Is the M7 "fragile"?

Ah piffle. You want a real Leica, then get a barnack. These M things are all fragile toys...

What? You want serious? Then why are you even talking about this? Sheesh.

"Teh Stupid is strong in this one... "

William
 
yeah it's definately not a fragile snowflake - I'm pretty hard on my equipment, in the last few months I've managed to break 2 different lenses while they were mounted on my M7 0.58x (eg one by slamming it hard into a wall when I was climbing up onto a roof to take a shot) and it hasn't skipped a beat! It's also survived having countless drinks accidentally poured on it, with only a slight gumming up of the on/off switch to show for it (still works 100%).

Apologies for repost, but this is that photo I climbed up to the roof to take - had to hold the lens together to take it coz the front part of the barrel was wobbling loose



 
The shutter of an MP and M7 are the same, its the timing mechanism that is different, one has mechanical gear trains and one uses electronics to time the shutter.
Think about various items that used to have mechanical controls and the weak spot. Now that these mechanical controls have been replaced with electronics, these items operate with increased reliability. Your vehicle is a prime example. The days of carburetors and the attendant problems are gone, electronic control of the timing and fuel system make these newer vehicles operate smoother and with less problems.
I don't know anyone outside of Leica that fixes M7 electronics and Sherry Krauter can not fix M7 electronic problems which probably accounts for her statements.
Me, I have two M7's that operate very nicely and the only thing better would be the inclusion of a shutter ala the Nikon Fm3 that I have, that has both mechanical and electronic control.-Dick
 
I don't think there is enough actual data on this forum to be able to comment. I am sure Leica knows the stats well enough.

Another perspective is repair. Plenty of people can repair mechanical problems, but fewer repairs are possible on electronic cameras without new parts or expensive circuit boards. mechanical cameras are most likely moe repairable by non-Leica techs than electronic ones.

I have MP/M6s and I am happy, because they have so far been reliable. OK, so I have a beater M3 and a M2 in need of a CLA after not being used in 20 years, but thats OK.
 
I've been using an M7 for close to 2 years now, and I had my first problem with it a couple weeks ago - however, I'm convinced the problem was caused by me. I went and fired a frame with the rewind lever in the R position, and my shutter/transport mechanism completely locked up.

Other than that, I've taken it out in -40C snow storms and +40C deserts, rain storms... no issues whatsoever! I love it and can't wait to have it back in my hands.

If I wasn't so set on getting an M9, I'd be saving to get a second M7 for backup.

Also, too true about an M7 w/ 35 Summicron being an amazing street machine... on the street my 35 Cron ASPH is mated to my M7, and it's a dream to use.
 
cole said:
I've been using an M7 for close to 2 years now, and I had my first problem with it a couple weeks ago - however, I'm convinced the problem was caused by me. I went and fired a frame with the rewind lever in the R position, and my shutter/transport mechanism completely locked up.
Click to expand...

I bet that's what happened to my MP.
 
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