M6 or M7

[Patman]

Looking at either a 6 or 7. Which do you think is the better choice?
Looking at a LEICA M6 .85 CLASSIC or a New M7…your thoughts! Also how does $1350 sound for an Excellent++ M6!

 

[aizan]

black. zeiss. ikon.

 

[rover]

$1350 is not bad for a really nice M6 classic .85 from a dealer with a warranty of some sort. You may be able to do a little better price wise in a private sale, but not much better. I think the 6 and 7 are two different beast though. Do you want an automated camera or manual one. They are quite different.

 

[Patman]

black. zeiss. ikon.

Sorry not interested in imitations. All of the previous zeiss lens users have dropped their glass their must be a reason!

 

[sf]

M7 - IMHO - It feels better.

 

[Silver]

Get the M6. I have both the 72 & 85 finders, and I prefer the 85. I paid 1400 for the 85 from a guy who had it cla'd and vf upgraded. The m7 is a great camera too, but it just doesn't seem to justify the extra $$$ as far as I am concerned. I'd rather save the dough for other junk. Remember, the lens takes the pictures - the body just holds the film.

 

[aizan]

when the imitation is better than the original... 😀

 

[Kyle]

Sorry not interested in imitations. All of the previous zeiss lens users have dropped their glass their must be a reason!

1. How is it an imitation?
2. Who are all these people that "dropped their glass?" Everything I've heard about the new Zeiss lenses is they are amazing, but if you have some sort of exclusive knowledge, please share. Besides, the ZI is an M mount camera, you can use Leica glass.

 

[sherm]

The only real reason for the M7 is the AE function. If this doesn't matter to you then by all means go for the M6. The cheaper price will allow you to purchase Leica glass... no reason to purchase the body if you're not going to use the Leitz glass. The lenses are really amazing. I have a 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH and the new 75/2 Cron ASPH and have no complaints. To be fair I also have a couple of CV lenses that are quite nice and I use often. If you were to buy at least one lens then get the 35/2 this is the classic combination.

You would have the best of both worlds with the new Zeiss lenses that are in the M mount. Whichever one of these cameras you choose you wont be disapointed!

Good Luck!!

Scott

 

[RayPA]

I have a M7, and I can tell you it is a very nice camera. It operates metered, as well as, full blown auto. The battery life isn't great. I have an M4-P and I prefer the feel of the M7. According to Gandy on CameraQuest the M7 viewfinder is better, than the M6 .85 TTL. The M7 is a thing of beauty to look through.

🙂

edited: took out the "way better"

 

[sherm]

Patman:

Sorry about the Litany about Leitz glass as I see you have plenty already. Got too excited about "corrupting" another unsuspecting soul.

Scott

 

[Ken Ford]

Back to the original question: if I had to choose between an M6 of any magnification and a M7 as an only M body, I'd unhesitatingly go for the M6. However, an M7 would make a great second body.

Doesn't the M7 shutter speed dial turn the same direction as a M6TTL? This was one of the reasons I went with an M6 Classic - I expect to have a M2 some day, and I'd prefer if they work more or less the same.

 

[peter_n]

I have both the M7 and M6 but my M6 is of the TTL variety. I have a strong preference for the M7 because I use the AE quite a bit. I have both 0.85 and 0.72 mags and really love the 0.85 mag for lenses >=50mm. I'm a fan of modern cameras so the earlier ones don't appeal to me. Remember that the M7 is also a manual camera just like the M6TTL (except that it has very accurate shutter speeds) but as someone posted above if you don't want AE there isn't much point. I would get an M6TTL instead of an M6 classic - just my personal preference.

 

[Silver]

I guess it depends if you want AE that bad...

 

[Patman]

1. How is it an imitation?
2. Who are all these people that "dropped their glass?" Everything I've heard about the new Zeiss lenses is they are amazing, but if you have some sort of exclusive knowledge, please share. Besides, the ZI is an M mount camera, you can use Leica glass.

Two companys right off the bat, Hasseblad and Alpha both went to Schneider lens!

 

[Patman]

Thanks for the comments it looks like it's going to be the M7!!

 

[amateriat]

Two companys right off the bat, Hasseblad and Alpha both went to Schneider lens!

Last time I checked, Hassy offered up Zeiss glass on all but their 645 offerings (and in that instance, they went with Fuji); Alpa (the other company I believe you were referring to; correct me if I'm wrong) offers Zeiss optics, among others (including Schneider) on their current – and quite interesting – model 12.

No need to knock brand Z if you prefer brand L...you simply like what you like.

As far as choosing between those two Leicas: the M6 is neat, while the M7 is keen. My personal perference leans slightly toward the M7, given how much I like aperture-priority AE. If that option is at all important (and it sounds like it is), the M7's the move.


- Barrett

 

[Avotius]

I shoot a lot of street stuff, I have tried to use all manual cameras but most of the time I find that I would rather not be tinkering with the shutter dial when the scene goes by. Also I found that being able to see the shutter speed in the finder is pretty usefull, how many times have I poped under 1/30 without noticing....blurred images

 

[aizan]

m7's ae + m6 price + longer ebl = black zeiss ikon. i rest my case.

 

[rover]

No need to knock brand Z if you prefer brand L...you simply like what you like.
- Barrett

Amen to that. Throw brand CV in there too....different strokes for different folks, all pretty darn good too.