Mic Drop Moment: M10-D with thumb lever

[jawarden]

But the real question is why some feel it their appointed duty to tell Leica how screwed up Leica is for creating cameras that no one else creates and that they would never buy.

And, of course, the obvious other question of why others might feel it is their appointed duty to defend Leica, who clearly needs no defending. If the forum negativity doesn't affect the bottom line neither does all the defending.

Last time I looked Leica still makes film cameras and still supports the old film mechanical technology. Other companies certainly can't say that.

Bravo for that, right? I have three film rangefinders, one a Leica, and they are very cool indeed and get used. I hope they keep on making them, and if they have to make a few pretend controls or faux patina cameras to fund that effort it's okay by me. I don't use digital because that's for wussies.*

But yes, I will chuckle at the silly features because they're silly after all, and it's fun to share the laughs. I literally LOLed at the post about auto transmissions with a stick shift "hand rest". Come on now, that's comedy gold and reason enough to visit here. 🙂

Again the M 10 and the MM are great cameras. Thank God Leica is around so we have those choices.

Ditto. They make oddball cameras, but they make classic ones too. And the lenses are top drawer stuff.


* I jest!

 

[RichC]

.For those who can't abide the lever, would an M10 sans LCD, and sans the offensive thumb support, be acceptable? Or is that also a bridge too far?

Yes, yes it is. In fact, worse than the lever!

It's a digital camera and requires a screen for its operation. So Leica allows you to pretend it hasn't got one by hiding it on your phone...!

Name one benefit of not having a screen on a digital camera. (Saving power isn't one: a battery lasts 100s of shots with a screen, so in practice the longer battery life is of little consequence. Not to mention your phone goes flatter sooner!)

I can see only downsides.

I shoot in manual mode with manual lenses, and don't check every photo, so rarely use my screen. But even so, I really wouldn't want my screen on a different device - that would be so awkward and clunky.

A tool should be made as efficient as possible. It should not be deliberately hobbled. If you don't want to use the screen, don't. But it's a foolish effectation to pretend your camera hasn't got one even though it's a necessity.

As I said earlier: this camera is a toy.

 

[Fraser]

Yes, yes it is. In fact, worse than the lever!

It's a digital camera and requires a screen for its operation. So Leica allows you to pretend it hasn't got one by hiding it on your phone...!

Name one benefit of not having a screen on a digital camera. (Saving power isn't one: a battery lasts 100s of shots with a screen, so in practice the longer battery life is of little consequence. Not to mention your phone goes flatter sooner!)

I can see only downsides.

I shoot in manual mode with manual lenses, and don't check every photo, so rarely use my screen. But even so, I really wouldn't want my screen on a different device - thst would be so awkward and clunky.

A tool should be made as efficient as possible. It should not be deliberately hobbled. If you don't want to use the screen, don't. But it's a foolish effectation to pretend your camera hasn't got one even though it's a necessity.

As I said earlier: this camera is a toy.

Exactly,
The best thing about a digital camera is the ability too look at your pictures.

 

[p.giannakis]

an M10 sans LCD, and sans the offensive thumb support, be acceptable? Or is that also a bridge too far?

Aaaa! Good question. I suppose people who appreciate the previous digital rangefinders made by Leica will probably see it as something good.

But me personally no. Whilst the big three (Nikon/Canon/Sony/Minolta) took some brave steps throughout the years and embraced change and brought pioneering products (going from rangefinders to SLRs to AF-SLRs to DSLRs to mirror less) Leica is still recycling the same camera from the 1950s. The advance level is for me a confirmation that they have reached a dead end. The started adding memorabilia on their cameras with no real function just to appeal to the film nostalgic. And at what price!

That's my 2c. Over and out.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Where's that guy who always cries "Veblen goods" every time Leica introduces a camera which isn't in lockstep with his strong ideas of how others should live their lives? Page 8, still hasn't piped up yet. Maybe his hair shirt is at the cleaners. Or the thumb rest horror is just too great. Oh, the humanity!
But please come back, these endlessly repetitive moaning sessions won't be complete without you.

 

[RichC]

Where's that guy who always cries "Veblen goods" every time Leica introduces a camera which isn't in lockstep with his strong ideas of how others should live their lives? Page 8, still hasn't piped up yet. Maybe his hair shirt is at the cleaners. Or the thumb rest horror is just too great. Oh, the humanity!
But please come back, these endlessly repetitive moaning sessions won't be complete without you.

We're doing our best...!

 

[Filter Factor]

With the success that Leica has been having and the drop in sales with both Nikon and Canon maybe they should rethink methinks.

Any drop in sales at Nikon or Canon is not due to booming sales at Leica; it comes from smartphones taking over the low-end and much of the middle-end of the digital photography world. And Fujifilm has an Instax camera line that takes away from all of them... 6.6 million buyers last year can't be wrong!

Cheers, Robert

 

[ptpdprinter]

Where's that guy who always cries "Veblen goods" every time Leica introduces a camera which isn't in lockstep with his strong ideas of how others should live their lives?

I've used the term velben goods to describe a significant portion of Leica's market - you know, that segment all the photographers around here are always thanking profusely for keeping Leica in business. I noticed yesterday that Leica announced a new limited edition "Bold Gray" M10 at €14,500. These are not aimed at collectors. Leica issues so many different ones that no collector could possibly keep up. They are fashion accessories. Anyone who buys one gets a big eye roll from me. God bless them, right? But you can't thank them in one breath and deny they exist in another.

https://leicarumors.com/2018/10/25/...d-gray-limited-edition-camera-announced.aspx/

 

[rfaspen]

I kind of like the lever. I also like an LCD on my digital Leica. But, what wonderful diversity I see...I'd like to see more.

Its been said over and over that Leica cameras (Leica M cameras that is) are niche. Um... Yes.

Its also been said over and over that Leica M cameras are expensive. Um... Yes. Anything new?

I'd like to get on with my life and yes I'll establish another "Leica fund"....I'll have an M10 of some sort or another in a while yet. The power of frugal, disciplined, money management and compound interest lets me enjoy these stupid toys.

I wonder...Could I change out the lever for the M4 style? I have a few of both kinds of levers in my parts bin...

 

[Phil_F_NM]

"Bold gray" is that like bright black or dark white? Is it 12%? Maybe 18% so you get a correct meter reading when taking a photo of the camera with another marque?

Phil Forrest

 

[airfrogusmc]

And is it also mandatory to love everything Leica makes, and if you don't like it keep quiet?😀

Absolutely not but to keep banging the Leica sucks drum (and it is usually the same folks) gets old. I get it that some are never going to like any digital Leica Ms but there is the reality out there and Leica is the only one making anything remotely different from all the rest.

I'll say it again, I will not be buying this camera. Doesn't fit my needs To see folks saying the only folks to buy this and some even say any digital Leica that these people who buy Leica digital are posers or rich is just crap.

There may be some of those out there but they are out there with any brand. Someone might say a guy with top o the line nikanon who only posts jpgs on forums might fall into that too. I say if folks can afford it and they want it life's short and buy and shoot with whatever. Doesn't bother me who is buying what and for what purpose.

As long as I have a choice that fits the way I see and work then it's all good. I don't worry a bit in what company is making this or that or Leica is making something that I wont buy. Nice to have REAL choices. Don't like it don't buy it. If enough do just that then next upgrade it wont be an issue.

 

[David Hughes]

but no one likes it when a niche camera maker jumps niches and ...

Regards, David

 

[Huss]

What I really find funny is how the same Leica haters always show up and just keep kicking the dead horse. ha ha.

C'mon man, haven't you ever thought that you are the opposite? Whenever someone criticizes Leica you pretty much rush to their defense over and over again?!

I use lots of Leica gear but will no longer be a new customer until they:

1. provide after sales service
2. introduce something that would actually make a difference to me.

Until they do I will mock them for products that include fake film levers, and internet reviewers/stooges/ambassadors (Huff et al) who pour on the praise because if they didn't their gravy train would no longer stop at their station.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Until they do I will mock them for products that include fake film levers, and internet reviewers/stooges/ambassadors (Huff et al) who pour on the praise because if they didn't their gravy train would no longer stop at their station.

To be fair, the internet reviewers/stooges/ambassadors proclaim almost every camera as the second coming.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have stated that service is an issue. It is.

I have seen what you want and there are a lot of those already out there. Pick one. Mock on but I've said this before you have an ax to grind with Leica and always do it in almost every Leica post. If you like true rangefinders the M 10 is a gem. I am glad it doesn't have video. If I were to shoot video I would buy a video camera. Proper tool and all.

I shoot with what I shoot with because it works for me. I shot with 500 C/Ms and Canon F-1s (still have 3 of those) Nikon F-3s, Deardorff view cameras and Leica M film cameras. I shot Canon digital for over a decade and I certainly had my share of issues with Canon but I don't go into their threads to bitch. I just spend my money elsewhere.

 

[DougFord]

...magic 8-ball sez M10 'upgrade' to include said lever will be available soon.

 

[analoged]

Unboxing...

https://youtu.be/cKWglwIaxxM

 

[splitimageview]

Unboxing...

https://youtu.be/cKWglwIaxxM

The next accoutrement for the LEICA MAN...Leica branded white gloves.

😀

 

[Keith]

I realise that many people take this Leica bashing as personal but the people who do so need to remember that many of us who use and love our Leica gear are pretty offended by some of the stuff they do. The door swings both ways!

 

[airfrogusmc]

I don't see anyone taking it personal but it does get old Keith and it's always the same folks saying almost the same thing. I say why care as long as they (Leica) continue to make cameras that no one else will make like the M 10 or MM. If they were only making bling then I wouldn't own one and most of the other photographers that post here and own digital Leica wouldn't either.

And I speak up to be another voice opposed to the many that are beating the anti Leica drum so yeah the door does swing both ways. But have you ever seen me in a thread on RRF bashing another camera company? And in some cases there could be plenty to bash. I do have preferences but all of these cameras from all of these digital makers are all capable of capturing what we see. The key is we have to see.