Summary:Great camera that you can count on when in a pinch. Wish they would go back to the nicely engraved leica logo of m-4 days. Also needs a higher eye-relief viewfinder to avoid squinting by glass-wearers. Other than that no serious complaints. Love the AE system that allows me to focus on composition and forget about shutter speeds. However, there are times I wish I could load the film by swiveling open the back. Which brings me to the worst Leica fear: botching the loading and missing out on the picture opportunity of a lifetime. For that reason, I feel better when I have a backup when out shooting pix.
Strengths:Build, value and appreciation of a well-made instrument that allows full self-control.
Weaknesses:Too conservative a design philosophy which does not incorporate new innovations that are self evident. i.e. rapid film loading , better eyepiece design and faster flash synch.
Summary:This review is based on my experience of shooting close to 100 rolls with my M7, over the course of a little more than a year, along side various other Leica M models.
At first I was a little skeptical of the AE system, but after a few weeks of shooting and checking the M7 meter readings against my M6TTL and a handheld meter I was sold on it's excellence. Basically the M7 meter produces identical results as the system in the M6/M6TTL/MP, except of course the AE automates the adjustment of the the shutter speed dial. It should also be noted that the M7 meter is slightly more sensitive than previous M models.
As with all exposure systems of this type, you need to meter intelligently and decide what object in the scene will be exposed as medium gray. Usually I try to take a reading off of a face, concrete pavement, foliage etc, then recompose. But even when shooting fast and wild, the hit rate that the AE system delivers is extremely impressive. It is sometimes difficult to believe that a exposure system that consists of a single meter cell and a dab of white paint on the shutter curtain could be THIS accurate,... but it is. Even back light situations do not rattle the system, if you approach them intelligently.
As a result of the AE, my hit rate in fast moving situations has gone up considerably. In conjunction with a Leicavit, Rapidwinder or Motor-M you can work extremely quickly. All you have to concentrate on is focus, framing and timing. The AE takes care of the rest.
If I have any complaint about the AE system it is the exposure compensation dial, which is built in to the ISO/ASA dial on the back door. Adjusting it for +/- compensation is a action which requires two hands and can not be done on the fly. I really wish Leica had added a adjustment lever as found on the R8/9 or incorporated the compensation feature in to the shutter speed dial as was done with the Bessa or new Zeiss RF. My Rube Goldberg solution to the problem is to adjust the aperture of the lens, AFTER I lock the AE reading by holding down the shutter speed dial halfway. Not exactly an elegant solution, but it works...
I really like the full size (M6TTL style) and freely rotating shutter speed dial.
TTL flash support is excellent and bullet proof.
The blinking dot in the viewfinder, which indicates that exposure compensation has been activated, does not bother me. After a short time you barely notice it and it is tiny, about the size of a "." (period).
Outside of the AE mode, the M7 behaves like a M6/M6TTl/MP
Battery consumption is very good. I got about 20 rolls out of the no name set that came with the camera. Currently I have passed the 60 mark with a new set of Duracell cells. I keep a spare set of batteries taped to the neck strap of the camera. That way they aren't in "the other bag", when I need them.
I love the on/off switch. No more pictures of the inside of my bag or dead batteries to accidental meter activation.
Start up time in the AE mode is a little slow at around 2 seconds, but in manual mode it's instantaneous. Usually I just turn the camera on when I arrive at where I am shooting and don't turn it off till I leave.
The DX contact "grip of death" on the film canister issue has been blown out of proportion. After a few dozen rolls everything starts to break in nicely and it's not a problem.
The newly redesigned range finder is a big improvement over what is found in the M6/M6TTL. The flare problem has been eliminated and the patch and frame lines have a lot more snap and contrast. It is gorgeous. As with all M cameras since the M6, the M7 features the slightly smaller frame lines. This is my pet peeve, since I prefer the slightly larger markings found in the M2/M4/M5/M4-2 and some M4-P cameras. The 50 mm frame lines have been affected the most by this change, showing about 85% of what will end up on the negative, when focused at infinity. The markings for the 35 mm are more accurate and therefore I mostly use the M7 with this focal length.
The new electronic version of the M shutter is extremely quiet, especially at the slower shutter speeds. While in general the M series is very quiet, it is not the most quiet camera on the market. Next to something like a Rolleiflex, the M is positively loud. But one huge advantage the M series has over many other cameras, is that it doesn't sound like the traditional SLR "Clack! Wrrrrrrr!" we all associate with a picture being taken. It's just a subtle "snick!", which to most people is just background noise and not associated with the act of taking a picture.
With the rise of the digital SLR, one advantage of the M series is that it suddenly looks like a harmless vintage camera or p&s, instead of the professional tool it is. Most people do not realize that the quaint looking camera hanging around your neck, can cost as much as a compact car, when paired with something like a Noctilux 1.0/50. I love the compact size of the camera, not just because it is unobtrusive and easily stowed, but also because often your subject is less intimidated by a Leica M, than if you shoved a large SLR with a zoom lens the size of a coffee can in their face.
Overall the build quality of the M7 is superior to the M6TTL it replaces. Everything fits tighter, the seams are neater and has a more solid feel. The camera oozes quality and even the anodizing is of a higher grade. The brass top-plate has crisper edges and I look forward to the camera brassing, even if it isn't black paint. In general the camera is built like a tank and anything but a full blown professional SLR, like the Nikon DX series, feels like a toy in comparison. I own several M cameras, including the M2/M4/M4-2/M6TTL and frankly the M7/MP are the first cameras that Leica has produced in decades, which equal the fit and finish of cameras like the M2/M4. The new cameras feel different, but the quality is there.
So, there it is. The M7 is a great, great camera and a gift from Solms for documentary and street photographers. It has found a permanent place in my bag next to my favorite M4.
More information here:
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/002bb.shtml
Strengths:- Built like a tank. Will probably outlive it's owner.
- AE is very accurate and allows the shooter to work very fast.
- Excellent warranty
- Leica lenses are the best money can buy.
Weaknesses:- Expensive
- Clumsy exposure compensation dial.
- Black paint finish only available as a very expensive custom option
- Old style, larger frame lines as found in the M2/M4/M5/M4-2/M4-P not available. Framelines in the M7 are identical to those in the M6/M6TTL/MP
Similar Products Used:M2/M4/M4-2/M6TTL
Customer Service:I have used Leica's service department for other cameras and lens, besides the M7 and found them responsive and their work of a very high quality.
Summary:Superb camera, have had no issues. I found the size, weight, form factor and quality of the lens to be well worth the money. Admittedly I needed to relearn aspects of photography which I don't need to play with on my F100. Once I have learned how to use this camera, I am very, very happy
I was going to buy a Fuji SLR digital. But after looking at the slides and BW. I will just upgrade my film scanner.
Strengths:Form factor, size weight, quality of lenses, low light photography
Weaknesses:I don't like it for anything over 90 MM. Not the camera for fast moving kids. Cost of lenses
Similar Products Used:None, Nikon user F90, F100 user
Summary:The M7 is simply a superlative photographic instrument. It faithfully reflects Leica Camera's brand legacy and is a fitting successor to the M6TTL.
This is my first rangefinder camera and first leica and has become a very addictive tool that lives up to the capability of Leica's magnificent lenses.
Like many I underestimated 35mm rangefinder camera benefits and the niche it fills in photography. I also shoot 35mm SLR (Canon 1vHS); medium format (Hasselblad) and large format (4x5 Linhof Technika).
Of course the M7 comes at a very substantial cost because it is based on outstanding design, engineering and manufacturing quality. The M7 maintains much of the M6TTL functional / ergonomic attributes, whereas the MP (all mechanical) fits more closely beside the M6 (classic) due to its setback smaller speed dial; reverse order LED exposure display. The M7 continues the M6TTL's (also all mechanical) logical LED exposure display direction; larger speed dial set forward on the top plate.
I was introduced to Leica M photography by a friend who loaned me an old M6 and a couple of Leica lenses. It was one of the most involving experiences I have had with a camera - the ability to focus fast and accurately; quietness; lack of "bells and whistles" that just distract you; ability to see the whole context of the image being made rather than just the image.
The M7's performance is simply perfect - magnificent construction, bright viewfinder and rangefinder patch; quiet shutter (that sounds the same as my M6TTL); ability to shoot handheld at very slow shutter speeds; informative viewfinder.
Above all it is a camera for life. But rangefinders (and the M7 is the best made yet) do not replace SLRs, they complement them. SLR's are still the camera of choice for action/sports, telephoto and macro work - "horses for courses".
After 9 months I was compelled to buy an M6TTL as a second body (if I had the spare money, I would have bought another M7).
My M7 has a 0.72x viewfinder which is perfect for 28mm to 90mm lens use.
Strengths:Quality, quality, quality - design, engineering, manufacture.
Ease of use; absence of unnecessary "bells and whistles"; ergonomics (even if it does not look sculptured); quietness.
The AE exposure and exposure lock are a dream and enable faster use. The exposure system is extremely accurate despite its uncomplex design.
It is so unobtrusive it is ideal in the street and up close with people.
Overall finish is superb.
While the price may seem high, sensible comparison shows that the M7 is good value for money.
Weaknesses:None really. The only minor annoyance is that unloading the film canister is a bit fiddly as the cavityu is a tight fit (tighter than all other M bodies) to enable reliable auto-film speed reading.
Similar Products Used:Since I've had it I have added an M6TTL (superb). No other rangefinders.
My other 35mm is an EOS 1vHS SLR.
Summary:The rangefinder certainly has it's place in modern photography. The SLR and digital has not completely taken over. I have had the M7 (0.72 viewfinder) for about 2 years now, and I use it inconjuction with my film and digital based SLR, and my Minolta TC1. Of all the systems I have, I must say that I derive the greatest satisfaction from the M7 use. First, the choice of excellent lenses from Leica is astounding. You have a choice of lenses for almost every aspect of "classical" photograhy. By classical, I mean that used for photojournalism, people, travel - minus sports and close-up + extreme wide (use an SLR here). I have the 35mm Summilux, 50mm Summicron, and a 90mm Summicron. I must say I use the 35mm Summilux 80%. And to appreciate the M7 is truly to use it with the 35mm Summilux or Summicron. Second, I chosed the M7 over the M6 TTL, as I felt that Aperature Priority (AE) was most suitable for the type and style of how I wanted to capture my subjects. I generally make the choice of dept of field first. Thrid, I chose a black M7, as I it's un-itimidating for my human subjects. I was using a F100 and Fuji S2 pro with a 28-80 f.28 Tokina, that monster of a lense clearly made my subjects camera shy. With the M7, even with the Summicron 90mm, I feel that my subject are more comfortable being photographed. BTW, did I mention that it's very silent.
Strengths:- Great Leica build quality
- Aperature Protity (AE) and easy to use AE Lock (slight depress of shutter release)and exposure compensation 1/3 stop at back of camera built with the ASA selector.
- bright viewfinder
- the choice of M-mount Leica lenses
- weight and lack of bulk vs typical SLR
- DX coding (yahoo.. no more mistakes)
Weaknesses:- I wish that it could be cheaper
- 1/2000 shutter would be nice, ut need to maintain silence.
- a faster than 1/50 flash sync to 1/125 would be great
- no self timer
- sometimes the film canister does not come out easy. A defect? Maybe only my M7.. but I have small finders and can just pinch it out.
Similar Products Used:Just acquired the MP with a 35mm summicron. Not used it yet. Also just purchased a complete set of Contax G2 - used (all lense minus the 16mm Hologon and Zoom). Itching to try it out tomorrow when it's delievered. BTW this is no indication that I am dissatisfied with my M7. I'm just curious of what I hear about the G2.
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