HERE IT IS: Erwin's Leica M7 essay!

I posted Erwin's opus directly on my website forum at www.stevehoffman.tv

<p>

Just click on this below link for full article, with pictures!

<p>

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=19648#post19648

Arggh. No, paste this in for the article:

<p>

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1993

Or click <a href="http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?

s=&threadid=1993

">here</a>.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for that great article. Do you think we should still wait for

kinks to be ironed out before we take the M7 plunge?

Well, I hate to be a fence sitter, but some folks argue yes, and some

say no.

<p>

I will reserve judgement until I can play with one for a little

while. I don't really need AP, so for me it's not crucial.

<p>

I would wait for a little while to get some actual user reviews.

Well, Erwin certainly knows his stuff! A very comprehensive account

indeed, I must agree with Putt's comments on the top speed of 1/1000 -

this really is fast enough for any camera. Regarding battery

dependancy - this shows IMO that Leica MUST continue with the truly

mechanical M6 line.

<p>

I would take issue with the "spontaneous and carefree" line, those of

us with meterless M2/3/4/-2/P's have been working this way for years!

<p>

Now we have the real spec. - at last again I feel Leica must be

congratulated - they have incorporated AE and the required additional

features seamlessly and perfectly into the classic M body (and a good

old brass top plate too!) as Putts says without any other silly

features as demanded by various people being included.

<p>

Well done Leica.

From the article:

<p>

<b> The Bessa, while delivering the goods for a surprisingly low

price, lacks character. </b>

<p>

This is the real summary of a well written press release as

apposed to an evaluation.

<p>

How much is character worth to you? ;o)))

<p>

Art

Art, I havent't read the article yet. However, to answer your

question, I'll just say that for some of us "character" is priceless!

So, does anyone know when is the M7 will be out for sale? How much

$$$? Thanks!

Ken:

<p>

Let me make one thing perfectly clear [who said that?]. I have a

bit of Leica equipment. I have been using their equipment since

1960. I love their lenses.

<p>

I was talking about the article. Read in a certain way it could be

considered satire. Whoa; why you don't need a shutter speed

over 1/1000.

<p>

I just think that the article was not only poor but silly.

<p>

nuff said. ;o)))

<p>

Art

Someone on my www.stevehoffman.tv site who read Erwin's report has a

question:

<p>

"This all made sense (I used to sell Leicas in the 70s) except for

the High Speed Synchronization capability. How does the strobe

provide constant illumination during the entire 1/48 second when the

shutter curtains are traveling across the file plane?"

<p>

Thanks!

Erwin's opus is very impressive and will undoubtedly sway me

towards an early purchase.

> How does the strobe provide constant illumination during the entire 1/48 second when the shutter curtains are traveling across the file plane?"

<p>

Several flash during travel, like in Canon, Olympus, Nikon systems.

Start quote: "The new Leica M7: one step closer to perfection.

<p>

By Erwin Puts" End quote

<p>

I don't think so! Now I really believe Erwin is on the payroll. I sent

him an email the other day for some advise. He replied in 5

words. No matter how busy he is or what the question was, I

think that five words is an insult and I would have been happier if

he hadn't replied. ......well at least he did?!??

> How does the strobe provide constant illumination during the

entire 1/48 second when the shutter curtains are traveling

across the file plane?"

<p>

Obviously 1/48th (or 1/50th if you prefer) is the fastest speed

when the entire frame area is uncovered during the passage of

the curtains. Accept no other answer!

<p>

For the high speed sync, the strobe answer given above is

correct.

<p>

BTW, with the welcome return of a brass top plate does this

mean that black paint will also return? Let us hope so.

What are Leica doing with their money? If they don't release any

new decent lenses i'll be dissapointed. With today's technology

advancing at such an alarming rate it seems that leica is truly

living in the 80's. I think that if Leica can't do it properly, don't do it

at all.

<p>

All Erwin's article details are excuses for Leica's inability to fulfill

the wishes of the Leica market. Sure it took Nikon a few years to

make the FM3a, but they did it. And I am sure that if they couldn't

work it out they wouldn't have released a half-dud camera like

the M7. I personally had enough of hoping for a decent update to

the M6. This has actually made me feel more appreciative now.

If the M7 is priced higher than the M6, it will be a joke. If Leica

discontinues the M6, it will be a marketing descision regretted

for the little time that Leica will have left.

<p>

They should have just badged a Hexar and called it their own.

Kristian,

<p>

What do you know about the the wishes of the Leica market ?

<p>

Speek for yourself, please.

"If they don't release any new decent lenses i'll be dissapointed."

<p>

?? Kristian, where have you been for the past 10 years. Here is the

list of new lenses (M only) Leica has released, not even including

the new R lenses. I'm only including lenses w/ new optical formulas.

35/1.4 Aspherical

35/1.4 ASPH (slightly different design)

50/2.8 collapsible

35/2.0 ASPH

24/2.8 ASPH

21/2.8 ASPH

135/3.4 Apo-Telyt

28-35-50 Tri-Elmar ASPH

90/2.0 Apo-ASPH

[you can also count the 50/3.5 Anastigmat with the 0-series]

<p>

This is a pretty good record from a small company with limited R & D

resources. If you need more new lenses, you'll have to go to Nikon

or Canon. But give credit where credit is due. Your comment doesn't

make sense to me.

it wasn't clear how exposure compensation is implemented. it sounded

as if the film speed dial also serves as a compensation control of +/-

2 stops in 1/3 increments? it seems a slow implementation without

some form of indication in the viewfinder. this is the beauty of

Canon's thumbwheel on the back. wondering?

I left out two other new lenses in the last 10 years: 28/2.8 Elmarit

and 28/2.0 Summicron-ASPH. Kristian you do NOT speak for me and I

suspect most other users of this forum with your comments.

Kristian

"If they don't release any new decent lenses i'll be dissapointed."

This makes you sound like Leica don't make any decent lenses for the

M. What on earth do you think we need that would help Leica catch up

with other manufacturers?

Here.

<p>

<img

src="http://www.photim.net/nci/image.php3?Code=20020224174136Lucien&O=0

">

"If the M7 is priced higher than the M6, it will be a joke."

<p>

Dealers are taking orders for about $2400 US.

<p>

"They should have just badged a Hexar and called it their own."

<p>

Got that right.

> it wasn't clear how exposure compensation is implemented. it sounded as if the film speed dial also serves as a compensation control of +/- 2 stops in 1/3 increments?

<p>

> it seems a slow implementation without some form of indication in the viewfinder.

<p>

There is a reminder in the finder.

<img

src="http://www.photim.net/nci/image.php3?Code=20020219162250Lucien&O=2

9">