Leica M( ) and M-E: first impressions

Leica M( ) and M-E: first impressions

  • Total voters
    288
  • Poll closed .
Regarding the M() I have a rangefinder because I don't want all this other stuff. I just want a camera, but I guess these things are what new Leica users "want". I watched the video and its like it does some neat stuff, but if I wanted all of that I would probably just buy a DSLR
 
jmarcus said:
Regarding the M() I have a rangefinder because I don't want all this other stuff. I just want a camera, but I guess these things are what new Leica users "want". I watched the video and its like it does some neat stuff, but if I wanted all of that I would probably just buy a DSLR
Click to expand...

QFT. It's nice and all, but it's all extra stuff.
 
bugmenot said:
Before ANYBODY passes judgment without usage, I HIGHLY suggest you go ahead and watch this video if you haven't done so already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_4xHIqU4t8

It makes a world of difference to see it under natural, changing light, in the hands of somebody actually using it. Please watch.

Also, this poll is stupid.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. After watching the video, I can see where pro photographers are going to find the new M and accessories highly attractive. Great small package.... much more compact than the big DSLR kits that pros have been using. That said, I'll never be able to afford an "M", so I'll have to stick with the Fuji X-Pro1. :)
 
I think this camera is the bomb, at least on paper. It solves a lot of issues I've had with the M9, which include imprecise framing, no video, and lack of weathersealing. And if they have solved the shutter recock sound problem, I will be very happy indeed.

The M9 has been my almost constant companion since I bought it in early 2010. The lack of video mode has meant carrying at least one other camera for that purpose, or forgoing video altogether. I even bought the OM-D recently as a way to get decent stills and video into the one camera, and while I really like it, it doesn't handle like a M, and certainly doesn't give me the same image quality or full use of my lenses. The new M will quite possibly be 'it'. I just hope that video quality is decent.
 
I have to say this camera is exciting me more than is decent to do!

At last an M camera that actually has some worthwhile innovations (if you can call adopting what many other digital cameras already have innovations) without losing the essence of the Leica M. It is seriously impressive.

Look at this video if you do not believe me

http://sonyalphanex.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/leica-m-target-of-nex-system.html

or if you prefer, here in Youtube (same video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n_4xHIqU4t8#!

One hting confuses me. Whats the big deal about being able to use R lenses with adapters. Am I to understand that somehow these now couple with the rangefinder? Or is it that you must use focus peaking (the more likely answer)?

EDIToops I just saw that the video has already been posted.
 
jmarcus said:
Regarding the M() I have a rangefinder because I don't want all this other stuff. I just want a camera, but I guess these things are what new Leica users "want".
Click to expand...


Reading the comments on the new M over the last few days that is a thought that has struck me too.
Its not just that the cameras have changed but the user base too.
A result maybe of moving the M out of its traditional niche and exposing it to a new market whilst still retaining the old mystique.
 
peterm1 said:
One hting confuses me. Whats the big deal about being able to use R lenses with adapters. Am I to understand that somehow these now couple with the rangefinder? Or is it that you must use focus peaking (the more likely answer)?
Click to expand...
There is no rangefinder coupling, you use the EVF/screen to focus. The big deal is that it is Leica who now offers a current digital (full frame) solution for R lenses.
 
I'm disappointed.

I'd much prefer if they:

-keept selling the M9p, at 4000 euros
-made a M10 smaller, similar to the analogical M, with led frames (that's ok), a Hermes-like aspect, a CCD to keep the different output from dslrs, better electronics, reliability and battery life
-offered at least one electronic upgrade in the life of the new camera
 
Before the announcements came out I was wetting myself with anticipation of Live View and video and hoped that it wouldn't be crazy expensive. Now that it's here, I seem to have changed my mind... What I love about Leica M's is the form factor and using the rangefinder to focus. I shoot video for some of my work and when I started to think about using an M as opposed to a 5D MkII the only advantage that becomes apparent are the lenses (although L Lenses for EOS aren't exactly crap). All the gizmos on the M10 were on my wishlist but now that they're here it somehow feels wrong... For some reason using a DSLR for video and the M9 for the M lenses just feels right when I consider having an all in one system for my M lenses.
 
kehng said:
Before the announcements came out I was wetting myself with anticipation of Live View and video and hoped that it wouldn't be crazy expensive. Now that it's here, I seem to have changed my mind... What I love about Leica M's is the form factor and using the rangefinder to focus. I shoot video for some of my work and when I started to think about using an M as opposed to a 5D MkII the only advantage that becomes apparent are the lenses (although L Lenses for EOS aren't exactly crap). All the gizmos on the M10 were on my wishlist but now that they're here it somehow feels wrong... For some reason using a DSLR for video and the M9 for the M lenses just feels right when I consider having an all in one system for my M lenses.
Click to expand...

amen.







(10 characters... bla bla bla...)
 
Until we actually have examples from the camera this is all best guessing, but let's assume the new sensor will have good high iso usage, and maybe being a little more optimistic, more reliable electronics.
If this proves to be the case, and given it's not an enormous price increase, then I would see the live view and video as an added bonus. I think the electronics in these things now, adding these probably doesn't add a great deal to the cost, and given these features are largely software implementations, would you disable them if you had the option.
I have both in my 5d's and they weren't features I thought I'd ever use, but I've been surprised at how useful they can be, certainly I could make use of the closer focusing ability of my Zeiss lenses with live view, and FF video is an absolute joy quality wise.
If the iso is reasonable, and for me a usable 2500 would be as much as I need, then I'm going to give serious consideration to one, for me the 8 and 9 just missed justifying the cost, but this one looks more the finished article.
 
There's a great interview at DPRreview with the Leica product manager that explains their thinking behind the new cameras. Great read and it makes sense.

They basically made the Milestone for all the critics who don't understand why a $7k camera doesn't have live view or video. And they are keeping the M-E for those who simply want a rangefinder. Also the name change was done to eliminate perception of new and old models. They want people to know the cameras are different, not that the M10 is new/better and so the M9 is old/inferior. They are just different. So no more numbers.

They also tried to make the new functions like live view and video as minimal as possible. If you want it it's there. But you can completely ignore it if you like and the Milestone can be used purely as a rangefinder.

He also talks about longevity and how the M8 could no longer be serviced. In that case they simply offered a trade in toward an M9.


http://m.dpreview.com/articles/7756434390/photokina-2012-interview-jesko-von-oeynhausen-of-leica
 
hteasley said:
The new M looks nice, but I don't like that it's half a centimeter thicker. The M9 is thick enough as it is.
Click to expand...

my only complaint too, the increased thickness, otherwise maybe the most perfect digital camera ever made, it could replace all the digital cameras I have, mirrorles, srls whatever..
, and finally the perfect digiback for my OM lenses too, it has taken too long, when the first hype is over I might go for one, after selling off a lot of other stuff I don't need anymore.
 
Hmmmm ... I wish I were more excited. The Leica M price is good, but the ongoing Leica DRF size increases do put me off, as do the Leica M still examples on the Leica site (mediocre at best). The ME is just a redo of the M9, so I can't get too excited about that (even with the price reduction). Leica will still be selling an antiquated technology for an awful lot of coin. I'm actually more excited to see what comes of two competitor cameras--the Nikon D600 and the Sony RX1 ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top