lhotse Posted April 16, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 16, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I currently own an M262, which I shoot almost exclusively with the 35mm Cron ASPH - it's a great camera but for some time I have been very keen on the M-D 262 and everything that comes with the change in shooting experience. In the last couple of days I have been offered the opportunity (by a retail store) to swap my excellent condition 262 for a new in box M-D. Unfortunately, I will have to make the trade via post so don't have a chance to hold both cameras + there are no stockists with a M-D nearby. The only thing that is stopping me is the increase in weight. I know that the 262 is ~80g lighter than the M-D, but I have read in several places that the changes made to the back of the M-D (and its associated haptics) dictate that the M-D can feel lighter/thinner - even though in reality it is not. Does anyone have any experience of having held the regular 262 and M-D and how the weight/haptic differences play out? Any advice, as ever, much appreciated. Cheers Steve Edited April 16, 2017 by lhotse Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 16, 2017 Posted April 16, 2017 Hi lhotse, Take a look here M262 vs M-D 262 Ergonomics. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lukeadair Posted April 16, 2017 Share #2 Posted April 16, 2017 Steve, I have only held a 262 briefly, but I use the M-D every day. I do not think you will notice the 80g difference in weight (I certainly didn't) and yes, the M-D does FEEL thinner, though as you say, it is not in fact so. I am very partial to the M-D, and it is now my only M camera. (An SL and Q round out my Leica camera stable.) So I'd say don't worry about weight/thickness issues. These things are very subjective, of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhotse Posted April 17, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted April 17, 2017 Steve, I have only held a 262 briefly, but I use the M-D every day. I do not think you will notice the 80g difference in weight (I certainly didn't) and yes, the M-D does FEEL thinner, though as you say, it is not in fact so. I am very partial to the M-D, and it is now my only M camera. (An SL and Q round out my Leica camera stable.) So I'd say don't worry about weight/thickness issues. These things are very subjective, of course. Thanks for the feedback Luke. I am going to go for the M-D - I have been very happy with the 262 but my thoughts over the last year have always returned to the M-D and its unique qualities. I guess time will tell if I have made the right choice in making the exchange - I certainly seem to hear consistently good things about the M-D from those who decided to take the plunge. Thanks again Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 17, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 17, 2017 I have M (typ 262) for more than one year, now but no M-D (yet ?). As new M10 user, I can comment only on my feeling M10/262. - in use the slimmer M10 is more confortable to hold ( something to do with my 30+ years of M user ) with almost all my M lenses, even R lenses are usable with LV - M 262 lighter is more confortable with big/heavy lens but is front heavy in this case and battery lasts 3 times M10 - I almost order M-D just before announcement of M10, but retain that to try this slim M10 and love this one (...waiting for M10-D or M10-M ) by now Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted April 17, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 17, 2017 I had the M-P typ 240 for a year and a half when I bought the M-D typ 262. I also went to the Leica Store in SF specifically to see what the new M10 felt like compared to the M-D. In my hands, the M-D feels slimmer and easier to hold than either M-P or M10 because of the lack of LCD and buttons, even though it is technically a couple of mm thicker than the M10. The M-D's complete lack of anything other than the barest essentials needed and its excellent feel in my hands is why I find it the very best M of all. I sold the M-P, still have the M4-2 but haven't done much with it at all since I bought the M-D. The improvements to the optical finder of the M10 would be nice, as would its newer sensor, but I wouldn't change anything else about the M-D at all. I'd even like to buy a second body ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arichter Posted April 17, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 17, 2017 I have an M262 but I also liked the concept of M-D and rented it for a week to see if it's worth trading one for another. M-D did feel a little heavier than the plain M262 but I loved its handling without the screen. The brass top also feels a little different. At the same time I would not trade my M262 for an M-D firstly because in my case I would have to pay extra (my M262 has some light scars). And there are a couple more things to consider which make difference for me. One is that I use gps4cam to geotag my photos, and that means jpegs while M-D captures raw files only. Also, my son starts to pick up my camera and show interest in photography, and I don't want to discourage him at this point by moving to a screenless camera. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhotse Posted April 18, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted April 18, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Great to hear some more feedback - thanks all. I posted the M262 this morning and am hoping to receive the M-D by the end of the week. After a few weeks of usage I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts. Thanks again 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted April 18, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 18, 2017 I have an M262 but I also liked the concept of M-D and rented it for a week to see if it's worth trading one for another. M-D did feel a little heavier than the plain M262 but I loved its handling without the screen. The brass top also feels a little different. At the same time I would not trade my M262 for an M-D firstly because in my case I would have to pay extra (my M262 has some light scars). And there are a couple more things to consider which make difference for me. One is that I use gps4cam to geotag my photos, and that means jpegs while M-D captures raw files only. Also, my son starts to pick up my camera and show interest in photography, and I don't want to discourage him at this point by moving to a screenless camera.Commenting on gps4cam only.... I shoot only DNG and apply the exported track (gpx file) in the Lightroom. No jpg involved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arichter Posted April 18, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 18, 2017 Commenting on gps4cam only.... I shoot only DNG and apply the exported track (gpx file) in the Lightroom. No jpg involved. Oh, that's right. I use C1, but with Lightroom it's actually easier to geotag with gps4cam. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveNC Posted April 18, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 18, 2017 I like the thickness and heft of my M-D. For my hands, it gives me something to hold on to. I used to shoot with an M6 and felt it was too thin. And don't even get me started on the very light SLR out there. Well, I did shoot with the Nikon D2 and D3 for many years too. Now they were heavy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shu Posted April 19, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 19, 2017 I've never used the M262, but have lots of experience with the M240 and now the M-D. With the M240, I always felt the need to use a thumb grip for a secure hold, but being able to rest my thumb anywhere on the back of the M-D completely eliminates that need on my M-D. It's rather surprising to me how ergonomically pleasing the lack of a rear screen is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted February 29, 2020 Share #12 Posted February 29, 2020 I think that some ex M-D users have the last M10-D to replace the former M-D (typ 262). The lack of rear LCD screen, like Shu said, is something that is ergonomically pleasing. Do the ex M-D users who use M10-D now feel the difference with thinner body ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poli Posted March 1, 2020 Share #13 Posted March 1, 2020 As an ex m-d user I do feel the difference (in my memory). But it is not and never has been the reason to change camera. Regarding ergonomics: The thing I use most is the thumbrest. Which I really like. I prefer however the old iso wheel and old on/off switch. When I think about it I sometimes miss the M-D. But when I am taking pictures with the M10-d I never miss it. I don’t know if that makes sense. 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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