M7 as a second body?

[anam_alpenia]

Does it make sense to get the m7 as a second body. I do need

to start carrying Ektachrome, so must have alternate. Might use

aperture priority from time to time, but don't know how much,

since I don't use it now. Or M6 Classic and another lense and

plenty of film. How many of you HAVE the M7 and what is your

experience vis-a-vis the M6 TTL? Thanks for your feedback.

 

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Anam

[eliot]

Anam. American dealers do not yet have the camera in stock, so I

don't have one. There seem to be a few available in Europe and the

Orient, since I have seen them for auction on eBay by Dutch, German,

and Hong Kong dealers.

[john_collier5]

It seems there will be a major finder update of the M7 for

Photokina so I would wait until then at least. It is supposed to

finally (?) solve the viewfinder flare issue.

[eliot]

John. Can you tell us what you are referring to? I thought Leica

had addressed the VF flare issue (a problem that I have never

experienced myself) in the M7 by multi-coating the VF window. Are

they planning on another change to further address the problem beyond

that?

[giles_poilu]

I can't understand why people are willing to bid close on $3000 for

a "new" M7 on Ebay when they can be ordered from official dealers in

the UK with worldwide passport and next day delivery for around $2400

(no VAT overseas).

[giles_poilu]

<a href="http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?

MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=leica+m7

">Here are some Ebay M7's and more people jumping on the soft release

bandwagon!</a>

[anam_alpenia]

Well, my "dealer" can have it to me in 2 weeks for about $2150,

but I am torn......Maybe some internationals will give some user

feedback.

[sheridan]

Hello Anam. There is a noteable price difference for M7 here..$3,000

down to $2,150 (I doubt there would already be a grey model.) Without

doubting the large amount of R and D on the M7 I would be interested

to know the relative production cost of M7 versus M6? ..Dearer, the

same or maybe even cheaper? Regards.

[anam_alpenia]

Sheridan,

 

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Can not answer the production cost questions. However, with

the strong dollar we will see less expensive "imports" as soon

as they hit the market in HK, etc.

[lucien1]

I have mine since March 1rst.

 

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As I already sayed here, it's a real Leica, and in use it's like a

M6TTL, but faster.

[tim_franklin]

When I got to play with one at Classic Camera during the week I

found the AE lock a bit disconcerting. The release ain't as

smooth as the 6, let alone the earlier models. That said, the 7 is

in the M tradition though for me it could never replace the

mechanical bodies, just supplement them.

[alfie wang]

I use a M3 body and Bessa-R as backup bodies. The Bessa-T is more for

amusement I think but I would stick to the M7 as the first camera not

a backup body! :)

[jon_chu]

Here in Hong Kong,the offical list price for M7 0.72 black is HK$

22,000.00 (one U.S $=HK$ 7.80).The actual selling price is

HK$18,800.00 from the Leica offical dealers.However most of the stock

have been sucked up by our wealthy neigbors from Mainland China.

[jerry_pfile]

John,

 

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I'd wait not only for the finder update, but for them to engrave the

top plate with the Leica script. (and maybe even the serial # as in

days of old.)

 

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When the initial rush dies down in a year or so, it would probably be

the next marketing move to push sales. Wouldn't be much of a task

with the CNC equipment of today. While they're at it, drop

the "Leica Camera-Made in Germany" on the back.

 

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I have no dubt they'll do that for the special editions that are sure

to come, but it would be nice to do it on run of the mill production.

 

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At almost 60 I've probably got only one new one in my future and want

to make it worthwhile.

 

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Best,

 

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Jerry

[msitaraman]

I thought I might as well add to this thread.

 

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I checked out a M7 (black .72) at the store. Some quick impressions.

 

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1. The camera dimensions are identical to the M6, of course.

2. The black finish seems more matt black than the M6.

3. The viewfinder is defintely more contrasty. I couldn't test it for

flare resistance though.

4. The exposure compensation/DX coding ISO wheel is raised noticeably

more than the M6. Somehow, it looks tacked on/more crude. Ergonomics

of turning the wheel with your thumb are not very good.

5. The shutter is definitely quieter or at least, lower pitched in

sound.

[msitaraman]

Oh, one more thing. Asking (street) price is

 

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US$ 1910 !