"Mass Production" M60 style M coming on March 10th?

[BlackXList]

My dream is body dimensions of (pre TTL) film M and shutter-cocking like the Epson R-D1. We're getting there. 🙂

Asking out of complete ignorance here, why do you want the shutter cocking mechanism?

 

[olakiril]

Asking out of complete ignorance here, why do you want the shutter cocking mechanism?

In my experience, it forced me to have a moment to think between exposures. It felt more like a meditative process in which I was more aware of the moment than an automatic trigger friendly reflex.

 

[BlackXList]

In my experience, it forced me to have a moment to think between exposures. It felt more like a meditative process in which I was more aware of the moment that an automatic trigger friendly reflex.

Thanks for the answer, I'm not sure I'd get along with it the same way, but it's interesting.

 

[froyd]

This concept is hilarious - essentially you have one of two ludicrous options:

1) You can't control your metering.
2) You have a $6000 (w/o tax) digital camera that you need to carry a meter for.​

What a joke, man.

I'm not sure I understand why one couldn't control metering, given that shutter, aperture and ISO are set by the photographer.

I get your second point, but I don't think you fully understood mine. Somehow, somebody thought it would be a good idea to release a camera like the M-D. Apparently some people think it's the answer to their digital prayers (while many others think it's Leica craziness). Regardless of one's propensity toward the camera, it makes sense to me that a $6000 camera that omits an LCD "to enhance creativity" would also leave out the meter (as they did on the new M-A, or give an option to turn off distracting metering LEDs. Makes sense now?

 

[froyd]

People used slide film without an LCD for many years...

Seems to me than an LCc display would be pretty valuable for flash photography, but that's probably not the realm of photographers who would use the M-D.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I'm not sure I understand why one couldn't control metering, given that shutter, aperture and ISO are set by the photographer.

I get your second point, but I don't think you fully understood mine. Somehow, somebody thought it would be a good idea to release a camera like the M-D. Apparently some people think it's the answer to their digital prayers (while many others think it's Leica craziness). Regardless of one's propensity toward the camera, it makes sense to me that a $6000 camera that omits an LCD "to enhance creativity" would also leave out the meter (as they did on the new M-A, or give an option to turn off distracting metering LEDs. Makes sense now?

Just take the battery out😉

 

[Rico]

Asking out of complete ignorance here, why do you want the shutter cocking mechanism?

Removing the motor eliminates a point of failure, eliminates a burden on battery life, makes shutter-cocking silent, and restores that satisfying feel of moving gears. It also restores a place to hook your thumb when carrying the camera. May sound hopelessly retro to the youngsters, but I also shoot monster DSLRs when all-singing, all-dancing features are needed. I'll take a very dim view, however, if Leica fails to shrink this "M" body. Let's see if they can regain the dimensions of film M before we issue the next demand: digital Barnack. 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Seems to me than an LCc display would be pretty valuable for flash photography, but that's probably not the realm of photographers who would use the M-D.

An LCD is useful for many things, but every other digital camera on the market has one... isn't it kind of cool that Leica made something different? I mean, they do have ones with LCDs if you are looking to buy.

 

[willie_901]

I cannot find the info online, but one would hope the camera was meterless or is the photographer stuck with center-weighted metering and no option to switch it off. That would not jive too well with the LCD-free design.

I don't see how the LCD screen and metering are linked.

In my experience properly exposing transparency film is much more difficult than optimizing exposure for sensors. Leica users made great transparency film exposures for decades. Some of them still do.

With raw files, one should be able to push Leica's current M sensors sat least two stops (three would not surprise me one bit) during post production. So the only risk is over exposure of the sensor at base ISO (200?) or clipping the ADC after the shutter closes because ISO was set too high. Otherwise shoot raw, leave ISO at 200 and push the global brightness during post-processing.

Of course JPEG shooter have to get the exposure and, or ISO right, so I think in-camera JPEGs users would be much more dependent on the metering system.

 

[mcfingon]

My understanding of the M-D is that it only shoots DNG, so there is no JPG. The command wheel on the back controls exposure compensation, so to be safe you could dial in - a stop or what is necessary to make sure highlights don't burn.

 

[JPSuisse]

Note: I first posted this in the wrong thread.

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]

This does not mean by the way that I think the idea here is bad. I'm all for it and for the choice. The fact is I think they are trying to delay the launch of a completely M film-like digital camera (same dimensions, etc.) as long as possible.

Somehow, that really will be the holy-grail for some of us. So, 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.

 

[PineEar]

The M-D: All the disadvantages of film.

No thanks. I already have an M6.

 

[JOCO34]

It could be that Leica is testing the waters for a more film like digital expereince in future models. First goes the sensor and JPEGs next a better thinner sensor which give us a slimmer body lastly a thumb winder for the shutter recocking. The last item wouild be to charge us for each 36 exposures with a credit card slot on the bottom plate.

 

[Huss]

The M-D: All the disadvantages of film.

No thanks. I already have an M6.

Just checked out your website Reuben. Really impressive work.

That comb-over photo in the park is just spectacular!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Just checked out your website Reuben. Really impressive work.

That comb-over photo in the park is just spectacular!

Agreed, those are some terrific pictures. So good I'll forgive the filmjacking of this thread!

 

[willie_901]

My understanding of the M-D is that it only shoots DNG, so there is no JPG. The command wheel on the back controls exposure compensation, so to be safe you could dial in - a stop or what is necessary to make sure highlights don't burn.

I shoudl have realized DNG only would be an obvious advantage fot this camera.

 

[willie_901]

Note:

[bash]....
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.

Don't all new Leicas come with a free, recent version of Lightroom?

What is the problem with using a free, stand-alone version of LR 6?

 

[View Range]

To paraphrase Reuben.

M-D: None of the advantages of digital.

No, thanks. I'll keep my M8 and M9.

 

[_goodtimez]

How is the battery level indicator designed on the M-D ?

 

[Huss]

How is the battery level indicator designed on the M-D ?

It's in the VF. What is cool is you can download the manual from the Leica site.

The M-D has a big advantage over the M60 in that it still has the ability to add exposure compensation in AE mode. The M60 cannot as it does not have that thumb wheel.