MP,M7 shutter sound

[bscott]

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I looked at a new MP and M7 yesterday. I thought the shutter sound on the M7 was smoother and quieter than the MP. Although the MP did not have a battery in the body the M7 was operating on a battery. Was it just my untrained ear or is this typical of the two camera bodies? They were both the same price are there any rebates on these bodies from Leica? Over the long haul which one is the best body?

[rsh]

I do not own an M7, but the decision should come down to whether or not you want the automatic feature of the M7. The M7 shutter sound is different because it is an electronic shutter.

 

Either camera will give you years of service.

[wizard]

Bill, it's true, the shutter sound of the M7 is somewhat different from the MP. Both shutters are focal plane cloth shutters, but the M7 releases the shutter curtains electromagnetically while the MP does so mechanically. I also find the M7 shutter sound even more quiet than the MP's, although there's not much of a difference. Both cameras will certainly hold up well over time, it is more a question of whether you want to have the possibility of aperture priority automatic exposure (in which case you would have to go for the M7) or whether you can do with or even prefer full manual exposure control (MP then).

 

Andy

[frc]

On your question about the rebate, the MP is the more expencive.

Same price means there is already a rebate on the MP or the M7 is over priced.

There is not a best choice, there is a different machine in your hands with either of these two cameras.

A-priority and battery dependence or fully manual and working throughout any powerdrop, as long as you can estimate the exposure.

[earleygallery]

Although the MP did not have a battery in the body the M7 was operating on a battery. Was it just my untrained ear or is this typical of the two camera bodies?

 

As above, the MP is fully mechanical whereas the M7 has an electronic (battery powered) shutter. The battery in the MP is for the light meter only. I'm guessing the M7 is quieter because there will be less moving parts inside.

[leitz_not_leica]

The M7 is only quieter, I believe, at 1/15 and slower.

[budrichard]

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The Japanese magazine Leica #7 is about the M7 and has graphs of the noise levels of the M7, M6TTL and the M3. For the higher speeds for all practicle purposes the graphs are the same, but the at the slower speeds the M7 does not have the gear train whine but is silent between the ON and the OFF.

BTW, if you have never seen this series of magazines, search one out. The level of detail is amazing and far surpasses any Western magazine. Even being in Japanese and reading back to front for a Westerner, thier is a lot that can be gleaned. The last issue I have is #14 and I suspect that somewhere there is an M8 issue #15. -Dick