Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 3, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, the Leica M (Typ 240) is fantastic, that is my experience. After having read reactions on this forum on the Leica M, and after having received my camera some days ago, I can say that it is fantastic and much better than I anticipated. Having worked with the M9 for 3 years, I know that most of the time, it makes no big difference to use the M (Typ 240), since it is a similar rangefinder camera, with the same lenses. But there are two things which are really an improvement: 1) High ISO 2) LiveView Both improvements increase my hit-rate in difficult situations and LiveView opens up new options in macro, micro and tele photography ( http://www.photoplaza.nl/lindolfi/M240onHassy500.jpg ). The handling of the camera is just fine: most of it is the same as the M9. Exposure correction takes an extra finger to operate, but that's no problem. Focussing with LiveView through the EVF is simply fantastic with the focuspeaking and enlargement. In most situations it is not needed (EVF in the bag), but sometimes in difficult situations it is very nice to have. Also using the 12 mm with the EVF nicely shows you what you can expect in the frame and I prefer the EVF over the optical viewfinder that comes with the lens. Also macro photography with the Macro Elmar 90/4 with macro adapter works better with the EVF, since parallax is removed. The shutter sound is really a pleasant surprise: we are in M6 territory again! So, the Leica M (typ 240) is really an improvement over the M9 in many respects, and it saves me from bringing a DSLR in many cases. The M9 will not be forgotten: using 2 bodies in some situations saves time. And the M9 really has proven itself over the last few years in terms of image quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Hi Lindolfi, Take a look here The Leica M (Typ 240) is fantastic. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Thomas Chen Posted June 3, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 3, 2013 Yes, the Leica M (Typ 240) is fantastic, that is my experience. . Bert, I fully agree with you about the innovations on M240, it's really great, based on my limited experience with it. Mine is not yet delived. After you take more pictures please join the discussion in the M-color thread, something like what Prfessor Steven pinker has doned posting the images in his site. I've shared with him opinions about color rendition of M240. BTW, I've successfully set up 10-bit dispaly for my system, just need more fine tuning. Best Regards, Thomas Chen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted June 3, 2013 Thomas, Having done tests and comparisons in neutral light with a MacBeth card with the M9 and M (typ 240), I can reproduce what was already known: the 240 is a bit too warm with Auto WB, but along the magenta-green axis, it is spot on. No problem at all, since working with RAW files (something the M (typ 240) deserves) a simple camera profile sets things right. Resolution is an improvement over the M9 (no surprise) and the images are clean and well defined. The noise in high ISO is well handled. However given the small improvements of the image, most of the time you can't tell an M9 image from an M (typ 240) image apart, provided a camera profile is used. By the way I forgot to mention that it is nice to have a faster camera with a better post check on the LCD screen of sharpness, but not essential for the process of photography with an M. Also it is a good idea to use SDformatter for startup time (1 sec. in stead of 2.5 sec.). The number of images you can store on a 16 Gb card is 435 images, in lossless compressed mode, that's 12 rolls of film! (and 304 images uncompressed). Finally, it was nice to discover that the EVF is very workable with spectacles (full image visible) and has a smooth diopter correction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJW Posted June 3, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 3, 2013 Having finally gotten mine Friday, I echo these comments. Once in your hands, you will see and hear what Leica has done rathern than speculate. The shutter noise is like a return to film Leica. The ergonomics are excellent. As for imgae quality, I will be doing my own Xrite profile but Wilson Laidlaw's dual illuminant seems to work very well, including skin tones (at least caucasian skin tones) and there is no need for any discussion of sensor resolution with Leica lenses. I will post separately re a question I have about R lenses. p.s. I just got an email from Leica re the lug issue -- it was to tell me my camera is not affected. But I had to read several paragraphs first, all the while having an (unwarranted) fear that mine had slipped through and needed to go back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwbell Posted June 3, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 3, 2013 p.s. I just got an email from Leica re the lug issue -- it was to tell me my camera is not affected. But I had to read several paragraphs first, all the while having an (unwarranted) fear that mine had slipped through and needed to go back. That's a good bit of commendable customer service from Leica. Bravo Leica on being proactive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woorob Posted June 3, 2013 Share #6 Posted June 3, 2013 Bert and Allan, Thank you for the first-hand reports. For those of us on a waiting list, its helpful to hear that the 240 is an improvement over the M9. I wonder if there is any discernible difference in image quality between the two cameras using the same lens and DNG format? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted June 3, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I wonder if there is any discernible difference in image quality between the two cameras using the same lens and DNG format? Yes, resolution is slightly better and noise is lower at anything above 640 ISO. But in most images, you won't see the difference. User limitations are more important than the small difference in image quality between the two camera's, which will only reveal itself when everything is done right. But, as I wrote, in difficult light conditions, the M (typ 240) increases your (my) hit rate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott997 Posted June 3, 2013 Share #8 Posted June 3, 2013 Love mine, really dated the M9. M240 is so much fun to shoot! The files are fantastic too and better then M9's. An excellent upgrade. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 3, 2013 Share #9 Posted June 3, 2013 ... it is a good idea to use SDformatter for startup time (1 sec. in stead of 2.5 sec.)... Never got this with 4 different cards so far. About 2.5 secs for all (16GB class 10 Mustang, Transcend, Sandisk, Samsung). May i ask what card you've been using? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted June 3, 2013 Never got this with 4 different cards so far. About 2.5 secs for all (16GB class 10 Mustang, Transcend, Sandisk, Samsung). May i ask what card you've been using? Sandisk Extreme 16 Gb 45MB/sec, SDformatter running on Mac. 1 Sec. startup time, even after formatting again with the M (typ 240), while it was 2.5 sec before running SDformatter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 3, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 3, 2013 With respect whould you mind to switch off, press the shutter release, then switch on and count again? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted June 3, 2013 With respect whould you mind to switch off, press the shutter release, then switch on and count again? Although I never take photographs like that , I've done your proposed experiment, and here's the result (started the timer at the same time I switched the camera on) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 3, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 3, 2013 OK, so the secret is in formatting the card properly:) Is it still as fast after you reformat in the camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 3, 2013 Share #14 Posted June 3, 2013 Interesting indeed. I use exactly the same card and formatter though and my PC is a Mac as well. My M240's SN is 47015**. Would you have an explanation? Although I never take photographs like that , I've done your proposed experiment, and here's the result (started the timer at the same time I switched the camera on) http://www.photoplaza.nl/lindolfi/timingM240.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 3, 2013 Share #15 Posted June 3, 2013 OK, so the secret is in formatting the card properly:)... I'm afraid not. All my cards are formatted through SDFormatter as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted June 3, 2013 Is it still as fast after you reformat in the camera? Yes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted June 3, 2013 Interesting indeed. I use exactly the same card and formatter though and my PC is a Mac as well. My M240's SN is 47015**. Would you have an explanation? My SN is 4698***. No I have no explanation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted June 3, 2013 Share #18 Posted June 3, 2013 Has Leica published somewhere what timing is within spec? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 3, 2013 Share #19 Posted June 3, 2013 Interesting indeed. I use exactly the same card and formatter though and my PC is a Mac as well. My M240's SN is 47015**. Would you have an explanation? On the original thread about timing there was inter-camera variation that was basically inexplicable .... and some users never got the speeds others quoted despite using similar cards...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted June 4, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 4, 2013 Mine is maybe a tad slower than 1 sec, but certainly faster than 2.5 sec with the same card. Just in case: I used the "Full (Overwrite)" option in SDFormatter and ran it on a Windows 7 PC. After that initial format operation, reformatting in camera several times does not seem to affect performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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