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M-240 Video


Paul J

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I don't care what anyone says, i love it. And it's a total mystery and shame to me why Leica would drop it.

 

I have been really enjoying shooting in video and stills simultaneously. As you probably know, when the video plays back it pauses on the still, it's really well done, and of course you have the RAW still too.

 

For many reasons I find this interesting and it's especially nice to have. A video account of your shoot is useful too and using both simultaneously to me is perfect for what the M camera is about - observing and taking the decisive moment. Having it there, in one body, ready to go or in this way, going all the time is what I want.

 

For what I use it for the video quality and features are fine. I actually have come to quite like its look.

 

I really wish Leica put it back in the M.

Edited by Paul J
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After almost 50 years of practice I'm pretty good at rangefinder focusing (at least with subjects that aren't moving quickly in random patterns), and holding a Leica steady down to fairly slow shutter speeds...for still shots.  But without AF and image stabilization or a tripod, my videos would make viewers seasick.  So video on an M body is of limited use for me, and thus far I have never used it.  However someone has asked me to shoot a video of them giving a talk, and the M240 is the only pro-quality camera I own with video, so I'm glad it's there.

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I agree. In fact, dropping it chased me away from the M to Panasonic... (although I retain the M9 and MM1 ;) ) I think the marketing was ill considered- "our customers don't want it"  :rolleyes:  Pah! Tell the truth and say it was because of heat issues in the smaller M10 body :angry: .

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After almost 50 years of practice I'm pretty good at rangefinder focusing (at least with subjects that aren't moving quickly in random patterns), and holding a Leica steady down to fairly slow shutter speeds...for still shots.  But without AF and image stabilization or a tripod, my videos would make viewers seasick.  So video on an M body is of limited use for me, and thus far I have never used it.  However someone has asked me to shoot a video of them giving a talk, and the M240 is the only pro-quality camera I own with video, so I'm glad it's there.

Keyword: monopod ;)

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I've actually had good success handholding. Once you put your mind to it, it's quite simple to keep movements to a minimum. I think it's more about how you move the camera, or keeping the camera still and allowing the subject to move within the frame instead.

 

I struggle a bit with hand holding video, even with a stabilized lens.  I find the most difficult situation is trying to take a steady shot of a static subject.  As Paul J notes an active subject tends to mask any camera movement.  And camera movement can be used to good effect.  Several of the TV shows I watch are videoed with handheld cameras and it is rare to see a static shot.  The image is almost always in motion due to camera pans or zooms.  I think this is effective in masking any unwanted camera movement since the subject is in motion even when static and our eyes are drawn to that motion rather than camera movement.

 

I need to incorporate this technique more often in my video work.  Trying to keep the camera as steady as possible for still photography seems to work against me for video.

Edited by Luke_Miller
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For the rare need of video - and none of of it for 'serious' work - I pefer Blackberry Priv phone or Sony R100IV - or even aging Canon S95.  All are lightweight, easy to keep steady

 

For the occasional serious work, Canon DSLR with good exterior mic

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Er, instead of making a movie of a stationary subject why not edit in a still image for the required time?

 

By stationary I meant the subject was not running, jumping, etc. Someone engaging in a social event.  But you are correct.  If shooting a still life a still image would be better.

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Keyword: monopod ;)

For video the rule is very simple. If you want stability then attach a tripod. Even if you hand hold (now holding tripod base) and move, the weight of tripod stabilizes sudden movements. Monopods work too. Either resting on the ground or floating mid air.

 

Else use iPhone.

 

For better results, use all those exotic attachments. Not my cup of tea.

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I agree. In fact, dropping it chased me a way from the M to Panasonic... (although I retain the M9 and MM1 ;) ) I think the marketing was ill considered- "our customers don't want it"  :rolleyes:  Pah! Tell the truth and say it was because of heat issues in the smaller M10 body :angry: .

 

And me, I don't want to carry two systems with me, as a family man arty stills are nice, but video of dancing, singing etc are equally important. And If Im spending this large sum of cash, my wife expects this wonderful camera to be able to shoot the occasional video. And for proper video, manual zone focus and a hand held gimbal will be superior to built in stabilisation.  

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  • 3 weeks later...

As 1080p video without a stupendous codec goes, the 240 does just fine. Several serious video reviewers have gone through it and found that the footage it produces is more than adequate, and on-par with several previous-generation SLRs that have been used, in their time, on some very serious professional projects.

 

The problems with the 240's video are not quality-related. They are usability-related (i.e. ability to preview results of on-the-fly changes to exposure, etc.). From the point of view of professional usability, these are serious shortcomings, deal-breaking in fact. From the point of view of the occasional video users they do much less to prevent the 240 from being a very good option as a hybrid device.

 

As for stabilization: The world is full of very small, light, compact, reliable tripods these days, the kind that vloggers use to set a camera down on a bench and frame a shot while they walk around in a scene. If you want professional-looking video out of the 240, invest in one. They are $20 or so, take up almost no weight or room in your bag, and can be used in all kinds of circumstances.

 

Hand-held shots on the 240, unless you are very steady-handed and shooting at a fairly wide focal length, will be jittery. But that's just fine for personal use. If you want to shoot something for commercial use, use a little tripod and find a safe place to set it down.

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One of the reasons I went with the 240 was the video capability.  There are times that you simply HAVE to have a video of a subject to compliment the photographs.  For example:  you make a short video of the garden, then use it as an intro, and set up expectations for, a slide show of the exquisitely composed images you made of the Apini tenderly attending to the Ranunculaceae.

 

I think Leica satisfied a need they heard concerning size and weight and worked to deliver a product that delivered on those desires.  Now, a great hue and cry will rise up and demand video capability equal to the level of photographic excellence delivered in the M still images.  (and we assume that images of the future will be....uh... completely still?)   :ph34r:

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello,

I fully agree that video is a plus point for the Leica M and missing for me in the Leica M10. I am taking a lot of pictures, but at the same time I am discovering the pleasure of video, using the Leica M on a tripod, with the marvelous Leica Vario-Elmar R zoom 35-70 F4 or classic Leica M lenses and the Leica Stéréo Microphone. I have been able to record symphonic orchestras, in which my nephew was playing, chorals directed by a friend of mine, and even my recently passed away father on stage. I also use it for my job in the railway industry, to take videos and pictures of point installations for example, with the same camera, in this case handheld. All of this with really good sound and image quality.  

I hope Leica will produce a new Leica M11 camera, as slim as the Leica M10, but with video capabilities. 

Best regards.

 

Dominique

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