StephenPatterson Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted March 22, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) What seems obvious is that Leica have been handing prototypes over to the wrong testers. Live View and Video were the two big selling points, hyped by Leica since launch, and both are half baked at best. Some very obvious limitations have been raised in a very short time since release. Let's see what the first firmware update brings. I don't agree. I believe all of the points I have raised have more than likely been raised by the beta testers, I know Chris and Jono have raised more than a few. I believe that Leica is an extremely conservative company, and that many of the changes user want will be coming in firmware upgrades. From the Leica M(240) FAQ on their website "11. Can we expect further firmware updates for the new camera in the future? Yes. There will be a new firmware update available in March 2013 that will further optimize the calibration of M-Lenses. We recommend users to visit the Leica Web site regularly in the first few months after the launch of a new camera to check for new firmware updates." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 22, 2013 Posted March 22, 2013 Hi StephenPatterson, Take a look here Struggling a bit using the M(240) EVF. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
vikasmg Posted March 28, 2013 Share #22 Posted March 28, 2013 Focusing the 0.95 Noctilux with the EVF is truly magical, if I could just get the exposure locked in first. As far as I can tell the only way to do this is by using full manual mode, which is not as easy with the EVF sitting on top of the shutter speed dial. I just got an EVF. I don't have a Noctilux but while using a 900 Summicron I found the same thing. Using an EVF is very good with this lens, but you are right - manual mode is the easiest way to do it. Also I find the focussing button way too stiff. I'm tempted to DW20 the thing but dare not. - Vikas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaMSeattle Posted March 28, 2013 Share #23 Posted March 28, 2013 Once you confirm the aperture and your focus through the EVF, the moment is long over. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted March 28, 2013 Share #24 Posted March 28, 2013 Once you confirm the aperture and your focus through the EVF, the moment is long over. I suppose, but I often use manual anyway. It's often more accurate and it allows me to do exposure compensation 'on the fly' if I think it's needed... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 28, 2013 Share #25 Posted March 28, 2013 I just got an EVF. I don't have a Noctilux but while using a 900 Summicron I found the same thing. Using an EVF is very good with this lens, but you are right - manual mode is the easiest way to do it. Also I find the focussing button way too stiff. I'm tempted to DW20 the thing but dare not. - Vikas I took my 280/f4.8 S3 Telyt over to Kelvin at Protech Camera Service yesterday for cleaning. Kelvin was having a play with my M240. He has very large fingers (you would not believe looking at him, what delicate work he can do). He really struggled to push the front button, as his finger was too square to get inside the protective ring. I just struggle in general to push it. Maybe I could get Tim Isaacs of MatchTechnical, to make me a matching little stick on red button as a friend for the imp on my mini Bip Opera Act 2 softie 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/201007-struggling-a-bit-using-the-m240-evf/?do=findComment&comment=2283982'>More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted March 28, 2013 Share #26 Posted March 28, 2013 That looks like a good idea. I'm also going to take my M240 to the Leica workshop (not the Leica Shop). I understand Andrew is still there and he may be able to tell me if there's a way to loosen that button. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted March 28, 2013 Share #27 Posted March 28, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) If as leica says the body is sealed then the button must activate something under a membrane or function inductively...... and doesn't actually attach to anything. It needs to be just 1-2mm higher as it is too recessed to currently work easily. I am surprised this wasn't picked up earlier and modified...... Looks to me like it comes out as a unit with the plastic black surround ........ porbably just a push fit with some lugs that lock it in place.... but removal may result in needing a replacement unit.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 28, 2013 Share #28 Posted March 28, 2013 I have emailed Tim Isaacs and had a response. He is concerned that an extension on the focus button would tend to foul the lens release button. If the extension was square edged, I think he would be correct but if it is rounded and made from ceramic like the Bip, I think not. The other problem is fixing the button. I envisage a super strong self adhesive, like Steve Barnett uses on his Thumbies but without the sponge layer. You would get it off by dabbing on a tiny amount of acetone or nail varnish remover and a cotton bud, stolen from your wife, to soften the adhesive. What do others think - a practical accessory or just an irritation? Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted March 29, 2013 Share #29 Posted March 29, 2013 I have emailed Tim Isaacs and had a response. He is concerned that an extension on the focus button would tend to foul the lens release button. If the extension was square edged, I think he would be correct but if it is rounded and made from ceramic like the Bip, I think not. The other problem is fixing the button. I envisage a super strong self adhesive, like Steve Barnett uses on his Thumbies but without the sponge layer. You would get it off by dabbing on a tiny amount of acetone or nail varnish remover and a cotton bud, stolen from your wife, to soften the adhesive. What do others think - a practical accessory or just an irritation? Wilson YMMV but for me that's too much trouble and too much risk damaging the camera even if only cosmetically. - Vikas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurcheesecake Posted March 29, 2013 Share #30 Posted March 29, 2013 Focusing the 0.95 Noctilux with the EVF is truly magical, Hi Stephen. Does the EVF over come the issue of focus shift? Arthur Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share #31 Posted March 29, 2013 Focusing the 0.95 Noctilux with the EVF is truly magical, Hi Stephen. Does the EVF over come the issue of focus shift? Arthur Yes. Lenses like the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar are no longer a problem on the M with EVF, as you are focusing with the sensor and not the rangefinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share #32 Posted March 29, 2013 What do others think - a practical accessory or just an irritation? Wilson I think button #3, the focus assist button, is a total pain in the ass. It's hard to press, even harder to hold in while rotating the thumb wheel (for exposure comp.) and as far as I can tell was designed and placed in this location purely for aesthetic reasons at the expense of functional ergonomics. It is completely NON-user friendly and needs to be optioned out with a firmware upgrade allowing users to move this function to another button. Hey, the M button isn't doing anything, and neither is the Delete button. Heck, you could even just use the right and left arrows from the 5 way switch to select focus peaking and zoom in and out. That would be much easier than the present three handed juggle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted March 29, 2013 Share #33 Posted March 29, 2013 What seems obvious is that Leica have been handing prototypes over to the wrong testers. Live View and Video were the two big selling points, hyped by Leica since launch, and both are half baked at best. Some very obvious limitations have been raised in a very short time since release. Let's see what the first firmware update brings. HI Ozkar I can't speak for the video, but with respect to the Live View/EVF logistics, I used them a great deal, and whilst there are some suggestions which may appear in later firmware, I (and others) thought that it worked very well. However - I don't work the way Stephen does (ever) and I've learned to trust the multi-point metering of Live view better than Stephen evidently does! I could see the point of taking an exposure reading from some grey area when using classic metering, but the multi-point metering with live view is really quite accurate. So, Stephen - maybe you should forget about the exposure lock, and try trusting the exposure instead - no need for the histogram - added to which, in real terms you've got pretty much 2 stops of over-exposure you can recover, and in my experience the meter is never anything like that much wrong. All the best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 29, 2013 Share #34 Posted March 29, 2013 It seems to me that some settings on the M work well for tripod, but not for hand held. Perhaps having a way to set the M for tripod use (with on/off) would help streamline hand held use and even allow one to "turn off" certain features manually or for a "hand held" setting. But then again here we go as that would override the Leica basic idea of keeping it simple because this would only take the Menu eventually from 5 pages upwards. I found the spot meter and multi meter modes quite sensitive and accurate and worked especially well when using long R lenses (180 and above). Actually I continue to use R lenses about 80% of the time and am dying for that Leica adapter or any adapter that helps me remember the lens I was using. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share #35 Posted March 29, 2013 So, Stephen - maybe you should forget about the exposure lock, and try trusting the exposure instead - no need for the histogram - added to which, in real terms you've got pretty much 2 stops of over-exposure you can recover, and in my experience the meter is never anything like that much wrong. All the best Cheers Jono, but without using exposure lock I find that it is critical to use exposure compensation, which is a slow two fingered process with the M240. You are correct that I can pull shadows and push highlights and do all sorts of things in post, but it comes at the expense of IQ. Noise is better in the M240, but it's still there. Perhaps the solution is for me to use the advanced metering modes, at least when using the EVF. I suppose if the shutter is already open for Live View there is no delay penalty for metering off the sensor. Loving your China photos! The old woman at the window is magical, and I'm looking forward to seeing more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted March 29, 2013 Share #36 Posted March 29, 2013 It looks like Jono and Stephen are seeking a workaround now. I rather prefer Leica would properly implement the other option as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted March 29, 2013 Share #37 Posted March 29, 2013 One option to try for the button is the type of self-adhesive rubber bump used as "feet" on laptops and on kitchen cupboards to provide a soft landing for the doors. The issue may be the diameter - not sure what it is as mine in taking a break from 5 days usage in Solms - but I bought some quite small ones for a Sony Vaio laptop on eBay. I do agree the button is too stiff, and that is not going to be fixed in firmware. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mweiner Posted March 29, 2013 Share #38 Posted March 29, 2013 Good idea. I've tried used something similar on my shutter release as a cheaper and less pronounced alternative to the 'soft release' hardware. I had some just like the ones you describe on my kitchen drawers that were a clear color, but too high and domed. Then I had some rubber ones that were flatter and black. I ended up using ones that were felt. Even tho the only felt ones I could find were brown (for my black M9) or white (for my sliver M8), I much prefer them as soft, low profile, and unobtrusive. I've had one on my M9 for 3 years. If you occasionally need to screw in a cable release, they are cheap enough (about USD .001) to peel off and then replace. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 30, 2013 Share #39 Posted March 30, 2013 Somewhere, I have some 5mm circular transparent 3M Bumpons, bought to go on the bottom of some glass base table lamps that were scratching the tables. Now, if only I can remember where I, ever so carefully, put them away. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share #40 Posted March 30, 2013 NEW MENU ITEM: Switch functions of the M button and #3 (Focus Peaking Button) Now I don't have to worry about pressing that silly front button ever again!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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