Shootist Posted July 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am the owner of a fairly new M7 and I'm wondering is there any way to tell if it has the newer DX reader or if it's the older style that may fail. And is there any place I can check the serial # agianst date/year/batch of manufacture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Hi Shootist, Take a look here M7 DX reader. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2009 Non-scientific test: does the fully rewound film cartridge virtually fall out when you want to change it? If yes you have the optical (latest) DX reader. If it takes some efforts you have the electro/mechanic reader whose gold plated contacts hold onto the cartridge. SN dont help much as Solms retrofitted a lot on foc basis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dankster Posted July 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2009 damn. the film is really hard to get out of mine m7 AND sometimes my DX shows ISO 40 when i turn it on (with 160 film in). is there any way to upgrade or fix this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted July 8, 2009 damn. the film is really hard to get out of mine m7 AND sometimes my DX shows ISO 40 when i turn it on (with 160 film in). is there any way to upgrade or fix this? From what I have heard Leica is replacing the reader free of charge because the first type is faulty. My question was to try and find out if I have the old style/type reader so I could send it in ASAP to be updated. I haven't finished the first roll of film yet but I will tomorrow. Well I took the roll of film out and took this image. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! There seems to be a row of pins of some type that are spring loaded, IE they depress if you put your finger on them. The film is not hard to get out but it doesn't just fall out when the camera is turned right side up. Can anyone tell if what is shown in the image the older style/type or the newer. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! There seems to be a row of pins of some type that are spring loaded, IE they depress if you put your finger on them. The film is not hard to get out but it doesn't just fall out when the camera is turned right side up. Can anyone tell if what is shown in the image the older style/type or the newer. Thanks ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/90127-m7-dx-reader/?do=findComment&comment=956165'>More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2009 that would be the old type. The new type has no forced (spring loaded) contact to the cartridge thus the cartidge falls out like with the MP or M6 and older versions. I will post the new type a bit later. @ dangster: please contact Solms directly by email for replacement. I just had mine replaced foc as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 8, 2009 This is the optical DX reader Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! you find some further information here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/1204-help-w-m7-iso-please.html and here:http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/52925-querying-reliability-m7-optical-dx.html Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! you find some further information here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/1204-help-w-m7-iso-please.html and here:http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/52925-querying-reliability-m7-optical-dx.html ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/90127-m7-dx-reader/?do=findComment&comment=956197'>More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mine was replaced free of charge in January. They send you a new baseplate, with the required additional washer too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted July 8, 2009 Do I have to wait until it fails before sending it in or will they do it at anytime. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 8, 2009 I sent one of mine in before even holding it in my hands, thus not knowing if it would exhibit DX reading issues or not. The serial numbers of my retrofitted M7 were by the way were 288... & 294... Again my recommendation: communicate with the nice folks at the CS in Solms directly before you send in you camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted July 8, 2009 Thanks for all the replies and the picture, it does tell 1000 words. The camera is boxed and ready for shipment to NJ service with letter included. Just waiting for my UPS guy to show up. The serial number of this M7 starts with 285. Is there any other updates to the M7 that should be performed while it in NJ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 8, 2009 You are welcome ;-) The other thing is the so called MP view finder. The easiest way to find out is the orange coloured sticker on the case. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Opinions differ as of which SN the MP view finder was installed. 2885000 or 2850000. But: quite a number of M7 were retrofitted with the MP view finder under the same scheme as for the DX reader. Either you ask the CS in Solms who can look your serial up or you could hold yours in such a way that a lamp reflects in the view finder. If it is the new one you should see a pinkish and a violet reflection. This "test" is however not approved and while you are sending in yours any way just mention it. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Opinions differ as of which SN the MP view finder was installed. 2885000 or 2850000. But: quite a number of M7 were retrofitted with the MP view finder under the same scheme as for the DX reader. Either you ask the CS in Solms who can look your serial up or you could hold yours in such a way that a lamp reflects in the view finder. If it is the new one you should see a pinkish and a violet reflection. This "test" is however not approved and while you are sending in yours any way just mention it. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/90127-m7-dx-reader/?do=findComment&comment=956417'>More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted July 8, 2009 Sadly I don't have a box, paperwork or packing of any type. This camera was bought used and only came with the camera, body cap and strap. I think the MP finder is a cost repair/replacement and from my minimal usage the VF/RF seems fine to me. I'm not looking to invest anymore money into this camera. But since the DX reader is a FOC update/repair I'm having that done. Along with a general going over and I've asked to have any other updates done to bring it into current specs. I'll just have to wait (and wait and wait) to get the invoice for any repair Leica seems to think it needs and what the cost will be on them. Oh by the way this M7 has the .85x viewfinder which I like a lot. I rarely use anthing wider then a 35mm on film, been shooting M2's, 3's & 4-x's, and if I do I'm not that overly concerned with real accurate framing. And I have found that if I use the whole VF I can get close with a 28mm lens. Not sure if the original M7's were offered with the .85x viewfinder so it may already have the MP finder in it. You are welcome ;-) The other thing is the so called MP view finder. The easiest way to find out is the orange coloured sticker on the case. [ATTACH]151089[/ATTACH] Opinions differ as of which SN the MP view finder was installed. 2885000 or 2850000. But: quite a number of M7 were retrofitted with the MP view finder under the same scheme as for the DX reader. Either you ask the CS in Solms who can look your serial up or you could hold yours in such a way that a lamp reflects in the view finder. If it is the new one you should see a pinkish and a violet reflection. This "test" is however not approved and while you are sending in yours any way just mention it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 8, 2009 Share #13 Posted July 8, 2009 The MP viewfinder upgrade, if yours hasn't had it done already, is not free of charge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #14 Posted July 8, 2009 The MP viewfinder upgrade, if yours hasn't had it done already, is not free of charge. Asking the CS doesn't harm, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted July 8, 2009 The MP viewfinder upgrade, if yours hasn't had it done already, is not free of charge. Yes I kind of figured that. Asking the CS doesn't harm, though. No there isn't but I'm not going for that update/grade. Is there any other way of telling what finder is in it. Your answers will no not really. Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakewood Posted July 8, 2009 Share #16 Posted July 8, 2009 Is there any other way of telling what finder is in it. Your answers will no not really. Thanks again. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/search.php?searchid=973460&photoplog_searchinfo=1&photoplog_searchquery=m7+viewfinder+mp & leica m7 viewfinder mp - Google-Suche & Tel.: +49 (0)6442-208/189 Fax: +49 (0)6442-208/339 Customer.Service@Leica-Camera.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted July 8, 2009 Share #17 Posted July 8, 2009 I have an aftermarket upgraded M7, both optical DX reader and MP finder. While the optical DX reader is really good, I am not that convinced about the MP finder. Flare (white-out of the RF patch) doesn`t happen with this finder but the contrast of the RF is noticable lower compared to my M4-P and the 90mm frame-lines are difficult to see in dim light. I am thinking of sending my M7 to Leica and have the MP upgrade removed.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted July 14, 2009 Update on this. I sent the camera off on Wednesday and UPS was supposed to deliver it on Friday. On Friday it was listed as "Out For Delivery" and never delivered. It then played package pinball bouncing around 3 different cities in NJ over the weekend. Finally ending up in Saddle Brook NJ and delivered on Monday. I had emailed Leica service because by mistake I left my +1 diopter screwed into the eye piece and ask to please have it returned to me with the camera when the update/grade was done. I also called yesterday and left my cell number on Sarah's voice mail asking her to call back. No call back yesterday. So I called again this morning and got through to her. She said she had called a couple of times but there was no answer or voice mail on the number she called. That is because no matter what I do Leica service always calls my home phone which doesn't have a answering machine and that I never answer during the daytime because I'm at work. They never call my cell phone no matter how many times I tell them to and give them the number. Well the camera has to go to Germany for the update and I won't see it in the near future. But hopefully Leica Solms will go over it and do any adjustment that may be needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 15, 2009 Share #19 Posted July 15, 2009 It shouldn't take too long. My M7 went to Solms for the new reader at the end of last year and they did a fantastic job on it. As I recall the total turnaround time was 5 weeks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted July 15, 2009 Share #20 Posted July 15, 2009 oooohhhh ... this is great news. My M7 has the same mechanical linkage and to be honest is a PIA to get film out of. I obviously lack the required touch and dexterity! Does anyone know how reasonable the MP viewfinder and a full CLA might cost? I'll call Leica anyways but if anyone's done this recently through NJ it would be great to know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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