Leica M Digital - No Longer Just a "Dentist's Camera?"

Photographer Sarah Lee from the UK's Guardian has started using a Leica M-E, the camera that's nearly identical to the M9 (missing only the frameline preview lever and USB connection), yet significantly less expensive.

The Leica M-E Digital Rangefinder

Image Source: www.amazon.com

 
(Click Here) to read Sarah's thoughts on the Leica M-E on the Guardian's blog
 
Sarah discusses how the Leica M9 was not well-adopted by professional photojournalists because of price. In fact, she says that the pros refer to it as the "dentist's camera." I suspect a little of this is also involved in her decision to tape over the red dot on her M-E.
 
Like the M9, the useful iso is limited at about 1250, and it shares the slow write speed and small image buffer of the M9. Otherwise, her comments are quite positive, and par for the course as other photographers have reported. For Sarah, it has taken her back to shooting for fun, and to the reasons she became a photographer in the first place. It even has her printing images again.
 

Sarah Lee with her gaffer-taped Leica. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Image Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/photography-blog/2012/dec/28/leica-m-e-rangefinder-photography

 

Another comment by Sarah is interesting to me - it has to do with her Pentax K1000 (my featured "Skeletons from the Closet" camera for January), and how she still appreciates it. That's cool.
 
You should read the whole article if you're interested in Leica digital rangefinders. But, to sum up, she says that once you can afford this type of camera, "it changes everything."
 
I would venture to add that going back and shooting the K1000 for a while may change everything as well. Don't get me wrong - I'm no dentist, but I do own an M9, so am certainly not a detractor of Leica. I just think that shooting with the basics, whether it be an M9 or a manual film SLR, changes the way you look at photography.
 
Buy your "inexpensive" Leica through my link below :).
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Luminous Landscape Publishes Final Report on Photokina 2012

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-GH3KBODY

 
Luminous Landscape has published a nice report on many incredible new cameras and lenses introduced at this year's Photokina show in Germany.
 
(Click Here) to read the full report on Luminous Landscape
 
Rather than attempt to paraphrase the report, I refer you to it for your reading pleasure.
 
What strikes me? Well, of course, I'm tuned in to Leica and Panasonic.
 
Leica has announced the new Leica M, the first CMOS sensor-based digital rangefinder in the M line, and the M-E, which is a slightly stripped-down M9, priced significantly lower, but still >$5,000.
 
Panasonic brought out the long-awaited 35-100mm f2.8 X-Series zoom. This is sure to be a big seller. I recently reminded myself that I am a prime shooter by ordering the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. Certainly a very nice lens, mine went back. In its place came a gorgeous Olympus 75mm f1.8, which I have yet to report on.
 
More interesting to me is the Lumix DMC-GH3. The GH3 is the largest Micro 4/3 body to date. While I really like the small size of the DMC-G3 that I use, I think a little more space will be welcome. However, if it gets as big as my Nikon D700 or thereabouts, I'm going to question why I'm shooting Micro 4/3s. Really though, the smaller size and weight of the lenses still answers that question successfully.
 
The GH3 has a new LiveMOS sensor that is reportedly better at high iso, and has better dynamic range than previous sensors. The body is weather sealed, and has five custom function buttons. The external buttons are very useful on the G3, even though it's limited to two - five would be nice. The GH3 shoot 6 frames per second. It also incorporates wifi capability, but that is yet to be supported by software that Panasonic is developing. I like the idea of triggering the shutter via wifi, and automatically uploading by same. This would make my iPad a nice remote controller and image reviewer.
 
Of course, the GH3 is targeted at video shooters as well, just as the GH1 and GH2 did. I'm not personally interested in video so much, but the ability to record high fidelity audio (including a plug in for external microphones) is attractive, especially for recording the music events that I regularly attend.
 
There are really some great offerings by other companies, perhaps most notably Sony, Fujifilm, and Nikon. So, check out Luminous Landscape's report to see all the news.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

New Leica Rangefinders - What Do You Think?

 

The Leica M

Image Source: http://the.me/voila-the-new-leica-m-and-leica-m-e-leica-creates-cmos-and-minimalist-ccd-digital-ms/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+themephoto+%28theme%29

 
Leica has announced two new entries into the digital rangefinder world. First, the new "M." Instead of continuing the numbering system, they've decided to go with less is more in naming. This new camera sports the first CMOS sensor in the M line. CMOS is known to give better noise performance at high iso, as compared to the CCD. However, the CCD produces sharper images, at least according to Leica's previous literature, and the opinion of many other experts. CCD is limited not only by high iso performance, but by the inability to provide live view, video, etc.
 
The new M uses a sensor that is reported to give the best of both worlds. The M remains a manual focus rangefinder, like the rest of the line. Probably the two most important upgrades for me are high iso and "focus peaking." Focus peaking uses the camera sensor to indicate when you've reached correct focus with a manual focusing lens. Some Nikon DSLRs with focus peaking have been around for years. I find it useful, especially as my eyes age with the rest of my body. I'm still avoiding going to auto focus exclusively, and focus peaking may give me a few more years. The new M lists for the same price as the previous M9, approximately.
 
Next, the Leica M-E. This is essentially a repackaged M9 (wonderful camera), with no external frame selector. It lists for ~$5,500, less than the M9. This is a step in the right direction for Leica attracting new customers - awesome camera (I have the M9), better price. But, at $5,500, it's still not for the light-hearted.
 
I recently bought a used M9, and could not be happier. If I were looking to resell the M9, I may not be happy. I plan to use mine for a very long time. And for now, I'm quite happy with the CCD performance. I'll have to be convinced that the new M's CMOS sensor can really do what the M9 does. That said, sensor technology changes so quickly, I should not doubt progress, ever.
 
For another post on the new Leica products, check this one out:
 
(Click Here) to read more on THEME.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Interesting Options Coming in September? New Lower Cost Leica M9, Fuji XPro Cameras

 

 
Leica M9
Image Source: us.leica-camera.com
 

I think it's still in the realm of rumors, but probably correct. LaVidaLeica has a post hinting at a Leica "ME," to be announced at Photokina in September. Reportedly, it will be along the lines of the M9, with a real rangefinder, and will cost less. Well, that will be interesting to see. I don't know exactly what they'll do to reduce the cost, but I'd like to see an affordable Leica M digital (along the lines of the Leica CL from the 70s). It won't invalidate the original M9 and new M10 (also expected to be announced), any more than the CL invalidated the M6 (it didn't).

 

(Click Here) to see the post on LaVidaLeica

 

There are also some rumors of new Fujifilm Xpro cameras to be announced, following on the XPro-1. I find the XPro-1 very interesting, but I think most users have some complaints. The biggest one is focus speed, from what I can tell. I hope Fuji has addressed the issues.

 

I have recently bought a used Leica M9. Even though I've spent my camera budget for the foreseeable future, I welcome all of these new additions. Looking forward to hearing the official announcements!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

By the way, new M9s are lower in price than I've ever seen right now: