leica m10-d Jono Slack: All about the Leica M10-D

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15 minutes ago, farnz said:

Couldn't you just say "Click!" or "Whirr-click" or "Berdoi-oi-oi-oing!" when you release the shutter so that the crowd knows that the picture's been taken and thereby also have access to a pseudo-silent shutter for when you might need it, Jono?😅

Pete.

Or put yourself in M9 legacy mode and shout „kluck-kallonk-hiss-whirr-whirr“ at the top of your lung?

 

 

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[Jon Pop]

Thanks to Jono for another excellent review. I must admit to being of two minds these days when it comes to any Leica release: excitement, and then fatigue because so many people get angry about the absence of their personal hoped-for list of features which have been circulating back and forth on forums like this. This can even include wanting M releases which will provide many of those things in a  DSLR, such as AF, 30 fps burst mode, higher megapixel sensors, and so forth. As though we're all waiting for an M to no longer be an M, and ignoring the fact that Leica has many other offerings. My feelings about the M10-D (and the previous MD, and the Monochromes too) are simply that I'm glad Leica makes them, that we have these interesting choices. Or that any release, by anyone, that doesn't 'raise the bar' a la endless iPhone iterations is a waste of our time. I prefer to separate photography from the consumer electronics business, but that's my personal philosophy. If Leica abandoned their entire digital line, and this was the only camera they had available, then I could understand the concern. But production of the M10-D isn't taking away precious R/D from the hope-for conversion of the M into the most advanced, feature-laden and feature-for-dollar digital camera in production...that topic isn't relevant for the M line and actually hasn't been relevant since the SLR market really took hold decades ago when people felt the M should go away. I'm not sure if I'll get this camera or not, I'm satisfied with my M10 and still my M9, as well as being an avid film user. But as long as it isn't glitchy in terms of the interfaces they've promised, and the image quality is decent (I see no reason it won't be), I'm pretty happy with the concept and don't intend to focus on whether they should have put a thumb lever on or not, or whether my personal favourite aspect/selection from the M10 menu will be incorporated.

[LocalHero1953]

3 hours ago, jonoslack said:

Hi there Paul

Thanks for the kind words - it was rather good fun to write this one, so I'm especially glad you enjoyed it.

I actually think (at least I was told) that the Leica engineers WERE tasked with making a better grip solution - and that this is what they came up with (take it or leave it). 

The shutter noise is interesting - it's actually the biggest reason for me NOT to want an M10-P (and I'm not alone). I absolutely want my subjects to hear when I take a picture - it's an important way of controlling a shooting situation. I have talked to a fashion photographer, and a different glamour photographer and they both feel the same way. . . . and quite frankly the shutter on the M10 isn't loud enough for anyone to hear if they aren't aware of you anyway. What I WOULD like is a shutter like the M10 . . with an option for a silent electronic shutter for those moments when you want to be silent. That would give you the best of both worlds

And I'm pleased to be the first to praise the M10-D for giving you an EVF and the options via a wifi app . . . and also for removing the Video from the M10 - both good decisions to my mind

 

As for the grip/wind-on lever, all I can do is quote someone else from another context: "when faced with such a design one can do nothing other than pay tribute to the variety of human nature and quietly move on".😉 It would be terrible if we all liked the same thing.

I'm with you on the shutter sound. I don't want my shutter to be silent except when I want it to be absolutely silent. I tried the M10-P and was impressed with the sound deadening, but not sure I wanted it - I don't object to the click of any M since the M9 (or before the M8). But I would like an electronic shutter for concerts/recitals when one can otherwise hear a pin drop. Even if the M10-P cannot be heard more than half a metre away, I would hear it, which would distract me!

[mehtasunil]

Thanks for the Review.

Edited October 25, 2018 by mehtasunil

[Tailwagger]

Indeed, thanks for the writeup, Jono. While I appreciate the review portion of the review, what I appreciate more is the honesty that underlies.  In particular, for someone with many years of RF experience to openly admit to a level of angst over focus and a certain level of chimpery is rather refreshing. Certainly not everyone so closely associated with the brand would be quite so forthcoming; worrying more about the readers perception of the author than that of the camera.  So bravo!

[jonoslack]

8 hours ago, Tailwagger said:

Indeed, thanks for the writeup, Jono. While I appreciate the review portion of the review, what I appreciate more is the honesty that underlies.  In particular, for someone with many years of RF experience to openly admit to a level of angst over focus and a certain level of chimpery is rather refreshing. Certainly not everyone so closely associated with the brand would be quite so forthcoming; worrying more about the readers perception of the author than that of the camera.  So bravo!

Thank you!

One of the pleasures of getting older Perhaps?

I do worry about readers perceptions, but mostly about keeping them entertained  

Best!

 

[dkmoore]

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Thank you for the review as well. Like many others I read your write ups and do in fact find them entertaining. 

Will you be keeping the camera, that is the tell all question?

For ONCE, I haven't been tempted by the M10-p or M10-d. The small red dot and the overral excellence of the M10 has quelled my need to upgrade. It is that solid of a camera.

And, I have massive GAS syndrome. 

I probably (definitely won't) won't be able to resist the M10 Monochrome. Can you ask Mr. Kaufman to sign me up for the beta tester program? :  )

D

[Chaemono]

vor einer Stunde schrieb dkmoore:

The small red dot and the overral excellence of the M10 has quelled my need to upgrade. 

+1. I love the small red dot. I bought one to stick onto my α7R III. Still prefer the M10, though, at ISO 200 to ISO 800 for scenes with extreme Highlights and Shadows. 

[dkmoore]

17 minutes ago, Chaemono said:

+1. I love the small red dot. I bought one to stick onto my α7R III. Still prefer the M10, though, at ISO 200 to ISO 800 for scenes with extreme Highlights and Shadows. 

Buzz kill. 

[Chaemono]

Oh, it’s just buzz? Then go ahead. 

[jonoslack]

7 hours ago, dkmoore said:

Thank you for the review as well. Like many others I read your write ups and do in fact find them entertaining. 

Will you be keeping the camera, that is the tell all question?

For ONCE, I haven't been tempted by the M10-p or M10-d. The small red dot and the overral excellence of the M10 has quelled my need to upgrade. It is that solid of a camera.

And, I have massive GAS syndrome. 

I probably (definitely won't) won't be able to resist the M10 Monochrome. Can you ask Mr. Kaufman to sign me up for the beta tester program? :  )

D

HI There

Thank You! that really is the intent. 

That's a good question - and the rather mundane answer is that I can't afford it! If I could, then I might easily be tempted, but mainly to irritate my son Silas . 

But to be absolutely honest - whilst impressed with the quiet shutter, I use the shutter noise when I'm shooting people to control the situation, so, if I had to spend my money again, then I'd buy the M10 again. 

The Monochrome might be different (I'm saving!).

best

[poli]

Thanks for the well balanced review. It was a good read  I also enjoyed the photos you took with the M10-D. I am wondering, how is the battery life of the M10-d? I really enjoy the battery life of the ‘old’ M-D and curious if the new one is also performing well. 

Cheers!

Paul 

[scott kirkpatrick]

Jono has probably taken an M10-D on the longest walks so far.  And Kai Wong for his video spent a day at outdoor demonstrations.  I suspect that neither had the WiFi running during their day.  So that's the baseline and their opinions should help you.  I was a beta tester and found I could keep the Wifi running for at least two hours under light use, but would not expect that battery life as a "connected camera" would be any more than that.  And the M10-D is better at this than the M10 or other models.

Edited October 26, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick

[dkmoore]

4 hours ago, jonoslack said:

HI There

Thank You! that really is the intent. 

That's a good question - and the rather mundane answer is that I can't afford it! If I could, then I might easily be tempted, but mainly to irritate my son Silas . 

But to be absolutely honest - whilst impressed with the quiet shutter, I use the shutter noise when I'm shooting people to control the situation, so, if I had to spend my money again, then I'd buy the M10 again. 

The Monochrome might be different (I'm saving!).

best

Id probably own quite a few special additions if I could afford it. I specifically regret not purchasing the Jim Marshal set when I had the opportunity. Something about that set calls my name. 

I love the cameras as much as I love photography. Good for Leica, bad for my bank account. 

[MarkP]

.

 

 

Edited October 27, 2018 by MarkP

[enboe]

1 hour ago, MarkP said:

.

 

 

I get your point.

[pico]

Deep thanks to Jono for straight reporting, not trying to sell the product. We are left to our own preferences.

Edited October 27, 2018 by pico

[jonoslack]

12 hours ago, pico said:

Deep thanks to Jono for straight reporting, not trying to sell the product. We are left to our own preferences.

Thank you Pico - It's always an interesting balance between being enthusiastic and trying to be objective. 

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Guest]

Jono, I suppose I'll get the answer to this when my recently ordered M10-D rolls in at the end of this week.......but the Leica Foto's App, does it only work with an iPhone, ( I only use Macs. no Android or PC ), or will it enable communication with say an iPad or even a MacBook Pro or Air running the latest OSX?

Thanks!

 

[scott kirkpatrick]

The FOTOS app works on iOS but not on MacOS.  So iPad's OK.  Current version is 1.0.2.

Edited October 28, 2018 by scott kirkpatrick