Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/05/25

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Subject: [Leica] New Monochrome results
From: dstella1 at ameritech.net (Dante Stella)
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 09:13:12 -0400
References: <23500448.1432486492300.JavaMail.root@elwamui-huard.atl.sa.earthlink.net> <EF0C2CD5-239B-4D5A-AD42-277D14641BFA@icloud.com> <55625787.7080101@cox.net> <CAAsXt4PmDqRsLVYiGNYHB7n-zKgvHbxOX-F8Bx8f59xC6Cm1Aw@mail.gmail.com>

The M 240?s live view is adequate for where you really need precise framing 
and leveling. Which is generally not moving targets. And even sophisticated 
LV and SLR AF systems miss with wide apertures and moving subjects. 

But when I am fighting that, I use an X100T. It?s tiny, it can shoot and 
focus continuously, and it does things that even other Fuji X cameras can?t 
(like sync at 1/500 sec). Its 23mm f/2 lens has greater depth of field - and 
so it increases the tolerance for focus misses.

By contrast, the M is a deliberative instrument designed for RF use. I find 
it less fiddly than the X cameras when you just want to shoot, damn the 
consequences.

Finally, I?m not sure for architecture that the original Monochrom is a 
better value if there is pattern noise that is brought out by geometric 
correction. That would agitate for a camera that can be shot level in the 
first place. I also think there is some value in getting the updated 
electronics (to say nothing of HSS, no freezing, occasional video, etc.).

Dante


> On May 24, 2015, at 9:52 PM, Robert Adler <rgacpa at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Ken,
> 
> The real issue with live view on the Leica is that it opens the mechanical
> shutter when you start live view. Then, when you depress the shutter
> release button, the Leica closes the mechanical shutter and then fires
> (opens and closes) the shutter. It's a really big lag IMO. And it doubles
> the shutter actuations
> 
> Here's my working theories:
> 1. The rangefinder mechanism on MY M240 is amazing. That would be the
> primary reason to get the MM 2 over the MM 1 (the second reason being the
> noticeably smoother shutter: the M9 chassis has a noticeable shutter kick).
> The M240's rangefinder is greatly improved over the M9 and has held its
> accuracy for as long as I've owned the camera. It's spot on
> 
> HOWEVER.... When I shoot handheld wide open and close, even a slight
> movement by my head will change the focal point, especially on the f/1 and
> f/1.4 50mm lenses and the 75 f/2. So I geek: move my neck back and forth
> while shooting trying to get it right. Especially hard with my moving
> grandkids. Shutter lag simply defeats the accuracy of any type of focusing
> with these apertures at close distance: using the rangefinder really helps
> because of its tiny lag.
> 
> 2. With landscapes I tend to do the same thing with my M as I do with my
> larger system. Focus as best I can, through the viewfinder (and sometimes
> live view) and then fine tune by using the image review function where I
> can move the magnified portion around on the screen. With my larger system,
> I am looking at the RAW file: with the M I'm looking at the on screen jpeg.
> 
> Does that make sense?
> Bob
> 
> 
> On Sun, May 24, 2015 at 3:58 PM, Ken Carney <kcarney1 at cox.net> wrote:
> 
>> Bob,
>> 
>> Here is a Leica-rookie question.  I have seen numerous posts about users
>> sending bodies and lenses back to Leica to calibrate, to avoid back and
>> front focus issues.  Is this what live view is intended to avoid?  I know
>> even my SLR's have focus issues if I don't calibrate the lenses with
>> in-camera software.  If there is not an issue with matching bodies and
>> lenses, yes I would prefer to have rangefinder focus (my last Leica long
>> ago was an M3 with a 35mm Summicron, where it was difficult to make a 
>> focus
>> error though I succeeded at times).  Thx for some enlightenment.
>> 
>> Ken
>> 
>> On 5/24/2015 5:29 PM, Bob Adler wrote:
>> 
>>> Honestly I find live view useless as implemented in the M240. Completely
>>> useless because of the unbelievable shutter lag for non-landscape images
>>> and inability to move the magnified area of the view around to check 
>>> focus
>>> for landscape work.
>>> 
>>> For the decisive moment you will need to anticipate an additional 1/2 sec
>>> or more in advance. For landscapes you will need to reframe after 
>>> focusing.
>>> 
>>> Sorry, but I never use live view. But I own no R  lenses which it may
>>> actually be useful for per others' experiences I have read.
>>> Best,
>>> Bob-The -Grump
>>> 
>>> Bob Adler
>>> Robert Adler Photography
>>> www.robertadlerphotography.com
>>> 
>>> On May 24, 2015, at 12:32 PM, George Lottermoser <
>>>> george.imagist at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Live view certainly is what keeps me dreaming about the "upgrade;"
>>>> while feeling quite satisfied with the "high ISO" of the MM I.
>>>> 
>>>> a note off the iPad, George
>>>> 
>>>> On May 24, 2015, at 11:54 AM, Doug Herr <wildlightphoto at 
>>>> earthlink.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> The significant upgrade is live view.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Doug Herr
>>>>> Birdman of Sacramento
>>>>> http://www.wildlightphoto.com
>>>>> http://doug-herr.fineartamerica.com
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> 
>>>>>> From: Robert Adler <rgacpa at gmail.com>
>>>>>> Sent: May 24, 2015 8:51 AM
>>>>>> To: Douglas Nygren <douglasnygren at yahoo.com>, Leica Users Group <
>>>>>> lug at leica-users.org>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] New Monochrome results
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Good writeup here by Erwin Puts. Doesn't seem to be worth the $$...
>>>>>> Better
>>>>>> value with the MM-I
>>>>>> http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/styled-50/
>>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Leica Users Group.
>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Bob Adler
> www.robertadlerphotography.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information



In reply to: Message from wildlightphoto at earthlink.net (Doug Herr) ([Leica] New Monochrome results)
Message from george.imagist at icloud.com (George Lottermoser) ([Leica] New Monochrome results)
Message from kcarney1 at cox.net (Ken Carney) ([Leica] New Monochrome results)
Message from rgacpa at gmail.com (Robert Adler) ([Leica] New Monochrome results)