A Second M10?

[S.Rolf]

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I’m one of us who waited months and months on a list for their M10 and now that they’re readily available I’m thinking about getting a second one for either as a backup or dedicated for one lease.

 I this a total waste of $$$ or are there others here with more than M10?  

[jakontil]

I used to have one M10 since early day, then last july i made a switch to m10-D and was really happy indeed, then i acquired a safari m10-p having given away my Q2 as usually for my second body

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[adan]

I always have at least two identical cameras, because I simply don't want my photography to go into hiatus just because a camera fails (which one may, eventually).

And I don't have time to be futzing around with different button layouts or other feature changes on digitals (I could live with two different film Ms, since they were so similar, M4 through M6 (30+ years).

The only camera I was ever willing to depend on "solo" was the plain-prism, unmetered "Sherman Tank" of the industry - a Nikon F. And even then, as soon as I got a job that paid enough, I got a second, just in case.

[250swb]

3 hours ago, S.Rolf said:

 

 I this a total waste of $$$ or are there others here with more than M10?  

Yes it's a waste, or if you aren't in some way a specialist that uses two at a time it's an affectation. It takes five to ten seconds to change a lens so 'speed of use' isn't a consideration, and if your current M10 ever needs to go back to Germany for some TLC you can buy a stand-in P&S much cheaper at your local shop or online within 24hrs, or indeed hire a camera to cover the gap, or use your phone. The world won't end for the absence of a Leica.

 

[Guest]

If you are using any of the digital Leica M's for professional work then yes in my experience you definitely need to have two bodies, no question about it. I wouldn't go out on a pro' assignment with just one because, and I am sorry to say this, unlike their film M forbears they are not as bullet proof as one would wish a piece of pro' gear should be. They can be bit quirky. However if you are using the M10 for just personal photography one is enough, with as "250swb" says a P+S / 'phone camera as a back-up should you need one if/when your Leica has to "go home" to Wetzlar for a while.

I do fully agree with "adan", the Nikon F's were the most reliable and rugged cameras, I still have three Ftns' that were my working gear from way back in the late 1960's they still function well despite never having been serviced apart from a cleaning after shooting in adverse conditions, ( sand storms in Iraq and N. Africa ).Great cameras, as were pretty much all of the film Nikon F's.

[Kwesi]

6 hours ago, S.Rolf said:

I’m one of us who waited months and months on a list for their M10 and now that they’re readily available I’m thinking about getting a second one for either as a backup or dedicated for one lease.

 I this a total waste of $$$ or are there others here with more than M10?  

Yes, its a total waste of money. For the money, get yourself a trophy lens. There are a few exceptions such as if you do a lot of event photography where changing lenses may cause you to miss a shot.

 

[jwr50]

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7 hours ago, S.Rolf said:

I’m one of us who waited months and months on a list for their M10 and now that they’re readily available I’m thinking about getting a second one for either as a backup or dedicated for one lease.

 I this a total waste of $$$ or are there others here with more than M10?  

Unless you are a pro that makes your living from photography, a second M10 probably doesn't make sense.  Before I got my M10, I used to own two M9s, but I never needed both cameras.  I would rotate between the two just to make sure they both got used, but I never "needed" the second M9.

If you really want a second or backup camera (which is a desire I completely understand), you might consider adding a DSLR to your camera bag(s).  As much as I love the M10, there are certain situations where a DSLR with autofocus, longer lenses, etc., just fits the situation better.  The M10 and an DSLR are complementary systems . . . you'll use them both.  That's a better alternative than having a second M10 you likely will never use.

That's the route I recently chose to go -- just added a Nikon D850 to my collection to complement the M10.  I'm enjoying using them both.

[S.Rolf]

12 hours ago, S.Rolf said:

I’m one of us who waited months and months on a list for their M10 and now that they’re readily available I’m thinking about getting a second one for either as a backup or dedicated for one lease.

 I this a total waste of $$$ or are there others here with more than M10?  

I appreciate the replies.

I’m not a Professional Photographer but merely a serious hobbyist.  Any downtime due to a malfunction would only be an inconvenience.  
 

[Herr Barnack]

Every serious photographer needs a backup camera. 

I have two backups to my M-P 240, my Q2 and a Fuji X100F.  It would be great to have an M10-P for which my M-P 240 could transition to the role of backup.  Then I would have a backup to my backup to my backup.

Now that I think about it, I will be ordering two M10-P bodies.  Just as soon as there is a torrential downpour of gold doubloons at my house.  😎

Edited December 5, 2019 by Herr Barnack

[chris_tribble]

For me 2 M bodies has always been essential if I'm involved in any work that involves speed.  28 on one.  50 on the other.  Unbeatable (unless you're Mary Ellen Mark or Denis Hopper 😉 who seem to insist on mixing and matching...)

Edited December 5, 2019 by chris_tribble

[chris_tribble]

... and if you've not seen this it will make you think (it did me...)

 

[250swb]

58 minutes ago, chris_tribble said:

For me 2 M bodies has always been essential if I'm involved in any work that involves speed.  28 on one.  50 on the other.  Unbeatable (unless you're Mary Ellen Mark or Denis Hopper 😉 who seem to insist on mixing and matching...)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

In the days of film photography there was a genuine need for a second camera if you were shooting both B&W and colour. But images of multiple cameras hung around the necks of 'sexy' photographers is also somewhat disingenuous given that the additional baggage is that Leica M's had a crap selection of longer lenses so a Nikon F typically did that job in combat.

It shouldn't be a stretch to remind Leica users that their digital camera can do both B&W and colour at the same time, although for longer lenses you may still want a Nikon.

Edited December 5, 2019 by 250swb

[Jeff S]

49 minutes ago, 250swb said:

It shouldn't be a stretch to remind Leica users that their digital camera can do both B&W and colour at the same time

Well, I do have an M10 and MM1, but never carry them together.

Jeff

[S.Rolf]

5 hours ago, chris_tribble said:

... and if you've not seen this it will make you think (it did me...)

 

Is she strictly a film photographer?

[KFo]

For a hobbiest/enthusiast 2 M10 for the purpose of backup?  Sounds ludacris to me.  

I could see for the purpose of having a black and silver or silver and safari....

[stray cat]

8 hours ago, chris_tribble said:

... and if you've not seen this it will make you think (it did me...)

 

 

3 hours ago, S.Rolf said:

Is she strictly a film photographer?

Thank you Chris, this is a really nice interview with Mary Ellen Mark. And personally, I am delighted that the book that she has at 1'22" is from the workshop of hers I attended in March 2011 - I can proudly say that some of my pictures (taken on a Leica) appear in it.

Yes, S. Rolf, she was very much strictly a film photographer until the end of her life.

[Flu]

Is an M10 body expensive to you? If not, then why not? Get an M10P or a special edition that you like so you don’t end up with 2 of the exact same -  just to spice it up!

Edited December 6, 2019 by Flu

[FrozenInTime]

I had two M9s and found, just as with two M6s in the film days, it was a great way to work, avoiding lens changes.

I'm really waiting for a M10 EVF companion, as there are times where a more technical shot requires liveview+histogram ; other times the OVF+RF is first choice.

Right now the CL is by M10 companion. 

[RexGig0]

My first M10 needed repair, after a fall, and I bought a second, pre-owned M10 during the first M10’s down time. After my first M10 returned from Leica North America, I have enjoyed the benefits of two identical cameras. The most-apparent effect has been peace of mind, as a “redundant” camera is the surest and quickest form of insurance. Having a second camera, with identical controls, during a shoot, can be a good thing, especially if a brisk wind is blowing dust or moisture about. Leica M system cameras are small, so carrying a second one is not difficult.

Edited to add: I developed the habit of having two cameras with me, when I had a duty to produce evidentiary/forensic/crime scene images. The second camera was a form of insurance, and the need to exchange macro and zoom lenses, on the same body, was eliminated. Retirement from public service eliminated the duty to provide images, but the convenience factor remains.

Edited December 10, 2019 by RexGig0

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[84bravo]

I use an M10-p and M10 concurrently every day. I'm a professional photographer, and I'm not a wealthy man, but I find that it suits me best to work with two cameras. I almost always have a 50 f1.4 on one body and a 35 or 28 on the other, with a 90 in my bag. I prefer to use the same kind of cameras rather than mixing models (M240 and M10 for example). Are two cameras a necessity? Not really, but I find it most comfortable to work that way.

I also use an M8.2 for black and white work. However, with that I use only one body and one lens. I like the M8 so much that I have a few bodies now. Mostly because when I see a bargain I'll buy it as a spare. It's cheaper and easier to just use another used body rather than sending one back to Leica for repair.