M7 lifespan - a curiosity

[Steve_F]

Something I was pondering (nice saturday afternoon), there are alot of mechanical 'M's still out there, decades old.
What are peoples views on the longevity of M7's with their increasing reliance on electronics as opposed to purely mechanical. (except 1/60 & 1/125)
Would Leica for example be able to replace circuitry in twenty years time.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[Ken Ford]

I think it comes down to whether the M7 used large scale integrated components or discrete components - I suspect it's the first.

 

[hth]

They can most likely still be repaired, but you will face a bigger repair bill than if you had your mechanical camera serviced.

Replacing circuitry is not hard, at a cost. Question is if spare parts will still be available, and I suspect it will be for a long time.

 

[Terrence]

any chance that Leica will further develope the film M? a M7.2 perhaps or a MP-A?

fully mechanical shutter with AE function - something like the FM3A? with that, I think is the peak a film M body can ever go.

 

[Steve_F]

The perfect Leica - IMHO
That'd go nicely with my FM3A.
Just want to get into the 'M' system with that lovely glass and in particular the 'silence' compared to my noisy(!) FM3A.

Steve.

 

[coelacanth]

I read somewhere that Leica is guaranteeing 20 years of repair parts stock for M9, so I'd assume M7's parts will be available at least that length AFTER they stop the production.

Hybrid shutter M sounds like a good idea. FM3A did it within pretty much identical physical package of FM2. Well, personally I'm still hoping there will be an M without battery.

 

[35mmdelux]

I've wondered the same question. Consider the M8 & M9 with all its electronics -- comparatively the M7 is a simple camera.

 

[35mmdelux]

The perfect Leica - IMHO
That'd go nicely with my FM3A.
Just want to get into the 'M' system with that lovely glass and in particular the 'silence' compared to my noisy(!) FM3A.

Steve.

Steve - I went from FM2 to the Leica M. Very much like going from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Mercedes Benz.

 

[ethics_gradient]

Moving parts are more likely to fail than well-designed electronics, aren't they?

 

[bob338]

I read somewhere that Leica is guaranteeing 20 years of repair parts stock for M9, so I'd assume M7's parts will be available at least that length AFTER they stop the production.

where in the world did you hear that?

bob

 

[Ken Ford]

I saw it, too (regarding the M9) - it was an interview with a Leica exec.

 

[peter_n]

I'd like to see a 1/4000 shutter in the M7.

 

[Steve M.]

I have an R-5 that has a more complicated electronics in it, and the camera seems indestructible. It's an old camera. Have had a few of the much older R-3's and never any trouble w/ them either. Only the R-4 had known electronic trouble. So assuming that the M-7 is built at least as well as the R-5, which seems a safe bet, it will be an ultra reliable camera for many, many years.

 

[kshapero]

The perfect Leica - IMHO
That'd go nicely with my FM3A.
Just want to get into the 'M' system with that lovely glass and in particular the 'silence' compared to my noisy(!) FM3A.

Steve.

I have both!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I suspect the M7 will outlast the practical availability of film to put in it.

 

[35mmdelux]

Send the M7 to Leica Solms for a full check up on the 19th year.

 

[RichardB]

There will be no successor to the M7. Why would a company invest money in development of a product that has little sales potential?
Leica is firmly into the digital product life cycle and the increased revenue from the M8 and now the M9 has shown Leica the way.
BTW, in 20 years I firmly expect that M7's along with hordes of other analog cameras will be curiosities as the supply of analog media dries up. So I wouldn't worry about repairs.-Dick