Thoughts on LEICA M ?

[sillbeers15]

Demand is greater than supply. So apparently there are alot of people out there who don't think it is overpriced. Complaining will just sound like whining.

Anyway, back on topic.

The M9 sensor is special because:

1. It is a CCD sensor
2. It did not have an AA filter
3. It has a microlens array optimized for legacy and modern M lenses

We all know that 1. is now CMOS from CMOSIS, 2. is still true, what about 3.? Does the custom made CMOSIS sensor still have a microlens array? I am assuming yes. So the question is, most reviewers have been using the 50 Lux, 50 AA Cron and 35 Lux. Has anyone tried using a wide angle lens?

Also the M is now the only full frame mirrorless camera with live view and focus peaking on the market. Which means that with the right adapter, it can use almost any and every lens in the world. Something that no other camera can do.

Yes. the 0% Crop shot below is shot out of a non Leica lens (carl Zeiss T* 18mm Distagon) on my M240:


L1006292-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

 

[NazgulKing]

Yes. the 0% Crop shot below is shot out of a non Leica lens (carl Zeiss T* 18mm Distagon) on my M240:


L1006292-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

That's a nice shot.

The issue is more to do with symmetric lenses though. Ironically, SLR retrofocus lenses have better luck with digital sensors than older symmetric lenses.

 

[anerjee]

Do I see vignetting?

Yes. the 0% Crop shot below is shot out of a non Leica lens (carl Zeiss T* 18mm Distagon) on my M240:


L1006292-1 by sillbeers15, on Flickr

 

[megkris]

On WATE...quick snapshot.. 16mm F4.0

 

[nordleadx]

Hello RF bros, been awhile since I posted any or came here to see see and look look..

Since I sold my m8 and moved to OMD and now x100s, nothing still beats using a RF camera. X100s not too bad but the "RF window is only 50 percent mag ??? !!! and the frameline is worst than any Leica used.. It not even half as good as Leica

Heng still got film M bodys to shoot.

I really envy all the bros here , Leica rocks man in street photography.. Go out and get some shots man, theres something special about the Leica that is missing with these Japanese camera. Missing my M8 and hoping to get a M monochrome when my pocket allows me to...

 

[sillbeers15]

Do I see vignetting?

No. LR4.4 graduated filter effect applied on upper right corner to tint sky further.
Look into the rest of the 3 corners for proof.

 

[Hacker]

Luigi's M case is out for order, anyone planning on getting them? Mass order?

Count me in please.

 

[Hacker]

Wrong your just paying for the brand... I mean REALLY.... Why does Leica have a 50mm f/2.0 Lens that sells at USD $7,000 !!! What a Joke !

Patek Philippe watches are not more accurate than a Casio..... oh well.

 

[Hacker]

The M9 sensor is special because:

1. It is a CCD sensor
2. It did not have an AA filter
3. It has a microlens array optimized for legacy and modern M lenses

Did anyone mention that it has a crack sensor issue reported widely? :bsmilie:. Worldwide shortage of sensors for replacements. And add to the fact that Kodak now belongs to the annuls of history.

 

[kcl211]

It's not just the brand.. I was torn in selecting between the Fuji X system, Sony RX-1 or the Nikon D800.. In the end I ended up selecting the Leica, which doesn't produce the best pictures of the lot, doesnt have the best ISO, but it gives me a rangefinder experience that no other camera can. At this point I wouldnt even consider Fuji a rangefinder.. it just looks like one.

I feel like a sniper focusing on the Leica.. I found my eyes glued to the viewfinder and turning the focus ring all day long. I hate the idea of half pressing to focus. That alone made me choose Leica over all others and paying a heavy premium.

 

[kayaro888]

Last week the demo set from 1 of the dealer here had problem and send back for repair. Hope this is one isolated case.

 

[sillbeers15]

When many were urging the replacement CMOS sensor falling short of the CCD sensor of M9, I pressed on looking forward to getting my own M240. Finally I managed to secure my own M on 27 Feb 2013. Looking back I had no regrets selling my M9 replacing it with M240. I regard the M240 as a FF digital rangefinder and a FF EVIL camera where there is no competitor as yet.

 

[zixaw]

Patek Philippe watches are not more accurate than a Casio..... oh well.

Except in this case the 50 APO Cron is sharper.

 

[zixaw]

Did anyone mention that it has a crack sensor issue reported widely? :bsmilie:. Worldwide shortage of sensors for replacements. And add to the fact that Kodak now belongs to the annuls of history.

Sensor division sold, sensors still being manufactured and used in the ME and sensor cracks are widely exagerrated.:bsmilie:

 

[NazgulKing]

I like shooting rangefinders simply because I have control. I don't have to fight the camera, and I don't have to spend my time trying to figure how best to use the camera's focusing algorithms. The Olympus EM-5 won raves, but it had a dog of a focusing algorithm and sometimes the damn camera couldn't even figure where to focus despite having obviously a high contrast image where CDAF is most optimal. I hear Nikon cameras have pretty good predictive algorithms but the cameras are large and unwieldy. I might still get a Nikon 35mm DSLR in the future because I want some versatility but that can wait. I don't have the cash to support too many systems anyway, at least not yet.

 

[dlubis]

Personally found 3 issues in Leica M 240: (i) freezes up, need to reset by pulling out the battery, (ii) low exposure for first or second pic after stby or off position and the camera in A mode, and (iii) need time to wake up the camera after stby position. Im using Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB, browsed around and the issues also being discussed.

Hopefully Leica could fix this in the next firmware update and for sure this wont let me stop using this great camera.

 

[Leika]

Personally found 3 issues in Leica M 240: (i) freezes up, need to reset by pulling out the battery, (ii) low exposure for first or second pic after stby or off position and the camera in A mode, and (iii) need time to wake up the camera after stby position. Im using Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB, browsed around and the issues also being discussed.

Hopefully Leica could fix this in the next firmware update and for sure this wont let me stop using this great camera.

Am also facing point (iii). As well, the save function doesn't work well. For example, when i change the time zone to GMT +8 and press SET.
It doesn't save and I still get the time zone in London time. I wish they had a SAVE button onscreen.

 

[zixaw]

Personally found 3 issues in Leica M 240: (i) freezes up, need to reset by pulling out the battery, (ii) low exposure for first or second pic after stby or off position and the camera in A mode, and (iii) need time to wake up the camera after stby position. Im using Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB, browsed around and the issues also being discussed.

Hopefully Leica could fix this in the next firmware update and for sure this wont let me stop using this great camera.

Have experienced all 3 problems in the short time with my M.

Only the lock up is a big issue since it involves removing the battery.

 

[AlexO]

Personally found 3 issues in Leica M 240: (i) freezes up, need to reset by pulling out the battery, (ii) low exposure for first or second pic after stby or off position and the camera in A mode, and (iii) need time to wake up the camera after stby position. Im using Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB, browsed around and the issues also being discussed.

Hopefully Leica could fix this in the next firmware update and for sure this wont let me stop using this great camera.

I got the freeze problem until I made some changes: Classic and NO Auto ISO.
Hofefully it will not freeze again...

 

[kayaro888]

There are some discussion about the freeze up in L-Camera Forum:

SD card may be the problem.

M (240) freezes up and exposure issues - Leica User Forum