Preparing for the M

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[Dhuff]

Unfortunately, Bel Air Camera, my Leica dealer in LA, advised me today that its Leica rep said the M 240 will not deliver (here at least) until April.

 

So, given I have purchased some glass in anticipation of the M, I will be turning this weekend to the Oly or the Sony NEX-7 (or 6 based upon some things I have read) as a short-term bridge to the future. I have read several reviews of each on other sites, but they seem largely based upon short periods of time with the gear. Any current views here would be appreciated. Regards.

[k-hawinkler]

Unfortunately, Bel Air Camera, my Leica dealer in LA, advised me today that its Leica rep said the M 240 will not deliver (here at least) until April.

 

So, given I have purchased some glass in anticipation of the M, I will be turning this weekend to the Oly or the Sony NEX-7 (or 6 based upon some things I have read) as a short-term bridge to the future. I have read several reviews of each on other sites, but they seem largely based upon short periods of time with the gear. Any current views here would be appreciated. Regards.

 

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

I was in a similar situation 3.5 years ago when I bought M lenses but had to wait 3 month to get the M9.

Nowadays, one has several options. Besides my M9 I also have NEX-5N, NEX-7, and OM-D E-M5.

Even after I receive my M240, I'll keep these other cameras as they are complementary to the M in many ways.

Although I don't have the NEX-6, it seems to combine the best features of both the NEX-5N and NEX-7.

5N works better for 35, 28, and 21 mm WAs. The 7 has an excellent dual axis virtual horizon.

The OMD's In-Body-Image-Stabilization IBIS is quite a stunning achievement.

I also like the 2x crop factor of m4/3 cameras that turn my APO-R 280/4 into an equivalent field of view of an 560/4.

But I don't think one can go wrong with either system, NEX or OMD.

 

If you want to read up on the OMD, I suggest reading:

 

Fun with the Olympus OMD - The GetDPI Photography Forums

State of mFT today - The GetDPI Photography Forums

OM-D is Camera of the Year 2012 on DPR - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

Over there are a few folks that are also Leica users and still contribute now and then to this forum.

 

With regards to the NEX I would like to suggest reading:

 

Fun with the NEX-6 - The GetDPI Photography Forums

NEX-7 with old lenses - The GetDPI Photography Forums

Speed booster for NEX - The GetDPI Photography Forums

Fun with NEX-7 - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

Good luck with your decision!

[wlaidlaw]

Here is a picture of the first production 543195 Visoflex replacement 41mm adapter made by Amedeo Muscelli at my request. As usual from Amedeo, it looks beautifully made. It is complete apart from the internal surface black paint and will be on its way to me next Wednesday for testing. There is one remaining unsold of the original batch of five, as two members have already ordered and I am keeping two. It brings up the 28/90 frame lines and has coding pits, so will be capable of bringing up the R lens menu. The price is $125 plus $15 postage direct from Amedeo. PM me if you are interested in the final one of the batch.

 

Wilson

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[k-hawinkler]

Here is a picture of the first production 543195 Visoflex replacement 41mm adapter made by Amedeo Muscelli at my request. As usual from Amedeo, it looks beautifully made. It is complete apart from the internal surface black paint and will be on its way to me next Wednesday for testing. There is one remaining unsold of the original batch of five, as two members have already ordered and I am keeping two. It brings up the 28/90 frame lines and has coding pits, so will be capable of bringing up the R lens menu. The price is $125 plus $15 postage direct from Amedeo. PM me if you are interested in the final one of the batch.

 

Wilson

 

 

Hi Wilson,

 

That looks terrific!

Do you know the precise measurements?

Like 41.00 mm - epsylon, epsylon being really small but positive.

Thanks.

[kcnarf]

Chris, or anyone out there in the Leica community, do you know for sure that the Olympus Vf2 viewfinder and Olympus mic adapter will work in the Leica hot shoe. Rick Leica says the it appears to him that the tiny, skinny upright screw at the front of the Leica shoe will prevent full insertion of Olympus hot-shoe accessories thereby blocking electronic contact and forcing purchase of the rebranded Leica versions.

[jonoslack]

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Chris, or anyone out there in the Leica community, do you know for sure that the Olympus Vf2 viewfinder and Olympus mic adapter will work in the Leica hot shoe. Rick Leica says the it appears to him that the tiny, skinny upright screw at the front of the Leica shoe will prevent full insertion of Olympus hot-shoe accessories thereby blocking electronic contact and forcing purchase of the rebranded Leica versions.

 

HI There

For sure it does - Chris is using one all the time - the screw doesn't cause a problem.

Certain sure

[pop]

Question: Who makes the EVF2?

 

Stefan Daniel: We buy the EVF2 from Olympus which is the best we can buy. We could see no need to make our own viewfinder.

 

Question: Does it have the same socket as the PEN?

 

Jesko v. Oeynhausen: Yes, it’s the same.

 

Maike Harberts: If you have an Olympus EVF, you can buy a LEICA M or an X2 to use it with. It’s the same EVF as the one used with the X2.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/news/257136-leica-photokina-q-transcript.html#post2197542

[wlaidlaw]

Hi Wilson,

 

That looks terrific!

Do you know the precise measurements?

Like 41.00 mm - epsylon, epsylon being really small but positive.

Thanks.

 

I said to Amedeo that it must be exactly 41mm with tolerances of + 0.0000000 and - 0.0010mm. I think he understood that clearly. I will measure it very carefully with a micrometer (not callipers) when it arrives.

 

Wilson

[k-hawinkler]

I said to Amedeo that it must be exactly 41mm with tolerances of + 0.0000000 and - 0.0010mm. I think he understood that clearly. I will measure it very carefully with a micrometer (not callipers) when it arrives.

 

Wilson

 

Thanks. :)

[chris_tribble]

Chris, or anyone out there in the Leica community, do you know for sure that the Olympus Vf2 viewfinder and Olympus mic adapter will work in the Leica hot shoe. Rick Leica says the it appears to him that the tiny, skinny upright screw at the front of the Leica shoe will prevent full insertion of Olympus hot-shoe accessories thereby blocking electronic contact and forcing purchase of the rebranded Leica versions.

 

Both the Oly finder and audio work impeccably...

[kcnarf]

(1) Am I the only one who sees at least one glaring defect of configurational design in the bulky 895-dollar Leica M Multifunctional Handgrip and the add-on, camera-widening Flash Bracket Accessory that costs a few additional hundreds of $? Go to page 2 of reddotforum.com to see 3 photos of these 2 accessories, how the multifunctional grip connects to the M-240, and how then this so-modified M-240 connects to the bracket accessory. DON'T YOU ALSO PERCEIVE HOW THE BOUNCING OF FLASH TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND RIGHT REAR WOULD SEEM TO BE IMPEDED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S HEAD AND BY THE EVF, AS WELL, WHEN ATTACHED? OR IS MY MIND'S EYE NOT PROPERLY VISUALIZING THIS SETUP?.

 

(2) The simple, non-multifunctional 300-dollar Leica Handgrip, when combined with the 160-dollar Leica finger grip and the M-240's built-in thumb-rest, function together to provide 3 points of SOLID holding support. But maybe two points of SOLID holding support are quite sufficient, as has been for me with the M9. In that case, solely a compact Leicagoodies-type finger grip that costs no more than $20 will save you a lot of encumbrance-- and money!-- if you are willing to accept less ease and rapidity in insertion and removal of your two middle fingers. Your thoughts on this problem?

[MikeEvangelist]

(1) Am I the only one who sees at least one glaring defect of configurational design in the bulky 895-dollar Leica M Multifunctional Handgrip and the add-on, camera-widening Flash Bracket Accessory that costs a few additional hundreds of $?

 

I believe the flash bracket is included with the multifunction grip.

[sc_john]

Does anyone know if the ROM contacts of R lens communicate with M-240 via R-M adapter. It seems I read in this thread that there is no communication via the contacts (hence need to manually enter the specific lens being used), but now I cannot find any specific mention of this.

 

Reason for asking is that Leitax standard R-Nikon F modification of my R 80/200 requires cutting off the ROM strip. Reversible modification is available, but lens goes to Leitax for mod and cost is additional 230+ Euro. Trying to determine best course of action.

 

Thanks.

 

John

[chris_tribble]

A. there's no communication.

 

B. I decided to go with the new Leica R to M adapter because it's got a built in tripod mount. If you can live with an adapter, this is perhaps the cheaper thing to go (seems that this accessory is the most reasonably priced of all the M240 bits and bobs...)

 

Decisions, decisions....

[sc_john]

Chris,

 

Thanks. It would appear then that I have nothing to lose if I cut the ROM strip when changing the R mount to a Nikon F mount. Then, if I choose to, I can revert back to the R mount and use with Leica R-M adapter with M-240.

 

John

[Rick]

Chris, or anyone out there in the Leica community, do you know for sure that the Olympus Vf2 viewfinder and Olympus mic adapter will work in the Leica hot shoe. Rick Leica says the it appears to him that the tiny, skinny upright screw at the front of the Leica shoe will prevent full insertion of Olympus hot-shoe accessories thereby blocking electronic contact and forcing purchase of the rebranded Leica versions.

 

Please don't misquote me. I never inferred anything about forcing people to purchase rebranded Leica versions. My question asked for help understanding how the Olympus accessories worked with the screw found on the M (apparently the new M has none).

 

 

There has been a lot of speculation that the the Olympus EVF and the stereo microphone could be used on the M because they are the same. Some here have already stated they have bought these two accessories because they have saved money over the Leica list price for Leica-branded EVF and microphone.

 

My question is whether the Olympus accessories will fit in the Leica hot shoe because, the Leica hot shoe has that tiny screw at the front of the shoe which will definitely keep the Olympus accessories from sliding all the way into the shoe and thus not sliding into the electrical plug for contact.

 

Any thoughts on this other than Dremel the plastic off on the accessories or remove the screw?

[kcnarf]

Sorry, RIick, I was in haste to query everyone re the potential problem and probably.thought my words "it appears to him" was nuance enough. When responding to a post, I often forget that one can see the poster's original words by scrolling down below the response space. And in this case, even, I think I would have had to click back to a different thread. I intended no skulduggery. A muckraking skulduggering gravedigger I am not.

 

Rick Leica, that nom de plume sounds like a Leica click & cock. Sounds good to me. Smile?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[chris_tribble]

Chris,

 

Thanks. It would appear then that I have nothing to lose if I cut the ROM strip when changing the R mount to a Nikon F mount. Then, if I choose to, I can revert back to the R mount and use with Leica R-M adapter with M-240.

 

John

 

Sounds about right to me

[jonoslack]

Does anyone know if the ROM contacts of R lens communicate with M-240 via R-M adapter. It seems I read in this thread that there is no communication via the contacts (hence need to manually enter the specific lens being used), but now I cannot find any specific mention of this.

 

Reason for asking is that Leitax standard R-Nikon F modification of my R 80/200 requires cutting off the ROM strip. Reversible modification is available, but lens goes to Leitax for mod and cost is additional 230+ Euro. Trying to determine best course of action.

 

Thanks.

 

John

Like Chris - I'm going for the Leica R to M adapter, because it's precoded, has a tripod mount and is generally a 'good thing'.

On the other hand - 3rd party adapters are perfectly good BUT they must bring up the 28-90 if you want to code them (just saying). . . . added to which it is definitely worth coding them as the behavior when changing between coded M lenses and R lenses with the adapter is very well thought out.

 

 

all the best