IkarusJohn Posted February 21, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm thinking of adding a film body to my kit. Any comments or preferences for or against the MP or the M7? I know the M7 is electronic with aperture priority, and the MP is mechanical, with a meter. I am slightly put off by the MP shutter dial going in the opposite direction to my M9. Does anyone else have any comment they'd like to share. Idle curiosity on my part. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Hi IkarusJohn, Take a look here MP or M7?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
UliWer Posted February 21, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 21, 2011 Do you use the release button pressed down half way to hold a certain metering result a lot with the M9? I do and miss it with the M6. With the M7 you have the same function, not with the MP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted February 21, 2011 Do you use the release button pressed down half way to hold a certain metering result a lot with the M9? I do and miss it with the M6. With the M7 you have the same function, not with the MP. Yes, I do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted February 21, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 21, 2011 This topic has been beaten to death before already, a quick search might help answer a lot of your questions. That said, my gut says you'll probably enjoy the M7 more (since you're moving from the M9), it's more of a seamless transition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 21, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 21, 2011 This topic has been beaten to death before already, a quick search might help answer a lot of your questions. That said, my gut says you'll probably enjoy the M7 more (since you're moving from the M9), it's more of a seamless transition. ...and that was one of the main deciding factors that led to my new M7. With my M9 I tend to use AV and exposure lock a lot and with the M7 having identical controls (both in terms of location and direction of operation), switching instantly between the two is easy. You just have to resist the temptation to glance at the back of the M7 to check the results... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 21, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 21, 2011 I have both MP and M7. Given where you are coming from, I would also say M7. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted February 21, 2011 Share #7 Posted February 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Neither the MP nor M6 needs an exposure lock, you have two different means of metering either push the button first (i.e. rely on previous metering) or 1st pressure twiddel the aperture and then push the button. Cause I carry the camera on the 1st pressure an M7 or M9 would be in the push the button first all the time, unless you used it in manual. The 1st pressure hammers the batteries on a M6. The shorter travel shortens the delay time. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 21, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 21, 2011 I was in the same boat as you, I went with the m7. Sometimes I still have doubt, but I can go seamlessly from the m9 to the m7. Later I added a m4.2 when I want to go full manual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 21, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 21, 2011 The M7 is the logical companion camera to an M9 for the reasons already stated. However, if you still have doubts about which to go for I suspect that it means that, deep down and possibly for irrational reasons, you really want to get the MP. My advice is to go with your instinct and get the MP. There's no reason why your film camera has to be the closest in character and operation to your M9. I have both MP and M9 and, for me, they serve very different purposes and suit different moods. The M9 is the more utilitarian body - perfectly suited to paid work and when I just want to get a job done with the greatest convenience. The MP suits a more measured, contemplative approach and is, I'd suggest, more relaxing to use. Just as an aside, I don't have any difficulty adjusting to the different directions of the shutter speed dial. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 21, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 21, 2011 Of course, once you have made a decision, the next problem may well be finding one - if you want brand-new that is. Feedback from Leica via the UK dealers I spoke to is that the next batch of MP's and M7's will not be produced until August at the earliest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
400TX Posted February 21, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 21, 2011 <snip> However, if you still have doubts about which to go for I suspect that it means that, deep down and possibly for irrational reasons, you really want to get the MP. My advice is to go with your instinct and get the MP. There's no reason why your film camera has to be the closest in character and operation to your M9. <snip> The MP suits a more measured, contemplative approach and is, I'd suggest, more relaxing to use. <snip> All good points. Back in 2003, I faced the same choice - M7 or MP? I chose the MP based on the above considerations - and the fact that it is 100% functional if you find yourself with a dead battery, a significant factor which should not be dismissed IMHO. Eight years later, I have never regretted choosing the MP over the M7. It is simply a joy to make images with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 21, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 21, 2011 Of course, once you have made a decision, the next problem may well be finding one - if you want brand-new that is. Feedback from Leica via the UK dealers I spoke to is that the next batch of MP's and M7's will not be produced until August at the earliest. Interesting. I found a new one quite easily last month (from a well known UK dealer) for a good price. At the time a number of the smaller regional dealers had stock available but were a couple of hundred pounds or so more expensive. I suspect if you ring around, one of the dealers will have an MP or two still in stock. If stock has completely dried up there is always the option of à la carte which should take around 6 weeks (though you end up paying full RRP of £3500 if all you want is a base model). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted February 21, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 21, 2011 Mayfair have got them on the shelf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 21, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 21, 2011 Mayfair have got them on the shelf. My enquiries (when I was still dithering as to MP or M7) was for a chrome MP. Spoke to two dealers, both said they would check with Leica UK and both came back with the same answer - nil UK stock, no more production until August. In the end I orderd a chrome M7 from Ffordes last Monday lunchtime and 8.00am Tuesday morning the parcel arrived. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted February 21, 2011 Interesting - thanks for the inputs, guys. My first SLR was a Nikon FE, which was then replaced with a couple of FMs - both had their places, and to be honest I can't recall which I preferred! I agree the similarity between the M7 & the M9 is useful, but I'm tending towards the MP because it is different, and perhaps more contemplative. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 21, 2011 Share #16 Posted February 21, 2011 Another consideration for either camera is viewfinder magnification, which of course is not an M9 option. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauribix Posted February 21, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 21, 2011 I do have an M9... and an MP (other than an M6 and an M8) not a big issue for me the reversed shutter dial of the MP. IMHO the MP is the tool that force you to have full control over you camera. I love the MP, I love its size, weight, mechanical and... black paint. I consider the MP the perfect complement for my M9, since I could soak it in the rain and still shoot. The MP shutter is then a bit noisier than the M7. Consider that too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted February 22, 2011 Thanks everyone - I have checked the MP with some care, and it's as described by the seller (only 10 rolls of film through it - he prefers the larger format of his Hasselblad). Have decided to buy it. Will list the 35 Cron lens for sale shortly (I already have a chrome version). Thanks again for your help. Any recommendations for film? In the past, I have used Velvia for slides and Tri-X Pan for B&W. Any other thoughts? I will be wanting to knock out a few rolls to get a feel for the camera. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 22, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 22, 2011 M8 and MP and likewise I don't find the different directions of the shutter speed dials to be a problem. I suspect that it's because the MP tends towards a more thoughtful approach. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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