M-D question

[Wayne]

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So, is the M-D not as well received as most new Leica models? I notice it is, and has been, in stock at B&H since available from Leica. Isn't it a tradition that you wind up on a waiting list for most new M models?

 

I ask because it is a model I have been thinking about purchasing since its announcement. Just not that many retaining the Spartan spirit out there?

[Luke_Miller]

I find the M-D appealing as well.  I think the lack of a wait list is due to many who do not see the appeal plus that it is not "new" in the sense that it offers additional capability over the M-262 or M-240.

[nikau]

The only delay when I ordered one a month ago was shipping time. It was available for immediate dispatch from the factory. As someone who grew up with film, and who has complained on and off about all the digital M cameras being "over featured," I'm finding it wonderful but I'm probably in a minority!

[georgio]

I agree with you Nikau, I am old school too and learned photography in Art School with a Hasselblad 500c and a Leica M3.

For me this is back to the time, when I loved photography the most.

All the possibilities, pre views and JPG settings are very handy when I do commercial work with my A7, but the MD let me work differently

when I use it for my private work and I am going to use it during trips.

[Wayne]

Thanks for the responses. Well, the M-D is now in hand. It is exactly as others described it. My initial response is exactly what I expected: intrigue.....and doubt. With the exception of extra weight and size, though not much extra size, it certainly reproduces the experience of using M7. I am glad the camera includes, to the extent it does, auto exposure. The absence of LCD does make it more comfortable in hand.

I thought I had figured out a way to quick check photos with Iphone and card reader, but the file, while it does load to the phone, produces very pixelated image. I suppose the phone cannot handle the DNG file. Is there an app that allows the Iphone to better process the files from M-D?

[d0c0m0]

Thanks for the responses. Well, the M-D is now in hand. It is exactly as others described it. My initial response is exactly what I expected: intrigue.....and doubt. With the exception of extra weight and size, though not much extra size, it certainly reproduces the experience of using M7. I am glad the camera includes, to the extent it does, auto exposure. The absence of LCD does make it more comfortable in hand.

I thought I had figured out a way to quick check photos with Iphone and card reader, but the file, while it does load to the phone, produces very pixelated image. I suppose the phone cannot handle the DNG file. Is there an app that allows the Iphone to better process the files from M-D?

 

Lightroom Mobile. 

 

[Wayne]

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Thanks for the Lightroom Mobile suggestion.

 

Looking at my last post, it does seem a bit more negative than I intended.

 

On the up side: You have to love the fact that, beyond the information on setting date/time, and the few functions of the wheel, the camera practically does not need to include a manual? What better way to accommodate folks who have no love for manuals? It is truly a camera you can just pull out of your pocket or bag and start shooting. Not only CAN you shoot it that way, you Must shoot it that way. There is the fact that you don't have the comfort of instant gratification or assurance that all is well, but, that gratification can be distracting. No distractions with this thing.

 

I do need to update the firmware. Fingers crossed on that one. The need for it became immediately apparent: I left the house with 100% charge, took a photo or two, and then left the camera on; three or four hours later I had 75%.

 

Shutter noise just makes me want to shoot it. It is a noise I would assign to every piece of electronics I own.

 

I wonder if the relative simplicity of function and feature on the M-D will serve to make it less subject to the depressing reality of obsolescence associated with most digital cameras. It strikes me a camera model allowing Leica to continue the old tradition of model upgrade........M-D Monochrome upgrade?

 

Thanks again

[Wayne]

Well, you are correct. I have no intention of checking every photo........or, even frequently. My idea is that it would be nice, before taking advantage of any meaningful use of the camera, e.g. grand kids at zoo, to verify that it is recording to the card. I guess it would be comparable to a film Leica having a rewind spool rotating to assure that film is actually advancing in the camera. The M-D has no rewind spool; the Iphone check would be a surrogate. I mean, it is one thing to be a Luddite; quite another to be a stupid Luddite.

 

I did have one instance where I did not pay attention to the rewind spool. Shot a whole roll. But not really.

[pop]

If the only purpose is checking whether the camera really writes to the card, it does not matter whether the image is pixellated or not. If the phone shows an image, it's on the card.

[Wayne]

If the only purpose is checking whether the camera really writes to the card, it does not matter whether the image is pixellated or not. If the phone shows an image, it's on the card.

 

This is true. Are you questioning my motives? Stop! It is making me feel like a polygamist.

[pop]

Not at all; I'm just following your logic. 

 

In fact, I do not think it's necessary to actually look at the pictures on the card in order to be reasonably certain that the camera records them. Provided the card is properly working and properly formatted, the flashing LED on the backside of the camera is good enough for me. I have yet to experience a camera failing to store the image to the card which was not indicated by the LED. I do, however, take a test shot or two before leaving the house, to detect any kinds of problem while they are still recoverable.

 

It does take a bit of discipline. Part of that is to re-format the card when either the camera or the computer crashed in any which way while the card was inserted. Part of that, too,  is always carrying a formatted card which has been proved to be working.

[Photon42]

I do have the M-D a couple of weeks now and also wrote my very initial thoughts here. Instantly got bashed on my suggestion of LR mobile and the card reader "just in case", when on a trip or so I love the camera - the only thing I did not really consider when buying it is that third party lens coding seems far more challenging now than with my M9.

 

I had never any digital camera failing on me when writing SD cards, but I appreciate it may happen. As Philipp (pop) suggests, I happen to format my cards rather more than less often. I do take pictures with film cameras, so the MD was a very considered decision and provides me with a lot of satisfaction in the picture taking process. It also inspires me to go out and take pictures. What else do you want  ? I do have m43 cameras for other stuff. Why having only one camera ... ? 

[Wayne]

In fact, SD card discipline has been a weak spot for me since advent of digital photography. I have experienced instances- related entirely to the card- wherein I had to change a card in order to continue taking photographs. My attitude has been, any SD card is good enough. My safety net in maintaining this attitude has been the handy LCD included on every digital camera I have owned. With use of this M-D, all of that is going to have to change.

 

I did download Lightroom Mobile. I am not sure if it is related to the fact that I purchased a Lightroom license, but it was free. it did take care of my problem.

[Photon42]

At some point, Leica should add the Format SD card functionality to the 262 M-D. They could do it similar to what they've done with date and time adjustment.

[Wayne]

Since receiving this thing, the M-D, I have holding it, starring at it, and thinking about it quite a bit. I have found it to be sort of inspirational in that way.

 

While there are things they could do to it, I get the feeling that this thing came from some very unique characteristic still deeply embedded somewhere in Leica. If nothing else- even if it does not support itself well from a financial standpoint- it makes the statement: Leica remains different. I suppose, as Leica moves further into a very competitive marketplace, and the "me to" aspect of selling digital gear becomes a greater part of all companies'-yes, even Leica's- bid to survive in that market, the M-D could be the result of something purely visceral, but very much still a part of gestalt "Leica;" meeting a need express what is becoming more difficult to express in current models.

 

If nothing else, it is great this camera is having this effect on me. As I get older, wiser...........and more skeptical about everything.......it is good to have an object that inspires these kind of thoughts. Refreshing, really.

 

I don't want any more features. It's fine as it is. Well..... maybe they should consider ditching the auto rewind and go with M-P style wind lever.

[Morry]

I have been using this one exclusively since its release date so I feel nothing special about it anymore.

 

I don't think LCD will make me a better photographer

[Exodies]

Is that because you have nothing to learn from any situation?

[Morry]

Is that because you have nothing to learn from any situation?

I don't really get what you mean but when I was using M9, 240, 246, Nikon or whatever, I used to be checking histogram all the time, probably nearly after every shot.

 

That was my habit.

 

With M-D I am forced to quit doing it of course, but that has not been resulting to any stress or inability to take photos as I desire.

 

May be that is I mainly take street photos under daylight.

 

In the case where the light is more difficult LCD may be useful, but still I feel I can cope without LCD most of the time.

 

Well, then for anything commercial where I can't miss in even the slightest chance, I would rather use something with LCD.

(Sorry, I should have mentioned earlier)

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Exodies]

What I was trying to point out in my succinct way is that it is possible to learn and improve through immediate feedback faster than <wait till you get home> speed.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Wayne]

To my embarrassment, I referenced M-P rather than MP style wind lever in my post above. What an idiot!

 

I do not think there is any question, LCD and the various features of modern digital cameras allow on-the-spot experimentation/experience/learning. But one should never completely discount the character building benefits of unwittingly screwing up a great photo opportunity.

 

I mean, in hindsight, who can argue they did not benefit from those magic " Oh! Crap! I forgot to take the lens cap off." moments associated with film. To what degree did such moments remedy an environment where a person could have developed into a completely self-assured bastard?......Save society from having to deal with even more of them?

 

Great Cats! I have stumbled on to yet another evil associated with modern digital cameras.