M7 vs MP (modern)

[seakayaker1]

fwiw, i traded in my M7 for the MP. At the time I wanted to get away from using the AE. It also helped that I had a GAS attack when the camera dealer let me handle a new Black Paint MP that had arrived the day before.

I had no problems with the M7 but will admit I do like the feel of the slightly smaller MP (138×77×38 mm) 585 grams vs the M7 (138x79.5x38 mm) 610 grams.

. . . . . and with that said I did pick up a M6 TTL VF 0.85 Chrome and also love that camera. I do not believe you will have any regrets with a M6 TTL (138 x 79.5 x 38 mm) 608 grams. As someone else mentioned you may be able to pick up two M6 TTL's with different view finders and have some cash left over for the price of a used MP.

The best part is that you can purchase one and if you do not like it you will most likely recoup all or the majority of your cash outlay for the purchase, (a rental fee) and use that for another M.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[maddoc]

MP = M7 + M4-2 or M4-P or M4 (depending on the condition), which gives you two bodies for two different films or a spare body in case one breaks, gets lost or stolen. just saying ... 🙂😉

 

[seakayaker1]

the MP rewind is a PITA.

. . . . . for some maybe. I personally like the look and the feel of the MP rewind then that on the M7 or M6. Pretty simple to use and nice fit and function, JMHO.

Different courses for different horses.

 

[Araakii]

MP has no TTL flash if that matters to you.

 

[awilder]

Of course, for a fraction of the cost of an M7 you can get a Hexar RF. Great for wide angle through 50 mm lens work and the 1/4000 top speed gives you 2 stops more potential for larger aperatures in daylight shooting to isolate your subject. Build quality exceeds all M mount bodies but Leicas.

 

[thegman]

I've only ever held an M7 once, and it was slightly underwhelming, felt like an M6 with more flashing lights. The MP, I've never even held one, if it's basically an M2 or M3 with a meter, then that sounds good to me.

I'd go into a shop, try to have a feel of both, and see which one calls out to you. If you want AE and a Leica, then it's pretty much an M7 for you. If you're not set on the red dot, the Ikon is well worth a look.

 

[NaChase]

Forget all the shenanigans and just get an M3.

 

[nobbylon]

I've said it myself in various MP threads that an M6 is basically the same camera however an MP is an MP and is not an M6.
For me it's an indulgence and yes you can buy 2 M6's and a lens or whatever combination of multiples for the same money but in the end most will still hanker after an MP.
I've never had an M7 so can't comment but it seems reasonable if one were shooting slides all the time to have the stepless speeds. Isn't the shutter a variant of the R8/9?
They are both great cameras but in the long term I believe the MP is a better buy if and when you decide on a change. Far more desire for MP's than M7's it seems,
regards j

 

[kingqueenknave]

Own both. Shoot with both seamlessly. I'll never understand the skepticism surrounding the M7. It's a great camera body.

 

[pullman]

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,

What are you using now and how much would the MP cost?

I'm an M3 shooter and recently went through the process of considering M6 or M7.

What swung it in favour of M6TTL for me was the new, bigger and more user-friendly (imho) shutterspeed dial and the ability to operate without battery. The shutterspeed dial is really useful and I find myself amazed every time I use the camera how intuitive it is.

The M7 is a great camera, reliable etc but for me the M6TTL is better.

Since I love the M3 film rewind (really) and film advance and always wanted a black paint body to brass down to bits over the years, there was no other option than an M6TTL Millennium.

That's why I wanted to know how much the MP would cost you. You can get the Millennium for MP money. And it's very well built with brass, not zinc, plates.

 

[sepiareverb]

Again with the batteries? If battery-less operation is so important get an M4 or an M2- pick your rewind style. You obviously don't need a meter, and you'll never have to deal with dead batteries ever again. Or an MD. Why bother with a VF as it can get out of alignment? 😀

As Peter says- the M7 is tops for slide film shooting, and exposes film tremendously be it Fujichrome or PanF+. TTL flash comes with the M7 also. But not if the batteries are dead, when you'd need to revert to Auto or Manual flash.

 

[Beemermark]

Hey, how about a Nikonos III? No batteries to go dead (no meter). Uncluttered viewfinder (no Rangefinder) and totally weatherproof.?

While I jest, I'm considering one for when I go to the beach. Salt and sand spray is terrible.

 

[filmtwit]

Thanks folks. I'm still putting my funds together for this, and this gives me a bit to chew on till I do.

 

[RichardB]

These are two different cameras in function.
Price has nothing to do with selection.
Others have Posted about the differences. Learn from these Posts and then decide which camera meets your needs and style of photography. If you haven't determined a style of how to take photographs and just want to spend money on a Leica of some sort, then it really doesn't matter and purchase the best example at the best price.-Dick
BTW MP's can be had with M7 style rewind but not the other way.

 

[Freakscene]

Isn't the [M7] shutter a variant of the R8/9?

No. The M7 shutter is an electronically timed version of the normal M shutter - a horizontal rubberised cloth shutter. It is even quieter than the shutter in mechanical Ms. The R8/9 have a vertically traveling metal shutter.

Marty

 

[nobbylon]

No. The M7 shutter is an electronically timed version of the normal M shutter - a horizontal rubberised cloth shutter. It is even quieter than the shutter in mechanical Ms. The R8/9 have a vertically traveling metal shutter.

Marty

Ok thanks, learnt my fact for the day as I always thought the M7 had a metal shutter!
j

 

[Rob-F]

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

I tend to not use the AE, whether in an M7 or an SLR, with slide film, especially with Velvia. I think reliance on a quick center-dominant reading is a bit too casual for films with a limited dynamic range. I tend to take two or three readings in manual mode and use my judgment in setting the exposure.

The M7's electronic shutter accuracy, on the other hand, is a bonus with color film, even though the M6/MP shutter is entirely accurate enough as a rule.

With a forgiving film like Tri-X, there is a great freedom in banging away with the M7 in Auto mode! I recently did this in the National Air and Space Museum, and got all good exposures!

 

[kingqueenknave]

These are two different cameras in function.
Price has nothing to do with selection.
Others have Posted about the differences. Learn from these Posts and then decide which camera meets your needs and style of photography. If you haven't determined a style of how to take photographs and just want to spend money on a Leica of some sort, then it really doesn't matter and purchase the best example at the best price.-Dick
BTW MP's can be had with M7 style rewind but not the other way.

This is a bit misleading. As long as you have batteries the M7 can function exactly like the MP. The MP on the other hand can't do everything the M7 is capable of doing.

 

[nobbylon]

The only camera I really trust with slide film in any situation is my Nikon F5.

 

[MCTuomey]

MP = M7 + M4-2 or M4-P or M4 (depending on the condition), which gives you two bodies for two different films or a spare body in case one breaks, gets lost or stolen. just saying ... 🙂😉

+1 sound practical advice

justify an MP? wrong idea - you luxuriate in one.