Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear photographers, I would like to share my hands-on experience with especially the Leica MP here in Greenland. What is important to me, is to have a tool that I can rely on in this climate. I don't want a camera that quits in the middle of the action so I were excited to find out how my M-equipment would function here in the arctic. First, It turned out that my newly-bought M8 is worthless in this climate. All the batteries die after 5 min. of use on a normal sunny day, and so the camera sits in my bag for the rest of the day. I did not dare to bring it out in the pouring rain or in a snowstorm, because it is full of electronics, but I guess the result would be the same: the batteries die or something even worse happens. So I put the M8 in the closet and it has been there for almost 5 months. After the first disapointing M8 experiences, I took my MP out for 3 hours in the non-stop pouring summer rain, hanging around my neck unprotected against the water. The camera and lens were soaked but everything was fine. No damage at all. Sometime later, I brought the MP out on a sunny day with just below 0 degree celcius. Piece of cake. No damage. Later, I took it for a walk in the snow and accidently banged it against the rocky ground lying under the snow because I slipped. My heart stopped for 3 seconds but no damage or errors occured to the camera. The lens was fine too. In a heavy snowstorm the drops hitting the camera turned to ice and stuck like rock hard glue all over the camera and lens surface. The internal sun hood on my 50 summilux 1.4 asph froze so I could not move it. I had to use my warm breath on the lens and viewfinder glass to make them clear and then everything was fine. No problems. Film advance was fine. Today, I walk around in what felt as -15 celcius and my lips broke. The camera and lens were covered in ice drops but focussing was still fine, except it was hard to see through the viewfinder. When I got back inside the warm house, the camera was full of water drops inside out, but I let it air dry next to a partly opened window. 10 minuttes and it was as new again ready to use. Amazing. It is winter now, and I am looking forward to see how it works in the upcoming months as it gets colder and colder. But I expect no problems. Leica in Solms told me that I might have to get the grease and oil replaced with something different, but I also heard from other people in the arctic, that it is waste of money. I will see how it turns out. All in all, I am really excited about this camera and I would like to recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable tool. If you already own one, don't be afraid to put it to it's limits. The pictures get better that way (P.S. The equipment that I used together with the MP are: Summicron 28 Asph - Summilux 50 1.4 Asph - Summarit 35 2.5 - and the old M6 Classic.) Comments or questions are welcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 7, 2009 Posted November 7, 2009 Hi Guest aurora_borealis, Take a look here extreme weather - Leica MP. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
atlfoto Posted November 7, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 7, 2009 You are fortunate man, last summer I were in Iceland (yes it's not Greenland) and I discovered the most beutiful place on earth. I am from Spain an we don't have such a climate conditions, but I am always around the mountains with my M6 classic, snow, rain and no problem at all. I would like to see your images from Greenland. Regards, Alejandro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted November 7, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 7, 2009 Dear photographers, I would like to share my hands-on experience with especially the Leica MP here in Greenland. What is important to me, is to have a tool that I can rely on in this climate. I don't want a camera that quits in the middle of the action so I were excited to find out how my M-equipment would function here in the arctic. First, It turned out that my newly-bought M8 is worthless in this climate. All the batteries die after 5 min. of use on a normal sunny day, and so the camera sits in my bag for the rest of the day. I did not dare to bring it out in the pouring rain or in a snowstorm, because it is full of electronics, but I guess the result would be the same: the batteries die or something even worse happens. So I put the M8 in the closet and it has been there for almost 5 months. After the first disapointing M8 experiences, I took my MP out for 3 hours in the non-stop pouring summer rain, hanging around my neck unprotected against the water. The camera and lens were soaked but everything was fine. No damage at all. Sometime later, I brought the MP out on a sunny day with just below 0 degree celcius. Piece of cake. No damage. Later, I took it for a walk in the snow and accidently banged it against the rocky ground lying under the snow because I slipped. My heart stopped for 3 seconds but no damage or errors occured to the camera. The lens was fine too. In a heavy snowstorm the drops hitting the camera turned to ice and stuck like rock hard glue all over the camera and lens surface. The internal sun hood on my 50 summilux 1.4 asph froze so I could not move it. I had to use my warm breath on the lens and viewfinder glass to make them clear and then everything was fine. No problems. Film advance was fine. Today, I walk around in what felt as -15 celcius and my lips broke. The camera and lens were covered in ice drops but focussing was still fine, except it was hard to see through the viewfinder. When I got back inside the warm house, the camera was full of water drops inside out, but I let it air dry next to a partly opened window. 10 minuttes and it was as new again ready to use. Amazing. It is winter now, and I am looking forward to see how it works in the upcoming months as it gets colder and colder. But I expect no problems. Leica in Solms told me that I might have to get the grease and oil replaced with something different, but I also heard from other people in the arctic, that it is waste of money. I will see how it turns out. All in all, I am really excited about this camera and I would like to recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable tool. If you already own one, don't be afraid to put it to it's limits. The pictures get better that way (P.S. The equipment that I used together with the MP are: Summicron 28 Asph - Summilux 50 1.4 Asph - Summarit 35 2.5 - and the old M6 Classic.) Comments or questions are welcome. ...are you deliberately trying to break your MP? Some of the events you have listed above can only be described as "wilful camera abuse". Still, a great testimony on behalf of the MP. I thought mine were badly treated but having read your post, it turns out they lead a life of pure luxury. Hope you get lots more mileage out of your MP. It (simply) is a great camera. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted November 7, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 7, 2009 Older M`s required lub removal. Current stuff is much better. LCD and batteries are useless and perhapes damaged by cold. Film can break and get static marks. Keep inside a coat if you can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeplanter Posted November 7, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 7, 2009 While I haven't had my MP out in the pouring rain, I have had out in -15 C weather as well as heavy snow. Like yours, it never missed a beat. Great camera! Jim B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 7, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 7, 2009 I have used my MP in bad weather and it has stood up pretty well. Cold and rain don't bother it but i wouldn't use it in torrential rain in the same way I would my Olympus E3. Its not so much keeping the body dry as it is the lenses. Focusing can make the water run into the lens and once in it takes ages to dry out. When I had my M7 it also stood up well to rain and cold, but as you say, neither would be as critical as the M8/M9 with power hungry functions that can drain the battery. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted November 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sounds like normal camera use to me..:-) The lowest temp I have worked in is -55 F. I routinely shoot every year for two or three weeks at -15 to -25. The only cameras I have had problems with in sub zero temps are, all battery related: 1. M8 2. 5D 3. EOS-3 Everything else has been fine, including the D700 and D3. By the way, you might be the right candidate for the Cam-coat, a water proof / snow proof Gortex and thin rubber laminate that works in pouch style that velcro's in place around the camera and your waist when it is around your neck and not in use. It uses special gaters around the strap to prevent moisture from from finding it's way down. This is a thin, highly collapsable fabric that tucks easily out of the way, provides little protection from impact, medium abrasion protection, but maximum protection from weather. It is being designed by me for photographers who make photography secondary to the outdoor pursuit they are engaged in, namely ski patrollers, mountaineers and expedition level hikers ( the ones who make better pictures by being there ). It solves the problem that other companies just can't get through their head that big bulky camera pouches are virtually useless for real photographers who need the camera to get out of the way and take up little space when the going gets tough. Look for it in late 2011.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted November 8, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 8, 2009 And my MPs thought life in the Pacific Northwest was rough! Rainforest conditions, some snow and variable temperatures are regular around here...but the Greenland usage description is on another level. I'd like to see some images from Greenland when you have some ready. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted November 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 8, 2009 I have used all of my M Leicas (film only) in a couple of blizzards here in North Japan (Hokkaido) and never had a problem with the camera but occasionally the film broke. The big advantage of the MP is that it has some sealing around the top-plate ( ... and the controls also ?) Just curious, how did your M6 hold up against the weather and was there ever any fogging inside the lenses ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted November 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 8, 2009 No it doesnt. Take the screw out of the shutter speed wheel and have a look. Its entirely open. So is the back trap and the base plate. Fogging will start behind the filter if you use one, then behind the rear lens as moisture in the body condenses against it and you wont see it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted November 8, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 8, 2009 A very interesting post. I'm shortly taking a brief trip to "Lapland" (i.e. north Finland), where it's said to average around -21 degrees around December. I was strongly considering taking my newly acquired M6 Classic, but was holding off buying some glass for it, as I had heard that the extreme cold my have an adverse effect on the camera (break it!), so resigned myself to taking my D-Lux 4 (which I was intending to sell, to fund a lens). I'm new to analogue photography, so it seems my naivety may be showing: interesting that the M6 may perform better than the D-Lux in the extreme cold! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted November 8, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 8, 2009 ...as a matter of interest, does Leica still subject its M cameras to the famous "burn-in" test? As part of this particular test, every camera (not just a sample) went "through several cycles from -25˚C to +60˚C in a rigorous climate test". My question relates strictly to film Ms only, so please, no wisecracks about digital. Life's simply too short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 8, 2009 (...) Just curious, how did your M6 hold up against the weather and was there ever any fogging inside the lenses ? I use the M6 classic in the same way as my Mp and it behaves the same way. No problems. There are no fogging in the lenses when taking them outside. The air is insanely dry here and the camera and lenses adapt very fast to the temperature outside. On the other hand, when I take the gear inside the house again I get a lot of condensation. I followed an advice from someone on this forum to put the camera and lenses into a water tight (= air tight) bag before entering the house and let it adjust to the temperature inside the bag. Works great. But normally i just put it in the bag and let it sit there until next time I use it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 8, 2009 (...) ...are you deliberately trying to break your MP? Some of the events you have listed above can only be described as "wilful camera abuse". (...) . It is more like "wilful camera usage" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 8, 2009 You are fortunate man, last summer I were in Iceland (yes it's not Greenland) and I discovered the most beutiful place on earth.I am from Spain an we don't have such a climate conditions, but I am always around the mountains with my M6 classic, snow, rain and no problem at all. I would like to see your images from Greenland. Regards, Alejandro Hi Alejandro, I will put parts of my photography online during the winter. I just recieved a Nikon Coolscan so that makes everything easier for me:D I normally only focus on making prints in the darkroom. I will post the link here on the forum sometime later when it is ready. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 8, 2009 (...) I was strongly considering taking my newly acquired M6 Classic, but was holding off buying some glass for it, as I had heard that the extreme cold my have an adverse effect on the camera (break it!), (...) I recommend that you take your M6 classic and possibly another camera body as backup. Leave the M8 at home. It also worth to mention that it's not soooo comfortable to change lenses or change film when it's really cold. The film rewind crank on the M6 is also better to use in this climate because you can rewind the film without taking your gloves off. (or at least do it quite fast with your bare hands) That is not possible with the MP unless you have the MP rewind crank. You just have to bite your tongue and do it while you think of something else Next time, I will get a MP a la carte with angled rewind crank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #17 Posted November 8, 2009 (...) By the way, you might be the right candidate for the Cam-coat, a water proof / snow proof Gortex and thin rubber laminate that works in pouch style that velcro's in place around the camera and your waist when it is around your neck and not in use. (...) Ok I will check it out. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted November 8, 2009 Share #18 Posted November 8, 2009 Fascinating. Please can we see some of your captures, which in that part of the world must be awesome? LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekF Posted November 8, 2009 Share #19 Posted November 8, 2009 The film rewind crank on the M6 is also better to use in this climate because you can rewind the film without taking your gloves off. (or at least do it quite fast with your bare hands) That is not possible with the MP unless you have the MP rewind crank. You just have to bite your tongue and do it while you think of something else That's debatable. I have absolutely no trouble rewinding the film with my gloves on. I think this is one of those things that just comes down to personal preference (some people dislike the rewind knob in general). Removing the base plate to change film with my gloves on, however, is a completely different story... I've yet to master that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted November 9, 2009 Share #20 Posted November 9, 2009 I've used my MPs in hot & humid climes like Fiji, bitter cold like we get in the winter here, and even in torrential downpours (was caught on top of the Sugarloaf in Ireland a couple of years ago). So far no problems but that is what I'm looking for, a body I can rely on. When the weather is really tough I tend to use my old lenses like a DR Summicron 50 and a v.1 Summicron 35. I don't know that it makes any difference but I've had no lens problems either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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