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

From my Thanksgiving 2017 road trip to Houston ...


Leica M-D + Summicron-M 50mm f/2
ISO 400 @ f/5.6 @ 1/90
Three frame panorama merge​

enjoy! G
 
I have question. One way to take pictures with camera is to set it in auto or to priority.
Or use it as non-metered film M.
Is M-D accurate for it? To play S16 tune or to be conducted by the hand-held meter?
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I have question. One way to take pictures with camera is to set it in auto or to priority.
Or use it as non-metered film M.
Is M-D accurate for it? To play S16 tune or to be conducted by the hand-held meter?
Click to expand...

Yes the meter is extremely accurate when in aperture-priority. I can’t recall an instance in which the metering was way off in any of my photos.
 
I started this thread a year and half ago. Seems like forever. I am still using my M9 and have not upgraded or switched yet. But it is just great to see the terrific images that you all are making with this camera. Vince, I particularly like what you are doing with the camera. Just really impressive.
 
capitalK said:
Something the size of an M10, with no back screen like the M-D would be perfect, IMO.
Click to expand...

The M-D, because it doesn't have an LCD on the rear, is basically 1.2mm thicker than the M10 where you grip the camera and has 80% more body surface to hold it by since it doesn't have the buttons, joystick, or LCD stuff in the way. This is one of the reasons why, when I went to the Leica Store and played with them side by side, I couldn't see any reason whatever to buy an M10 other than for the improved viewfinder and sensor, and for if I wanted a camera with an LCD screen again. Since I already have that, and much much more in the SL, there was no point.

The M-D is without a doubt my favorite Leica M of all the dozen or more Ms, both film and digital, that I've owned since 1970. It may well be my all-time favorite camera, but Time isn't over quite yet so I can't say that with absolute conviction. :)

G
 
Benjamin Marks said:
I started this thread a year and half ago. Seems like forever. I am still using my M9 and have not upgraded or switched yet. But it is just great to see the terrific images that you all are making with this camera. Vince, I particularly like what you are doing with the camera. Just really impressive.
Click to expand...

Many thanks - I just keep trying like everyone else, hoping to justify ownership of this great camera. I appreciate your having starting this thread in the first place!
 
Fantastic images in this thread. I've been thinking about selling my Contax G2 and buying into Leica digital to complement my M4 to still use the same lens system. As a film shooter, the M-D is so appealing. Dealing with film processing and scanning is becoming more of a hassle and expensive, especially for color film, so this seems right up my alley. Especially with plans to travel, I can actually shoot while abroad and not have to wait til I get back to have images, although I would still bring the M4 and film.

I had seen the M-D before, but it didn't click with me until today for some reason. I think I'm sold on it at this point, now to get the money together somehow.

It seems like the prices on these haven't dropped too much though - ~$4k these days. Has anyone seen them go for less?
 
I haven’t been keeping track, but I haven’t really seen them less than $4k. Maybe if there’s an M10-based version introduced, the prices will come down? I’m kinda hoping they don’t introduce an updated version - honestly there’s nothing that I can see that needs updating with the M-D. The ‘thickness’ of the body is totally fine, the sensor delivers top-notch files (it seems that 24mp is the sweet spot for digital cameras), and the metering is very accurate and not easily fooled. Plus if they did introduce an M10-based M-D, would the ISO dial then move to a new location?

Of course if they did introduce an updated version, I’d check it out. But I’m hoping they don’t - at least not for a while :)
 
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