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What do you want in the next digital M?


IkarusJohn

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Would be interesting to know how much human hands have grown in size since the M3.

 

Comparing digital models to M3 trend is slimming up.

 

Current models don't require external light meter or Leicavit to achieve rapid fire on the other hand massive battery is now mandatory.

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I really do not understand the gripes about the movie function. I'm as luddite as the next Leica owner, but in this case... It can be turned off, so what.

 

At home I haven't taken a single video shot, but when traveling I find it a blessing to be able to switch to video seamlessly. My wife is the one taking the film, but even her rather nice videocam is not able to match the bits I do with a 400 mm on. Also it allows doubling up when there is too much to video at the same time.

 

One of the main functions of the M is a travel camera. In that context I think video enhances the concept.

 

The only function of the M for me is a travel camera, and I do not shoot video with it. The lack of AF and image stabilization is of no consequence to me in still shooting, but with video it is. But I agree I don't get what the gripes are now that the button can be disabled.

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I find focusing on both EVF and OVF and focus pulling in the EVF are quite doable.

 

I imagine it would be doable, but for the least amount of hours spend editing, one would hope for the best confluence of variables (focal length of lens, aperture, subject distance and movement) :o

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Many have been saying for a decade at least now that video is about to replace photos, but I very much doubt this for the simple fact that a video of 2-3 minutes can be summed up, in a photograph, and looked at, in an instant.

 

I don't have the time, patience or willingness to spend that long looking through so many films. I don't believe the next generation do either, perhaps it's less so. There are only so many good photos, same for films. at least with a photo you can move on very quickly if it doesn't interest you, and not waste a minute or two of your time.

 

Of corse then there is the other side, the shooting, the extra crew and gear, the logistics, the editing, the storage....the list goes on. None of which really floats my boat.

 

Lastly, and moreover, I just prefer the challenge of saying something with one picture. I love everything that it stands for. It just feels more pure to me, more poetic perhaps. I love the idea of stopping time.

 

My only real interest in making film is for recording my children and their growth/development, the way they talk and move etc.

 

Both are here to stay, none will replace the other.

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I have zero interest in video, and my M button is disabled as far as I'm concerned permanently.

 

I remember with a shudder the thousands of feet or 16mm and Super 8 taken in the 50/60's by my father at the behest of my mother and then laboriously edited by him when he'd have been far happier out with his Leica taking photographs. Now, of course, years on I have no idea what to do with all those feet of film, given the projectors went ages ago, even if I was so minded, I have no means of viewing them. I won't chuck them out as they've finally achieved some sort of family archive status so if the kids want to embark on the time consuming and expensive process of having them digitised, no doubt, seeing me and their grandparents as we were many decades ago at the countless boring birthdays, Christmases and holidays which were recorded for posterity will be a source of some passing amusement. For myself I cringe at the very thought of images of myself up on screen as a pre and early teen.

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I have zero interest in video, and my M button is disabled as far as I'm concerned permanently.

 

I remember with a shudder the thousands of feet or 16mm and Super 8 taken in the 50/60's by my father at the behest of my mother .....

 

Yup, luckily in my family there is a cousin of mine who still keeps with care a perfectly operative 8mm/Suuper 8 projector which allows all of us to enjoy, time to time, those touching "videos" of 50 years ago... :)

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Say "Honey, so you like video? Ok, you shoot it and you edit it." Then jump in that 997 and take off quickly. That's why they put the key slot on the left son.

Won't work - computer-illiterate. By choice :(

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Jennifer, for what it's worth a couple of years ago I got hold of my grandfather's Super 8 films from the 50s. I had them digitised and then heavily edited them (to an appropriate period soundtrack which might or might not be your thing). The result is a half hour video which the whole family really love. Yes it took ages, to do but it was well worth while - prior to my editing the films hadn't been seen for decades and weren't terribly watchable in unedited form... Heavy editing, music and a commentary from my grandmother was the key for me...

 

That said, it took a very long time....!

 

I have zero interest in video, and my M button is disabled as far as I'm concerned permanently.

 

I remember with a shudder the thousands of feet or 16mm and Super 8 taken in the 50/60's by my father at the behest of my mother and then laboriously edited by him when he'd have been far happier out with his Leica taking photographs. Now, of course, years on I have no idea what to do with all those feet of film, given the projectors went ages ago, even if I was so minded, I have no means of viewing them. I won't chuck them out as they've finally achieved some sort of family archive status so if the kids want to embark on the time consuming and expensive process of having them digitised, no doubt, seeing me and their grandparents as we were many decades ago at the countless boring birthdays, Christmases and holidays which were recorded for posterity will be a source of some passing amusement. For myself I cringe at the very thought of images of myself up on screen as a pre and early teen.

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I know this will bring out the natives with their pitchforks, but I'd love a focus peaking mechanism that I could actually see!

 

You didn't say much about not seeing the peak focusing artifacts, but I just used this tool MOST successfully with my 50mm Cron DR. This is a close-focusing lens that can't be used with the M's because of the rear cam that extends into the body.

 

I had that cam surgically removed by DAG because of the quality of images from the lens.

 

NOW, I can use it in close-focus mode -- which I just did -- using Live View. This methodology has been praised elsewhere in these threads to allow the use of R-lenses on the M(240). Zooms, too, I guess.

 

Note, I use the peaking mechanism with the red fungus (edge highlite) with the thumb dial setting the magnification to 5X. Works like a charm.

 

Actually, the fungus look gives me the creeps, but it works. :)

 

Regards to all, Bill

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For me most serious drawbacks of M 240 are:

 

- One minute maximum exposure = It's a disgrace to even call it bulb mode

- No way to turn off LENR (Long exposure noise reduction) = practical disadvantage: try shooting fireworks when the guy next to you is going to get twice as many shots as you are

- Long exposure with high ISO is even more limited = astrophotography is impossible

- Inability to move the focus point on live view when zoomed in

 

So I want them Fixed! I hope Leica would spend some time reading this thread...

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For me most serious drawbacks of M 240 are:

 

- One minute maximum exposure = It's a disgrace to even call it bulb mode

- No way to turn off LENR (Long exposure noise reduction) = practical disadvantage: try shooting fireworks when the guy next to you is going to get twice as many shots as you are

- Long exposure with high ISO is even more limited = astrophotography is impossible

- Inability to move the focus point on live view when zoomed in

 

So I want them Fixed! I hope Leica would spend some time reading this thread...

 

Your first item was addressed in the post you started. See the manual, p. 188:

 

In conjunction with the self-timer, a T function is also available: If B is set and the self-timer is activated by tapping the shutter release button (see also p. 150), the shutter opens automatically after the selected delay time. It then remains open until you press the shutter release button a second time – you do not need to hold the button down. This enables you to largely prevent any blurring, even with long exposures, by pressing the shutter release button.

In both cases, the exposure meter is disabled; after the shutter is released however the digital display in the viewfinder counts the elapsed exposure time in seconds, for guidance.

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Your first item was addressed in the post you started. See the manual, p. 188:

 

In conjunction with the self-timer, a T function is also available: If B is set and the self-timer is activated by tapping the shutter release button (see also p. 150), the shutter opens automatically after the selected delay time. It then remains open until you press the shutter release button a second time – you do not need to hold the button down. This enables you to largely prevent any blurring, even with long exposures, by pressing the shutter release button.

In both cases, the exposure meter is disabled; after the shutter is released however the digital display in the viewfinder counts the elapsed exposure time in seconds, for guidance.

 

Sorry, but this is false information for the type 240. Maximum exposure for Type 240 is 60 seconds no matter what you do. There is no T-function. But I reckon this is true for at least M8.2...

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