m10d Two Years with Leica M10-D 。Less is More。Digital Body Analog Soul

[samlee.hk]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Less is More

I have been using the Leica M10-D for more than two years, and although I have not taken too many shots, I can share some long-lasting and straightforward experiences with it.

I got the Leica M10-D mostly because I agree with the concept of “Less is More” and wanted a more straightforward digital-film camera. For me, the main selling point of the Leica M digital camera is its Rangefinder-focus operation, which allows me to capture what I see by simply adjusting ISO, aperture, shutter and pressing the shutter.

Leica use different Level (Software, hardware, Processor level ) to force u accept " Less is More." 

Unbox 
Leica M10-D 。Less is More。Digital Body Analog Soul

Two Years with Leica M10-D 。Less is More。Digital Body Analog Soul

 

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jakontil]

I agree, got my M10-D since it was lunched and readily available in my area...

Then i sold my M10-D last month, and grabbed a couple of MPs 

couldn’t be happier... just wish film won’t die anytime soon

[AndreasG]

I am also very satisfied with the M10-D, which I bought Feb. 2019. For shooting film I keep two M6 and a M4-P.

[samlee.hk]

I bought my M10-D Mar 2019, i also feel very satisfied.... 

actually, i only use Contax G35M , Leica 35/1.4 11874 on M10D... 

I see no Big reason to change to M11 immediately, maybe next M camera is M11D...

[Guest]

Not so great if you often use the self timer.

[IkarusJohn]

1 hour ago, steve 1959 said:

Not so great if you often use the self timer.

Not sure I understand …

[Guest]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, Steven said:

Body design of the M10D + Sensor of the SL2S + 1/8000th shutter speed + Instant wake up time + .... an EVF! If only it had an EVF, I could previsualize my photos while taking them and never need a screen again ! Maybe the new visoflex will partly help to create my dream camera. 

Agreed Steven...........except for the EVF, "wish", ( unless you meant a better EVF than the 020, not a built-in EVF instead of the rangefinder)............I'd also wish for more meaningful firmware upgrades that would give more functionality and negate the need for the next to useless WiFi/Fotos link to change camera settings without having to port a 'phone along too.

Edited April 27, 2021 by petermullett

[Guest]

3 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

Not sure I understand …

Sorry,i did a bit of research which may or may not be correct but i believe you have to use some sort of external device to be able to use the self timer?

 

[IkarusJohn]

4 hours ago, Steven said:

For those using a self timer often, the M10D is not a good camera, because you rely on the cumbersome wifi app. 

I’ve only used the self timer when the camera is on a tripod, so the WiFi app is the only feasible option. It allows remote control, you can see what the sensor is capturing, and self-timer, continuous and interval options are easily accessed.  

Connection issues aside, the App is anything but cumbersome in use (in my experience). It provides remote use and review of the M10-D, TL2 and SL.  I think the greatest advantage is you can set up the camera away from you, or at a low angle, see what’s in frame, check exposure and focus without having to peer down at the LCD. 

1 hour ago, steve 1959 said:

Sorry,i did a bit of research which may or may not be correct but i believe you have to use some sort of external device to be able to use the self timer?

 

Not sure about external device. Self-timer is an easy to find option on the Fotos App, which works on all WiFi enabled Leicas.

There has been a lot of criticism of the App.  In its latest version, I’ve found it works fine.  Comments people make include:

(1) you can’t use the M10-D without it and, even holding the camera in one hand and iPhone in the other is clumsy or just tape your iPhone on the back of the camera.  Better to just buy the M10-P, don’t you think?  Or an SL2.

(2) connecting is difficult. This is true. I think it has something to do with the transmitter in all the WiFi enabled Leicas  (where it is located inside a metal body and battery drain). Rather than complaining about the WiFi, as I like all three cameras, and I’ve found the App useful, I spent some time working out how to make it work.  First, turn on the WiFi on the camera (create lan, rather than join WiFi network); wait for the little green light on the back to stop flashing; select the camera on the App (it will ask if you want to join the camera’s WiFi); and wait while it connects. It may require a second attempt.  Once connected, it’s stable enough.  I’m not sure the X1D II is much better.  

(3) the App is only available for Apple iOS.  Leica had the silly idea of charging for the iPad version. That’s been quietly dropped. 

While this sounds a hassle (cumbersome, Stephen calls it), I find in practise it’s fine. Could be better? Sure.  But, the alternatives are setting up a cable on my SWC?  Self timer or cable on my M-A? Or whatever Nikon or Sony offer (I never got them to work). The Insta also has a remote App, and it isn’t much different. 

I use the App when the camera is on a tripod, or when sitting having a beer or coffee to review the images. Works great. Could be better, but so could many things in life. 

 

[IkarusJohn]

5 hours ago, Steven said:

I bought the M10D and sold it after two months of use. I LOVED IT. It's the most incredible camera I've ever owned and it was the most beautiful object I've ever owned. I sold it for two reasons: 

1. Reason 1: It was too close to my M10P. Same camera without a screen. While it was liberating to use a camera with no screen, and it made me realise that I had a chimping problem that I didn't even know about before, I am simply a better photographer with a screen. I am capable of taking great candid photos without a screen, but ultimately, for my photography style which is quite versatile, I end up taking much better photos if I have a screen to pre visualise the photos. In conclusion, if I had to chose between the M10P and the M10D, it was the M10P. 

2. Reason 2: it was too close to my M7. Same camera, with an SD card instead of a roll of film! I ended up leaving aside the M7 and stopped shooting film for the convenience of review the the gorgeous 24MP files at the end of the day. In conclusion, if I had to chose between the M7 and the M10D, it was the M7. So I got rid of my M10D to protect my M7. 

What I loved the most about the M10D was the lever, and the way it felt when I looked at it and touched it. Such a beautiful object. 

In my ideal world, which I know will never come true, my M would look like this: 

Body design of the M10D + Sensor of the SL2S + 1/8000th shutter speed + Instant wake up time + .... an EVF! If only it had an EVF, I could previsualize my photos while taking them and never need a screen again ! Maybe the new visoflex will partly help to create my dream camera. 

Sure, but you still hanker after an M10-D … I settled on the M-A (couldn’t resist it when it was released), with Tri-X, as my only film 135mm format; M9 version Monochrom (I persuaded Leica to make me a silver chrome version when the camera was released); and M10-D for colour. 

I’m happy with the 24MP sensor in the M10, the existing EVF is okay for when I need it and I don’t need 1/8000 shutter speed - there are reasons Leica stopped offering it on the M cameras which I can’t recall. As I turn my other cameras off between shots, I’m not so worried about wake-up times. On the X1D II, if you don’t turn it off, it keeps focussing and checking exposure - it heats up like an oven quite quickly!
 

[Guest]

16 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

I’ve only used the self timer when the camera is on a tripod, so the WiFi app is the only feasible option. It allows remote control, you can see what the sensor is capturing, and self-timer, continuous and interval options are easily accessed.  

Connection issues aside, the App is anything but cumbersome in use (in my experience). It provides remote use and review of the M10-D, TL2 and SL.  I think the greatest advantage is you can set up the camera away from you, or at a low angle, see what’s in frame, check exposure and focus without having to peer down at the LCD. 

Not sure about external device. Self-timer is an easy to find option on the Fotos App, which works on all WiFi enabled Leicas.

There has been a lot of criticism of the App.  In its latest version, I’ve found it works fine.  Comments people make include:

(1) you can’t use the M10-D without it and, even holding the camera in one hand and iPhone in the other is clumsy or just tape your iPhone on the back of the camera.  Better to just buy the M10-P, don’t you think?  Or an SL2.

(2) connecting is difficult. This is true. I think it has something to do with the transmitter in all the WiFi enabled Leicas  (where it is located inside a metal body and battery drain). Rather than complaining about the WiFi, as I like all three cameras, and I’ve found the App useful, I spent some time working out how to make it work.  First, turn on the WiFi on the camera (create lan, rather than join WiFi network); wait for the little green light on the back to stop flashing; select the camera on the App (it will ask if you want to join the camera’s WiFi); and wait while it connects. It may require a second attempt.  Once connected, it’s stable enough.  I’m not sure the X1D II is much better.  

(3) the App is only available for Apple iOS.  Leica had the silly idea of charging for the iPad version. That’s been quietly dropped. 

While this sounds a hassle (cumbersome, Stephen calls it), I find in practise it’s fine. Could be better? Sure.  But, the alternatives are setting up a cable on my SWC?  Self timer or cable on my M-A? Or whatever Nikon or Sony offer (I never got them to work). The Insta also has a remote App, and it isn’t much different. 

I use the App when the camera is on a tripod, or when sitting having a beer or coffee to review the images. Works great. Could be better, but so could many things in life. 

 

For me it goes against the whole concept of the camera to use some app to use the self timer...[ 30% of my pics] which was not an issue on the MD 262.

Anyway if its not a problem for you thats great.

[tom0511]

vor 5 Stunden schrieb Steven:

I bought the M10D and sold it after two months of use. I LOVED IT. It's the most incredible camera I've ever owned and it was the most beautiful object I've ever owned. I sold it for two reasons: 

1. Reason 1: It was too close to my M10P. Same camera without a screen. While it was liberating to use a camera with no screen, and it made me realise that I had a chimping problem that I didn't even know about before, I am simply a better photographer with a screen. I am capable of taking great candid photos without a screen, but ultimately, for my photography style which is quite versatile, I end up taking much better photos if I have a screen to pre visualise the photos. In conclusion, if I had to chose between the M10P and the M10D, it was the M10P. 

2. Reason 2: it was too close to my M7. Same camera, with an SD card instead of a roll of film! I ended up leaving aside the M7 and stopped shooting film for the convenience of review the the gorgeous 24MP files at the end of the day. In conclusion, if I had to chose between the M7 and the M10D, it was the M7. So I got rid of my M10D to protect my M7. 

What I loved the most about the M10D was the lever, and the way it felt when I looked at it and touched it. Such a beautiful object. 

In my ideal world, which I know will never come true, my M would look like this: 

Body design of the M10D + Sensor of the SL2S + 1/8000th shutter speed + Instant wake up time + .... an EVF! If only it had an EVF, I could previsualize my photos while taking them and never need a screen again ! Maybe the new visoflex will partly help to create my dream camera. 

uuuhhh, Leica M with EVF....its like a car without motor or a horse on rolls with motor or a mechanical watch without watchhands   

[IkarusJohn]

Yeah, I think if you need an EVF with an M10-D, you’re missing the point.  But, it’s an option you don’t have yo use, I guess.

[samlee.hk]

2 hours ago, tom0511 said:

uuuhhh, Leica M with EVF....its like a car without motor or a horse on rolls with motor or a mechanical watch without watchhands   

THis years i use EVF with M10D, only if  I needed to buy/sell lenses to other, i need to check the lenses RF focus only...

[tom0511]

just to make clear my last statement - I own and sometimes use the Visoflex EVF. What I could not want is a Leica M JUST with EVF instead of a rangefinder.

[poli]

The only thing that I'd like to see improved on a new m10-d would be start up time. I don't understand why that needs to be so sluggish for a camera these days. The M-D was faster, while the M10-d has a faster processor. Beats me. Now and then I use the visoflex when I put the camera on a tripod, makes it easier because of the adjustable angle.

Yesterday I took the camera paired with the summaron 28 on a hike. It is an absolute joy to use The app is also ok for me. Nothing spectacular, if you were to rely on a screen or remote often, then buy a different camera. I used the app yesterday for a selfie with my wife. Takes a bit of time to set up, but once done it runs fine. So all in all the M10-d makes a very versatile package. I am flirting with medium format now and then, but I don't think I will make this step, since the M10-D is more than enough for me. 

[Lee S]

For 90% of the M10D experience using my M10, I turn live view off. If I keep chiming I put black tape over the LCD 🙂 

[setuporg]

While M10-D is great, I believe the original Edition 60 and its common-law partner M-D are more pure.  There's no EVF, and no wifi.  It's true digital film.  I'll never let go of my Edition 60.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[CosmoM3]

22 hours ago, setuporg said:

While M10-D is great, I believe the original Edition 60 and its common-law partner M-D are more pure.  There's no EVF, and no wifi.  It's true digital film.  I'll never let go of my Edition 60.

After owning both the M-D (Typ 262) and the M10-D, I have to agree and say that the M-D was a more "purist" experience. The ISO dial being on the back of the M-D (sans the "auto" ability) was my favorite. It's also nice that it came in Black Paint (not the same as as the film MP or the "Your Mark", as they're the real black paint).

[benqui]

Am 27.4.2021 um 10:30 schrieb samlee.hk:

Less is More

I have been using the Leica M10-D for more than two years, and although I have not taken too many shots, I can share some long-lasting and straightforward experiences with it.

I got the Leica M10-D mostly because I agree with the concept of “Less is More” and wanted a more straightforward digital-film camera. For me, the main selling point of the Leica M digital camera is its Rangefinder-focus operation, which allows me to capture what I see by simply adjusting ISO, aperture, shutter and pressing the shutter.

Leica use different Level (Software, hardware, Processor level ) to force u accept " Less is More." 

Unbox 
Leica M10-D 。Less is More。Digital Body Analog Soul

Two Years with Leica M10-D 。Less is More。Digital Body Analog Soul

 

 

Great review Samlee! You compared the pros and cons very well and buying such a special Leica is for sure not very reasonable, but who cares. I owned a M-D but I switched to the M10-D and I am really happy with it. With the M-D I had sometimes the problems during shootings with unexperienced people that from time to time they wanted to see the photo to control their facial expression or their posture. With the 10-D it is a piece of cake: you can show some photos with the app on the ipad which makes live sometimes easier.