Looking for my 'Mini-M'

[chris0959]

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Hello all,

I’m new to the forum but not to photography or Leica. This seems to be a wonderfully supportive community, and I’d love to bounce a few thoughts off of you all.

Title: Looking for my ‘Mini-M’

I think it was in a David Farkas review where I first heard this term, and it fits me perfectly...and dare I suspect, a few of you?

I wish to find a digital replacement for my beloved M3, but with some modern conveniences made necessary by changing habits and aging eyes.

1) The primary requirement is that the camera have a Leica [or Zeiss T*] lens.

2) Second is a viewfinder. I prefer [surprisingly enough to me] an EVF at this point in my eyes’ age [i’m 57]. A ground glass or hybrid would be cool. I think. Not sure to be honest about the hybrid.

3) Third is a wide to portrait zoom, and of some speed. I just don’t care to swap around between lenses anymore. In one short outing I’ve used both the short and long ends of my new D-Lux Typ 109 to good effect, and sadly, as I see what Jacob Aue Sobol and David Alan Harvey et al accomplish, cannot imagine shooting with 2 prime lenses all day, or swapping any number of them out in a squall [or family picnic].

4) You’ll notice I’ve left physical dimensions and price out of the equation. One cannot have everything, can one?

5) However, to be fair, portability does enter into it. If physical size [and cost] were truly of no consideration I’d have an S Type 007 and be done with it, right [David]?

6) But that leaves cost, and I have to let that one go. My D-Lux Typ 109 was $1,000, and the Q Typ 116 that I SO want to love [but can't] is the better part of $5k. So, $10k for my dream camera?….I’d have to call that a bargain. More? Hmmmm……Let’s talk.

What I appear to be looking for is a combination of the DL 109 [EVT, fast zoom, compact], Vario-X [better lens (but fuck slow, and only 28mm), can add EVT], in the form of the Q 116 [Full Frame sensor, classic form factor, what looks like a prime lens stuck on the front. Gorgeous], with a decent sensor [4/3 min], [min] 24mm on the wide end and as long as possible on the other…85mm? [105?!?]. Oh, and f2~2.8’ish at most points. f4 if you give me the 105mm. Too much to ask?

Have I just described some Lumix monster I’m not aware of?...that wants to be press fit into an M body? [perish the thought]

So, what has the group got to offer…I'm truly ready to buy. Or are we just waiting for the engineers in Wetzlar to finally give us what we want?

[stuny]

Welcome aboard.

 

There's a new Lumix which seems to meet all your specs, and B & H is just starting to take reservations. The Leica zoom on it is about 25-250, and it is the model with "100" in its name. I wouldn't be surprised if a Leica version appears soon.

 

With my 71 year old eyes all my cameras save one have been sitting unused as I carry my V Lux 114 everywhere

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[ECohen]

I think your going to have to wait for the engineers at Leica ....and honestly you will be waiting a long time. There is no Mini M. 

The D lux 109 is a nice pocket camera....The Vairo in my opinion as a M Mini doesn't hold up to creating planed photos.

The lens is sharp but the way it drops in f/stop as you zoom makes it unusable. No depth of field control,also it slow (50mm f/5.6 I think)  Nothing like using the M's prime lenses 

 

Have you considered Sony with a great 2.8 Zeiss Zoom (maybe 28~70mm) as your Mini M ? I think you will find on this forum that the Sony isn't the Mini M either

It has the sensor,the size and the Zeiss lenses, also if you like the IQ of Dlux and the Vairo you will be thrilled with the IQ of the Sony

I cant speak to Sony and RAW as I have no experience with Sony's RAW format....do your research

 

One thing that Sony doesn't have the the 240M the Vairo and the X2 have, is sublime design .

The Sony has layers and layers and layers of menus and useless features that, for me take away from the simple shooting experience.

But you may not mind the menus....it's personal.

Oh yes....Of course, no rangefinder which you will not find except on and M

 

Hope this helps....Sadly there is no Mini M and I doubt ever will be

[ECohen]

Another thought...I hope you don't mind

 

 If you gave up on the Mini M idea and re evaluated  your needs the Vairo X is a fine step up to Leica photography from the DLux ,while you save for that 240M kit

The X2 and Vairo have flaws but are darn fun cameras to use in many situations....perhaps you could find a used one to save a few bucks? 

[chris0959]

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. I did consider the X Vario but as we've both said it's just too slow, especially given the limited zoom range.

 

Update: I've made peace with most of my DL 109 gripes. The one HUGE improvement for me was adding the Leica grip. Wow.

 

I realize now that in addition to fiddling with tiny buttons and switches, I was struggling to hold on to the darned thing. It's honestly just too tiny [i bought it having never held one.] A stick-on rubber grip thingy was a step in the right direction. The much larger surface area of the Leica grip, in addition to the added camera height and heft, has made all the difference.

 

Yes, I still wish the ring around the lens wasn't wasted, and had either click zoom settings or true manual focus, but now I just ignore it. [it's some horrible combination of too slow and hyper sensitive at the same time. No fun.] If a firmware update someday could allow me to turn the exposure comp wheel into a focal length control I'd be ecstatic.

 

And Yes, I'd buy a Q 116 sized DL 109 with a 24~105 lens the week they came out.

 

But until then I'm very happy with my new, gripped, 'Mini M'.

Edited February 2, 2016 by chris0959

[ECohen]

I'm glad things are working out. Its a fine camera makes great photos

And its small enough you can carry it in your pocket.

Best of Luck