[Leica] American Flag M7

[vick.ko at sympatico.ca (Vick Ko)]

Leica produced a number of "Flag" series cameras, with country flags
silk-screened on the top deck.  From Stephen Gandy's site, url
http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm#M7%20%202002-

        M7 FLAG: Alas, in November 2002 Leica announced a not so
memorable "Flag" M7, showing the flag of various countries on the top
plate.   For the US, 100 were announced with the US flag painted on the
top plate.  ....


I don't know what "Test Camera" means, maybe it was used as a camera for
initial users to gain experience and provide feedback for the first
units.

If it was a demo camera, would it have a Passport warranty?  Does anyone
know?

Rich Pinto has M7's ranging from $2200 to the full $2800 price, as an
alternative to ebay.

regards
Vick

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+vick.ko=sympatico.ca@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+vick.ko=sympatico.ca@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
hlritter@mindspring.com
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 9:48 PM
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] American Flag M7


I've been thinking about getting an M7 in any case, but I came upon an
ePay listing (3853792489) for an allegedly NIB, Passported, etc black M7
with an American flag and the legend "Test Camera USA" on the top plate.
Seller shows good feedback and claims to be an authorized Leica dealer.

Does anyone know what the heck this is, its significance, its
provenance, and its relationship to the standard-run M7s? Never seen one
like it before. Seems odd that the BIN price is about what a standard
black M7 goes for by mail order from B&H, for example, or even a little
less. And does anyone know anything about the seller?

Thanks to all,

--howard
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