Leica M-D discontinued

[Timmyjoe]

I'm a little slow, and just today discovered that the flash sync speed on Leica digital cameras is in the 1/160th - 1/180th range which is something I need for a number of projects. Always heard interesting things about the Leica M-D "Pure" camera and went in search of one. Seems they are discontinued.

What happened? It wasn't introduced that long ago.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Archlich]

Low sales even by Leica standard I assume. It's more like a showpiece.

 

[Calzone]

Dealers don't want to be holding a camera that will have a new replacement is one possibility.

I know that the local supply here in NYC has dried up. Expect a new replacement camera to be released soon is my guess.

Cal

 

[Huss]

Honestly I wouldn't use a digital M for flash work. I have had miserable results with both an M-E and M240. The syncing of the flash is all over the place depending on the state/age of the camera's battery. The camera's battery! Even with fully charged batteries.
This is with using genuine Leica flashes.

If I'm using flash, I just use my Nikon. They work as you expect w/o any concern.

 

[Emile de Leon]

I would think...a new M10-MD would be released soon..may be a great camera..

 

[Timmyjoe]

Honestly I wouldn't use a digital M for flash work. I have had miserable results with both an M-E and M240. The syncing of the flash is all over the place depending on the state/age of the camera's battery. The camera's battery! Even with fully charged batteries.
This is with using genuine Leica flashes.

If I'm using flash, I just use my Nikon. They work as you expect w/o any concern.

I have to cover numerous events outside in Mid-Day sun (like the Pride Parade this past weekend), so fill flash is critical. I just did some tests after I discovered my M-E had the higher sync speed (similar to the Canon 6D I used last weekend) and was impressed with the results. Do everything manually, and have a very old Leica CF flash. Set the shutter at sync (1/180-ish) and find the appropriate aperture, then set the auto flash at f5.6 or f2.8, whichever comes out a couple stops wider than the aperture I set on the camera. Worked pretty well this morning.

I've never had, so have never tried, one of the Leica flashes that are supposed to sync TTL with the later Leica film cameras and the digital ones.

Was looking for an M-D because I'd like to have a back-up digital Leica, as I have a few "trust issues" with the M-E when it comes to taking it on jobs.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Out to Lunch]

I don't expect the Leica marketeers to come out with a message that they couldn't sell it but my best guess is that they couldn't, at least not in sufficient numbers.

 

[android]

I would think...a new M10-MD would be released soon..may be a great camera..

That would be the first digital Leica to tempt me. I had and loved the RD1-s years back, and being able hide the screen was one of the best things about it. The only reason I passed up on the original MD was it's size (and price). Crossing my fingers for an update.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Crossing my fingers, without much hope, for an updated R-D1.

 

[BLKRCAT]

I've always felt with this camera like leica should be charging less for the camera since you end up with less electronics and presumably less complexity with no back buttons or LCD.

I feel like they would have sold more if they offered it as such. I also don't think that it would have hurt 240 or M10 sales that much. Losing the LCD is a big deal for a lot of people. But for those that can't afford a new digital M, I feel like a discounted camera with no LCD has some appeal.

 

[capitalK]

I don't have a Leica digital, but if I did I think this is what I would choose. I borrowed one for an afternoon a few hours ago and loved it.

This year I borrowed a Monochrom, when I handed it back to the Leica rep I suggested making a Monochrom M-D the size of an M10.

 

[Doug]

It will be interesting to see if the M-D concept will continue forward with a new model at some point. I suspect that Leica made one batch of M-D typ 262... and production did not continue as the batch was sold. The sales experience on that batch is likely to dictate whether they do it again.

 

[Timmyjoe]

For those low-information Leica-philes, like me, what is the difference between the 240, 262 and now M-10. Do all "262" digital Leicas use the same CMOS sensor? I see you can still buy a Leica Digital "262" camera, it's just not the M-D. And are the M-10 and the older 240 different CMOS sensors? I find it all very confusing.

Best,
-Tim

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have the M 262 which is a stripped down version of the M 240 and they have almost the same sensor if not the same sensor. I had read that the M 262 different but I don't know for sure. It has a much smaller venue and there is no video.

I also have an M 10 and the M 10 is a different sensor and processor.. The M 10 is at least 2 stops better in low light and is much more responsive than the M 240 and M 262. There is no lag like you can get with the 262 and the banding at higher ISO is not an issue with the M 10.

I hope that his helps.

I use my M 262 and M 10 with both studios and portable strobes. I usually shoot all manual so no issues with TTL though the M 10 is as good with TTL as any of my Canons were. The M-E and M 262 not so mush that's what I shoot manual with them with portable strobes. Usually at high ISO gelled to match the available light is the room and at 1/32-1/256 depending on distance and ISO. With a little practice you get quite good at it. When I first started shooting with portable strobes in the 1970s I had Honeywell Pressmasters and they had high and low. You do learn and get used to it and can do it as well as most auto modes with some practice.


My studio strobes are all manual also but once the quality of light is achieved and metered I usually stay at that for the entire shoot.

 

[Godfrey]

The Leica M-D typ 262 was first released in April of 2016. Like the M Edition 60 before it (a special edition with a run of only 600 pieces), I suspect that Leica never considered the M-D to be a volume seller. I suspect it too was always a bit of a special edition and the production run modest. And I suspect it sold out pretty quickly given that most of the retail supply is already exhausted.

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it: the M-D rapidly became my favorite Leica M camera, regardless of film or digital.

The 262 sensor is just slightly different from the 240 sensor and, whatever the magic involved, produces just slightly nicer results. The M10 sensor is different again, with better noise control.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Another small difference between the M10 and the M262 = USD 2,300.-