Leica M-D First Shoot
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- My first impressions on the Leica M-D after a quick shoot. Thoughts on the user experience and the Leica Super Elmar 21mm, Leica Summarit 35mm, Leica Summarit 50mm and Leica Summarit 90mm. Example images and thoughts in picture quality.
Loving the images coming from this camera/lenses combinations. This is looking more and more a real contender for my landscape digital Leica shooting. Will definitely be watching for more updates on this James.
Thanks for your kind comment Martin. It's a great camera.
Your enthusiasm is contagious, mate!
+Daam Settachan thank you
I am surprised the Leica dealer was clueless about the aperture issue in the EXIF. There is no electrical communication between the lens and the camera, so in previous Leica bodies, the aperture was estimated by using the shutter speed and the light measurement that the camera did. So it can get it wrong, but at least it gives you an estimate. But, some users were getting confused, so Leica dropped this estimation of the aperture in the M10 and that is why you see no aperture in the M10 EXIF. I am surprised you got the 28mm summaron, it is not considered a very sharp lens and it is better suited for street photography, but I would love to hear your view on it. I really enjoy your videos, looking forward to the next one.
Thanks for your valuable input. I wasn't aware of that. I'm learning everyday about these cameras. Makes a lot of sense what you are saying. I guess I assumed the 6 Bit coding helped with data transfer from the lens. Yes the Summaron isn't really aimed at Landscapes for me. More of a general purpose "lifestyle" kind of lens. Ive only shot a few images with it today bit shall hopefully get more of a chance to use it next week on my photography trip. Thanks for taking the time to contribute and also your kind comments. i appreciate your input.
I was also surprised the Leica dealer was clueless, they should of told you there is no electrical contact with the lens and body, its all an estimation in the EXIF files.
+Guam Photography I fed back to the store. It's great how by sharing info I can learn from everyone here. Thanks.
On the m240 (guess also on m10) you can set the lens youre using from a long list for the correct tag in the exif data and also i gues a more adequat interpretation of the used aperture. On a m-d it ll be not possible to choose out of a list.
Thank you very much for this video. Please keep up the Leica MD videos, there's almost no MD RUclips content out there. Thanks again!
+Manuel Rendon thank you. I have lots of new content coming soon.
First of all, cheers. I love this camera. I've shot the M3, M2, and M6 for years and they've been everything I've ever needed and more. I've hesitated to move into digital Ms mainly because I just love my film Ms so much, I do all my B&W processing at home (color at a lab), and the need for instant results has not been a priority. Then of course there's the price. Even used they're steep but I do feel that the M9 seems to have finally come down enough to be affordable for a lot of photographers out there.
Once the 240 and 262 came out I finally felt like the digital M ecosystem was maturing enough to start looking at one seriously. I was considering the M-P 240 but then I found out the local Leica store had a demo M-D for sale at a pretty big discount. I went to see them in person and I ended up choosing the M-D. I've had it a little over a week but I've already taken close to 600 shots so I've gotten to know it pretty well. The transition from the film bodies was as seamless as I had hoped. Everything's where I expect it to be. I don't really notice the increased thickness. The lack of a screen helps with that. My M6 is a Classic so I did have to get used to the 'right-way-round' shutter speed dial but that's easy since it actually correlates to what the meter is telling you.
I do quite a bit of available light photography so I have slowly upgraded to the faster lenses 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 90/2 but I think you were very wise to go with the newer Summarits since you mainly shoot stopped down. I also have the ZM 25/2.8 and it's just stellar on the M-D. Razor sharp, great color, and huge DOF.
A couple of points I thought of in relation to your concerns:
As I have come to learn initially on the forums and after consulting with my local Leica store reps, the aperture values generated in the EXIF data are only approximations made by the metering software. Even when I shoot wide open at f/1.4 the EXIF will sometimes show f/2 or some other value. Unlike the ingenious Nikon AI meter coupling system, there is and has never been a system in place to directly transmit aperture data from M lenses to M bodies. I suppose they already made it complicated enough for themselves all those years ago with a very sensitive RF system that mechanically couples with each lens' focusing helicoid. Their famous jewel-like lenses would perhaps not be so svelte had they tried fitting aperture value transmission into each of their lenses. But who could've possibly foreseen that need?
Secondly, the new firmware certainly seems to have fixed the issue with long-term power drain. I always turn the camera off when it goes back in my bag but it can spend lots of time on standby and it barely drains the battery. Even when I'm shooting non-stop for several hours I haven't come close to running it down. I remember that being a serious issue with the early digital Ms, necessitating the need for multiple absurdly-expensive batteries to come along with you.
Finally, I found a cool little tip over on David Knoble's site about the M-D's special cleaning mode. I looked everywhere on Leica's site and in the manual and I didn't see it mentioned. To put it into cleaning mode, be sure you have at least 60% battery left. Set the power switch to Self Timer mode. Then while you're pressing down the Function button, fully depress the shutter release. This will hold the shutter open until either the battery depletes or you turn the camera off. Once you turn it off, it gives you another 10 seconds, accompanied by the self-timer indicator light in the VF, before it closes the shutter.
Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more great shots and content! Happy shooting.
+Brad Maestas thanks for your detailed and insightful input Brad. Much appreciated and so is your support. Thanks a lot.
The Leica M10 can recognise different Leica lenses fitted to it but only those that are 6-bit coded. A small reader in the lens mount reads the codes and tells the camera what lens is fitted as well as changing the lens profile to match but this function has to be enabled in the menu's. If a lens is not 6-bit coded you can go into the menu's and change the lens profile to match your lens for instance setting it to the summary 28mm when using that lens or when using other brands setting it to the nearest Leica equivalent for instance Zeiss ZM50/2 Planar would use the Summicron 50/2 profile whilst the Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Tessar would be a Sumilux 50/1.4. I'm not sure if your camera has the same system for 6-bit coded lenses but its worth finding out. Non 6-bit coded lenses can be coded by Leica and other repair services.
Loveeeeee the color. I know their not SooC shots, but they look really good. You're making me really want the M-D. My only nitpick is that the Ken Burns zoom effect is really distracting. Can't wait to see the review on that 28mm lens!
Thanks you Frank. Useful feedback on the Ken Burns. Thanks. I've just published a new video on the 28mm. More to follow soon on that one... Thanks again.
Great video, is really good you're enjoying the camera. Favourite image was at 13:10. Keep it up!
Thanks a lot Niall.
Nice vid, and I love the colour toning great job 👍
Thank you
Great videos!
Thanks Rikard
Another really interesting video, many thanks for posting.
The still images look superb! Did you do much in the way of PP to them?
Really looking forward to seeing more from this camera.
As always, take care on your travels.🍀👍
Thanks again Andy. Not much at all. I made slight adjustments to the highlights on all and shadows on a few. I added some vibrance and a little contrast. I was trying to achieve a natural look and am really impressed with this camera so far.
They certainly don't look overdone in anyway mate.👌
Andy Keeble thank you
Leica guessing F number using a small window in the front of the camera. There is no electronic communication between the lens and camera to determine f number
Pics are very nice James. That Super Elmar is one of the best lenses going.
Thanks a lot. Yes I've always had a thing for wide angle shots and this lens seems to be one of the best I've ever used.
I've mine in a leather protection, no viewfinder accessible unless I take it off...
I’m ridiculously late with this comment - been catching up on the videos on your channel after coming across it though a RUclips recommendation - and not sure if you still love or even have the camera, but my new M262 Monochrom was plagued by sensor dust even though I only used one lens. That was the main reason I sold it. Having reluctantly sold my M4 and M4P as well the MD is really attractive to me so I am sorry to hear that is still a problem.
Thanks John. I sold the camera and the m10-D I had too. Regret it a bit. Wasn’t overly bothered by dust in the end. Just stuck with my 50mm summilux 99% of the time. Also sold my m4-p which I also regret. The md was a good camera that I really enjoyed.
@@JamesBellLandscapePhotography Thanks for the reply. With having liked it and the files so much what made you move on?
My problem is I have the X1D which produces beautiful images and I use that for my landscapes. I don’t or didn’t make money off the MD it was more a walk around camera for me which I tried to change but the X1D is too a better solution for me. Don’t get me wrong the Leica was brilliant and it’s files were actually better colour than the X1D but I valued the extra MP and flexibility. Also the screen helps with landscapes. I miss the MD and would have another if funds allow in the future. Hope this helps.
@@JamesBellLandscapePhotography Again, thanks. Yes, makes sense. I've gone back to a 'lesser' 24mpx digital camera (Sony so I can use all my various lenses) from a 5DSr but mainly back to film - 6x9cm to 35mm this time as 4x5" was so expensive and awkward, film loading wise etc. But haven't ruled it out for good!
great inputs I became your subscriber. it's hard to find good new fresh leica content thanks specially on summrit, i purchased one coz of your recommendation, can you do a review on it though please ?
Thank you. I'm very happy with the Summarit lenses I have. Once Ive done a few more shoots with them I'll put something together with my thoughts. Thanks for your support.
The M240 and earlier uses that small round eye near the rangefinder patch window to guess exposure for metadata because there is no communication between the lens and camera. because it'a never accurate Leica removed this function from the M10 so it doesn't show anything.
Thanks for the info. I wondered what that was for, almost looks like a focus assist light. Makes total sense what you say and again I'm really grateful to people like you who positively contribute to my content and ultimately teach me things. Thanks for taking the time to contribute. Really appreciate it. Thanks
What if you set the lens manually?
fespot the lens is fully manual. I'm not sure of another way to set it. I've updated my firmware last night so going to test it out again.
I was just thinking about what happens when you set the lens manually in the camera as apposed to automatically (with 6-bit.) But as someone answered further down, there's no electrical transfer from lens to camera so it is not 100% accurate.
James Bell - Lake District Landscape Photography there should be a menu item that selects either automatic lens detection ( for 6 bit coded lenses) or manual where you pick the lens from an in camera list, for uncoded lenses. If the lens does not show in the list, you can pick the nearest choice for focal length and aperture. Older lenses can often be hand coded by painting the appropriate dots on the lens flange. You should be able to find a list on the net with proper codes. Be aware that the camera also sets the frame lines from a cutout on the lens flange. The flange will determine which frame lines show up, either the 50/75mm, the 28/90mm or the 35/135mm set. The 6 bit code must be the appropriate one for the flange and frame line set, or the camera will read it as uncoded. For example you can't code a 90 mm lens as a 50 mm Summilux, even if you put on the Summilux 6 bit code, as the flange cutout would not be appropriate, and will result in uncoded showing up when the camera is set to read the code automatically. Some lenses can have a new flange from the factory with codes installed. Others cannot, usually because they're an older design with bolts in the wrong position in the flange to enable a swap. Aftermarket flanges milled out with 6bit code grooves are available for some lenses. This milling out of grooves sets up a recess in the flange to paint in the codes, so they are below the mating surface on the flange, and won't be worn off as the friction of unmounting and remounting has a tendency to wear away hand coded paint marks over time. Thanks for the videos.
yes, "no big deal" but honestly it is a big deal! never heard of anyone having this problem, anyway it is really disappointing to know that leica will give faulty mechanisms for such prices.
The brand is LeicA, not LeicR. Thought you guy spoke English
What's a "Leicur?"
The intervocalic intrusive "r" is a perfectly acceptable feature of some varieties of British English. Hope that helps.
Hey have you updated the firmware? I had battery drain issues with my M-D until I updated it. Also check if it's being pressed in your bag. Just some ideas. Mine drained the battery twice while on vacation until I updated it and so far no more battery drain issues. left it last night at 55 percent woke up and it's still at 55 percent. Love your site keep it up. My work can be found at 5amtoday.photography
ps. I purchased mine 4 weeks ago and the store said it was updated to the latest firmware and it was not.
Thanks Steven, really appreciate your input. I have tried to update the firmware but got an Err message. I've just tried it again after formatting my SD card and the camera now say batter to low so i suspect it will work once the battery has charged a bit. Thanks a lot for that, Im sure this will solve my issue of auto power off. Thanks for your kind comments and congratulations on a great collection of images yourself. Really good. I'd love to shoot in NYC one day. Did you check out my Leica Q in London video. ruclips.net/video/zNIuCfnqLsA/видео.html
James Bell - Lake District Landscape Photography
I'm sure it will. there's really no way to know if the camera has previously been updated. I am sure the Leica store employees are making assumptions of the camera being updated but in my case those assumptions we're wrong. Woke up a few days like I said with a dead camera. Thank you for your kind words about my images. I have not but will. And hey if you're ever in NYC let me know. I was in London last summer in 2016.
Steven Jermaine Jones thanks again. It has worked. Just needed to format the memory card before trying the update. Really glad you commented. Thanks for that. Just need to get rid of the dust now. Thanks re NYC. One day my friend. One day.
James Bell - Lake District Landscape Photography about the dust I haven't checked mine for it. But a blower is what I used for my m240 prior and it worked well. When I traded my m240 in the store blew all the dust the camera had in away. The MD doesn't give you the easy dust recognition thing the m240 has. But I've always found the m240 easy to clean I think the MD is the same. got to blow mine out tonight when I get home!!
pick one or two focal lengths and learn them. way too many lenses man.
+Alexander Hakimi I'm a big fan of choice and have various options for different scenarios. This is my one frustration with my Leica Q but at the same time I find it good to be restricted to certain focal lengths as with my iPhone. In my next video I'll discuss how lens choice and real world usage worked out in my recent landscape Photography trip. I've found I stick to one or two lenses but swap between which ones depending on what I'm looking to capture.
i suppose my point of view is directed more towards street photography than landscape. i don't know that a rangefinder is really the best choice for landscape and critical composition, but hey, it's what makes you happy.
I think the rangefinder has applications wider than just street photography. For example I was photographing a Seal in the Sea the other day with my 90mm lens. It was really helpful to be able to see a wider area than the image capture area. When the seal went under the water I was able to see it resurface and recompose. I think that kind of application is unique to Rangefinders. I didn't buy the M-D exclusively for landscapes which I believe I mentioned in this or another video. What I can say however its a joy to use for whichever photography we choose to take. Thanks for your contribution.
That is hardly too many lenses. what a strange thing to say.