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

Vince Lupo said:
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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Hahaha, for my wallet's sake I hope they introduce something else to bring the price of this model down. Hoping to do some traveling through Eastern Europe/Russia this summer and would love to have one of these to bring along.

Everyone I see comment on these thinks they're too expensive considering the lack of features (I'm inclined to agree), and as someone who has never owned a digital camera, I worry about getting into something like this.Especially considering how used I am to film's dynamic range. Every time I've ever shot with a digital camera, I've never been happy with the results straight away, with film it's the opposite.

At the same time it just seems like it would mesh perfectly with my M4 and really allow me the same experience, but with the convenience of being able to see my photos without waiting. My goal, for traveling, would be to shoot these two side by side and be able to edit photos from the M-D on an iPad or my iPhone at the end of the night, or whenever I get time to go over them.

I just keep going back and forth between trying to get into an M-P 240 and the M-D based on their respective features, but the prices are steep for me now as a recent art school grad/restaurant worker. It also seems like there aren't many used M-Ds out there, which makes it even harder to find a good deal.
 
I’ve not been disappointed with the results from either my M-D or my Monochrom 246 (unless it’s been some failure on my part), as the highlight and shadow detail are great. I don’t think you’d be disappointed with the dynamic range that this camera produces, as least I haven’t been. There was some carping about highlight detail (particularly with the 1st Monochrom, not so much with the M-D), but if you underexpose by about 1/3 of a stop you have absolutely no problems. Expose for the highlights, ‘develop’ for the shadows (kinda the reverse of the rule of thumb for neg film processing).

Of course all my images go through some adjustment after the fact, but the same could be said for film negs as well.

I can’t really comment too much about the cost of the Leica bodies (or everything else of theirs for that matter). Do I wish they were cheaper? Of course. But I could say the same thing about some Nikon products too. It took me about 4 months to completely pay for the M-D (fortunately I have a very sympathetic Leica dealer who helps me out in these situations), but I’m glad I took the plunge.
 
From a recent trip into the San Joaquin Valley, all with the CV 15/4.5, cropping the dark corners in LR:

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...and there’s Robert with the M-D/CV in the Outback side mirror while Linn drives...
 
Finally getting around to uploading some photos from my time spent with the M-D. I rented it for a week recently and enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm not the best with color processing digital images and have always hated digital color files straight out of the camera (as a film shooter, color editing is something I've never really something I've messed with much, portra 400 does the trick). The black and white conversion in lightroom worked nicely and I mostly messed with curves here and there, the first color file has a bit of adjustment, the second I posted is straight out of camera @1600 iso. The "grain" is lovely at 1600, especially in black and white. I love black and white in general, so maybe the monochrom is more up my alley.

Overall I really enjoyed using it - it was definitely a seamless transition from using my M4. My only qualm with it is using the internal meter, as I find it rather distracting since my M4 doesn't have one. Aperture priority was nice to have though. I love the fact that changing the ISO is physical and having it on the back is a nice touch. The LED framelines are awesome, that's the one thing I wish my M4 had. The weight wasn't terrible and it definitely didn't feel like a digital camera while I was using it. It was nice to not worry about chimping, but I've got to come clean - when I first got it and was testing it out, I found myself taking the memory card out and importing the files every five minutes to see how they'd turned out. That was a bit annoying, but I got over it after the first day and would just wait to the end of the day to see what I got. It's just something that makes me think the option of the LCD screen is probably more up my alley, although I likely wouldn't be chimping unless the shot was critical/for a paid shoot. In this case it was the interest in seeing how the camera performed right when I opened the box. I haven't got any real complaints at this point, aside from the price. I don't think I could justify paying $4k in my current financial position to get one of these cameras. It doesn't make sense when I can pick up an M-P 240 for around $3k, and even then I'm not sure it makes sense for me to do right now. If I had the income, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.

I'm glad I rented it, as it helped me understand how much I love shooting film and the possibility that digital just isn't my cup of tea. Most of it is a matter of processing ability, which is my own personal issue. Film just gives me the results I like at this point, so it's going to save me money for the time being. We'll see what happens in the future - for now, I'll stick to shooting film.

If you click on the images, they'll open up in a new page, fit to the screen. Sorry for the large files.

And pardon the grumpy/tough guy face, wasn't feeling the best that day with all the pollen in the air, but I like the portrait otherwise hahaha
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Love this camera. I never bonded with my M240, but this one I shoot just like a film camera. Here's a shot from the garden of the Smithsonian Castle in WDC:

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CV 90/3.5 LTM.

Kirk
 
Emile de Leon said:
I can see its a different mindset with that camera. Something about it..good stuff..!
Click to expand...

I think you're right on that point - maybe more of a 'snapshot' quality? Or perhaps it's more akin to being a 'note-taker'? I can feel the difference, and it's nice to know that difference is perceived in the images. Thanks for the comment!

I'm sure I could simply turn the screen off on my 246, but somehow it wouldn't be the same as what the M-D offers (or doesn't offer?). Definitely a different approach, at least for me.
 
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