[Leica] Long term M7 satisfaction?

[Mitch Zeissler]

Thanks, Tina.  I know that you – more so than many others here – use your gear real hard.  An endorsement from you is glowing praise, indeed. 

Thank you for responding (and so quickly!),

Mitch Zeissler
===
Website: http://exploratorius.us

> On Jan 13, 2015, at 10:52 AM, Tina Manley <tmanley at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Mitch -
> 
> I have had my M7 since 2002.  I also have 6 M6's.  The M7 is as reliable as
> the M6.  I used it constantly all over the world until I switched to
> digital - a necessity, not a choice.
> 
> I would not hesitate to depend on the the M7.  I send all of my cameras in
> for CLA after major disasters - such as dropping them in a river or down a
> mountain - but otherwise they are not treated with kid gloves!  I use them
> hard.
> 
> Tina
> 
>> On Tue, Jan 13, 2015 at 10:38 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?  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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
> tina-manley.artistwebsites.com
> http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/3B49552F-90A0-4D0A-A11D-2175C937AA91/Tina+Manley.html
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information