Austerby
Well-known
I've had an M7 in the past but sold it to fund my M8. I also have an M3
I do like an AE film rangefinder and currently own an R3A, a CLE and a Zeiss Ikon which I've acquired as an M7 subsitute. However, despite their many strengths I do miss my M7.
I'm thinking therefore of selling the three non-Leica's and buying a good second-hand M7. (the M3 meets all my needs for manual rangefinders so I'm not looking to get an MP or M6ttl)
I'm aware that there have been some changes and modifications to to the M7 since its launch - with different viewfinders and other changes which I'm a little hazy on.
Can anyone please summarise what I should look for as an example of the best version M7 to look for?
I do like an AE film rangefinder and currently own an R3A, a CLE and a Zeiss Ikon which I've acquired as an M7 subsitute. However, despite their many strengths I do miss my M7.
I'm thinking therefore of selling the three non-Leica's and buying a good second-hand M7. (the M3 meets all my needs for manual rangefinders so I'm not looking to get an MP or M6ttl)
I'm aware that there have been some changes and modifications to to the M7 since its launch - with different viewfinders and other changes which I'm a little hazy on.
Can anyone please summarise what I should look for as an example of the best version M7 to look for?
Mudman
Well-known
I think the early ones had a problem with the DX coding working correctly, and the later ones switched to the MP finder.
Neare
Well-known
Yeah you'd be looking for the later versions.
To be honest though I think you're perfectly well off with a ZI. What would the change over give? A heavier body...
I think the money could be better invested in something more tasty. A different system or perhaps a lens...
To be honest though I think you're perfectly well off with a ZI. What would the change over give? A heavier body...
I think the money could be better invested in something more tasty. A different system or perhaps a lens...
wintoid
Back to film
I just went through this a month ago. I wanted the best M7 I could find, and particularly the upgraded MP-style finder. There seems to be some disagreement about whether you can rely on the serial number to indicate whether the finder is of the new type, but the box mine came with actually says "new finder" on the outside, on a sticker.
Compared to my previous M7, which had the old style DX reader, when I look into the film chamber, I don't see brass-coloured thingies.
Compared to my previous M7, which had the old style DX reader, when I look into the film chamber, I don't see brass-coloured thingies.
RichardB
Well-known
Purchase the best example of an M7 you can find at the best price.
Lieca is still upgrading the DX coding for no charge. (I had two M7's done this Spring.) The viewfinder is really not a problem but can be upgraded for about $350. I had both my M7's viewfinders upgraded this Spring and frankly didn't notice any change.-Dick
Lieca is still upgrading the DX coding for no charge. (I had two M7's done this Spring.) The viewfinder is really not a problem but can be upgraded for about $350. I had both my M7's viewfinders upgraded this Spring and frankly didn't notice any change.-Dick
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Glad to know I'm not the only one who can't see the 'upgrade' in use.
A later M7, like any late in the run M will have small improvements- most never mentioned, and likely never noticed.
Austerby
Well-known
You're right, the ZI is a perfectly good camera - but I do find it a little lightweight and like the heaviness of the M7.
I'm hoping to raise sufficient from selling the other cameras to avoid spending much money on this change.
I think a line up of M3, M7 and M8 will do just nicely.
Beemermark
Veteran
I have an M7 0.58 bought used a few years ago and a new 0.72 I got for Christmas in '06. The new one has the "improved" finder and I can't really tell the difference. The finders on both are vastly improved over the M6 I had.
I had them both upgraded (for free) to the optical code reader but only because I found it annoying trying to get the film cassette back out. If I had to pay for the upgrade I wouldn't have bothered.
I had them both upgraded (for free) to the optical code reader but only because I found it annoying trying to get the film cassette back out. If I had to pay for the upgrade I wouldn't have bothered.
fixed point
 
I have the old style DX reader and have never had a problem with it. The film canister doesn't fall out of the camera, but I can either tap the camera against my hand or pull the reel out. Not worth sending it in for the repair in my opinion.
Nikkor AIS
Nikkor AIS
I bought a used mint M7 for what I think is a fair price less than a year ago.
I couldn't be happier. I have since added an MP and a motor drive to the fold. The motor drive lives on the M7. I used it last winter up to -20 and all this summer and it performed flawlessly.
I keep a couple of sets of batteries in the bag and two sets for the motor drive. So far, I've put several hundreds of rolls of film through it.
The M7 and the MP are the reasons I still haven't got an M9. Well, that and $7,000.
In fact, just today, I ordered another couple of boxes (50 rolls) of Tri-X. And I'm hunting down some TMZ 32000 for low light. I'm getting ready for the long winter and lots of indoor low-light shooting.
I love the AE on the M7, I use it all the time. If you know where to point it's a very, very accurate meter.
Mated with a motor drive, the M7 is a picture-taking machine.
I want to love the MP more but in truth I grab the M7 for the majority of shots. I trust it as much as any camera I've ever owned (Nikon F2, F2AS, F3T).
In fact, while writing this post, I just took what I think will be a very nice sequence with the M7 motor and the Noct in my condo. I'll post it later this week when I get the film run.
I couldn't be happier. I have since added an MP and a motor drive to the fold. The motor drive lives on the M7. I used it last winter up to -20 and all this summer and it performed flawlessly.
I keep a couple of sets of batteries in the bag and two sets for the motor drive. So far, I've put several hundreds of rolls of film through it.
The M7 and the MP are the reasons I still haven't got an M9. Well, that and $7,000
.In fact, just today, I ordered another couple of boxes (50 rolls) of Tri-X. And I'm hunting down some TMZ 32000 for low light. I'm getting ready for the long winter and lots of indoor low-light shooting.
I love the AE on the M7, I use it all the time. If you know where to point it's a very, very accurate meter.
Mated with a motor drive, the M7 is a picture-taking machine.
I want to love the MP more but in truth I grab the M7 for the majority of shots. I trust it as much as any camera I've ever owned (Nikon F2, F2AS, F3T).
In fact, while writing this post, I just took what I think will be a very nice sequence with the M7 motor and the Noct in my condo. I'll post it later this week when I get the film run.
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J J Kapsberger
Well-known
I had the older DX reader. I sent it in and the difference was like night and day.
Send it in and get the optical reader. Don't forgo an M7 for an M6 or MP simply on the basis of the older style reader.
matt335
Well-known
I have a black M7 and a summicron 50mm lens. It's a friend's camera. He's a musician and currently travelling. We were thinking of selling it in a local camera shop but the 20% fee deterred him. The body is 2003 build date and the lens is 1985 (canada). Can someone PM me with a real value for this gear? The body is brand new, the lens has a speck of dust visible inside. Many thanks if anyone can help.
regards
Matt
regards
Matt
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
I'm the same way. I like the heft of my M7; besides, the ZI is too loud, especially when compared to the M7. The ZI does have a nice VF though.
/
Freakscene
Obscure member
My M7 is by far the smoothest quietest M I have (including an a la carte MP). It has the 0.85 finder and was improved immensely by the viewfinder upgrade. This makes less difference in the lower mag bodies. It's had thousands of rolls through it since 2003, although it has periodic electronic malaise(s?) that take(s) different forms - or at least displays different symptoms - and has been to Leica for fixes several times with various levels of success, but it still my favourite Leica by a long way.
Marty
Marty
Marty
Marty
Freakscene
Obscure member
Used M7s go for $2000-3500 and 50/2 Summicrons go for $900-1500, both depending on finish and condition. In Australia you can expect to get 10-20% more than for an equivalent camera in the US, because prices are higher here and you have to pay 10% GST (and shipping etc) on an imported camera. Camera Lane or Camera Exchange (in Melbourne) or Foto Riesel (Sydney) should give you an honest appraisal.
Marty
sepiareverb
genius and moron
The best fix I've ever gotten for readout problems is to spin the ISO dial back and forth a few times. Works like a charm, for a while anyway. I've been told by Leica that dust gets in under the dial and causes the erratic readouts somehow.
I've had many M7s over the years and have only one which is often troublesome, it will go back to Germany again if the current battery drain continues. I'm also considering looking for a replacement back for this camera. As they say, one bad apple...
Neare
Well-known
No way! I have set both shutters off right beside each other and there is hardly any volume difference. It's mainly because the shutters make different sounds. The M7 is horizontal and the ZI is vertical after all, they're different - a chick and a chop. The decibel reading however won't show a lot of difference.
RichardB
Well-known
One M7 went about 4 years and the other about 2 years before they both started having problems reading the correct ASA last Winter. Used my trusty M6 in the Spring while both M7's went to Solms. My guess is sooner or later any M7 with the old mechanical reader will have problems, so if you have a slack time send in your M7 while Leica still does the upgrade for free.-Dick
"Mated with a motor drive, the M7 is a picture-taking machine."
I'll certainly second that! Both my M7's wear Motor M's. I even have a Leicavit but never use it with an M7, just an M6.
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morback
Martin N. Hinze
Is there any advantage to this DX reading thingamagic in the M7? I never understood it's reason for being...Is it because you don't have a film reminder window? It seems to only be trouble, between failures and the 2 second long "loading" time on power on...Is it possible to entirely shut it off and still use the M7?
I'll second Neare on the shutter sound. But I can only compare to an M2.
I'll second Neare on the shutter sound. But I can only compare to an M2.
Mudman
Well-known
you can manually set the film speed. It's there so that you don't forget and put a roll of 100 in with the meter set to 200... Like I just did with my M3. Doh.