M-7

[Cbrown]

Hi,

I am a Nikon SLR and SLR user that recently had the opportunity to hold and examine an aquaintance's Leica M7. Big mistake, cause now I want one! I saw an M-7 at a local store (Ritz) for $2,300. This raises my suspicions because they are typically more expensive than everyone else on almost everything. It is on display, but looks brand new. I asked the salesperson about it and he said it has never been used. This price seems kind of low for a new one, or am I just being overly suspicious that something is wrong. It is a black one, I did not notice or ask about the magnification number. I don't believe it was any special edition. Other than those two factors are there a bunch of different kinds of M7's that would cause this one to be priced so low. Any advice on what to check for? Also they had a Summicron 50 f2 for approx $950. Looked new in the box. s thinking this was a pretty good deal also. Any opinions on this kit.

Thanks in advance,


Hopefully soon to be new M7 owner.

CHRIS

 

[back alley]

it could just be old stock and they are trying to get rid of it.

joe

 

[richard_l]

I think the price for the Summicron 50 is realistic for a used lens in "like new" condition. I think you're right to be somewhat suspicious about the M7, but if it comes with the factory warranty (which I somehow doubt), I would go for it!

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Chris! 🙂 Opinions on the kit? Good kit - what else is there to say? 😉 One thing to check is the serial number, I think it is 2880xxx and above that have the improved MP finder, you might want to check on that. I bought one recently with a serial nr. 2942xxx that had been lying around for a bit over a year. As Joe says it may be just old "new" stock they are trying to sell. How long is the warranty good for? Mine expires in about a year and a half.

 

[Ben Z]

Are you speaking of Ritz the huge national chain, or Ritz the old-camera dealer in Arizona? As long as they are authorized USA Leica dealers, the box has the Leica USA foil label on it, and it is not a "code U" (demo) then it should be eligigble for the full 3-year Leica USA Passport and I believe the 2-yr extension as well since that is Leica USA's current policy. You can always call Liz at Leica USA 800-222-0118 with the serial# and verify its warranty eligibility.

As to the price, that was the MSRP just a few years ago when the M7 came out, so perhaps they never changed the price on it. It is not uncommon for Leicas to sit for years unsold in camera stores, other than the few dealers popular with Leica fans, and maybe they figure if nobody bought it at $2350 it doesn't make much business sense to jack it up to the current $3300. If it is a USA-Passport camera, it's a very good price and I would grab it if I were you.

One thing you might want to do is look at the eyepiece. If it has a thin rubber ring and you can see the metal lip of the body behind it, it's the original type which is threaded. If the rubber eyepiece ring covers all the way to the casting, it's the later type which many people have found will need to be caulked to keep major amounts of dust out of the eyepiece.

 

[Cbrown]

First of all, thanks to all who replied to my question.

A couple more details, the M-7 in question has serial #278XXXX, which I found out is from 2002 or thereabouts. Good news for the dust in eyepiece problem, maybe not as good for flare problem. Either way I checked and it also qualifies for 2year manufacturer + 3year passport warranty. The Summicron 50mm f/2 is also brand new in box. For $2,300 for the M7 and $958 for the Summicron 50, I think I will definately go for it. Thanks again for the replies and I will post some more after a time.

Chris

 

[former member]

Cameraquest has New Leica M7's for $2,500. Is the one in the shop new or a demo? Does it come with the new Warranty?

http://cameraquest.com/inventor.htm

The Cameraquest Leica carries the store warranty, which would not worry me at all.

 

[Cbrown]

It is out of the box on display, but does not appear to have been used.

 

[Cbrown]

Sorry, forgot to add that it qualifies for new warranty, 2years + 3 year passport.

 

[egpj]

Buy it, I know I would.

 

[former member]

Buy it. That is a better price than what they are going for on the used market.

 

[egpj]

USB 1.1 is 15mbps
Firewire is 400mbps
USB 2.0 is 480mbps
Firewire 2 is 800mbps

Right now I do not see any scanners using the new firewire standard so your best and fastest bet is to go with a scanner using a USB 2.0 connection. Cheers.

Glenn

 

[peter_n]

Sorry, forgot to add that it qualifies for new warranty, 2years + 3 year passport.

Buy it!!!!!!!!!