Can I depend on the M7 as my only travel body?

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Asim

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I had an M6ttl but returned it after a couple of months because of a slight problem. It was my first Leica... and I loved it.

Now I want to replace it with another body. So in a way this next Leica would be my real first and only Leica.

I am considering the Leica M7 though I also have a choice of M6 Millenium or M6 LHSA for a few hundred dollars more.

Would it be foolish to have a Leica M7 as my only body? Or do you think I should go with the Millenium or LHSA.

The way I see it, since this body would be used quite a bit (I am not purchasing it for collection purposes) the AE priority of the M7 would make shooting more of a joy.

But is it discomforting to have an M7 as the only body? How reliable is it? Just a note, I shoot mainly when traveling.
 
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On a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I personally wouldn't rely on only one camera of any brand or type.

Having said that, I think the M7 would be about as reliable as any camera with electronics and which uses a battery, probably better than most.
 
Never rely on just one camera. Everything can break and will break. Even the most reliable camera will break one day or the other.
 
No.

I wouldn't depend on any single body- tho I've traveled with one camera on a few occasions with success.
 
For reasons of size and weight you may wish to carry a small, lightweight backup rather than a second M camera body. For example, an Olympus XA or a Rollei 35 or a Minox GT nicely minimize size and weight. They also provide the benefit of greater "pocketability" for those portions of a trip where that may be appropriate.

-Randy
 
I've been using my M7 as my primary travel camera for the last 8 years and have never had a problem with it. I do carry a second point and shoot camera just in case, but have never needed it other than when I am doing things like zip lining when I don't want to risk carrying it.
 
Unless you're a professional, it's hard to justify traveling with more than one camera and a couple of lenses. Any attempts to do so will raise considerable spousal hostility (Guess how I know)!

I've traveled with automated, electronic cameras from a Canon Elph, to Canon Sure Shot, Canon AE-1, Nikon FG, Nikon F3, Leica M7, etc. I've also travelled with only a mechanical body. Surprisingly, the mechanical bodies have been the only ones that have given me problems, but that may be due to their greater age. If properly maintained, they don't present a problem.

Batteries last a very long time in the F3 and M7, and the batteries are tiny. Just bring another battery along with the film.
 
My M7 worked without a problem from 2004 to 2011, and I used it a lot over those years. It developed a fault last year while I had it with me on a long trip -- the only camera I had with me at the time -- but the fault was just an inconvenience and didn't prevent taking pictures with it. The exposure meter would not switch itself off after being untouched for 15 seconds or so, as it should. It stayed on continuously until the camera was switched off. And the camera did not display the film speed in the viewfinder for the 1st 2 seconds after being switched on, again, as it should; it went straight to the meter read-out. I 've since had it repaired and it's fine now, I believe.

The M7 has two mechanical speeds -- 1/60 and 1/125 -- if the electronics fail completely. Compared with any digital camera, you are not very dependent on the electronics!

Depending on where you go on holiday, if the camera were to fail at a critical moment, you might be able to buy something to keep you going -- another M, or a voigtlander Bessa, or something.

I've been using various other cameras over the last few months, just to give them a go, but I'm sure I'll return to the M7 shortly. The auto exposure is so convenient. And I don't have any worries about its reliability.
 
TEZillman said:
I've been using my M7 as my primary travel camera for the last 8 years and have never had a problem with it. I do carry a second point and shoot camera just in case, but have never needed it other than when I am doing things like zip lining when I don't want to risk carrying it.
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I would do the same as Tom. I've had 2 M7s covering a good 5 years. I love the AE, where all I have to worry about is focusing. The problem facing most novice M7 users (including me at first) pilot error. People are quick to blame the camera when they've forgotten to keep fresh batteries, forgotten to clean the optical reader, or haven't figured out how dust affects the ISO knob and how to fix it quickly.

For general travel I wouldn't hesitate to take my M7 AND a small point/shoot or digital equivalent back up. Even with an all mechanical cam you should still need to be prudent IMO.

PS: Don't forget that the M7 provides 1/125 and 1/60 mechanical shooting if you move the wheel to those speeds. There was a time those were the only speeds I knew how to use!
 
I had two M7s and they were totally reliable. That said I'd always take a backup if it's a big trip, no matter what you're using.

Have a great time.
 
I've travelled extensively with both a Bessa R3A and R4A in my bag. Neither has ever let me down and the lenses are interchangeable of course. If you're really worried about electronics then I'd choose the R2M. It has the 35mm frames rather than the 40 of the R3 series. You lose AE option and the shutter lock with the Bessa M models but they have a mechanical shutter and only the meter is powered by the battery.
They don't cost an arm and a leg and if one gets trashed or stolen it's not going to be a life changing event. The CV lenses are also very good and quite affordable.

I replaced the R3A with a Leica M6, just because I wanted to have one, but in truth although the Leica feels better in the hands it's much heavier than the Bessa, it lacks a couple of neat features the Bessa has and there's no difference in the images!

So my vote would be for two Bessa bodies.
 
kdemas said:
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Have a grey time.
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Doncha just love predictive spelling correction.

For me, it's very fun to travel with only one camera and one lens. It takes a lot of the fuss out of the photography process, leaving you with more sight-seeing and personal interacting time. And if the camera breaks ... well, that's why you have a Leica, right? They shouldn't break.

I'm in agreement with Randy, who suggested a smaller camera for backup should you need it.
 
vrgard said:
... carry a small, lightweight backup rather than a second M camera body. For example, an Olympus XA or a Rollei 35 or a Minox GT nicely minimize size and weight....
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jdriffill said:
....The M7 has two mechanical speeds -- 1/60 and 1/125 -- if the electronics fail completely. Compared with any digital camera, you are not very dependent on the electronics! ...
Click to expand...

Ditto the above two statements. I'd also add the Olympus Stylus Epic (aka mju-II). It's a modern auto-everything, but it has a nice 35/2.8 lens. It is sooo tiny it is impossible not to bring.


Olympus Stylus Epic (lower) compared to the XA
5447301390_55ff9cf2a0.jpg



Sample photo:
5498545434_f45a80b900.jpg
 
TEZillman said:
I've been using my M7 as my primary travel camera for the last 8 years and have never had a problem with it. I do carry a second point and shoot camera just in case, but have never needed it other than when I am doing things like zip lining when I don't want to risk carrying it.
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I know a chap who has done the same thing for many years. M7 has been battered, abused and looks it. The kind of abuse few Leicas will see.

Still humming away and taking beautiful photographs. He carries 1 lens and a point and shoot.
 
I have to echo the above comments. Backup camera doesn't have to be another M (though it can be nice sometimes). Often my backup camera is a GR1, a digital P&S, or even my phone :)

Depends on the trip and the purpose of it.
 
I used an M7 as my only camera in Russia in 2005, but also had a Pentax MX with a 50/1.4 with me. That camera has subsequently become one of my least reliable, but it worked fine in Russia.



Kizhi_XII.jpg


Marty
 
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