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M262 vs M-D 262 Ergonomics


lhotse

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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 by lhotse
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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.

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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

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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 B) ) 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 :p ) by now

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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 ...

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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.

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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.
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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!

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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.

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  • 2 years later...

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 ?

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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. 😉

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