Leic M-E

[jsrockit]

I have no issue at all with this camera or its looks. If Leica came out with the M and got rid of all other M digitals, this forum would have been going crazy about it. Instead, Leica rebrands the M9 as its throwback rangefinder, cuts the price, doesn't have to rely on numbers in its models anymore, and releases a totally new take on the rangefinder (at a the same price as the M9 three years ago). Not bad really. Just too bad they are luxury products still.

 

[twopointeight]

Why is there a removable bottom plate, (to drop), instead of a sealed door for battery and SD card?

 

[steveyork]

I like the look of the ME, and the lower price point is great. If you want a 'classic looking' rangefinder then shoot film (like me). Plus, none of the digital rangefinders look classic; they're all gross in the looks department.

 

[russelljtdyer]

what could have been

what could have been

If I were Leica, I would have made the ME as small as possible (more to the size of a film M than the M8 and M9), with a manual shutter advance, perhaps no screen, just silver finish or maybe black and silver, and sold it for $4000.

That would have been excellent and made the camera a real entry level: the look and feel of an M4-P, manual crank, and no LCD screen--you just use your mind to envision the photo you just took. It would have been perfect. If they had done that, I think most of the people here would be raving about how Leica is wonderful and on a good track again.

-Russell

 

[jsrockit]

That would have been excellent and made the camera a real entry level: the look and feel of an M4-P, manual crank, and no LCD screen--you just use your mind to envision the photo you just took.

They would have to charge more than the ME for this...

 

[froyd]

That would have been excellent and made the camera a real entry level: the look and feel of an M4-P, manual crank, and no LCD screen--you just use your mind to envision the photo you just took. It would have been perfect. If they had done that, I think most of the people here would be raving about how Leica is wonderful and on a good track again.

-Russell

Unfortunately, with digital it's not an option to omit a screen, unless the camera's setting can be programmed via a desktop through a USB tether. Just imagine how many buttons would have to fit on the back of the beautiful digital M4-P (WB, RAW/JPG, motor drive mode, etc...) The compromise here would be turning auto-review off or offer a reversible screen, like the R-D1 (but then you'd have to deal with the extra vulnerability of a moving joint).

 

[icebear]

Just wondering, how hard would it be for Leica to make their M style cameras fairly weather-resistant? Can't they just seal up the edges around top plate / windows / bottom plate and insides? Shouldn't be too hard I would've thought, I mean it's almost as if DAG should be able to do it I feel like.

The specs tell that the M ilestone is indeed splash proof.

This already triggered a discussion what kind of splash Chardonnay or Cabernet - I personally vote for Riesling as it's mostly made in Germany😉.

My M6 and MP have seen some bad whether (rain and blizzard in NYC) and never had any complaints.
How many cases of actual failure have been reported when a "non whether sealed" Leica M has been used outside? Maybe it's most of the users are just afraid to get out there but the cameras don't really bother, sealed or not 😀.

 

[jarski]

am not personally missing either of removed features. they made nice cheaper alternative to M. sensor remains same from M9, which has been praised many times for its characteristics.

 

[semordnilap]

The body is the same thickness as the M9, but the quoted dimensions are greater due to the thumb rest and control dial. As someone else said, I'd love it if they could make the camera as svelte as my M4-2, but I'm ok with the M9 as it is. Neither is small... Which is why I bought the X2 as well.

I'm excited by the M10. Yeah they left out the number, but that how I'll always think of it.

Ah, ok... good to know. I'm ok with the width as it is too. So one more point for the M, then 😉

 

[willie_901]

Unfortunately, with digital it's not an option to omit a screen, unless the camera's setting can be programmed via a desktop through a USB tether. Just imagine how many buttons would have to fit on the back of the beautiful digital M4-P (WB, RAW/JPG, motor drive mode, etc...) The compromise here would be turning auto-review off or offer a reversible screen, like the R-D1 (but then you'd have to deal with the extra vulnerability of a moving joint).

Except for image review, the LCD screen's function could be replaced using Bluetooth connectivity with by a simple smart phone or tablet App. With WiFi linking even image display and live view is possible.

Of course handling a phone to change menu options would not be desirable in some circumstances. It could be less convenient than an LCD screen if you change menu settings frequently. On the other hand the user interface could be much more convenient using existing mobile device technology.

But constant image review would be an additional drain on the battery as would continuous Bluetooth connectivity. If Bluetooth connectivity were turned on and off with a camera button abd indicator light, it could take a few seconds to sync and this sort of delay might be frustrating to some people.