Last week’s experience with new gear made me appreciate something all over again: the joy of shooting with a rangefinder.
I’ve written about this previously, but it doesn’t hurt to be taught old lessons again.
Many people view the Leica rangefinder and its mechanical coincident focusing mechanism as antiquated. Yet, I’ve chosen this type of camera (starting with the M8) for almost 100% of my photography for the last 7 years. For me, and many others, there is no better example of an unobtrusive and high quality image-capable camera.
Recently, another camera company has been celebrated for manufacturing smaller-than-DSLR “full frame” bodies, yet it is noteworthy that Leica accomplished this back 2009 with the M9. Moreover, to this day, Leica is the only company that (mostly) understands the ergonomics of a proper camera and the importance of an optical viewfinder.
The modern Leica M camera carries forward design principles that have been retained, honed, and perfected over many decades. Quite literally, there is no competition in the current camera landscape.
On a final note…
Although I have been famously critical of a sensor decision Leica made with the M240 (though I’m learning to live with it), I have no problem giving credit where credit is due, so:
Thank you Leica, for the M.
—Peter.
Prosophos 
Other cameras may have better sensors, higher ISO, bigger LCD screens, ertc… but NO camera gives you more pleasure when shooting than a Leica.
I agree
Hello Peter,
You are full of amazement again! I am happy that you have re-affirmed your love & passion; and I have seen you excel in colour management of the M240. We are only human & it is a blessing that we can have the privilege to appreciate various gifts & invention on Earth. I appreciate your struggle from M9 to M240. It is a long & winding road. For me, I still sit there & slowly preparing myself to that route of M240. I am not there yet as I love the way M9 renders skin tone. Nevertheless, I am very tempted with its high ISO ability, versatility & the improved operation. Good for you!
Michael.
Thank you Michael.
Peter, I’m happy to read that the M seems to be growing on you. I must say that I am liking the way you are rendering its color. I had mentioned to you that I was thinking of upgrading my M9 to an M9P but have decided that it didn’t make sense to do so. I am going to give much consideration to selling my M9 for the M. However, I’m not jumping into to it and will weigh the decision carefully as well as try to use an M first. I love the M9; however, I yearn for better ISO and just maybe the compromise in sensors is worth it. What are your thoughts about this today? If you have repurchased or are about to repurchase the M, good luck.
George, I’d love the CCD sensor in the M240 body… that’s my honest answer.
I do wish Leica would offer viewfinder magnification options like they did with the old film M cameras. Alternatively come up with some kind of hybrid viewfinder like the Fuji X100S. If I had to chose between looking through my M6 0.85 viewfinder, and the M9 0.68 viewfinder, I would pick the M6 every time.
I have to buy a viewfinder magnifier for my 50mm Cron and especially my 90mm Cron because of the 0.68 viewfinder which covers my 35mm nicely. That magnifier is bloody expensive.
And, if I may from my non-Leica experience add: that measured as a piece of industrial design, they (with the lenses that attend them) are simply the most beautiful image making tools being currently produced…
I feel the exact same way about my Leica(s)
Although I had an unexpected experience recently.
I bought the overpriced and already dated Leica EVF for my M240 to use with the 24mm Summilux.
Coming from the bright, clear optical view fonder world it is not a great experience. It’s slow and a bit cumbersome because I often forget which mode I’m in.
But you can tell where the innovation is going. As focus peaking gets better and EVF technology gets better it will be interesting to compare optical vs EVF over time.
It’s a tough inner conflict for me. I cherish the simple, authentic “less is more” ethos but also in awe of advancement of technology.
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Regarding EVF, I’m open to it (though not excited by looking at the world through a TV)… if they produce an EVF where you can see the “frame-outside-of the-frame” like in a rangefinder window. Having that is critical for me to anticipate the evolution of a scene.
For me, the Leica M represents the purity and simplicity of a photographic implement. I gave up my Nikon D300 and all 6 lenses because of not only the weight and bulk, but also all the buttons and menus and auto-focus misfocus hocus pocus which actually serves to distract. To me, there are only 4 things required to adjust to take a picture – ISO, Aperture, Speed and ( Manual ) Focus. I now thoroughly enjoy the freedom of just carrying one camera and one lens.
Good luck with the M240 Peter. I think this ultimately comes down to getting colour presets that work for you. I’m currently contemplating selling everything except for my M240, m mount lenses and nikon Df and related lenses. Both cameras tend to make me focus on patient image creation, and both have absolutely stunning lenses available.
This last 2 weeks I’ve been shunning my summiluxes to spend more time with my planar and recently acquired 35 biogon. Both exceptional lenses if you shoot around F4-f5.6
God is in His Heaven.
Peter is back with Leica.
All is right with the world!
Apologies to Robert Browning.