swoop
Well-known
"One interesting point to note, it's possible to record a movie without activating Live View—you can focus and frame with the optical finder just as you would when shooting still images."
This is awesome.
Roger Vadim
Well-known
This is the first digital camera that I really WANT!!
nothin for the old folks I guess
It looks truly great - live view & video. with M glass - this is a true revolution!
WANT!!!
nothin for the old folks I guess
It looks truly great - live view & video. with M glass - this is a true revolution!
WANT!!!
migtex
Don't eXchange Freedom!
JPSuisse
Well-known
Wow! Time to rethink maybe...
Wow! Time to rethink maybe...
So, let me preface this post by saying that my M8 suddenly started having problems right before the warranty expired and I only just got it back working a few days ago. (2 trips to Solms and in the end, Leica USA found the problem and fixed it free of charge... Solms couldn't even "reproduce the failure!") I've been happily shooting my MPs, developing my film and haven't been worrying about digital stuff much over the last 2 years.
The "M" is not what I expected or even wanted just a short time ago. But, even I can see that it will be a game changer for many. I think maybe it's the point in time on which we will be able to look back and say, "This camera finally let Leica catch up to the rest, even leapfrog the rest in certain ways and to stay in business." For sure, the classical rangefinder shooters (M8 owners and M9 owners) helped finance this. But I think the market for the M9 is actually too limited to allow Leica to stay in business long. Let's assume for the time being that the raw file quality is as good as what I got out of my M8 when it was working...
Congratulations to Leica. It looks to me like they made a very future oriented system available and for a larger market too. Not sure if I will buy one yet. I have to get back in touch with digital stuff with my working M8 again. I would have been happy with an M10 with updated electronics (Maestro processor) and an LCD display to indicate what's left on my memory card on the topplate like my M8! Those are really the only things that were missing on the M9 for me. I was even speculating that this might happen... For me personally, maybe I will just pick up an M9-P, I really like the frame line levers. (Sorry I am old school.)
On the other hand, maybe I was thinking to small and have to rethink. I have some rolls of Pan F to develop and scan... This will let me think some...
Wow! Time to rethink maybe...
So, let me preface this post by saying that my M8 suddenly started having problems right before the warranty expired and I only just got it back working a few days ago. (2 trips to Solms and in the end, Leica USA found the problem and fixed it free of charge... Solms couldn't even "reproduce the failure!") I've been happily shooting my MPs, developing my film and haven't been worrying about digital stuff much over the last 2 years.
The "M" is not what I expected or even wanted just a short time ago. But, even I can see that it will be a game changer for many. I think maybe it's the point in time on which we will be able to look back and say, "This camera finally let Leica catch up to the rest, even leapfrog the rest in certain ways and to stay in business." For sure, the classical rangefinder shooters (M8 owners and M9 owners) helped finance this. But I think the market for the M9 is actually too limited to allow Leica to stay in business long. Let's assume for the time being that the raw file quality is as good as what I got out of my M8 when it was working...
Congratulations to Leica. It looks to me like they made a very future oriented system available and for a larger market too. Not sure if I will buy one yet. I have to get back in touch with digital stuff with my working M8 again. I would have been happy with an M10 with updated electronics (Maestro processor) and an LCD display to indicate what's left on my memory card on the topplate like my M8! Those are really the only things that were missing on the M9 for me. I was even speculating that this might happen... For me personally, maybe I will just pick up an M9-P, I really like the frame line levers. (Sorry I am old school.)
On the other hand, maybe I was thinking to small and have to rethink. I have some rolls of Pan F to develop and scan... This will let me think some...
gshybrid
Well-known
I like what I'm seeing with the M so far. Expensive yes, but not insanely expensive. I've been using my M9 for occasional catalog work so the tethered live view will be useful. Have there been any high res shots posted... I think the IQ will be the real test.
nanthor
Well-known
While I can't help really liking many of the features, the peak focusing, lighted framelines, live view, larger LCD, etc., etc., etc....(they all sound very cool and helpful), I can't help feeling that we are going to a place that traditional rangefinder users have purposely avoided. I know I'll eventually get the M, maybe after it's out a year, but until then I'll still happily rely on the excellent and beautiful Leica M9p and RF focusing, as little chimping as possible, and looking through the finder as it is. I suppose if Leica eventually only makes a digital with all these bells and whistles, there's still the M film cameras, going strong after decades of use.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I don't know why the qualifier for a "live view" camera ...?
The new M is a rangefinder camera. If you don't want the live view capabilities but you do want the new sensor, the faster operation, the bigger battery with more frames per charge, etc etc, it's the same price as the M9 was and you use it the same way.
If you don't care about even those things, you buy the M-E and all you give up compared to the M9 are the USB port (I've never used it) and the frame line selector (used it a couple of times at most). You save $1500. (Or buy a used M9 if you really have to have the frame line selector ...)
I'm quite happy with my M9, but I'm delighted to see that there is an even more capable M available soon. And yes, I'll use the live view and other features ... I have found them to be very very capable on other cameras and there's no reason that they wouldn't be at least as useful on the M.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Much as I adore the simplicity of the M9, M4-2 and CL, there is a lot of utility in the added features of the new M. I've used all of these features on other cameras and found them amazingly handy... and still simple! ... so I'm delighted to see Leica bringing out something that is actually a significant step up from the M9 but not a departure.
I've never avoided good technology that helped me make better photos. I avoid convenience technology that gets in my way. There's a difference.
I see nothing on the new M that gets in the way ... the controls are, if anything, cleaner and simpler than the M9's.
peterm1
Veteran
My bet is that this camera is set to become something of a classic and the beginnning of a new dynasty of Lieca classics. Not one for the "fuddy duddys" of course who want nothing in the way of functions that were not available in 1954 but from what I can see its a camera that is both looks great and has some excellent funtionality that is appropriate to a digital Leica.
hausen
Well-known
Can't wait for my M is all I have to say. Started selling down already. Even on the look out for a Leica R Tele.
Pete B
Well-known
swoop
Well-known
So the size is exactly the same but the thumb rest is the cause of the thicker spec. Also the rear LCD is more flush with the body, which makes it look thicker compared to the M8/M9 where the LCD juts out a bit.
Ferko
Newbie
Is it just me or are the M's they're holding are made for lefties? Looks like the shutter button is on his left hand while the viewfinder is on the right of the body. Even if they were filming into a mirror, everything still seems backwards.
I guess they might've flipped the image or something but it's bothering me so much.
Pete B
Well-known
The problem is this. All the left-handers complain about the viewfinder and shutter release being on the right hand side. None of the right-handers mention how much they appreciate them being on the right side. Consequently, Leica thinks we all want them on the left side so, eager to address our every whim, the new range is designed for left-handers. Thanks a bunch right-handers the next 5 years is going to be Hell.
Pete
mrrobleyleica
Member
I'm looking forward to seeing some actual shots from this camera, until then I'm not going to sell the M9. The main thing is high ISO performance, do the pics have the same feel as the M9, because I'm happy with that. Also, I want to see if they resolve issues I've had with my M9 - we'll not know about that for a while as it's down to reliability - especially the with the electronics, not spec etc.
On the face of it looks okay, it's a lot cheaper than I thought it would be. I thought it would be up around the £6500 mark, or more. It looks like it's evolved the right amount for a Leica, perhaps a little too much for my requirements as I will never use video and the EVF looks a bit like overkill as it has live view anyway. If it has better ISO, clearer rear screen, and a more accurate viewfinder that would be great, it might even be perfect!
All I ever wanted was a decent body for my few lenses, a digital M7 - which I sort of have already. When I shot film, I never once dreamt of a 6400 or 25,000 ASA roll of Ektachrome, so if we get it, that's a nice little extra.
On the face of it looks okay, it's a lot cheaper than I thought it would be. I thought it would be up around the £6500 mark, or more. It looks like it's evolved the right amount for a Leica, perhaps a little too much for my requirements as I will never use video and the EVF looks a bit like overkill as it has live view anyway. If it has better ISO, clearer rear screen, and a more accurate viewfinder that would be great, it might even be perfect!
All I ever wanted was a decent body for my few lenses, a digital M7 - which I sort of have already. When I shot film, I never once dreamt of a 6400 or 25,000 ASA roll of Ektachrome, so if we get it, that's a nice little extra.
gshybrid
Well-known
mrrobleyleica
Member
This is one really off putting detail. I really like the size and feel of the M9, got used to it, I have a little thumb grip which is perfect.
The extra thickness and weight is not an advance is it? M8/9 is already quite a bit thicker than the film Ms. We'll have to see if it's so bad that it's a deal breaker, could it be? Prob not.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
There is no extra thickness. The higher value is due to the integrated thumb rest. The dimensions of the body itself are identical to the M8 and M9
downstairs
downstairs
I hope to never see someone holding an M at arm's length while he takes a picture.
anselwannab
Well-known
It will be easy to take it away from them.....