New M7 vs M6

[Mike Ip]

I just recently bought an M7 off of ebay and have just shot my first roll with it. All I can say is WOW. I was a bit skeptical on how the M7 would be. I love the M6, but could Av really make that big a difference? Well as it turns out, that was just the beginning. I can see having the DX coding being a minor blessing. I can't say how many times in the past when I switched film ISOs and forgot to change the setting on my M6. I also really like the shutter setting dial and how it can do a full revolution rather than on the M6 where you only can go from B to 1000 and you'll have to go the opposite direction to return.

I'll have to wait to see how the pictures come out, but it looks like the M6 might be hitting the buy/sell some time.

 

[hans voralberg]

Av is heresy !!! (nah just joking) Congrat on the new buy, wait until the new year Mike, I might have fund for your M6 😛

 

[Leicabug]

M7's meter accuracy is amazing.

 

[arseniii]

Never SELL M6 you will end up buying another one sooner or later... Don't make my mistake

 

[Mike Ip]

Never SELL M6 you will end up buying another one sooner or later... Don't make my mistake

I hear ya, but I probably will make that mistake, haha. The M6 is great, and it'll be a sad day when I sell it...

 

[Keith]

I like AE to be there ... but I find myself seldom using it! I still think the exposure compensation dial on the M7 is a joke and the M8 where you have to go into the menu is even crazier. Why give it to us Mr Leica then make it so hard to use?

The M7 is a nice camera though and I miss the incredibly quiet 'snick' of it's shutter every time I fire the Hexar!

 

[Mike Ip]

I like AE to be there ... but I find myself seldom using it! I still think the exposure compensation dial on the M7 is a joke and the M8 where you have to go into the menu is even crazier. Why give it to us Mr Leica then make it so hard to use?

The M7 is a nice camera though and I miss the incredibly quiet 'snick' of it's shutter every time I fire the Hexar!

I hear ya on the exposure compensation dial. When I first saw it, I had to scratch my head a little bit because I had no idea how to use it! I think this is the first camera I ever had to read the manual for, haha (and I've got 1D series Canons hahah).

I liked the M6 because of the extremely simple light meter, the M7 seems to complicate things a bit (only a little bit though).

 

[akptc]

If you like the convenience of the M7 DON'T TRY THE HEXAR RF 🙂

Actually the only reason I still have an M7 is because of the quiet shutter and 'cause it's so durn purty...

 

[aizan]

that's what i did. i figure a hexar rf and m6/mp would make an optimal pair because the shutter speed dials turn the same way.

 

[peter_n]

The shutter is very quiet on the M7. What I've been doing a lot recently with my M7s is is using the meter on Auto then turning the shutter dial to the indicated speed. I did that almost constantly on vacation recently and I'm really not quite sure why. Perhaps I had stable light conditions. I do like the M7 though, maybe the most practical camera Leica has made.

 

[35mmdelux]

keep the M6, I wish I had. I cannot whine too much since I got an MP to do the backup work. Since the M7 is battery dependent, it would be prudent to have some kind of backup.

 

[Mike Ip]

keep the M6, I wish I had. I cannot whine too much since I got an MP to do the backup work. Since the M7 is battery dependent, it would be prudent to have some kind of backup.

I'll have to think long and hard about keeping the M6. It's a 0.85, which makes it that much tougher to get rid of. I only wish they sold stock MPs with 0.85, then if I ever wanted a full mechanical body, it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Krosya]

I never used M7. But for me M6 and Hexar RF make a great pair. I never find Hexar to be too loud. It's great for wide ---> 50mm lens and pretty good for 90mm. And has AE which is good for faster shooting. M6 is a good option for all lenses (mine is .72) and works w/o batteries. Plus very good for faster 50, like 1.2 and 90/2-2.8. I was thinking to try M7, but went to Hexar and glad I did. One of the reasons, while this never happened to me yet, still - no worries about buring hole in a shutter. I have to remind myself to be more aware of this with M6.

 

[RayPA]

Congratulations on your M7! I agree with Peter's assessment. As you'll find out, the M7 has a great meter, and it's very versatile. Keep the M7. I have a lot of cameras (as most here do) and without a doubt the last RF camera I will part with, if it came to that (God forbid), would be the M7. 🙂

BTW, I found my way to a Hexar RF, and despite the noise that seems to accompany every mention of the M7, the Hexar RF is not an M7-killer. I know. I own both. I shoot with both. I've no undying allegiance to Leica, nor do I have Leica-envy or buyer's remorse or the nagging sensation that I "settled" for a lesser camera. I've got nothing but my personal experience with both cameras. When I purchased the Hexar, I was really hoping that it would be the better camera. On paper it seems like it should be, but to borrow an American football saying "They don't play the game on paper." The Hexar is a fine camera, don't get me wrong, but it's just not a better camera than the M7. Anyone who has not used both extensively and who says one is better than the other, doesn't know what they are talking about. Btw, I think the Minolta CLE is a better camera than the Hexar RF.


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[peter_n]

I'll have to think long and hard about keeping the M6. It's a 0.85, which makes it that much tougher to get rid of. I only wish they sold stock MPs with 0.85, then if I ever wanted a full mechanical body, it wouldn't be a problem.

Why would the 0.85x M6 be tough to sell? I would think that it should be in demand and at a higher price! Also you would be able to find a 0.85x MP without looking too hard, they come up on eBay and in forum classifieds (keep a lookout here, pnet and the German LUF).

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I recently got a M7 and haven't used M6 since then. But I keep it is a backup and now and then I need a second body.
I added the winder and now it is my dream machine!
I always use ae and when I need exposure compensation I just aim at something more dark or light and lock the exposure.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[MCTuomey]

what michiel said regarding EC. point at your compensation target, hold the shutter halfway, recompose, squeeze. simple. fast.

it took me awhile to adjust fully to M7, but now it's my go-to. i've had an M4 and an M6 and i really liked them (and really wanted to keep them, esp the M4), but the all-rounder for me is the M7.

 

[chikne]

Btw, I think the Minolta CLE is a better camera than the Hexar RF. .

Now that''s interesting to me because I was thinking of a CLE as a 2nd body. Would you mind to explain why you think so please 🙂

 

[Mike Ip]

Why would the 0.85x M6 be tough to sell? I would think that it should be in demand and at a higher price! Also you would be able to find a 0.85x MP without looking too hard, they come up on eBay and in forum classifieds (keep a lookout here, pnet and the German LUF).

I meant it say tough on me... I don't really want to sell it, but I'm tight on money right now, haha.

 

[peter_n]

ah gotcha! Sorry for the misunderstanding Mike. 😱 Good luck with the M7! 🙂