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Hi everyone,

 

One simple question.

How much time can a fully charged M10 battery last in a ready-to-shoot-instantly mode with the least battery-hungry operational set up?

 

If you want, below is a bit of background for my question.

Sorry to revive this post but even with all the feedback posted here by M10 users, I still cannot decide whether purchasing an M10 would be a bad, or an extremely bad idea for my needs.

I have an M6 strapped to my neck almost all the time, whether I go away on holidays, commute to work (bus, bicycle, walk), or even at home sometimes. I shoot people, whenever there is an interesting-looking person or moment in front of me. So I need to be fast in order not to loose the shot. A camera that can be ready instantly like a M6 is perfect because there is no startup time. I also only shoot one 36 roll per month, which averages for about one shot per day. I know this is VERY little, but I aim to make every single shot an interesting one for various reasons (personal satisfaction, cheaper, less storage space, less processing and scanning time, etc).

 

But recently I have been looking into the M10 for various reasons (higher resolution than 35mm film, the possibilitity of taking a lot more photos, etc). From what I understand, I would need to carry my M10 always turned on and ready to shoot (set to minimum power consumption). How long would a battery charge last in this type of situation?

If you’re thinking of advising me to get another camera like a dslr, or even an M240, please save your time, I already know there’s better camera for my needs. I have my own reasons for wanting an M10.

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Simple answer to your conundrum is; buy a second battery on day one. Whatever your useage, it will be helpful. Budget an extra $200 for it!

 

If you shoot an M10 like you shoot your M6, it would be a waste of money. The investment demands you use it, frequently and extensively. If that is not your style of shooting, again not a wise investment.

 

The M10 is a fabulous camera and I suspect when you try it you will shoot at a hiher rate, not only because you can but because it allows you to experiment and does deliver.

 

I have mine set up for minimal power consumption. eg. I don't frequently use liveview. That will chew through your battery. These are quirks that you readily learn to live with and work around.

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I have mine set to switch off whithin 2 minutes. With this setting I am very happy as from the Canon I am used to never swith my cameras off anyway. Maybe it would be even better for battery life to get used to consequently switch off after each shot and of course getting used to switch on just when picking up the M10. Note that however you manage the on/off switch, the camera takes about 1 second to come up to life after being switched off or when set to 2 mins (or other time) to automatically switch off (sleep mode). As we could read here, the only way to have the camera ready instantly is to set it to no switching off with its negative influence on battery life.

 

And then of course you need an exchange battery.

Edited by Alex U.
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My M10 needs about 1,5 seconds to wake up and be operational from sleep mode. In some situations I think this is too long, but it can be avoided by pressing the shutter button halfway down to wake up the camera when you sense there may be need for taking a picture in a short time. Except from that, I can't think of any reason not letting the camera go into sleep mode.

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Hi everyone,

 

One simple question.

How much time can a fully charged M10 battery last in a ready-to-shoot-instantly mode with the least battery-hungry operational set up?

 

If you want, below is a bit of background for my question.

Sorry to revive this post but even with all the feedback posted here by M10 users, I still cannot decide whether purchasing an M10 would be a bad, or an extremely bad idea for my needs.

I have an M6 strapped to my neck almost all the time, whether I go away on holidays, commute to work (bus, bicycle, walk), or even at home sometimes. I shoot people, whenever there is an interesting-looking person or moment in front of me. So I need to be fast in order not to loose the shot. A camera that can be ready instantly like a M6 is perfect because there is no startup time. I also only shoot one 36 roll per month, which averages for about one shot per day. I know this is VERY little, but I aim to make every single shot an interesting one for various reasons (personal satisfaction, cheaper, less storage space, less processing and scanning time, etc).

 

But recently I have been looking into the M10 for various reasons (higher resolution than 35mm film, the possibilitity of taking a lot more photos, etc). From what I understand, I would need to carry my M10 always turned on and ready to shoot (set to minimum power consumption). How long would a battery charge last in this type of situation?

If you’re thinking of advising me to get another camera like a dslr, or even an M240, please save your time, I already know there’s better camera for my needs. I have my own reasons for wanting an M10.

 

If what you want is to replace your M6 with M10, there is a new way of "taking the photo" : just (like others suggested on previous posts) "tap the shutter when raising the M10 to eye level",

When focused, the M10 is ready.

 

But may I suggest another route:

- M (type 262), this is the longest lasting battery when on, only bettered by the M-D : several days when ON

- M-D when I let it ON and forgot, in use the battery lasts weeks ; one day long use only 10% of the battery (M-D "always on" but it does sleep after some time, waking in less than 1 second)

this is another way to use M-D " when no frame in VF, M-D is sleeping, tap the shutter to wake it", no delay to speek of.

 

- another "fast wake" is Monochrom CCD if you take only mono

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Hi everyone,

 

One simple question.

How much time can a fully charged M10 battery last in a ready-to-shoot-instantly mode with the least battery-hungry operational set up?

 

If you want, below is a bit of background for my question.

Sorry to revive this post but even with all the feedback posted here by M10 users, I still cannot decide whether purchasing an M10 would be a bad, or an extremely bad idea for my needs.

I have an M6 strapped to my neck almost all the time, whether I go away on holidays, commute to work (bus, bicycle, walk), or even at home sometimes. I shoot people, whenever there is an interesting-looking person or moment in front of me. So I need to be fast in order not to loose the shot. A camera that can be ready instantly like a M6 is perfect because there is no startup time. I also only shoot one 36 roll per month, which averages for about one shot per day. I know this is VERY little, but I aim to make every single shot an interesting one for various reasons (personal satisfaction, cheaper, less storage space, less processing and scanning time, etc).

 

But recently I have been looking into the M10 for various reasons (higher resolution than 35mm film, the possibilitity of taking a lot more photos, etc). From what I understand, I would need to carry my M10 always turned on and ready to shoot (set to minimum power consumption). How long would a battery charge last in this type of situation?

If you’re thinking of advising me to get another camera like a dslr, or even an M240, please save your time, I already know there’s better camera for my needs. I have my own reasons for wanting an M10.

 

I'm in the process of paying off a couple of recent new lens purchases (35mm f1.4 FLE and 75mm f2.4 Summarit). By May/June I'll be looking to purchase an M10 to use alongside my M262. Batteries in the M262 last long enough I utilize only two and have never been in a position where I used more than the equivalent of a single charge in a day of shooting but always re-charge each evening as a fail-safe.

 

My self-imposed budget for the M10 includes the purchase of two additional batteries, so three total for use in rotation. The M10 battery is a smaller capacity battery than the M262/M240 cell, and while I do not see myself springing for the EVF initially, being out with a digital camera only to have the last battery die before the end of the day is a foolish mistake I do not want to be guilty of.

 

I have done worse, like turning the M262 on, only to see I didn't load the SD card back after downloading images from the previous day.

Edited by Gregm61
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I wouldn't mind the battery life as much if they weren't $180. Those other camera batteries mentioned with better life are a bit cheaper too. There is nothing special about the batteries to justify the inflated price. The bodies and lenses are worth the price, the batteries are a bit of an insult. Still cheaper than what I would spend on film for my M2s.

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Hi everyone,

One simple question.

How much time can a fully charged M10 battery last in a ready-to-shoot-instantly mode with the least battery-hungry operational set up?

If you want, below is a bit of background for my question.

Sorry to revive this post but even with all the feedback posted here by M10 users, I still cannot decide whether purchasing an M10 would be a bad, or an extremely bad idea for my needs.

I have an M6 strapped to my neck almost all the time, whether I go away on holidays, commute to work (bus, bicycle, walk), or even at home sometimes. I shoot people, whenever there is an interesting-looking person or moment in front of me. So I need to be fast in order not to loose the shot. A camera that can be ready instantly like a M6 is perfect because there is no startup time. I also only shoot one 36 roll per month, which averages for about one shot per day. I know this is VERY little, but I aim to make every single shot an interesting one for various reasons (personal satisfaction, cheaper, less storage space, less processing and scanning time, etc).

But recently I have been looking into the M10 for various reasons (higher resolution than 35mm film, the possibilitity of taking a lot more photos, etc). From what I understand, I would need to carry my M10 always turned on and ready to shoot (set to minimum power consumption). How long would a battery charge last in this type of situation?

If you’re thinking of advising me to get another camera like a dslr, or even an M240, please save your time, I already know there’s better camera for my needs. I have my own reasons for wanting an M10.

The M10 is a good companion to the M6, and I don't find battery life to be an issue, especially if you use it like the M6 and turn off auto review and ignore the LCD except for menu settings. Let the camera use sleep mode and get the habit of tapping the shutter button when you feel a snapshot coming on. I use mine almost exactly like my M6, and a charge easily lasts a week. You will really appreciate the results in low light compared to film.
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  • 2 weeks later...

I've had my new M10 about ten days now, and I'm REALLY disappointed in the M10's battery life.  Today I was shooting with 'power off' at 10 minutes; I was not using my Visoflex at all; and I was shooting all .DNG files.  The battery was dead after about four hours of shooting - and only about 40 pictures.  I've ordered a second battery through Amazon ($175) and I've cut the 'power off' down to 2 minutes.  I will be paying much closer attention to the battery charge from now on.

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I've had my new M10 about ten days now, and I'm REALLY disappointed in the M10's battery life.  Today I was shooting with 'power off' at 10 minutes; I was not using my Visoflex at all; and I was shooting all .DNG files.  The battery was dead after about four hours of shooting - and only about 40 pictures.  I've ordered a second battery through Amazon ($175) and I've cut the 'power off' down to 2 minutes.  I will be paying much closer attention to the battery charge from now on.

40 pictures in 4 hours does not demand your camera to be turned on for 10 minute intervals. You probably could have shot 140 in the same time with the same battery capacity. 2 minute intervals is more than adequate. Chimping the LCD will chew through battery capacity.

 

Most importantly, new batteries of any brand will have an initial short capacity until they have been cycled a number of times. You will find capacity will improve noticeably with use. Ordering a second battery was smart anyway.

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It will improve a bit - so is my experience. And battery life of the M10 is bad, we have to admit it. It is the price for the slimmer body. There is no free lunch.

 

Auto turn off 2 min is the only setting that makes sense, because battery life depends not mainly on the number of pictures but on the time the camera is switched on. 

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Another way to look at battery life is NOT to say it is bad. Bad compared to what? And before anyone tells me what to compare it to, I would reply , Why?

 

The M10 battery life is what it is. Not as long as many other cameras, but there is/are reasons for that. If you have not researched the pros and cons, should you be complaining?

 

The small battery (ie. small charge) is for reasons of physical design. I for one am pleased that the body (and therefore the battery) is smaller. It suits my style of working. If it does not suit your style, maybe you have chosen the wrong camera.

 

Adapt your thinking and technique. It can improve your output tremendously.

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Do You mean me? I have no problem with the battery life. But in spite of this: I say the battery life is bad (without comparison). A good battery life lasts a whole day long walking through the streets of Berlin or London or something like that.

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My M10 is almost one year old. I have bought the first day an extra battery but rarely I use it for a day shooting. I never counted but I would say at least 400 shots with one battery.

 

But I use the M10 in the way I use the M7. No preview, single shots, very rarely chipping (only a couple of times if in difficult light situation), no live view, no EVF (I have the Visoflex only for special use).

 

I think when you buy an M you must in a certain way adapt your shooting style to the tool you have, which is very different from many other cameras in the market.

But we are all different and if your shooting style is different buying a second battery is a good idea, it only takes a few seconds to change it.

 

robert

Edited by robert blu
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When my Leica M10 was new, I had the impression of an annoyingly short battery life. It was so bad I even purchased a third battery (the second I bought right with the camera because no matter what, you always need at least one spare, for any digital camera).

 

After a couple of months, however, things settled down. Now I'm fairly happy with what I'm getting out of one battery. I almost never really need the third one (but I do need the second one occasionally). Often, one battery is good for two days' shooting (no live-view, no EVF, minor chimping, frame count ... um, 200 - 400 or so). That's fine for me.

 

Back with M9 and M (Typ 240), it used to be the same. With Sony A900 and Olympus OM-D E-M1, too. Alarmingly short battery life in the beginning but fine later on. Any battery will reach its full capacity only after a couple of charge/decharge cycles, and one will cease all that playing and testing and menu browsing after having become familiar with the new camera. These two effects together will improve battery life significantly when the new camera is not so new anymore.

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