Leica R7
Released in 1992 and enjoying a production run lasting until 1997, the Leica R7 was the final Leica SLR made in partnership with Minolta. Numerically, it would be easy to assume the R7 was the successor to the R6 but in reality it is probably better thought of as an update on the Leica R5. Like the Leica R5, the R7 is an electro-mechanical camera capable of automatic exposure modes. In this sense it had more in common with the R5 than the all-mechanical, manual R6.
Overall the Leica R7 is a full-featured, SLR camera that aimed to make the Leica R family of cameras more competitive on the professional market. To achieve this the R7 offered a full range of exposure modes (manual, aperture & shutter priority, and program), dual metering modes (spot and full-field integral), and advanced flash TTL compatibility. The latter is the R7's most notable upgrade over the R5 and allowed the user to do TTL fill-flash work while in shutter priority mode, as well as allowing the camera to switch between fill and full flash while in Program AE mode. The R7 was also the first Leica SLR to have DX code capability for automatically detecting the speed of loaded film. Film speed could still be set manually between ISO 6-12800, so you were covered no matter what film you laid hands on. The R7 also offered EV compensation in the range of +3 to -3.
On a more nuts and bolts side of things, the Leica R7 features an electro-mechanical shutter with speeds of 4s to 1/2000, all of which require battery power to operate. The two exceptions are the camera's bulb mode and 1/100 flash sync speed. Aperture is controlled manually via the lens. Film advance and rewind are also both manual, noteworthy as most of the R7's contemporaries had moved on to motorized film advance and rewind. It also means the R7 has no drive mode or continuous firing capabilities on its own. A mechanical depth of field preview lever is located next to the lens release and enjoys an electronic self-timer as a neighbor. While the R7 did not feature interchangeable prisms, it did have interchangeable focusing screens and Leica produced a selection of five to choose from.
In terms of less dramatic but still interesting additions, the R7 has a couple. First is a small led light that sits on the underside of the prism overhang and illuminates the aperture ring of the lens. Since the R7 has an optical window in the viewfinder for seeing the chosen aperture, this light helps makes that easier to read in dim conditions. It also makes the aperture ring more legible when the camera is held at chest level and viewed from above. This may actually be our favorite feature of the R7 and we wish this was done in more cameras, though it probably doesn't help battery life. A switch beneath the lens mount can be used to turn this feature on or off. Also the R7 has an extra cable release socket threaded into the lens mount that could be used to pre-release the camera's mirror in place of the more traditional mirror-lock up button/lever.
The R7 is a robust camera. While its outer shell is plastic its inner construction is mainly metal. This gives the camera significant heft and makes it feel quite solid. It seems like a camera that will stand up to use and some abuse. The R7 is also a bit more battery hungry, requiring four SR/LR44 batteries as opposed to the two batteries needed by the R5. Leica claimed this was to help with battery life and increase the time between battery changes. Regardless, if those batteries die this camera loses most of its functionality.
The bottom line is that the R7 is a sleek camera with a great array of features. While heavy, it feels good in the hands. Through its use of Leica R lenses it also grants entry into the realms of Leitz glass without paying the prices one must to shoot M-mount. The Leica SLR cameras have always flown a bit under the radar, for arguable reasons. The R7 may go a long way to making you a convert though.
Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc
- sales@bluemooncamera.com
- (503) 978-0333
- (503) 978-0370
-
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203
All rights reserved ©2025, Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc