I would suggest an alternative to "shooting from the hip". Get a SLR. Experience the difference in looking through the optics, with its inherent spacial characteristics, as opposed to on optical add-on "in the ballpark", auxillary viewfinder. Anything under 28mm I find problematic with a M series camera. Just my opinion from use. I think a M7 is truly a beautiful camera.
If you go for shooting from the hip, I would think of it more as "Zening it in".
Sincerely,
Michael
www.stardustgrafik.com
R 8, 19mm Elmarit, 28mm Elmarit, Nikon F3/moterdrive, 20mm nikkor, 28mm nikkor, 35mm nikkor, Canon IV. 16mm-35 f. 2.8 Canon. Both the F3 & IV have 100% viewfinders which I utilize, although the brightness/clarity of the R8 is stunning in comparison & more than makes up for the difference in percentage points.