Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/01/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've had mine for 8 years and never had a problem. Still has the original DX reader and that still works flawless too. I have other Leica's and tried a Konica RF but always come back to the M7. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michiel Fokkema michiel.fokkema at gmail.com info at fokkemafoodtechnologyservices.com www.photographyschool.nl GSM:+31 (0) 615569576 On 13 January 2015 at 19:32, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Jan 13, 2015, at 7:38 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? > > > My M7 was my favorite film M camera, I used it all the time for a couple > years. So favorite and so dependable that I took only it to Paris , where > it irreversibly jammed three days into the trip. La Maison du Leica said > send it to Solms where repair will take some time. On my return to the US I > sent it to Solms, they returned it two months later, working fine, no > explanation for the problem, the bill was $450. I used it with out problem > for a year, then sold it. > > > Steve > > > > > 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >