Leica MP and M7, Ten years on

[Roger Hicks]

The ultimate Leica, is the one you have with you, when you step out of your door, and it certainly is not an MP. The M7(s) have become my second skin by now. The MP is sitting on a shelf looking pretty... Are they relevant? Only as much as film is relevant. Is the film relevant? - In B&W, the question should actually be reversed: is the digital relevant?
For me - not yet, so its all film.

Not for you, maybe. But I know which I'd rather have (and indeed which one I chose). I've tried an M7. I can't raise any enthusiasm for it whatsoever. I'd far rather have a non-battery-dependent M2. Especially mine with one of Tom's winders on the bottom.

For me, the MP offers the best possible combination of features. All right, we disagree. But it's worth making the point that some will prefer a camera that requires a bit of intelligence and experience (MP) and others will prefer a jumped-up point and shoot (M7).

Of course that's a ridiculous overstatement. But it's designed to reflect a mind-set. Some will instinctively go for the MP; others, for the M7. Ridiculous overstatement may help some people identify with one or the other. Neither is inherently superior -- unless your mind works that way.

Cheers,

R.

 

[bobkonos]

I own a chrome 0.72 MP, purchased new in fall of 2003. Hard to believe it is 10 years old, as it looks new as the day I bought it. Very relevant and effective tool, but it is tucked away now, as I use my M6 and M2 cameras in rotation. I go back and forth: do I sell the perfect as new MP and make some money (thanks to Leica raising their prices yearly on the same camera they made 10 years ago), or sell three of the four M6 cameras and use one with the MP? Fun dilemma.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

prefer a camera that requires a bit of intelligence and experience (MP) and others will prefer a jumped-up point and shoot (M7).

"Ridiculous overstatement" indeed, and not at all helpful to those that don't know any better than to trust the opinions of someone as much a staple in the photo forum world as yourself.

 

[Roger Hicks]

"Ridiculous overstatement" indeed, and not at all helpful to those that don't know any better than to trust the opinions of someone as much a staple in the photo forum world as yourself.

Oh, come on. The only people who will miss the point are those who can't be arsed to read to the end of the post to see that I have put my hand up to making a ridiculous overstatement for a clearly stated reason. Which bit of "Of course that's a ridiculous overstatement" do you think people are likely to misunderstand?

Cheers,

R.

 

[jordan.dickinson]

i don't understand written sarcasm and just bought another M7.

 

[Frank Petronio]

There is a point of diminishing returns as far as actually shooting. I rather get a low milage M6 classic and a thorough CLA, plus the removal of unnecessary frame lines. For $1250-$1500 you end up with a great shooting camera that isn't as precious as one costing several times more.

Why spend more than you need to for essentially the same camera and equal results? What was that saying about a fool and his money?

 

[Harry Lime]

I've had an M7 since about 2006 and it's been a truly great camera. Very reliable and dead quiet. Mine sips batteries (about 70 rolls per set) and the optical DX code reader hasn't given me a problem while I put a few hundred rolls through the camera. The only change I would make is to add an AE lock button the the back of the top plate, below the advance lever, so you did not have to retake your meter reading after every shot.

I've had a chance to play around with the MP and liked it a lot. I only wish that Leica offered the old style 1 meter frame lines from the MP3 as an option. They offer noticeably better framing accuracy, particularly with the 50 and above, compared to the standard 70 cm markings .

 

[semi-ambivalent]

*stares at ALC MP order deposit invoice*

Be strong Black! I put my ALC order in a month ago and the anticipation is driving me crazy. (I have ZERO buyer's remorse. I have ZERO M240/MM envy. I enjoy film and my M3 more than ever and if I want digital in a few years I'll pick one of those up, for a song.)

Edit: I just checked my invoice and lo and behold is has been a month and a half. It's going to go quick, and you'll have that MP for decades...

 

[_goodtimez]

M7 AE lock button

M7 AE lock button

The only change I would make is to add an AE lock button the the back of the top plate, below the advance lever, so you did not have to retake your meter reading after every shot.

Harry,

this functionality does exist on the M7: Once you have done an initial exposure metering in AE mode, if you want to keep the values, just switch to manual exposure.
A button to keep pressing would be harder to use.

 

[Ansel]

There is a point of diminishing returns as far as actually shooting. I rather get a low milage M6 classic and a thorough CLA, plus the removal of unnecessary frame lines. For $1250-$1500 you end up with a great shooting camera that isn't as precious as one costing several times more.

Why spend more than you need to for essentially the same camera and equal results? What was that saying about a fool and his money?

I agree with this. The MP seems more of "precious" option and doesn't really improve on the much cheaper M6.

 

[lawrence]

What was that saying about a fool and his money?

I can probably remember but then again 'If you've got it, flaunt it'.

 

[Archlich]

Harry,

this functionality does exist on the M7: Once you have done an initial exposure metering in AE mode, if you want to keep the values, just switch to manual exposure.
A button to keep pressing would be harder to use.

The ZI's AE lock button retains the reading for some 20 seconds with one push.

 

[mfogiel]

This M7/MP dilemma brings up the old truth: if I have enough time to fiddle with my light meter, be it in the camera, or separate, it essentially means, that I might as well shoot with a medium format for a better negative. For me, Leicas are about speed of reaction, and in changing light, there might be 5 stops of difference, so there is no point in arguing, that you can always shoot in "average" light.
Obviously, there will be people living in Mongolia or Mid West, where the light stays the same on the area of 100 square kilometers at a time, and they don't feel the need for this.
But in this kind of environment, an AE camera counts:

20132130 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[semi-ambivalent]

This M7/MP dilemma brings up the old truth: if I have enough time to fiddle with my light meter, be it in the camera, or separate, it essentially means, that I might as well shoot with a medium format for a better negative. For me, Leicas are about speed of reaction, and in changing light, there might be 5 stops of difference, so there is no point in arguing, that you can always shoot in "average" light.
Obviously, there will be people living in Mongolia or Mid West, where the light stays the same on the area of 100 square kilometers at a time, and they don't feel the need for this.
But in this kind of environment, an AE camera counts:

20132130 by mfogiel, on Flickr

I fiddle with my M3 and rarely use my Sekonic 308. With a little practice your eye gets pretty good at this sort of lighting, and where to put the toe. It might be more important to know your film's response to developer and development time. I see some blown highlights here and I don't think they detract one bit, in fact it's a damn good shot. It's just worthwhile to remember meters can get it wrong too. Horses for courses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I've had a chance to play around with the MP and liked it a lot. I only wish that Leica offered the old style 1 meter frame lines from the MP3 as an option. They offer noticeably better framing accuracy, particularly with the 50 and above, compared to the standard 70 cm markings .

I second that. In fact I hardly ever use my MP because of the inaccuracy of the framelines. I always want to use the whole negative.

The framelines of the M2 and M3 are MUCH better.

I do not like the shiny black paint of the MP either.

The black paint of the black M2 and M3 is MUCH better.

And then, that sandpaper covering of the MP, terrible.

The guttapercha vulcanite of the M2 and M3 is MUCH better.

Erik.

 

[agricola]

"Obviously, there will be people living in Mongolia or Mid West, where the light stays the same on the area of 100 square kilometers at a time"

You left out Australia. Which is, surprisingly, bigger than Texas. Over here it is at least 1000 sq. km. at a time ;-)

P.S. love that shot Marek - perfect exposure for the scene

 

[mugent]

Best $1500 I've ever spent.

You got a bargain.

 

[Ansel]

This M7/MP dilemma brings up the old truth: if I have enough time to fiddle with my light meter, be it in the camera, or separate, it essentially means, that I might as well shoot with a medium format for a better negative.

I found I was not carrying my Blad as much because of the weight, more than the speed of response, carrying my M6 is a lot easier on the shoulders.

As for IQ... I am of the view that the only Image Quality worth worrying about is the quality of the content, not the container. I am more Robert Frank than Ansel Adams.

I do carry a small handheld light meter with me though, which I will often use to set my camera on entering a new location... That way I can just ignore the meter and shoot.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I really love my M7 but an improved shutter with higher speeds would be nice to have. And I think the digital Leica's have a shutter like that. Can't be too difficult to put that in M7?

 

[sojournerphoto]

I really love my M7 but an improved shutter with higher speeds would be nice to have. And I think the digital Leica's have a shutter like that. Can't be too difficult to put that in M7?

Or a ZI or Hexar


I'll be off now🙂