Leica M7 à la carte

[splitimageview]

I helped Bill (wjlapier) get his M7:

I think it came out fantastic. Bill had a lot of special requests that aren't on the online configurator.

More pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjagitsch/sets/72157626334077196/

 

[fixbones]

That is a very nice looking m7!!!

 

[dogberryjr]

I helped Bill (wjlapier) get his M7:

I think it came out fantastic. Bill had a lot of special requests that aren't on the online configurator.

More pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjagitsch/sets/72157626334077196/

Put a .85 finder in it and it'd be my dream machine.

 

[wjlapier]

Definitely think it out before you order. If you want a basic chrome M7 you can find them anywhere.

Robert was great to work with. He and I have done many buy/sell transactions either between he and I personally, or through Precision. I highly recommend him.

 

[segedi]

Wish I had known about the black hotshoe as that would have completed my stealth M7...

Flickr

 

[jsrockit]

One man's generic is another's classic! Just out of curiosity, what would you suggest?

True. I guess I would make something that looks different than most stuff out there...I wouldn't be trying to emulate the M4. However, I guess the M7 IS different than most Leica's out there...

Mine would be:

Black Paint M7, MP controls in Silver, Lizard Skin (Black), No engravings, 0.58 VF, etc.

 

[kshapero]

True. I guess I would make something that looks different than most stuff out there...I wouldn't be trying to emulate the M4. However, I guess the M7 IS different than most Leica's out there...

Mine would be:

Black Paint M7, MP controls in Silver, Lizard Skin (Black), No engravings, 0.58 VF, etc.

Very sweet

 

[mijosc]

Black Paint M7, MP controls in Silver, Lizard Skin (Black), No engravings, 0.58 VF, etc.

Very sharp looking... not my style 🙂... but I like it

 

[LeicaFan]

This would be my ideal M7

- Black Paint Finish
- MP Controls in Black Paint
- No Engravings
- Saddle Leather in Black
- .85-4

 

[splitimageview]

Wish I had known about the black hotshoe as that would have completed my stealth M7...

Black hot shoe and shutter button collar were options on Bill's that are not on the ala carte web configuration.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Wonder why I've never seen a M7 with the M2/M3 style rewind lever, I guess it is not an option offered by Leitz. Anyhow that would be my choice: the full classic look.

 

[mijosc]

I helped Bill (wjlapier) get his M7:

I think it came out fantastic. Bill had a lot of special requests that aren't on the online configurator.

More pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjagitsch/sets/72157626334077196/

That is one of the most beautiful cameras I've ever seen. I can just imagine it aged 20 years from now with the brass showing through. Again, the black paint is tempting.

 

[splitimageview]

Wonder why I've never seen a M7 with the M2/M3 style rewind lever, I guess it is not an option offered by Leitz. Anyhow that would be my choice: the full classic look.

 

[LeicaFan]

The rewind knob, not the film advance lever

 

[PrecisionCamera]

Don't count us out!

I just looked for your email and I have no idea where it went, but if you want to resubmit it to me directly at crudman@precision-camera.com I'd be more than happy to take care of you.

We can do a'la carte, just let me know what you are looking for, print off a digital pdf of your configuration and attach to the email. And anything special like blacked-out hotshoes I will find a way to get them for you!


moreammo,
I apologize for the incompetence you encountered on the sales floor, unfortunately with commissioned sales staff you can encounter indifference when they catch the slightest hint of a lengthy sales process. I would be more than happy to help you with anything you need, and can arrange for you to be able to pick it up in store without ever having to walk out in this unbearable Texas summer drought. Again, email me directly and I'm all yours. 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

Oh, sorry. I read lever but wasn't thinking 'knob.' 🙂

 

[wjlapier]

Wonder why I've never seen a M7 with the M2/M3 style rewind lever, I guess it is not an option offered by Leitz. Anyhow that would be my choice: the full classic look.

If the M7 had the classic rewind knob I too would have ordered that.

I think it was Bill Blackwell who found a MP top that didn't have MP and serial number engraved, but did have the script. He had DAG create a MP-7 that had the classic rewiind knob. But it had that dreaded red dot--I'd request an elusive black dot if DAG had one 😎

 

[segedi]

If the M7 had the classic rewind knob I too would have ordered that.

Me too. You can get the MP with M7 style but nto the other way around.

 

[mijosc]

Ok, so I need some advice/encouragement/help rationalizing. I came so close to ordering yesterday, but something held me back...

The M7 à la carte is my dream camera and I expect to use it for the rest of my, hopefully, long life. But, will I be able to put a roll of Velvia or ilford through it in 10 years? What about 20? I know that film is still profitable for companies to produce; however, i worry that at some point it will become such a niche market that film will become too expensive for an average person to use.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-06-03-photo-film_n.htm?csp=34tech

Until now the most money I've spent on a camera has been a used M4. If I can't use it in 10 years it becomes a nice collectors item. The M7 becomes a very expensive "mistake" (not quite the word I am looking for, but you get the point.) I can't see spending $8000 on a M9 that will be obsolete in a few years. Is $6000 on a M7 a similar situation?

Thoughts? Some of you have shiny new Leicas, did you go through a similar thought process before pulling the trigger? (Maybe "snapping the shutter" is a more apropo idiom here 🙂)

 

[tomalophicon]

Maybe buy a $3,500 Leica and spend $3,500 on film and a big freezer.