M7 or M6 TTL

[paragon]

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Any strong views

 

Is the M7 just a slightly improved M6 TTL

 

Cheers

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[Guest licht]

If you want Automatic (you set the f-stop camera choses time) take the M7.

If you want Manual take the M6TTL

 

M7 has two mechanical times which work without battery. With the M6TTL all times work mechanical without battery.

 

M7 has the improved viewfinder like the MP.

[Johannes Knightworth]

Not all M7 have the improved viewfinder, the early ones don't. The early ones (might) also have faulty electronics.

If i remeber well you could have a free viewfinder upgrade done by Leica, but not all have had it done.

I purchased an M7 shortly after they had been introduced and had lots of trouble with the electronics. Finally I changed it for the MP.... courtesy of leica in Solms.

Personally I wouldn't go for the M7 again, electronics were not the stronger part of the Leica company back then.... The MP is like the M6TTL with a different viewfinder, which in my opinion doesn't justify the more-cost.

I would get a good M6ttl and invest the difference in a nice lens. Both the M7 and MP roughly cost about twice as much as an M6TTL. See if you can get a late serial number TTL (24xxxxx)

[Guest licht]

I would get a good M6ttl and invest the difference in a nice lens. Both the M7 and MP roughly cost about twice as much as an M6TTL. See if you can get a late serial number TTL (24xxxxx)

 

I second Johannes.

I have two late M6 TTL (SN 247xxxx) and the both work perfect.

[earleygallery]

Bill, to expand on the above, the M7 has an electronic shutter and has manual + AE aperture priority exposure modes.

 

The M6 is fully mechanical with a built in TTL meter for manual exposure control.

 

This is where it can get confusing........There are two model M6's the M6 (often referred to as 'classic') and the M6 TTL. All M6's have TTL metering but the M6 TTL models also have TTL flash metering (if you use the Leica dedicated flash).

 

The Leica MP - the other current model alongside the M7 - is also fully mechanical with TTL metering, and design cues of the older models such as the M2 & M3.

[innerimager]

I choose the M7 and am extremely glad I did. However my primary consideration was that I wanted as similar a shooting experience as with my M8 as possible as I often shoot them side by side. The AE meter is identical, the shutter dial turns the same direction, and I added a Motor M so the "advance" is the same. I also was influenced by the $500 rebate with the M7 toward a lens I wanted to get in any event (50 lux). I'm sure the M6 is superb, and I can see adding a fully manual, no battery required body sometime as well. Good luck choosing, but you can't go wrong! best...Peter

[paragon]

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Thanks everyone

 

I have the "Leica" disease and would like to buy another - as has been indicated the M6 classic or TTL sells for far less than the M7 and as I am sure that they are both good cameras I think that an M6 in chrome will suit my needs.

 

I have yet to be brave enough to go for a digital M8 - the cost is just too high and I think I will stick to my Pentax SLR digital plus my Sony P&S.

 

I am just about to move into processing my own B&W again, (the last time I did this was in 1980), so this should be fun plus I will need to buy a scanner

 

Thanks again

[Guest Bernd Banken]

Thanks everyone

 

I have the "Leica" disease and would like to buy another - as has been indicated the M6 classic or TTL sells for far less than the M7 and as I am sure that they are both good cameras I think that an M6 in chrome will suit my needs.

 

I have yet to be brave enough to go for a digital M8 - the cost is just too high and I think I will stick to my Pentax SLR digital plus my Sony P&S.

 

I am just about to move into processing my own B&W again, (the last time I did this was in 1980), so this should be fun plus I will need to buy a scanner

 

Thanks again

 

Please keep in mind that a M6 has already many years of service in it's body. A M7 is much younger and has the advantage of the AE function. For me as beginner with RF framing this will help in case of fast shootings of people in the streets. The modified RF is better for me wearing glasses.

 

Bernd

[paragon]

Thanks again

 

I wear glasses but can just about survive and RF focus without them

 

Presumably the M6 classic is just like my M3 with the MC meter that I have, (although the MC Meter is not very accurate and M6 has TTL metering)

 

When you say "The M6 is fully mechanical with a built in TTL meter for manual exposure control." - do you mean that the metering options i.e. alternative aperature/shutter speeds are shown in the viewfinder, (like, for example, my Nikon F3) or somewhere else on the camera.

 

M6s seem to sell for between £500 and £650 on Ebay whereas the M7 or MP is about twice as much

 

Cheers

[B&W]

Not all M7 have the improved viewfinder, the early ones don't. The early ones (might) also have faulty electronics.

If i remeber well you could have a free viewfinder upgrade done by Leica, but not all have had it done.

 

Do you know what serial number (start number) that has improved viewfinder?

[earleygallery]

Hi, M6 have led's in the viewfinder for metering info.

[nikau]

I agonized over this choice for ages and ended up with both - each has its place. However, it was the M7 that was sold to help get me into an M8!

[peter_n]

My first Leica was an M6TTL and I loved it. Then I bought an M7 and loved it even more because it is an M6TTL with on demand AE . Then I bought a second M7 and will sell the M6TTL because I really like AE way more than not AE...

Do you know what serial number (start number) that has improved viewfinder?

Serial numbers are floated around the internet, I think 2885xxx is the most popular but you can't go by the serial number because Leica seems to use serial nrs in batches that aren't necessarily sequential.

 

I thought I had the flare free finder but then had an incident that made it very clear I didn't. I have a US Passport body and got the finder replaced under warranty.

[B&W]

My first Leica was an M6TTL and I loved it. Then I bought an M7 and loved it even more because it is an M6TTL with on demand AE . Then I bought a second M7 and will sell the M6TTL because I really like AE way more than not AE...

Serial numbers are floated around the internet, I think 2885xxx is the most popular but you can't go by the serial number because Leica seems to use serial nrs in batches that aren't necessarily sequential.

 

I thought I had the flare free finder but then had an incident that made it very clear I didn't. I have a US Passport body and got the finder replaced under warranty.

 

Thanks!

[Nick De Marco]

I have been going slightly crazy buying rangefinders this year, but based on that I would advise buying the M6 (which I recently bought and is lovely) and one of the following:

 

1. Konica Hexar RF. You can occasionaly see these on ebay. The are M mount, very solid well built cameras with AE if you wnat it. I just picked one up from ebay for £355 (about half the price of an M6 never mind an M7) and I am awaiting its delivery. (Konica Hexar RF)

 

2. A Minolta CLE. Again, its an M mount leica copy (although substantially lighter and I expect more flimsy than an M6 or M7) with AE exposure. I picked one up second had for only £255 on ebay. I have not used it yert, but I like the feel of it. The fact that it is lighter than an M means it could be a good travel camera (Leica Minolta* CLE)

 

3. A Voigtlander Bessa R2A or R3A. Modern M mount rangefinders with AE. I have the R3A which you can buy new for about £400 or so.

 

I now feel no need to buy an M7, despite the fact i am sure it is a lovely camera. I was delighted with my M4-P, thrilled to have an M3, but find my M6 has everything I want. I don't really want AE. It is useful sometimes of course, but more often than not I woould use my digital SLR for those types of occasions. The M6 is beuatifully made, a very clear rangefinder and a good on board meter. for me that is about everything. If you then buy one of the above rangefinders (you don't need to be obssessive like me and buy all three) you will ahve a great second camera of good quality which you can share your M lenses on and have AE if ever you wnat it. You could afford to buy an M6, one of the above used cameras, and a good used leitz 35mm or 50mm lens all for the price of an M7, so I would certainly recommend the former myself.

[knipse_olivia]

If you wanna be fast, buy the m7, if you are a calm and meditative shooter the m6 is ok, too.

The m7 is very reliable. I own both, but m6 is only assisting...

[bill]

I've had two M6s (long story) and an M7. When the M7 0.85 came out it was the Leica I'd been waiting for. The benefits of auto exposure with the control of manual. What I have found over the years is that I trust the auto exposure. I never use manual. When I want to go "unplugged" I use my IIIc. The M7 is to me the sine qua non of the M range.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[paragon]

Just bought an Black M6 off Ebay from a seller with good ratings - a "user" with the usual marks but with a CLA from Leica (supported by a bill)

 

Price £400 = US$800 which I thought was very reasonable

 

Just what I wanted to complement my B & W M3 - waiting for it to arrive - I can now sell a couple of my Nikon SLRs and shoot colour with it

 

I thought that I would try the (cheaper), M6 before the M7 - I do not need TLL so a regular M6 is fine although I would have preferred the Chrome version to the Black

 

Thanks to everyone for their comments

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Hallo,

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