M7 or a Zeiss Ikon ZM?

M7 or a Zeiss Ikon ZM?

  • ZM

    Votes: 459 45.5%

  • M7

    Votes: 550 54.5%
  • Total voters
    1,009
Totally subjective, I voted for the ZI. Since I've never owned a Leica, I've always missed the ZI every time I've tried an M6 or M7. I think a lot of what goes into preference is habit. With film cameras, the more habituated you are, the more the camera disappears.

At this point, even if I were offered an even trade, M7 for my ZI, I wouldn't do it (unless it were to sell the M7 so I could pocket the difference and get another ZI). Not that the ZI is better, but I'm used to it and really like it.

I doubt either camera on its own would really make a difference to one's skills as a photographer, but since each photographer comes with a uniquely shaped body, it makes sense that people's preferences will differ.

I wonder what Akiva found lacking in the ZI?

One thing that may be very important but has nothing to do with the actual camera is the brand name. Since I often have direct contact with the subjects I shoot, the brand name of the camera inevitably becomes part of the interaction, just as the way a camera looks (retro, contemporary, digital, film, etc...) also can be a crucial part of the equation.
 
Not often mentioned, but if you use "A", then the ZI has the EV compensation setting placed intelligently on the shutter speed dial, while the M7 has them on the ISO dial on the back of the camera. The latter does not look too handy if you ask me!
 
I've the ZM and like it a lot.
I cannot value the M7, had one in my hands only once at the dealer's.
The shuttersound of the M7 is extraorinary, but the filmloading seems to be complicated...

However, if somebody is inerested in the ZM, I'v one new/unused body for sale! cheap! ;-)
 
ZI. I own and use an M7, MP and ZI a lot. The ZI is like having a .58 M7 only in terms of being able to use a 28 while wearing glasses. OTOH, it's just a much "bigger" and better rangefinder too. Sold all my .58 Leicas after buying a ZI. If you wear glasses, the ZI everytime instead of an M7 .58.

Downside of ZI:

1. no 75 framelines - an issue for me because I really like the focal lengh. Reason I keep the M7!
2. A little louder.
3. No 135 framelines (yes, I shoot one sometimes....) - upside of no 135 and 75 is that you have completely uncluttered framelines....

Likes:
1. The rangefinder is awesome.
2. The exp comp dial is intuitive and usable (it isn't on the M7).
3. Way cheaper.
4. The rangefinder
5 The viewfinder generally
6. The 85mm framelines and more accurate than the 90 framelines on the M7 when using a 90mm lens - go figure - I did the test twice because I didn't believe my results.
7. See 5 and 6 above.
 
I have an M7. Used it wasn't *that* much more than a ZI, and I waited to find one with the upgraded DX reader.

The ZI seems like a really nice camera, and if I found one for a good price I might pick it up. Everyone says the viewfinder is brighter, but the meter display and RF patch are better on the M7. Maybe the RF patch thing is just about flaring though. Anyway, I like the mechanical speeds on the M7; I just used that function for the first time the other day. The exposure compensation on the M7 is a bit daft, but the exposure lock on the shutter button works they way it should. It's not really exposure lock but a shutter speed lock, which means you can either do exposure lock, or lock the shutter speed and change the aperture if you need to spur of the moment exposure compensation.

The M7 is a great camera. I'm sure the ZI is too. I guess I ended up with an M7 because it's pretty close to my M6, but with AE. Which is what I wanted... I also prefer the black chrome to black paint - very non flashy.
 
You know, I've actually gotten used to the M style of loading film. If it weren't for the bottom plate completely detaching, it's almost easier than loading my Canon SLR. I find it difficult sometimes to balance that with a lens, having the back swung open with all the internals exposed, etc. Thought the Canon certainly does have it beat in terms of just pulling the film to the right spot and closing the back. The auto winding is nice.
 
Many Leica users and collectors want the Leica just because it has something extra, that hardly any other make has and certainly not the ZM's, that is it has become - since long - a (perhaps THE) CULT camera. So if you want to include that, in the end you take the M7. Shooting with Leica's is a way of life as they say.
 
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Having owned an M7 and never a ZM, I'd get a ZM. I preferred my beat M6 to the shiny M7 so I sold it. AE was superfluous.
 
I have used cameras for at least 45 yrs. I have had many including 5 different model Leica M's. I have had one Zeiss ZM. I prefer the Zeiss. Best viewfinder going and I have looked thru many.
 
The loading system was really quite rational compared to the earlier no-back-flap of the pre-M models, but when the Leica first hit the market the alternative was a pocket full of single sided 4.5x6cm plate holders for your Ermanox with its 100mm f/2 lens..
 
ZM for me

ZM for me

I just bought a ZM. Like, 15 minutes ago 🙂 I wanted a rangefinder, not necessarily a Leica. I borrowed a ZM for a few weeks sometime ago and loved it. I loved the viewfinder. I thought the camera handled really well. The 35mm f2 Biogon lens was really good.

I simply could not justify the cost of the Leica, particularly since I'm also buying a lens or two. I held a Leica about two years ago and that is the extent of my physical experience with it. I don't think I would like bottom loading film.

Can't wait for the weekend 😀
 
Harry Lime said:
M7
The RF patch moves with the framelines
Click to expand...

"The patch moves with the framelines" ! I handled a ZI once and found it awkward seeing the RF patch close to the corners of the frame lines at infinity and also at close-focus distance. Thought it was a defect camera, though...
 
I've used M7 for a month.It's more flexible than MP and M6 for everyday use,and its shutter is more silent.But the skin is easy to fall off,which is really boring.I didn't meet such a problem on my MP or M6.
 
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I guess the question reply how much money u have in your pocket or how much u are willing to pay for a camera.

Generally you won't go wrong with either camera. yes they are two different level priced items and they are two different level of camera indeed.
 
I got a M6 and a ZI, and I must say the ZI's viewfinder is amazing, suddenly the viewfinder on the M6 seem small...

I still haven't quite adjusted to the shutter info being displayed on the left, and I think when I do I would still prefer the information being displayed on the bottom. Also my ZM is already misaligned at infinity, though it has not affected focusing accuracy. The Leica does feel like the more solid product in many ways and I actually much prefer the Leica loading mechanism. The ZI's shutter does make a little more noise and is less satisfying than the Leica click, but it's fine.

I have only handled a M7 for a couple of weeks a long time ago, but I am under the impression that it's easier to add exposure compensation on the ZI than M7, though on the flip side the ZI's shutter dial is awfully fiddly.

All things considered though, the issues I have with the ZI's are minor. I got a tidy example of the ZI for just $800, and at the end of the day I would have to say the bigger VF and the vastly cheaper price makes it the winner for me.
 
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