Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/12/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This is only half the story. All M7 cameras have multi-coated finder windows hence the bluish cast. Later M7s went one step further by having the MP rangefinder assembly where an extra condenser lens was added. Externally the windows look the same but when you look through the viewfinder, the difference becomes clear. The only sure way to make sure you have a M7 with MP finder is to compare it with a MP body side by side. From my experience, M7 bodies with 288xxxx have the MP finder. The 285xxxx M7 bodies have multi-coated finder windows but not quite the MP finder. Joseph on 7/12/03 4:41 pm, Kit McChesney at kitmc@acmefoto.com wrote: > FYI, folks ... the newer viewfinders of the MP style are relatively easy to > identify. First of all, Leica won't reveal the serial numbers that indicate > the beginning of the run for the new finders. I've asked several times, and > they are mum on that. Rumor has it that anything with a 285xxxx qualifies, > but that's just noise, I've heard. > > I was told, however, that you can hold the camera, facing you, at an angle, > and if the finder window looks bluish in cast (the older finders are more > yellowish), then you have a newer finder. > > Compare the viewfinder of an M6TTL and an M7 you suspect to be a newer > finder model. If the M7 finder is decidedly "bluer" in color than the M6 > finder, you've got your answer. I tried this method with a new MP and > compared with one of the "Last M6TTL" cameras that came out earlier this > year, and the difference was clear. I then compared my M7 to the M6 and the > MP, and it was an exact match to the MP. > > Kit - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html