Leica M7 User manual

Leica M System
The fascination of the moment
Heine/Lenz/Zizka 09/05/GY/B
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Rely on your own view of things. Nowadays, we take
photographs all the time, everywhere and of everything. Photography
seems to be child's play. But the essence of true photography has not
really changed at all since the 35mm camera was invented: using light
to capture an image of the world – a totally personal, individual look at
life and time. In 1925, the family company Leitz presented the first
successful 35mm camera to the world. Since then, the name Leica
(Leitz Camera) has stood for uncompromising optical and mechanical
quality and an exceptional photographic concept. Since 1954, the
Leica M system has continued this tradition with its rangefinder cameras
and lenses. It allows photographers to create their own images. The
camera is intended to be a perfect tool for them to find and capture
images, nothing more and nothing less. To some people, this might seem
like an antiquated attitude. But anyone who consciously sees and
photographs the world will appreciate the creative freedom that the
Leica M allows them. In an age that is marked by a stunning flood of
lessor quality images, it is a valuable experience to discover your own
creative power as a Leica photographer. By concentrating on what is
essential and ensuring intuitive operation, this is much easier than you
might think.
3 The Leica M system
14 LEICA MP
17 Lise Sarfati uses a LEICA MP
21 Jeff Mermelstein uses a LEICA M7
25 LEICA M7
28 Leica a la carte
32 Accessories
36 Technical data – LEICA MP
37 Technical data – LEICA M7
39 Leica M Entry set
40 Leica M lenses
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The essential of what a good photographer needs. The
Leica M system is a masterpiece of the art of reduction. Since the very
first model, every development in the mechanical and optical systems has
been consistently focused on concentrating on the truly crucial functions.
This philosophy is what makes the Leica M the ideal tool for photo-
graphers who do not want their work to be governed by every conceivable
automatic function and feature, but want to exercise their own creativity.
Everything that has been developed and enhanced during the evolution of
the Leica M system meets a photographer's genuine needs. At Leica,
innovations are not an end in themselves – they are always the result of
numerous questions, requests and meetings between photographers
and Leica engineers. This principle of concentrating on what is essential
has made the Leica M into a unique, modern cult object, which is still
developing today.
Timeless
A Leica combines the legendary virtues of
German engineering expertise with the
results of consistent development that
respects the creativity of the photographer.
This enables us to create cameras and
lenses that inspire you to take photographs
– without making any concessions to
current trends and fads.
Conscious
Leica cameras were the basis for the
global success of 35 mm photography and
documented the most significant events
of the 20th Century. Geared towards the
crucial photographic parameters, with a
compact form and a clean and clear design,
they give the photographer focused tech-
nology for focused pictures.
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Feel the peace of the camera. How would you explain snow to a
person who had never seen winter? He would not be able to really feel
and understand it until actual snowflakes fell into his hand. Likewise, you
cannot really appreciate how it feels to take photographs with a Leica
until you pick one up and use it. The photographer can see the subject in
the viewfinder, even during the exposure. And he can keep an eye on
what is happening in the immediate vicinity outside of the viewfinder
frame. A further advantage of the rangefinder is its reliable focusing,
regardless of the photographer's vision. With no mirror to audibly flip
up before exposure, the Leica M is extremely quiet and almost free of
vibration. Everyone who uses a Leica for the first time is amazed by the
gentle way it takes photographs. Pictures can easily be taken handheld at
significantly slower shutter speeds than with other cameras.
Reliability
The Leica M rangefinder system is an opti-
cal masterpiece. Unlike reflex systems,
focusing is independent of the focal length,
making it many times more accurate for
short focal lengths. Even in extremely poor
lighting conditions, it can be focused
quickly, precisely and totally accurately.
In addition, the focusing point is easier to
find and the viewfinder image always has
the same brightness as the surroundings,
because the light does not have to be
diverted through the lens.
Quiet
The fine sound of the almost silent cloth
focal plane shutter that the Leica emits
when the shutter is released will not even
be enough to disturb a pianist playing softly
and will not betray the presence of a photo-
grapher witnessing events in sensitive
situations.
4 / 5
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The ideal companion: discreet, natural and engaging.
Good portrait photographs are rare because, even in our visual age,
photography makes many people self-conscious. The Leica M does not
cover the photographer's face when taking the picture, allowing him to
maintain eye contact with the subject of the portrait and making it easier
to achieve a natural and relaxed result. The Leica M's discreet exterior is
appreciated by professional photographers working in crisis-ridden
regions, because they are hardly ever perceived as photojournalists.
The intelligent design of the camera, the extremely short shutter release
delay and the almost total lack of noise allow photographs to be taken at
very close range, almost unnoticed, right at the heart of events.
Compact
With a width of just 138 mm, the Leica M
has a distinctly unobtrusive appearance.
On the move, it is quickly to hand and
compact even with all its accessories. Even
with additional lenses, it fits into almost any
bag, making it a constant companion.
Independence
Choosing a Leica M instead of the
convenience of an autofocus model, for
example, is a deliberate decision to take
your own route to the final picture.
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Very few things last a lifetime. The Leica M often lasts
longer. From the very beginning, the Leica concept has included
supporting pioneering activities, like the circumnavigation of the globe by
the Graf Zeppelin airship, bringing back unique images. The durability,
reliability and robustness of the camera have always taken priority in
the development of the Leica. The best materials coupled with reliable
precision mechanics and painstaking production guarantee brilliant
pictures, even on glaciers, on top of Kilimanjaro or in the Sahara.
The Leica M has demonstrated its reliability in everyday use for decades.
The incomparable quality of the Leica M is the result of science and
experience, realized in our high-tech laboratory and manufacturing
facilities. Down to the minutest detail, our cameras and lenses meet the
highest demands of passionate photographers. Of course, this means
that the Leica M comes at a price. But for everyone who uses it to look at
life, it is worth so much more.
Perfection
Production of the Leica was based on the
extreme precision that had been demanded
at the Ernst Leitz optical works for scientific
microscopes since 1849. The inventor of
the Leica, Oskar Barnack, had the reputa-
tion in the factory of being able to perceive
tolerances of 1/1000 mm. Even today,
no lens or camera leaves the Leica factory
without having first been subjected to
rigorous testing at all the crucial stages
of production.
Enduring
Products that can still be maintained
after several decades are a genuine
luxury these days. Every piece of Leica
equipment comes with decades-long repair
assurance. Leica's service department
still maintains and repairs all M series
cameras that have ever been produced.
Their experience and expertise allow them
to offer the customer excellent service.
8 / 9
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A
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A Leica M gets younger as the years go by. In the 1950s,
the engineers from Leitz in Wetzlar proved their foresightedness by
creating a new standard with the Leica M bayonet. Remaining faithful to
this standard has guaranteed compatibility over the decades. At the
same time, state of the art technology has been incorporated into the
design. This is most noticeable on the new Leica M lenses that continue
to set new performance standards with aspherical technology and,
more recently, a floating element. The cameras themselves have also
developed. For example, the brightness and reliability of the viewfinder
have been enhanced with features to prevent flare. Improvements are
constantly being made to design and production methods. Leica is
always looking to the future without forgetting its unique history.
Compatibility
Since the launch of the standard bayonet
for the Leica M3 in 1954, almost all
Leica M lenses fit on the successive new
generations of Leica M cameras.
Expansion
Anyone who starts using a Leica camera
will constantly learn new things and will
want to be able to do even more. New high-
speed lenses and practical accessories are
continually expanding the creative freedom
available to Leica photographers.
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The world's best lenses are designed simply – with a lot
of thought and craftsmanship. It was the lenses that established
the legend of the Leica brand. Their unsurpassed performance is all down
to one basic principle: the Leica engineers always put a great deal of
work and ingenuity into finding a clear, straightforward solution. This
often involves just a few lens elements, placing as few obstructions as
possible in the way of the light. This natural design, made with high
quality types of glass and perfectly manufactured, is the basis for images
of unmistakeable character. As well as outstanding sharpness, contrast
and resolution, these images always feature incredible structure, richness
and natural expression. There is also the pleasure of a Leica lens’
zero lens flare and silky smooth focusing. To assure this quality, each lens
is individually manufactured by the experienced hands of our master
craftsmen in optics and precision mechanics. In contrast to industrial
mass production, every single Leica lens meets the highest quality
standards, which the photographer can always rely on.
Natural
Achieving vital and true to life pictures
of people – that was the idea for which
Osckar Barnack developed his Leica
35 mm camera back in 1914. Since then,
photographers such as Gisèle Freund,
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa and
Sebastiao Salgado have used their Leicas
to capture impressive images of our age
for posterity.
High contrast
The optical superiority of Leica lenses is
demonstrated by their ability to capture
magic moments sharply and at high
contrast without additional lighting
(available light), even at twilight or indoors.
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Maximum reduction
Known as the MP, this Leica rangefinder is one
of our photojournalistic' cameras, specially
tailored to the requirements of professional
photographers. Reduced to what is absolute
necessary, it is intuitively operated and leaves
all decisions and settings up to the photo-
grapher. It is the mechanical alternative to
the LEICA M7, which provides increased
convenience and more functions with its
electronically controlled shutter and automatic
exposure mode.
LEICA MP – The Tool
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Classic mechanics
The LEICA MP is the essence of precision
mechanics and its development and
production are the result of more than
50 years of experience. The MP is the
epitome of a mechanical rangefinder camera.
This masterpiece provides a memorable
photographic experience from the moment
you pick it up.
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Always ready to use
The LEICA MP has such an uncompromising
design that you can always depend on it.
It relies on the photographer's ability, not on
batteries. They are only needed for exposure
metering. Anyone who wants to estimate the
shutter speed and aperture themselves can
do without electronic features altogether.
The sturdy body stands up to any kind of use.
All the controls are completely metal. The
extending rewind knob is extremely handy and
impact resistant.
Lis
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Lise Sarfati
Lise Sarfati, born in 1958, lives in Paris. She graduated from the
Sorbonne in Slavonic Studies, specialising in Russia. The subject of her
thesis was “Photography of the 1920s”. In 1986, she was appointed
in-house photographer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. In 1989,
she travelled to Russia on a scholarship from the Paris Ministry of
Culture and the Villa Medicis Hors Les Murs. Until 1998, she worked
almost exclusively in Russia. Her work from that period appeared in
her first monograph, entitled “Acta Est”, based on the Latin phrase
“Acta Est Fabula” (The game is up). In her pictures, Sarfarti brought to
life the modern era in Russia – with her familiar, almost intimate look
at society and individual people. Since 2003, she has been taking
portraits of young Americans who have chosen to live in isolation.
This project has taken her to Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, California and
Oregon. The work was published in a new book in 2005.
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