Leica M-D: Pure for the sake of . . . purity?

[Vince Lupo]

I honestly can't say that the M-D is 'fat'. Based upon your measurement of the M6, with its dial and rear door, it is actually a bit fatter than the M-D (which doesn't have a rear door, and the dial is more or less flush with the back). The top plates are certainly different, but here again, depends on how one measures the 'fatness' of each body.

 

[Ken Ford]

I do notice the difference between my M6 and my M-P, but it bothers me less that I thought it would. I suspect the M-D feels even better since the LCD and bezel are gone.

 

[Huss]

Thing is where the thickness matters is where you hold the camera while shooting. You don't hold it by the lcd panel or the iso dial. You hold it on the right side corner area with your right hand, while the left hand operates the lens. That is where it matters, and quite plainly the digital Ms are much fatter there than the film Ms.

But, I use both and it doesn't bother me! They're just different.
What did bother me was how much fatter the Nikon DF was compared to my FE/FM2 or F2. Especially since it kinda, very kinda, was meant to be Nikon's attempt at a film camera with digital back.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yes I'd agree that the true 'thickness' is probably the main 'shell' of the Leica. I think with the M-D, the fact that it doesn't have a screen nor buttons helps enormously in giving the illusion of sveltness. To me, of all the digital M's that I've owned (M9, CCD Monochrom, Monochrom 246 and the M-D), the M-D feels the best.

And no nose grease to worry about 🙂

 

[Emile de Leon]

Hey..we used nose grease all the time on scratched negs at the photo lab I used to work at...one finger swipe on the side of your nose..then on the scratched neg...and presto chango...scratch all gone...
Works like a charm...hahaha!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Hey..we used nose grease all the time on scratched negs at the photo lab I used to work at...one finger swipe on the side of your nose..then on the scratched neg...and presto chango...scratch all gone...
Works like a charm...hahaha!

Yup I sure do remember those days too 🙂

Not too crazy about it on LCD screens though, yet it's hard to avoid.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Thing is where the thickness matters is where you hold the camera while shooting. You don't hold it by the lcd panel or the iso dial. You hold it on the right side corner area with your right hand, while the left hand operates the lens. That is where it matters, and quite plainly the digital Ms are much fatter there than the film Ms.

Here again, how one defines 'much fatter' depends on your perspective. Personally I don't consider 4mm to be 'much fatter'. Either way, the M-D is a dream to hold 🙂

Thanks for posting that photo of the Df - man that is a big difference! Kinda reminds me of the new Dodge Challenger vs the old Dodge Challenger.

 

[mcfingon]

Another comparo photo Vince. Confirmed that my M2 measures 32mm where you were measuring your M-D-licious at 36mm, so only 4mm in it. All film M's are meant to be built on the shape of the M2, so they should be the same. I noticed my FE2 even conforms very close to the dimensions of the M2. No wonder it is also nice to use. I'm sure the M-D would be excellent too!

 

[airfrogusmc]

Here again, how one defines 'much fatter' depends on your perspective. Personally I don't consider 4mm to be 'much fatter'. Either way, the M-D is a dream to hold 🙂

Thanks for posting that photo of the Df - man that is a big difference! Kinda reminds me of the new Dodge Challenger vs the old Dodge Challenger.

Hey Vince and how about the shutter on the M-D? Pretty sweet huh?

 

[Vince Lupo]

Shutter is pretty nice - but the shutter from the 246 is pretty nice too. Either one is fine by me.

Right now what I really should be focusing on is actually taking pictures with this beautiful camera -- I need to justify its ownership.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Testing the center-weighted metering of a contrasty situation -- 1/1000th @ f/2.8, ISO 200, 50/1.4 Summilux. Seemed to handle it pretty well.


This Morning's Breakfast by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

Sorry that the initial photos are from just around the house -- unfortunately I haven't had much chance to venture out to shoot for myself.

 

[Fraser]

Another comparo photo Vince. Confirmed that my M2 measures 32mm where you were measuring your M-D-licious at 36mm, so only 4mm in it. All film M's are meant to be built on the shape of the M2, so they should be the same. I noticed my FE2 even conforms very close to the dimensions of the M2. No wonder it is also nice to use. I'm sure the M-D would be excellent too!

The base of an om is actually narrower than an M (shot on my chunky Df).
Enjoy the new camera!
16fbpicm2vom4_01 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr

 

[airfrogusmc]

Yes ya need to get out and use that puppy Vince. I say another trip to NM.....

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yes ya need to get out and use that puppy Vince. I say another trip to NM.....

I just got back last week! I'm thinking of maybe a driving trip out there later in the year. We'll see!

 

[airfrogusmc]

I need to get back out there. It's been over year. Maybe next year.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Early morning light in the front yard. The center-weighted metering seems to be nailing it pretty well.


Early Morning MD by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[Vince Lupo]

Who wants some brisket, courtesy of the M-D?


Brisket M-D by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[Rayt]

Who wants some brisket, courtesy of the M-D?
Brisket M-D by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

Over cooked! As a zen Buddhist I am outraged.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Over cooked! As a zen Buddhist I am outraged.

Has a nice smoke ring. Tasted great to me, as well as everyone else who was there (I was not the chef, BTW).

 

[Vince Lupo]

Flowers and cats -- clearly I need to get out more and put this camera to use 🙂


M-D Flower by Vince Lupo, on Flickr