Thoughts on LEICA M ?

[Thoth]

That's the idea. Camera bodies are not what they used to be. My hand-me-down M3 still works great and can still be serviced but not the digital bodies.

I'm waiting for a FF body I can afford in the next few months too. Now I'm using the Ricoh GXR most of the time. It seems to give best results compared to my m43 and Fuji XE1 bodies for Leica lenses. Unfortunately they may not do enough justice to the newer Leica lenses like the 35 FLE and the 50AA.

That's why this won't-go-away itch for the M. Your photos are not helping

It'll b a long wait if u r hanging out for NEX FF or Fuji X FF bodies. Since u haf d 50 AA and d FLE. M240 seems a logical purchase as it should b able to fully utilize d potential of these 2 lenses.

 

[ziggy]

It'll b a long wait if u r hanging out for NEX FF or Fuji X FF bodies. Since u haf d 50 AA and d FLE. M240 seems a logical purchase as it should b able to fully utilize d potential of these 2 lenses.

That's one way of looking at it. The choice was either a 50AA or a M240 but not both. Maybe when they are more available and the itch gets stronger.

 

[Thoth]

That's one way of looking at it. The choice was either a 50AA or a M240 but not both. Maybe when they are more available and the itch gets stronger.

Saw d review on 50AA used on M240 for studio shot. Awesome results. Search in YouTube. I forgotten d link. Both d 50AA n M240 cost abt d same.

 

[tonyep]

Saw d review on 50AA used on M240 for studio shot. Awesome results. Search in YouTube. I forgotten d link. Both d 50AA n M240 cost abt d same.

Why use a RF when you can use a MF for studio which gives you a much better output? They cost the same.

 

[Thoth]

Why use a RF when you can use a MF for studio which gives you a much better output? They cost the same.

Leica S body already 20k usd. Faintz.

 

[tonyep]

Leica S body already 20k usd. Faintz.

Leica is not the only camera maker out there.

 

[ziggy]

Why use a RF when you can use a MF for studio which gives you a much better output? They cost the same.

My main reason is size, hence portability. Even DSLR is too big for me.

 

[Errz]

The Leica M 240 Real World Camera Review 2013 by Steve Huff | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

 

[Thoth]

The Leica M 240 Real World Camera Review 2013 by Steve Huff | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

Yeah. One hour reading it. Awesome.

 

[sillbeers15]

Allow me to contribute my 2 cents worth after fiddling my M240 for 2+ weeks.

Firstly, I gotten familar with it almost instantly after previous experiences of handling M8 & M9.

The new manual is much better and self-thought understanding over setting up the camera (time, date, exposure meter, ISO, focusing aid,..).

The first thing that impressed me is the much better ISO >1000. This allowed me to shoot handheld in the dark with my max ISO setting set at ISO3200. On one of my earlier test shots of a building in the evening 7:45pm local time, the result of a handheld at 1/12s at ISO3200 produced amazing clear and rich in colour result without any retouch in Lightroom.

The overall colour is warmer due mainly to the white balance improvement and richer greens and reds off camera shots in RAW.

I have not done any JPG shots directly out of camera, so no comments on that. And I do not see why I want to do JPG shots after paying for Leica glasses and a M240.

The EV/LV saved me several time on focusing accuracy using M lens, especially over portrait shots ( I can now focus pin point accuracy on the subjects eyes as previously impossible due to too small to determine accuracy). Focus peaking together with magnification can be set to automatically pop up once the focusing dial is moved. Upon one light tap on the shutter button, the LV resume back to full frame and ready to shoot. Honestly I love the feature. With EVF, I tend not to want to take my eyes off the electronic finder. I have to conciously shut off the EV to force myself to use the OVF for most general shooting that do not require shallow DOF shots.

My needs on general shooting do not make a difference in shutter lag over M9.

LCD is clearer and faster to respond over M9.

SD card capacity is no issues using a 128MB SDXC card for max, max storage capacity.

Downloading now is still a pain to remove SD card each time now until the multifunctional handgrip with USB port arrives.

I have no desire to use my 90mm APO Corn ASPH now before my handgrip arrive as the slight hump on the back of the camera housing the dial is no replacement for the thumps-up attachment. However with the handgrip, I believe it will be sufficient grip for one hand to grip the camera while the other to freely operate the camera with longer lens.

I also need the R lens adapter to try out my R-lens on my M240 and I can only be more comfortable to have one more spare battery while I go shooting.

The overall pics my M240 produces do not differ much from my M9 and M8 shots. The 3D Pop effect many talked about from digital Leica cameras are still clearly present. I do not notice the differences on M, M8 & M9 shots until I start looking for differences in details. I'm a colour pics person, so richer colour is a welcome feature for me. Besides I can more easier create more depth through more tone in post processing.

I did nor encounter any bugs or hanging of my M240 till date and am truly happy with it.

I will certainly say it is a improved M9 with more features than just M mounted lenses to apply.

I can be happy with Sony RX1 if I only require 1 lens.

I can be happy with Leica M9 if I ony need M lenses.

But,...I wanted more. Therefore I've gotten the M240.


L1006187-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

 

[Thoth]

Allow me to contribute my 2 cents worth after fiddling my M240 for 2+ weeks.

Firstly, I gotten familar with it almost instantly after previous experiences of handling M8 & M9.

The new manual is much better and self-thought understanding over setting up the camera (time, date, exposure meter, ISO, focusing aid,..).

The first thing that impressed me is the much better ISO >1000. This allowed me to shoot handheld in the dark with my max ISO setting set at ISO3200. On one of my earlier test shots of a building in the evening 7:45pm local time, the result of a handheld at 1/12s at ISO3200 produced amazing clear and rich in colour result without any retouch in Lightroom.

The overall colour is warmer due mainly to the white balance improvement and richer greens and reds off camera shots in RAW.

I have not done any JPG shots directly out of camera, so no comments on that. And I do not see why I want to do JPG shots after paying for Leica glasses and a M240.

The EV/LV saved me several time on focusing accuracy using M lens, especially over portrait shots ( I can now focus pin point accuracy on the subjects eyes as previously impossible due to too small to determine accuracy). Focus peaking together with magnification can be set to automatically pop up once the focusing dial is moved. Upon one light tap on the shutter button, the LV resume back to full frame and ready to shoot. Honestly I love the feature. With EVF, I tend not to want to take my eyes off the electronic finder. I have to conciously shut off the EV to force myself to use the OVF for most general shooting that do not require shallow DOF shots.

My needs on general shooting do not make a difference in shutter lag over M9.

LCD is clearer and faster to respond over M9.

SD card capacity is no issues using a 128MB SDXC card for max, max storage capacity.

Downloading now is still a pain to remove SD card each time now until the multifunctional handgrip with USB port arrives.

I have no desire to use my 90mm APO Corn ASPH now before my handgrip arrive as the slight hump on the back of the camera housing the dial is no replacement for the thumps-up attachment. However with the handgrip, I believe it will be sufficient grip for one hand to grip the camera while the other to freely operate the camera with longer lens.

I also need the R lens adapter to try out my R-lens on my M240 and I can only be more comfortable to have one more spare battery while I go shooting.

The overall pics my M240 produces do not differ much from my M9 and M8 shots. The 3D Pop effect many talked about from digital Leica cameras are still clearly present. I do not notice the differences on M, M8 & M9 shots until I start looking for differences in details. I'm a colour pics person, so richer colour is a welcome feature for me. Besides I can more easier create more depth through more tone in post processing.

I did nor encounter any bugs or hanging of my M240 till date and am truly happy with it.

I will certainly say it is a improved M9 with more features than just M mounted lenses to apply.

I can be happy with Sony RX1 if I only require 1 lens.

I can be happy with Leica M9 if I ony need M lenses.

But,...I wanted more. Therefore I gotten the M240.


L1006187-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

Love the colors... Cheers

 

[Redsun]

omg this thread is poisonous
luckily i dun have the spare $ to blow on a Leica M

 

[Dfive]

Allow me to contribute my 2 cents worth after fiddling my M240 for 2+ weeks.

Firstly, I gotten familar with it almost instantly after previous experiences of handling M8 & M9.

The new manual is much better and self-thought understanding over setting up the camera (time, date, exposure meter, ISO, focusing aid,..).

The first thing that impressed me is the much better ISO >1000. This allowed me to shoot handheld in the dark with my max ISO setting set at ISO3200. On one of my earlier test shots of a building in the evening 7:45pm local time, the result of a handheld at 1/12s at ISO3200 produced amazing clear and rich in colour result without any retouch in Lightroom.

The overall colour is warmer due mainly to the white balance improvement and richer greens and reds off camera shots in RAW.

I have not done any JPG shots directly out of camera, so no comments on that. And I do not see why I want to do JPG shots after paying for Leica glasses and a M240.

The EV/LV saved me several time on focusing accuracy using M lens, especially over portrait shots ( I can now focus pin point accuracy on the subjects eyes as previously impossible due to too small to determine accuracy). Focus peaking together with magnification can be set to automatically pop up once the focusing dial is moved. Upon one light tap on the shutter button, the LV resume back to full frame and ready to shoot. Honestly I love the feature. With EVF, I tend not to want to take my eyes off the electronic finder. I have to conciously shut off the EV to force myself to use the OVF for most general shooting that do not require shallow DOF shots.

My needs on general shooting do not make a difference in shutter lag over M9.

LCD is clearer and faster to respond over M9.

SD card capacity is no issues using a 128MB SDXC card for max, max storage capacity.

Downloading now is still a pain to remove SD card each time now until the multifunctional handgrip with USB port arrives.

I have no desire to use my 90mm APO Corn ASPH now before my handgrip arrive as the slight hump on the back of the camera housing the dial is no replacement for the thumps-up attachment. However with the handgrip, I believe it will be sufficient grip for one hand to grip the camera while the other to freely operate the camera with longer lens.

I also need the R lens adapter to try out my R-lens on my M240 and I can only be more comfortable to have one more spare battery while I go shooting.

The overall pics my M240 produces do not differ much from my M9 and M8 shots. The 3D Pop effect many talked about from digital Leica cameras are still clearly present. I do not notice the differences on M, M8 & M9 shots until I start looking for differences in details. I'm a colour pics person, so richer colour is a welcome feature for me. Besides I can more easier create more depth through more tone in post processing.

I did nor encounter any bugs or hanging of my M240 till date and am truly happy with it.

I will certainly say it is a improved M9 with more features than just M mounted lenses to apply.

I can be happy with Sony RX1 if I only require 1 lens.

I can be happy with Leica M9 if I ony need M lenses.

But,...I wanted more. Therefore I've gotten the M240.


L1006187-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

So in short it does was Nikon and Canon has delivered for the last 5 years ?

 

[sillbeers15]

So in short it does was Nikon and Canon has delivered for the last 5 years ?

I am inadequate to comment on your question as I have never been a Cannon nor Nikon user.
However I am certain there are more than enough facts to support such a big user group over the gears.
I think the decision for one to decide on a particular brand of photography gear is partially clinical objective + subjective desire decision.
IMHO no one can pin a fact to say that one is absolutely better than the other.

 

[zixaw]

So in short it does was Nikon and Canon has delivered for the last 5 years ?

Yes pretty much.

But in a lighter smaller body and the ability to use pretty much the widest selection of lenses in the world from almost every lens manufacturer. Oh yeah and Leica M lenses too.

Until Sony releases a full frame NEX or RX with interchangeable lenses. The M is still quite unique.

 

[blueweed]

Great review!

Though coming from the string of D4 to RX1, which the later is mind boggling with focus peaking only enabled during 'magnification' mode I must say that the rangefinder experience is still very relevant. I had a good 2hours molesting the M at AP and between that short time sort I got good at anticipating incoming subjects with my hands already in range on the focusing barrel for a 2 meter shot, and plus the focusing frame makes it all so much more exciting. Its amazing how fast you can focus with a rangefinder with just little practice.

I mean the RX1 does just fine as it just squeaks off a shot and hardly noticable for streets, but the M is just like driving a naturally aspirated car vs new turbocharge cars, the aura is just hard to explain, + leica glass is just dope. Currently have the 50lux on my GXR M mount is already a joy to touch and shoot.

Currently got my M on priority list and hope to PM sillbeers soon and exchange some notes!

Please keep them pics coming,

best
Vincent

 

[raytoei]

i saw the images from steve huff's
review and it looks like 5dmkII images.

ehh... how's the b&w ?

raytoei

 

[sillbeers15]

Great review!

Though coming from the string of D4 to RX1, which the later is mind boggling with focus peaking only enabled during 'magnification' mode I must say that the rangefinder experience is still very relevant. I had a good 2hours molesting the M at AP and between that short time sort I got good at anticipating incoming subjects with my hands already in range on the focusing barrel for a 2 meter shot, and plus the focusing frame makes it all so much more exciting. Its amazing how fast you can focus with a rangefinder with just little practice.

I mean the RX1 does just fine as it just squeaks off a shot and hardly noticable for streets, but the M is just like driving a naturally aspirated car vs new turbocharge cars, the aura is just hard to explain, + leica glass is just dope. Currently have the 50lux on my GXR M mount is already a joy to touch and shoot.

Currently got my M on priority list and hope to PM sillbeers soon and exchange some notes!

Please keep them pics coming,

best
Vincent

You certainly are most welcome Vincent!

 

[raytoei]

i take my previous comment back.
after seeing ming thein's review.
The 2013 Leica M Typ 240 – Ming Thein | Photographer

 

[anerjee]

Here is his OM-D review -- Full review: The Olympus OM-D E-M5 – Ming Thein | Photographer

He is a very good picture taker, and I really like his b&w conversions.

I read Sean Reid's review of the new Leica M, and it seems a clear bit better and more usable than the M9, but still behind the MM in terms of ISO and details.

i take my previous comment back.
after seeing ming thein's review.
The 2013 Leica M Typ 240 – Ming Thein | Photographer