Camera Labs

Hi folks,

You can read all about the M at Leica's various web-sites (here for example) but sometimes a movie is worth a thousand words. Check out the promotional video on Vimeo (click the image below):

There's also some interesting reading plus illustrations in the product brochure (PDF) on the new CMOS sensor and the the microlens array:

in the case of the Leica max 24 mP sensor, and in contrast to standard CmoS sensors, even light rays with large angles of incidence, e.g. from wide-angle lenses or large apertures, are captured precisely by the photodiodes of the sensor. This is enabled by the special microlens design and the smaller distance between the colour filter and photodiode, which allows more light to enter the system, and ensures that it falls more directly on the respective photodiodes.

It's hard to imagine how Leica could have announced a better camera within the constraints of the manual focus M-system lenses. Maybe they'll add sensor based image stabilisation one day but photographers managed without it for years and many still do. Looks like my sixty-fifth birthday present to myself has been decided - fortunately I still have a few years to go in which to save up some pennies!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi folks,

I've just been reading the CMOSIS press release about the new sensor for the M. They quote "a linear full well capacity of ≥40,000 electrons and a linear dynamic range close to 76dB". If those numbers were all that defined IQ then the sensor would seem to lag a little behind the competition, as can be inferred from the graphs here and here at Clarkvision. But that's assuming the figures are derived in the same way and also how much benefit one actually sees above and beyond a certain level of performance except with unusually demanding subject matter?

Somehow I doubt the reviews and sample images, when we finally get to see them as the current cameras are all pre-production, will be anything less than glowing. Er, that's the reviews that will be glowing, not the images!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

its nice that they've made a bigger screen...but its not nice to remove the thumb wheel of where it used to be and have that as a thumb scroll instead.

I also prefer the round buttons to the new flat rectangular ones... they should have kept the original design but with a larger screen

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http://www.AnderssonPhoto.com
Cameras: Leica M8, Nikon FE-2, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II, 40D
Lenses: Voigtländer Nokton Classic 35mm 1.4, Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm 5.6 ASPH II, Nikkor AI-S 28mm 2.8, Canon 24-70 2.8L, 85mm 1.2L II, 300mm 2.8L IS, TS-E 45mm 2.8, Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro
Canon 1.4x/2X TC II, Canon 580EX II X2, Gitzo + Manfrotto.
Wishlist: Leica Monochrom, Summilux 50 ASPH, Voigtlander 35mm 1.2 ASPH II

I think we have to play a game that the measurement methods must be the same to be comparable.

76dB would translate to a dynamic range of about 12.6 stops, which is comparable to Canon sensors but possibly lagging compared to the Sony based sensors based on DxO results. But the Canon and Sony sensors on Clarkvision site have much higher SNR values which don't compare to DxO. E.g. DxO rate the 5D2 as 11.9 stops. Clarkvision chart come out about 104 dB, or 17 stops, but if you look at the table lower down, that gives 14.7 stops instead. That inconsistency, unless I'm missing something here, makes me take their results with a huge amount of caution so I wouldn't use that as a basis for comparison.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi folks,

A detailed hands-on preview of the M can be found at the Red Dot site. The M looks better and better although I do note a little wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst some ultra-traditionalists. Having downsized to a pocketable CSC earlier this year I'm in no hurry to bulk up again but of all this year's full-frame announcements the M gets my vote. The M9 felt very good in my hands when I tried it last year (far nicer than my old 5D2) and the M just builds on that by adding a whole raft of extra options which can either be used or ignored at will.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

It would be interesting to know what Bjorn's reaction was to the launch of the M and M-E models. In particular, would he still choose his M9-P?

I'm interested in your reply Bjorn because I am still considering a move to Leica myself, although more for landscape than street.

Hi folks,

TCS has a great video review of the "M" here. Enjoy.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Sorry for the very late reply warth man, I must have missed this thread when it was active in November. I could write a long story, which I don't really feel like doing at the moment, so I'll say: I don't like what Leica did with their new models. In fact, I am writing my master thesis on their 'bad move'. The new features should not be part of a Leica camera (in case of the M), and the M-E should not be positioned as the lower-end model. In a couple months I'll have my thesis ready with a more elaborate (and scientific ) explanation for my dislike of these models.

I am still very happy with my M9-P, and wouldn't trade it for one of these new models because a camera is just an instrument. The M9-P works for me, it does what I need it to do, that is: not get in my way of creative expression. A camera is the least important element for photography (90% photographer, 6% lens, 4% camera, or something along those lines). Now had Leica come out with the M Monochrom a little earlier, I might have gotten that instead. Most of my work is in B/W anyway and I wouldn't mind the high ISO performance on that model. But again, it doesn't matter. I'm perfectly satisfied with my M9-P and will continue using it for many years to come.

- Bjorn

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Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Thank you for responding Bjorn. Your comments are interesting, especially those about the M-E as it is supposed to be a "budget" M9 minus a couple of minor elements. I admit to keeping an eye on M9-P prices here in the UK but it is becoming increasingly difficult to see any at all. I'll keep looking - and wondering - for now.

Hi folks,

A couple of reviews of the '240', found courtesy of Leica Rumors.

The M (Typ 240) - Leica's new baby reviewed

Leica M (240): The Legend continues

Some very positive words there, particularly about the IQ of the new sensor. Looking in from the outside I'm a bit confused about the reaction to the 240 from some. If it is possible, as I believe it is, to turn off pretty much all of the new-fangled stuff (to Leica) like live view and use the 240 as a traditional rangefinder then why wouldn't you want to take advantage of the (allegedly) better IQ from the new sensor?

Update: Also check out I will not buy that camera, I promise... over at LL. A win for the '240' over the D800E so far as IQ is concerned.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.