[Leica] One way to justify a M10R

[Frank Filippone]

I am not going to try to justify the cost issues, but I do want to help
users decide one advantage they are getting from buying an M10R once it is
available.  I am going to assume the resolution of the new camera will be
46MP.  (there are reports of 42 and 46MP.  The analysis does not change
much between these numbers. so let's think positive, 46MP)

Remember that these advantages are relative to your old setup.  The
decision that this argument is making is... should I upgrade to an M10R
from my old Digi-M?

It is all about Cropping.  If you need an end resolution of AxB pixels, and
you take an image that is more pixels than this, you can use cropping
without degradation of your final image.

There are 3 probable cases/generations of an "Old" Leica camera:  The M9,
and M240, and the M10  ( or variants).  Taking these one at a time,

If you own an M10, with 24MP of sensor the effective lens factor is 1.32 (
let's go with 1 1/3 for convenience).  This means that it would have taken
a lens of 1 1/3 focal length to take the same image output  as if you had
your old camera.  IOW your your 35 mm lens can crop to the equivalent of a
47mm lens on the M10R.  A 50mm lens becomes a 67mm lens, your 90 becomes a
120mm , your 135 becomes a 180mm..  And you are not carrying that extra
lens around....

If you have a M240, the situation is similar.  24mp sensor.  Same
advantages.

If you have an M9 ( like I do) the case is much more clear and
compelling.... the M9 has a resolution of 18MP.  The effective lens
multiplier is 1.6.  Your 35 can be cropped to the equivalent of 56mm lens.
The 50 to 80mm, the 90 to 145mm and the 135 to 200mm!

Say you use the traditional 35/50/90 lens kit on your M9 when you take your
images..... you could now carry a 35 and a 50 and get the same image
cropping abilities.  You do not have to carry the 90!  If you use a 50 and
90, the 50 will cover both.

On a trip where space and weight matter, but you want all the capability
you can get?  Carry the 35, and 90.. In effect, you are carrying the
crop-ability of a 35,50,90 AND 135.  You are carrying only 2 lenses!  Much
less fussiness, less lens changing, and more time to compose and shoot.

Cropping is a major advantage of the higher MP of the M10R.

Note that this is not only about Leica, your brand N or C or other cameras
offer the same advantages.....

More MP is not only about file sizes.  It can take on a really good roll in
your carry kit.

Frank Filippone
BMWRed735i at gmail.com