Why I love and hate the Leica M

[IkarusJohn]

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3 hours ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

It's not only about AF vs. MF, so you should better read the whole thread (especially how it was opened) before spending another two cents.

Boo

[jaapv]

But you do realize that you lose quite a number of status points if you use a Noctilux on anything but an M camera?

[THEME]

Maybe the M27,5 satisfies the OPs needs.

[Ne314satel]

On 12/13/2024 at 12:31 AM, 3D-Kraft.com said:

For street portraits, the 50mm will already be a bit too short in my opinion as even at 1.50 m distance you already have almost half of the body in the frame but it depends on, what you call a portrait.

Not only portraits can be shot with Noctilux 0.95. You can also shoot street photography 

A few words about the x2d. Great color. Very cool for landscape and color portraits. But the new optics are too boring, but light) Fast Leica lenses - they are the whole charm of the M system. And in the ease of street shooting too.

 

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Edited December 17, 2024 by Ne314satel

[Derbyshire Man]

Nice shot, as 50mm 0.95 is such an unusual thing my brain is processing as 200mm 2.8 or similar from a great distance.

[T25UFO]

Just read the whole thread, which started with a request for an articulated screen.  It has confirmed what has been lurking beneath my surface for some time - I will buy the M11D 😳

[anonymoose]

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1 hour ago, T25UFO said:

Just read the whole thread, which started with a request for an articulated screen.  It has confirmed what has been lurking beneath my surface for some time - I will buy the M11D 😳

I owned a Q2 for a while and traded it for a Q3. Something about the Q3 always irked me and I never really bonded with it the way I did with my Q2.

It wasn't until I bought the M11 and went back to that rear screen/button layout that I realized that was a big contributor to it. Also the Q3's shutter noise being slightly different and blackout delay never stopped bothering me.

If a Q shooter could be that put off by the layout change on the back of the Q3 as much as I am/was, I can't imagine the uproar from M purists if they do the same to the rear of the M12!

Edited December 18, 2024 by anonymoose

[Ne314satel]

1 hour ago, T25UFO said:

Just read the whole thread, which started with a request for an articulated screen.  It has confirmed what has been lurking beneath my surface for some time - I will buy the M11D

M11D - is cool. But - without live view on camera it is very difficult to shoot at 50/0.95 (75, 90+) and almost impossible to take photos from the ground or with your hands up

[T25UFO]

16 minutes ago, Ne314satel said:

M11D - is cool. But - without live view on camera it is very difficult to shoot at 50/0.95 (75, 90+) and almost impossible to take photos from the ground or with your hands up

Visoflex 2.  It tilts 🙂

[Derbyshire Man]

31 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

Visoflex 2.  It tilts 🙂

Also I've taken low and high shots and it's worked out, obviously more hit and miss but it's a digital camera so snaps are free. The visoflex is the answer though to 2/3 of that if you really must. The biggest drawback for me with the M11D is lack of menu system with the visoflex attached. My canon 1ds mk1 still works from 22 years ago. Will anyone be able to change the settings on my M11D in 22 years? It currently has very significant built in obsolescence which in 2024 is not at all environmentally cool.

I do love it though!

[setuporg]

On 12/1/2024 at 1:08 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

As well as adding a tilt screen, Leica should ditch the rangefinder, add autofocus and image stabilisation, and replace those old school manual dials and rings with rocker switches, finally allowing full Program Mode P&S. Raw images are too complicated for today's generation of ageing M owners, so go full-fat Das Wesentliche with JPG only and Leica Looks.

There. Done it.

You forgot the menus!  Every physical knob and dial should be replaced by some gothic menu.

[Altair]

On 12/19/2024 at 12:27 AM, anonymoose said:

I owned a Q2 for a while and traded it for a Q3. Something about the Q3 always irked me and I never really bonded with it the way I did with my Q2.

It wasn't until I bought the M11 and went back to that rear screen/button layout that I realized that was a big contributor to it. Also the Q3's shutter noise being slightly different and blackout delay never stopped bothering me.

If a Q shooter could be that put off by the layout change on the back of the Q3 as much as I am/was, I can't imagine the uproar from M purists if they do the same to the rear of the M12!

Some bad news then, reports indicate the M12 is going to have a larger back screen, NO buttons ( that would be a disaster!) and no articulating screen. It also seems a hybrid viewfinder is in the works.

 

This is according to Leica Rumours, who have a strong track record. 

 

I am all for progress and bringing the M experience forward, but while maintaining the essence of M. No buttons and no articulating screen is a step backwards. A hybrid viewfinder that maintains rangefinder focusing while availing enhanced focusing aids is exciting though.

 

A quick update on my journey with the M11, I am getting better at rangefinder focusing though I can't say I am an experienced M shooter or anywhere near it, in terms of enjoyment I love my M11 and would buy it again in a heartbeat, in fact I yearn for a second body ( the M11 Monochrome) but the fact is when editing my photos: 1- I have far fewer usable photos in terms of focus being spot on and composition being right compared to my sessions with the X2D and Z9 and 2- those images that are spot on are unmatched. Something about Leica glass that is truly magical. I do wish Leicas out of camera colours where as lifelike and appealing as the Hassleblad. The Leica colour science does have its own charm and signature look.

 

I am getting there, in the sense that when I pick up my M11P I know what to do and which mindset to be in, but I am starting to wonder if, as far as being a great photographer, it's best to stick to only one system type and not waste energy trying to master several. This is fun but might be counter productive ultimately.

I am merely typing out loud. Sharing my thoughts as I go through the first stages. 

I wish I could dedicate myself only to the M11 for a year or two, but none of the 3 systems do everything I need to do. Z9 ( wildlife and macro) X2D ( landscape and portraits ) and then the M11 ( magic, enjoyment, heritage, portability, unique results...)

 

If I was going to be honest with myself, the Leica M11 is my most enjoyed camera but perhaps my biggest distraction from my development as a photographer. I am still hoping for the arrival of a moment in time when it happens, and i am able to switch seamlessly between systems and having mastered all 3. During a recent safari I would be able to go from Z9 with a telephoto lens to X2D with a wide angle lens without thinking. This is a very far target with the M11 and I do not know if it is possible

[costa43]

On 12/13/2024 at 10:52 AM, evikne said:

Simplicity. The focusing method is always the same: Pick up the focus in the center of the viewfinder, recompose and click! There's no way the camera can get it wrong, even if the subject is behind or between something. It's just as easy whatever the situation. If you can focus on something with your eyes, so can the camera.

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An underrated benefit of the rangefinder and manual focus in general, well illustrated too.

Edited December 19, 2024 by costa43

[FrozenInTime]

10 minutes ago, Altair said:

Some bad news then, reports indicate the M12 is going to have a larger back screen, NO buttons ( that would be a disaster!) and no articulating screen. It also seems a hybrid viewfinder is in the works.

 

This is according to Leica Rumours, who have a strong track record. 

 

I am all for progress and bringing the M experience forward, but while maintaining the essence of M. No buttons and no articulating screen is a step backwards. A hybrid viewfinder that maintains rangefinder focusing while availing enhanced focusing aids is exciting though.

I felt the touch only menu on the TL2 was well implemented and superior to the CL. The TL2 did not suffer from focus point wander !

[anonymoose]

59 minutes ago, Altair said:

Some bad news then, reports indicate the M12 is going to have a larger back screen, NO buttons ( that would be a disaster!) and no articulating screen. It also seems a hybrid viewfinder is in the works.

 

This is according to Leica Rumours, who have a strong track record. 

 

I am all for progress and bringing the M experience forward, but while maintaining the essence of M. No buttons and no articulating screen is a step backwards. A hybrid viewfinder that maintains rangefinder focusing while availing enhanced focusing aids is exciting though.

 

A quick update on my journey with the M11, I am getting better at rangefinder focusing though I can't say I am an experienced M shooter or anywhere near it, in terms of enjoyment I love my M11 and would buy it again in a heartbeat, in fact I yearn for a second body ( the M11 Monochrome) but the fact is when editing my photos: 1- I have far fewer usable photos in terms of focus being spot on and composition being right compared to my sessions with the X2D and Z9 and 2- those images that are spot on are unmatched. Something about Leica glass that is truly magical. I do wish Leicas out of camera colours where as lifelike and appealing as the Hassleblad. The Leica colour science does have its own charm and signature look.

 

I am getting there, in the sense that when I pick up my M11P I know what to do and which mindset to be in, but I am starting to wonder if, as far as being a great photographer, it's best to stick to only one system type and not waste energy trying to master several. This is fun but might be counter productive ultimately.

I am merely typing out loud. Sharing my thoughts as I go through the first stages. 

I wish I could dedicate myself only to the M11 for a year or two, but none of the 3 systems do everything I need to do. Z9 ( wildlife and macro) X2D ( landscape and portraits ) and then the M11 ( magic, enjoyment, heritage, portability, unique results...)

 

If I was going to be honest with myself, the Leica M11 is my most enjoyed camera but perhaps my biggest distraction from my development as a photographer. I am still hoping for the arrival of a moment in time when it happens, and i am able to switch seamlessly between systems and having mastered all 3. During a recent safari I would be able to go from Z9 with a telephoto lens to X2D with a wide angle lens without thinking. This is a very far target with the M11 and I do not know if it is possible

A larger back screen is welcome (especially having recently held an X2D), but no physical buttons is a big step backwards. Hybrid RF (like the X100V has) could be an interesting addition especially if purists can turn the display off and go traditional RF.

I've found myself ignoring my Sony (except for taking videos) since picking up the M11. I'm trying to immerse myself with the M11 and get as much practice with RF/MF as possible to improve my hit-rate.

[anonymoose]

1 hour ago, FrozenInTime said:

I felt the touch only menu on the TL2 was well implemented and superior to the CL. The TL2 did not suffer from focus point wander !

Meanwhile I traded my TL2 for a CL to get physical controls (and an EVF). Different strokes for different folks!

[jaapv]

I like the T series for its concept and execution but I do feel that it  was a dead end. Too smartphony and smartphones caught up… I would hate to see the M go down the same rabbit hole. 

[graphlex]

It might in fact have made a fine cellphone. T-Mobile at least was afraid it might be confused with one, and so objected to the name “T’.

[Altair]

1 hour ago, FrozenInTime said:

I felt the touch only menu on the TL2 was well implemented and superior to the CL. The TL2 did not suffer from focus point wander !

I am sure Leica will do a great job implementing touchscreen tech on an all screen back. But there is something to be said for tradition, tactile feedback, and limited choices. That's what attracts me to Leica in addition to the image quality.

 

Time will tell, we might not be able to go back to the current standard. I will say, if the larger screen helps with focusing and increases success rate I will take that trade.

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[OR120]

On 12/4/2024 at 9:32 AM, Jeff S said:

The late Andrew Heller in Bethesda?  Anyway, I bought my first M from his shop.

Jeff

The wonderful - Heller's Leica and Andy Heller. What a great camera store. I visited many times when going through Bethesda - but my guy was Freddy Werner, Freddie's Camera on Cordell Ave just a few blocks away. Freddy ran his shop right out of his apartment where he lived. Great place. Got my black paint M4 from Freddy many years ago. But Jeff might be referring to Charles Tasnadi, a very, very nice man and a great AP shooter?

Edited December 20, 2024 by OR120
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