I love my M-D 262

[pippy]

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18 hours ago, gaytejano said:

...Now I’m considering sending it to Leica. Any advice? Any idea what an inspection/cleaning by Leica would cost?...

Much will depend on where you live.

I believe that here, in London, a customer can book-in a sensor clean at their Leica Store which makes things simple. If you don't have a Leica Centre within travelling distance and are considering posting a camera to a Leica Centre? That wouldn't be my preference.

FWIW I normally do a wet-clean myself but last year there were some spots which were resisting all my efforts so I had a look on the www and found a High Street camera dealership in central London who offer an in-house sensor-clean service and, having contacted them, was offered a slot that very afternoon. The camera came back spotless (Ho!Ho!) and the cost was £60 / $80 USD.

If you do decide to go down this route then I'd advise you to print-out the instructions regarding how to open the shutter for a sensor-clean as the lack of a screen can confuse those repairmen who are used to scrolling through a menu to find the 'Clean Sensor?' option. I mention this because not long before I took my own camera in I had read one particular horror story where the 'repairman' didn't know the correct procedure and the shutter closed when his swab-stick was still 'in action' with, as I'm sure you might imagine, disastrous consequences...

Good Luck!

Philip.

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[pedaes]

5 minutes ago, pippy said:

some spots which were resisting all my efforts

Know the problem!   I think the other factor in all this is there needs to be recognition that initial cost for materials is quite high. The swabs,main and edge, plus cleaning fluids are not cheap from, say, Visible Dust, before considering magnifiers etc., which may make the High Street attractive.

What has been my experience with new M bodies is that they can throw oil spots on sensor in first month or so, and you then need (or I did) Visible Dust's "Smear Away" to remove. After that, standard "Sensor Clean" is fine. Just my experience FWIW.

[gaytejano]

1 hour ago, pippy said:

Much will depend on where you live.

I believe that here, in London, a customer can book-in a sensor clean at their Leica Store which makes things simple. If you don't have a Leica Centre within travelling distance and are considering posting a camera to a Leica Centre? That wouldn't be my preference.

FWIW I normally do a wet-clean myself but last year there were some spots which were resisting all my efforts so I had a look on the www and found a High Street camera dealership in central London who offer an in-house sensor-clean service and, having contacted them, was offered a slot that very afternoon. The camera came back spotless (Ho!Ho!) and the cost was £60 / $80 USD.

If you do decide to go down this route then I'd advise you to print-out the instructions regarding how to open the shutter for a sensor-clean as the lack of a screen can confuse those repairmen who are used to scrolling through a menu to find the 'Clean Sensor?' option. I mention this because not long before I took my own camera in I had read one particular horror story where the 'repairman' didn't know the correct procedure and the shutter closed when his swab-stick was still 'in action' with, as I'm sure you might imagine, disastrous consequences...

Good Luck!

Philip.

Thanks, Philip.

I actually did run into Leica Store San Francisco yesterday to describe my problem and lo and behold, they told me to bring my camera in so they could look at it.  I was surprised because I thought they did not do repairs-- was under the impression that they were sales only.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Jose

[pippy]

50 minutes ago, gaytejano said:

...I actually did run into Leica Store San Francisco yesterday to describe my problem and lo and behold, they told me to bring my camera in so they could look at it...

That's great news, Jose, as they will obviously know the drill and will assuredly treat your camera with care.

As far as a sensor-clean goes it only takes a few minutes (by a competent technician) so it makes sense for Leica Stores to have someone on the premises who can undertake the work as it makes for good Dealer - Client relations.

Hope all goes according to plan and you can once again enjoy having spotless images!

Philip.

Edited September 19, 2024 by pippy

[Fred Miranda]

Any M-D shooter tempted by the new M11-D?

Ignoring the software and smartphone options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), there’s a lot to like about the M11-D’s design. Leica has clearly taken inspiration from the original M-D, with many similar design elements.
Many complain about the lack of a built-in thumb rest lever, but that’s another similarity to the M-D. I think removing the lever was necessary to make a reliable on-off switch on the top, which the M10-D lacks, and many complain about it being on the back. I never thought that exposure compensation made sense on the back of the camera, so the M11-D, in many ways, addresses some of the concerns users had with the M10-D.

For me, the M11-D only works as intended if you don’t use the smartphone. Perhaps just set the camera up once and then remove or never use the app.  This way, you’d have a thinner and lighter M-D with a more capable sensor and metering system, and as long as you avoid using auto-ISO, the shooting experience would be very similar to analog, making it the closest possible to a film camera while still being digital...which I think is the point of all this

[pippy]

4 hours ago, Fred Miranda said:

Any M-D shooter tempted by the new M11-D?...

...there’s a lot to like about the M11-D’s design...

...Many complain about the lack of a built-in thumb rest lever, but that’s another similarity to the M-D...

...For me, the M11-D only works as intended if you don’t use the smartphone....This way, you’d have a thinner and lighter M-D with a more capable sensor...

You make some very astute observations, Fred, and ask some fine questions.

No; not really tempted by the M11-D as it doesn't really offer any advantages (for my snapping) over my existing camera. I do, of course, wish Leica the very best of fortune for their continuing support for screen-less M Digital cameras; that in itself is deserving of great respect.

The 24Mp of the MD262 is easily more than enough for my own requirements but I can appreciate why 60Mp is an attractive possibility for many photographers.

Slimmer body by comparison to the M Edition 60 and MD262 is a nice touch. ISO dial on the back is 'As It Should Be'. The 'Faux Wind-on Lever'? Not of any interest. I'd even petition most forcibly to remove the right-rear-of-top-plate carbuncle which 'protects' the totally unneccessary (and get rid of it) weird advance-wheelie-adjustment-thing which has blighted every digi-M (I believe) since the introduction of the M-240 back in the mists of time...😸...

If I might quote?

"For me, the M11-D only works as intended if you don’t use the smartphone"

Using a SmartPhone? For me any 'D' only works if one approaches snapping with the mindset "I can set ISO; Aperture; Shutter-speed: Focus." After that it is all down to framing and timing. So very simple...yet not always so very easy...

Philip.

Edited September 19, 2024 by pippy

[roydonian]

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11 hours ago, pippy said:

I'd even petition most forcibly to remove the right-rear-of-top-plate carbuncle which 'protects' the totally unneccessary (and get rid of it) weird advance-wheelie-adjustment-thing which has blighted every digi-M (I believe) since the introduction of the M-240 back in the mists of time...

Agreed! It's such a pleasure not to have it on my Series 60

[plaidshirts]

20 hours ago, Fred Miranda said:

Any M-D shooter tempted by the new M11-D?

Ignoring the software and smartphone options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), there’s a lot to like about the M11-D’s design. Leica has clearly taken inspiration from the original M-D, with many similar design elements.
Many complain about the lack of a built-in thumb rest lever, but that’s another similarity to the M-D. I think removing the lever was necessary to make a reliable on-off switch on the top, which the M10-D lacks, and many complain about it being on the back. I never thought that exposure compensation made sense on the back of the camera, so the M11-D, in many ways, addresses some of the concerns users had with the M10-D.

For me, the M11-D only works as intended if you don’t use the smartphone. Perhaps just set the camera up once and then remove or never use the app.  This way, you’d have a thinner and lighter M-D with a more capable sensor and metering system, and as long as you avoid using auto-ISO, the shooting experience would be very similar to analog, making it the closest possible to a film camera while still being digital...which I think is the point of all this

I like it better than the M10-D but not enough to buy one. As Philip said, the M-D has everything I need, no more no less.

[ramarren]

I had the M-D 262 and foolishly sold it during one or another moment of non-thinking about five years ago. That's one of my only regrets when it comes to camera equipment... The only thing on the M-D 262 that I missed having was the ability to use an EVF like I could with the M-P 240 (also sold but somehow not missed). 

I have since acquired both M10 Monochrom and M10-R bodies, and they work very well for me. The M10-M particularly... The M10-D's faux advance lever (and some other details of its implementation now long since forgotten) turned me off, was never interested. 

The M11-D is the first M11 model that piques my interest. I like most of the design points that it includes, and like the fact that I can fit an EVF for when I need macro or want to adapt long lenses. I suspect I'll be tempted to get one in a year or so (I'm a bit overstuffed and underfunded due to cameras I've acquired recently at present). The only design point that I take issue with at first glance is why they didn't put the Drive Mode switch on the power switch like it was on the M-D 262. Having access to a self-timer without need to use my iPhone to switch it on seems silly, and is the kind of thing that will just get in the way on the infrequent occasions when I need a self timer; it just makes use of the feature a bit too awkward. Beyond that, the M11-D is appealing to me, but not in lieu of what I already have: as a complement, yes. 

G

... Okay Leica: How about an M11-MD (a D model that's based on the Monochrom sensor), and put the drive mode back on the power switch. I'd buy one of those in a heart beat or three.

Edited September 20, 2024 by ramarren

[Anthony MD]

Added the 50mm Summicron Rigid to the MD262…!

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited September 30, 2024 by Anthony MD

[bernstein1234]

Greetings! Finally joined this M-D family after a series of GAS led me to buy and sell a couple of digital M bodies from M9 to M11 series. My favourite of them all are the M9-P black, M10-P Safari, M10-R Black Paint and M60.

The M60, yes, the very first screen-less digital Leica M! It was my dream camera ever since its inception in 2014 but I was just starting out in the working world and that camera set has always remained a fantasy. Fast forward to 2022, I finally managed to get one set with the lens, like new condition, on eBay for just USD 10,500. For a limited edition camera and that stainless steel lens, I’ll say the price is definitely worth it!

I fell in love with it, taking the M60 combo out to shoot occasionally. However after a while I realised what’s missing/wrong: the lack of strap lugs means I’ve to use the M60 case with the short strap, which all adds to the bulk. The lens is also stainless steel, which makes the whole package over 1 kg. Finally, the stainless steel colored M60 makes pairing with other lenses awkwardly, and hence I’ve to use the 35 Steelux exclusively. I tried the LLL 35 cron stainless steel, the TT Artisan 28 Summaron stainless steel edition, and also the Leica 50 APO stainless steel, but they just don’t match the color of the body. Also, the quality of the MIC lenses leaves a lot to be desired.

That’s when I was thinking of the M-D. the only problem is, no one is selling it in my country and on eBay, in mint condition.

After 2 years of buying selling more cameras in between, I finally chanced upon a M-D, mint condition from eBay Japan, and without hesitation Buy It Now! Although the price was slightly more than what I budgeted in mind, it is worth it! It looks, smells, and feels new! Like, never used before! I’m a happy owner now!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2024 by bernstein1234

[gaytejano]

Congrats! Welcome to the club. 

[a.noctilux]

@bernstein1234

Welcome to M-D 262 club.

We can see serial number.

Out of curosity, can you show the manufacture date ?

You have the date inscription in warranty card or on the box.

[bernstein1234]

2 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

@bernstein1234

Welcome to M-D 262 club.

We can see serial number.

Out of curosity, can you show the manufacture date ?

You have the date inscription in warranty card or on the box.

Hi, I took a hard look at the box sticker and it showed 2016/04/14. 

[Anthony MD]

11 hours ago, gaytejano said:

Congrats! Welcome to the club. 

Welcome to the cult…!

😁

Edited October 5, 2024 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

14 hours ago, bernstein1234 said:

Greetings! Finally joined this M-D family after a series of GAS led me to buy and sell a couple of digital M bodies from M9 to M11 series. My favourite of them all are the M9-P black, M10-P Safari, M10-R Black Paint and M60.

The M60, yes, the very first screen-less digital Leica M! It was my dream camera ever since its inception in 2014 but I was just starting out in the working world and that camera set has always remained a fantasy. Fast forward to 2022, I finally managed to get one set with the lens, like new condition, on eBay for just USD 10,500. For a limited edition camera and that stainless steel lens, I’ll say the price is definitely worth it!

I fell in love with it, taking the M60 combo out to shoot occasionally. However after a while I realised what’s missing/wrong: the lack of strap lugs means I’ve to use the M60 case with the short strap, which all adds to the bulk. The lens is also stainless steel, which makes the whole package over 1 kg. Finally, the stainless steel colored M60 makes pairing with other lenses awkwardly, and hence I’ve to use the 35 Steelux exclusively. I tried the LLL 35 cron stainless steel, the TT Artisan 28 Summaron stainless steel edition, and also the Leica 50 APO stainless steel, but they just don’t match the color of the body. Also, the quality of the MIC lenses leaves a lot to be desired.

That’s when I was thinking of the M-D. the only problem is, no one is selling it in my country and on eBay, in mint condition.

After 2 years of buying selling more cameras in between, I finally chanced upon a M-D, mint condition from eBay Japan, and without hesitation Buy It Now! Although the price was slightly more than what I budgeted in mind, it is worth it! It looks, smells, and feels new! Like, never used before! I’m a happy owner now!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

You’re very lucky to get a mint MD-262, mine was mint - at KEH…!

[Kim Dahl]

I'm wondering if I want to sell my mint Leica MD in exchange for an M11-D

But I don't know if it's just an extra expense and GAS  

I didn't like the M10 D. I think there were a lot of things wrong with it.

But the M11-D I think Leica has hit the spot.

I miss being able to check the image in the photos app when I use it professionally mm  

I can see that the new censor in M11 mm can be an advantage.

But now I am very happy with mine Leica MD.  

In fact, I have never been happier for a camera than this one.

 

All comments are welcome.

But may I ask - how much did your mint MD cost?

[a.noctilux]

14 hours ago, Kim Dahl said:

I have never been happier for a camera than this one.

THIS is the most important.

M-D 262 cost can vary but as you already have one, happy with it.

M11-D can be better, but how about "happiness" ?

When cost is in the equation, you are the only one who knows.

...

I bet that when possible, you will own M11-D.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Anthony MD]

On 10/5/2024 at 12:45 PM, Kim Dahl said:

I'm wondering if I want to sell my mint Leica MD in exchange for an M11-D

But I don't know if it's just an extra expense and GAS  

I didn't like the M10 D. I think there were a lot of things wrong with it.

But the M11-D I think Leica has hit the spot.

I miss being able to check the image in the photos app when I use it professionally mm  

I can see that the new censor in M11 mm can be an advantage.

But now I am very happy with mine Leica MD.  

In fact, I have never been happier for a camera than this one.

 

All comments are welcome.

But may I ask - how much did your mint MD cost?

The M11-D has WiFi and Foto app capabilities that, for me, ruins the simplicity that exists in the MD262…!

[Anthony MD]

On 6/27/2016 at 8:45 PM, Overgaard said:

Ok, I'll be the first one to start this one. 

 

Some love this camera without screen, other's don't understand it. So let the pictures tell the story. 

 

My first picture is from Muscle Beach by venice Beach, Los Angeles. Leica M-D 262 with Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0. 3200 ISO. 

 

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!