Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/06/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]That's all very helpful, Bob. My main reason to get a 240 would be to use my R lenses with focus peaking. If that is not possible, I will stick with my M9 and MM and use the R lenses on my DMR until my eyes completely give out. I could use the extra money for a new computer. Thanks!! Tina On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 7:06 PM, Robert Adler <rgacpa at gmail.com> wrote: > On Friday I went to Samy's in Los Angeles where they had just received > their demo M. I was able to play with it for about 1-1/2 hours using my > lenses and SD card, but just inside the store in the Leica section. What I > noted was: > > Good: > 1. The smoothness of the shutter is wonderful. No "kick" back on my > finger, like in the M8 and to a lesser degree the M9. Buttery, quiet and no > noticeable lag. EXTREMELY impressed! > 2. The averaging (matrix) metering mode works very well. I had it on the > classic mode for some shots and the highlights were blown because there was > a lot of black wall which metered gray. On the new "Advanced" mode it > figured this out and I got a decent histogram. > 3. The rangefinder is crisp and accurate. Lines were white for mine and > easy to see/use. > 4. The files are bigger (duh) > 5. The shutter response time, when not using live view/focus peaking, > seemed faster than the M9. It was certainly noticeably quieter. > 6. With live view, when you turn the lens to focus, the live view goes to > the same magnification level (0, 5X or 10X) that you last used. > 7. Live view, through the EVF, does show depth of field. > 8. Nice LCD screen on the back, though I would not use it except to see > the histogram... > 9. The camera feels very nice in your hands. Definitely a Leica M. The > thumb ridge is great. > 10. Base plate is much sturdier; not tinny as on the M9. > > Not so good: > 1. Focus peaking did not work for me on eyes. For portraits of non moving > folks, you can use live view to see your focus on the eyes, etc.(especially > magnified 5 or 10X) and also see your DOF, but no focus peeking indicators > showed where the focus was. > 2. Live view does not magnify after turning the lens until after a very > noticeable pause; my guess is about 1 second. A real delay... > 3. There is a noticeable shutter release lag when using live view. VERY > noticeable. From what I've read, the shutter is open for live view and must > close and then fire. In rangefinder mode, as noted above, there is > absolutely no lag. > 4. ISO above 1600 (even 1/2 stop more at 2000) is not useful. Just a > really big difference between 1600 and 2000 to the dark areas showing large > blotches. > 5. I had trouble finding how to set EV (I usually shoot at -1/3 just to > ensure I don't blow highlights). Probably my lack of knowledge of the menu > system (which has changed), so most likely not the camera's fault... > > Conclusion: This camera is every bit an M with minor improvements FOR ME > over the M9, the biggest of which is the sensor size. Live view seems to be > made for movie making (which I did not test and would not use) or > landscapes. Not for street/family shooting. The shutter is sweet. The ISO > performance minimally improved. Though I was excited about the camera, > especially using Live View with focus peeking to shoot my family and street > work, it basically is not usable, IMO, for that. The larger sensor does > nothing for me as this is not my landscape camera. Most likely when my > number comes up on various dealers' lists to buy the M, I won't. > > Of course I have specific uses for my Ms. For my needs, the improvements I > saw did not warrant the cost of a replacement for my M9. > > Then I tested a Monochrom... I'm trying not to think about what I > experienced to save my marriage... > > Just thought I'd pass this along. Happy to answer any questions. > Bob > > -- > Bob Adler > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > -- Tina Manley http://tina-manley.artistwebsites.com