M7 NON FLARE VF

[imran_ahmed]

I know this question has been asked but I acnnot get hold of the

relevant thread. I would like to know from which approx. serial no

the new 'non flare' VF/RF's were installed in M7s

 

 

thanks

[didier]

look here :

 

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006D27

 

 

Cheers

 

Didier

[gerard_captijn]

The new non flare rangefinder was installed in the M7 starting with no. 2.885.000.

[jay_.]

A few threads down people are claiming, and these are people who usually know what they're talking about, that there are M7's above that serial # with the older finder.

[watts]

FWIW I have an M7 in the 2887*** serial number range and it

almost certainly does have the 'non flare' finder. Compared with

my M6TTL's, the M7 in the same flare inducing lighting shows a

vast improvement. If I try really hard I can get the M7 patch to flare

slightly at the edge but there is no complete white-out like I can

achieve all too easily with either of my M6TTL's.

[jay_.]

<<If I try really hard I can get the M7 patch to flare slightly at the edge but there is no complete white-out>>

 

I was flagellated for making a similar statement.

[michael_hintlian1]

Gerard...excuse me, but where did you get that information???

 

My M7 is serial number 285XXXX and it has the improved finder.

 

Good negatives,

 

MH

[Bill Blackwell Images]

Imran:

 

You're just not going to get a straight answer on this one, because nobody knows. There seems to be good information out there that Leica continued to intermittently use the old stock after the new finders (with the condenser added) were released by way of closing them out. One thing�s for certain: the new non-flair finder was not available until after 2880xxx when the MP was released, so any number prior with the new finder has to be an upgrade. Some here have convincingly provided information indicating the M7 finders were upgraded from 2885xxx. Others have reported to have cameras with numbers higher than 2885xxx with the old finder. This would seem to bear out my assertion that old finders were being used up in higher numbered cameras.

 

Remember, the M7 was released with coated glass in the windows, which was intended to minimize glare compared to the M6TTL finder (which never had coated windows). What I�m saying here is just because someone might assume they have the new finder, this might not actually be the case.

[gerard_captijn]

The information that the new non-flare finder (or rather: the diminished flare finder) was installed in the M7's starting with no. 2.885.000 came directly from Leica Switzerland, in writing.

[russell_brooks]

Yes, I got the same # from Leica Switzlerland. Actually it was written by the same Leica employee who told me in 2002 that there was no flare issue as far as Leica was concerned and that there was no solution in the works and denied all the rumors. A few months later the MP came out. FWIW.

[bob soltis]

Let's hope the M7 i'm buying at Saturday's Leica Day @ Bob Davis Camera in La Jolla has the nonflare viewfinder. ;)

 

Thanks for the info, gentlemen.

 

regards,

[michael_hintlian1]

Russell and Gerard...Interesting, Leica in New Jersey states in writing that serial

number 285XXXX also includes the "improved" MP style finder.

 

Its crazy-making.

 

MH

[Bill Blackwell Images]

Michael:

 

Perhaps there is a record of your camera being upgraded or maybe the number on your camera was produced out of order. In any case, a Leica technician should be able to tell you for sure if you have the new finder without taking it apart. Personally, I would want to know for sure. After some recent personal experiences with Leica, I don�t have that warm and fuzzy feeling just because they tell me something is or isn�t.

[Bill Blackwell Images]

This is a test...