Leicatime M-Mate 2

[tdtaylor]

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Received the Leicatime M-Mate 2, probably sacrilege to many of the Leica faithful I have a Luigi half case because I am on site, climb ladders, etc., and it has really protected the camera, but I often find myself juggling the half case, removed bottom and battery/SD Card, with often nowhere to set it. My patience ended three and a half weeks ago when I was in waders, 6 inches of water in several retail spaces that had been flooded in the Rhode Island floods- and drop the bottom cover- the water was really not something I wanted to feel around in to find it. When I finally found it, decontamination rapidly came to mind, for the FEMA decontamination tents were across the street.

 

I often take 2,000 shots at a site, shoot uncompressed DNG because I need every ounce of detail, and am usually on a tight timeframe, so doing the "shuffle" with cards/batteries is a PITA.

 

The bottom performs as promised, with very easy access to the CD card and the battery compartment. The doors can be opened easily (I have very short finger nails), held in place by magnets. I keep the half case on it, but I question if the doors could be accidentally opened if not used with a half case. The color is a fairly closed match to the M9 black finish, not enough off to offend my architectural sensibilities.

 

It is lighter than the original M9 bottom, evidently the difference between brass and aluminum. While everything seems rather delicate, probably due to the lighter weight, when flexing both with my hands it seem adequately stiff. The doors do seem delicate, although this is just my impression. It appears they could be bent back against their hinges fairly easily and broken- guess time will tell. The fit on the bottom of the M9 is adequate. The height of the base between the "notch" and the top of the base is slightly greater than the original, so for the first few uses I had to push it up against the leatherette covering. After those first few uses, it really wasn't an issue. The catch system works very well and is solid, as is the tripod socket. I guess it could be more easily undone than the original, for it is simpler in its action that the original (a turn vs. a flip and turn), but I don't think this will come into play (especially in a half case). Overall, it is very well machined and finished, what we have all come to expect from Luigi.

 

Overall, with the few reservations above, I believe I will be very a satisfied with the purchase. I have complained about Luigi's service/response in the early part of 2010 on this site, but this seem to be in the past. From my original contact with him I had it 5 days later in the Eastern US. I imagine in several weeks I, if my satisfaction continues, I will inquire with Luigi about altering my half case to accommodate the M-Mate 2.

 

Hope this helps with any thoughts about the M--Mate 2. Now off to sort/edit 2,500 sports event photos for tomorrow- how un-Leica-like .

[zlatkob]

My patience ended three and a half weeks ago when I was in waders, 6 inches of water in several retail spaces that had been flooded in the Rhode Island floods- and drop the bottom cover- the water was really not something I wanted to feel around in to find it.

 

Thanks for that interesting review. The M-Mate 2 seems like a sensible solution to a problem that shouldn't exist. Your story is a good example of why the removable baseplate — a throwback to the film era — is a piece of dysfunctional nostalgia on a digital camera.

[Anguish]

"The height of the base between the "notch" and the top of the base is slightly greater than the original, so for the first few uses I had to push it up against the leatherette covering."

Ouch. At least it won't let in light.

[rennsport]

Great to hear a positive review. I've done just over 1,100 shots with my M-Mate II and Luigi's half case with bottom openings. I'm also very satisfied with mine.