Anyone switch from M7 to M6?

[piblondin]

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I'm still deciding between the two and wanted to know if anyone who owned an M7 decided to "downgrade" to the M6. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the subject!

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[andym911]

also could not decide.....so have both but use the M6 much more even tho I believe the M7 is the faster camera to use....in 3 months the story might reverse itself as i really appreciate both!

 

if i had to keep one though it would be the M7

 

sorry for this rambling

andy

[piblondin]

Any idea as to why you've been preferring the M6 lately?

[holmes]

I can't say I've switched as I have my M6TTL 0.58 and two M 7s, 0.58 and 0.72.

[AbbeyFoto]

I'm still deciding between the two and wanted to know if anyone who owned an M7 decided to "downgrade" to the M6. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the subject!

 

I had a troublesome M7 with the old DX system and it went after repair. I had previously traded in my M6TTL and regretted that as it never let me down. Subsequently I had the opportunity to replace the M6TTL with a smoother and just as reliable version. All cameras were second hand form good sources. So not a downgrade as such but I remain nervous about second hand M7s with the older DX system - though many will report a more positive experience.

 

Chris

[atournas]

I know it sounds idiosyncratic, but the thought of M7 going powerless at any moment was killing me--so I exchanged it for an MP.

 

Paul

[menos I M6]

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I use a M6 classic (not so often anymore) and a M7 0.85 (daily a roll or so).

 

the M6:

- has a much smoother feel (advance lever silky smooth, no ratcheting feel or sound, shutter dial smoother)

- has a better, less fumbly ISO setting

- feels slightly lighter

- misses the on/off switch (which I often forget with the M7)

- has a non fully rotating shutter speed dial, which can be operated easily blindfolded (or in the dark)

- has a nicer two glowing diode metering, opposed to the 3 diode metering of the M7 (like the M6 meter more)

- is easier to change film, as the canister doesn't stuck in the camera like with my M7 (early DX reader)

 

the M7:

- has AE, which I love in fast situations (hence the less usage on my M6 lately)

 

That's it - my heart likes the M6 much more, as it is the smoother, slightly lighter and simpler camera.

I do use the M7 more though due to the possibility, to use AE, which is a big argument for me and the 0.85 finder for 50 mm and longer.

 

The argument about drained batteries, leaving only 2 shutter speeds operable with the M7 is ridiculous.

I always have 4 of those small cells in my camera bag, which fit my M6, M7 and HP RPN calculator, which is actually older than the M6 ;-)

Neither device ever ran out of juice, when I was in a desert, in the jungle, on mars or anywhere else, not being able, to get a new set of batteries within 5 minutes walking distance.

[Lucklik]

I own a M6 TTL and M7 a la carte.

When I ordered the a la carte I hesitated between MP and M7.

I decided fot the M7 because the speed dial turns in the same direction as the M6 TTL.

 

Afterwards I'm very happy I chose for the M7 because now I have AE which is handy in some situations

However I had a problem like many with the old ISO system. Leica replaced it with the new system at no cost.

I would not buy a second hand M7 with the old ISO system.

[budrichard]

Have M6 Classic and two M7's, all 0.85 finders. Hardly ever use M6, carry two M7's with 35 and 21mm lenses with 75mm available. Both cameras work fine and take the same picture. When shooting, I do not obsess over operational details, camera feel etc but concentrate on composition and action. The M7 is much faster.-Dick

[fotohuis]

Yes, the M7 is very fast in operating. I am comming from SLR (Canon) and often used the AE so switching to Leica M7 is very easy then.

I have a M7 0,58 with C.V. M-mount 4,5/15mm SWH, Elmarit 2,8/28mm, Summicron 2,0/50mm and the Summarit 2,5/75mm a very nice set of compact optics.

[tgray]

I prefer my M7 more than my M6 since it's just as capable. Losing power doesn't bother me too much. If I can carry extra rolls of film, I can carry extra batteries.

[piblondin]

Thanks for the responses. I don't have any worries about the M7's batteries going out. It's infrequent and easy to carry spares in my bag. Did anyone just decide that the AE wasn't worth the extra cost? I'm enjoying the AE quite a bit, but not sure it justifies the price difference for me.

[nhabedi]

I got my M7 in the beginning of this year (in exchange for my M8.2) and I've used it as my main camera since. My other camera is an M4-P which I rarely use any more except when I have a second lens with me which doesn't happen very often.

 

I decided to get an M7 because of AE but it turned out I never used it after the first few days. Also, I had some battery problems in Norway in February when it was very cold (but only then).

 

So, generally, the M7 is fine with me, but if someone would offer me an exchange, I'd take the MP or a good M6 any day. I also have to admit that I like the black paint of the MP more than the black chrome of the M7 although that's not a big issue.

 

Finally - not related to the M6/M7 question - I'd go for the 0.58 viewfinder if I ever bought another M. So, if someone out there wants to trade in their 0.58 black MP for my 0.72 black M7 (with full Leica warranty until the end of 2010), give me a call...

[menos I M6]

…

Finally - not related to the M6/M7 question - I'd go for the 0.58 viewfinder if I ever bought another M. So, if someone out there wants to trade in their 0.58 black MP for my 0.72 black M7 (with full Leica warranty until the end of 2010), give me a call...

 

Don't want to destroy illusions, but I have seen the MP coming down in price to about 1.800 EUR only for a very short time in the end of last year (similar conditioned M7 samples always being about 400,- EUR less costly).

 

Since then the MP prices were rising, and no MP in the shops has been sold for less than 2.000,- EUR, whereas good M7 users still can be had for 1.500,- EUR.

 

This is insane. The MP seriously enjoys some hype, which is too bad, as picking one up and shooting it forbids by itself, when M6 and M7 can be had for a song by comparison.

[gwelland]

I went from an M7 to an MP for many of the same reasons cited, the principle one being the sticky DX sensor that made film removal a hassle. The thought of sending the M7 off to Solms for an upgrade was even more of a potential hassle.

 

Loss of AE by going to the MP was not a big deal as I shoot manually most of the time anyway. I personally wanted a fully manual MP but I could easily have gone to an M6 instead. The only downside I have is the exposure dial is reversed compared to the M7 and my M8/M9 pair too. (I know that traditionalists will say that the others are all wrong ... )

[esquire53]

Executive summary .... 6 is better than 7

 

I used to own only an M6 and an M7. After my hipe of M8 calmed down a bit, mainly do to the crop factor, I started using the film M again after the purchase of the 18mm.

Now with the M9, no more issue and I'm rarely using my film M, so I want to sell one of my film M.

 

I decided to sell the M7.

 

Now the speed has been mentioned, so I guess in automatic mode?

 

I actually prefer the 'slowness' of the M6.

It forces you to think what you want to do and maybe step back and think again.

(By the way the M7 will not outpace the M9.)

 

Looking through my archives of pictures from the M analog and digital days, I produced less junk with the M6 than I did with the M7 and the M digital.

 

I also had issues with the DX sensor malfunction, as well as the film loading is not as easy at the fist load like with the M6. I have to guide the film in a specific position to make it work.

No issue really, I use fix settings for the ISO and know how to load film.

 

I'm not sure, how sensitive the electronic is, but less is most likely better in the long run, so maybe MP is the right step to go.

 

I still like my analog Leica, it is a better look and feel. I use now Tmax but now more and more Velvia 50 and scan with Nikkon 5000.

 

Cheers

Uwe

[kdemas]

Just FYI- If you like the slowness of the M6 you can use the M7 in manual mode. You'll even get more accurate shutter speeds and a flare free finder at the same time.

 

I went from a 6 to a 7 and love the M7. That said, everyone is different so enjoy what is best for YOU.

 

Kent

[fotohuis]

About the upgrade to an optical DX-reader. Does anyone know if you can use the optical DX-reader with the actual IR films? (Rollei IR820/400, Efke IR820).

 

Just FYI- If you like the slowness of the M6 you can use the M7 in manual mode.

 

Exactly, so the M7 is more flexible. Also you can choose more shutter times and they are more acurate (quartz controlled). The only disadvantage is it's depending on the set of batteries, except the 1/60S and 1/125S manual times.

But if you can carry some film, you should carry a set of batteries too.LR44/AG13 (4x) can do it in emmergency too.

Store you can do like this: www.leicagoodies.com

==> SPARE.

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[tgray]

I guess I was smart when I bought my M7 to buy one with the optical DX reader. Which I hear is still a free fix for any M7.

 

Folks, there's a fix for the DX reader. If you are basing your opinions of the M7 on the old reader, send it in. It's worth it.

 

Yes, you can use IR film with it. I just shot a roll of HIE which is much more sensitive to IR than the films listed with no problems.

 

I often use my M7 in manual mode. It is much faster and more consistent in certain situations. And when I want the speed/convenience of AE, it's there with a flip of the switch.