesight in my camera eye. The 0.85x is definitely handy if you use a Noctilux, and I've found it to be good with the new CV 15/4.5 that focuses too, which I didn't expect.

 

[wjlapier]

Check getdpi's Buy/Sell forum. I've seen M7's less than $2000 a couple of times. In fact, I'd drop a WTB there and see what happens.

A little off topic--I found my 35 'cron ver III there using a WTB and the seller sent the lens first to see if I'd like it then I could pay by check. Price was lower than what I've seen these sell for.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I believe I've found a good MP-finderized M7 at a good price, knock wood!

I'm kind of curious what's different about the original .72 and MP-finder .72. Better coatings, less flare, I assume?

 

[Penzes]

Less flare and a bit more contrast. I compared it, the difference is not to big, only in certain situations is relevant.

I would prefer a M7 with guaranty.

 

[peter_n]

I believe I've found a good MP-finderized M7 at a good price, knock wood!

Great! Does it have the optical DX reader as well?

 

[sepiareverb]

Never dealt with Tamarkin, but he has been around a long time if that says anything.

 

[TJV]

The M7 in the classifieds is mine and I haven't sold it yet. I'm going to reduce the price to $1800US as my credit card is really screaming at me! It breaks my heart to sell it but I have to keep telling myself it's only a camera... Let me know if you're keen.