chris_livsey Posted July 17, 2008 Share #1 Posted July 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Quote from Leica M7 review and thoughts One of the strengths of a Leica, especially over digital and some other highly electronic cameras, is that they respond with instant reflexes. Shutter release is precise and there's virtually no lag. Eye, shutter finger and release act as one. But, Leica blew it on the M7 when the camera is set to Auto mode and the locking switch is first turned on. Here's what this is about. The last version of the M6, the current M6 TTL, has an OFF position on the shutter speed dial. This prevents the shutter release from accidentally depleting the meter battery, (such as when its pressed against whilst in a camera bag) . The M7 instead has an actual off switch located just to the front of the shutter release. This locks the shutter release as well as turning off all circuits. The problem is that when the camera is turned on with this switch, and the camera is set to the Auto position, there is a 2 second delay after turn-on during which the film ISO is displayed in the viewfinder and the shutter release is locked. What is this about? End Quote Yes I know another endless comparison thread but please just answer. Is this delay still there in current models ? Is it a pain in the rear regions in real life? Have you had an MP then gone M7 or vice versa over this ? I have an M8 and have been spoiled by the "A" . But my M6, with B/W software , is faster off the draw. I hoped the M7 was the answer. Deep down of course it would be an excuse to get an MP but let's not go there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Hi chris_livsey, Take a look here M7/mp. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
peter_n Posted July 17, 2008 Share #2 Posted July 17, 2008 Is this delay still there in current models ?Is it a pain in the rear regions in real life? Have you had an MP then gone M7 or vice versa over this ? AFAIK, yes. Absolutely not. Not over this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted July 17, 2008 Share #3 Posted July 17, 2008 Not sure there's any right answer. I guess some like the M7, some don't. FWIW, the M7 was my first Leica but sadly one that disappointed me. I use it very little; I've since bought an MP for film use and I find it's everything I wanted. My M7 is just too unreliable for me to be comfortable with it. Things that went wrong with mine: - light meter DX changed intermittently - manual ISO setting not respected by camera - shutter-release jamming mid-roll - sudden death, not fixable by new batteries or the dealer I'm on my third M7 body, the previous two having been replaced by Leica due to irreparable defects. With each replacement one fault was fixed but another manifested later. By contrast the MP is absolutely bullet proof - one of the most splendid cameras I've ever used. And very fast to use, far outshining the M7, for my needs at least. I'm sure there are rock solid M7s out there, but since I've had three now without joy, I'm disinclined to look for a fourth. It's possible that early M7s are a lot better; mine have been fairly recent serial numbers and perhaps suffering from manufacturing problems. Not sure my findings are likely to be that representative, but I can certainly throw my hat in the with MP rather than the M7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted July 17, 2008 AFAIK, yes.Absolutely not. Not over this. Succinct, for which thanks, but intriguing, "Not over this" - expand please - in one line Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted July 17, 2008 Not sure there's any right answer. I guess some like the M7, some don't. I'm on my third M7 body, . Now this is turning into an M8 thread I am tempted to buy both and try them then sell the "looser" but I am notoriously bad at selling anything Leica. Lack of willpower or perhaps common-sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted July 18, 2008 Share #6 Posted July 18, 2008 I have two M7's, both have Motor M's and both are rock solid so far. In terms of two seconds, do you turn your M7 OFF after you take a picture and then Turn ON when you want to take another picture? That's about the only way you could have a concern for the two seconds. When my M7's come out of my traveling bag, they are turned ON along with the Motor M's. Then there is absolutely NO delay when I want to take a picture. The M7 with Motor M is blazingly fast in AUTO compared to any other film M.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygsandhu Posted July 18, 2008 Share #7 Posted July 18, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) It becomes natural to turn it on as you bring it up from your hip to your eye. Also, it's easy enought to just leave it on. It's not a deal killer by any means. More time is wasted focussing. The time saved using aperture priority mode is much more significant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted July 18, 2008 Share #8 Posted July 18, 2008 Microscopic nitpicking. The M7 is wonderful camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 18, 2008 Share #9 Posted July 18, 2008 Succinct, for which thanks, but intriguing, "Not over this" - expand please - in one line Both of my M7s are perfect. But AE begets laziness, I've found my exposures are more accurate on average with an MP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted July 18, 2008 Share #10 Posted July 18, 2008 Microscopic nitpicking. The M7 is wonderful camera. Agree Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted July 18, 2008 Both of my M7s are perfect. But AE begets laziness, I've found my exposures are more accurate on average with an MP. That is interesting as with the variable electronic shutter the M7 should be more "accurate" (less "steps" in the exposure differences). Perhaps your intervention in tweaking the exposure on the MP gives the improvement ? The MP, the thinking mans M7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted July 18, 2008 Share #12 Posted July 18, 2008 That is interesting as with the variable electronic shutter the M7 should be more "accurate" (less "steps" in the exposure differences). Perhaps your intervention in tweaking the exposure on the MP gives the improvement ? The MP, the thinking mans M7 Well if you have an M7 but want to use it as an MP, just drop out of AE mode. Works very well. Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted July 18, 2008 Well if you have an M7 but want to use it as an MP, just drop out of AE mode.Works very well. Falstaff Indeed, point taken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted July 18, 2008 Share #14 Posted July 18, 2008 Indeed, point taken. Oops, I think I might have come across a little brusque, that was not my intention. The beauty of the M7 is that you have the best of both worlds, AE and manual. For me AE translates into speed rather than laziness - particularly in fast changing light. The DX issues are well known and you can source one with the non-mechanical reader or get it changed yourself. It should work well after that. However, irrespective of your choice, I have no doubt that either will give you pleasure. Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 19, 2008 Share #15 Posted July 19, 2008 just drop out of AE modeMy problem is that I stay in it more than I should then compound it by mostly ignoring those little numbers at the bottom of the VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 19, 2008 Share #16 Posted July 19, 2008 I doubt if the delay would cause any trouble in real life situations. On the topic of on/off switches, customs officers at the airport were puzzled when they inspected my friend's M4 and insisted he "switch it on". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted July 19, 2008 Share #17 Posted July 19, 2008 In terms of M7 and MP or other manual M camera of which I have M3 and M6 Classic, I really use the M7 like a Manual M but in AUTO by using the Shutter Lock feature of the M7. Depressing the shutter half way, LOCKS the exposure and I always look for a neutral gray to meter and then LOCK. Very rarely do I let the M7 just meter a scene because the meter is center weighted and if the sky is in the scene, them some underexposure may result. I guess using Nikon F with the Photomic meter system got me used to metering like this and it was an easy transfer to the M7. If one uses the M7 with a 21mm or so lens and just sets the aperature and the focus, then all one has to do is meter and shoot with the press of one button. Very fast and simple. My Nikon Fm3a has a little button that one must depress and hold for Shutter Lock, certainly not as easy as the M7!-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 19, 2008 Share #18 Posted July 19, 2008 I know I'm being picky, but the meter in the M6/7 is a 'fat spot' rather than centre weighted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbesz Posted July 20, 2008 Share #19 Posted July 20, 2008 I've had my M7 since 2002/2003, and bought the MP soon after they came out. I find the M7 slightly faster to capture a candid scene. Just leave the camera swithed on (AE) and all you need do is to focus, if that. The reason the success rate with the M7 is higher is because you don't have to worry about setting the exposure. The scene could be in shadow, or in bright light, -one thing less to worry about! I find the AE exposure is very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted July 20, 2008 Share #20 Posted July 20, 2008 I know I'm being picky, but the meter in the M6/7 is a 'fat spot' rather than centre weighted. Isn't this the same thing? Make the spot meter as big as the film and it becomes an average metering. Or make it smaller and it becomes center weighted Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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