[Leica] Long term M7 satisfaction?

[Henning Wulff]

I've had mine since 2000 and had no problems whatsoever, but it didn't get used as hard as the M6 I had (and still have). I had an Abrahamsson winder on it for the first few years and then put a Leica Motor on it, which I used it with mostly. I had two Konica RF's from about the same time I got the M7 until 2007 and they got used more, mainly due to the built in motor and therefore lighter weight. Both those cameras pretty much wore out while each got about three times as much use as the M7 and about the same as the M6. Just not in the same class for long term durability as the Leicas.

I would have no hesitation in thinking of getting an M7 for long term use.

Henning



On 2015-01-14, at 10:27 AM, 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
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> 
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Henning Wulff
hjwulff at gmail.com