Leica will release publicity on the M7 after February 24. That's just over a week! Exciting, isn't it? Based on info so far (aperture priority auto being the main change), is anyone tempted?

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

Answers

Yawwwwn... Given what I've heard about it...

;-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 14, 2002.

Another M7 thread!!! This time I can't resist chipping in. I need more information before I could say whether I'd be interested in it:

Will the metering pattern be the same in manual and AE mode?

Will there be an exposure lock capability in AE mode, so you can meter from one part of the scene and then recompose without changing the exposure?

Will shutter speed be continuously variable (stepless) in AE mode, as it should be, or will only the manually selectable speeds be supported?

Will we the selected shutter speed be visible in the viewfinder in AE mode?

Will be the maximum flash sych. shutter speed be higher than the 1/50 sec. on current Ms?

Will the camera automatically select the highest flash synch. speed in AE mode if used with SCA 3000 compatible flash in TTL mode (as with the R8)?

What mechanical back-up shutter speeds will be available?

Will the current Motor-M be compatible with the M7?

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), February 14, 2002.

Ray: Some rampant speculation for you, and also some things I've seen from multiple sources that seem pretty reliable and make sense given Leica's engineering style.

metering pattern: Should be the same in any 'mode' - unless they figure out how to repaint the shutter curtain every time you switch from auto to manual. I hope for a slightly less-center-weighted design (bigger circle) - it works better for point and shoot AE. My guess, though, is exact same pattern as M6 so they can use the same curtains.

exposure lock capability: As someone here pointed out - the M6TTL already HAS exposure lock - there's a point between 'meter on' and 'shutter release' where the shutter button locks the LEDs even if you recompose to different light - an artifact from using R8-compatible circuitry in the TTL.

stepless shutter speeds: should have them - the mechanical shutter already is mostly stepless- and it's even easier to do with an electromagnetic shutter than with clockwork.

shutter speed in viewfinder: Ahhh! excellent question. My theory is a 4-digit LED readout at bottom between the >o< arrows and the flash signal. Seems like they'd have to have SOMETHING in the viewfinder. And they've already got the gap in the 28/35 framelines. And easier to see than the Hexar RFs 'ladder' down the left side. But also a battery- eater. I'd expect "1/2 stop" shutter speed readout even with a stepless shutter 60-90-125-180-250-350-500 etc.

maximum flash sync. shutter speed: I've heard both 'the same 1/50th" and "between 1/60 and 1/125 - 1/90 or 1/100"

automatically select flash sync. speed in AE mode? No clue. I hope not.

mechanical back-up speeds. Either 1/90 or 1/100, or BOTH 1/60 and 1/125 - sources vary.

Motor-M-compatible? Well, as compatable as it is with ANY Leica-M - i.e. not very.

Of course, I could be wrong. As Heinlein said about the question of Life after death, "Why worry. We'll all find out soon enough." I.E. Feb 23.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), February 15, 2002.

From a for sale posting on the Leica-Users:

The Photo Village, Inc. 594 Broadway, Suite #410 in SoHo, NYC... Just two blocks south of the Leica Gallery.

Please call (646) 613-1107 or email.

-------------------- NEW PRODUCTS:

Leica M7 .72 black (#10503) or silver (#10504), (taking orders starting next week,) New, USA $2350

21-35f3.5-4.0 R ROM lens, (#11274) could be the most popular R zoom yet, New, USA $1895 (now taking $200 deposit)

8+12 x42 BN Duovid, new dual range binoculars, two powers, compact case, New, USA $1395 (now taking $200 deposit)

Delivery estimated for early May at soonest. M7's with other viewfinders available later...

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 15, 2002.

Leica M7 .72 black (#10503) or silver (#10504), (taking orders starting next week,) New, USA $2350

OUCH!!!!

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

My question about the M7: Will it still have the "right now" shutter release of the mechanical Ms?

Most electronic shutters seem to have a built-in hesitation - but then all previous electronic shutters have been in SLRs, or in the Contax G or Hexar RF, which have double shutters for light-tightness. Some of the delay may be attributable to moving that extra hardware out of the way.

Since the M7 (so they say) will still have horizontal rubber/cloth curtains it may still have that quick-as-a-bunny release - or not.

This will have to wait until I can actually fire one myself.

On the upside - under $2000 for a 21-35 zoom (??!!) That covers about $6000 worth of prime lenses (if you count the old 21 f/4 or the 19).

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), February 15, 2002.

I can't see why anybody would be interested in this turkey of a camera when the Hexar RF is available for around $1000.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 15, 2002.

Just don't know until we see it in the metal. Stephen Gandy has a fairly comprehensive spec list at www.cameraquest.com (look under M profiles). Another source suggests the shutter release will have a longer "throw" - presumably meaning it won't be quite as direct, in order to activate AE. As to viewfinder info, that would surely have to be essential, otherwise one would have no idea what shutter speed was chosen. Operationally, it should be just a tad faster - but in essence not that much different from my old Olympus 35RC, although aperture not shutter priority. The price looks as if it will be competitive. It is hard to see the M6 TTL continuing on production for much longer.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), February 15, 2002.

But if the price is close to an M6 TTL, why go for that model over an M7? The M7 obviously isn't a completely new automated camera along the lines of the Hexar, rather it seems to be more of an evolutionary upgrade.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), February 15, 2002.

Seeing it is a product comming from Leica I am not about ot hold my breath waiting for a technological masterpice. Neither would i be tempted by one. To include a faster shutter speed to make use to f/1.4 in daylight would be great....oh and If Christmas comes early, Av would be welcomed too.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), February 15, 2002.

David Killick wrote 'Stephen Gandy has a fairly comprehensive spec list at www.cameraquest.com (look under M profiles).'

David, The piece on Stephen Gandy's site is a self confessed wish list for a fictional M7. It has also been there for many many months, well before the 'hot rumours' on the M7 started appearing. You will no doubt know it diverges quite considerably from your version of the spec list, so why confuse the issue?

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), February 15, 2002.

David: you wrote "Exciting, isn't it?". I guess it's just me, but no, it's not exciting.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), February 15, 2002.

But if the price is close to an M6 TTL, why go for that model over an M7? The M7 obviously isn't a completely new automated camera along the lines of the Hexar, rather it seems to be more of an evolutionary upgrade.

I for one, fail to see the usefulness of AE on the M. Perhaps if you shoot caucasian faces on overcast days and that's all you do, will AE come in handy. Remember that the M still has a center weighted averaging meter. Can be easily tricked by tricky lighting. Try the typical "available darkness" shots with an AE camera and you'll quickly realize the limited utility of such a feature.

Bring back the M4!!!!

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

John, bad boy, you didn't turn off your bold tags.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

I am really looking forward to the M7. I want to get an M6TTL and the M7 should lower the price of the 6. Waited 2 years after the M6TTL was out to get an M6 Classic. In computers and new camera technology there are always a herd of guys that will pay a premium to have the biggest, fastest, latest, newest. Makes buying the one previous much cheaper whether it is in cars, computers or cameras. Gotta have it and why not if it makes you happy. Cheers.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

"In computers and new camera technology there are always a herd of guys that will pay a premium to have the biggest, fastest, latest, newest."

Certainly seems that way. Many if not most of the posts here sound like variations on, "I wouldn't take one if you gave it to me." Yet the dealers who are taking orders/deposits on the M7 are oversubscribed even before anyone has seen the camera.

Go figure.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

In response to Steve Barnett, Stephen Gandy has a new item on the M7 specs (look under M Guide, right at the end - Jan 2002). Alfie posted the details previously. Not just a wishlist. Gandy says speeds 4 secs to 1/1000. Another post which I can no longer find says 4 secs to 1/4000. :-) I also found this in a Brtish magazine, from Colin Leftley: "It is a little incongruous to find electronics in such a classic and traditional camera. But at least it's a change for the better." Not the M7, but a 1984 review of the M6.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), February 15, 2002.

Have you got a URL for the Gandy M7 page David? I am damned if I can find it in his M info. Thanks.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), February 16, 2002.

Nope - not tempted at all.

Amazing that some mortals in the world are "in the know". As for me, I'd still take my "old" Rollei 35 over one of those all electronic point and shoot's any day.

Seems to me that build quality has plummeted with the volume of electronics being stuffed inside ever-shrinking plastic cases. It will be disappointing in several ways if Leica starts down that slope with the next evolution of the M6 TTL.

-- Phil Allsopp (pallsopp42@attbi.com), February 16, 2002.

Here's Stephen Gandy's article on M7

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

-- Alex (ajegile@yahoo.com), February 17, 2002.