To M7 or not to M7 that's the question

[pridbor]

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I have just been lent a M7 with 3 lenses to test the next 2-3 weeks. Now I would really like to know how old it is ser no 2782903 but have failed finding any numbers related to the M7! All up to and including M6 and till 1999 no problem!

 

Anbody have a useful link?

 

The M7 is a one owner, my uncle's, and he can't recall when he bought it. he hasn't used it much, maybe less that ten rolls!!! It seems that all is working. Looks and feels brand new. Ihave just put a B&W into it to do some test shots, but need a lab close to Zürich to be able to get quick results.

 

Anybody knows where to preferably go to here in Zürich area, or less good where to send the film to to get the film developed? I don't know if I have to send to e.g. Germany, and if so if I will be faced with import taxes or customs paperwork. I do know a couple of US labs in California, but that seems a bit far, but...I might just have to resort to do that.

 

All this is in preparation for a decision I need to make soon, should I buy his equipment or try to sell it for him?

 

Anybody who could help come up with a fair price suggestion for the M7+ 35/50 Summicron+90/135 Elmarit older lenses?

 

Thanks for any help

 

Preben

[TomB_tx]

Serial matches an M7 batch from 2002, according to Puts' Leica Chronicle.

 

I don't have an M7, but opted for the Zeiss Ikon ZM for my auto exposure film M.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Preben,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

An M7 is a good camera & the lenses that you listed are good lenses.

 

You might want to contact "DirkR440" who lives in or near Zurich & takes a lot of film photos & you might also want to talk to "Doc Henry" who has & uses an M7 a lot.

 

Both can be located on the "I like Film" Thread in the "Other" Section on the first page of this entire Forum. Try page 22,901 of the "I like Film" Thread.

 

You can write to them individually by "clicking" their Photos/Avatars on the left side of the things which they have written.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[satijntje]

Indeed must be a 2002 model.

You can find it here: http://www.summilux.net/numeros/index.php

For bodies: chose boitier

For lenses : Objectives

 

Go for it, the M7 is a great choice!

John

[pico]

I have two M7 from the same lot.

IMHO, the M7 is the penultimate film Leica that includes automation.

[spydrxx]

If you're into film, buy it from your uncle and use it the rest of your life.

[Doc Henry]

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Thanks Michael for your reminder

 

Here some infos i posted about serial numbers in "I love my M7"  thread

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233570-i-love-my-m7/page-18?do=findComment&comment=3041047

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233570-i-love-my-m7/?p=3040701

Rg

H

[otto.f]

I'm afraid your serial number falls in the range where the M7's have the viewfinder that suffers from a little flare, not dramatic, but still, higher than 283.... the viewfinder is better for focusing in situations with lightsources ahead of you, it has the MP and MA viewfinder

[pico]

I'm afraid your serial number falls in the range where the M7's have the viewfinder that suffers from a little flare, not dramatic, but still, higher than 283.... the viewfinder is better for focusing in situations with lightsources ahead of you, it has the MP and MA viewfinder

 

I thought someone would bring that up. Neither of my M7s have the viewfinder or ISO reading modification. They still work properly. I know this is controversial, otto, but leicagoodies shade actually does help with the bit of flare. I use it on the M7 with .58 viewfinder. Comments with experience are most welcome.

[TomB_tx]

I used my M6 for 30 years with the RF flare and found it just a minor irritation. But this year had the full "flare fix" done by DAG, and also had him Put in the multicoated front window. Cost was reasonable, and it's now my favorite M viewfinder. (But the Zeiss IkonZM still has an edge.)

[gberger]

I used my M6 for 30 years with the RF flare and found it just a minor irritation. But this year had the full "flare fix" done by DAG, and also had him Put in the multicoated front window. Cost was reasonable, and it's now my favorite M viewfinder. (But the Zeiss IkonZM still has an edge.)

 

Yeah, my diminishing vision resulted in putting the M7 and MP on the shelf, and changing over to to a Zeiss Ikon ZM. That ZM viewfinder is superb, and lets me keep on shooting. The 35mm frame line really lets me compose in a way that just was not possible with my MP or M7. Also, the top speed of 1/2000 and the flash of 1/125 helps. 

 

This confession comes from a guy who began with a IIIc in 1946, and has been through the M4, M6, M6TTl, M7 and MP.    A  Zeiss ZM body with Leica M lenses - - what a combination! I'm truly a happy camper.

 

Further, the deponent sayeth not.

[otto.f]

I thought someone would bring that up. Neither of my M7s have the viewfinder or ISO reading modification. They still work properly. I know this is controversial, otto, but leicagoodies shade actually does help with the bit of flare. I use it on the M7 with .58 viewfinder. Comments with experience are most welcome.

Yes I just wanted to mention it, one has to judge for oneself if this is a major problem, better to know in advance of this thingy than after the buy.

[pridbor]

Thanks all I think that I'm going through with it, this despite my 2 Rs and a bunch of R lenses, but this one looks so new The weight surprised me though, seems as heavy as my R3. I don't have my Rs here in Europe.

 

The other thing which has me puzzled is to find out which viewfinder "size" I have; my uncle can't recall and doesn't have the camera box any longer. E.g. Is it a .72 like I think most of them came with?

 

I did read several places about the flare issue, but no one explained what they were talking about! Could somebody please explain what I need to look for or provide a link??

 

Thanks again to you all for taking time to help me decide

 

Preben

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Preben,

 

When you look thru the range/viewfinder which frames do you see?

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[otto.f]

Thanks all I think that I'm going through with it, this despite my 2 Rs and a bunch of R lenses, but this one looks so new The weight surprised me though, seems as heavy as my R3. I don't have my Rs here in Europe.

The other thing which has me puzzled is to find out which viewfinder "size" I have; my uncle can't recall and doesn't have the camera box any longer. E.g. Is it a .72 like I think most of them came with?

I did read several places about the flare issue, but no one explained what they were talking about! Could somebody please explain what I need to look for or provide a link??

Thanks again to you all for taking time to help me decide

Preben

Indeed, when I bought my M7 after M4, M6 and M6TTL, it felt quite heavy, especially with a Summilux 50 asph. So that's a choice. Later on however, M8 etc., Karbe lenses, it becomes much more heavy.

You have to try the flare if it bothers you. The best test for this is to focus on a scene that is structured like this: a light source in the middle, two chairs: one left, one right in the scene. Focus on the chairs

[pridbor]

Hello Preben,

 

When you look thru the range/viewfinder which frames do you see?

Best Regards,

 

Michael

I haven't used quote before so I hope this comes out correctly!

 

My 50mm lens is mounted.

 

I have 2 frames, one outside which 3 "bars one long one on the top, and 2 smaller ones on the right and left side, and 2 small lines on the bottom.

 

Then an inner one with 4 corners and 2 small lines top and bottom.

 

I don't know if this is well enough described?

 

Preben