squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Not sure...it's from fbf (Chris)...doesn't matter all that much to me, though. I'm used to loading and unloading an M2, which no longer seems at all like a chore.
Buying an M7. Advice?
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Not sure...it's from fbf (Chris)...doesn't matter all that much to me, though. I'm used to loading and unloading an M2, which no longer seems at all like a chore.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
28/35/50mms go great with the .58 M7. The M7 is an underrated camera, and priced accordingly. Ive seen many $1750-2000. Switch it on and go. Mine is motorized. Use some patience, or go wit Tamarkin. $1895 wit warranty not bad.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Like I sez, I found one! Should be here next week.
In what way exactly is the M7 underrated? This relates perhaps to my question in the other thread about why they generally sell much more cheaply than the MP. I don't get it, honestly. It would seem to be the most functional of the film M's.
In what way exactly is the M7 underrated? This relates perhaps to my question in the other thread about why they generally sell much more cheaply than the MP. I don't get it, honestly. It would seem to be the most functional of the film M's.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I also can recommend Tony R. (PopFlash.Photo), bought my M7 from him end of April. Optical DX reader and MP-finder upgrade, 1 year Leica US warranty. It is a black-chrome M7 with 0.72x finder.
Me, I wear glasses too and therefore the 0.72x is best suited, using 35mm and 50mm lenses. 28mm is a stretch but works. I also use a Leica 1.25x magnifier for my Noctilux and 90mm Summicron-M. I agree with Thomas that the 0.85x is a better choice for the latter lenses but I had problems with the 35mm frame-lines.
Me, I wear glasses too and therefore the 0.72x is best suited, using 35mm and 50mm lenses. 28mm is a stretch but works. I also use a Leica 1.25x magnifier for my Noctilux and 90mm Summicron-M. I agree with Thomas that the 0.85x is a better choice for the latter lenses but I had problems with the 35mm frame-lines.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Purists/traditionalists don't like battery dependent cameras, and the shutter speed dial goes the wrong way.
How is it more functional than an MP? They're different cameras for different people. I must say that after using (battery dependent, backwards shutter dial) digital Ms for three years I'm a lot more reconciled to battery dependency but I still like the MP better. Pure personal preference/prejudice/historical accident.
Cheers,
R.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Well, you can do everything with it that you can do with the MP, plus there's AE. A pretty big increase in functionality in my book, though I haven't even touched one yet, and may well find that it lacks that particular mechanical-M mojo.
So nothing against the manual M's--I'm getting the M7 to complement, not replace, my M2, which I adore. And which will always be available if my batteries die and I'm nowhere near the Radio Shack. Or whomever on this earth carries those batteries.
peter_n
Veteran
Traditionalists don't like em, internet "wisdom" about LED blinks in the VF, batteries run down, etc., etc. I use both M7 and MP and they are both terrific cameras. I'm sure you'll love your M7! 🙂
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Batteries for your M7? Two of the Duracell 276 will do. They're easy to find; even my local Wallyworld and Walgreens have them. Now, there's a 3V battery that fits perfectly but I cannot recall the type right now. I find it longer lasting... something like 1/3 DV...
Congratulations on the M7¡ 🙂
Congratulations on the M7¡ 🙂
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I had an M7 and it felt great to use ... the quietest shutter (aside from leaf) I have ever heard.
Exposure compensation was dumb and the viefwinder patch disappeared constantly due to flare and I wasn't about to shell out for the upgrade to MP style.
My Ikon has none of these issues!
Exposure compensation was dumb and the viefwinder patch disappeared constantly due to flare and I wasn't about to shell out for the upgrade to MP style.
My Ikon has none of these issues!
K
Ken Tanaka
Guest
Roger's remarks are on-target. As a long-time M7 user who's spent his first week with an MP I echo the "personal preference" opinion. The M7 is a faster and more accurate M. The MP, like M's of yore, is a slower / more approximate camera that effectively imposes a shutter speed priority exposure mode.
You'll enjoy the M7. It does everything an MP does plus...
You'll enjoy the M7. It does everything an MP does plus...
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
They're underrated because most Leica photogs prefer the fully manual cameras -- so the hubub is on the M3, M2, M6, MP, not the M7. My first M7 (Mint) took some getting used to. My second won me over.
thomasw_
Well-known
Traditionalists do not like the red dot or the big "M7" engraved on the front. I hope these things do not infringe on your enjoyment while using the camera 🙂
Seriously, though, I found AE to slow me down and distract me, not the reverse. I think it comes down to how you like to shoot. Some of my favourite Leica shooters use M7s and swear by them and their work is beautiful; of course, just because it works for them, doesn't mean it will for me or everyone. Likewise for the MP. For me the MP does just enough and leaves me alone; it works so well for me but it may not be the tool for others.
Seriously, though, I found AE to slow me down and distract me, not the reverse. I think it comes down to how you like to shoot. Some of my favourite Leica shooters use M7s and swear by them and their work is beautiful; of course, just because it works for them, doesn't mean it will for me or everyone. Likewise for the MP. For me the MP does just enough and leaves me alone; it works so well for me but it may not be the tool for others.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Not correct- it would need four of the 76 batteries, not sure they could load in the battery compartment right. The M7 takes two 1/3N batteries, not easy to come by in my neck of the woods. Radio Shack, or online for me. Peter turned me on to a great place to buy them, and I stocked up so there are spares in every bag and every coat I wear.
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Pablito
coco frío
I won't use AE because I waste more time outsmarting the AE than it would take to just take a manual reading. I dislike exposure compensation because it's too easy to leave it on accidentally - either to over or underexpose. At least with a DSLR you can see right away if you've over or underexposed. The fundamental flaw of any AE system ,no matter how sophisticated is that it's based on taking a reflected light reading. Cameras are not smart enough to know if you're photographing something that's black or white, so black or white objects are over and underexposed if you use AE without compensation. But if you use exposure compensation you have to remember to set it back to zero after you shoot any subjects that are darker or lighter than "average".... So AE is just a nuisance for me. I do perfectly well when I meter manually... I even meter manually with the DSLR's - with the spot meter. This is why I never got an M7, not after the CLE and Hexar, both of which were a pain to use on manual exposure. Also why the Ikon does not appeal. (I like my M6 bodies just fine)
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elshaneo
Panographer
Great then, it seems that You've found a Chrome Leica M7 at a bargain price.
Would you mind telling us how much it was? So that we can get a good idea about a fair price deal these days 😉
Would you mind telling us how much it was? So that we can get a good idea about a fair price deal these days 😉
Roger Hicks
Veteran
And if the battery runs out, you've got a paperweight -- an enormous decrease in functionality in my book. I'm not being combative, merely stating the opposing viewpoint. As for AE in non-digital cameras, I completely agree with Pablito. I have to spend more time thinking about how to outwit the AE than I do about metering manually.
Either is a very functional camera. It's just that I know which I prefer, and why. Doesn't mean you'll agree.
Cheers,
R.
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Penzes
Well-known
The two battery's you need for the M7 are always in my bag. Just to put things in perspective. 😀
I think that this battery "disadvantage" shouldn't overrated.
I think that this battery "disadvantage" shouldn't overrated.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
True, but it shouldn't be underrated either. The point is that the batteries are in your bag, not mine.
I quite rarely carry a camera bag, and even if I do, I have more than one bag, so I have to keep moving batteries around. Yes, I could buy half a dozen sets, but then I'm turning into a battery stockist, not a photographer.
This is one of those things where there are two different mind-sets, and neither is going to convince the other, regardless of how pig-headed and stupid the other may seem to be to anyone who can think clearly.
Cheers,
R.
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pphuang
brain drain...
Umm, not quite. In a pinch, you can keep shooting without battery at 1/60 and 1/125 which is actually not as restricting as one may think...
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I usually keep my M2 at 250 when shooting street, so having a paperweight at 125 doesn't sound so threatening.
I am eager to see how I manage with the exposure compensation on the M7. You have to sympathize with Leica--they would have had to add ANOTHER CONTROL on the top plate to work it otherwise. God forbid!! But in the end I suspect it will be OK for me. I usually "compensate" by taking a reading in a direction that's more like the object I want to expose, locking the exposure, then recomposing. That said, I will probably never use DX, so that I don't have to spin the whole damned wheel around in order to compensate a little bit. I'm accustomed to setting ISO manually anyhow.
As for price, I bought a black M7 (with black dot!) for $1750, a very good deal I think.
I am eager to see how I manage with the exposure compensation on the M7. You have to sympathize with Leica--they would have had to add ANOTHER CONTROL on the top plate to work it otherwise. God forbid!! But in the end I suspect it will be OK for me. I usually "compensate" by taking a reading in a direction that's more like the object I want to expose, locking the exposure, then recomposing. That said, I will probably never use DX, so that I don't have to spin the whole damned wheel around in order to compensate a little bit. I'm accustomed to setting ISO manually anyhow.
As for price, I bought a black M7 (with black dot!) for $1750, a very good deal I think.
