I know this is early to ask, but anyone with a new M-7 notice the very different feel to the shutter release button? I know all the reasons for it ( activation of electronics ) but I'm concerned it'll translate into the equivalant of lag. Instant response is such a trade-mark of the M cameras and the M-6 feels faster. Glad I kept my M6s. Maybe I'm just to use to the M feel having shot with them for 30 years. I'm also not sure about the huge red LED numbers when in auto mode. Seems distracting. But we'll see. I'm off to LA for a shoot with the M7 and M6 in tow. I'll let everyone know what the results are. If I miss-time a chance shot of Julia Roberts during Oscar week, the next posting will be a M7 LN for sale. But I have high hopes and will give the new camera every chance to "do its' duty" . Until next Monday...--Marc Williams

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 20, 2002

Answers

I shoot with 2 M6 TTLs but sometimes,

just sometimes,

I lament the EX++ M4 that got away.

;-)

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), March 20, 2002.

I know what you mean. My first M was a M4 which I sold to get one of the first metered M6s. Wish I still had both of those cameras. Oh well, i'm not J. Paul Getty, so something had to go.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 20, 2002.

My 1957 M3 still shoots faster than my M6 TTL .58

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 20, 2002.

Yeah, I noticed that thing with the release. At the AE lock position there's a very noticeable "sticking" effect. It shouldn't be overdone (yet) but is disconcerting compared to the older M's. Funnily enough, having recently traded in my M classic for a 2nd TTL I'm sure the release on that is less smooth too.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), March 20, 2002.

That should be M6 classic. Sorry!!

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), March 20, 2002.

Re: M7 performance.

I've had an M7 for a week now and I also have an M6TTL. I can tell a slight difference in feel between the shutters on the two cameras but cannot say that one is better than the other. It may be that the sound is different - the M7 is totally silent on the slower speeds; no mechanical gear sounds. The only sounds you can hear are the brakes on the shutter curtains and these are just a soft click. If anything, the M7 is marginally quieter than the M6. Have you read the review by Irwin Puts on the Leica site? He describes it very well indeed.

There is no discernable 'lag'. The shutter release time is 12 milliseconds which I think is faster than the M6.

The shutter speed accuracy is phenominal! even better than the M6.

The 'huge' red LED numbers are not huge at all. They are very unobtrusive, easy to read and a delight to use. The metering is terrific and unbelievably easy to use.

I warn you that if/when you try the M7, you'll want one. The build quality is better and it's much faster to use than the M6. The back of the camera is thicker than the M6 and appears more substantial - it may be to do with the extra electrics.

I've sat and compared the M6 with the M7 and I have to say that I find the M7 to have a more substantial feel about it. The top plate is now made out of brass which accounts for the slightly heavier weight of the M7.

I have even found it easier to load than the M6 and the DX coding facility is very useful as is the exposure overide facility. I have read many fatuous remarks about what to do if the batteries fail! It amazes me that people buy Leicas but don't carry spare batteries! That is of course for the cameras that use them! According to the instruction book, you can use hundreds of films before you need to renew the batteries and if all else does fail, you have the two mechanical speeds to fall back on.

I personally think that the M7 is a fantastic camera; it's easier to use than the M6 and I have no regrets about buying it. I really do recommend that you try it.

Regards, G.Y.

-- Giles Young (youngg@middlesbrough.pds.gov.uk), March 20, 2002.

Thanks Giles,

I've just got mine and have some important work to do with it. Your reassurances are welcome. But, I'm still taking a M6 with me also.

Thanks again--Marc

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 20, 2002.

Hello Marc.I understand what you are saying but looking at the question another way,what an incredible challenge to LEICA,Solms to try to fit so much technology into the same compact M body with the only apparent difference between an M4 and M7 being narrowed to a millisecond or so.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

as for improved build quality of the m7, note that the top and bottom plates are now brass a la m3. as for shutter lag, puts claims equal performance with the m6 10-12 miliseconds

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 20, 2002.

Roger,

The bottom covers on all Ms (and LTMs) have always been brass. Zinc doesn't react well to bending forces at the body pin attachment point.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 20, 2002.

cool! thanks for the correction. i must say that it was my fairly clear understanding that the top plate (if not the bottom) was alloy on the m6. i had thought that this was why an m6 (chrome) cannot be stripped down to the brass and painted black. shintaro (tom abrahamsson's guy in japan who also has painted several cameras for me), told me he has attempted to stip and paint m6s with no success because of the lack of a brass underlayment. perhaps there is brass on the top and bottom only (i.e. not the facing as on other m cameras. if you have a chance and could clarify this i would appreciate it. i also noticed that puts makes a point of saying that the m has brass top and bottom as if that is a big deal.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 20, 2002.

that should say that "puts said the m7 has brass top and bottom as if that is a big deal." sorry.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 20, 2002.

The bottom cover on the M6TTL is an alloy (brass), the top plate is zinc (not an alloy). Both are brass on the M7. I've got an M7 on order, can't wait to get it.

Nigel

-- Nigel Bowley (nigel.bowley@btinternet.com), March 20, 2002.