Does it make sense to get the m7 as a second body. I do need to start carrying Ektachrome, so must have alternate. Might use aperture priority from time to time, but don't know how much, since I don't use it now. Or M6 Classic and another lense and plenty of film. How many of you HAVE the M7 and what is your experience vis-a-vis the M6 TTL? Thanks for your feedback.

Anam

-- Anam Alpenia (aalpenia@dasar.com), March 15, 2002

Answers

Anam. American dealers do not yet have the camera in stock, so I don't have one. There seem to be a few available in Europe and the Orient, since I have seen them for auction on eBay by Dutch, German, and Hong Kong dealers.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 15, 2002.

It seems there will be a major finder update of the M7 for Photokina so I would wait until then at least. It is supposed to finally (?) solve the viewfinder flare issue.

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

John. Can you tell us what you are referring to? I thought Leica had addressed the VF flare issue (a problem that I have never experienced myself) in the M7 by multi-coating the VF window. Are they planning on another change to further address the problem beyond that?

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 15, 2002.

I can't understand why people are willing to bid close on $3000 for a "new" M7 on Ebay when they can be ordered from official dealers in the UK with worldwide passport and next day delivery for around $2400 (no VAT overseas).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 15, 2002.

Here are some Ebay M7's and more people jumping on the soft release bandwagon!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 15, 2002.

Well, my "dealer" can have it to me in 2 weeks for about $2150, but I am torn......Maybe some internationals will give some user feedback.

-- Anam Alpenia (aalpenia@dasar.com), March 15, 2002.

Hello Anam. There is a noteable price difference for M7 here..$3,000 down to $2,150 (I doubt there would already be a grey model.) Without doubting the large amount of R and D on the M7 I would be interested to know the relative production cost of M7 versus M6? ..Dearer, the same or maybe even cheaper? Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

Sheridan,

Can not answer the production cost questions. However, with the strong dollar we will see less expensive "imports" as soon as they hit the market in HK, etc.

-- Anam Alpenia (aalpenia@dasar.com), March 15, 2002.

I have mine since March 1rst.

As I already sayed here, it's a real Leica, and in use it's like a M6TTL, but faster.

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), March 15, 2002.

When I got to play with one at Classic Camera during the week I found the AE lock a bit disconcerting. The release ain't as smooth as the 6, let alone the earlier models. That said, the 7 is in the M tradition though for me it could never replace the mechanical bodies, just supplement them.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), March 15, 2002.

I use a M3 body and Bessa-R as backup bodies. The Bessa-T is more for amusement I think but I would stick to the M7 as the first camera not a backup body! :)

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

Here in Hong Kong,the offical list price for M7 0.72 black is HK$ 22,000.00 (one U.S $=HK$ 7.80).The actual selling price is HK$18,800.00 from the Leica offical dealers.However most of the stock have been sucked up by our wealthy neigbors from Mainland China.

-- Jon Chu (ilikeleica@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

John,

I'd wait not only for the finder update, but for them to engrave the top plate with the Leica script. (and maybe even the serial # as in days of old.)

When the initial rush dies down in a year or so, it would probably be the next marketing move to push sales. Wouldn't be much of a task with the CNC equipment of today. While they're at it, drop the "Leica Camera-Made in Germany" on the back.

I have no dubt they'll do that for the special editions that are sure to come, but it would be nice to do it on run of the mill production.

At almost 60 I've probably got only one new one in my future and want to make it worthwhile.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 17, 2002.

I thought I might as well add to this thread.

I checked out a M7 (black .72) at the store. Some quick impressions.

1. The camera dimensions are identical to the M6, of course. 2. The black finish seems more matt black than the M6. 3. The viewfinder is defintely more contrasty. I couldn't test it for flare resistance though. 4. The exposure compensation/DX coding ISO wheel is raised noticeably more than the M6. Somehow, it looks tacked on/more crude. Ergonomics of turning the wheel with your thumb are not very good. 5. The shutter is definitely quieter or at least, lower pitched in sound.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 20, 2002.

Oh, one more thing. Asking (street) price is

US$ 1910 !

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 20, 2002.