Leica's Most Advanced Film Rangefinder: The Leica M7
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- Опубликовано: 1 май 2022
- Ever been curious about the electronic M7, Leica's only film rangefinder with DX coding and aperture priority mode? Me too! So I did a thing, traded a ton of gear, and got one. Here is a short review, loading film, and photos taken with the Leica M7 since I got it.
Edit: there’s an editing error around 11 minutes in. My 2 year old woke up from his nap and I got do straight. Sorry all!
Shout out to Cardinal Camera for the trade. cardinalcameraused.com/
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Thanks for posting this. I like the M7. More than once, I put new film in my M6 and forgot to change the ISO/ASA dial. Oops! I think these are the ultimate iteration of the Leica film camera. I have an M11, now. But I still shoot some film in the old Leicas; they are great cameras.
Thanks for the review, its always good to see the attributes of this fine camera brought out. I bought one from Tamarkin Camera in Chicago in late 2017. Before purchase I was a little worried by those espousing the doom and gloom "what if the electrics die" baloney. However I decided to buy the camera for two reasons. I wanted another M camera - one to take with me when my wife or another person is along, as for me, the internal meter makes it faster to use. The other reason - this is a wonderful photographic tool that should not be destined to be never used by anyone as it "might" break!!! Well I have used this camera for nearly five years and have not had a single problem with it - but derived much pleasure, and images I love. I also like the near spot meter you mentioned as I can quickly meter for the area I want, hold the shutter release down, go back to the composition I want and release - love it!! An added surprise - it is worth as much more now than I paid for it.
I’m definitely enjoying mine! Everything breaks eventually, be it manual or electronic. Might as well get the one you enjoy using!
Greetings, I agree with Pete - sorry that I sold my M7. But I sold it in order to raise money to purchase my M3 Black Paint and my 50mm f2 DR. Also in Black Paint. But after watching your video two things happened. First, I subscribed to your channel. Second, I’d actually like to find another M7 for the Auto convenience. Thank you and continued happiness and success to you and yours. Chaps
Never a wrong choice to trade a leica to get a leica! Enjoy it in good health and good luck with the hunt for another m7!
Nice rundown of the camera. I would only mention that in other older leica bodies (at least I can testify for the M4) the quickloading mechanism is also suppose to be trusted to engage automatically with the film.
Nice! That could explain why I would sometimes misload my m6 ttl when I had it
Nice breakdown, and great shots!
Thank you!
I’ve had my 0.58 since about 2005. I love it and it’s way better than my previous m6ttl. Love the A mode for street shooting, it’s very accurate too. I just don’t understand why it’s not loved that much, it’s the best film camera to my opinion. Shot tons of rolls
Me too, since it was introduced, 0.58 in chrome. My favourite M and I’ve owned and shot them all, starting with the M3. Still can’t give up film.
Good presentation. Getting the correct exposure on an M6 Classic is no problem with the two arrows. Instead of looking for the red dot you look for equal brightness in the two arrows.
Nice to hear that you are getting better and better in your other video, I am a project manager from Beijing and just started with Leica 5 years ago and still don't shoot much, but I just bought MP & M7 this month and an M6, M3, 3f about 5 years ago, I really love these crafts just like the art, comparing with my Nikon FM3a and F3T, I would rather use Nikon for job case, and use Leica for totally my own fun cases.
Definitely a different and complimentary experience!
This is a great review and you make a good argument for the M7., especially at a time when all the talk has been about the M6.
Thanks! Just got back from the Maine Coast with the M7, M240, and a Rolleiflex 3.5F
@@Awasos21 That sounds so enviable! Will look out for more posts!
Just need some time to get through the busy season of portraits and weddings haha
Great video mate. Always wanted to try this. Currently shooting my m4 and m8.2
Both great options! I used an m8 for years
@@Awasos21 Thanks mate. Yes the M7 will be something I want to try sometime. I just dropped a new video using my M8.2 last week in france.
@@Awasos21 ruclips.net/video/g30wJkT_Jzc/видео.html
Sold my M7 to get the Leica MP I should have bought in 2003. Great decision. My two problems with the M7 was first, it was a chrome body. Long story on that. The second reason is the electronic shutter and repair and parts for same. If the electronic fail, you're limited to two manual shutter speeds.
I’ve had shutter failures in my manual M’s as well. I think it’s been made to be a larger problem than it is. I just carry extra batteries and a spare battery door
Not a problem when you always have an M2 and M5 always with you!
Great video. I have an M7. Thank you. RS. Canada
Thanks for watching!
The M7 rocks!
Thank you for the Video! I always wanted one but i could never justify the expense, $2,599 in 2004!!!! I ended up paying over 4k 2 years ago 😵💫, but I did find a very minty body so Ill live.
It could be my camera for life. I stay with my m4
Great vid thanks. Don’t know if it’s good value or take better photos than my A1 but I still want one!
The fd lenses are a bargain for what they are! I find a camera only takes better photos if it inspires you to use it. A rangefinder is a very different system than an slr. I’d definitely suggest trying before buying, or buying an m2/3 first to see if you like it before dropping the money for an m7.
Heya! Thanks for the breakdown here but is it with a 0.72 or a 0.85 magnifier?
Mine has the 0.72 magnifier. I previously owned a 0.85 mag. Honestly I prefer a .72 with a 1.25 magnifier when using longer lenses. Best of both worlds!
Thnk you. Can you tell me if the 0.85 shows also the 28mm frame lines?
Cheers, Eric
It doesn’t. .85 only shows 35mm and above, and the 35mm are very hard to see
What do you mean by hard to see?
The 35mm lines are at the very edge of the frame, similar to 28mm lines on a .72 viewfinder. If you wear glasses, expect to have to visualize the framelines in your head
Only complaints are the flimsy battery cover and the short eye relief in the eyepiece. Else I enjoy the camera very much.
Yeah, the eye relief is pretty much any leica rangefinder besides the m10 and m11. The zeiss ikon was decent in that regard iirc.
I have the .58 viewfinder model and the eye relief is much better when wearing eye glasses, the full 28mm frame
Iines are visible. I use a small piece of black gaffer tape over the battery cover. I have an M3, M4, M5 and M6 TTL, but prefer the M7 most of the time.
how is it in low light situautions , Could you still see the rf patch?
Pretty easy! Better than the m6 .85 that I had. That would flare out a lot in contrasty light.
what did you trade for the m7 if you dont mind me asking?
I honestly don’t remember at this point. It was like a 20 lb box of gear, lol
My only complaint is the battery cap is made of plastic
I bought a spare from Popflash out in California just for that reason!
Prefer the Bessa R2A over this. Can’t see why this would be more advanced or better?
Everyone has a preference for sure! I said Leica’s most advanced film rangefinder, not the most advanced in the world. I’d probably give that nod to the Zeiss Ikon, which is pretty similar to your Bessa (both made by Cosina if I remember correctly).
The Leica is quieter and is simply better made than any of the bessa’s that I’ve handled over the years. Better quality materials. Not saying the bessa is poorly built, just that the Leica is overbuilt.
The leica also lines up better when changing between it and my digital leicas. Just easier to switch and feel like I’m still in the same experience. Minor but important while working.
regret I sold mine 10 years ago.
I felt the same way regarding the m6 ttl that I sold in 2016! I thought the M7 was the better way to go for replacing it.
I’m not sure, that the m7 ist most wanted, definitely a perfect camera, but in Germany is the m6 the top Leica film camera.
I didn’t say it was the most wanted, just the most advanced. It’s a bit divisive because of the electronic portion. The m6 still costs less than an m7, so it must be valued by many for it however.
Cardinal is not the best place to sell or buy from in my experience. I only sell my leica gear to Tamarkin - they always give the top dollar for my leica gear over all others.
We all have different experiences! Not sponsored by them, I’ve just had good experiences with Tyler. Prices on traded in gear usually exceeds expectations (way better than some of the other usual suspects), and any time I have had an issue with condition or operation, he’s willing to make it right.
Tamarkin is another shop I’ve only heard good things about. I’ve never had the pleasure to buy from them however.
Unfortunately, based on my experiences, Leica is great in mechanics, but a disaster in electronics. When they break down, they really break down. Too often beyond repair. Many sensors of the newer digital versions had to be replaced. First for free, but later at your cost. My electronic shutters failed and were simply sent back. Beyond repair. I now only have an MP and it’s up to me to make use of the light meter. Fully mechanic. The shutter should go to 1/1000. But few people know that means 1/700 to 1/800. And still only flash at 1/50, much too long for outdoor fill-in. A wonderful camera for general purposes. A mechanical miracle. Just as my Rolleiflex. But don’t expect anything fancy.
The digital age had birthing pains for sure. Any digital M after the M9 has been great for me.