M7 or MP? I'm interested in the opinions of users of both.

[Bernd Banken]

Originally Posted by masjah

Hmmmm....

I'm retired, and my wife is still working, so in fairness I do the housework. I've been wondering how to make it more enjoyable ......

Hi John,

since two days I'm in the same boat....any hint for me?

Bernd

[Bernd Banken]

Beginning December I got my first RF Leica, a black M6 with a 50 Cron. It's my first RF camera, the Agfa Isola I doesn't count this camera I used fortyfive years ago.
So up to date I have only experiences with SLRs/DSLRs but I want to 'know' RF issues...

My extensive streetphotography in the past was done with a NikonF with the Photomic and the visible lightmeter needle in this small window on top of the camera. Very convinient to check the settings for b/w film which is flexible enough in terms of light without looking through the viewfinder.

To capture the 'decisive moments' I had to be very fast but I was a young guy of appr. 22-25 years old so eye, brain and feet were flexible enough....

But now thirtyfive years later a M7 would be my first choice because it's only the photograph which counts. I know from guitars that the hook of any instrument and the input of look and feeling are very important in terms of 'partnership' to the user. There should be a special 'sympathy' to those dead things of course to achieve good results.

When I get the impression of mastering the RF handling a M7 or M8 MKII at the end of this year could be possible.

Bernd

[CooperS]

It shouldn't really be which one to buy....but a matter of which to buy first!

Face it, if you find yourself in this dilema.... it just means you'll get one each eventually.

Like me! The M7, I use all the time as it is just too convenient and I'm a lazy sod.

The MP sits in the dry cabinet a lot more, it just feels good to know that I have it and only use it for street photography usually on a holiday.

Which ever you buy is largely dependant on what you usually shoot. M7 would get my vote first. Just remember, if you accidentally shoot in AE mood with the lens cap or body cap on (trust me, you will do it) it'll take about 30secs for the shutter to close again! Do not panic.

[sly]

I had two M7s few years ago sold everything to buy Digital Canon gear, and now I got two MPs, I'm not really a flash using guy, but sometime you don't have a choice, so TTL miss me a abit when faster shooting is required and for the rest I do manual shooting using handheld lightmeter 90% of time, so the A mode was useless for me. Last year shooting film miss me, and tired of Digital world, it was time to re-buy Leica, the choice was pretty clear then I bought two MPs.

You have to select the Camera considering you shooting style, if automatic mode is a must for you, take the M7 they are great, but if you don't these extra functionalities, go for MP.

Good luck!

[rick_dykstra]

My answer - if this is to be your only M camera, get an M7. The auto exposure and TTL function are great.

If you particularly want an old fashioned looking M, and perhaps one that scuffs up nicely ans shows some brass, get a black MP.

Anything the MP can do the M7 will do too, and sometimes better. Such as, the M7s TTL circuit will keep the SF20 flash awake. With an MP, the flash will go to sleep after three minutes and needs to be poked to wake up. Either way, a lost shot. This is a pain that catches me out often.

I love my MPs but an M7 is a very nice package.

Rick.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by Seb V

This has been swimming around the forums ever since the MP came out. But I am interested in hearing the views of people who have actually owned or used both these fine cameras and ask you to come off the fence and say which one you prefer to use and why.

Seb.

I've owned MP and M3 Leica for quite a while and owned an M7 for just a few days. Not as it seems maybe because the reason for return was that the pied dealer didn't tell me it had 'Test Camera Great Britain' painted on the top plate. The reason that I didn't buy another was that the M8 came on the scene and I've ordered one.

In those few days, I found the M7 was a VERY useable camera. Under fast paced and changing light conditions, the AE is a godsend. For more deliberate shooting, it's not quite as useful but the option to return it to manual is available. Battery useage is a non issue in my eyes as you plan for its replacement, or carry a spare.

The many exposures I took with it were spot-on and I'm confident that for general shooting I would rely on it 100%, maybe using a spot meter for low light stuff, but maybe not.

On the other hand, the MP is a beautiful camera and one to be treasured and used for tens of thousands of films. Respect for it grows as it ages and becomes sweeter. It is fantastically smooth and I think it might be more so than my M3 which is pretty damned smooth itself. It is 'mechanically perfection'. It fits the hand so well that you can take it anywhere, anytime. Try a wriststrap with any Leica, it doesn't have to hang round the neck.

The thing with an MP is that it is so utterly reliable and will serve you under any conditions and if you leave it in a drawer for three years, it'll be waiting for you. Batteries last so long that you have plenty of warning to get a new one.

The MP and M7 are both superb and either will provide decades of heavy use for you. IMHO, the only regret you might have is not buying the M7 for its AE and TTL capability, so that would be my recommendation to you.

[rob_x2004]

I found in difficult shooting situations the my 6.2 ran rings round the 9, or, I was more likely to get the right shutter speed metred aperture compromise. If the situation isnt difficult I dont think it matters one way or the other.

So I went the MP being convinced away from the M7 by the R9. The MP seems to work ok? Anyone heard anything bad about it?

[richam]

I have both, and prefer the MP for most of my shooting. Others have covered the pros and cons for the most part. I prefer the feel of the MP shutter and general handling. I'll add the DX coding feature to the list of M7 gripes. It's unnecessary for Leica shooters; really meant for P&S photogs. The problem is the death grip on the film cannister produced by the spring loaded DX contacts. Very difficult to remove the cartridge. If your fingers are strong and supple, OK. I need to carry around a small needle nose pliers to be sure I can get the cannister out. As far as the exposure accuracy needed for slides is concerned, I use my CM zoom for that purpose.

[wilfredo]

Seb,

Have you decided??? :-)

Cheers,
Wilfredo
Benitez-Rivera Photography

[hamey]

Sorry if I offend anyone.

Simply answer.

M7 = was designed to capture and meter movement or FOR WORK

MP= is ok for anything static, in another word when your subjuct is not moving?
And when not in use you can always fondle that lovely Mechanical Mechanism.

It's your choice.

Good Luck.

Ken.

[ron110n]

Originally Posted by leicapfile

The MP does use a battery do they not? And when that battery fails the MP is no more than an M2,3 with a hot synch shoe and slighly less construction quality.

Jerome,

The MP can also be a Classic M6 when the battery fail. =)
Likewise it's a Classic M6 if the battery is working.


Sebastian,

Seriously, I chose the M7 over the MP cause I already have a Classic M6 with an upgraded Viewfinder.

"There are older release M7 that don't have the brightline viewfinder" just to let you know if you want to buy a used one.

Cheers,

-Ron