Steve Spencer
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Arka wrote:
I just took an extended look and trial of the M10 at the Leica boutique, and confess that I don't understand the appeal of this camera to an M240 user. There are certainly image quality improvements with respect to high ISO performance, but in most other areas the updates are incremental, non-existent, or actually detrimental.
First - Why is this camera so slow to start up? My 1D Mark II from 2003 had instant startup, and I haven't had a camera with as slow a wake-up time as my M240 since my Canon EOS 10D from 2002. This is a problem that has actually cost me images, and it is very frustrating that Leica has not resolved it when many of their competitors did over 15 years ago! Come on! 4 generations of digital M and we still have to wait more than a fraction of a second for the camera to wake up from sleep? Ridiculous - this is a reportage camera. It should be instantly responsive to the needs of shooters.
Second - The ergonomics are modestly improved, and yes the camera is a little thinner (though not much lighter) than the M240. WiFi is also nice, as is the larger screen. The software and electronics feel modestly more responsive, but none of the image review UI feels groundbreaking or even very much faster than my D800 from 2012, or my D3x from 2010.
Third - The implementation of the ISO dial is less than ideal, with its somewhat awkward pull-up-and-rotate operation. Might get better with extended use, but I'm not loving it.
Fourth - I don't see the point of getting rid of the movie mode, aside from some misguided need to satisfy purists who apparently can't ignore the existence of a single, ignorable button. While I never thought of the M240 as a "video camera," I have recorded a number of priceless family documentary videos with it because, (as my favorite "real" camera), the M240 just happened to be the camera I had when the moment happened. And while the video quality on the M240 isn't terrific, it's more than usable for occasional family documentation, and so unobtrusively implemented that a "purist" could easily ignore it. Removing this feature from the M10 is not a "feature." And if the reason for doing it was to make this camera a few millimeters thinner, I don't think it was worth it. I prefer the allegedly "whale-like" dimensions of the M240 with the video onboard, than a barely smaller (or less expensive) M10 lacking it. After all, the M240 is still much smaller than any of my Nikon bodies, and barely any larger than its M10 successor.
Fifth - Why does this thing still have the braindead ergonomics of a screw-off baseplate to reach the battery and SD card? Isn't there a better way?
I am definitely guilty of usually raising my eyebrows when I see Leica cameras on paper, but being subtly seduced by them after using them in person. That's certainly what happened to me with the M240 (which I bought), the Q (which I almost bought), and the SL (which I still may buy on the used market). But the new M10 didn't really impress me at all. I suppose that's a good thing - it means that my M240 will continue to acquire some sexy Lenny Kravitz-style brassing as I shoot for another 4-5 years, while my bank accounts remain untouched by GAS (which is pretty damaging to bank accounts when Leica is your preferred poison). ...Show more →
As someone who just ordered an M10 let me respond to your points.
1) I don't think it is so slow to start up. I really don't perceive any difference from my Sony A7rII and if I am using the rangefinder I actually find it quicker to taking a shot than my Sony because as I turn it on I can use the viewfinder immediately and by the time I have the shot framed and in focus I can press the shutter. I don't need it any faster than this, whereas with the Sony the camera has to wake up before I can use the viewfinder. Maybe you are faster than me, but I don't see the delay affecting my shooting in almost any situation. I suppose there are times I might want to shoot without carefully framing and focussing when there might be a small delay, but mostly I see this as a non-issue.
2) I find it interesting how we see this issue as a glass half full or half empty situation. For me that the M10 is as fast operationally and a D80 or D3X is one of the reasons I wanted it. I find the operational speed of even the M240 and especially the M9 to be so slow to get in the way of using the camera. I am happy that the operational speed has improve to a level of these DSLRs. To me that is more than good enough.
3) I am happy that it has an ISO dial. For me having it there is mostly about being able to check the ISO easily. I don't find changing it hard at all, even when shooting if you leave it pulled up.
4) I am glad that it doesn't have a movie mode. The M240's video is worse than my iPhone's video which I always have in my pocket. If I want documentary low quality video, I always have that and it is much easier to use and get on my computer. I think if a camera has video it ought to have better video capabilities than a cell phone and that means among other things the proper ports and the ability to use different lenses that are designed for video (Leica M lenses are awful for video). So we are not talking about a minor change to offer more than a cell phone does. We would in fact need something like the Leica SL, which does do very good video, but that is a very different camera. If video is an important feature in your camera and you are a Leica shooter, then I don't understand why you wouldn't get an SL.
5) I don't think the baseplate is a very big issue. I plan to get the RRS one that incorporate an Area Swiss plate and I like that it will add less weight than a conventional L bracket because you get to ditch the weight of the stock base plate. I am sure I will be annoyed some time when I have the camera on a tripod and need to take it off to change the battery, but that isn't too different from my Sony that I need to take off the tripod to change the battery as well. I suppose there is some savings in not having to take off the baseplate, but once I have to remove it from the tripod it isn't a huge difference.
I am not trying to challenge your perceptions at all. I am just noting how mine are different. I think all of these things are quite personal decisions. If someone has an M240 and is happy with it, I can see why they wouldn't upgrade. For me, however, I never thought too much about the M240 and there were just a few too many gotchas--like the lack of the ability to move the focus point off the centre in live view and the absolutely crappy EVF--for me to seriously consider the camera. So with the M10 Leica may well pick up a fewer new adopters like me who can finally live with the package they have created and even be excited about shooting it.
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