I am poised to buy my first Leica M.

When is the "M7" release day, does anyone know??

How long after that date will I be able to see one.

I am ready to buy a .72 LHSA today, but think maybe I should wait another 10 days to see the new body

Any thoughts. Jesse

-- Jesse Kramer (Jesskramer@aol.com), February 10, 2002

Answers

If the new camera is announced at the up-coming show as rumored, it's anybody's guess when they will be ready to ship out, and when you will actuallybe able to buy one. I've heard places are taking deposits already. I wouldn't expect to see them readily available to late Spring at the earliest, based on past leica experience. You may want to also wait and see if there are some initial problems that need to be sorted out. Like Microsoft, Leica sometimes brings new products to market that still have a few bugs in them. I personally do not like being a quality controll person unless I'm being paid for it.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 10, 2002.

If it is called an M7 (may be M6ttl.something), it's anyone's guess when regular production versions will be available. Most Leica fans will remember their history of long delays between announcement at PMA or other exhibition and the actual availability of items such as the 35/1.4 Summilux aspherical (lst version) (> 1 year), the 90/2.0 apo-Summicron-M ASPH, the R8 motor, and various other items.

Moreover, when a new camera/lens/accessory comes out, the prices are always initially higher and then come down (this besides the fact that as Andy says, early versions often - but not always - have bugs that Leica works out after hearing from users).

I think if you are really ready to buy a Leica M, you might consider not waiting for this item, since it might be a while. You can always acquire it or trade for it later, if you like.

I don't know if the new M - whatever it is - will be offered in a black paint finish., as the LHSA and Millenium versions. These special finishes in new cameras are not my cup of tea (I prefer the original black paint Ms (eg., M2, M3, M4), since they were actually used, by photojournalists. But if that's your cup of tea, go for it.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 10, 2002.

This is from Erwin Put's latest Newsletter....

"You have not heard from me since some time. I am not ill, but just very busy. I am preparing several reports on new products that Leica will introduce at the PMA. The embargo date is 24 February and I am respecting the agreement that no information will be made available before that date. As the new products require lengthy study and analysis, I am investing most of my time to the reports. So I hope you will have the patience to wait for a few weeks and be informed fully then."

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), February 10, 2002.

How can I get Erwin's newsletter?

-- David Enzel (dhenzel@vei.net), February 10, 2002.

To subscribe to Erwin's Newsletter send an e-mail to majordomo@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us saying only subscribe APEMC in the body of the message.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), February 10, 2002.

Bud, Thanks for the info about the subscription. I followed your instructions and it worked instantly. Igor

-- Igor Osatuke (visionstudios@yahoo.com), February 11, 2002.

Leica says they will release publicity on the M7 after February 24. Not long to go!

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), February 14, 2002.