M7 Discontinued by Leica

RattyMouse · Jun 1, 2018

The film resurgence could not save the M7.

https://www.dpreview.com/news/9619099508/leica-m7-film-camera-comes-to-an-end

benjiboy · Jun 1, 2018

I'm not surprised Leica manufactures three M series rangefinder models, and how much of a market can they be worldwide for a film camera even amongst professionals, that is so limited in application, and that is so expensive?

Lachlan Young · Jun 1, 2018

Probably because their stock of electronics packages for the M7 ran out & it may have been too complicated to replace/ replicate a design from 16 years ago relative to sales. I suspect that the M-A came into being at about the time that Leica decided it was less complex to make a non electronic camera in small batches than trying to persist with the M7.

jspillane · Jun 1, 2018

I suspect that the very small group of people buying NEW Leica's at this point go for the 'purity' of the M-A or MP. I suspect Leica will keep those in 'production' (how many do we think they even make a given year? I am guessing they do a periodic batch and let it run out).

For heavy usage in complex situations (photojournalism, weddings, fashion, etc.) the M7 is surely superior due to it's metering. But very, very few people are using the cameras for those purposes anymore.

mshchem · Jun 1, 2018

Lachlan Young said:
Probably because their stock of electronics packages for the M7 ran out & it may have been too complicated to replace/ replicate a design from 16 years ago relative to sales. I suspect that the M-A came into being at about the time that Leica decided it was less complex to make a non electronic camera in small batches than trying to persist with the M7.

Exactly.

AgX · Jun 1, 2018

Still only announced by a dealer. And not even as being discontinued yet.
Anyway, see it in context with this thread:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/canons-last-analog-camera.160132/

So, there still will be life for the M7.

Sirius Glass · Jun 1, 2018

I am still working on convincing myself to buy a used Leica so I cannot even start the conversation about buying a new one. but I am sorry to see another camera company cutting back on film camera production.

faberryman · Jun 1, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
I am still working on convincing myself to buy a used Leica so I cannot even start the conversation about buying a new one. but I am sorry to see another camera company cutting back on film camera production.

The probably stopped manufacturing them a while ago and have only now run out of back inventory. Like the Canon EOS1V.

AgX · Jun 1, 2018

According to that dealer they production just ended, so there will be still a stock. The camera is still listed.

That is why I referred to that Canon, that has been on stock for 8 years after production ended.

Huss · Jun 1, 2018

The M-A will be the last Leica standing. As no need to worry about electronics/repairs for them in the future. It has the best VF out of the current film Leicas. And really is just a hybrid M2/M3. Frames lines of the M2 with frame counter of the M3. And quick load mechanism of the M2R.

Huss · Jun 2, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
I am still working on convincing myself to buy a used Leica so I cannot even start the conversation about buying a new one. but I am sorry to see another camera company cutting back on film camera production.

Have you used one? They're horrible

sepiareverb · Jun 2, 2018

Huss said:
The M-A will be the last Leica standing. As no need to worry about electronics/repairs for them in the future. It has the best VF out of the current film Leicas. And really is just a hybrid M2/M3. Frames lines of the M2 with frame counter of the M3. And quick load mechanism of the M2R.

Does it have a different viewfinder than the MP/M7?

Chan Tran · Jun 2, 2018

If I were to buy a Leica I would pick the M-A over the M7.

Huss · Jun 2, 2018

sepiareverb said:
Does it have a different viewfinder than the MP/M7?

It has unbroken frame lines. The MP and M7 have a large break in the lower horizontal frame line due to the meter readouts. The view through the MA is like the M4.
It is much more pleasant to compose with.

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 7, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
convincing myself to buy a used Leica

If you don't need all those jangly electronics and built-in meters and stuff I can heartily recommend an M3 as the touchstone for the series. I'm about to send my grandfather's in for an overhaul, he bought it new in 1957 and it's been in and out of use ever since then with no special care beyond keeping it in its case. Solid bit of work, that.

sepiareverb · Jun 7, 2018

I find the M3 is the worst M body of the lot, except I guess the M1. Worst VF, and most limited for lens compatibility.

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 7, 2018

sepiareverb said:
the worst M body of the lot

I have no doubt, later varieties are more advanced and also exquisite pieces of design (and I really enjoy a well engineered system in any form). Which is why I called the M3 a touchstone instead of a paragon

Since Sirius was considering dabbling in a used purchase I think that finding a purchase that both represents the breed iconically and serves as a historical marker in the life of the series is important to ground the purchase in history. It's the same reason that someone might recommend a Nikon F3 to someone wanting to dabble in that brand, instead of recommending they go buy a new F6.

RattyMouse · Jun 7, 2018

If I wanted a 35mm rangefinder, I'd skip Leica and go right out and find a Zeiss Ikon.

Shawn Rahman · Jun 7, 2018

Our obsession and snobbery with "fully manual" is showing again.

My enthusiastic vote is for metered, Aperture Priority. I love my M7. And hell - I wish it had AF too (heresy, I know!!).

RattyMouse · Jun 7, 2018

I can't wrap my head around why anyone would want an autofocus M mount rangefinder.

Shawn Rahman · Jun 7, 2018

RattyMouse said:
I can't wrap my head around why anyone would want an autofocus M mount rangefinder.

I don't really. I just said it to get the shrieks of horror going.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 7, 2018

Shawn Rahman said:
I don't really. I just said it to get the shrieks of horror going.

Well, then you'd have a Contax G2... with better glass to boot. (ducks and hides).

ciniframe · Jun 7, 2018

Excluding Lomography's overpriced plasti-trash I think you could probably count on one finger the number of companies still making new 35mm cameras, of any style, either RF or SLR.

blockend · Jun 7, 2018

ciniframe said:
Excluding Lomography's overpriced plasti-trash I think you could probably count on one finger the number of companies still making new 35mm cameras, of any style, either RF or SLR.

Are disposables/ single use cameras still made? They were popular as wedding reception freebies until very recently.

faberryman · Jun 7, 2018

blockend said:
Are disposables/ single use cameras still made? They were popular as wedding reception freebies until very recently.

I saw a couple in CVS the other day. I think they were Fuji. I don't know how long they have been on the shelf. Probably not flying off.

M7 Discontinued by Leica

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