cpclee Posted May 10, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Shot the DMR for the first time today and boy was it fun. Straight-out-of-camera image quality surprised me as being more film-like (and IMHO better) than that of the M8. A couple of questions: 1. When the SD card became full (and I wasn't watching), the camera started writing over existing files! I didn't notice this until about 30 images were overwritten. What could cause this? Do I have a bad card? 2. I missed focus on a lot of the shots. I think it was a combination of (1) narrower DOF due to the 1.37x crop factor (2) the whole time I was using the split aid to focus on my wife's eye -- is that a bad technique? Any feedback appreciated. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/84546-first-shoot-with-the-dmr/?do=findComment&comment=895674'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 10, 2009 Posted May 10, 2009 Hi cpclee, Take a look here first shoot with the DMR!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
cpclee Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted May 10, 2009 Somehow my attached photos look very washed out despite I converted them from Adobe RGB to sRGB before posting. What's going on? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted May 10, 2009 Share #3 Posted May 10, 2009 CP - Congratulations on getting your DMR. I've never experienced the problem you descxribe of files overwriting files when using the DMR (or any of my other cameras, either). In my experience you get a message telling you the card is full. I couldn't guess whtehr it is a card issue or a DMR issue. Try another card. The crop factor does make it a bit more difficult to focus well. I use the collar around the split image for critical focus. You photos look to have proper color saturation to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grduprey Posted May 11, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 11, 2009 CP, I have not seen this problem either, I always get Card Full message. I also had some focus problems with mine when I first got it, a few months ago, it is probably due to the focus aid. I also have the DMR micro prism screen, but have not tried to use it yet, as an alternative screen to the split image screen. The images are just a bit flat on my monitor, but not bad. I would have probably left them in Adobe RGB and posted them. The focus on the posted images is just fine to me. Your wife makes a great model for you. Gene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grduprey Posted May 11, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 11, 2009 Just a thought on the focus problem, Does anyone make a eyepiece magnifier for the R8? Or is there one that can be adapted? Gene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted May 11, 2009 I couldn't reproduce the file problem after reformatting the SD card. Perhaps I messed up the file system while the card read from my Mac. The photos look a little desaturated. I always thought sRGB is what one should use for the web? Brightscreen makes a viewfinder magnifier for the DMR but it's $200! In hindsight, I shouldn't have used the split image to focus details that were not straight lines. Also, recomposing the frame (which I think I did a lot of) was probably a bad idea given the really shallow DOF. I'll try using the ground glass portion next time which is what I should have used in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 11, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) As for the colours, maybe you used "assign profile" instead of "convert to profile"? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted May 11, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 11, 2009 Just a thought on the focus problem, Does anyone make a eyepiece magnifier for the R8? Or is there one that can be adapted? Gene I use the Brightscreen magnifier and I'm very pleased. I think someone's adapted the Nikon one to work. Check on photo.net as I think the thread was there. I'm glad you like the DMR. I agree the images usually need very little post-processing (except for the occasional WB issues). As for the card, I've not seen that before in any of the 3 DMRs I've owned. Does it happen with different cards? Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted May 11, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 11, 2009 As for card, try 2GB cards (which is kind of the standard cards for the DMR) though you can also use 4 GB cards (but some users - including me - have experienced problems with those). sRGB profile works best for web postings as all webbrowsers in PC's suppose pictures are sRGB and doesn't read color profiles and 'translate' hem. Mac computers read any color profile and translate it to proper colors. I must admit I've changed all my workflow to sRGB for that very reason (also hires) though Adobe RGB is the biggest/best color space. You might also suffer from back- or front-focus problems; which is if the focus screen, the mirror or the sensor itself is not 100% correct in place. On my R9 I had this problem and I think it's the focusing screen holder that was simply not ok. On the R8 the problem was smaller, and when I changed the R8 from the Brightscreen to the original Leica screen with split and the crop factor, it was almost 100% precise. But I also suspect that if one opens the back to clean it or the contacts, that might change the adjustment of the sensor. Logically, it could and would. Another advice: If anything is wrong with the DMR, like writing half pictures, two pictures in one, no saving of pictures, it goes dead or similar - always clean all contacts (and do this with alcohol) and make sure you reassemble the back and battery pack well. Also clean the battery contacts. And some users have had problems with batteries not being fully charged and/or DMR faults cause by batteries being low on charge. So clean batteries and fully charged. But it's a dream camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted May 11, 2009 Charlie: Which magnifier do you have? The original or the D2? Brightscreen claims there are improvements in the D2 but it's not clear what they are. Thorsten: Thanks for the tips. I have yet to set up a carefully calibrated workflow which I should do soon. The photos I posted were not retouched in anyway. I was using 2GB cards. The problem went away after I reformatted that card. I'm going to drop by Leica NJ as I live not far away to have them calibrate focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grduprey Posted May 11, 2009 Share #11 Posted May 11, 2009 I have had some heart ache over the screen frame, it took me quite a while to get it open to change the screens, as the manual is somewhat vague in my opinion and I had a hard time finding the tab to open it. The older R4 - 7 screen was much easier to work with. I will check out the Brightscreen sight for the magnifier. Gene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneybm Posted May 11, 2009 Share #12 Posted May 11, 2009 Those are great pictures. If you have trouble focusing, I strongly recommend the CURRENT version of the Bright Screen. They significantly increased the magnification over their first version and it really helps. I was getting a lot of out of focus pictures and this completely cured it. It is worth the $200. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme_clarke Posted May 11, 2009 Share #13 Posted May 11, 2009 Hello CP, I've had a DMR since October 2005 so here are a few comments from "my point of view": First, I've never had anything other than a card full message. After having card trouble caused by moving files from the card to the computer, now I follow the advice from others - format the card in the camera first, always use a card reader and the copy command to copy files from the card to a file on the computer, and then always re- format the card in the camera, not in the computer. Second, I use the focusng screen that came with the DMR - but as Thorsten suggests, take great care to see that it is sitting properly in its frame before carefully swinging the frame up and clicking it into place. Third, focussing and depth of field has nothing to do with it having a crop factor of 1.33x. Its all to do with the lens that is mounted, that is its focal length and the aperture chosen. It is easier to focus on a person's eye with a telephoto lens. With a zoom I always zoom in to focus at the longest focal length then zoom out as necessary. The colour of your pictures look fine on my monitor but they do look soft. Either focusing is not spot on - see above - or there is some camera shake. What was the focal length of the lens used and at what aperture and shutter speed? I'd start with rechecking the screen in its holder, then follow the simple rule of 1/focal length as minimum shutter speed for hand held portraits. Real care is needed with focal lengths longer than 90mm. The shutter release that falls naturally under the index finger when using the wrist strap is a real boon for a careful "rifleman's" squeeze. Also like Thorsten, I've had the problem with electrical contacts to overcome. I always clean all the contacts with a cotton bud and alcohol, then push the base onto the body hard whilst tightening the screw clamp. I've had to do the same with the battery contacts. My first battery is nearly 4 years old and its not producing as many shots now before getting tired - bit like me I guess! I still am amazed at the pictures I get -- I've told my mates they can keep their Canons and Nikons! The DMR is a bit like an old car, or a wife - it needs a little tender loving care, "be to its faults a little blind, and to its strengths very kind". I love it! and I hope you enjoy much use from it too. Best wishes Graeme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted May 11, 2009 Share #14 Posted May 11, 2009 {Snipped}If you have trouble focusing, I strongly recommend the CURRENT version of the Bright Screen. They significantly increased the magnification over their first version and it really helps. I was getting a lot of out of focus pictures and this completely cured it. It is worth the $200. Well, that sucks for those of us who have the "first version". Anyway, I had a magnifier (the first one?) from Brightscreen on my R9 and it messed up focus wonderfully I'm not even sure how that's possible, but it did... When did they make this "current" version again? The other thing I've found is that I get much better results using the Leica ground glass split screen than the standard DMR screen // and by focusing from near to far, and stopping right at the point of focus. YMMV. I'd love to have a magnifier that actually helps, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted May 11, 2009 Share #15 Posted May 11, 2009 Graeme, That "be to its faults a little blind, and to its strengths very kind" is going to end up on my DMR site for sure. I'm going to quote you for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted May 11, 2009 Share #16 Posted May 11, 2009 I have a universal magnifier and universal 90 degree viewfinder, which I got from eBay from a Hong Kong / Chinese company. I believe they are from Seagul, but cannot remember. which supplier it was. The magnigfier is a straight 2x magnifier and works well and swings out of the way to compose ... but in the end I hardly ever use it. Ravi PS I just checked and a search for "magnifier leica" http://cgi.ebay.com/2-3x-Viewfinder-Magnifier-for-Canon-Nikon-Olympus-Leica_W0QQitemZ280333393794QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Camera_Accessories?hash=item41452c1f82&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme_clarke Posted May 11, 2009 Share #17 Posted May 11, 2009 Graeme, That "be to its faults a little blind, and to its strengths very kind" is going to end up on my DMR site for sure. I'm going to quote you for it. Thanks Thorsten, but I cannot claim to be the author - It was printed on a tin of biscuits my wife and I got forty years ago - from my mother in law!!! Graeme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted May 11, 2009 Thanks for all the wonderful tips provided here. I dropped by Leica NJ today to have my DMR + R9 adjusted and that made all the difference in the world. In my testing this evening I got most of my photos extremely sharp -- with the occasional miss of some photos taken with the 80/1.4 at or near wide open, which is understandable. I should do more testing this weekend. Leica also checked the DMR's other functions thoroughly, and I was glad to be told it's in great shape and is problem free. It was a friendly place albeit a litter quieter than I had expected. barneybm: If the magnifier makes a noticeable difference I'd be more than happy to pay the $200. I didn't have the best experience with the original version though. I thought it reduced contrast and blurred the finder slightly. Do you find the new version to not have these problems? Another thing I might seek out is Bill Maxwell's Hi-Lux contrast / brightness improvement treatment. I had it done for my R6.2 screen, and the R6.2 finder is brighter and contrastier than my R9 finder by about 1.5 stops with slower (f4+) lenses ! graeme_clarke: The photos I posted are actually quite sharp. (Most of the other ones from the first shoot weren't.) I think the forum's auto-sizing algorithm messed up the sharpness. Jamie: The new version came out in Dec 07, about 1.5 years after the original. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted May 12, 2009 Share #19 Posted May 12, 2009 Do you know how or what they adjusted? The sensor seating, the mirror, focusing screen? On my R9/DMR combo, when the focus was worst, the focus laid 3 cm behind on a distance of 80 centimeters @ f/1.4. When using 2.8 lenses and at distances of 3-4 meters you would hardly notice, especially when using wide angle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted May 12, 2009 Hi Thorsten I actually don't know what they adjusted. I'll try to find out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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