M10 Backup

[crf59]

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Didn't quite know where to put this, so forgive an odd topic. I have an M10-P that I have pondered finding a backup for. Friends tell me to buy an SL or another M10. The SL seems far too large and I hate to spend several thousand on a body that will have an unknown amount of use - perhaps little.

So started thinking about something like a Fuji X-E4, Sony A7C, etc, and using an adapter. I have never used an adapted lens on anything but a CL (which is another option). Anyone have any experience and how does focus peaking on other brands perform? Part of my motivation for going outside the Leica brand is just to try something different with the M lenses.

Chuck

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[Boojay]

I think you named the best option, to my mind anyway, the CL and an M make nice companions.    Not to say that I haven't tried adapting M lenses to other brands along the way(Fuji, Sony, Canon) but I think using  M lenses on the APS-C CL is enough of a difference to keep it interesting, and to me more likely to get better IQ by sticking with Leica, less compromises, and designed for doing just that.

 

 

[feelssadman]

What are you looking for in a backup camera? One that is just able to take pictures out of a necessity or does it have to have some sort of emotional component? What are your requirements? Are you a working professional who uses the M10 as a main camera? Then the logical answer is to get a second M (not limited to the M10). Else I do not see the need for a backup camera anyways - just get what interests you. I'd take a look at the Q2 for example but that doesn't satisfy your want/need to adapt the M lenses on different bodies.

Regarding the focus peaking: Focus peaking mostly works by using contrast detection in the frame so you can expect it to work largely the same on other camera bodies like in the M10.

[LBJ2]

2 hours ago, crf59 said:

Didn't quite know where to put this, so forgive an odd topic. I have an M10-P that I have pondered finding a backup for. Friends tell me to buy an SL or another M10. The SL seems far too large and I hate to spend several thousand on a body that will have an unknown amount of use - perhaps little.

So started thinking about something like a Fuji X-E4, Sony A7C, etc, and using an adapter. I have never used an adapted lens on anything but a CL (which is another option). Anyone have any experience and how does focus peaking on other brands perform? Part of my motivation for going outside the Leica brand is just to try something different with the M lenses.

Chuck

I work with two very different FF camera systems. Leica and Sony Full Frame. I very much like having two different technologies to use as needed/wanted. I am now very familiar with both systems and using one as a back up to the other is not a problem for me at all. 

One of the new SL2/SL2-S cameras is certainly a consideration given my M lenses will perform best on a Leica sensor than a non Leica sensor, but I find my M lenses perform very well adapted to my Sony FF cameras. The Sony A7rIV's 5.76 million-dot viewfinder is superb for punching in for fine detail while using Sony manual focus aids. One small and affordable adapter and the Sony A7rIV + M lenses is a beautiful kit with IBIS too if that is something important to you. I use as wide as 24mm Summilux on my Sony's with very good IQ success. 

*One down side to adapting M lenses to non Leica camera bodies is the loss of EXIF data which can be a PITA. 

** If Sony FF is an option/consideration for you, you can probably get a very good used deal on the 61 MP A7rIV right now as many are selling this fairly new camera to upgrade to the latest greatest Sony A1. 

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by LBJ2

[mujk]

If used mostly as a backup, does it need to have an interchangeable lens? There are some nice large-sensor compacts with a good lens and the option to use AF. When travelling, I carry a tiny first-generation Sony RX100 as a pure backup to the M10. If I actually plan to shoot with two cameras,  which doesn't happen very often, I take the M9 as a secondary/backup body. I find it easier to switch back and forth between two cameras that work in the same way.

[MyLeicaWorld]

I would say Ricoh gr3 is a good back up option ..

[a.noctilux]

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I tend to differ,

backup for M10

 

...

is just another M10

just like

another tyre of same type,

when in need

 

[astrostl]

Ricoh GR III or Fuji X100V. Ricoh is great for me. Can use it as a tiny one-and-only, or a wide with a 50 camping on the M10, or just a light backup.

When I went to Mexico, I brought just the GR. When I went on a bigger multi-country trip, I brought the M10 and the GR mostly stayed in the bag.

[84bravo]

I make photos for a living and the M10-P is my main body. My second body is an M10. It just fits my workflow better to have both cameras the same. The differences between the two models are insignificant in use.

I often add an M8 with proper filters and some less expensive lenses as a third body. Occasionally I find myself working in areas that may be a bit sketchy or in environments that may be severe (rain, snow, etc). If that camera is lost or damaged it's an easier loss to absorb. The Topaz Gigapixel software works great to upsize the small M8 files.

[Kwesi]

1 hour ago, 84bravo said:

I make photos for a living and the M10-P is my main body. My second body is an M10. It just fits my workflow better to have both cameras the same. The differences between the two models are insignificant in use.

I often add an M8 with proper filters and some less expensive lenses as a third body. Occasionally I find myself working in areas that may be a bit sketchy or in environments that may be severe (rain, snow, etc). If that camera is lost or damaged it's an easier loss to absorb. The Topaz Gigapixel software works great to upsize the small M8 files.

I have an M10-P and am considering an M10 as a second body so I don't change lenses. In your experience, is the color output the same for both bodies?

[84bravo]

10 hours ago, Kwesi said:

I have an M10-P and am considering an M10 as a second body so I don't change lenses. In your experience, is the color output the same for both bodies?

There is absolutely no difference in image, color output, etc between the M10 and M10-P. The only difference of the M10-P is the quieter shutter, the live-view level, and the pretty script on the top plate.

[Kwesi]

Thats great to know. Imagewise, I want the only difference to be the lens mounted on each camera.

[Marckyokay]

On 2/15/2021 at 2:30 PM, Boojay said:

I think you named the best option, to my mind anyway, the CL and an M make nice companions.    Not to say that I haven't tried adapting M lenses to other brands along the way(Fuji, Sony, Canon) but I think using  M lenses on the APS-C CL is enough of a difference to keep it interesting, and to me more likely to get better IQ by sticking with Leica, less compromises, and designed for doing just that.

 

 

I agree with that. 
A Leica CL is a really cool companion to the M10... And I love shooting with the CL and M lenses for completely different reasons than I love the M10. 
- Is the camera just a secondary thing and hangs around your shoulder? CL is lighter and less expensive so I feel less protective about it (with Elmarit 28). So it's not just a backup, it can have it's purpose depending on the intent before leaving home.
- Focal lengths/ compositioning (lack of better words) change with the 1,5x crop and it stays fun and interesting.
- Feeling of the CL in your hand is sooo much better than other brands (my opinion), I feel right at home with the menu and I like the first page, this information screen like the SL much more than the M10 version. 
- Focussing with M lenses I think works really well since I have punch-in on the right dial and it became second nature to compose, rotate the dial (needs the official LEICA adapter, no third party one!), watch for the peaking, recompose, shoot.

I just really like it... would recommend it. 

Edited February 17, 2021 by Marckyokay

[mujk]

On 2/16/2021 at 4:38 PM, 84bravo said:

There is absolutely no difference in image, color output, etc between the M10 and M10-P. The only difference of the M10-P is the quieter shutter, the live-view level, and the pretty script on the top plate.

And the touch screen.

[martinot]

On 2/15/2021 at 2:02 PM, crf59 said:

Didn't quite know where to put this, so forgive an odd topic. I have an M10-P that I have pondered finding a backup for. Friends tell me to buy an SL or another M10. The SL seems far too large and I hate to spend several thousand on a body that will have an unknown amount of use - perhaps little.

So started thinking about something like a Fuji X-E4, Sony A7C, etc, and using an adapter. I have never used an adapted lens on anything but a CL (which is another option). Anyone have any experience and how does focus peaking on other brands perform? Part of my motivation for going outside the Leica brand is just to try something different with the M lenses.

Chuck

I love the Fuji X-E3. and only seen great comments about the just released X-E4.

But as a backup for a Leica rangefinder I would primary suggest another Leica rangefinder.

I would look at a second hand M 240 as a great backup. Not too expensive, and still a proper Leica RF-camera.

 

 

[crf59]

Thanks for all the comments. I get that an M is the best backup for an M but, as I said, I am really after trying something different. I just don't want to try a camera that does not work well adapted. Some have said phase detect peak assist is the same on all cameras - not true technically. Implementation of focus peaking is performed in different ways by different manufacturers so was just looking for experience others might have had with Fuji, etc. Also, micro lens construction on some sensors means that color fringing may be an issue (though crop sensors generally avoid this). So was just looking for experiences others may have had. I know Sony has a following from many using M lenses.

So don't read too much into my desire to do this - it's simply another toy to play with. 

Cheers - really appreciate all comments.

Chuck