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Preparing for the M


chris_tribble

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Chris,

 

If I understand the brochures correctly, I think Leica have rather dropped the ball on this. The Accessory Handle does not have a microphone input socket. This means if you using an EFV-2 to take video, as you are highly likely to, you cannot fit an external microphone, as the EVF-2 occupies the socket which the microphone would use. This means you are limited to the built in mono mike - not very clever!

 

Wilson

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I do not really see the M as an "action" videocam. More like one on a tripod, in which case one would be using the Live View. Or for occasional,"journalistic" use, which would mean the EVF and less importance for sound.

Still, it should have been possible to have a mic in on the grip.

Otoh, it might be possible to make an external, synchronized recording using the USB connection.

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The Accessory Handle does not have a microphone input socket.

 

Wilson

 

Wilson - I'd not picked up on this. Saves me fretting about getting one :)

 

Also, Jaaps point holds true re likely uses, so for my purposes the Oly adapter (which I've ordered) + Live View on camera will be more than good enough.

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An additional thing to think about.

 

Over the years I've found an external microphone has been invaluable...

 

OLYMPUS SEMA-1 External Microphone Kit - WAE+

 

Thanks Chris. Is this the same microphone as for the Leica M except for the (Olympus) branding?

 

The workaround I've heard mentioned is the use of the built in microphone and later sync to an external recording in post. I have never done this, can anyone comment on the pros and cons?

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Thanks Chris. Is this the same microphone as for the Leica M except for the (Olympus) branding?

 

The workaround I've heard mentioned is the use of the built in microphone and later sync to an external recording in post. I have never done this, can anyone comment on the pros and cons?

 

It's easy to sync a performance/lecture or one-take interview from an external source. However, if you're doing something with lots of cuts and multiple takes, you have to be diligent in your organization.

 

When I do corporate videos, I shoot with a boom mic on a C-stand above the person being interviewed. I do the interview twice from two different angles, moving the camera but not the mic. This gives me the same audio quality on both takes. I then cut back and forth between the takes using the best footage of the person. It gives the interview the look of a two-camera shoot when in reality I'm just making jump cuts. Not having to sync audio in post while doing this is a time-saver.

 

I can see times when having the mic on the M would be great for portability if you were doing impromptu interviews on the street or while traveling, but I'd much rather be able to plug a boom mic or a wireless kit into it.

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I do not really see the M as an "action" videocam. More like one on a tripod, in which case one would be using the Live View. Or for occasional,"journalistic" use, which would mean the EVF and less importance for sound.

Still, it should have been possible to have a mic in on the grip.

Otoh, it might be possible to make an external, synchronized recording using the USB connection.

 

Jaap,

 

My experience with built in microphones on video cameras is that they are awful quality and pick up all the mechanical sounds of the camera. Normally it is the sound of the autofocus or zoom motors but in the case of the Leica, it would probably be rustling as you manually focus/zoom. Somewhere in one of my cupboards, I have a nice Sony Electret Stereo twin tubular microphone, with hairy anti-wind-noise covers on it, which is powered by a couple of button cells. However the chances of it linking into the Olympus system, which Leica is using is close to zero, even though I think it looks as if it uses the same 2.5mm "jack" plug.

 

Also, as a lot of the time you would be videoing with the sun at your back, you would struggle to see the rear LCD, hence why we should be able to use the EVF, with an external microphone. I suppose since the camera can be used tethered, you could use a PC and then a pair of the Epson Moverio BT100 LED screen gamer glasses but it is an awful lot of clobber.

 

I hope that in due course, Leica like Phase One, will develop an Image Shuttle iPad app, so that you can use an iPad or other tablet as the tethering device, rather than a PC - much more convenient.

 

Wilson

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Thanks Chris. Is this the same microphone as for the Leica M except for the (Olympus) branding?

To the best of my knowledge this will be identical. Looking at the pictures here:

Welcome to 2012: Leica M as a filmmaker’s tool | Leica News & Rumors ... it's also clear that the mike does detach from the adaptor, so the long lead connected to whatever mike you want to use is a possibility with the Leica branded device - but I bet they won't be charging £68 for it!

At the moment the UK price for the Leica branded VF is £360. The Olympus branded version (new) is available for £180! I got one on Ebay for around £100. I have every reason to believe that this will work perfectly with the M-240. It's the same connector and an identical spec.

 

More info here + US pricing @$285

http://www.dalephotoanddigital.com/_e/M_Camera_Accessories/product/799429146344/Leica_Microphone_Adapter_Set.htm#a_aid=4ec1e34531802

Amazon price for the same product (Olympus branded) is $54.55!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-SEMA-1-Adapter-Interchangeable-Digital/dp/B0035LBRNA

 

Much as I love my M cameras, I feel that Leica are playing a silly game with this pricing for a rebadged product. Wouldn't it be fairer for them to simply market the Olympus devices as part of a partnership?

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re losing the EVF if you're using an external mike, the way to go would be either a Hoodman loupe Hoodloupe 3.2-Hoodman Corporation or the higher end Zacuto DSLR Viewfinder, DSLR EyePiece, Optical Viewfinder - Zacuto Z-Finder.

 

Chris,

 

Thanks for the suggestions but I think I might also need the monocle, shaggy beard, deerstalker hat and cape to do justice to using one of these loupes on an M :D

 

I think those are more for someone who is intending to make a movie with an M

 

Wilson

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:) Wilson - couldn't agree more. For my purposes, I'll be delighted if I can leave the Canon system behind the next time I have to combine stills work with a small number of talking head interviews. For this purpose, the external mike + Live View with the camera on a Gitzo Traveller will be more than sufficient. People should also remember that the only way to shoot video with a DSLR is via Live View, so the only disadvantage that the M-240 has in the video area is that you have to use an adapter to get external sound recording. The functionality will otherwise be more or less the same.
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Picture this. Family cat and:

 

The new M with a steady cam mount, R-adaptor, 35-70 APO R lens with focus pull attachment, shotgun mic on hotshoe, Leica handgrip, tethered to large LCD mounted to the steady cam, barn door lens shade mounted to R-lens, rails... got to have rails, and LCD loupe. Reasonable, right? Now, action... here kitty, kitty. I love a good cat movie.

 

Man I love this, "Preparing for the M" thread! We are going to end up buying so much crap for this new camera that we are never going to use.:D

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Man I love this, "Preparing for the M" thread! We are going to end up buying so much crap for this new camera that we are never going to use.:D

 

I love it as well - much better then the "new M Pictures" flame threads!

 

BTT:

I prefer to safe that money for a 35mm FLE summilux ;)

If I would already own the summiluxes and the noctilux, then I would also spend my money in all that crap :D.

 

cheers

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I suppose part of the fun has been messing around on ebay picking up things cheap and then selling them back if they're not needed. I can see this happening with the Olympus EP-2. It's been great to get a sense of the quality of the VF-2 (I really like this for what it is) and it's been fun to get a sense of how the R 80-200 handles, but none of it's a substitute for the real thing.

 

Thing's I'll definitely keep? The R 80-200 (so glad I got this) + the Nikkor 28 PC. Things to get rid of? I'll have to wait and see. Until we've got the final version of the M-240, it's hard to make a decision...

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