Wee-Ming Boon 
, Jun 14, 2005; 01:45 a.m.
I know that the betriebsk M7 is something of a demo unit for larger
shops to show their customers, but are there any real differences
between the M7 Betriebsk and the regular vanilla flavoured M7 ? I
assume that the betriebsk version does not have the MP finder
upgrade because it would have been one of the newer units made.
Apart from that, does anyone know if there are any differences ?
There doesn't seem to be much info out there about the betriebsk
version.......and I assume because there is basically no difference
from the regular M7.
Any comments would be welcome, you Leica experts !
wm
Steve Hoffman , Jun 14, 2005; 02:03 a.m.
Just the word ingraved on the top. As far as I know, that's the only difference. Early models like this are prone to more failures than later tried and true versions (in my opinion).
Mark Theken , Jun 14, 2005; 06:05 a.m.
The M7 Betriebsk is a special edition of 100 black .72 M7 cameras that was released several years after the introduction of the M7.
They were intended to be used by authorized Leica dealers as
in-store demo or "test" cameras. The original M3 (and other) betriebsk cameras were early production cameras used within the Leitz factory for testing purposes.
Charles Stobbs 
, Jun 14, 2005; 09:41 a.m.
Are demo cameras built or specially selected as more reliable than run of the mill cameras?
Bob Blakley 
, Jun 14, 2005; 10:03 a.m.
Don't think so... a local camera shop here just had to send its demo M7 back for repairs.
Eliot Rosen , Jun 14, 2005; 11:48 a.m.
AFAIK, the only difference between Betriebsk and regular M7 is the engraving. It doesn't even meen what it used to mean, which was a camera issued for factury use only. These cameras were used for internal testing and were never allowed outside for sale. A few of them did find their way outside of the factory over the years and made their way into the collector market. However, the current edition M7 is not an original Betriebsk camera. It was made and boxed for sale. The original Betr. cameras are never found in boxes since they were never intended for sale.
Davo Shaw , Jun 14, 2005; 08:15 p.m.
The engraving is actually a silk screen print, and the cameras have proven to be reliable- 10 sold and every customer satisfied. They were meant as shopp demo sets, but some dealers bought more than the allocated one per shop!
Raymond Tai , Jun 14, 2005; 11:41 p.m.
Vanilla flavored M7? Talk about a la carte. I'll have the scratch and sniff vulcanite. Sorry....slow day.
Eliot Rosen , Jun 15, 2005; 12:52 a.m.
The point is its the same as any other M7, no more no less, so I wouldn't pay a cent more just for the engraving.
Wee-Ming Boon , Jun 15, 2005; 01:56 a.m.
Thanks very much for your responses. I guess there is a consensus that there is no benefit/loss of having/not having the betriebsk version versus the regular M7.
Basically get whichever one is cheaper, as I am a shooter, so collectability has no bearing on me. Thanks very much again !
Cheers, wm
DENNIS CHENG , Jun 16, 2005; 10:42 a.m.
I bought one about a year ago. At the time it was a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the regular M7. That's the reason I bought it. It was no demo unit as it looked brand new. I suspect that it was no test camera. Leica put the word Betriebsk to sell more cameras.
