M7 DX reader

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robbo

Robbo
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Does anyone know at which point the IR DX reader became the standard fitment in the M7? An idea of what serial number to look out for would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Chris R
 
Hard to tie down to a serial nr. as Leica manufactures in batches and the batch nrs aren't necessarily linear. Something with an "older" number may be more recent than another with a "newer" number.
 
I thought that too maddoc, but read that it was the number at which they started fitting the uprated viewfinder. Maybe it's the number at which both were fitted. Thanks for your reply.
 
May be only under warranty, I've not looked into it either. I'm adding the washer to the baseplate on mine, see if that calms down DX troubles.
 
Sent both M7's to NJ who forwarded them to Solms for the replacment. Except for shipping to NJ it was free. One might have been under warranty but the other one sure wasn't. Since the reader was working in both I'm not sure if the warrant even matters.
 
Thanks again for the replies. I think I should add that I am trying to avoid all this to and fro business to Solms. I was sold an M7 with the understanding that it had the IR reader. As it turns out, that doesn't seem to be the case. As I'm making the change from M6 to M7, I want it to be as strightforward as possible. In other words, I want to bypass the tedium of being without a camera for at least a month. At my age, time is becoming a premium!:>)
 
After the film has been rewound but before you open the camera can you hear the film rattling around in the chamber if you jiggle the camera? There is an extra washer in the baseplate on later M7's, a smaller one on top of the large round piece which serves as the lock. There is a longer screw as well. This seems to be another potential fix for DX issues, and is pretty simple to install yourself. Just be sure to have the handle on the bottomplate held in position with a clamp of some sort, saves time as the handle must be perfectly aligned.
 
Attached is a pic of the optical reader & base plate washer on my 0.72x M7.
 

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Peter -- Now I have something to compare to. Thanks -

EDIT: At closer inspection my does have the upgraded DX reader! Cool.
 
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robbo said:
Thanks again for the replies. I think I should add that I am trying to avoid all this to and fro business to Solms. I was sold an M7 with the understanding that it had the IR reader. As it turns out, that doesn't seem to be the case. As I'm making the change from M6 to M7, I want it to be as strightforward as possible. In other words, I want to bypass the tedium of being without a camera for at least a month. At my age, time is becoming a premium!:>)
Click to expand...
I understand that, it took about 6 weeks (from the US), the only problem I had with the fingers was getting the canister out. It was a real PIA. The newer M7 was much worse than the older one. I often used my Leatherman pliers to grap hold of the canister.

My newest M7 was bought aroung the Christmas of 2006 , had the newer finder, serial number started with 2944 and did NOT have the optical reader. Hopes this helps.
 
peter_n said:
Attached is a pic of the optical reader & base plate washer on my 0.72x M7.
Click to expand...

Brilliant! That's just what I needed to see. Mine definitely does not have the IR reader. I shall take this up with the dealer tomorrow. On another point, the film cassette doesn't rattle around, it's firmly held and needs a good tug or slap to get it out of the chamber.
Also interesting that even with the vf upgrade Leica were still fitting the old type of dx reader. This is a bit of a minefield if, like me, you are wanting a used (but useable) M7 that will not need irritating visits to the repair/modification shop. I know I could ignore the problem, but I am spending a lot of money, so why should I put up with things?
Thanks once again to all for their input. It's certainly cleared up a few questions I had.
 
Good luck, mate! Just so that you know, the round trip from my door here in the colonies (;)) to Solms & back was 5 weeks. Probably a bit quicker to & from Great Yarmouth.
 
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