Why the Leica M Edition 60 is important...

[Godfrey]

There has been much debate over the Leica M Edition 60, the digital Leica without an LCD. Kevin Shelley is writing about it in "The Street Photography Blog" ... It's worth a read.

First Part:
https://www.streetphotographyblog.co.uk/leica-m-edition-60-a-design-concept/

Second Part:
https://www.streetphotographyblog.co.uk/leica-m-edition-60-past-future/

And more to come.

enjoy,
G

 

[lukitas]

Interesting point of view.

As he describes it, it is indeed my dream camera : the four basic parameters and nothing more.

I wish Leica would bring out a commercial version of the edition 60, a lot more affordable than the ones with screens and menus. It could probably be a little thinner too, without the screen. I think I might save for that, if it cost less than an ME.

Cheers

 

[Pioneer]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

While I am waiting for Leica to sell me a less expensive version I think I will set the ISO on my M9 to 400 and the white balance to auto, the output to DNG, and then start working without the display screen for as long as I can.

May 1st will be here shortly. I am going to try to make this work for 30 days. If I could figure out a way to cover the back panel with screen and control buttons without destroying anything I would do that as well.

Will gaffers tape leave stickum on the back of the camera if I left it in place for 30 days of Nevada desert spring weather with its' wild swings in temperature and humidity?

 

[michaelwj]

As he describes it, it is indeed my dream camera : the four basic parameters and nothing more.

I'd get one if they made a standard version (especially if the make it with the traditional shutter speed dial and no AE option). I think priced between the M240 and M-E would be reasonable - but I know it will be in MM territory.

I find it interesting that the four essential parameters - shutter, aperture, iso, and focusing - don't include framing...

 

[Daniel Teoli Jr.]

OP

It is important ONLY for

1) Leica to make and sell to stay in biz.

2) Camera fondlers and the inept to have another object to lust after.

That is it.

It has no value for the serious photog. If it was $2500 and someone could not afford a M240, OK. But it is stupidly priced. It even comes with white gloves????

Now, you can buy what you like. But if your serious about shooting, that cam is not going to do it. If your collector then there is no price connection to value at all. Anything is possible with the collector mentality.

 

[Godfrey]

I'd get one if they made a standard version (especially if the make it with the traditional shutter speed dial and no AE option). I think priced between the M240 and M-E would be reasonable - but I know it will be in MM territory.

I find it interesting that the four essential parameters - shutter, aperture, iso, and focusing - don't include framing...

Well, those are settings ... I see no cameras with a function to set framing. So far, the photographer has to work that out... 🙂

I do hope Leica finds a market for a production version. Priced the same as an M or M-P would not bother me. Nor would the AE option. A Monochrom (typ 240 generation) sensor would be cool too.

 

[Godfrey]

...
Will gaffers tape leave stickum on the back of the camera if I left it in place for 30 days of Nevada desert spring weather with its' wild swings in temperature and humidity?

I wouldn't trust it. You don't want that glue to creep inside.
Archival, non-marking artist's tape might be safer. I've not seen that leave any residue.

When I want to do these kinds of things, I just don't turn on the LCD for anything. I guess I could form and fit a piece of black card stock into my half case to cover over the LCD and buttons...

G

 

[michaelwj]

Well, those are settings ... I see no cameras with a function to set framing. So far, the photographer has to work that out... 🙂

I thought that was the viewfinder 🙂
The photographer also has to work out appropriate values for the other 4 too.

 

[Godfrey]

I thought that was the viewfinder 🙂
The photographer also has to work out appropriate values for the other 4 too.

I'm sure we could get into a semantic quibble over what an "essential parameter" or "setting" is and how that differs from a framing device ... but let's not. 🙂

I just want one of these cameras, but not a special edition. Well, if I were a lot wealthier than I am, I'd do the special edition .. but it's about two pay grades over my ability to rationalize spending for it.

G

 

[Huss]

If only Leica made a full mechanical version that needed no batteries and used an analogue sensor.

 

[michaelwj]

I'm sure we could get into a semantic quibble over what an "essential parameter" or "setting" is and how that differs from a framing device ... but let's not. 🙂

I just want one of these cameras, but not a special edition. Well, if I were a lot wealthier than I am, I'd do the special edition .. but it's about two pay grades over my ability to rationalize spending for it.

G

Agreed on all counts😀, except even a standard edition is likely to be a pay grade above me...

 

[Godfrey]

If only Leica made a full mechanical version that needed no batteries and used an analogue sensor.

You want a vidicon tube? ]'-)

That is the Leica M-A. But I want the digital sensor ... I have an analog sensor M already.

G

 

[zuiko85]

I'm sure of one thing. Only Leica could get away with this type of camera. Can you imagine Nikon or Canon or Fuji or name that company trying to sell a digital without a screen? Shoot, they won't even risk an B&W only sensor. Leica has one of those to. Well if a few people like it and can afford it, why not. People spend a lot more money on sillier stuff than an M60

 

[Lss]

I'd get one if they made a standard version (especially if the make it with the traditional shutter speed dial and no AE option).

I would definitely keep the AE option and then add Auto to the ISO wheel. I have a strong preference for including exposure compensation as well to enhance the usefulness of the automatic mode(s). Just staring at the camera, I can see at least three easy ways to implement that rather elegantly.

On the other hand, I think Leica should embrace customization as long as they keep the traditional M design. Then we both win. 🙂 They should have all the bits and pieces in place (M 60 is one obvious proof for all relevant meanings of 'bits'), and this even allows for inflating prices in a way that many buyers would agree with. They already have the M-E category for the simpler experience. Currently, M and M-E both make sense as they are quite different products. Assuming the current M is the next M-E, differentiation may become much harder.

 

[zuiko85]

Just thought of something. On the Olympus OM-D series can the articulated screen be turned all the way 'in' with the plastic side 'out'? That might be a cheaper way of trying the 'no screen' experience.

 

[Lss]

Just thought of something. On the Olympus OM-D series can the articulated screen be turned all the way 'in' with the plastic side 'out'? That might be a cheaper way of trying the 'no screen' experience.

You can do this with the Epson R-D1 which is an actual rangefinder camera. This is exactly how I used mine anyway. It is in many ways a good design, as it is basically a film camera design with a small screen unit slapped onto it. A key point with the M Edition 60 is that the space is actually used for the control interface and the firmware enables using the camera without the screen. On the Epson, you need to access the menu to format the card.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

No one else finds it odd that the people (ostensibly) intelligent enough to afford such a thing cannot 'cope' with the complexities of devices that commoners and dullards use without difficulty? And, somehow, these wealthy smart guys are able to pilot complex, electronic-laden automobiles at high speeds?

Does anyone really believe that the photographic results from this camera will be any better than with a 'standard' Mx? Seems like people are buying the illusion of a 'traditional' working practice. Makes them feel closer to HC-B and an M3. A pretense of tradition—making the same 1s and 0s as a PowerShot, and a further separation from the riffraff.... "There are regular shooters, then 'Leica Photographers,' and then ME—an even higher-level version of 'THE Leica Photographer.'

Or, maybe not. It is pretty.

 

[YYV_146]

No one else finds it odd that the people (ostensibly) intelligent enough to afford such a thing cannot 'cope' with the complexities of devices that commoners and dullards use without difficulty? And, somehow, these wealthy smart guys are able to pilot complex, electronic-laden automobiles at high speeds?

Does anyone really believe that the photographic results from this camera will be any better than with a 'standard' Mx? Seems like people are buying the illusion of a 'traditional' working practice. Makes them feel closer to HC-B and an M3. A pretense of tradition—making the same 1s and 0s as a PowerShot, and a further separation from the riffraff.... "There are regular shooters, then 'Leica Photographers,' and then ME—an even higher-level version of 'THE Leica Photographer.'

Or, maybe not. It is pretty.

I second this. Maybe one could simply tape the screen over? With DSLRs you usually have a secondary monotone screen for basic shooting parameters. The experience isn't fundamentally different. Conceivably you could even tape the screen on a M type 240 and achieve 99% of the experience at 60% of the cost.

Digital is complicated, as is film if you haven't shot enough of it. There is no magic remedy that lets you make great photos without effort. That effort may either be burning&dodging or Photoshop - either way, the camera should be the least of one's worries.

 

[Godfrey]

Just thought of something. On the Olympus OM-D series can the articulated screen be turned all the way 'in' with the plastic side 'out'? That might be a cheaper way of trying the 'no screen' experience.

No for the E-M1/e-M5/E-M10. I think it works that way on the new E-M5 II.

G

 

[Godfrey]

I second this. Maybe one could simply tape the screen over? With DSLRs you usually have a secondary monotone screen for basic shooting parameters. The experience isn't fundamentally different. Conceivably you could even tape the screen on a M type 240 and achieve 99% of the experience at 60% of the cost.

Digital is complicated, as is film if you haven't shot enough of it. There is no magic remedy that lets you make great photos without effort. That effort may either be burning&dodging or Photoshop - either way, the camera should be the least of one's worries.

I suspect you're missing the point of the author's second article.

G