thegman
Veteran
Very nice, I think if I came into a little money I'd get a brand new Rolleiflex. Most of us tend to get this sort of camera used, and I think it would be an interesting experience to be the one and only owner.
denizg7
Well-known
you have to understand film cameras when introduced have a longer life span than digital cameras.
This is leica's top film camera and will be for a decade or even 15 years..
anyway there is no way they can improve a film camera anymore
This is leica's top film camera and will be for a decade or even 15 years..
anyway there is no way they can improve a film camera anymore
steveyork
Well-known
I had an earlier one for a couple of years and put lots of slide film through it without any problems. By the end of my tenure with it the silver chrome was peeling off where it had received a soft knock on the wall. I only gave it up because I wanted more accurate frame lines. Went to M5s, and that seems fitting since my main cameras are Leicaflex SLs. Something in the water in the early 70's.
parasko
Established
The M7 taught me how to see!
kmallick
Well-known
Rock solid here! I love the crispy RF patch on my M7 and the solid feel. Only thing I hate is how the sharp edge of the film rewind crank pokes my thumb.
I like how it resembles the new M-E and M (240). They are all missing the USB connectors!
I like how it resembles the new M-E and M (240). They are all missing the USB connectors!
Nescio
Well-known
Well, it's still available, so somehow it's still going strong. What if Leica says goodbye to its legacy? Because that's what their corporate image relies on. Personally I think that film will have to die first before new analoque M's become part of history. But, hey, that's what I thought before Blackrock got a 44% share in Leica... I put my legacy glass on that within 5 years Leica will be a part of LVMH.
Nikon is still churning out a measly 50 F6s per month at Sendai Nikon. I doubt Leica is churning out anywhere near that amount of M7s.
maddoc
... likes film again.
... and these are sold !?
as far as Nikon is concerned,i'd say yes. but what happens to them when they reach the dealer's warehouses is anybody's guess. may end up just sitting there.
here's the article about Sendai Nikon date Feb. 2012 that mentioned the 50 F6s per month figure. the situation may have changed since then.
http://asia.cnet.com/what-goes-on-inside-nikons-sendai-factory-62213402.htm
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
My M7 is nearly perfect (for me)
David Hughes
David Hughes
I have to ask, why would a modern review be any different from a ten year old review? Are we expecting standards to have slipped and (say) the 1/500th to be 1/350th really or what? My money's on the camera being the same.
Regards, David
Regards, David
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
In case someone missed it, here it is:
http://www.paulcoatesphoto.com/2012/10/review-leica-m7-with-the-35mm-summicron.html
thejameskendall
Established
I'm one. Being able to use it without batteries beat out AE, just. I love AE but had a battery failure at a really bad time and didn't want to go though it again.
kokoshawnuff
Alex
Because the first generation M7 is quite different from the current generation M7. The original M7 had the old ("non MP") VF which is prone to flare, and a 'mechanical' DX reader which was prone to failure. The new MP (2003ish) viewfinder is the same as the MP, and the current optical DX (2006ish) doesn't have any of the issues encountered with the previous version.
Also the battery issue isn't anything tangible, or at least nothing reported as improved by Leica, but I remember reading quite a few complaints about the early M7 days where the batteries would only last a dozen or so rolls. When I purchsed my M7 in early 2012, it took me 7 months and 200+ rolls before I needed new batteries. So if there was ever a battery drainage issue in the past, I assume (with my M7 acting as a test subject) that it has been resolved.
Peter_S
Peter_S
I purchased an M7 earlier this year to replace my M6 and M8. Main motivation were the MP finder and AE. I also owned Contax G2 and Zeiss Ikon, and currently use also an unmetered CL.
This review I find sums it all up nicely: http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/M7/M7_start.html
I can understand those who do not feel the same fascination and sentiments for the M7 than to the more classic bodies, it is a little like that for me too.
The reality is - it is the best camera I have used, and it is the camera I would use over any other when it really counts. It is a work tool - smooth, precise and reliable.
The AE makes it faster than the M6 even if you use it like a M6 (AE lock) in difficult light situations. The shutter is quieter then the ZI, M6 or M4. Whether that matters is up to you, to me it does - it is the reason number 1 I prefer it over the (really nice) ZI.
The MP-finder is clear and virtually flare-free. DX reader...no idea, I always set the ISO myself anyways. Batteries fail, sure. The mechanical times are nice and help through the crucial times until you can replace batteries (reason nr. 2 I prefer it over the ZI). I carry a lightmeter all the times anyways. M6 batteries fail too, and more often than I thought and expected it.
Main drawbacks: Not every repair shop that can service the mechanical Ms can/will/wants to service the M7. If it needs to go to Solms when an M6 can go to a more local shop. This may or may not be true depending on where you live. The camera feels a trad too heavy and tall when you come from a M4 or M6. But so does the M4 when you come from the CL.
I am not convinced that the mechanic Ms are per se more reliable then the M7. The cameras that required no repair or CLA even after hard use were my Contax T3 and G2 - and they are a lot more "electronical" than the M7.
Not sure how I will feel about the M7 down the road. I used it heavily this summer in the Caucasus both in the high mountains and for documentary work - both applications I used the M6 before. The M7 is fantastic.
I thought about an M4 or M4-2 instead to finance an M8. These thougths come when I have too much time to think about gear than time to use it; but I looked at them (M4 and M4-2), handled them, tried them...no love. When I use the M7, all doubts vanish. Of course, this is subjective. Since I have the M7 I do not miss the G2 anymore (that means a lot).
If I want it light and simple - CL and Contax T3. If I want a film work tool that works, is fast, precise, discreet and reliable - M7.
This review I find sums it all up nicely: http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/M7/M7_start.html
I can understand those who do not feel the same fascination and sentiments for the M7 than to the more classic bodies, it is a little like that for me too.
The reality is - it is the best camera I have used, and it is the camera I would use over any other when it really counts. It is a work tool - smooth, precise and reliable.
The AE makes it faster than the M6 even if you use it like a M6 (AE lock) in difficult light situations. The shutter is quieter then the ZI, M6 or M4. Whether that matters is up to you, to me it does - it is the reason number 1 I prefer it over the (really nice) ZI.
The MP-finder is clear and virtually flare-free. DX reader...no idea, I always set the ISO myself anyways. Batteries fail, sure. The mechanical times are nice and help through the crucial times until you can replace batteries (reason nr. 2 I prefer it over the ZI). I carry a lightmeter all the times anyways. M6 batteries fail too, and more often than I thought and expected it.
Main drawbacks: Not every repair shop that can service the mechanical Ms can/will/wants to service the M7. If it needs to go to Solms when an M6 can go to a more local shop. This may or may not be true depending on where you live. The camera feels a trad too heavy and tall when you come from a M4 or M6. But so does the M4 when you come from the CL.
I am not convinced that the mechanic Ms are per se more reliable then the M7. The cameras that required no repair or CLA even after hard use were my Contax T3 and G2 - and they are a lot more "electronical" than the M7.
Not sure how I will feel about the M7 down the road. I used it heavily this summer in the Caucasus both in the high mountains and for documentary work - both applications I used the M6 before. The M7 is fantastic.
I thought about an M4 or M4-2 instead to finance an M8. These thougths come when I have too much time to think about gear than time to use it; but I looked at them (M4 and M4-2), handled them, tried them...no love. When I use the M7, all doubts vanish. Of course, this is subjective. Since I have the M7 I do not miss the G2 anymore (that means a lot).
If I want it light and simple - CL and Contax T3. If I want a film work tool that works, is fast, precise, discreet and reliable - M7.
+1
Excellent work!
If I remember correctly you were in Japan this time last year right, Peter? Also, I think I've been following you on flickr but just made the connection to RFF now.
maddoc
... likes film again.
That is a nice mini-review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I just had a look at you flickr (Thanks, Jon for providing the link !) and have to agree, excellent work.
Peter_S
Peter_S
Daan, Jon and Gabor, thank you for the kind words! Cheers also for following me on flickr (yupp, that is me, Jon!)
Jon, indeed, last year at that time I was in Japan. No Japan for me this year - unfortunately, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. At the moment I focus on home (Austria) and my 2nd home, the South Caucasus.
Best,
Peter
Jon, indeed, last year at that time I was in Japan. No Japan for me this year - unfortunately, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. At the moment I focus on home (Austria) and my 2nd home, the South Caucasus.
Best,
Peter
CrisR
Well-known
Old thread, I know, but now dealer prices are down to £1200-1300, I'm planning on selling on my M6 TTL 0.85 and adding the difference for a 0.58 M7, mainly for the Auto, RF flare and use of 25mm