The M6 is a de facto shutterspeed priority camera as most M6 photographers set the shutterspeed and adjust the aperture afterwards.

The M7 is an aperture priority camera where the user sets the aperture and the camera adjust the shutterspeed afterwards.

This has consequences for the imagery produced by the camera's. I prefer aperture priority as short shutterspeeds are more important for image quality (limitation of camera movement)than the small differences in image quality between apertures, only visible at enlargements of 30X40 and above. I set a large aperture and let the camera choose the corresponding short shutterspeed on my new M7.

-- Gerard Captijn. (gcaptijn@amasbank.com), February 28, 2002

Answers

You already have an M7? That's quick! :o)

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), February 28, 2002.

What makes you think that "most M6 photographers set the shutterspeed and adjust the aperture afterwards"? I am not sure that is correct.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), February 28, 2002.

Exactly, I also favor high shutter speeds on my M6 classic. I find turning the speed dial as easy as the aperture ring. It's all a matter of taste. BTW, the more I think about it, the less I see the point of the M7. I switched from an EOS3 to the M6 (don't laugh!) and I NEVER missed any of the automation features. And, having been a long time EOS user (12 years), I think modern pro AF SLRs are more suited to the press photographers anyway.

The only point I can see is to broaden somewhat the audience of the M series. If that succeds, I'll be most happy.

-- Stéphane Bosman (stephane.bosman@2ci.net), February 28, 2002.

M6 is "De facto shutterspeed priority"? It's manual. It's not aperture priority, it's not shutter priority. It's what you decide it is. I MOSTLY use my M6 in "aperture priority" mode. I decide the depth of field I want (aperture) and then set a shutter speed. Obviously there are times when I use "shutter priority if I need a shutter speed related to action.

-- MikeP (mike996@optonline.net), February 28, 2002.

Not true. Many M5 users set their lens and then spin the conveniently overhanging shutter speed dial until the needles match, making the M5 sort of an aperture priority camera.

-- Pete (leica_rf@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

can the M7 be used without batteries? I know the shutter is electronically controlled.

-- Travis koh (teckyy@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

I generally set the shutter speed first. I like to be sure action is sharp. I seriously doubt anyone will take or get more pictures solely because the camera now has aperture priority automation. The shutter has always been very easy to adjust as needed. I tend to be careful in selecting the area I meter. With an automated shutter now I would have to be certain it locked at a given point, this takes time and effort to a degree, so as not to increase efficiency all that much.

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

Travis; you can only use M7 without batteries in 1/60 and 1/125.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

The M6 meter only acknolwedges full-stop increments with the shutter speeds whereas the aperture, even though it is clickstopped in 1/2- stops, affects the meter steplessly. The M7's aperture-priority-auto will offer [nearly]stepless adjustment of the shutter as well. For a scenic photographer like myself the significance of the M7 is that I would have the choice of setting an exact aperture for the DOF I desire, and the camera would set the highest possible shutter speed. With the M6 if the correct exposure is in-between EV's I have to fine- tune the aperture up or down. In practical use, since I normally rate the DOF scale 1 stop more conservatively, it isn't an issue. Perhaps with close subjects, longer lenses and wider apertures it would be more significant.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

I use my M6ttl as an "aperture priority" camera. I decide what I want in focus, pick an f-stop and then set shutter speed. Sometimes I want things to show movement. Then all of a sudden I'm holding a shutter priority camera. A manual camera is a pretty versatile tool.

Manual cameras are just that, they're manual. It's kind of like golf, its not so much about the game on the 7000 yard course as it is about the game on the 6" course between your ears. A manual camera is the same way, what to you want it to be for this shot? What is your priority? Use your head and you have the camera you need at the moment. I'm not sure this makes a hell of a lot of sense, but I do think "we" are way too concerned about "image quality", "sharpness" and "resolution" in photographs. If you don't have the eye, then it doesn't matter how much money you spend on your equipment.

-- jeff (debontekou@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

You can use an 'aperture-preferred' AE camera like the M7 as a 'shutter-priority'. If you want the fastest possible shutter speed for the light available - just open up all the way. If you want the slowest speed possible - stop down all the way.

In my Nikon days I always liked aperture-priority even though shutter speed was usually my main concern - I found it easier to 'set' the speed I wanted by turning the aperture ring than by moving my hand off the lens to turn a shutter dial. Not a LOT easier - but easier.

One thing I've re-learned using an AE Hexar - an aperture priority camera CAN drop you down into blurrable shutter speeds pretty fast in the shade if you're not monitoring the read-out constantly. Just a reminder for M7 wannabees.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), February 28, 2002.

I don't agree with this whole M6 as a "shutter speed priority camera" thing. Nine times out of ten, I set the f-stop first and then the shutter speed. I find it just as easy to set the shutter speed with my camera to my eye as it is to set the f-stop.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

As a long time M user(M-3 and M-6s) I alwaysc set th F stop first. My concern is depth of field for pictures that are 11X14 or larger. The shutter is then set. If I'm using the camera's meter, I can set the shutter while the camera is being focused. An M-7 has little use for me. Kajabbi

-- Ned Learned (ned@kajabbi.comn), March 01, 2002.