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Leica M (typ 240) Field Test and Review


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In regards to low light performance, M cameras in terms of low light 'image quality' have had no advantage over other cameras in low light, other than offering less vibration, and possibly slightly sharper results with lenses shot wide open.

 

Perhaps, but many would argue that you can't get 'image quality' if you can't first see the scene effectively, and one of the major appeals for the M (RF) system is the ability to see the scene, and around the scene, as bright as possible without stopping down, throughout a series of shots. In the film M days, before auto-everything, this proved an even more useful advantage for some.

 

But, as I said, this is nit-picking and not meant to detract from your fine effort.

 

Jeff

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Perhaps, but many would argue that you can't get 'image quality' if you can't first see the scene effectively, and one of the major appeals for the M (RF) system is the ability to see the scene, and around the scene, as bright as possible without stopping down, throughout a series of shots. In the film M days, before auto-everything, this proved an even more useful advantage for some.

 

But, as I said, this is nit-picking and not meant to detract from your fine effort.

 

Jeff

 

Some very valid points Jeff....after shooting M for nearly 18 years you'd think I'd remember that ;)

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Hello Kristian.

 

Once again Thank you very much for allowing me to play with your M 240 today I enjoyed it.

 

It's certainly chunky, it reminds me of my Leica SL very solid.

 

As I said to you this morning your'e welcome to try any of my R lenses when the M to R adapter is available.

 

Take care.

 

Ken.

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Hello Kristian.

 

Once again Thank you very much for allowing me to play with your M 240 today I enjoyed it.

 

It's certainly chunky, it reminds me of my Leica SL very solid.

 

As I said to you this morning your'e welcome to try any of my R lenses when the M to R adapter is available.

 

Take care.

 

Ken.

 

Thanks Ken, also nice to meet and talk with you. I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid, i don't do borrowing....instead turn it into a thing some refer to as stealing ;-)

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Thanks Ken, also nice to meet and talk with you. I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid, i don't do borrowing....instead turn it into a thing some refer to as stealing ;-)

 

I fully understand Kristian.

 

Also forgot to mention, I enjoyed your review and presentation of the M240, well done.

 

Ken.

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Well made and illustrated review, thanks

 

Now... just a question about the thing you handle in your self portrait in your "bio" page... :rolleyes::p

 

Haha, well I also use Nikon and they support me very well, and have earned a place in my bio pic. I also don't think a camera should define any photographer, but it's not the perception these days ;)

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Kristian,

 

Thanks for the really nice article. It was refreshing to read your thoughts on shallow DOF photos. I agree completely. Drop in once in a while and show us what you're doing or just share your thoughts.

 

Regards,

 

Rick

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Kristian' date='

 

Thanks for the really nice article. It was refreshing to read your thoughts on shallow DOF photos. I agree completely. Drop in once in a while and show us what you're doing or just share your thoughts.

 

Regards,

 

Rick[/quote']

 

Yeah but the funny thing is with all the iPhone and consumer cams with slow lenses the shallow DOF shots are still in the extreme minority. How many f/4-5'zoom pic are there or cell phone pics are there for every shot at f/1.4? Probably thousands to one at least. I agree though it can be overused by those that have it...like myself!

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OT discussion moved to the Bar. :)

Haha, well I also use Nikon and they support me very well, and have earned a place in my bio pic. I also don't think a camera should define any photographer, but it's not the perception these days ;)
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Guest malland

I agree. Looks like Kristian has done a great job in processing these images, but I still see a color rendition that is more like that of other CMOS sensor cameras than those one often sees, and that are easily produced, with the M9. Whether this will be fixed in the future by Leica remains to be seen.

 

—Mitch/Paris

Paris au rythme de Basquiat and Other Poems [download link for book project]

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Thanks Kristian. This was a most interesting and useful article and the sample work is especially pleasing.

Very very few of us in Aus have even seen a camera so fingers crossed we will get to share the experience with you soon. Still waiting here in Brisbane. Number two at my dealer (who is getting one from first shipment) :(

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Kirk and Mitch, I think I possibly see what you both may be referring to. I suspect it may be a result of Kristian's style of PP as an 'overlay' on the images. I have seen other pics of his, taken in locations I am familiar with, and he definitely adds his stamp to the look and with benefit.

 

Perhaps it is better explained by saying he does not halt the creative process at the camera level but flows it through to presenting a final visual that moves beyond the moment of capture. Put another way, I interpret it as initially seeing an image and simply passing it through his camera on its way to final realization. In some cases that image is about the colour of the vision, rather than the cameras colour.

 

Still reading your impressive test report Kristian. Thank you for the opportunity to handle your camera when we met. Whilst very happy with my M9 (and 111f ;) ) you have fueled the fire for an M in my camp. :eek:

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I wish, Erl, that were so – but to my eyes (and calibrated monitor) it's just as much a problem on this extensive thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/274176-leica-m-shots-post-them-here.html

 

So I can't attribute it to Kristian's artful post-processing. My conclusion is that some of us really like the present prospects for M240 color, and some of us really don't.

 

Kirk

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Kirk, my monitor also is calibrated, however not so sure about my eyes. ;)

 

My impression is that so many of the images I am seeing are either artificial or mixed light sources. I believe such scenarios will never render 'correctly', whatever that is. I for one dislike clinical correctness, but prefer the look and feel of the ambient to be retained to some, perhaps reduced, level. That leaves me wondering if I did have a technically correct image, would I throw some 'personality colour' into it? Probably I would. The question is, does the new M easily allow such variation? I have gained the impression that the answer is YES.

 

The question is, can you define the problem you are concerned with?

Can I see it?

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I wish, Erl, that were so – but to my eyes (and calibrated monitor) it's just as much a problem on this extensive thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/274176-leica-m-shots-post-them-here.html

 

So I can't attribute it to Kristian's artful post-processing. My conclusion is that some of us really like the present prospects for M240 color, and some of us really don't.

 

 

Kirk, did you not trust Kristian's comment, and example, where he adjusted an M pic in PP to mimic the M9? Is it the out-of-camera rendition you dislike, or do you not think PP can be made to suit?

 

I note in the M photo thread you link that you decided to get another M9 because you didn't like the 'hyper-color' of the M. Unless the colors are unalterably 'off', it seems that over-saturation, if that's what you mean by hyper-color, can easily be tamed in PP.

 

Just curious about your thought process.

 

Jeff

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