bill Posted September 25, 2012 Share #21 Posted September 25, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) A couple of points of clarification; The M7 has 2 manual shutter speeds; 1/60 and 1/125. The shutter is electronically controlled and is capable of metered speeds down to (from memory) 30 secs in AE mode - longer than any other M. An M7 is by definition going to be younger than an M6, with no propensity for "zinc rot" that the M6 suffers from. Battery life, in my experience, was never an issue. I got 6-12 months use out of a single set. In any event my M7 wore an Abrahamsson Rapidgrip which stored a spare set in the base. I see the M7 as what it is - the most sophisticated film M and still a current model. I would not bother with the scare stories about electronic failure. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 25, 2012 Posted September 25, 2012 Hi bill, Take a look here Potential new M7 owner / purchase. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Stealth3kpl Posted September 27, 2012 Share #22 Posted September 27, 2012 I saw that Robert White has a second hand M7 with the .58 viewfinder. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 27, 2012 Share #23 Posted September 27, 2012 And LCE in Guildford also has an M7 that looks rather nice (good price too methinks). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 27, 2012 Share #24 Posted September 27, 2012 Film will most likely be 'extinct by the time electronic components are not available to fix an M7. With your logic you would never purchase a new vehicle, appliance or have anything other than tube amplifiers (tubes are now made in China!).-Dick Wanna bet about film?? As for electronics, as ive said I bought a new R3 back in the day, when it was heresay for a Leica to have an electronic shutter and AE!! It's 100% reliable BUT it won't be economically repairable if it does go tits up. On the other hand I bought an M2 with a faulty shutter and a repair guy who isn't a Leica specialist repaired it for £80. I'm just saying, if the OP wants a camera to last indefinitely a mechanical Leica is a better choice. The M7 might last as long, but then again it might not. As Bill says it's still a current model so it shouldn't be an issue for some years hopefully. You can disagree with me but please leave out the childish sarcasm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwar.jim Posted October 12, 2012 Share #25 Posted October 12, 2012 I bought a second hand M7 a few months back from Ffords Photographic. I also bought a 35mm Summicron from them. I found they were really helpful and produced quality goods. I buy nearly all my film off Amazon. I shoot mostly black and white, and occasionally colour. TriX for B&W, Kodak 100ES for colour. I plan on getting myself a scanner in the future, so I'd be interested to hear which one you use and what you think of it. At the moment I live in Japan and I post my film to a lab who scan it and I can download the digital files. They have a great system here. I also have a digital to go with my M7, but it's a Canon 7D. It's a little bigger than I like, but it's a great camera nonetheless. I ca really recommend a M7, it's good fun to shoot with, the AE is easy to use and accurate. A top quality M in my opinion. There is a review on my website here. I hope it helps you! If you have any questions, fire away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis99 Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share #26 Posted October 12, 2012 Thanks for the information - I've had to put my plans on hold for the moment though. I have had an operation which was described as being day surgery - well it hasn't quite worked out like that - I'll be ok, but it will take a little longer than expected to recover. Also had a very close family bereavement to deal with. Things will get better with time and I'll probably still get the M7 - but my plans are on hold for the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted October 12, 2012 Share #27 Posted October 12, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm very sorry for your loss Denis, and I do hope you recover soon. Don't hesitate to write back when it suits if you have more questions or need more advice. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis99 Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share #28 Posted October 12, 2012 Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsprow Posted October 12, 2012 Share #29 Posted October 12, 2012 My M7 has gone all over the world with me (just returned from Pakistan) -- zero problems. I carry a spare battery in my wallet or pocket and change it every year just like the fire detector batteries! Since I also use my M9 a great deal, I appreciate that the M7 functions the same way. I consider the print quality from the M7 and M9 comparable for color. M7 wins for B&W unless serious PP is used on the M9 images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAUDUI1 Posted December 4, 2012 Share #30 Posted December 4, 2012 Hello, I have a Leica M7 with the 0.58 viewfinder (wide angle) and I find it the most efficient and secure camera I have used so far. I also have a M4 and a M8. I take most of my pictures with the M8 which I find excellent, but I find the M7 more discrete and silent. I have more pleasure with it. Also it has the better and most precise viewfinder I have ever used. To me it is the most precisely built camera and honestly very solid. The electronic is not failing and very economical - I still use the same battery as one year ago. The precision of the shots is examplery - AE works very rapidly and as a charm - you do not miss any exposure. It can be used for B&W and slides... that can be scanned. With the M4, you loose more time in setting up the exposure and are always less precise as you never know exactly at what you aim with your exposure meter, and the light may have changed between the exposure reading and the shot. But the M4 is pure mechanic...and very well built. To me the Leicameter is suffering more of its age (needs dfifficult to find batteries). I wish you all sucess with your M7. Best regards. Dominique Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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