Moving On: M9 to M-P
Like so many M users I was delighted with my M9. At last here was full-frame digital in a traditional M body with all the quality, easy uncomplicated handling and superb performance that we expect from a Leica. It fulfilled my needs perfectly. So when the M 240 first became available in 2013 I found it very difficult to justify a need to change. In any case my first impressions of the M240 were coloured by some disappointment with the shutter lag when using live view and, irrationally maybe, some irritation with the lack of the traditional viewing frame preview lever. Even accepting that the lag with live-view is normal, the essential R to M adapter was not available immediately so any idea of a change went on the back burner. There were also nagging doubts in my mind about the change from a CCD to CMOS sensor.
Last year I was loaned an M240 complete with an EVF and M to R adapter. I used the kit intensively on a range of subject matter. There were many things that I liked about the camera. In particular it was quieter than the M9, the shutter wind-on was faster, the high ISO performance was one and a half to two stops better, image quality was excellent and there were other useful improvements and clever features that had been included. Despite some earlier reservations I liked the brightness of the illuminated viewing frames - once I got used to having to switch on the camera to see them! Nevertheless in regular use I really did miss that frame preview lever. Probably a hangover from many years of using a succession of Leica M models but given the lack of a zoom lens it allows a quick check on the most suitable focal length for the occasion. The shutter lag in live view was definitely a problem for action subjects, including my favourite aircraft photography. The problem is about being unable to reframe the image during the short delay between shots. Panning is impossible. However for more static subjects particularly close-ups, especially when it is possible to use a tripod, the M240 does offer a very reasonable “R solution”. Live view does also provide additional metering options.
I concluded that the time had now come to seriously consider moving on from the M9 but thought it wise to first see what was coming along at Photokina. Surprisingly it became clear that no major changes were scheduled for the M240 but an upgraded version called the Leica M-P model 240 was to be available. The changes did not include any improvement to the shutter lag but the upgrade did now include the missing pre-view lever! There was a useful increase in the buffer capacity to 2Gb and the inclusion of a sapphire screen. I am a traditionalist and I always like to see the traditional Leica script on the top plate. So for me the M-P is a much more attractive looking camera than the standard M240. The decision was made and I sold one of my M9s to help fund a M-P.
After over 6 months regular use I am delighted with the M-P and thoroughly enjoy using it. For me the upgrades of this version over the standard M240 are worthwhile. The frame preview gives me back a valued old friend, the extra buffer size is definitely helpful when shooting a sequence of action shots or when using extensive bracketing for HDR or other purposes and the sapphire screen means that I can be a little less fussed when taking the camera in and out of a tightly packed Billingham.
Above: The M model 240 is very marginally larger and a mite heavier than the M9 but you would be hard pressed to see this.
The Sensor
I’ve been closely following the debate about the M9 CCD sensor versus the M240 CMOS type. I have shot comparisons on regular subjects and, whatever the technical arguments may be, from a practical user point of view I see little or no difference in my results at normal (up to ISO 400 say) ISO. However the superior high ISO performance of the M240 sensor is another matter and is invaluable at times. Although I would not normally wish to go beyond ISO 1250 I have not hesitated to move to ISO3200 when necessary.Most of the time the extra resolution from the 24 megapixels goes unnoticed. Where it does help is when a strong crop from full frame is needed. With a top quality lens the results can be surprisingly good. In extremis my 135 Apo-Telyt serves as a 200mm or even longer.
The lighting level for this tribute act to Glenn Miller was very low. I set the ISO to 3200 and opened up the 50mm Apo-Summicron-ASPH to f2. Exposure was 1/90th second..
This shot of a Delta Airlines 767 was made with the camera in live-view mode. The lens was the f2.8 Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R set at f2.8 together with a 2X Apo-Extender. ISO200 exposure 1/2000sec. This image is from a 3896X1896 pixel area of the file.
I couldn’t resist the fall colour of the Virginia creeper on our house. The light from an overcast sky meant that I needed ISO800 to get the depth of field that I wanted with a hand-held shot. The performance of the 50 Apo-Summicron-ASPH in the close up zone is remarkable for a fast lens.
The owl was being shown at an event in the North of England. FOr precise focusing with the 135mm lens I used live-view. The light was very dull and I had to set the ISO to 1000 in order to maintain a fast enough shutter speed for hand held shots.
The 90mm f4 Macro-Elmar-M is a very versatile lens for travel photography. Its overall image performance is excellent. It is certainly capable of exploiting the benefit of the M-P’s 24mp sensor. There is amazing detail in the file image of this shot of the P&O cruise ship ‘Adonia’ .
Antigua. Looking towards English Harbour and Nelson’s Dock from Shirley Heights. 21mm f2.8 Elmarit ASPH, ISO200.
Live View
Despite my reservations about it for action (and also even some efforts at nature) photography I have used live view more often than I expected. Low viewpoints, precise framing and composition and the ability to make careful focus and depth of field checks, especially with close-ups, have all been facilitated. I do find that the EVF is essential. This accessory deserves to be improved; the one for the T is better so there must be hope. With regard to the focus aids, I don’t find focus peaking nearly as helpful as I expected and also for me magnification is best used at no more than 5X. For consistency with direct viewing I prefer to stay with the standard (classic) metering in live-view and use AE lock when necessary rather than use the other options available. Of my R lenses the one that I’ve found most useful is the 100mm Apo-Macro-Elmarit and also occasionally the 80-200 f4 zoom. Both lenses work well with the 2X Apo-Extender. The R adapter is an extremely well executed accessory. The removable tripod support is particularly useful with the heavier R lenses. The adapter does open up the possibilities of a range of combinations from both the R lens range and the old Visoflex lenses. Lots of fun to be had playing with these and specialist close up equipment like the bellows units! The various copying devices for the M are also much easier to use.
Bamburgh, Northumbria, England. Taken with the 21mm Elmarit ASPH. Live view and the EVF simplified framing and composition from the low viewpoint.
General
One thing that I do have to confess is that the video function was not something of any real interest to me and apart from initially checking how it worked I haven’t used it at all.Overall I very much like the enhanced capability that the 240 series gives me. Considerable thought has been given to the implementation of the new features as well as improvements to existing ones. Despite the introduction of the new features the M remains a relatively simple camera to operate and a joy to handle. I like it – a lot! I suppose the acid test is that I now have a second M-P and my remaining M9 has not been used for months!!