I don't think you can say never...
Leica M-D: Pure for the sake of . . . purity?
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I don't think you can say never...
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Oh I didn't know you were referring to shoe-mounted OVF's exclusively. No, I'm not a fan of them either -- guess the fact that I'm only using 35-50-75 eliminates the need for them, at least in my case.
Ronald M
Veteran
Preview or chimp is best thing about digital cameras . With transparencies, I could meter correctly 99%, but I like the assurance I walk away with what I want.
I have done portrait sessions, where I am looking for a certain expression and want to know I captured it.
I have done portrait sessions, where I am looking for a certain expression and want to know I captured it.
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
Then you should be using a different camera. I still stand by my belief that this camera is not intended for *most* professional work when there are tools that exist that are better for that.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yes I think you're right -- I wouldn't be using this for professional, paid work. I have enough other cameras for that purpose, and that's why I love this camera. An 'antidote' of sorts 🙂
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Shall we say then "extraordinarily unlikely"? The M mount register and requirements of sensor stack, shutter, supporting electronics, and rangefinder mechanics make it extremely difficult to lose that 4mm growth in thickness over the film models.
... Hmm. We've had this discussion before, I believe. Several times ...
G
willie_901
Veteran
Well it's a matter of physics.
But I must concede your point. However a radically, fundamentally different future sensor technology could overcome the minimum lens to sensor distance associated with the M mount.
So Ruhayat 's money is safe for the foreseeable future. Think of all the interest he will earn waiting for the the yet to be discovered and developed unknown solution appears.
Understood Godfrey and Willie. I'll wait for the 50mm Q... 😉
Ruhayat
Well-known
willie_901
Veteran
I don't remember "they" saying any such thing.
Of course the24 x 36 mm sensor area was a significant challenge.
The M9 sensor cover glass is ultra-thin to minimize the body width. This lead to the selection of an ultra-thin IR filter that happens to be chemically unstable when exposed to humidity. This eventually lead to the M9 sensor replacement program. Fortunately a more suitable IR filter film became available.
And, we all know the M9 works best with coded M lenses. In-camera lens correction parameters seem to be necessary to eliminate optical issues related to the increased sensor area.
Leica spent a great deal of time and effort to minimize the M 24 x 26 mm sensor cameras' body thickness.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I don't know if any of you have had a chance to hold/handle the M-D, but if you haven't, it is definitely different than the M8/9 or M240/246/262. The absence of the rear screen and rear buttons etc give the impression of a thinner body, and to me it feels just right. I've used M2, M3, M4, M4-P, M5 and M6 over the course of the last 30 years, and to me the M-D 'fits' right in with them.
I will admit, however, that it weighs more than M film bodies (though with the battery it is only 20 grams heavier than the M5), but I personally like a heavy camera.
I will admit, however, that it weighs more than M film bodies (though with the battery it is only 20 grams heavier than the M5), but I personally like a heavy camera.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
It's been a somewhat rough week. I needed a diversion, so I pulled out my ancient 1959 Hektor 135mm f/4.5 and fitted it to the M-D to take for a walk.
...
The M-D + Hektor 135mm work very well. Amazing to see how sharp and beautiful the photos out of this 57 year old lens can be. I'll post a few tomorrow, too tired to see clearly now. 🙂
The M-D is my favorite digital Leica M. No question. There's something about it that is "just right" for me.
G
...
The M-D + Hektor 135mm work very well. Amazing to see how sharp and beautiful the photos out of this 57 year old lens can be. I'll post a few tomorrow, too tired to see clearly now. 🙂
The M-D is my favorite digital Leica M. No question. There's something about it that is "just right" for me.
G
:: Mark
Well-known
The cover glass is thin to reduce the colour shift and corner smearing that comes from having lens elements so close to the glass. Its contribution to the overall thickness of the camera is very small. The lack of an AA was likely for the same reason, originally at least.
There is almost certainly scope to make the digital M's a few mm thinner, such as by removing everything - including the ISO dial - from the back of the camera. Whether it is worthwhile for costs, financial and functional, is the problem...
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Okay ... some pics from last evening's walk.
All: Leica M-D + Hektor 135mm f/4.5
Nothing dilutes the joy I get from using this camera. It's just right, as is. 🙂
enjoy!
G
All: Leica M-D + Hektor 135mm f/4.5
Nothing dilutes the joy I get from using this camera. It's just right, as is. 🙂
enjoy!
G
Ruhayat
Well-known
This is good to know. No demo unit has come to my local pusher yet so I have to still wait a while. Although I have to say that so far I personally rather prefer the colour signature coming out of the Q more than this M-D.
The rumour sites point to a new made in Germany Leica currently being tested in Indonesia. Let's see if an interchangeable Q body will come true, after all. Then we'd have a full frame interchangeable lens Leica as thin as a film M.
I'd even settle for a 50mm Q rather than an ICL Q.
Ruhayat
Well-known
My take is that Leica has actually already acquired the capability to fit a full frame sensor into a body with film M dimensions, from their journey in making the Q, but I hypothesise they are withholding it for as long as they can because it makes people keep wanting what they can't yet have. Something to do with the psychology of desire.
Ruhayat
Well-known
Seconded. I have a Ricoh GR, which has a 28mm effective lens, but I use the 35mm crop mode quite frequently. I also have a Sigma DP2 Merrill, which has a 45mm effective lens. A 50mm Q that has a 75mm crop mode would be a great addition.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
I was thinking about getting the M-D...but now... the older 262 is bundled with a 50mm Summarit & flash & Billingham case...for the same price..
Where? ...
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