Leica M7 ISO Dial issues

[Art Sue]

I am coming into the internal light meter Leica world from M3, M4-P, and M-A. I started off with a M6 TTL and now the M7. Both the TTL and the M7 were in perfect condition when I received it. I soon noticed issues with both camera relating to their ISO dials on the back. M6 would over-expose by about 4 stops unless I push the film back into the camera. I assumed this had something to do with the bad contacts of the ISO dial on the film back. I sent it into Leica NJ for repair and I am now looking at a $750 bill.

I also started noticing a pattern with my M7 regarding the ISO setting. If I leave the ISO on the "DX" setting for the camera to read off the film cartridge, it would always tell me my iso setting is incorrect by flashing the ISO number on startup. Once I readjust the ISO dial, then everything will be back to normal until the next day. I started checking the film back as I did with the M6 to see if I could locate the issue, and I found that if I apply any pressure to the ISO dial, the meter would over expose by one stop and the ISO setting warning would flash. It appears that the ISO dial is buggy.

I read that many people had issues with their M7 ISO dial. I am wondering if guys could recommend an alternative for Leica NJ for the repair. My M7 has a late serial, so I don't think it's the DX reader issue, but I could of course be wrong. Ideally, I would just like to repair the dial if possible to keep the cost down. Perhaps, you guys have other pointers for me resolve the issues. Thank you!

 

[KeithM]

I bought a new M7 in early 2011. In the summer I had to replace the batteries (far too early for the small number of films shot) then shortly afterwards it died a complete electronic death. Repaired by Solms but then shortly afterwards it started to behave as you describe i.e. false ISO readings. The misbehaviour was more pronounced/frequent if the camera was in a half-case. Three more attempts were made by Solms to cure this, including a replacement of the complete electronic module. Eventually, after much heated discussion following yet more problems, they gave me a new M7. Happy bunny? Yes & no. I never put it in my half-case (my MP is quite happy with it) but even the brand-new replacement still at times misbehaves and I have learnt to rotate the ISO dial backwards & forwards to temporarily stop the erroneous flashing light. Other than for this quirk, it is still my favourite film rangefinder.

 

[Art Sue]

Hi Keith. Thank you for your reply and recounting your experience with the M7. Funny that you mentioned about the half-case because my M7 lives in a half-case. Perhaps the edge of the half-case is applying some sort of the pressure on film back or the iso dial to cause these issues. I have been able to solve the issue the same way as you. On occasion, I did forget to double check the camera before my very shot of the day, and that subsequently messed up the ISO setting. So far, this is more of an annoyance especially considering the price of the camera. The issue does make me appreciate why some people avoid the non mechanical or meter less Leica cameras. I do love the camera otherwise. I will send Leica NJ an email about the possibility of simply swapping out the ISO dial without doing all sorts of other expensive diagnostics/fixes. Hopefully that would be a possibility. Thanks again for your story.