[Leica] Leica M (Type 240) Experience

[rgacpa at gmail.com (Robert Adler)]

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