M10 battery life

[Tailwagger]

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My pair seem to have settle in at around 175-225 shots with EVF on.  While I'm auto 2 minutes, if the camera goes back in the bag, I turn it off which does seem to make a bit of a difference. Certainly a stark contrast between it and the 240, however.  Last weekend, with relatively equal use, some 400 odd shots total, the M10 returned home at about 15% left, the 240, 70%. Its not a usability compromise I would have made, but its not entirely without benefit, so I can live with it. But I do see a third battery in my future. 

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[pico]

If carrying two charged spare batteries is a burden, then how do you justify carrying a wallet?

[tonyniev]

I carry one spare, I am happy with the M10 battery situation, almost like my experience with Canon ( I carry one spare for two cameras) unlike with Sony A7R, I carried two spares of the small batteries and by noon time in Angkor Wat I had to recharge while eating lunch, I then decided to carry 4 spares for two Sony cameras. With the Sony and Canon I can recharge using power packs, thru the USB connection, not with the M10.

[coupdefoudre]

I took the M10 out for a couple of hours today - the battery was at 100% when I started, and was dead after 72 shots. I did have LV on all the time with the EVF as I was using 15 & 21mm, and did chimp a bit, though Auto Review was off, as always with me - but this does seem a bit extreme. Without LV on the battery seems to be good for 300-400 shots. Has anyone else had similar experiences? Clearly in future I must always take the spare battery with me unless the EVF stays at home.

 

Wow! That's pretty miserable. Has your battery gone thru the whole initial 'conditioning' phase that Leica recommends in the User Manual? I have found this makes a difference in the daily durability.

[erl]

If carrying two charged spare batteries is a burden, then how do you justify carrying a wallet?

There's more money tied up in my two batteries than there is in my wallet!

 

Such is life. Wouldn't be dead for quids.

[david strachan]

A lot of various claims in this thread. Some seem to have better batteries, than others.

 

I don't carry spare batteries generally...just put a fresh one in for the whole day.

OTOH i dont shoot 500 images a day...but do chimp a lot (M-P).

 

Be interesting once everyone has their batteries conditioned, hope you can get your full quota.

 

...

[coupdefoudre]

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A lot of various claims in this thread. Some seem to have better batteries, than others.

 

I don't carry spare batteries generally...just put a fresh one in for the whole day.

OTOH i dont shoot 500 images a day...but do chimp a lot (M-P).

 

Be interesting once everyone has their batteries conditioned, hope you can get your full quota.

 

...

 

The M Type 240 cameras have a huge battery that lasts and lasts - on that we all agree, I think.

 

It's the new M10 batteries that folks seem to be getting varying amounts of time on. It is probably because the batteries are so much smaller with much fewer mAmps. A smaller total power package to start with will be more easily reflected in batteries that are new, hence properly unconditioned.

 

Having used the M-P 240 for several years I got used to a battery I could use for many days before recharging. Using the M10 - with the mindset of the M 240, you will easily find yourself without power in less than a day if you depend on liberal use of the LCD to review, use the 5 minute Auto On/Off setting, etc.

 

For those of you traveling to places where a re-charge at a mid-day meal is not possible - BUY A 2nd BATTERY! Yes, they are ridiculously expensive but it's better than running out of juice and missing critical images. (And please... no comments here about that battery, at a US $180, being cheap compared to the large cost of the M10... blah, blah, blah.  It's a stupid comparison. Not everyone who buys a Leica is rich. $180 is 18 hours for a minimum wage worker where I live. That's almost half a week's labor before taxes. There, how about that comparison!)

[erl]

Some inescapable facts (like it or not):

The M10 battery is what it is. ie small size, small capacity.

Essential to carry at least one spare battery, unless you are a gambler.

I carry a spare battery regardless of which camera I am intending to use. It's not difficult. It's sensible.

The cost of (any) Leica battery is ridiculous. That's not about to change. Live with it.

 

Point of interest: All your LiOn batteries should be kept topped up, not used until they are flat. They don't need cycling like the old NiCad batts.

[ajitmenon]

Pretty much all modern cameras with LV will eat up battery life very quickly. For that purpose, the SL might be a better camera.

 

I was in Greenland last week, sailing at night through the icebergs. Even though the basic temperature was about 8-9 Celsius, I used my M10 with the EVF with the 16-18-21mm practically through the night on 5 occasions without my (new) battery dying in the process. Of course, I have a habit of using the auto-off option and I almost always switch of the camera when I know I won't be using it for any length of time. When I use non-wide angles, I just use the rangefinder which uses even less battery. I don't chimp much either other than a quick composition/ focus check on occasion.

 

I only took 2 batteries with me and ended up using the 2nd only on 1 night.

[M11 for me]

Even without using LV or reviewing each shot on the LCD my battery carries me through about 150 shots (maybe 200). For me this is normally plenty for one day. For any case I have one spare unit as I know that I am not fully disciplined in charging a one and single battery every day.

 

It is true that I do not use the Leica for heavy duty. Wherever I have to document an event I still take my DSLR. I do not think that my M10 is designed for this. We are not in 1950 any more.

[erl]

Even without using LV or reviewing each shot on the LCD my battery carries me through about 150 shots (maybe 200). For me this is normally plenty for one day. For any case I have one spare unit as I know that I am not fully disciplined in charging a one and single battery every day.

 

It is true that I do not use the Leica for heavy duty. Wherever I have to document an event I still take my DSLR. I do not think that my M10 is designed for this. We are not in 1950 any more.

Alex, the M10, or any Leica M  for that matter, is more than capable of shooting heavy documentary stuff. I know, I used to do it!

e. shoot 500+ images in the space of two+ hours. Before digital, that involved changing say 15 rolls of film, in the dark (theatrical stuff). Now it only involves a pocket of SD cards and batteries. Easy peazy!

 

Agree, we are not in the 1950's any more, we are in the 21st century and that is when the M10 was developed and designed. Try it, with the appropriate supply of cards and batteries. It is a great workhorse for capable photographers.

[M11 for me]

Hm, its about battery life here.

 

However the short battery life will not hold me back in using the M10 for documentary things like events with lots of people etc. I am just not able (yet) to focus fast enough at short distances with wide open lenses in a hall. This is the old story. I would love to go to such events just with the M10. But I am not brave enough. I have to practice more. Until then I still will use the 5D Mk III and IV. But one thing changed radically since I started to evaluate an M camera since about 2 years back. I started to use less lenses and less zooms. The main lens choice on my Canon bodies for the kind of events I mean here are 2 primes: 50mm 1,4 and 135mm 2,0. When I am an official photographer at such an event I am allowed to walk around freely and my 2 primes are just fine. The next step would certainly be to try with the M10. Will take it as the second body.

[erl]

Allow me a prediction!

It will soon become your 1st body.

[M11 for me]

I would love.

[sdw]

Yes, OMG, yes. In September I rode my motorcycle from NYC to St John's, Newfoundland, and back on an eleven day ride. I took my Q, two spares, and no charger. No problem. A craftsperson chooses a tool for a job, and then takes into account the tool's attributes as he or she performs the task to be performed. This princess and the pea stuff is so junior varsity.

 

 

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Where's the pictures? Sounds great. I've used the M and the Q on the bike, I gotta say AF helps a bit...

 

OP, I too never needed a spare battery with the M240. The M10 is a new, different beast. Smaller, smaller battery, so you're just gonna have to end up lugging a spare. 

 

That being said, if the M10 really eats through 20% with the power on without actually being used (EVF, screen off, etc.) it's nuts. Leica look look at those numbers.

Edited August 15, 2017 by sdw

[edw]

Where's the pictures? Sounds great. I've used the M and the Q on the bike, I gotta say AF helps a bit...

Funny you ask. I'm by coincidence back in St John's, NFLD, and I brought my M10, my 50 'Lux, two spare batteries, and no charger. I left Sat morning—three and a half days ago and, sitting here on a bench Franklin St, my camera shows that I'm at 70% on my first battery. About 150 pictures, light to moderate chimping.

 

Latest photo: https://instagram.com/p/BX1GIUJF03I/

 

Nearly all my IG photos are one of my Leicas (M-D, Q, SL, or M10) but I don't believe (any more) in tagging or explaining the gear behind a given picture.

 

Edwin

 

 

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[mhicks]

Funny you ask. I'm by coincidence back in St John's, NFLD, and I brought my M10, my 50 'Lux, two spare batteries, and no charger. I left Sat morning—three and a half days ago and, sitting here on a bench Franklin St, my camera shows that I'm at 70% on my first battery. About 150 pictures, light to moderate chimping.

 

Latest photo: https://instagram.com/p/BX1GIUJF03I/

 

Nearly all my IG photos are one of my Leicas (M-D, Q, SL, or M10) but I don't believe (any more) in tagging or explaining the gear behind a given picture.

 

Edwin

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mhicks]

 

Funny you ask. I'm by coincidence back in St John's, NFLD, and I brought my M10, my 50 'Lux, two spare batteries, and no charger. I left Sat morning—three and a half days ago and, sitting here on a bench Franklin St, my camera shows that I'm at 70% on my first battery. About 150 pictures, light to moderate chimping.

 

Latest photo: https://instagram.com/p/BX1GIUJF03I/

 

Nearly all my IG photos are one of my Leicas (M-D, Q, SL, or M10) but I don't believe (any more) in tagging or explaining the gear behind a given picture.

 

Edwin

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get about the same battery life.

 

I left for Copenhagen on Friday and have taken about 200 photos. Two batteries fully charged before leaving. Battery 1 still at 72% charge. Battery 2 still at 100%

 

I have no issues.

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[Eric1]

I have been shooting pretty regularly with my M10 everyday and I am actually impressed with the battery life. I don't look through all my pictures on the camera but I will look momentarily after I take one. I also don't use live view at all. I think the slimmer size of the M is worth a smaller battery. For extended use on trips I did recently pick up a second battery as a backup but I don't think I will need it necessarily. I also tend to shoot the M with more thought in mind and not clicking away a lot. Changing ones shooting style may help some people get more out of one charge. If you can't change just pick up an extra battery, you'll be glad you have a spare around should you need one.

[Tailwagger]

I'll confess for the first time in a while I was shooting 100% OVF.  Shot very nearly 300 frames, had an indicated 75% battery remaining.  Was pretty non-plussed, given with EVF on, I cant get anywhere near that number, 250 max.  Clearly, continuously reading the sensor, requires far more power.