[Leica] Long term M7 satisfaction?

[Sonny Carter]

I thought that!

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Sonny Carter
http://www.SonC.com/look


> On Jan 14, 2015, at 12:27 PM, RicCarter <ric at cartersxrd.net> wrote:
> 
> PS:
> 
> Mine is one of those previously owned by Sonny,
> 
> so that speaks to long term performance
> 
> ric
> 
> 
>> On Jan 14, 2015, at 11:46 AM, Mitch Zeissler <zeissler at mac.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Ric – You're echoing my own findings. 
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> Mitch Zeissler
>> ===
>> Website: http://exploratorius.us
>> 
>>> On Jan 13, 2015, at 11:02 AM, RicCarter <ric at cartersxrd.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I've found my M7 as reliable as my M6
>>> 
>>> I find the  M7 is also quieter than the M6
>>> 
>>> I've found the DX reader unreliable, so I set ISO of film manually
>>> 
>>> M7 has a HUGE advantage over the M6 if you do very long (2-30-second) exposures
>>> 
>>> ric carter
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 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.
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> 
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