Leica M-E

[benedict297]

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Hi, Just joined this Forum. I am thinking of getting an M-E. I honestly would say I would prefer the new M but I don't want to wait that long at this point in time. I tried an M-E at the store and its quite primitive to say the least ( I usually shoot a Nikon D700). However, it took a while to get used too but having looked at some of the pics I took at the store on a computer, and they looked very nice in deed.

 

Question - for those users out there, how much of a problem is the card freezing issue? I know this was a problem on the M9.. but has this been fixed in the M-E?

 

Also, the issue about the sensor getting dirty..is this now better? I know it can be cleaned yourself.. I do it sometimes on my Nikon but not greatly to be honest. My Nikon does get dirty because I change lenses frequently. Im just wondering if this is an issue due to design (read that sensor on the M9 got dirty out of just use - without changing lenses??) as I probably would only be using 2 lenses on the M-E and therefore wont be changing often and therefore would not expect that much dirt on the sensor.

 

Thank you

[Stealth3kpl]

I haven't had my M9P long but with my Lexar 8Gb cards I've had no issues.

I sometimes see a spot of dirt on files, but later it will be gone. I've a feeling LR4 automatically removes them. Might be wrong though.

I, too, was concerned about buying an M9, and in fact I swore I'd never get one, but I've had no issues with mine.

Pete

Edited July 27, 2013 by Stealth3kpl

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[Jeff S]

Habits regarding sensor cleaning range from never to often, as discussed here.

 

Lightroom suffices for me for the most part, but self-cleaning is not a big deal if needed. There are many threads on this topic available through the search box, but this FAQ regarding the M9 may help (the M-E is basically an M9).

 

The bigger question for you IMHO, coming from a DSLR, should be whether or not you are comfortable with the RF experience; some are, some aren't. Sensor cleaning is a secondary issue. Card freezes can be a pain, but should not be an issue once you find cards that work for you.

 

Jeff

[krooj]

Hi, Just joined this Forum. I am thinking of getting an M-E. I honestly would say I would prefer the new M but I don't want to wait that long at this point in time. I tried an M-E at the store and its quite primitive to say the least ( I usually shoot a Nikon D700). However, it took a while to get used too but having looked at some of the pics I took at the store on a computer, and they looked very nice in deed.

 

Question - for those users out there, how much of a problem is the card freezing issue? I know this was a problem on the M9.. but has this been fixed in the M-E?

 

Also, the issue about the sensor getting dirty..is this now better? I know it can be cleaned yourself.. I do it sometimes on my Nikon but not greatly to be honest. My Nikon does get dirty because I change lenses frequently. Im just wondering if this is an issue due to design (read that sensor on the M9 got dirty out of just use - without changing lenses??) as I probably would only be using 2 lenses on the M-E and therefore wont be changing often and therefore would not expect that much dirt on the sensor.

 

Thank you

 

Hey,

 

I wouldn't worry too much about some of the things you read on this forum, cause it's a bit of an echo chamber when it comes to issues with these cameras. I got a gently used M9 and updated the firmware to latest. I use whatever the heck SDHC card is the best bang for the buck from the local computer store (Patriot, A-Data, etc), and they've all been fine.

 

Regarding the comparison between the D7k and the M-E, I feel you. I thought the M9 was a relic compared to my D800, until I actually saw the RAW files coming out of the M9. The M system also has a subtle advantage in that there really aren't awful contemporary lenses available. The imaging sensors are top-notch (for their generation), and so when you combine that with very high quality Leica, Zeiss, or Cosina lenses, the results start to make more sense.

 

Getting back to the primitive nature of the digital Ms... that's kinda the point of them. If you want AF, insanely high ISO, or gimmick features like video or wifi, then the M system will never be to your liking.

 

Dirt / dust is an overblown issue, IMHO. Any mirrorless system is going to suffer from debris potentially hitting the sensor, and that includes X, E, or u4/3. Just clean it off with a blower or sensor cleaning kit if it happens.

[BenMathes]

I Agee with the above! My M9 is in a different country almost monthly. I use a variety of discs, from Sandiscs to Lexar- never a problem. Never had a freeze- dirty sensor-? Yes! Congo, Peru, Iraq- there are some "less clean" places in the world!!

 

My M9 had one major issue while overseas- it got incredibly hot- something inside burned up I guess- a board or such- and it just died! Sent it to Leica USA with "need a fast turn around please"- and got it right back- with new skin, battery, spotless sensor- and working like a champ!

 

I carry 3 lenses- the new 35 asph 1.4 for 90% of my work

 

An old German 90 2.8 that is gorgeous

 

A German 50 1.4 workhorse

 

Would never- ever- use any other system. Guess that's the hook- get used to the Leica look- and you are destined to never accept anything else!!' A wonderful problem to have!!!

 

Go for it!!!

[garysamson]

I have had the M-E since last December shooting studio portraits, 3,000 images in Greece over a month and several hundred images for a book on New Orleans musicians. I love the files that come out of this camera and the color and sharpness are superior to the D700 which I also use when the light gets low or I need longer lenses. The only issue I have had is a SanDisk extreme video card that shut down the camera on one occasion. Since I have switched to Panasonic 16 gig cards I have had zero problems. I hope this helps.

[krooj]

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Ah - the other thing which bears mentioning about the M9/E CCD is how well B&W conversions go. Really, the RAW files are lovely when converted, which is totally the opposite of my experience with NEF files.

[Jeff S]

...the other thing which bears mentioning about the M9/E CCD is how well B&W conversions go.

 

But not quite as well as the M8/M8.2 for b/w, as I and many others have reported.

 

Jeff

[Mike T 1969]

I love the M-E. If you are okay with a basic manual rangefinder this camera is sweet. I have only cleaned the sensor once in 8 months of use. I had one SD card issue on month one. I read the best practice FAQs and learned to only delete images from the card using the camera menu. Since then I have had no issues.

 

Get it. And then just worry about making great photographs. That is the hard part.

[moosehead]

Hi there, I also shoot a D700 and like most DSLR's it has more menus than a weight watchers club, I purchased an ME last winter and I have not regretted it since, it is my first choice whenever I am going on a walkabout I would never say it is primitive. Leica keeps things simple does exactly what it says on the tin.

Can't comment on the M-240 as I have absolutely no interest in video, live view etc. but I am sure it would knock the socks off the ME.......then again it is not the camera but who is behind it that matters

[benedict297]

Thank you for the replies..

 

Another question - whilst I was trying it at the store with a 35mm i did have trouble focusing on people's faces.. I also wear glades and at times I had trouble getting the 2 images in line so that the picture is in focus.. Any tips for that?

[MarkP]

Thank you for the replies..

 

Another question - whilst I was trying it at the store with a 35mm i did have trouble focusing on people's faces.. I also wear glades and at times I had trouble getting the 2 images in line so that the picture is in focus.. Any tips for that?

 

Practice. It is a steep and rewarding learning curve.

[MarkP]

and like most DSLR's it has more menus than a weight watchers club,

 

:D:D

 

 

 

Can't comment on the M-240 as I have absolutely no interest in video, live view etc. but I am sure it would knock the socks off the ME.....

 

all of the information to date suggests it does not...

[k_g_wolf ✝]

Indeed, Benedict, if you are completely new to r/f-phtography only practice helps.

It´s worthwhile!

 

Shooting people i. e.: prefocus the lens, let´s say to 1.0 m or 0.7 m in case your

lens allows this distance, but then don´t touch the focusdevice anymore. Just move the camera

attached to your eye to and fro until the two centralimages coincide. Then release the shutter.

 

To and fro: = towards and back again from your motif. Much faster than fiddling around with the lensbarrel...

 

BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

 

Best

GEORG

Edited July 28, 2013 by k_g_wolf

[Philjh]

I've had an M-E with 50mm f2.5 since March and would highly recommend it.

It may be oldish technology but the results are brilliant!

 

I did a lot of research into the possible SD problems and have been using Samsung 8gb sdhc class10 (with black metal cover) with absolutely no problems, over 1k of pics. The Samsung matches the M-E processor speed perfectly and files copy to the pc quickly.

 

I knew that a dirty sensor could be an issue and have had to clean once so far, after 500 odd pics, using the Visible Dust swabs. First with the Smear Away liquid for the oil, then the Sensor Clean liquid to clear up any streaks. The sensor was spotless when new.

 

The absolute joy of using this camera outways any minor issues for me.

[Jeff S]

Another question - whilst I was trying it at the store with a 35mm i did have trouble focusing on people's faces.. I also wear glades and at times I had trouble getting the 2 images in line so that the picture is in focus.. Any tips for that?

 

As I said...

 

The bigger question for you IMHO, coming from a DSLR, should be whether or not you are comfortable with the RF experience; some are, some aren't.

 

No way to know unless you try it for a while, which is why I suggest renting or borrowing one, even if it's a less expensive M8 to start. Buy from a reputable Leica dealer with a warranty and return policy.

 

Jeff

[tobey bilek]

Primitive electronics, advanced images as you discovered.

 

Problems come from generic batteries, counterfeit brand cards, turning on image review before the blinking light goes out, cards more than 16 GB, using battery to exhaustion, turning off camera before image is fully written, deleting images rather than reformating the card, not formating the card in the camera before use.

 

Sandisk is frequently counterfeit. Buy from trusted source like B&H, not EBAY, and real Sandisk work well. They are so good you can not tell the counterfeit by looking at them, but the chips inside are inferior. I use 16 GB Lexars. They are frequently on sale in 2 packs at B&H. Do not move them from one camera to another.

 

This is all common sense and a practice I follow with all digital cameras.

 

Rangefinders go out if the camera is subject to shock. Water sealing is poor to none. A good wetting and it is probably trash.

 

SLR mirror stops a lot of dust. I have to clean mine much more than my Nikon. Blow out the camera inside after every use where lenses are changed. This gets the airborn debris out before it gets to the sensor. Dust itself seems to be not a big problem, but tiny particles seem to be with all the cameras. I think it is pollen. I do not open the shutter unless I know there is a problem when doing the routine dust out.

 

Use rear lens caps and keep the insides of them clean.

[hhmrogers]

............. I tried an M-E at the store and its quite primitive to say the least ( I usually shoot a Nikon D700). However, it took a while to get used too but having looked at some of the pics I took at the store on a computer, and they looked very nice in deed.............

 

After reading the positive replies above, I can really only add that I agree. I bought my M-E as soon as it came out and apart from things for which I need a long zoom lens it's now my camera of choice. I have met no snags and although there is now a little dust on the sensor it hasn't reached the point where getting it cleaned rather than just removing spots in software is worth doing.

 

I like the simplicity of operation myself as I used film Leicas long before digital and I would write 'straightforward' rather than 'primitive' in the context of what I want to do with it but that's just personal preference. I can't see that I would get any more satisfying results myself if I could afford an M but I'm sure I shall enjoy looking at the results others produce with it.

[benedict297]

Thank you all for the replies. I pulled the trigger today.

 

Still deciding on what lens to get im thinking either 35 summicron or 50mm summicron. Ideally I would like to get the new nokton voigtlander which has yet to ship yet and a leica 35mm

 

What were your first lenses?

 

Also - do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your camers?

 

Thank you

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[krooj]

Thank you all for the replies. I pulled the trigger today.

 

Still deciding on what lens to get im thinking either 35 summicron or 50mm summicron. Ideally I would like to get the new nokton voigtlander which has yet to ship yet and a leica 35mm

 

What were your first lenses?

 

Also - do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your camers?

 

Thank you

 

Keep an eye out for Zeiss glass, especially in the case of the Summicron 50/2. The 50/2 planar is just as good for most uses and will cost significantly less.