Leica M7 Rangefinder 35mm Camera w/ .72x Viewfinder, Silver (Body Only)

by Leica

Product Details

Data Sheet [963kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 1 x 3.8 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006HGZL
• Item model number: B00006HGZL
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,625 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 24, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Leica's M7 35mm compact rangefinder camera has been historically renowned for its build quality and outstanding performance, as field-tested by the most demanding photojournalists and avant-garde artists. The lens is built with the Leica M design and has a focal length of 21 to 135mm. All manual operations continue to be present, but this newest update now sports electronic control and operation with an on/off switch that starts it all.

You can now make automatic exposures with the stepless electronic shutter speed control with metered value storage. The cloth focal plane shutter has turned electronic, controlling exposure time silently and accurately. An unusual but undoubtedly useful feature is the viewfinder with LED display, a total of 33 different readings are visible to keep you on top of all the information.

With an additional flash unit installed, the second shutter curtain can trigger the flash. The two film-speed settings, manual and automatic, eliminate bad exposures that come from setting the wrong film speeds. Film loading, advance, and rewind remain manual for greater control.

Product Description

Absolute reliability in all situations, emergency operation without batteries, the use of the very best materials, great value retention, longevity, high-precision optical and mechanical components make the Leica M7 a step above the rest. Impressive innovations include: Make automatic exposures. As an alternative to the familiar manual exposure balance, which of course, continues to be available, the M7 features a comfortable stepless automatic shutter speed control with metered value storage at the shutter release button. Work more accurately. The legendary cloth focal plane shutter in all Leica M cameras was thoroughly redesigned to control exposure times electronically, virtually inaudibly. Stay informed at all times. A system that is very unusual in rangefinder camera displays: a total of 33 different readings is shown in the viewfinder, an area of less than two square millimeters, enlarged 15 times for optimal information. Start immediately. An on/off switch is positioned ergonomically right next to the release button. In the on position, it turns the electronics of the M7 on. In the off position, it blocks the shutter release button. Flash at ultrahigh exposure times. In addition to the regular 1/50 second sync speed, the M7 in conjunction with special Metz flash units can now flash at sync speeds up to 1/1000 second. In this mode, the settings of the exposure and the flash are made manually. Use flash creatively. In conjunction with a specially equipped flash unit, the M7 can also be triggered by the second shutter curtain. The advantage is a natural pictorial rendition, for instance, with long exposures and fill-in flash. Prevent faulty exposures. There are two options of setting the film speed: manual and automatic (with DX coding). This eliminates faulty exposures that result from setting wrong ASA film speeds. An override feature of +/-2 f/stops is available for exposure corrections in the automatic exposure mode.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leica's Rangefinder Camera for the 21st Century, September 12, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica M7 Rangefinder 35mm Camera w/ .72x Viewfinder, Silver (Body Only) (Electronics)

The Leica M7 is truly one camera that is long overdue. Without a doubt, it is the finest - and most expensive - rangefinder camera currently in production. Much of what the Leica M7 offers is not revolutionary, but rather, a natural, evolutionary progression spanning nearly five decades since the introduction of the M3, Leica's first bayonet-mounted rangefinder camera. The shutter remains essentially the same as the one found on the M6, but it is far more accurate than its immediate predecessor; it is still a silk curtain shutter, but one that is now electronically controlled, guaranteeing accurate exposures every time. Surprisingly, it is now also quieter than the shutter for the Leica M6. Those familiar with Leicas, especially the M4 and M6, will find the M7 easy to use. However, you may have to carry additional batteries since this camera won't work without them, with the notable exception of two shutter speeds. Otherwise, I regret that this fine camera is truly too expensive for most photographers.