[Leica] Long term M7 satisfaction?

[zeissler at mac.com (Mitch Zeissler)]

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
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Website: http://exploratorius.us