In the mid 1990’s, Leica decided to update the M6. The design changes included a taller top plate to make room for the electronics that would not only be the light meter but could also do through the lens flash control. A larger, over hanging shutter speed dial that turned in the same direction as the light meter arrows was also incorporated. It made the camera easy to use at eye level. The shutter speeds could be changed without having the move the camera while viewing through it. That change annoyed many long time users because now the dial turned in the opposite direction from previous M cameras.
In the early 2000’s several M6A prototypes were made that now had an electronically controlled shutter and could offer a higher sync speed for flash, a higher top shutter speed and auto exposure. This became the M7.
It was an innovative camera for Leica. It had the great rangefinder, the same M camera ergonomics and AE, which other manufacturers had been using in their cameras since the 80’s. Early on, the M7 sold well but had some problems with the DX readers. By the time it was corrected, digital photography was dominant. Leica reverted to the older, traditional design of the M6 Classic, changed the crank rewind to a post and called it the MP.