Leica M-D in action

[View Range]

Darthfeeble, it is M-D; not MD. The MD is a film camera from 1963 to 1966.

Has Leica marketing run out of alpha, numeric, and special characters so that all cameras in the future will reuse already used designations and type numbers?

 

[jsrockit]

I think it is cool to give a nod towards Leica's past... Olympus just did it too... Pen F.

 

[View Range]

Yes, but the MD was a scientific camera with no rangerfinder/viewfinder. Not a camera to give a nod to. Strictly speaking the MD should not have been called an M, designating "rangefinder" in German. So does "D" mean "deleted" or does it mean "digital". ?

 

[jsrockit]

Does it matter much why it is called what it is called? Leica isn't going to change it and most people aren't going to care.

 

[raid]

I bought an SWC to slow down my digital adventures, and then I got a Polaroid Land camera for the same reason, but Fuji stopped making film for the Land camera!
I am sticking with my M8 and M9 cameras until they stop working.
The original MD was very attractive to get for a (very) wide angle lens. Instead, I got a Bessa L and a T.

Why get a digital M-D? If you have the cash for it, why not.

 

[cz23]

I don't chimp much, but I think I would enjoy going completely LCD-less. Another feature to let go of. This camera concept is growing on me. But I'd need a monochrome version. M-D-M?

John

 

[raid]

Maybe a D M-squared?

 

[FrozenInTime]

How about a readout of percentage pixels clipped - displayed in place of the shutter speed post exposure for a couple of seconds.

 

[Out to Lunch]

What I don't like about this camera in relation to the M typ 262, is US$ 800 more not to have a screen and the fact it captures images in RAW, only. Other than that I don't quite get the 'screen' 'no screen' dichotomy: the Epson R-D1 has a neat screen that you can open-up or turn-around and close. Problem solved.

 

[jsrockit]

Isn't it fair to say that there are options if you don't like the LCD screen-less M? You might not get it, but it will sell and some people want it. Just like the Monochrom...

 

[BLKRCAT]

wait, so people ACTUALLY shoot like the guy at 3:50?

I'm sorry but with his shooting style I wouldnt be surprised if his actual regular camera was an LCA.

I honestly cant even deal with this video.

 

[robert blu]

Personally I would never buy a digital camera without LCD even if the rare times I shoot digital with my wife's DSLR I almost never chimp.

But if there is market for this, enough people like it and will buy it and Leica can make money out of it why not?

It's so nice to have many different possibilities!
Anyone does not like it? Not obliged to buy!

About the price when you are ready to buy a few thousands EUR (or $) camera and you really like it I guess it is not a difference of a few hundreds that will stop you!

robert

PS: what I didn't like in the short film was the slow motion effect (as in the DAH film), I understand the idea to slow down with digital but the photographer should be the one slowing down not the world around him!

 

[airfrogusmc]

You guys do realize that a lot of older, non-hipsters buy from Leica too... they are targeting people who want the closest thing to a film Leica (in digital) regardless of race, perceived hip-factor, age, etc. Of course, it IS targeting the loot!

Agree. I have just completely switched to Leica M for my pro work too. Been a full time working pro for 3 decades. Had an MM for 3 1/2 years now and I'm so tired of all the bells and whistles that further are removing me from process that major companies seem to be so obsessed with and that obsession also includes a lot of young hipster photographers that are on the gadget go round..

I'm old enough to remember when Leica M was more than twice the price of the top of the line Nicanons. My M 262 was 2 K less. In the 50s wasn't an M3 about the equal to a months salary from an average family? Does that make those buying those big heavy beasts with all the auto everything ultra hipsters because there are those in that group to the hang those big monsters around their necks like jewelry too?

Nice that Leica is making real choices. I remember all the hate when the MM first came out. I had never liked digital B&W until the MM and it turned out to be a good move for Leica in spite of all the hate. I say to those throwing out all the hate, find equipment that works for you and don't worry if there's a tool out there that doesn't work for you and who might buy it. Just be glad we all have choices. Thanks Leica for daring to be different.

I'm trying to figure out a way to buy one. I have an MM, M 262 and an M-E and really could use another color body. Maybe next year....

 

[Lss]

Other than that I don't quite get the 'screen' 'no screen' dichotomy: the Epson R-D1 has a neat screen that you can open-up or turn-around and close. Problem solved.

Fundamentally it is a question about how the interface is designed. The M-D is not a clean design in this sense, it is only an M typ 240 iteration (like the Series 60 special edition it resembles).

A folding screen is a solution to a different problem. I used to own the R-D1 and usually kept the screen covered. This was both for aesthetic reasons and to protect it. But it did not improve the usability at all. A screenless design, or a non-screen centric design, has much more potential. I don't find the M-D ideal in this sense, but I would rather have it for usability reasons than the regular M typ 262. I cannot afford either one, though.

 

[_goodtimez]

I love the unique concept, design an aesthetics and got cash ready to buy one, but owning 3 M8.2s (1 in use; 2 spares) and a bunch of film Ms I don't think I'd get a better output than with the gear I already use, and my attention could get further distracted with all the gear I own.
I'm not a great fan of "buying new stuff cause it's new" but this seems to be a nice camera.
Could Leica develop these at lower cost ? There are a lot of financial challenges associated with a small company involved in designing such odd and elite products.

 

[nightfly]

Homerun would have been being able to reduce the body size by getting rid of the screen to get it back down to the size of a film M.

I only use the screen on my M9 to set the ISO and check the battery. ISO dial is there which is nice. Probably some way to check the battery or a light or something I assume?

The more the camera gets out of the way and lets me take photos the better. And I'm not that old and not a hipster.

 

[ferider]

Like Michael said, at least it has lugs.

That being said, it would be useless for me, since my classic wides are uncoded, and I pick the lens code manually. I need a screen for that. Plus other useful features like changing the self timer setting, formatting the card, cleaning and inspecting the sensor, checking battery load, etc.

And the one thing I take from the video is how huge and ugly the Frankenfinder is. You guys really prefer that over LV ?

Roland.

 

[jsrockit]

Homerun would have been being able to reduce the body size by getting rid of the screen to get it back down to the size of a film M.

Agreed... maybe in the future.

 

[mlu19]

Nice camera for camera enthusiasts. Pros should just stay away from Leica in general.

 

[JPSuisse]

I see from the Leica Forum site that the displayless Leica M-D costs a mere 500 Euros more than the basic M for the value added associated with removing the display.

[bash]Basically, this is not an optimized product. If it were, the body would be thinner. So, it really is a case of paying more for less.[/bash]

In another 3 years, Leica maybe will have a new digital M for me to buy. Unfortunately, by then it won't be compatible with Lightroom 4, so I'll just keep using the M8 and scanning. So goes the digital life cycle nowadays.