Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/01/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Good to know ? thanks, Steve! Mitch Zeissler === Website: http://exploratorius.us > On Jan 13, 2015, at 1:32 PM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> > wrote: > > >> On Jan 13, 2015, at 7:38 AM, Mitch Zeissler <zeissler at mac.com> wrote: >> >> This is to all the M7 users out there. >> >> I've been searching high and low online for anecdotes of long term M7 >> reliability and satisfaction (and I'm talking years, not a few days, >> weeks, or months). I know about the early issues with the mechanical DX >> reader, the switch to the MP viewfinder later in production, etc. What >> I'm interested in is whether the M7 is more/same/less reliable than an >> M6, M6 TTL, or MP, particularly the electronically controlled shutter >> curtains. Anytime I read about an M7 issue, it's usually followed by a >> dog pile of non-M7 users just dragging it through the mud ? like it's the >> modern version of the M5. >> >> I've got an M7 and like it, though I've only had it for a few months (it >> has the optical DX reader [useless for my bulk loaded film] and the MP >> viewfinder upgrade). I've also got an MP and like it. I bought both >> used in great condition, each at an excellent price, and they both date >> back to 2002-2004. >> >> I recently discovered that my primary hand meter (a Sekonic L-308DC) >> doesn't measure nearly as well in very low light as the M7 does. >> Actually, the hand meter didn't measure anything at all (ISO 50 @ f/1.2), >> while the M7 gave a reading of 3.5 seconds. I've since confirmed this >> repeatedly; once the light gets dim, the M7 begins to really shine and is >> able to shots I simply cannot obtain with the MP. I've got other hand >> meters and have tested them with the same results. >> >> Up to this point I've been leaning toward the MP and hand meter combo as >> my primary camera. I'm asking because whichever route I go ? MP, M7, or >> the new M-A ? I'll want a second body of the same model. That way I can >> have a different emulsion in each camera (B+W in one and color in the >> other), and one body can always be used as a backup whenever the other is >> being serviced. >> >> So based on the low light metering, I'm now flip-flopping on the M7 and >> whether to rely on it as my main camera. An M7 would give me all sorts >> of benefits that the other M bodies would not, but it seems to be treated >> like the red-headed step-child of the modern M cameras. >> >> What is your experience with the M7? > > > My M7 was my favorite film M camera, I used it all the time for a couple > years. So favorite and so dependable that I took only it to Paris , where > it irreversibly jammed three days into the trip. La Maison du Leica said > send it to Solms where repair will take some time. On my return to the US > I sent it to Solms, they returned it two months later, working fine, no > explanation for the problem, the bill was $450. I used it with out problem > for a year, then sold it. > > > Steve > > > >> Has it had the same level of reliability as the M6 or other M bodies? >> >> If you don't want an M7 dog pile here, please send me a response >> privately ? either way, I'd like to hear about your long term M7 >> experience. >> >> Mitch Zeissler >> === >> Website: http://exploratorius.us >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information