Sell the M4 or the M7

[Bill Blackwell]

I almost never take the MR4 meter off. Very accurate meter and very quick to use. ... I had an M6, bought new shortly after it was introduced. That's one camera I really didn't bond with. ...

The answer is in which camera you reach for first when you go out to shoot.

It seems to me like you'd miss the M4 if you gave it up. Plus the M7 will fetch the most in the used market today. And based on what you'd likely get for it (pennies on the dollar compared to what it sold for new), I'd never let the M9 go. I'm assuming you got the sensor replaced?

 

[Beemermark]

I had decided to sell the M7, then I picked it up. So I decided to sell the M4, then I picked it up.

KTMrider you need to buy a BMW. Just had the clutch replaced in my R1200RT for $2012 thus this thread -🙁

 

[splitimageview]

If you're comfy with MR4 and can give up AE, then the M4 is your huckleberry.

 

[CameraQuest]

of those choices,
I would keep the M4 and the M9
never liked the M7, that is why I sold it

Best,
Stephen

 

[Beemermark]

What's the serial # of your M7? Only need the first three #s.
Silver or black?

Personally I'd keep the M7 as it is a better M9... (new sensor with every shot!)

Too lazy to look but it has the optical film reader and flare free finder if that's why you're asking. Bought new around 2006 or early 2007. Silver.

 

[Huss]

Too lazy to look but it has the optical film reader and flare free finder if that's why you're asking. Bought new around 2006 or early 2007. Silver.

300xxxx+ serial #?

 

[maddoc]

300xxxx+ serial #?

Mine has the SN 2777XXX and also the optical DX reader and MP viewfinder upgrade. A large orange sticker on the box states "factory upgrade to optical DX reader and MP viewfinder"


EDIT: This low serial number marks it as produced in one of the early batches, where Leica had problems to coat durable black chrome. On my camera you can almost literally rub of the black chrome coating with the fingers.

 

[ktmrider]

Own a BMW GSA with 80000 miles. Have not owned a KTM in several years but too lazy to change email. Figure the GSA is good for another 80000 especially if you look at the price of new ones ($25000).

Have a great M5 from Sherry as well as Nikon F and a MF camera and a couple digitals but have a weakness for classic M's (M2 or M4). Heading around the world in October for six months to a year and still playing with camera mix.

 

[giganova]

Just another data point: keep the (timeless) M4 and sell the M7. This is a good time to sell an M7 because production stopped and there is still a demand.

 

[Bill Clark]

I like the M4.

No electronics to get mucked up while making photographs.

 

[Huss]

Mine has the SN 2777XXX and also the optical DX reader and MP viewfinder upgrade. A large orange sticker on the box states "factory upgrade to optical DX reader and MP viewfinder"


EDIT: This low serial number marks it as produced in one of the early batches, where Leica had problems to coat durable black chrome. On my camera you can almost literally rub of the black chrome coating with the fingers.

That sounds like it was sent back for the upgrade. Leica did it for free.

 

[Huss]

Just another data point: keep the (timeless) M4 and sell the M7. This is a good time to sell an M7 because production stopped and there is still a demand.

Production stopped on the M4 etc a while back and there is still demand...
Prices of other electronic rf cameras like the CLE, Zeiss Ikon and Bessa r3a/4a are going up. A few years ago the Ikon could be had for well under $1000. Now it is about $1600.

 

[helen.HH]

I would go with the M4
Without a doubt

Less to worry about...a damn good shooter 😉

 

[Calzone]

B,

My problem is I like both the M4 and the M7, but for different reasons.

I love the M4 for being basic, no frills and purely mechanical. Also out of all the M's it has the best 35 and 50 framelines that is bigger than say my M6, even though I had Sherry remove the 75mm frames so it resembles a M4 (50mm only frames).

I would want the M4 as my compact M-body. Know that I own a M4, but on my M6 I utilize a TA Rapidwinder, TA Rapidgrip, and I really love that my Wetzlar M6 has a meter built in.

So while the M4 is compact and basic, the M6 (your case M7) is the faster shooter.

Not much help, but I can see keeping both.

Cal