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Frame lines on new M?


danedit28

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I think it's like this by sure...

Are sure that when you turn off live view, there wouldn’t be a hidden door opening in the body, with a robot arm reaching out to turn it back on (and to slap you in the face for good measure)? It’s called ‘EVIL’ for a reason …

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A simple solution would be for Leica to add a feature in the firmware that deactivates the live view feature along with video recording.

 

The live view button then would function to toggle between turning the viewfinder information on or off. Eventually Leica will give you a choice to deactivate more functions too. This should work well for those who can't see why Leica should even consider building cameras for the 21st century.

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I do agree, however, that it would have been nice if Leica had managed to fit all into a body the size of an M6. Since they couldn't make the M-E smaller perhaps the technology isn't yet here to allow this.

 

Makes me happy to use a TTL every day.

 

Different strokes.

 

I think it was quite an accomplishment for Leica to double the battery size, keep the same dimensions as the M9, retain basic M digital handling by keeping live view and other new features out of the way if not desired, and offer a faster, quieter and weather sealed camera.

 

I used film Ms for many years, including the M6, and now prefer the size of the M8/M9, with the M6 a bit too skinny now. And I'll take the 2m framelines any day.

 

But we should feel good their are choices to cover differing needs and preferences.

 

Jeff

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hmm- I am of two minds here.

 

Like Lars and when time permits I believe in doing tests before posting on forums... so when the M9Tit came out I found a tiny red LED light and taped it to the illumination window of my M9... The affect is excellent: the frame really stands out- subtly reinforcing the importance of framing- and making it easier as well- especially in the dark. I was happy to hear of this on the M

 

on the M the lines supposedly automatically adjust for changing conditions- and you can have white or red- and manual control even? All very good...

 

But the loss of the natural light illumination is bad for two reasons:

 

One has been bemoaned here already (no framelines when camera is 'off')

 

the other is aesthetic:

 

I really love that illumination window! It looks good- and without it the front of the M looks- I will be frank- to me- crap.

 

If they coated the inside of that window appropriately so LED light couldn't get out- surely you could have LED illumination- as well as 'natural' illumination?

 

Here is a camera Leica should make just for me:

 

M in black chrome please- with LED and natural FL illumination- and with the same little frames around the front windows (as on the M3)- and with a new frame mask system for 6 individual frames- so you only see the one you selected (m3 again).

 

When you put a lens on the camera a prompt on the screen would ask the focal length (or the coding would do the job).

 

And with no dot on the front.

 

And a frameline button that could be tasked for other jobs...

 

and a flash synch socket ON the camera.

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Here is a camera Leica should make just for me:

 

M in black chrome please- with LED and natural FL illumination- and with the same little frames around the front windows (as on the M3)- and with a new frame mask system for 6 individual frames- so you only see the one you selected (m3 again).

 

When you put a lens on the camera a prompt on the screen would ask the focal length (or the coding would do the job).

 

The M3 (and M2) display only 1 frame at a time because they only use 3 frames - 50/90/135 or 35/50/90 respectively.

 

If you look at a rangefinder assembly from an M camera you will realise why your wishes cannot be granted. The frames are actually masks. They move mechanically - the lug on the bayonet of the lens decides which frame/s appear - it has nothing to do with the lens coding system.

 

It would take a complete redesign, and a complete new range of lenses to make the idea of single frames possible, even if there is enough room to allow for 6 masks! You can always ask Leica to build a custom model for you however. Some have deleted masks or opted for say 35/50/90 only.

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The M3 (and M2) display only 1 frame at a time because they only use 3 frames - 50/90/135 or 35/50/90 respectively.

 

If you look at a rangefinder assembly from an M camera you will realise why your wishes cannot be granted. The frames are actually masks. They move mechanically - the lug on the bayonet of the lens decides which frame/s appear - it has nothing to do with the lens coding system.

 

It would take a complete redesign, and a complete new range of lenses to make the idea of single frames possible, even if there is enough room to allow for 6 masks! You can always ask Leica to build a custom model for you however. Some have deleted masks or opted for say 35/50/90 only.

 

you misread me James- I know about the mechanical frame masks- that why I said, "with a new frame mask system for 6 individual frames" :rolleyes:

 

 

 

I know the gnomes would have to invent a new mechanical mask system :cool: on my Leica the coding then comes in as it lets the camera know which of two focal lengths are attached... - or without coding you simply select from the LCD.

 

But think of it man: complete frames- not all broken up- and only one visible...

 

Every time I look through my M3 I wish the M9 had a finder like this:)

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They have already started doing this. They include a lens cap with every lens which deactivates the picture taking function.

 

Really? Is the M9's shutter deactivated if the lens cap is on? I didn't know this.

 

Different strokes.

 

I think it was quite an accomplishment for Leica to double the battery size, keep the same dimensions as the M9, retain basic M digital handling by keeping live view and other new features out of the way if not desired, and offer a faster, quieter and weather sealed camera.

 

I actually agree with you Jeff. I think it is quite a feat of engineering that they've pulled off. If the IQ of the new CMOS is particularly good then I might consider the M. So who knows maybe in the future I will be using my TTL and the M in parallel. We shall see.

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....the loss of the natural light illumination is bad for two reasons:

 

One has been bemoaned here already (no framelines when camera is 'off')

 

the other is aesthetic:

 

I really love that illumination window! It looks good- and without it the front of the M looks- I will be frank- to me- crap....

 

......

And with no dot on the front. ,,,

 

.

Agree about the illumination window... it i's a pleasant element in the M front view... one more reason to have at least the red or black dot in front (which frankly I DO like...)

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  • 1 year later...
The LED-illuminated frame lines are THE single thing making me doubtful about getting an "M."

 

This was chi-chi "bling" in the M9Ti - and it still is..........

 

...................................

 

I have a sneaking suspicion, knowing how today's Leica does these things, that natural, full-time FL illumination via a window will make a magical reappearance in 18-24 months - in an "M.x" that adds $1,000 to the price. Bookmark this prediction....

 

Still time for you to be proved right.

 

I wouldn't be putting my money on it though.

 

Bookmark this non-prediction...

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