The Leica M7 Discontinued: The Final Alphanumeric Leica Film Body

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The Leica M7 Discontinued: The Final Alphanumeric Leica Film Body

Рет қаралды 32,874

Күн бұрын

Auf Wiedersehen Leica M7. It's official, sort of. Although Leica has not announced it, it's clear that the most advanced film Leica M body ever made is now discontinued. That in itself isn't as significant as it is symbolic. It's the last Leica film body with an alphanumeric designation, beginning with the iconic M3. Since the M8 was the beginning of the digital M bodies, Leica has run out of numbers. This probably means there won't be a replacement of the M7, and leave the MP and MA as the only film body option for Leica film shooters.
If you're not into Leica M cameras or interested in new film bodies, you can probably skip this video. If you want to join me as I talk about the significance of the loss of the M7 in the Leica M lineup, join me, bring some cheese and crackers and I'll bring the whine. A full review of the Leica M7 coming up in a few weeks. Thanks for watching and happy shooting!
Your last chance to buy a classic before they're all gone:
Leica M7 (black chrome): bhpho.to/2J9BfQp amzn.to/2IOPT0n
Leica M7 (silver chrome): amzn.to/2J5r7Zd
Leica M7 Start Set ( with 50mm f/2 ): bhpho.to/2KXzUJO
*This video was shot using the Fujifilm X-E3 and XF 23mm f/2 R WR. Edited using iMovie on MBP 13" 2015.
X-E3: bhpho.to/2wa3ALY amzn.to/2LxV9TJ
XF 23mm f/2 R WR: bhpho.to/2wI1XcM amzn.to/2IMyF3v
Rode VideoMicro: bhpho.to/2wmQw7H amzn.to/2JbeZWz
**Red camera strap on the Leica M7:
www.camerafilm...
Prototype white braided denim strap made by Barton 1972:
www.barton1972...
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Пікірлер: 136

@nastynate838 6 жыл бұрын

i like the fact that Taco talks to his audience , whom are enthusiasts too, but makes the information accessible with no frills

@antoniostanley8019 3 жыл бұрын

a tip : you can watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching a lot of movies recently.

@samuelimran3429 3 жыл бұрын

@Antonio Stanley Yup, I have been using flixzone for since november myself =)

@Channel_Yo 6 жыл бұрын

If I bought a Leica film camera it would be the MP. I'm glad they're still making it.

@lancmac 6 жыл бұрын

Dang.... end of an era . I got a M7 last year and I love it. It will outlast me.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, as long as you maintain it and shoot casually, it'll last decades.

@dirksentaguiam6622 4 жыл бұрын

Will it last 6000 years?

@lancmac 4 жыл бұрын

@@dirksentaguiam6622 it probably will.

@bobhibbert68 6 жыл бұрын

5 plus minutes delving into the intricacies of Leica model releases and nomenclature. You are far down the rabbit hole Laddie! God Bless.

@LyndonPatrickSmith 6 жыл бұрын

Sad day indeed. I appreciate your videos Take, especially the ones about vintage cameras in Hong Kong. Your branding of film and film camera history mixed with the select current technology makes for a great channel.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching and following :-)

@TedVieira 6 жыл бұрын

That’s too bad. Glad they still have the MP and MA. Thanks for the video, man.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

thanks Ted. You been to a guitar shop lately? The landscape of gear has seriously changed, much like digital photography

@TedVieira 6 жыл бұрын

Not in a while... I play about two gigs a year these days, jazz stuff, solo, duo... The only two guitars I still play regularly are a 2010 Ibanez GB10 (George Benson) and a '78 Ibanez FA-300NT (L-5 copy post lawsuit). Both archtops, simple, straight forward, the same way I love my camera gear. I should stop in to see what things are like these days. I imagine the amps and processors are continually changing. Back when I was still playing shows in Vegas we had to go direct for a lot of the stages/rooms so I was using some Line6 modeling gear, was pretty impressive at the time, but I bet things have come along way since then. Wild stuff, man.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Imagine your last camera was a Canon EOS 3 or Nikon F90X, and then go to a camera store today. I felt lost. I didn't know what half the things did. Even back in the day I kept my stuff simple. 15w tube amp, Strat, couple of pedals. Now they use iPads for interface and have screens on the guitar. Clearly you can still go old school (like shooting a Leica) but man oh man the things you can do with digital music these days. Not necessarily better or worse, just different, much like film vs digital. But I did feel like a dinosaur...

@TedVieira 6 жыл бұрын

Oh man.... I had no clue! Wow, a little out of touch over here. Screens on guitars... I guess I should've see that coming. Wow! I'll have to stop by Guitar Center this week. Oh man! Thanks Take, have a great week, man.

@TheShanahg 6 жыл бұрын

I think MA is a better option with a reasonable price tag.

@filmerdennis 6 жыл бұрын

I had an M7, I loved it. I'm a aperture priority shooter myself so this camera was perfect for me. Would like another one day.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Well there will be enough floating around in the used market for years to come I'm sure.... it sold pretty well when it first came out in 2002 as the replacement of the M6 TTL, although I know many didn't like that it had an electronic timed shutter

@finn4240 Жыл бұрын

Will be buying one tomorrow! Curious on why you sold it.

@Monkeyshaman 6 жыл бұрын

I have to object. 9 minutes is not enough time to have a snack nor is it enough time to really procrastinate.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I promise to have a much longer, rambling review of the M7 with lots of images synced to music :-)

@fotofillholland 6 жыл бұрын

Is commenting on KZfaq not an ideal procrastination technique? :)

@aaronlancelopez 6 жыл бұрын

That’s sad! I love my M6 TTL. Also, your intro, for some reason I was reminded of Christoph Waltz. 🙌🏽

@aag24 6 жыл бұрын

So sad … never managed to own one … always lusted after one. End of an era. Thank you for your video, sir.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

the M7 will be available used for years, just like the M6 is, and so is the original M3

@egrojdlgdllo 6 жыл бұрын

I love my M7. I bought it earlier in the year (used, of course) and I've been having second doubts, not because I'm unhappy with it, but because it's a big investment. However, seeing that they are discontinued, prices of used ones are surely about to go up, and I feel a bit more reassured about my purchase.

@jameslenney 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the summary. I don't own a Leica M system but they're aspiration cameras and I'm a bit sad about this announcement. Hopefully I'll own a film M one day.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

There's lots around and not all of them are so expensive. You can also buy non-Leica M mount body cameras just to play around.

@Irnbruist 6 жыл бұрын

sure nobody has a problem buying a 18 years old M6, because it‘s a fully mechanical camera... would worry much more about the longevity of the M7 down the line in let‘s say 20-30 years...

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I have a working Minolta CLE that's 38 years old and I'm not worried at all :-)

@alexcarrillo4143 6 жыл бұрын

You know what I meant is that I like the M5, very retro design so I got the Canon 7, and still use it, as for my Nikon F it turns 50, a 1968 model with the motor drive as when I took it to Tokyo that I had a lot of people tour heads, to them a 68 Nikon is their Holy Grail, when visiting one camera store hidden in the Shinjuku area that when entering I started singing Happy Birthday to me. I really appreciate in seeing any old camera, but I still think that the cameras to get are Nikon, Canon, and Leica, medium format-Mamiya, and TLR Rollei, and Yashica. Long Live FILM!!!

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

awesome story about the Nikon F

@SuperPussyFinger 6 жыл бұрын

This makes daddy saddy.

@i.b.6691 6 жыл бұрын

I just bought one for my 60th birthday ! Hope the electronics outlive me !

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

congrats and I know you'll have decades and decades of enjoyment. You can easily pass down to loved ones.

@i.b.6691 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I don't know why there is all this online worrying about the M7's electronics. I have a 35 year old AE-1, never had a CLA, changed batteries a few times, that works like a dream. Leica is, well, LEICA !! Surely their electronics will last as long as a mass-produced Canon ? For sure my Grandfather's IIIB will be passed down, not so sure about my M262 and M7 ! And thank you for replying personally, something you do for almost everyone. How kind. Love your videos.

@EDHBlvd 6 жыл бұрын

Makes sense considering the series changed to digital with M8. I bet they will keep making a film M like the MP.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Yes I think the MP will become the classic Leica M body, although I still prefer the M-A. It's a brick!!

@timothylua5885 4 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco curious why would you shoose an MA over an MP? they are essentially the same minus the lightmeter. and the price is not that far apart. Is it because of the challenge that you can estimate the exposure witout the need of a lightmeter? curious

@bigheadtaco 4 жыл бұрын

@@timothylua5885 some small aesthetic differences. MA has black chrome versus black paint. The rear ISO dial is all metal on the MA versus the cheap feeling plastic dial on the MP. I also prefer the more stealth markings on the MA. Finally yes I like knowing there's absolutely no electronics in the camera. If I wanted electronics, I'd just get the M7, which I actually own. For me an M7 and MA are a perfect combination. But hey, that's just me :-)

@timothylua5885 4 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco thank you for your reply :) Im itching for an M-A

@bigheadtaco 4 жыл бұрын

@@timothylua5885 me too..... but I got a smoking deal on my M7 so I'm not complaining

@MikMilman 6 жыл бұрын

Is the m7 significantly louder than the 3? It sounded like it but that may just be the way your mic is picking it up. Any thoughts to why they decided to discontinue the m7 over their other film options?

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

My guess is it's more complicated to produce with the least profit margin and they had to get rid of one. The M7 makes the most sense to discontinue of the 3

@Traveljournalist 6 жыл бұрын

I'd like to have an M7 because of the "High Speed Synchronisation flash” function. you can shoot with a flash at 1/250s, 1/500s or 1/1000s . My M6 TTL works beautifully with the SF20 but I am limited to 1/50s speed, which is challenging....

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Yes you need to hunt down that Metz flash that was designed to work with the M7. I need to find one to review :-)

@Traveljournalist 6 жыл бұрын

oh I see. you need a special flash. I thought it could work with any recent Leica flash....

@bnf82 6 жыл бұрын

The SF24 must work, the 20 I'm not sure... but the 24D was released to be coupled with the most recent TTL technology on the M7

@Traveljournalist 6 жыл бұрын

ok thanks, that's good to know

@peasantrobot 6 жыл бұрын

This is a shock, even if it was not accessible for the majority of us. In my opinion, this is an attack to film. The camera was there, not need to announce the discontinuity as it appeared that the camera is made on order anyway, not a mass production.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

A few places have them in stock, especially B&H, but you're right, I'm sure their production runs are in small batches, which is partly why they are so expensive, as well as so valuable.

@ReaRea27Productions 5 жыл бұрын

Shout-out to the FM2! Such a good camera 1:38

@bigheadtaco 5 жыл бұрын

FM2 is my favourite manual focus no frills manual focus SLR ever..... crazy shutter for a ‘consumer’ level body. Many pros had it as a back up camera to their F3’s.

@ReaRea27Productions 5 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco I've had mine for about 2 years, and it just takes amazing photos especially with the prime ais lenses. And the Shutter going up to 1/4000 makes it incredibly versatile

@bigheadtaco 5 жыл бұрын

Yes and flash sync to 1/250th. It’s a great shutter in such a compact body.

@yedfoto5991 6 жыл бұрын

Hej BHT, I had the m7 for a couple of years and have done few long term projects. Not so long ago I could make some extra cash and be able to buy the mp. So far I have done a project with it, IMHO I need to admit that it is much better and at some points stressless to use the mp. For instance battery life or not being able to shoot fully mechanical at any speed if you are out of battery. Cause M7 is a battery killer when it comes to a extreme hot or cold day. And of course some great things about it that you mentioned perfectly. Great upcoming week, Assaran.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I guess it depends where you come from. As a digital camera photographer, being able to not recharge a camera battery for months sounds like a dream. As a film AF SLR shooter, again, the battery on the M7 seems amazing. Compared to the MP, I'm sure the M7 seems like it eats batteries. For me, I keep a spare set so no big deal.

@yedfoto5991 6 жыл бұрын

bigheadtaco I understand and agree with your point but Having only the m7 ( semi automatic ) and a lens in a small village where you hardly see any store for weeks always gave me stressed even though I had spare batteries. Its just a personal feeling even though I never had such a experience with my m7. BTW about 2 lenses I would like to read or hear your opinion and thought ( more like a short review) first the 35mm Summilux latest version and second the Elmar 5cm f3.5 LTM. Appreciate in advance.

@lhd7105 6 жыл бұрын

My guess is that Leica would continue from the M-A designation and go to M-B for the next film-inspired M camera. If that is actually the case that would be wonderful, since there's 25 letters to go! Leica probably knew that the M2 hit a lot of the right notes for their most dedicated fans and so that's why they thought to revive the M2 aesthetic with the M-A, so I think Leica's product champions will study M2-M7+MP to find out which is the next film M to revive, should that day come. BHT it is really comforting to hear that you have no worries about your CLE and M7 being serviceable for years to come!

@parratt-world 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. There are several M7 waiting on eBay for new homes, many of which have been languishing without buyers for ages. Let's not try to create panic. The one I bought a couple of years ago from a reputable seller in Austria, had been relisted several times.

@parratt-world 6 жыл бұрын

I too really like the aperture priority. I keep the M3 for B&W film, and the M7 is always loaded with colour neg.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

the M7 is great for slide too, where you can get 1/3 stops in AE mode with the exp comp dial, something that people don't think about

@erichartke4331 6 жыл бұрын

Loving my M2 since being back from service I my issed it. Good video. :)

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, ya the M7 and M2 would be the perfect combination for me.

@nickbedford 6 жыл бұрын

I have a silver M7 and will be treating with extra care now. It's my favourite camera of all.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Ya I know people who are now looking for new silver M7s. Harder to find than black chrome

@nickbedford 6 жыл бұрын

I was really lucky to find mine second hand but in mint condition, despite being ten years old at the time. It's out for servicing due to a tapering shutter curtain (at 1/1000), which is apparently a common issue, and a dusty viewfinder. Fingers crossed they can rectify those problems. Have you had any of those issues yourself?

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

No issues with my copy but Leica can fix no problem, but at a price. Repair masters and CLA guys can fix too for cheaper. You just need to find someone you trust with your baby :-)

@nickbedford 6 жыл бұрын

Leica themselves told me to send it to Camera Clinic in Melbourne which are the official authorised servicing shop for Leica Australia I think. I miss using my M7 and it's only been a week haha.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I would miss just having it around to look at. It's a piece of mechanical art as well as a functioning tool. It's no different than someone displaying their guitars :-)

@n0w3lly90 4 жыл бұрын

The introduction of the Leica M-D suggests that they are not thinking of film bodies anymore, especially given the decision to omit a viewing screen completely off that camera, giving "digital convenience" and the film experience

@lori4789 6 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for this emotional and sad video ! I'm looking for a nicer hood for my 28 summicron v1... Than one you show in this video seems pretty nice. Could you tell my where to buy ?

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I bought it in Hong Kong from a small accessories shop in Sham Shui Po. I must have paid less than $5 USD for it.

@alexcarrillo4143 6 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, Nikon F6 , and FM10 is fully discontinued, I still have my Nikon FTNw in which it just turn 59 years, and have the original F36 drive.. Sweet.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Nice! I have some cameras from the 60s and 70s, all working fine too. I've had to do some battery conversions on some of them though.

@ropersix 5 жыл бұрын

And then there's all this type 240, type 263 stuff for the digital bodies. Very confusing. I'm happy with my M6, although there was two versions of that, too, and I think I have the first one.

@bigheadtaco 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful Leica. Two main versions, with a few smaller differences and lots of limited editions :-)

@Funktrainer 6 жыл бұрын

Why shouldn't they call it M11? Maybe with an electronical controlled shutter that has a shortest speed of 1/8000 sec like the original M8. I also like the E28 a lot... and the E24.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

M11 is probably going to be saved for the next digital Leica M body, not a film one. It wouldn't make sense for them to make a film M11. If they do I would be happy. The reason why film Leica's don't go over 1/1000th sec is because they use a cloth shutter versus a metal one. It's a lot quieter and much easier to repair. But it would be interesting to see a metal shutter on a film Leica M to get higher shutter speeds. That would be fun to shoot with. No need for ND filters!!

@Funktrainer 6 жыл бұрын

bigheadtaco exactly.

@calvinchann1996 6 жыл бұрын

Is there a resource that lists reputable CLA people around the world?

@sgtoconor 6 жыл бұрын

Calvin Chann yes

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I would call your local Leica shop and ask them. If they do not know, they will refer to the local Leica office, or HQ. Leica is aware of most CLA guys in most major cities. We have Horst here in Vancouver. He doesn't even advertise, but movie stars and musicians regularly bring him their Leica's to CLA, and many of them are referred to Horst via Leica. But every major city has a 'famous' CLA repair master. Most of them are usually Hasselblad and Rollei guys too.

@marcellocolona4980 Жыл бұрын

Have a silver M7 .58 viewfinder. Love it.

@KutWrite 6 жыл бұрын

May we see some photos you took with it? I can imagine that Leica started digital with an M designation to ease the transition of Leica buyers, but I think I'd still have called the digital ones "D1" etc to start a new tradition. That way the analog cameras would continue their established lineage without confusion. Just what is the purpose of all this "Typ" stuff, anyway? To me, it's just unnecessary complication. ...and Germans are supposedly so orderly. I'm tempted to buy a mechanical Leica just so I can hear and feel that "click" when I want to. My "M" (EOS M6) is nice, but not quite the same. For now, i do have an old, black Pentax Spotmatic to click. It's nice, too. As was the Minolta MD-11, which shared a shutter with Leica, at least for a while.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts. You're right, they should have had a digital designation from the start. Leica M1 D, M2 D, M3 D, etc. As for typ, that's very German (like the BMW 'E' designation for generations). AS for pictures, I will embed on the actual review of the Leica M7. For now, please check out my Instagram account. instagram.com/bigheadtaco

@northstar1950 6 жыл бұрын

I don't like to admit this, it's embarrassing, but as a Leica collector but much older ones I did not realise they still made film cameras until I read of the M7s demise. This is probably because I simply could never afford a new one and so never really looked at them

@al3657 6 жыл бұрын

Take, is that a stereo camera in the background? Looks like an Edixa. I wanted one to convert into a poor mans diy xpan. Can you do a review?

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

ha ha, ya it's a stereo. I'll get it working one day :-)

@denissemanalo4583 6 жыл бұрын

Hi, just wanna get your opinion cos I want a compact camera. What do you think is the best compact camera to buy? Thinking of getting the leica d-lux, would really appreciate if you could suggest any models. You think leica is the best option for long term compact camera? Thank you :)

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

you're talking about a digital compact camera? Depends what you want it for. Sony RX100 series, Canon G7X series, Ricoh GR series, all good compact digital point and shoots.

@r3strict3d_ 6 жыл бұрын

if only they made a black paint m-a

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

A La Carte can do that for you, but ya you have to pay extra for it. Vishal's M7 from Camera Film Photo has been blacked painted and also has his signature on it. Its pretty sweet.

@CzejenAndCodaj Ай бұрын

Not for me :< it could be my camera for life but ill stay with my m4 :/ To much money and Last nikon can be cheeper and better option.

@cityhunter2501 6 жыл бұрын

the question is why chase for the M7 when there's lots of older Leica M to get for cheaper. automatic exposure to me beats the purpose of a fully mechanical Leica M and the fact that once battery is dead on the M7 and you dont have a spare one with you, then you're stuck shooting it at 1/125th.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

People don't necessary shoot a Leica just because it's fully mechanical. Most that I know shoot Leica first of all because they like shooting with a rangefinder. Next is the access to M mount lenses, either Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, etc. From there, some don't care about being a 'purist' while others do. For me, if you're a true purist, then even a built in meter is not fully manual, but you're depending on a computer to tell you what the exposure is (the MP does have a circuit board installed). If you're a purist, you should want the M-A, which has absolutely no battery or anything electronic about it. More on this on my full review of the Leica M7

@Funktrainer 6 жыл бұрын

Btw Nikon should remake real system cameras like the F2 and the F5. The last "professional" SLRs with all the options one could think of and durability that will outlast most of us. These bodies are unmatched, ergonomically and durability wise.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Ya, as much as I would like Nikon to go back and make great film cameras, they need to make something that actually sells well to the masses first so they can make money. They're in serious financial trouble and need a winner.

@LWRC 2 жыл бұрын

Cameras are easy, even after Leica discontinued it. The hard part is the film!!! If manufacturers discontinue those, we're done!!!

@kelvinahkian5809 6 жыл бұрын

Their next Film M camera body will be called.... Leica F : The Leica return. :D

@PatAcct 6 жыл бұрын

don't understand why the bigdeal about the discontinuation of the M7.

@niceup1177 6 жыл бұрын

M7 was the only Film-M with auto exposure mate. It is indeed a loss.

@PatAcct 6 жыл бұрын

your answer is appreciated. However it did not match with the topic. Technical info or specification (what a camera can do and can do better than other cameras etc.) is not necessary justifying why the camera must or should stay. The main point is not getting into a technical discussion, the point is why such a bigdeal when a model is discontinued ... likewise, many folks got agitated when Fuji discontinue a film or Kodak decided to bring back a film. If these things were world-changing events, they might need indeed such attention!

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

The longer something exists, the longer the historical value in the eyes of its users. You're right, this isn't world changing history, but I don't think I ever claimed that it was. The Leica M cameras (since the original M3) has been in production since 1954. That's a 70+ year history of this line of cameras with the M plus a number designation. That part of the history just ended with the M7 as the last alphanumeric Leica M film body. That's it, nothing more, nothing less. If it's no big deal to you, that's okay. I'm sure there's lots of things that mean something to you that means nothing to me, but I wouldn't criticize you for it.

@PatAcct 6 жыл бұрын

that is respectable arguments that I certainly honor and look up to. My first line in the thread, although it may seem, is not a critic but rather my opinion about the discontinuation as such. Honestly I don't believe Leica Camera as now values much about that M-numbering tradition, otherwise it would have kept it in the line. It opens space for speculations though for the discontinuation did not seem to affect the remaining MP or MA, leaving me to ponder about weak sale may be reason for the chop chop.

@niceup1177 6 жыл бұрын

world changing, might aswell not read any information on the internet if thats your benchmark. if there is world changing things happening you will realize soon enough :)

@lukeshatterhand1969 6 жыл бұрын

Noooo :( Just bought one used as a go to option, because my M-A is kinda not as convenient in some situations...

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

perhaps the value of it will now go up since there's no replacement :-) I am currently considering to buy one, as are many of my Leica loving friends.

@marc6652 5 жыл бұрын

Analog photography is for wealthy nostalgics clients only. It's not better, not easier to use, more expensive. It's like driving a fifty year old car. Using a M10 is a slower way to photography and in that, it's a pleasure.

@bigheadtaco 5 жыл бұрын

I find most film shooters are younger kids using their disposable income differently than other kids who don't use film. A digital Leica or a digital medium format is a huge up-front cost, so buying an old Leica M2 and lens and shooting a couple rolls of film a month while home processing works out well for many. My guess is that you're older (30+) and have some disposable income and grew up with film and now love the convenience of digital. That's cool. But there are others who didn't grow up with film and find it fascinating and exciting. For myself, I still enjoy shooting film, but love the convenience of digital. I shoot both.

@NicholasKonradsen 6 жыл бұрын

it took this long!? wow. I thought there weren't any film cameras still being made

@mamboferido4741 6 жыл бұрын

I thought it was long discontinued.

@AnimeStudioMotion 6 жыл бұрын

I still would not buy the M7 rather MP instead M7 = electronic vs. MP = mechanical its pretty obvious once the M7 electronic dies your stuck with a very expensive paper weight while the MP will still keep on tickin.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

The M7 is not 100% electronic. Without a battery 1/60th and 1/125th still works. It's not a paper weight, but definitely limited. Also, you can just spend the money to get fixed. I wouldn't be worried. It's the cost of owning a Leica.

@AnimeStudioMotion 6 жыл бұрын

the reason i prefer mechanical over electronic is to avoid expensive repair especially leica and as you said be limited which spoils the whole enjoyment of taking photograph.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

I know a couple of guys who's had to replace the circuit board on the MPs. It's no cheaper than getting the M7 circuit board replaced. The problem with MP board going is usually because there's no off button. People will throw in their bag partially left on (if you press shutter sightly then the electronics are awake) and is left on for hours. This can drain the battery, but also short the circuit if you keep doing this. The same issue happens with the M6. You're suppose to put the shutter dial in off mode (MP is in B, M6 I think was 1/60th sec) but many forget and just leave it in sleep mode. The M7 has a clear off switch around the shutter dial. For me, as I mentioned, if I was given a choice I would always go with the M-A for precisely this reason, no battery. However, just because there's no battery, a mechanical problem (broken gear or spring) can cost as much or more than a circuit board replacement. Also a regular CLA or shutter replacement is just the cost of owning a Leica, much like owning a mechanical watch. You have to bring it in to get tuned up every few years to keep it healthy.

@AnimeStudioMotion 6 жыл бұрын

good point but the circuit board on a mp and m6 is for light meter only i can live without the light meter

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Me too, that's why overall I prefer the M-A over any Leica. No circuits or batteries to worry about. I'm okay with working out the exposure in my head or use a hand held meter.

@_o__o_ 4 жыл бұрын

nikong?

@colnagocowboy 6 жыл бұрын

Ive never owned an m series leica i started with an R8

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

the R series starting with the R4 are great. I never liked the Leicaflex SLRs. The R series is fantastic, although it never sold very well for Leica. I think they should have gone into medium format at the time. They would have had legacy glass now.

@colnagocowboy 6 жыл бұрын

bigheadtaco always loved the ergos of the R8 and the glass is more than adequate especialy now that im retired (i even found a leica r to fuji x adapter to future proof my lenses)

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

There's an R to Fujifilm GFX adapter, and many say there's no vignetting. This means the image circle was made big enough to accommodate a digital medium format sensor (44mm x 33mm). Barton 1972 has been experimenting with it and so far so good on certain lenses.

@GeneralTarik 6 жыл бұрын

WOW! Disappointed!

@norbertstepien9185 3 жыл бұрын

bit or a ramble without much useful content...Sorry.

@fxvsdx35 6 жыл бұрын

Since the M3 and the Leicaflex, Leica is slowly going downhill. The digital Leicas are a joke and a half. Repackaged 2nd tier Japanese electronics, and a plethora of special packages, turning once a great name into an irrelevant overpriced gear pimp.

@alexcarrillo4143 6 жыл бұрын

This was not my favorite M, I like the M4 through the M6. Now the M5 that one is so boxy that still was a prototype to the M6, and the Nikon F6 , and FM10 in which it was a Cosina model in which it was the worst idea that Nikon did, Why didn't they continue making Rangefinders along with Canon as well. Well all I can say is this Bring back the M6 or MP film camera... What is the logic with the M7 it is and ALL electric model, if the batteries go out the model is dead. Think get a model that is all no battery working. ALL FULLY MANUAL MODEL.

@Funktrainer 6 жыл бұрын

Alex Carrillo The M5 was unique. It has the greatest shutter speed dial and still the most useable meter of all Leica M bodies. It is also the only M that has a shutter speed readout below the framelines. The uncluttered finder of the M4 adds to the perfection of the M5. An excellent camera.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed on the M5. It was one ugly camera and that was the first no no for Leica. But you can't diss the performance. That shutter speed dial around the shutter button was super fast. Viewfinder is also great, as well as the metering.

@bigheadtaco 6 жыл бұрын

If you want a Leica that has no battery, you can get the current model M-A. The MP still needs a battery (so that means it has a circuit board inside, just like the M6) but only to run the meter. As for the M7, it's technically not 100% electronic. The electronics govern the shutter (above 1/125th and below 1/60th), the autoexposure, DX encoding, exposure meter, etc. but the shutter itself is mechanical. Without a battery 1/60 and 1/125th still works perfectly fine. That's very limiting of course, but with the sunny 16 rule or with a light meter, you can continue shooting the M7 without a battery.

@Funktrainer 6 жыл бұрын

bigheadtaco Not to mention the strap lugs on the side. Not many manufacturers did this and it is in fact not uncomfortable.