plasticman Posted May 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just had an extraordinary stroke of luck - which is others' misfortune - and now i'm not sure what to do about it. Advice needed on the following situation: Probably Stockholm's leading professional camera store suddenly went bankrupt at the beginning of the week. I walked by on my way to work this morning and popped-in to take a look at their lenses, but they only had a couple of 90s (which i already have), so i was almost relieved to leave only taking with me a few packs of film at 30% reduction... when one of the other guys walks past holding a box in his hand, and says: 'Oh - if you're interested in Leica i just found this wrapped, brand-new M7 in the stockroom - you can have it for...' and then names a price that was simply waaay too good to refuse. My problem is that i've actually been looking for another (chrome) M6TTL, and not a brand new, never-used M7 of which i'm now the proud owner. What to do? Will i get used to the luxury of this purchase - or will the hankering for a nice old worn M6 never quite leave me? And would i be better off selling it straight away - at a profit that could be used for an M6 and that used 21 2,8 that i've also been looking for...? Not really a selling kinda guy is the problem - hate the messiness of it... Hmmm - luxury problems. Any advice/congratulations gratefully received. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 Hi plasticman, Take a look here New M7 - luxury problem - advice please. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
strick Posted May 24, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 24, 2007 If I were you, I'd stick with the M7 - as I actually do with mine, :-) - and save money until it's enough for the 2.8/21. Congrats! Greg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted May 24, 2007 Thanks Greg! I have a feeling that's gonna be the case! All the same, in a way it feels sad that the M7 isn't going to someone who really wanted and longed for it - and i feel bad that it came to me instead, just because i happened to be there at the right time. One other thing i like about buying used equipment is that it feels very 'environmentally-friendly' - giving a new life to a lens or camera that's 20+ years old feels somehow right. Somehow a boxed, plastic-wrapped, totally virginal camera that i had no idea i'd own when i ate breakfast feels somehow 'wrong'... ...but i have a feeling that i can get used to it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted May 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 24, 2007 Keep the M7, it's a great camera. You will like it once you start using it (and will probably never look for another M6 again). Cheers, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted May 24, 2007 So - i realize there have been M6 vs M7 threads before (gonna look through them asap), but those people that actually use both - what would you say are the advantages/disadvantages of each camera. And which do you prefer? btw hope this thread doesn't come across as simply boasting - i really can't believe my luck today (though my credit card isn't exactly ecstatic, of course - they weren't giving the camera away*) (* if this is my girlfriend reading - yes they were giving the camera away) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted May 24, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 24, 2007 (* if this is my girlfriend reading - yes they were giving the camera away) Uh, oh, I can see your girlfriend coming home one of these days saying "Sweetie, you can't believe this, they were giving these diamonds away today. Well, almost":) Advantages/disadvantages? Switch the M7 into manual mode and you have an M6, but you can't switch an M6 into auto mode, so that's one advantage of the M7, you've got two cameras in one package. Really, the only disadvantage of the M7 is that it needs batteries (very limited function without batteries), but carry a set of extra batteries (they are very small) and that disadvantage is gone, too. Just my 2 cents. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted May 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Uh, oh, I can see your girlfriend coming home one of these days saying "Sweetie, you can't believe this, they were giving these diamonds away today. Well, almost":) Strangely enough, this situation happens to her with shoes and boots on a weekly basis! I really had no idea that shoe-stores were so generous, but apparantly they are! But anyways, as i understand it the M7 is far more reliant on its electronics than the M6 - i'm hoping this won't be a problem. Talk about looking a gift-horse in the mouth and all that, but i'm kinda wishing it'd been an MP instead of a M7 that they were errrm 'giving away' today (nervous cough). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&W Posted May 24, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 24, 2007 Keep the M7 - it's a nice tool Btw - did you see the asking price for the 90s? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted May 24, 2007 The 90s were from the used window - two Elmarit 2,8s and one Summicron 90/2 PRE-asph. The 2,8s were originally 8000 - so now they would be 4000, and the 90/2 was 13000 - so presumably now 6,500sek. All in nice condition, but as i have a 90/2 they weren't interesting to me. The store (Kameradoktorn) has had plenty of interesting cameras in the used window before, including XPans and plenty of Horseman and Schneider equipment - can't really understand how they suddenly went bankrupt (although their prices have always tended to be on the high side). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&W Posted May 24, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 24, 2007 Thanks:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted May 24, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 24, 2007 Mani, I will add my name to those who recommend you keeping the M7. When in manual metering mode, it works exactly the same as an M6TTL; in Auto mode you will have the advantage of aperture priority auto exposure and infinitely adjustable shutter speeds. I have both - a classic M6 and an M7. Since I got the M7, the M6 is hardly getting used. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted May 24, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 24, 2007 my M7 purchase also seemed luxurious. I was committed to a used M6 as well. I was persuaded by wanting the shooting to be like the M8 and also taking advantage of the $500 rebate toward the wonderful 50 lux. Anyway, it is a dream of a camera, go out and get a little dirt on it, you'll get over it! ;>) best...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 25, 2007 Mani, it was destiny. Keep the M7. Nearly four years ago now I bought my first Leica, an M6TTL. Then a couple years ago I bought an M7, and liked it so much I bought another about 4 months later. The M6TTL is now relegated to backup. With the M7 I have a manual camera and AE when I want it - and I do like and use the AE. I think the M7 is the best camera Leica has made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted May 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 25, 2007 I bought one of the earliest "classic" M6 bodies, and I used it for several years. Then, I bought an M7. My M6 long since has been given to a good friend. The M7 shutter is accurate, either in the manual or in the auto mode, and you now have the best of both worlds, viz., an M6 (manual) and an M7 (auto) - - both with shutter accuracies beter than an M6. If you shoot slides, you'll really appreciate that shutter accuracy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted May 25, 2007 Thank you all for your words of encouragement - i really appreciate it, and feel humble in my good fortune. The problem that woke me early this morning was still the same - i'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to cameras, and i thrive on the references to M6's that crop up regularly in all the reports on far-flung and dangerous destinations in LFI and other magazines. Somehow the M6 feels like a legendary camera - sturdy, reliable, mechanical and manual - that gets blood spilled on it in the middle of a riot, or sand blown over it in the desert. The M7 on the other hand, strikes me as a camera that gets paraded on a Monte Carlo beach, or takes photographs of the owner's Porsche. Of course neither of these clichés have any relation to reality - they're just how i feel about the cameras - and i hope no-one takes it personally. I'm wondering hard about what to do - one idea is to post a classified over on RFF and see what happens - i mean, this is a camera that is literally brand new and never used. In any case, i already decided that if I do decide to sell, then 10% of any extra goes directly to UNICEF - i already feel guilty enough about this situation. We'll see - thanks again - and i hope you're not all cursing me for being the wrong guy in the right place.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brunom Posted May 25, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 25, 2007 Mani - Hi You bought a camera, and at a very good price, and the seller knew what he/she was doing - so what's the problem and why all the angst ? You feel the way you do, nobody else can tell you what to do, only you can decide - but remember it's only a camera that you've bought. My opinion is that you should sell it and buy an M6 - but will you then feel guilty about the profit that you have made ? If giving 10% of that profit to Unicef eases your torment, just keep the M7 and send Unicef a nice donation anyway. Good luck with your problem Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 25, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 25, 2007 I have the perfect solution for you, I will swap you - yes that's right, swap you - your gimmicky M7 for my nice M2, which is basically an M6 without the meter. I'll even throw in the light meter as well. What more can I say. On a serious note (although my offer will stand if you decide to take it!) you say you feel differently about the M7. If that is how you feel about it, then you should sell it. The way you feel about the equipement you use IS important. If you think of the M7 as a camera for less serious photographers, a rich persons plaything as you imply, then that will transcend into your work with it. Another thought, maybe another Leica dealer would offer you an exchange for an MP? Personally I'd keep/use the M7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share #18 Posted May 25, 2007 Everyone seems to love this camera so much, i'm beginning to be convinced. Genuinely sorry if anyone's been offended by any of my idle musing - I'm sure it would've annoyed the hell outta me if i read this sort of BS from some other lucky soul who was sitting and wringing his (or her) hands over the terrible fate of being sold a brand new M7 for a great knock-down price. Pathetic really. It's probably all mixed-up with other anxieties about having a too-privileged life - so i'll just shut up, enjoy my good fortune, unwrap the damn camera and use it! Just as it was intended. Thanks for not banning me instantly from the forum for being a total idiot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted May 25, 2007 Share #19 Posted May 25, 2007 HOORAH! Man sees sense. Leica Forum members rejoice! Keep it - never turn away good Karma. It's yours for a reason. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brunom Posted May 25, 2007 Share #20 Posted May 25, 2007 Mani Well done - hope you enjoy the camera ! Maybe your opinion/perception of that model will now change ? Bruno Everyone seems to love this camera so much, i'm beginning to be convinced. Genuinely sorry if anyone's been offended by any of my idle musing - I'm sure it would've annoyed the hell outta me if i read this sort of BS from some other lucky soul who was sitting and wringing his (or her) hands over the terrible fate of being sold a brand new M7 for a great knock-down price. Pathetic really. It's probably all mixed-up with other anxieties about having a too-privileged life - so i'll just shut up, enjoy my good fortune, unwrap the damn camera and use it! Just as it was intended. Thanks for not banning me instantly from the forum for being a total idiot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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