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Battery Usage: EVF + Multifunction Grip

esophoria

By esophoria
in Leica M (Type 240 / 262)

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esophoria

esophoria

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The other day, I went out shooting -- M 240 + EVF+ Multifunction Grip + Loop

 

This was the first time I had shot with this configuration:

 

Caveats:

 

I make extensive use of the EVF with focus peaking, the GPS function was on using the Grip; the Loop obviously has no effect on battery life-- but it is a wonderful add-on to the Grip.

 

Freshly charged battery.

 

I had taken about 100 photos and then got the warning message on my screen that my battery was very low and needed to be replaced.

 

I'm not sure if this is typical or I should be content with this level of battery consumption.

 

I plan to use the above configuration since the EVF is really a great way (for me) to focus the M 240. I'm also a big fan of Geotagging all of my photos.

 

I now have 3 batteries with me at all times.

 

Your mileage may vary...

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jdlaing

jdlaing

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The other day, I went out shooting -- M 240 + EVF+ Multifunction Grip + Loop

 

This was the first time I had shot with this configuration:

 

Caveats:

 

I make extensive use of the EVF with focus peaking, the GPS function was on using the Grip; the Loop obviously has no effect on battery life-- but it is a wonderful add-on to the Grip.

 

Freshly charged battery.

 

I had taken about 100 photos and then got the warning message on my screen that my battery was very low and needed to be replaced.

 

I'm not sure if this is typical or I should be content with this level of battery consumption.

 

I plan to use the above configuration since the EVF is really a great way (for me) to focus the M 240. I'm also a big fan of Geotagging all of my photos.

 

I now have 3 batteries with me at all times.

 

Your mileage may vary...

 

In a nutshell...........don't do that.

Using all those electronics to try and make a Leica M body try to clone the plastic fantastic versions of today's digital cameras is, in my opinion, shooting yourself in the foot. Focus peaking is nice but not necessary with a rangefinder camera unless you are using zoom lenses or third party stuff. If you are going to shoot like that you will HAVE to be content with that battery consumption. Remember that the camera is basically a mechanical rangefinder and all the extra gizmos are just that. Extra and not designed as the basis for the camera operation. It's still a rangefinder at heart.

 

If you are taking multiple photos in one location you only really need one or two geotagged photos.

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esophoria

esophoria

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My photos (using my technique) speak for themselves, while I appreciate your comments-- the camera is a mere tool to help document my vision.

 

I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to shoot. Turning the EVF on and off and the same for the GPS when taking a series of photos often times will make me lose the "right" time to push the shutter.

 

We all have different ways of shooting.

 

Thank you for your comments.

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jdlaing

jdlaing

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My photos (using my technique) speak for themselves, while I appreciate your comments-- the camera is a mere tool to help document my vision.

 

I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to shoot. Turning the EVF on and off and the same for the GPS when taking a series of photos often times will make me lose the "right" time to push the shutter.

 

We all have different ways of shooting.

 

Thank you for your comments.

 

I am not being critical of your style.

I only gave my view of your dilemma with battery usage and just a few suggestions of how to increase the yield.

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esophoria

esophoria

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Good question!

 

I mainly use it for feature called "reverse geotagging or reverse lookup" -- works like this:

 

Go on a trip or a photo excursion and take many photos, e.g, of famous buildings...hard to keep track of the names of them. I recently returned from Italy and had many, many photos...since all of my photos were geotagged..

 

Google had a simple time telling me the names of the places that i had taken photos of.

 

Google knows the location of millions of places on earth...and can easily match them with the name of the location with the geotagged info on each of my photos.

 

I find this feature immensely valuable.

 

Geotagging can also display a map of where I have been when doing street photography in the streets of San Francisco. I know where I have been (within feet) and can easily go back to the location to shoot the subject again.

 

Hope this helps...

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jamriman

jamriman

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Good question!

 

I mainly use it for feature called "reverse geotagging" -- works like this:

 

Go on a trip or a photo excursion and take many photos, e.g, of famous buildings...hard to keep track of the names of them. I recently returned from Italy and had many, many photos...since all of my photos were geotagged..

 

Google had a simple time telling me the names of the places that i had taken photos of.

 

Google knows the location of millions of places on earth...and can easily match them with the name of the location with the geotagged info on each of my photos.

 

I find this feature immensely valuable.

 

Geotagging can also display a map of where I have been when doing street photography in the streets of San Francisco. I know where I have been (within feet) and can easily go back to the location to shoot the subject again.

 

Hope this helps...

Cool! Thanks. Is there a way to secure the info? Sounds like this can be exploited by thieves.

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jip

jip

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Cool! Thanks. Is there a way to secure the info? Sounds like this can be exploited by thieves.

 

It is not that a website, or google, or any application can actually see where your camera is RIGHT NOW. It can only see where a picture was taken afterwards.

 

So I don't really see how 'bad' it is for thieves... you can also on export choose to NOT export the location data. :)

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dennersten

dennersten

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I don't really get the idea of geotagging. How does this feature help you? Just curious, not trying to be sarcastic. Thanks.

 

I see the following advantages:

 

1) One more criteria to find your picture in Aperture, Iphoto or another photo - workflow program. I have 50 000 pictures in the archive the existing criterias i.e. tags, descriptions, grading etc are definitely not enough sometimes.

 

2) I am shooting a lot of nature, landscapes etc. Sometimes i want to find my way back. Geotagging is the only way.

 

3) There is a lot of geotagging search possibilities on the internet. On Flickr, Wiki, Google etc. I want my pictures to be found there, as i want to profile me and my pictures with a geographic area.

 

4) I have a tourist blog. It's an important part of the service to give my readers GPS data to the attractions in the area.

 

 

So i am eagerly waiting for my grip...

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esophoria

esophoria

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Cool! Thanks. Is there a way to secure the info? Sounds like this can be exploited by thieves.

 

I don't really think so.

 

Many don't realize that an iPhone, e.g., geotags all of its images. When taking a "home" photo...anyone can now find where your "home" is.

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jdlaing

jdlaing

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It is not that a website, or google, or any application can actually see where your camera is RIGHT NOW. It can only see where a picture was taken afterwards.

 

So I don't really see how 'bad' it is for thieves... you can also on export choose to NOT export the location data. :)

 

Eau contrere! (My apologies to the French)

 

A gps works two ways. You can be tracked by it.

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esophoria

esophoria

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As I understand you could use Geo tagging with a Wi-Fi card. How does the grip offer an advantage? Thanks.

 

I have both....the WiFi card is a way more laborious way to tag your photos. The grip makes it seamless....

 

I predominately use the grip for the ports, not for the geotagging, in my studio. The GPS feature is a just a real benefit to me.

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algrove

algrove

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OP to answer your battery question, as yet many of us have the EVF and MF grip, but I for one have not yet had that much usage to run a battery down. I usually take one extra battery with me and my R lenses and now I will take two extras based on your experience.

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Guest borge

Guest borge

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I use the EVF a lot more than anticipated. It really changed the way I photograph in dimly lit or dark areas. And whenever absolute focus precision is critical (I often shoot wide open at f/0.95) I also use the EVF.

 

The EVF does suck a lot of battery juice however.

I would guess GPS tagging would make it even much worse. But I reckon the EVF is the add-on that is draining most of your battery.

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John Black

John Black

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Eau contrere! (My apologies to the French)

 

A gps works two ways. You can be tracked by it.

 

GPS is a broadcast system, not a 2-way communication system. Telemetrics require a wireless network connection like GSM, CDMA, LTE, etc. (or a private radio network system such public safety and utilities).

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jip

jip

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Eau contrere! (My apologies to the French) A gps works two ways. You can be tracked by it.

 

GPS DOES NOT work two ways, A GPS unit like the MF grip looks to see GPS satellites, and then knows where it is on earth. The GPS satellites CANNOT track a receiving unit. Do your research.

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darylgo

darylgo

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The other day, I went out shooting -- M 240 + EVF+ Multifunction Grip + Loop

 

This was the first time I had shot with this configuration:

 

Caveats:

 

I make extensive use of the EVF with focus peaking, the GPS function was on using the Grip; the Loop obviously has no effect on battery life-- but it is a wonderful add-on to the Grip.

 

Freshly charged battery.

 

I had taken about 100 photos and then got the warning message on my screen that my battery was very low and needed to be replaced.

 

I'm not sure if this is typical or I should be content with this level of battery consumption.

 

I plan to use the above configuration since the EVF is really a great way (for me) to focus the M 240. I'm also a big fan of Geotagging all of my photos.

 

I now have 3 batteries with me at all times.

 

Your mileage may vary...

 

Hi Esophoria,

 

While the EVF will use the battery heavily my experience with gps units is they are the most battery hungry of all my electronics and would do the same to the Leica battery.

What time frame did you take the 100 photos that drained the battery?

The larger battery in the M and the availability of an ac cord for the grip may be Leica's way of telling us this camera will use power heavily.

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