Mic Drop Moment: M10-D with thumb lever

[Archiver]

Yeahhhh what? The cocking lever isn't a cocking lever, but a thumb rest?? That's like putting fake exhaust pipes on the sides of your modern Mustang.

But that's not the part that gets me. It's the power switch which is part of the rear exposure dial. I mean, really, how the heck are you supposed to turn the M10-D on quickly if you have to mess with a dial on the back? M shooters have been using the recock lever as a thumb rest for years, but putting the power switch in the rear dial has no precedent at all.

 

[Lss]

Once again a lot of hate over an actual rangefinder camera and an actual rangefinder camera manufacturer on an actual rangefinder camera forum. It seems the latter is less and less true, though, so you all are forgiven.

I certainly like the overall design. Considering the M10 generation is not capable of video capture, the usefulness of the LCD screen is particularly small with this iteration. This allows for a much cleaner design. (And the screen-equipped versions are there for those who like them in any case.)

Based on the pictures, there are few things to criticise. The power switch does appear a potential design flaw on the surface. This may not be a camera you grab quickly for a shot unless it is already powered on. For that, the solution is easy. But is there a risk of switching the camera off when trying to use exposure compensation with your eye on the subject? A few people use exposure compensation that way (and many others at all), and the difference in ring diameter is probably enough to not confuse the user. Of course, actual handling of the camera would show whether there is any issue with this placement.

The film advance lever brings some balance to the top plate, and probably makes a practical difference, although on paper it does seem completely unnecessary clutter on a digital camera. I have often used a thumbs-up grip on the M8. I think I would rather have the foldable thumb rest that does not get in the way and does not take up the hot shoe. And, of course, I used to have the Epson, where the advance lever was mandatory to use. No issues there, it felt good on a digital camera. It is pretty; complaining about it rather petty.

 

[mod2001]

But that's not the part that gets me. It's the power switch which is part of the rear exposure dial. I mean, really, how the heck are you supposed to turn the M10-D on quickly

Why turn it off in the first place? No EVF, no display, the battery will last 'forever'.
I would be more concerned to switch it off accidentally when turning the exposure dial (haven't checked if this can happen).

Juergen

 

[mod2001]

I don't get this extensive blame game here, it's just another iteration of the M10, if you don't like it get the 'normal' one.

And in regards to the usual trolls here. Really wondering if this kind of people spend the whole day in front of the computer writing about products they never owned, never will and in general have zero interests in. GL with that. In the meanwhile I visit the Toyota Corolla forum, don't like the white finish they are offering. 😉

Juergen

 

[Lee Rust]

Before the internet, if a company introduced a camera which did not fit everyone’s needs, no one knew it even existed until they went into a camera shop and saw a new one sitting on the counter. After talking to the sales person, you’d either consider buying it if you liked it and could afford it, or just say “hunh” and walk out with some film, if you didn’t. And forget about it.

...

Not sure if we are going to reach “It’s just like Hitler”, but we are only on page 5.

Hunh... I'm with Larry here, but Hitler probably would have loved this camera for all the anger that it's generated.

 

[Huss]

For me it's not about anger but abject disappointment.
We all saw the 'film advance lever' in the sneak preview images. We got excited into thinking that this would cock the shutter.
Instead, it does nothing but fake a look for those who want to pretend they are shooting a film camera.

Butt it's ok, I'll never be in the market for a new Leica again unless Leica decides to put money into their service department so that it has a full staff. Not just the one tech for the entire North American market.

 

[mod2001]

We got excited into thinking that this would cock the shutter.

Personal expectation management is not Leica's business. But yeah, I get it from this point of view and knowing the RD-1. Didn't see the mock up, so no disappointment on my side.

Instead, it does nothing but fake a look for those who want to pretend they are shooting a film camera.

Nope, it's for those who are tired of 3rd party thumbs up and the pain in the chest when carrying around, the problems when taking the cam out of a photo bag and of course, the horror look. I love it and I don't care if it looks like a film Leica or not. But quite sure that you can take it off if you really hate it.

Leica should probably offer the M10 a la carte, with or without display, lever, monochrome or color sensor and so on.

Not just the one tech for the entire North American market.

That's a hell of a argument, fully agree.

Juergen

 

[p.giannakis]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

I agree.

(123456789...)

 

[mod2001]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

The ghost of Bauhaus is also not paying the workers at Leica or Triumph 😉

Leica will sell the M10(-D) as Triumph sells the Bonneville. Everything else is romantic bu.. sh.. from an economic point of view. Like it or not.

Juergen

 

[Ste_S]

Hunh... I'm with Larry here, but Hitler probably would have loved this camera for all the anger that it's generated.

I don't think there's much actual anger here. I for instance find the camera hilarious

 

[mod2001]

I don't think there's much actual anger here.

Luckily not that much, check the thread in DPR, unbelievable. If the angered people there would put the same effort in pointing to all the **** that happens in this world, it would be a much better place.

I for instance find the camera hilarious

Valid subjective point of view. Same feeling I get when holding a Sony A7 in my hand. 😉 But guess what, with both cameras you can take amazing photos.

Juergen

 

[RichC]

Luckily not that much, check the thread in DPR, unbelievable. If the angered people there would put the same effort in pointing to all the **** that happens in this world, it would be a much better place.

Valid subjective point of view. Same feeling I get when holding a Sony A7 in my hand. 😉 But guess what, with both cameras you can take amazing photos.

My post's disappointed rather than angry... There are things that demand anger - a camera that is clearly not aimed at me isn't one! <grin>

As for DP Review, well, we have a far higher standard of photography here...! <grin>

 

[mod2001]

My post's disappointed rather than angry... There are things that demand anger - a camera that is clearly not aimed at me isn't one! <grin>

Thats the right spirit. At the end, any new camera on the market, whatever brand or type, expands our freedom of choice. Can't see here any negative side

As for DP Review, well, we have a far higher standard of photography here...! <grin>

This is out of question, for sure.

Juergen

 

[Guth]

To be fair, if I saw a thread about a new camera from any other manufacturer that was sporting a fake film advance lever I'd be tossing in my 2 cents of disappointment over it as well. The fact that Leica happens to be the offending manufacturer in this case happens to be particularly disappointing to me as it wipes out some of the respect I have for the brand. I'm not sure how many other companies would try to get away with the emperor's new film advance lever, but you can bet they'd be catching grief as well if they did. I can't blame the non-Leica fans for having a good laugh over this.

 

[David Hughes]

If only it had a battery that looked like a FILCA...

Regards, David

 

[mod2001]

To be fair, if I saw a thread about a new camera from any other manufacturer that was sporting a fake film advance lever I'd be tossing in my 2 cents of disappointment over it as well.

In other words, if Leica had used another form than the well known film advance lever as moveable thumbs up we wouldn't have this discussion? Really can't follow the 'fake' argument here, quite the opposite, why not use a long time existing element of their cameras for this functionality? Same with the rewind knob as ISO-setting, probably not the best way to change it this way, agree, but at least consequent when looking at the overall design. And for sure no reason to call the camera a toy like somebody did here. That's ridiculous and shows a lack of understanding what defines a camera as such.

I can't blame the non-Leica fans for having a good laugh over this.

I have definitely more empathy for offended Hard-Core Leicanians in this regard.

Juergen

 

[brbo]

Just imagine all the decisive moments that will never be caught on film (or fake film, erm, sensor) just because in 2018 Leica introduced a camera with a foldable thumbie...

Because, let's be honest, how could you ever use any camera (past or present) from a manufacturer that does something like this...

 

[Bobfrance]

Canon obviously think they're onto something...

 

[jsrockit]

We all saw the 'film advance lever' in the sneak preview images. We got excited into thinking that this would cock the shutter.
Instead, it does nothing but fake a look for those who want to pretend they are shooting a film camera.

Cocking the shutter in a digital camera would have been pretending even more no?

 

[ptpdprinter]

Cocking the shutter in a digital camera would have been pretending even more no?

Yes. It would have been even more ridiculous. But I am sure there is a market who would buy it.