loneranger
Well-known
I am considering buying an m7 , so wondering how reliable the shutter is, and how is the sound compared to the m6?
maddoc
... likes film again.
My M7 is one of the two out of many cameras that I have owned, which had a jammed shutter. The other was a Leica MP (2003 model). Other than that it is a fine camera, shutter is very quiet and absolutely precise (which can not be said about the purely mechanically governed Leica cloth shutter) 
Tim Gray
Well-known
It's been very reliable for me. Never had a problem in the 3 years I've owned it. Just like my M6 and my Canon 1V.
It's a teeny bit quieter than the M6.
It's a teeny bit quieter than the M6.
Hilm3
Established
No problems with the shutter for me. It is quieter than my M6, especially in the slower speeds as there is no whirring sound as the shutter times down. Just silence, then snick.
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
I have recently acquired a used M7 but haven't yet received it in the mail. I am looking forward to using it.
In the meantime I have been doing lots of reading + research about the M7, and there are users who have reported occasional problems. Most M7 owners seem to be very happy with the camera, but there are a few issues with shutter malfunctions that seem to creep up ...
If you do a search on l-camera-forum.com, you can find out more. There are also posts about M7 problems here on RFF.com, although as I mentioned, the vast majority of users don't have any problems.
One recurring issue I have read about (with disquieting frequency) is a shutter / jammed transport mechanism problem. The user suddenly finds the advance letter will not fully complete the cycle, and it gets jammed part-way. As a result, the shutter curtains do not reset themselves properly -- this is all due to a faulty advance mechanism inside the camera.
Typically, the camera needs to be sent to Leica and the repair costs a fair chunk of money.
I do not mean to disparage the M7, I think it's a beautiful machine ... but it's good to be aware of potential issues. This is true for any camera made today.
Here is one link:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/discus_e/messages/2/99062.html
Here is another:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86180
In the meantime I have been doing lots of reading + research about the M7, and there are users who have reported occasional problems. Most M7 owners seem to be very happy with the camera, but there are a few issues with shutter malfunctions that seem to creep up ...
If you do a search on l-camera-forum.com, you can find out more. There are also posts about M7 problems here on RFF.com, although as I mentioned, the vast majority of users don't have any problems.
One recurring issue I have read about (with disquieting frequency) is a shutter / jammed transport mechanism problem. The user suddenly finds the advance letter will not fully complete the cycle, and it gets jammed part-way. As a result, the shutter curtains do not reset themselves properly -- this is all due to a faulty advance mechanism inside the camera.
Typically, the camera needs to be sent to Leica and the repair costs a fair chunk of money.
I do not mean to disparage the M7, I think it's a beautiful machine ... but it's good to be aware of potential issues. This is true for any camera made today.
Here is one link:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/discus_e/messages/2/99062.html
Here is another:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86180
slight
Member
Thank you bobby. I was worrying the same thing. One friend of mine told me his two M7 are all jammed and had to be sent back to Germany. We wouldn't know if he's unusually unlucky if the M7 does has a high failure rate though.
Last edited:
RichardB
Well-known
I have had twp M7's for about 4 years now.
About a year ago after both being sent to Solm's for upgrades, I had the reported jam on one. It was sent, actually Leica NJ sent UPS to pick it up and was back within a week. No problems since then.
If I was using an M7 as a Professional, I would ALWAYS have another M body with me. When I did weddings with the M7's, I always had two with me.
As an amateur these days, I can afford to only take along one M7.
But if only using one M and if I was going where I could not get service readily for an extended period of time and required as close to 100% reliability as I could obtain, I would get a Mint M6 or Mint MP.
As of this date, I have not heard from Leica or any other M7 user exactly what is causing these jams and a way to clear them without sending the camera in for service.-Dick
About a year ago after both being sent to Solm's for upgrades, I had the reported jam on one. It was sent, actually Leica NJ sent UPS to pick it up and was back within a week. No problems since then.
If I was using an M7 as a Professional, I would ALWAYS have another M body with me. When I did weddings with the M7's, I always had two with me.
As an amateur these days, I can afford to only take along one M7.
But if only using one M and if I was going where I could not get service readily for an extended period of time and required as close to 100% reliability as I could obtain, I would get a Mint M6 or Mint MP.
As of this date, I have not heard from Leica or any other M7 user exactly what is causing these jams and a way to clear them without sending the camera in for service.-Dick
furcafe
Veteran
Ditto for my M7, which I've had for over 6 years (purchased used, so the camera's actually about 8 years old).
Until I read the links on this thread, I had never even heard of shutter problems unique to the M7. However, I've only put about 225 rolls through mine, so it hasn't seen the heaviest use. Mine has been in the shop twice, but only to fix damage caused by mishaps that were my fault.
Until I read the links on this thread, I had never even heard of shutter problems unique to the M7. However, I've only put about 225 rolls through mine, so it hasn't seen the heaviest use. Mine has been in the shop twice, but only to fix damage caused by mishaps that were my fault.