M7 dilemma

[colonel]

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Should I get:

1. A 27xx M7, boxed with factory stickers still on, like it has hardly been used. From a dealer who provides a 6 month warranty

2. A 29xx M7. unboxed. in great condition but some marks - not relevant. From an individual without any warranty

They are roughly the same cost

I am a succour for a box  but I like the new VF, and later date, don't care about auto DX.

What would you get ?

 

[TomB_tx]

After seeing the improvement when my M6 VF was upgraded, I'd choose the better VF.

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

3 hours ago, colonel said:

Should I get:

1. A 27xx M7, boxed with factory stickers still on, like it has hardly been used. From a dealer who provides a 6 month warranty

2. A 29xx M7. unboxed. in great condition but some marks - not relevant. From an individual without any warranty

They are roughly the same cost

I am a succour for a box  but I like the new VF, and later date, don't care about auto DX.

What would you get ?

 

I have a couple of M7s, I’d get the one with the improved VF. Are both 0.72? 

[TomB_tx]

10 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

the Tarot cards I just laid out say go for option number one if the box and warranty are really of utmost importance,

Good point. I've never had to make use of a camera or lens warranty, so I dismiss its importance. YMMV

[VanDooglz]

Inferring from the comments, the M7 bodies with serial numbers below 29xxx have the same VF as M6 TTL.

Is that accurate?

[colonel]

13 hours ago, TheGodParticle/Hari said:

I have a couple of M7s, I’d get the one with the improved VF. Are both 0.72? 

yes

[colonel]

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12 hours ago, Al Brown said:

Thank you for asking us about your options. Between you and me, without the images, based solely upon your description, the Tarot cards I just laid out say go for option number one if the box and warranty are really of utmost importance, but if you prefer the later OVF and are a bit of a gambling man the number two is the ultimate choice.

my tarot cards are too stained with wine to see them any more. I have always been a gambler 😮

[colonel]

9 hours ago, VanDooglz said:

Inferring from the comments, the M7 bodies with serial numbers below 29xxx have the same VF as M6 TTL.

Is that accurate?

indeed

[Jon Warwick]

I got one of the earliest brand new M7s in c 2002, hence it has the non-MP viewfinder.

Before I read about the flare on the focusing patch, my old-style M7 viewfinder didn’t cause any issues that I recall. 

But now that I’m aware of the situation, the flare annoys me regularly!

If I knew that now, and was confident that camera worked fine, I’d personally opt for the 2nd camera with an upgraded viewfinder.

One day I plan to get the viewfinder upgraded, but that’s apparently not cheap and I’m thinking it might be easier and not much different in $ to sell my M7 (as it stands) and replace with a more recent camera (MP, M-A, new M6 etc) to get the better viewfinder.

Edited January 18, 2024 by Jon Warwick

[TomB_tx]

22 minutes ago, Jon Warwick said:

Before I read about the flare on the focusing patch, my old-style M7 viewfinder didn’t cause any issues that I recall.

Same story - I bought my M6 in 1985 to add to my '68 M4 and enjoyed both into this century. Eventually had the M6 serviced (Gus) to repair (replace) the light meter, and then I started shooting film more again, and read about the flare-out, and sure enough it bothered me. So I had DAG update the RF and multicoated windows. VERY nice result.

[StephenH]

I'd buy an M5 with a lens.  

[Mute-on]

Get the boxed, as new with dealer warranty without a doubt.

If the camera really has barely been used it may not be operating perfectly (dried up lubricant, etc), or may develop some, probably minor, issue fairly soon once you start using it regularly. Since you have the warranty, any issues can be attended to, and if it happened to require a CLA, you can get the finder upgrade (condenser lens) done with it. 
A box is always better for resale, and does add value, too. 

[williamj]

Unless I was a collector I wouldn’t buy an M7 because when the electronics go you’re left with two shutter speeds. If you’re a collector then go with the one with a box and the near mint exterior. Cheers. 

[Jon Warwick]

4 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Get the boxed, as new with dealer warranty without a doubt.

If the camera really has barely been used it may not be operating perfectly (dried up lubricant, etc), or may develop some, probably minor, issue fairly soon once you start using it regularly. Since you have the warranty, any issues can be attended to, and if it happened to require a CLA, you can get the finder upgrade (condenser lens) done with it. 
A box is always better for resale, and does add value, too. 

The comment about lubricants is pertinent; my M7, for example, has sticky framelines. After a few minutes of focusing back and forth, the correct framelines come into view, but initially they’re stuck at 35mm lines regardless of the lens. I’m assuming this is an example of lubricants drying out due to lack of use over the years, especially in the last decade when I switched more to digital.