Debusti Paolo
Well-known
the m7 is a great camera!but ifelt in love with my m6 titanium
Reliability of M7
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Tim Gray
Well-known
I *really* like my M7. I've had it about 6 months, but was bought used (from Popflash). I has a 285ish serial number, so it's older, but had the upgrade DX reader, which was something I was looking for. I've not replaced the batteries that were in the camera when I got it and have probably gone through about 50 rolls so far. It's been great. I hardly use my M6 any more (I keep that one loaded with color).
furcafe
Veteran
I stand by my July 2008 post in the 2nd thread listed by Spicoli.
hlockwood
Well-known
qruyk12
Established
M7 reliability...
M7 reliability...
I myself was down the same path as you a few years back.. I asked the people who see the inside of all the M cameras (two very well known Leica repair people in Canada and the USA).
Hence, the same answer from both and I ended up with a M6TTL and now an MP. If I did not need a meter the answer was M4.
Anyway, I hope whatever you pick, makes you happy!
M7 reliability...
I myself was down the same path as you a few years back.. I asked the people who see the inside of all the M cameras (two very well known Leica repair people in Canada and the USA).
Hence, the same answer from both and I ended up with a M6TTL and now an MP. If I did not need a meter the answer was M4.
Anyway, I hope whatever you pick, makes you happy!
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I'm currently shooting with 3 M7's and 3 MP's and find that electronic 'issues' with the M7's are nearly always the fault of dirty DX contacts. I have the newer Optical DX in one body, and plan on upgrading the other two, as the optical reader works better for me. When the camera gives some funny reading I simply wipe off the contacts and the problem is solved. The other thing that makes for trouble is weak batteries. I work year-round outdoors here in VT, and find that in very cold weather (below 0° F) that I burn through the batteries, but that happens in the MP's as well. With the MP's they seem to just go from OK to nearly exhausted all at once, but with the M7's they make for some erratic readouts before they die. Replacing the batteries when I've got 20+ rolls though them in the winter is an easy fix.
No doubt that leaving the shutter 'unlocked' and stowing the camera in a bag will drain the batteries fast. This is one of those mistakes we all make from time to time, and I've been caught with dead batteries from this more than once. I always have spares on hand (or 'on grip', inside the Rapidgrip). I complained to my dealer (Jean at Camtec in Montreal- the best) about battery life after I got my first M7, he assured me I was leaving the shutter button unlocked and that was the cause. I said OK, but I don't think I do it that often. A year and a half later there was a Leica clinic at the shop, with Gerry Smith from Kinderman there to do shutter speed & meter checks, etc. When he pulled one M7 from the bag and removed the lens he saw the film through the open shutter. He and Jean had a good laugh on that.
No doubt that leaving the shutter 'unlocked' and stowing the camera in a bag will drain the batteries fast. This is one of those mistakes we all make from time to time, and I've been caught with dead batteries from this more than once. I always have spares on hand (or 'on grip', inside the Rapidgrip). I complained to my dealer (Jean at Camtec in Montreal- the best) about battery life after I got my first M7, he assured me I was leaving the shutter button unlocked and that was the cause. I said OK, but I don't think I do it that often. A year and a half later there was a Leica clinic at the shop, with Gerry Smith from Kinderman there to do shutter speed & meter checks, etc. When he pulled one M7 from the bag and removed the lens he saw the film through the open shutter. He and Jean had a good laugh on that.
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George S.
How many is enough?
All this M7 talk is giving me GAS!...If you have a chrome one you're not using enough.... Oh NO!....must resist... must resist....
Beemermark
Veteran
Mine starts with 2944XXX! and I LOVE it. I like the DX but it is not implemented well. It's difficult to get the film back out and if you change the ISO manually the VF blinks at you. Minor annoyances overall. Did I say I love it? Can't imagine why anyone would buy an M6, though I do wish some Luddite would buy mine so I caould buy another M7.
Beemermark
Veteran
IMHO you tech has no clue what he is talking about. Transistors are about 1960 technology, obsolete and no where as reliable as an IC. There's a reason no one uses them anymore. Your tech probably would like to see the return of the vacuum tube.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Another benefit of the optical DX reader- the film drops out like from an M3 or 6 depending on your allegiance.
aniMal
Well-known
Well - today I bought it! It was a good deal anyway, I can probably pass it on for the same price easily if I do not like it...
But I feel I will - and tomorrow I will test it out for real. The past couple of weeks I have been present at 3 demonstrations/riots here in Oslo, and this almost mint M7 will maybe be gassed alongside with me, hehe. Seems like there might be a real ugly clash, so I will need something fast & reliable...
I did the first demonstration with a Nikon D90 and a 50, just improvised as I live quite close to the Israeli embassy. The second I did with my M8 and 21mm CV - this was in the evening and too dark and fast happening for good results.
Tomorrow its going to happen in the middle of the day - and I will definitely bring nothing else than my M8/M7 combo and 2-3 lenses.
Thanks for all the replies, its soooo much easier deciding on buying gear or not because of all the advice one can get here!
But I feel I will - and tomorrow I will test it out for real. The past couple of weeks I have been present at 3 demonstrations/riots here in Oslo, and this almost mint M7 will maybe be gassed alongside with me, hehe. Seems like there might be a real ugly clash, so I will need something fast & reliable...
I did the first demonstration with a Nikon D90 and a 50, just improvised as I live quite close to the Israeli embassy. The second I did with my M8 and 21mm CV - this was in the evening and too dark and fast happening for good results.
Tomorrow its going to happen in the middle of the day - and I will definitely bring nothing else than my M8/M7 combo and 2-3 lenses.
Thanks for all the replies, its soooo much easier deciding on buying gear or not because of all the advice one can get here!
George S.
How many is enough?
You mean to say that someone here may actually advise AGAINST buying gear? Impossible! It never happens! 😉
Anyway, good luck tomorrow and be safe.
Beemermark
Veteran
Well, I just bought a second M7 (black) to go with my Chrome M7. M6 will need to go. BTW I never remember to turn mine off and I've never had a problem with batteries. The batteries last me more than 6 months.
The issues with the camera seem to 99% batteries and I don't think it's a reliability issue but more of some type of electronic tweaking issue.
The issues with the camera seem to 99% batteries and I don't think it's a reliability issue but more of some type of electronic tweaking issue.
aniMal
Well-known
Hehe - most people here will suggest buying in general of course. What I mean that it is very valuable to have all this knowledge - and a sort of poll on exactly what to buy and why...
The demonstration this time was 100% peaceful, so my M7 is NOT reeking of CS gas... I met two users from here though, and had a beer & a chat. Nice.
It just feels SO right using the M7. I dont know why, but it seems to make me focus much more on the picture... I guess that in part it brings back the focus I had when using my M6 extensively in the past, and in part it is due to NOT having a preview screen...
There is also MUCH less vibration - and hence I can go back to really slow shutter speeds. That is, when I get better (I am on sick leave due to a car accident) and get more steady hands, then I can go back to working with 1/8th, 1/4th. I have even gone down to half a second when having something to steady the camera on in the past...
It is also VERY quiet - and somehow it is just very pleasant to work with for that reason. I have never had a real issue with the M8 on its loudness as such, but it is as if I am able to focus more on the exposure when the camera is not vibrating or making too much of a racket.
So, I hope I can get back to where I was some years ago, where I am able to see whether the exposure is sharp or not while actually exposing the frame. It is not too hard, just look at the edge of the RF patch. Its easy to see if you had excess shaking - and with the M8 there is always a distinct movement due to the shutter... Not with the M7 - it is all up to myself!
And I really love having AE and clear numbers showing the shutter speed... In low contrast situation it is even usable - and far better than with the M8 due to the more relevant shape of the metering area...
All this being said, I would not contemplate selling my M8. I might start working a lot with film again, but having the digital ability is priceless after all. And it all makes a very good combo!
The demonstration this time was 100% peaceful, so my M7 is NOT reeking of CS gas... I met two users from here though, and had a beer & a chat. Nice.
It just feels SO right using the M7. I dont know why, but it seems to make me focus much more on the picture... I guess that in part it brings back the focus I had when using my M6 extensively in the past, and in part it is due to NOT having a preview screen...
There is also MUCH less vibration - and hence I can go back to really slow shutter speeds. That is, when I get better (I am on sick leave due to a car accident) and get more steady hands, then I can go back to working with 1/8th, 1/4th. I have even gone down to half a second when having something to steady the camera on in the past...
It is also VERY quiet - and somehow it is just very pleasant to work with for that reason. I have never had a real issue with the M8 on its loudness as such, but it is as if I am able to focus more on the exposure when the camera is not vibrating or making too much of a racket.
So, I hope I can get back to where I was some years ago, where I am able to see whether the exposure is sharp or not while actually exposing the frame. It is not too hard, just look at the edge of the RF patch. Its easy to see if you had excess shaking - and with the M8 there is always a distinct movement due to the shutter... Not with the M7 - it is all up to myself!
And I really love having AE and clear numbers showing the shutter speed... In low contrast situation it is even usable - and far better than with the M8 due to the more relevant shape of the metering area...
All this being said, I would not contemplate selling my M8. I might start working a lot with film again, but having the digital ability is priceless after all. And it all makes a very good combo!
peter_n
Veteran
It is, and a lot of people think it is the quietest M. It certainly is at the slow speeds. Enjoy! 🙂
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Indeed the quietest M.
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