M6 v M7, price, function

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Thardy

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I've been on the fence about buying an M6 for months. While I've been waiting, it seems that prices for M6's (even classics) have gotten closer to used M7. I've seen prices as high as $1700 for M6's, also there are guys on 'Bay selling "new in Box" M6's for $2200.

Are the prices so close that one should just get the M7?

Is there any reason not to like an M7 compared to M6?

Thanks
 
Are the prices so close that one should just get the M7?

Well if you plan on spending 2 grand on one, then I suppose so. But, since you can still find them for closer to 1200 (there is one on sale for that much right now) I think this is something you don't need to worry about just yet.

The M7 won't work without a batter (well save for 1/60 and 1/125 of a second I think).

Check this FAQ out.
 
If you can get one close to the same price in the same condition a newer camera is preferable. As far as the battery is concerned they do not wear out very often...years. Carry a second battery. There is a beautiful CLA'd camera on sale right now for a nice price.
 
I own an M6 and am thinking of getting rid of it to get an M7. The used prices are definitely not in the same area. Its looking like I might have to add another $1k to make up the difference.

M6's seem to go for ~$1200 and M7's ~$2000.
 
If batteries aren't an issue, the M7 does offer the advantage of aperture priority, making for faster snaps without the worry of getting just the right exposure setting. If you are looking for decent deals and excellent service, check out the two M7s at www.harrysproshop.com (in Toronto). Both are under 2K and one has the .85x while the other has .72x. He tends to rate the condition fairly conservatively so an 8+ or higher is almost mint.

Vin
 
i've owned both, currently keeping an M7. if you want manual exposure with an M7, you don't have to use its AE. if you need AE and you own an M6, well ...

i understand the powerful draw exerted by the elegant simplicity of less complicated cameras. i loved shooting my M6 and even more my sweet M4. but my M7 got all the use because it helped me take better pictures (improved exposures, less missed shots). sold the others for glass ...

some might make distinctions between the two over finder flare, shutter accuracy, film loading, LED readouts, etc. i wouldn't - pretty minor. to me, it's whether you want AE in a leica. if you can do without it, save the money for glass and get the M6. otherwise, it's the M7. keep the decision simple. they're both wonderful cameras.
 
The M7 has richer functionality for a higher price, but the M6 would not be a bad decision - unless you later regretted it and upgraded to an M7 at a later date. I sold my M6 and replaced it with an M7 specifically for the AE and have not regretted the decision to upgrade, just the hesitation that meant I bought the wrong camera (for me) at first.
 
I used 2 M6's for years. I love them.
recently i got a M7 and sold one of the M6's
I love the M7 even more. But I don't trust it yet as much as the M6. I lost the battery cover on the M7 almost for three times. I now taped it to the body. Pretty silly for such an expensive camera.
If I was forced to have only one camera it would be the M6 at this moment. Just because of it's proven reliability. The M7 might be as reliable but I wait ten years before I'm convinced.
 
Why not buy a M6 for that manual shutter feel and a CLE for your AE work? That way you'll get two bodies for the price of a M7, have a bit of spare cash and the choose the right body for the job in hand.

I have a M6TTL, M2 and CLE. They do things in different ways. I pick up the one I need for the task in hand. Oh, and if you think the AE on the CLE isn't up to much, it's pretty good. If I'm shooting Kodachrome, it goes in the CLE. I've had very few badly exposed frames from it.

Charlie
 
Buy a M7 with a MP viewfinder. M7 is practical and very well built. If you want a 100% manual camera, get a M3 or M4, they are fun to play. I am now also looking for a M7 right now, because it is very useful at night, and the late M7 has MP viewfinder and better seal. I vote for M7.
 
I would like to have an M7. Since I'm pretty friendly with technology, and love having a built-in meter, it really fits my style. Besides, I got schooled with AE, and it would be nice to have it in a Leica.

But I have two M6TTL instead. It's a tough choice to sell one and keep the other, just to make room for a perfect stranger! 😱
 
I use both M7 and MP. M7 is great for slide film (incredibly accurate exposures) and for street shooting in rapidly changing light. I find it makes me lazy though, and sometimes I miss exposures with it. If you shoot slides I think an M7 is a must. If not I lean to the M6/MP side so that I can stay honest. 🙂
 
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