LEICA M10 | SHOOTING REPORT
The LEICA M system has reached the "M10" and it's a good time to summarize its lineup structure. The M-P(Typ240) is the higher model of the LEICA M(Typ240) and the two models can record videos. The LEICA M(Typ262), based on the LEICA M(Typ240), cannot record videos. The new LEICA M10(Typ3656) is a brand new model. The major appeals to the users of existing digital M cameras would be the thinner body (as thin as film M cameras) and the larger viewfinder magnification (0.73X) realizing 30% wider field of view. The number of pixels is 24 megapixels and this is the first M camera to feature a built-in Wi-Fi. It also takes LEICA TL's EVF providing higher resolution and GPS. And, it's stuffed with other minor updates. Anyway, I understand "the LEICA M10" as a complete digital repackaging of traditional M cameras.
( Photography / Text : K )
From the front, the M2, M10, M(Typ240). Even though the M10 doesn't have the film-advancing lever like the M2, it looks much like film M cameras. The film M cameras have more than 60 years of history since the M3 was released in April 1954 and we can still buy new film bodies. The M bodies have stayed almost identical in shape for such a long time (with an exception of M5) and there're reasons for that. The M10 fits comfortably into my hands as expected. When the Leica M3 was released, there was no internet and people couldn't get all kinds of information just by typing keywords into the search box as we do these days. They could hear the voice from the market, but it was within few dozens of meters in radius. I'm quite sure that the developers would try their very best. Of course, the same goes for the developers of modern cameras. Yet, when we cannot see things, we must touch, feel, and imagine them. And, the products made in such a way is often special. Actually, other manufacturers decided to switch to SLR cameras because of the M3 (which also gave the Leica themselves a hard time). In any case, the Leica M3 was a solution of a camera system even though it was not versatile like modern models. After shooting the LEICA M10, I feel like I can shoot almost anything, leaving the quality of my outputs.
It was so freezing that I almost dropped the body because I couldn't move my fingers well. Usually, I don't wear gloves no matter how cold it is because they can desensitize my fingers. But this time, I had to buy a pair at a convenience store. Speaking of sensitivity I hesitate to increase the sensitivity with digital cameras just like I did with film cameras. But, I feel like increasing it with this camera because it still takes wonderful images. So, I welcome the new ISO dial that looks like the rewind knob of film M cameras and I can turn it with my gloves on! I know there're touch-screen compatible gloves, but I got the one with warts to improve the grip…
When something operates and looks like it used to, I feel secure. And, this is one of the "performance." To be a good car, power is important. Torque is important. Handling is important. While everything is important, stress-free/pleasant driving experience is extremely important. The LEICA M10 feels great because it looks and operates more like the Leica M3. By the way, they omitted the delete button from the rear side. Now that the size of memory has increased, we shouldn't worry about it anymore. Or, they may want us to concentrate on shooting by not spending time deleting images. Remember, they also make a digital camera without the rear screen.
Great deal of pleasure with a 50mm only, greater depth in rendition
I drove to Kanazawa, Fukui, Shiga, and Osaka. I shot only with the APO-SUMMICRON-M 50mm F2. I cannot remember the last time I shot with one lens. Maybe it was when I shot for Leica-related reports. Whether I am shooting around the ocean or on the streets, I only shoot things the 50mm can shoot. I don't shoot things it cannot shoot. The minimum focus distance is a bit long, but the only things I cannot shoot are food at a sake bar. Wait, I can still shoot them by standing and stretching my body. One of the important things to be a good camera is how much it can be operated as a part of body. It's heavier than the latest mirrorless cameras, but I can still shoot so easily thanks to the small body and lens. A camera can't be just small. It must be easy to hold and operate. In this sense, this camera is easy to handle like older M cameras.
Impression of the APO-SUMMICRON-M 50mm F2 ASPH depends on whether the camera is M Monochrom or other M cameras with color filter. While resolution is incredibly high with the M Monochrom, it's reasonably high with color M cameras. Perhaps, in case of bayer sensor cameras, this lens is overqualified for the color M cameras as Mr. Karbe, the developer said he dedicated it to the M Monochrom. Yet, my impression of this lens with the LEICA M10 is somewhat different from the one with the LEICA M(Typ240) and its family. I cannot explain the difference clearly now and I hope to discuss it in the next report.
As always, shadow reproduction is wonderful and mid-tone looks rich. Highlight tone has become deeper. It reproduces the texture of the jumper and umbrella realistically. The resolution of the raindrops on the umbrella is high. When the mid-tone is rich, there's no loss of tonal depth even if it's underexposed. In other words, it expresses the scene even more faithfully because the shadow won't be painted in jet black.
Resolution of the 24-megapixel sensor without a lowpass filter is quite high. If the lens performance is high enough to make the most of it, it reproduces good contrast even in the dimmest light and captures stagnation of air at the same time. High image quality cannot be achieved with just lenses or bodies. With the LEICA M10, you can fully enjoy old lenses because it still expresses their taste. Yet, you can also get nice taste with the latest lenses. And, this is why I said "complete repackaging."
Testing high-key rendition. It looks like the image shot with the LEICA M8 which is famous for its unique color reproduction and beautiful highlight rendition. I hear that there're still many users who love the M8 and I'm one of them. While the color reproduction was like negative film with the M8, it was like positive film with the M9. And, the LEICA M is neutral. The LEICA M10 has improved inheriting the basic character of the LEICA M by realizing greater depth in terms of the similarity to both negative and positive films.
Checking gradation of white color by shooting wide open. I meant to set the exposure just before it gets clipping, but I think it would be OK to be overexposed even further by 1/3 stop. I'd like to make more detailed comparison with the LEICA M(Typ240) on this matter. Anyway, my impression is great.
I set the exposure causing no clipping in highlight and shadow. With older digital cameras, it would look just sleepy.
From mid-tone to highlight. It looks like the one shot with the M8 and I love it! It tempts me to print the data even though I hadn't really wanted to do it with digital cameras.
Top quality body, compelling lenses, one-of-a-kind rendition
The top cover and the base plate are made of brass in this modern age even though the body is made of magnesium following "the trend." I cannot stop playing with the body or looking into the viewfinder. It's a manual focus camera taking only fixed-focal lenses with some exceptions. It's not a convenient camera, but forces us to shoot on our own. I even want to make an original advertising copy for them: photography depends on who we are. Leaving the latest lenses aside, some old lenses are over-rated as "divine" ones. Of course, some are true masterpieces. Anyway, these evaluations are made by the tradition built by a lot of people. The price is so high that it's not easy to replace the old one with this one. I even said "it's just got thinner." But after testing it, I really want it. I can affirm that the repackaging is now complete because the image quality and the appearance (of camera and system) have improved as they should. And, because most lenses have been renewed, this rangefinder camera delivers even higher quality outputs. As I didn't have enough time to test it throughly this time, I'd like to spend more time shooting with new and old lenses in the future and compare it with other digital and film cameras.
One last thing. If former digital Leicas didn't really appeal to you, you should really try the M10.
( 2017.01.27 )