Leica M-E Rental Question for Upcoming Trip

<p>Hello everyone - I'm thinking of renting a Leica M-E for a trip I'm taking. This will be my first experience with a Leica digital (I've been shooting Leica film cameras for many years as well as canon digital). Just wondering what the general consensus is on the M-E. Particularly for someone like me that'll be making a transition from film. Don't worry, I'm still bringing my film camera. <br>

Should I spend more money and rent the 240 or even more money and get the M-P?<br>

Should I look into renting an older lens? <br>

More concerned about the look of my final files and less about all the bells and whistles that comes with the new technology. <br>

Thank you for your time and opinions. </p>

 

<p>NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take a "new" camera on a trip. (New to you, that is.)</p>

<p>Please only reply with information regarding the camera. Travel advise not wanted</p>

<p>Hi Allan,<br>

<br /> I recently upgraded from an M-E to the new 262. The M-P or 240 would be the same as the 262. Here is my <a href="http://www.jimarnold.org/blog/2015/12/leica-m-typ-262/">review</a> which may help you decide.<br>

Having shot Leica film M's before you will be right at home with an M-E or 240 series camera.<br>

<br /> Best,<br /> Jim</p>

<p>I have an M9P, but there are many similarities with the M-E. I'm aware of the differences, and will try to point them out.</p>

<p>A digital M is a lot different than a film M, unless general footprint and the presence of a rangefinder are the only criteria. The M-E differs from the M240 mainly in the absence of live view. It does have a menu, unlike film bodies. Like the M240, it also has LED frame lines, more accurate than those of M9 and earlier cameras. I believe the M-E omits the preview lever, which is one of the nicer features offered since 1956. The viewfinder magnification is .68 in order to accommodate a 28 mm frame, but lower than most non-digital M cameras. The wider view means less separation in the rangefinder. In my experience, that makes it hard to focus a 90 mm lens, wide open, with any sort of confidence.</p>

<p>The M9P has a CCD, whereas the M240 and beyond have a CMOS sensor. Some regard the CCD as a the ideal, and the M9P doesn't disappoint. However I have CMOS cameras too, which produce excellent images. Leica raw files, .DNG, are easy to manipulate and have an enormous latitude for adjustment. Each Leica model has a different way of producing JPG files internally, hence have various degrees of acceptance.</p>

<p>The shutter is louder than your film M, but not nearly as loud as a DSLR. You can program the camera to wind the shutter later (discrete mode), when you take your finger off the release button. You can also program a quiet mode, which reduces the shutter sound itself.</p>

<p>It will take time to learn the menu and control system of the camera. For example, an option doesn't take effect unless you press the SET button. There's nothing mysterious or hard to explain, but you have to get familiar with it before you need the camera.</p>

<p>I'm not going to lecture you about the risk of taking an unfamiliar camera on vacation or a new job. We've all been there, often with harrowing results. Instead, please post when you get back so we can collectively say "Good job," or "We told you so."</p>

<p><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2098369">"Allan Schoening</a>, Jan 10, 2016; 05:02 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Please only reply with information regarding the camera. Travel advise not wanted."<br>

You're welcome.<br>

Wilhelm</p>

 

<p>The .68 finder is what prompted me to buy the 1.4 viewfinder dioptre, which helps quite a bit for longer lens use. Would hardly be something someone just renting one of these would buy, but if you still use film M's might be a worthwhile investment. I have it on the strap for fast access whether I am using a digital M9 or the film M4 or M6 with either the 90mm f2 or 135mm f4 at medium to closer distances.</p>

<p>An extra battery is also something I wouldn't be without for a day of shooting with the M9 or an M-E. I'm with Jim so far as, if you have any amount of familiarity with a film M, one of the digital bodies should be relatively easy to adapt to. The M9/ME menu system is easy and simple compared to any other menu system you would be used to. Getting used to the different feel of the shutter release is what might take a little practice. Depending whether you are a manual or semi-automatic user, it imparts a different feel, neither of which are as buttery smooth as any film M.</p>

<p>Adapting to the M-E will not be a problem. You're familiar with film M's and you're using Canon digital. There shouldn't be any problem. The files will look slightly different than the Canon. Good luck with your photography!</p>

<p>Bill, people learn a great deal by jumping in at the deep end.</p>

<p>I've only every played with the M-E for a few minutes but the first thing that struck me was the crappy screen. It gives you no real idea of what your final images will look like (other than composition). Other than that you will probably enjoy the output.</p>

<p>Told you didn't he Bill ;)<br>

Working at one of Western Canada's largest photo-retailers, with a busy rental department, I can all too well back you up.<br>

The number of people we get renting unfamiliar equipment to take on vacation...or shoot a wedding...and come back with no images is laughable.</p>

 

Not sure if the frame lines are more accurate on the M-E than with the M9 as Edward seems to be

suggesting, but the M9 frame lines are quite inaccurate compared to the M240. In general you get a whole

lot more in the image than the frame lines will indicate and it takes a while to get used to it, if you ever

completely do. Of course the importance of this depends on your style of shooting and how precise you

want your framing to be.

 

As to the rear back screen review, judging the quality of a picture from any digital camera usually requires viewing it larger on a computer screen.

<p>Allan, I just noticed your OP. From what you say, you are primarily interested in (1) assessing the quality of the digital files and how their tonality and other aspects of appearance compare to your film images and (2) how the camera handles compared to your film Leica or Canon digital.</p>

<p>The M-E, M-9 or M8 series are quite similar (CCD sensor and either can give you an idea of these parameters. As you are familiar with Leica film cameras and Canon digital cameras you should have no problem getting used to a rented M-E or either of the other two (except for the crop factor on the M8 series). Not sure how you consider vacation photography, but I do not shoot them with the same intention or importance as other photo projects and therefore have little pressure in coming back with keepers. In fact, when not having to think at times of the needs and pleasure of trip companions I use those moments to experiment with both cameras and subject matter. The feel of the digital bodies is different to the film ones (I use an M-9 and M4-P and IIIf cameras), but one can get used to the difference very quickly and it is also a much smaller one than going from your Leica film camera to Canon digital. If you have an older lens in your Leica film bag it would be interesting to compare with a more modern one of similar type.</p>

<p>In other words, your idea of renting is I think an excellent one should that cost be reasonable. If not, I might think of renting for a weekend before your trip at lower cost and then decide before my trip if I wanted to make the leap to a used M-E or M-9 (For what its worth, the M-9 retains the frame selector similar to that of film Leicas). <br>

</p>