M7 vs MP (modern)

[filmtwit]

So I'm considering getting a used M7, but if I spend a little bit more I might be able to get a used MP (modern). Is the MP really worth $500+ more? what do I get for the additional price? Other then top plate and old rewind?

Thanks,

 

[Tim Gray]

Do you want auto exposure? If so, get the M7. If not, then maybe the extra money for the MP is worth it for you.

 

[awilder]

What body are you shooting with now? I've shot with the M6 and MP. The MP is nice but the M6 is equally capable and in my opinion not really worth the extra 2K.

 

[kiemchacsu]

i am shooting with a M6 and a M3. I dont think that I have desire to have a MP. I would say similarly to above, get a M7 if you want AE and already have M3/M2 (vintage look), get MP if you want a vintage look. Many folks said that MP is more durable but I haven't got chance to test it yet!

 

[huntjump]

m7 if you want AE. MP if you want the best film body. M6 if you want the best value.

 

[kevin_v]

Also, especially if you already have an M, it's worth noting that the M7 has the larger 'backwards' shutter speed dial.

 

[Rob-F]

I have both. The MP is smoother, and of course has the "MP upgrade finder." But wait: the more recent production M7 has the MP type finder as well. I think the tipping point where the MP finder starts is around #2885xxx. The M7 shutter release has a resistance point so that you can feel where the exposure lock point is, before tripping the shutter. That is of course necessary, but for one who is used to the smooth continuous travel of the release on the other film M models, it can be unnerving. It's worlds different from the feel of the release on your M3. It can also cause some camera movement during release until you get used to it. If this will not be a problem, then the M7 is really the more versatile of the two cameras: for fast shooting, auto exposure can be quite valuable!

 

[tightsqueez]

m7 if you want AE. MP if you want the best film body. M6 if you want the best value.

+1

Doesn't get any more to the point. I own all three and they have merits (less so with the MP). Don't get me wrong, nice camera and all but if you are going to dump that much money, make a smarter move and buy two M6's.

 

[Clancycoop]

The MP was introduced as a result of some preferring the M6 to the M7's electronics. In essence, they re-released the M6 as a legacy purist model, reverting to the old rewind and advance controls, upgrading some of the materials, and raising the price-tag.

Remember that the M6 was THE Leica film rangefinder for 17 years. It was the "M9" of the 80's and 90's. When they "upgraded" to the M7, some felt that an electronic shutter was superflous and preferred the discontinued M6. They re-released a similar camera as the MP to allow consumer choice.

/Enter MP owners jumping in to justify their purchase with talk of "build quality" and glossy paint. (I don't have anything against MPs. I wouldn't mind having one. Though I wouldn't try and argue they are much better than an M6 either)

 

[smk]

So I'm considering getting a used M7, but if I spend a little bit more I might be able to get a used MP (modern). Is the MP really worth $500+ more? what do I get for the additional price? Other then top plate and old rewind?

Thanks,

The AE is nice, and excellent when it comes to slide film.

The M7 has a stepless electronic shutter, while the MP is mechanical. Because of that, the M7 has a is quieter than the MP, but requires batteries in order to be released (except at 60 and 125), while the MP doesn't need anything.

So, if you want AE, then the M7 is an excellent choice. Otherwise, the MP.

S.

P.S. I used to own an M7, and I noticed that I was using mostly like an MP (i.e., manual mode). The AE was convenient every now and then, but given I am mostly using B&W, I found I didn't need it.

Traded it in for an MP, never looked back.

 

[dogberryjr]

There's a group out there who really worry about 1) running down a battery in the field and being stuck with only two shutter speeds and 2) the untimely and complete failure of the M7s shutter system. Make what you will of these concerns. I suppose what the extra outlay for the MP buys you is not having to worry about these issues.

 

[21-135 Apo All Good]

The AE is nice, and excellent when it comes to slide film.

The M7 has a stepless electronic shutter, while the MP is mechanical. Because of that, the M7 has a is quieter than the MP, but requires batteries in order to be released (except at 60 and 125), while the MP doesn't need anything.

So, if you want AE, then the M7 is an excellent choice. Otherwise, the MP.

S.

P.S. I used to own an M7, and I noticed that I was using mostly like an MP (i.e., manual mode). The AE was convenient every now and then, but given I am mostly using B&W, I found I didn't need it.

Traded it in for an MP, never looked back.

This is the best post of the entire thread, for it is the ONLY one to bring to light the fact that the M-7 is an electronic camera that requires a battery to function, except for two default shutter speeds!

IMHO the M-7 is a camera that nobody wanted. I tried it and the shutter release is nothing like a regular M camera! Never bought one and never sorry! The purists don't want battery dependence. No auto-bracketing via motor drive operation like slr's, so it's not that convenient.....

I don't like the MP rewind, I prefer the M-6ttl bodies (4) that I own & use. For the cost of a new MP you can get a minty M-6ttl and a decent fast used lens or (2) ttl bodies and an inexpensive lens or two!

 

[peter_n]

I had two M7s for a few years then bought two MPs and eventually sold the M7s. The M7 has stepless exposure so if you need very accurate exposure with a given aperture for something like slides then the M7 is the best body for the job. It's also good if you're doing a lot of rapid fire exposures in changing light conditions. It's great if you need to be really quiet, especially at the slow speeds (I shoot classical musicians). However the AE is good at making you get lazy about light and exposure, and I think that's what ultimately tipped me to the MPs. Although nothing ever went really wrong with my two, I will admit to a bit of worry over reliability and I also found the display in the VF aggravating.

The MPs seem to be simpler somehow, one of them is an MP3 and the other is a 0.85x mag body. They both work really well and I much prefer the film advance and rewind mechanisms to my M7s and earlier M6TTL. The way these cameras handle is a personal preference though. I don't even think about the reliability and I bought a Zhou half case to soften the shutter sound a bit. I don't miss the M7s in part because I'm back to thinking about the light more instead of shooting first and asking questions later. I'm pretty happy with my MPs and don't see myself changing bodies again. It took me a good few years to get to this state though!

 

[rxmd]

Three magic words - "Bring a spare"

Three magic words - "Bring a spare"

This is the best post of the entire thread, for it is the ONLY one to bring to light the fact that the M-7 is an electronic camera that requires a battery to function, except for two default shutter speeds!

BATTERY-INDEPENDENT CAMERA SELF-EVALUATION FORM, v1.1

Do you think battery-independent cameras matter? Check all the boxes that apply:

[_] You spent a whole lot of money on your battery-independent camera
[_] You are the type who forgets to bring spare batteries, but not spare film
[_] You like your cameras more for the clockworks in them than for the picture taking
[_] Your idea of photography revolves about going back to the childhood of the Baby Boomers
[_] You like to think of yourself as the kind of photographer who goes on photo expeditions to the Himalayas, the Sahara and Antarctica, except without all the preparation involved

 

[Tim Gray]

while the MP doesn't need anything.

Other than film.

I love how every MP/M7 discussion degenerates into the same damn thing.

 

[mervynyan]

they used to be priced the same (just 3 years ago). love mp more than m7 but m7 is a necessary evil if you are shooting high-contrast scene on regular basis, AE is SO easy.

 

[tightsqueez]

I seriously think those who worry about batteries sometimes forget to wipe.

Ha ha, just sayin'.

 

[kevin_v]

I was wondering: what happens if the camera runs out of battery mid-exposure? That happened once to me with an OM-PC once. How do M7/M5/CL's handle this?

 

[Beemermark]

I was wondering: what happens if the camera runs out of battery mid-exposure? That happened once to me with an OM-PC once. How do M7/M5/CL's handle this?

Don't know how you could run out in mid-exposure. You get plenty of warning that the batteries are getting low.

And as far as batteries are concerned, I was on a 3 day train (no stops) and I did forget batteries. Had to rough it out and live with two speeds. Somehow managed to get enough unforgettable pictures.

I also shoot with an M4 (and have for 30 or more years). Never noticed things like the SS dial was backwards, or it took more resistance to trip the shutter or any of that other nonsense until I got on this forum.

Bottom line is which one do you like more. I do love my M4, I love the feel, I love to wind it, stroke it, push the button. But when I go shooting for serious I grab the M7. For me it does a better job.

 

[Freakscene]

I was wondering: what happens if the camera runs out of battery mid-exposure? That happened once to me with an OM-PC once. How do M7/M5/CL's handle this?

The M5 and CL have mechanical shutters, only the meter uses batteries. Not sure what happens with the CLE. In the M7 the camera stops working before the battery is totally flat.

Never noticed things like the SS dial was backwards

I didn't either, but some people are sensitive to these things. I just turn the dial in the direction that the arrow in the vf tells me to.

or it took more resistance to trip the shutter or any of that other nonsense until I got on this forum.

I did notice this going from an M6 to an M7 but the M9 is even worse (vastly worse, actually, both in terms of travel and feel) and it's not like they're having any problems selling them, are they?

Bottom line is which one do you like more. I do love my M4, I love the feel, I love to wind it, stroke it, push the button. But when I go shooting for serious I grab the M7. For me it does a better job.

Indeed - get whatever you prefer or which works better, keeping in mind that the "superior" MP construction is mostly hype - internally, late M7s and MPs contain the same parts, the obvious differences aside.

Marty