Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/04/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I got my M7 today from Lee-Mac Camera in Pasadena. For what it is worth, here are some first observations after shooting one roll. The film has not yet been developed. Overall, I have to say I am very pleased. I think this is a winner. LOOKS & HANDLING The camera looks, feels, and in non-auto mode operates just like the M6 TTL. From what I know about the TTL, the lights and dial operate the same. The camera is ever so slightly taller than the M6 Classic, but identical in size to the M6 TTL. It is not noticeable. The speed dial is very similar to the M6 TTL, except that it is continuously turnable in either direction. Unlike the dial on the Classic, it does not stop at B. The detents for AUTO and the two mechanical speeds feel different, so it is easy to set them. The shutter delay, in all modes, seems identical to the M6. I know it is supposed to be slightly longer, but it was not perceptible to me. The shutter sound at 1/30 and faster sounds very close to the M6, but ever so slightly higher in pitch. At 1/15 and lower, the gear and whirly sound is gone. Just a soft click, click. This is much quieter. With no batteries it works at 1/60 and 1/125, but with no lights in the viewfinder. COUNTDOWN! Time exposures show a seconds countdown in the viewfinder on AUTO, or a count up on B. The manual says that almost no current is used to keep the shutter open. ON OFF SWITCH The on-off switch is GREAT. On the Classic, if you have a soft release you often lose a shot when the camera goes into a bag. This new switch mechanically stops the shutter from releasing when it is off. This is super. No more lost frames! Further, when you switch it on, the viewfinder displays the ISO setting, confirming your setting or that the DX is working right. EXPOSURE DIAL Exposure compensation takes 2 hands, left thumb to push the button and right thumb to twiddle the wheel, and you have to look at what you are doing. You are not going to bracket in a hurry. But then, who needs to bracket? ;-) The DX works just like it is supposed to. VIEWFINDER The viewfinder (a .72) seems slightly warmer than on my Classic. The lights are at the bottom of the 35mm frame. If you use eyeglasses, the lights are just at the bottom of the viewable area, and can easily be ignored (a good thing). The numerals remind me of 1970s LED lights, not like the LCD style in the R8. Very thin. The lights do all sorts of blinky things I haven't figured out yet. One nice thing: when you push the shutter half way down a little light comes on and the AE locks. Works well. AUTO MODE Well, this is what it is all about. Basically, it does exactly what it is supposed to do. You set whatever aperture you want, and you get the speed that you would get with the manual mode. I checked this against manual mode, and yup, that is what it does. If you have used A mode on the R8, this is that. The AE lock works with a very positive half stop, and is surely the way I will be using the meter. I did find that everything went faster. Just focus, shoot. Or, set a hyperfocal distance, and just shoot. REALLY LOW LIGHT SENSITIVE METER This is an unexpected benefit. The low light meter is better, and it says it can go down to EV -2. That is 4 seconds at F/1 on ISO 100 film. It will countdown 32 seconds. NIT PICKS The red dot on the lens release is gone; probably a good thing. The box is silver, not white, and the internal presentation box is no longer plastic with red felt; it is gray cardboard and black foam. But then who cares about that? The strap went on easier than on my Classic. Due to the DX contacts, the film can doesn't come out as easily, but that is a good thing if you drop things like I do. The pressure plate is polished, while on my M6 it is brushed. FLASH Not having a TTL before, I didn't set up the SF20 right. More on this later. The speed is set to 1/50 automatically, so at least that part I won't mess up anymore. Happy shooting, Bob Rose - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html