On my way to my M7

[Avotius]

I finally decided that im gona get an M7 because I just got this nifty scholarship (the first scholarship ever given to a foriegn undergrad in China, neat huh? Even had a party and a lot of boring speaches by big wigs). No more waking nights lying in bed pondering what to get. Now I have an even bigger problem. I am pretty sure im gona end up with the Chrome body (gota love that retro look) but I havnt not decided on the lens color (damn leica and their choices...)

The body around the lens is black as it would seem so would a black lens look better there? I duno, I kinda like the look of the chrome one too but ive never seen a good profile picture of this combination of chrome with chrome.

Anyho, anyone out there that has a M7 or I guess any modern chrome body will do that happens to have a chrome lens on it and wants to show it off, I would love to see it, also if you have a chrome black (either way) combo I would be interested in seeing that as well. Also if you just so happen to have a M7 and a 35 summicron asph that would be even better

ps, why do the chrome lenses weigh more then the black ones? Different build materials? Do I even have to bother worrying about this?

pps. did leica ever come out with a fix for that 2 second start up in auto?

 

[rich815]

Chongqing, eh? I spent a year and a half in Kunming, traveled throughout Yunnan and Sichuan and then another 3 1/2 years in Beijing. That was from 1996 to 2001. Enjoy yourself with the M7; obviously loads of photo ops. As much as I did use my cameras in China when I lived there, and I did use them tons, I still lament not using them more!

 

[jaapv]

I always buy chrome bodies and black lenses I think that looks best. Now with my M3 I got chrome lenses. So I am thinking of having the body painted black.... Now if only Mr. Shintaro would answer my e-mails.... :bang:
Is this post helpful? No, I don't think so . But then, it is a matter of taste....

 

[Avotius]

yeah it really is a mater of taste I guess, back a few months ago I ran into a photographer who was using a black M4P with a chrome 35mm summicron *shrug*

 

[Photar]

Only for chrome M2, M3 and MP bodies I much prefer chrome lenses. For all other cameras including M7 it does not really matter for me. It also is a question of availability. Leica discontinued almost all chrome lenses (which I regret). Only the 35 'cron, the 50 'cron and the 50 Elmar are still available new in chrome. The dealers' stock of previous chrome models is running out fast (therefore I just went for the 35 'lux which is not easy to find used). Leica is already out of stock.

By the way: I also go to China with my Leica M over the Chinese New Year.

 

[Taipei-metro]

I finally decided that im gona get an M7 because I just got this nifty scholarship (the first scholarship ever given to a foriegn undergrad in China, neat huh? Even had a party and a lot of boring speaches by big wigs). No more waking nights lying in bed pondering what to get. Now I have an even bigger problem. I am pretty sure im gona end up with the Chrome body (gota love that retro look) but I havnt not decided on the lens color (damn leica and their choices...)

The body around the lens is black as it would seem so would a black lens look better there? I duno, I kinda like the look of the chrome one too but ive never seen a good profile picture of this combination of chrome with chrome.

Anyho, anyone out there that has a M7 or I guess any modern chrome body will do that happens to have a chrome lens on it and wants to show it off, I would love to see it, also if you have a chrome black (either way) combo I would be interested in seeing that as well. Also if you just so happen to have a M7 and a 35 summicron asph that would be even better

ps, why do the chrome lenses weigh more then the black ones? Different build materials? Do I even have to bother worrying about this?

pps. did leica ever come out with a fix for that 2 second start up in auto?

M7 + 35 Cron is RMB $44,720, that's 3-years total earning for an average Chinese worker.
How did you con the Chinese to give you nifty scholarships? Hen li hai ohh... Just joking...
Chongqing used to be temp capital of China during WWII, Chiang Kai-shek and his Chinese/American wife madame Mei-lieng Soong used to stay/ hide there.
I believed among college students there are using digitals, your retro beautiful Leica M should attract mucho young lady students who're "interested" in "traditional photography" ( that's how they called film photography right?). I may go to Chengdu soon, I'll find you and borrow the M7...haha..
I don't think you have to worry about chrome or black or A setting starting time, lock the m7 in a save place may be more important, remember, 3 years pay for an average worker. Happy shooting!
RMB=Renmingbe=Chinese People's Money.

 

[ywenz]

I don't think you have to worry about chrome or black or A setting starting time, lock the m7 in a save place may be more important, remember, 3 years pay for an average worker. Happy shooting!
RMB=Renmingbe=Chinese People's Money.

Yeah, it would be nice to be able to afford a Leica while you're in school..... I don't think the Leica will be that much of a theif magnet since I would think it's a pretty obscure brand amongst the common criminals in China.

 

[Taipei-metro]

Yeah, it would be nice to be able to afford a Leica while you're in school..... I don't think the Leica will be that much of a theif magnet since I would think it's a pretty obscure brand amongst the common criminals in China.

A common thief stole a M7 and 35 cron then became the HCB of China? When I was in the dorm of UCLA, stuff got stolen, computers, monitors, Dslrs got stolen even in secured buildings, by...common criminals? I don't think so.
Chongqing is also a ciyt of 4 million, not a small one. Chinese been copying Leica stuff for how long? 40 years? they know Leica.

By the way, if an average worker in US makes $30,000 a year, it's like you are using a $90,000 camera on US street.
Well, all OT, good luck.

 

[ywenz]

A common thief stole a M7 and 35 cron then became the HCB of China? When I was in the dorm of UCLA, stuff got stolen, computers, monitors, Dslrs got stolen even in secured buildings, by...common criminals? I don't think so.
Chongqing is also a ciyt of 4 million, not a small one. Chinese been copying Leica stuff for how long? 40 years? they know Leica.
Well, all OT, good luck.

I don't understand your post above...

What I'm saying is that the market for Leica in China is much much smaller than the U.S. or Europe. The common thief can identify with a Canon DSLR + white L zoom lens much more so than a diminuitive Leica with gaffer tape over the Leica dot.

 

[CZeni]

Chrome lenses are heavier due to brass being used under the chrome; black lenses are aluminum.

 

[Stephan]

I don't understand your post above...

What I'm saying is that the market for Leica in China is much much smaller than the U.S. or Europe. The common thief can identify with a Canon DSLR + white L zoom lens much more so than a diminuitive Leica with gaffer tape over the Leica dot.

Believe me, outside of our circle of obsessive afficionados, most people will steal ANY digital camera over a Leica any time. Hell, I'm in a photography school where I'd bet at least 50% of students dont know the make Leica (but then I'm only in it for the piece of paper I get at the end).

 

[Stephan]

Chrome lenses are heavier due to brass being used under the chrome; black lenses are aluminum.

What does that do to the physical properties ? I'd imagine thick aluminium would be more "solid" and less plastic but I'm useless when it comes to materials

 

[Taipei-metro]

I don't understand your post above...

What I'm saying is that the market for Leica in China is much much smaller than the U.S. or Europe. The common thief can identify with a Canon DSLR + white L zoom lens much more so than a diminuitive Leica with gaffer tape over the Leica dot.

Well, if it's a 1Ds M-II w 70-200 2.8 L-IS, which closed to $10k yes.
I've yet to see any M7 owners cover their red dot. the whole idea of carrying the M4-p, M6, TTL, M7 is to show off the red dot, they may not have film inside though.
I believe in the campus of the prestigious Chicago U. has thiefs among them. You put the info on internet, a westerner( I persume), carrying a shining M7, in or outside of Chongqing college campus maybe like putting a hundred dollar bill on your forehead walking around South- central Los Angeles after 6pm. Covering B Franklin's face help??
Anyway, as a Chinese, I'll say "Xiou xien yi deang..." ( a little extra carefull) to him.

 

[Fred]

"I've yet to see any M7 owners cover their red dot. the whole idea of carrying the M4-p, M6, TTL, M7 is to show off the red dot, they may not have film inside though."

Not sure what is being inferred here. Some M owners place masking tape over the dot and others don't bother. I don't know any Leica owners who use their cameras regularly to show them off like jewlery. I think a new silver P&S digital held at arms length whilst framing would be the opportunist thief attraction. An old 'film' camera would be secondary I would have thought but I may be wrong.

I guess a camera thief will know exactly what to take regardless of the red dot covered or not, they know whats worth the cash.

 

[dll927]

I hope Taipei-metro does attract "mucho girls", since they may be scarcer than Leicas. Given that "one kid" policy and the fact that everybody wants boys, I wonder if they know they are tempting nature. When does the supply of girls run out?

 

[ywenz]

Well, if it's a 1Ds M-II w 70-200 2.8 L-IS, which closed to $10k yes.

No.. a $300 D30 + $500 70-200 f4 would get their attention nicely...

So you're saying that if I was carrying my Yashica Electro 35 GSN around, the thief would be savvy enough to go "eww, I ain't touching that GSN!"

I'll reiterate my argument again. Yes, there will be thieves out there that is well versed in high-end(albeit obscure) camera gear. Your Leica will not be safe from these folks, even with the gaffer tapes. The overwhelming majority threat out there will not know the monetary value of the M7. As long as you don't flash your Rolex on your Leica outings, the thief will simply pass you by for tastier prey.

I hope Taipei-metro does attract "mucho girls", since they may be scarcer than Leicas. Given that "one kid" policy and the fact that everybody wants boys, I wonder if they know they are tempting nature. When does the supply of girls run out?

That was simply an ignorant comment if I had ever seen one... :bang:

 

[regit]

...
Anyho, anyone out there that has a M7 or I guess any modern chrome body will do that happens to have a chrome lens on it and wants to show it off, I would love to see it, also if you have a chrome black (either way) combo I would be interested in seeing that as well. Also if you just so happen to have a M7 and a 35 summicron asph that would be even better
...

Chrome on chrome ... not quite M7 and 35asph, but MP and 35pre-asph...

Black on chrome ...

Black on black ...

Chrome on black ...

 

[peter_n]

Its not a matter of taste its a matter of weight. I have a 35mm ASPH so I'll take a pic of it after dinner and post it. Apologies in advance for the crap pic coming up...

 

[Avotius]

No.. a $300 D30 + $500 70-200 f4 would get their attention nicely...

Thats actually the more exspensive 2.8 version, I carried a 20D and a 2.8 IS around for a week in the chinese country side along with a 30V and a 17-40 with no problems, frankly the biggest problems are all in the cities here, in the country sides they dont bother for the most part.

 

[Taipei-metro]

No.. a $300 D30 + $500 70-200 f4 would get their attention nicely...

So you're saying that if I was carrying my Yashica Electro 35 GSN around, the thief would be savvy enough to go "eww, I ain't touching that GSN!"

I'll reiterate my argument again. Yes, there will be thieves out there that is well versed in high-end(albeit obscure) camera gear. Your Leica will not be safe from these folks, even with the gaffer tapes. The overwhelming majority threat out there will not know the monetary value of the M7. As long as you don't flash your Rolex on your Leica outings, the thief will simply pass you by for tastier prey.



That was simply an ignorant comment if I had ever seen one... :bang:

Shouldn't you be throwing away your D30 now? such an antique. Joking joking..
I paid $2,400 for my 10d +17-40 f4 L, right before d-rebel.
Really, people laught at me when I'm using 10D.
Gsn is a dead ringer for Phenix, Haiou, Seagull 205 series, not only they won't steal it, they may look at you as an "struggling artist" and respect you!

China has 1.25 billion people now, farmers wants more kids to help on the land. Mao said " The more people the more jobs got done!". One child policy is a kind of inhumane, but on the long run, it's good for not only China, besides, rich people can find ways to have permission to have a 2nd child. If the Americans get ride of their 5.4 liter Chevy Suburban as a 2nd car( his other one is the Avalanche), the air will be more clean, of course it's inhumane too.
Bunch of gansters're beating up Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra walks in and yell, " Enough! "
That's it, enof for M7 now.