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Leica M-E problems?


xoxmx

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Hi guy,

 

I am here new, but it looks like this is a forum full of nice people, who dont fight with each other.

 

I have a simply question.

 

I am considering to buy me a M-E and I have read about the banding/card problems with M9. Cos the M-E is rebranded M9, I would like to ask you about your personal experience. Are this problems solved, or are the problems with M9 are also transformed to M-E?

 

My second question is, if you have any experience with Voiglander 35/1.4 MC? Cos the investment in Leica will be big, I have to wait one year for the real Leica glass and till this time, I am cosidering cheaper alternative. I am 35 mm guy and I would like to buy Leica as my walkaround camera. Use D700 for my professional work.

 

Thank you for your opinion and personal thoughts.

 

Many thanks!

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Hi guy,

 

I am here new, but it looks like this is a forum full of nice people, who dont fight with each other.

 

I have a simply question.

 

I am considering to buy me a M-E and I have read about the banding/card problems with M9. Cos the M-E is rebranded M9, I would like to ask you about your personal experience. Are this problems solved, or are the problems with M9 are also transformed to M-E?

 

My second question is, if you have any experience with Voiglander 35/1.4 MC? Cos the investment in Leica will be big, I have to wait one year for the real Leica glass and till this time, I am cosidering cheaper alternative. I am 35 mm guy and I would like to buy Leica as my walkaround camera. Use D700 for my professional work.

 

Thank you for your opinion and personal thoughts.

 

Many thanks!

 

First and foremost the ME is not a rebranded M9. It is a less expensive body with the same sensor and engine. It has a few less features of the M9. Same image quality.

 

I have a Voightlander 35 f/1.4 MC and it,is an outstanding lens.

Banding is caused by humans not the camera. I'm sure to get some grief on this but it is my opinion. The M8 and 9 are not stellar low light performers. It is just something you get used to. As far as the cards are concerned there are many many posts here steering you towards what is most useful.

 

Good luck with it!

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Hi xoxmx,

 

See my post in the tread about M-E - it maybe can help clear the picture, at least re. my very positive experience. I have seen nothing of the discussed issues. Go ahead, is my recommendation! Good Luck! /ORLA

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..........I am considering to buy me a M-E and I have read about the banding/card problems with M9. Cos the M-E is rebranded M9, I would like to ask you about your personal experience. Are this problems solved, or are the problems with M9 are also transformed to M-E?...........

 

I've had an M-E since last October have used it a lot and so far haven't met banding or card problems. I've had an M8 (second hand) for nearly three years and still use that a lot; apart from some dead pixels six months ago which Leica sorted, I've had no problems with it either. I still use film Leicas too and have old lenses which work pretty well on the newer cameras. Certainly some people have had problems, as you have read, but I don't think they are common enough to influence your choice.

 

Surely the real point is whether a range finder camera with prime lenses is what you want for the pictures you take. If you need a zoom lens, especially a long one, or if you fire off lots of frames in quick succession, then perhaps and M-E would be a disappointment. That said, I thought mine (and a 90mm Summarit) did a reasonable job with 2013 - Kingston Head of the River - L1001247 photo - Henry Rogers photos at pbase.com though I normally use DSLRs for sport.

 

Sorry, but I can't help with the lens you mention.

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Just as with the M9, the ME can produce stellar images.

 

Any banding issues you may have heard of are, from experience, overrated - and I shoot plenty of low light. http://Www.flickr.com/photos/dedrot/6895217081

 

I am careful with batteries, using only oe and charging them before each outing. And am religeous about formatting my Panasonic Gold cards using the ad formatter prior to formatting in camera.

 

Seriously: you'll be blown away by what the ME is capable of.

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Thank you guys for your replies.

 

Well, I am prime lens shooter. Although I am 31 years old, I started doing photography 12 years ago with film manual cameras, so the "concept of Leica" isnt something new to me.

 

https://miroslav-mosko.squarespace.com/

 

I had bad experience with X100 and X-E1 (RAW development problems, blooming sensor, pattern of sensor projecting in final image etc. - all the system features). After I have sold all the whole kit, I am missing something for "walkaround". D700 is a great camera, but its heavy. I can find anything now on market, that can suit my needs (looking for manual handling, not to many modern gimmicks and FF sensor - simply camera, not spaceship). Thats why I decided to try the Leica, although it is really big investment for me (I have to also keep my Nikon stuff updated).

 

I have read here on the forum about the banding problems in M9 and if M-E is (ok, not rebranded) in heart actually the same as M9, I am little bit woried. Dont want to end up investing in Leica and have problems. I know, you will now kill me for this words, cos Leica should be state of art camera, but I am considering all the eventualities before making the final decision. And thats why I am here. :-)

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I used an M8 w the CV 35 f/1.4 MC for years with great results. Many of the shots have been exhibited in galleries and shows. In November I got the ME w a used 50mm Summicron. It's yielded really great results as well but I've found myself drawn to the CV 35 on many occasions. Going to an indoor brunch in a bit and will take it w the ME and leave the 50 on the M8.

 

My CV 35 back focuses at f/2.8 and f/4 within 5 feet. Once at 5.6 or beyond 5 feet, the depth of field corrects for the misfocus. Also, it is a soft lens, intentionally designed for a softer look than current designs. More like one from the 1940s or 1950s. Otherwise, highly recommended.

 

Also, reade this post: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/292708-m9-colors-night-best-way-shoot-9.html

 

Essentially, the ME will yield good results until ISO 640. Beyond that, you get better results just pushing the ISO in Lightroom. I've found that 2 stops is easy and the third is very good. This means the ME effectively has a usable top ISO of 5000 when pushed three stops in Lightroom. I've actually pushed five stops and have found it acceptable for high grain black and white work. That's a top ISO 20,000 with very grainy results.

 

YMMV

 

All the best,

 

RV

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I've used the VC 35 1.4 MC quite a bit on my M9, and it is a great lens for the price. Mine gives better results at f2.0 than my '69 Summicron 35, and even at 1.4 is no worse than f2 on my Summicron. (However, my Zeiss Biogon 35 f2 is better than either.) I prefer the small size of the old Summicron and VC 1.4 to the Biogon.

For most photos people can't tell which of these lenses I used.

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Hell yeah. We all tattoo our three year old kids in the UK. The best thing is, they can never wash the 'I Love Dad' off their chest however much they scrub. :D

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