Chris, could you elaborate on the irritations a bit more?
.......I’m not really asking for more than what the M10 has to offer. For me, it met the expectations I had and things work as I expected based on previous digital M experiences.
Would be nice to understand what you find lacking and wether it could simply be a case of expecting too much (in the scheme of things that one shouldn’t have expected revolution, but evolution instead)?
Hi There Chris
I’d like to know your irritations as well .... . . . But if your problems can be fixed in firmware, they do listen!
jlindstrom – Hello. And Hi there Jono. This may be more rushed than I'd prefer, but as I've been asked:
It terms of the file output the M10 is more than adequate, but I find some of it's layout and functionality a regression from the M8 [which I also have]. The delete button worked perfectly on the M8, on the M10, to delete an after exposure image I often need to close the image, then open it again [press PLAY] to access the menu delete function. The M10 'delete' function is clunky compared to the M8. When using a tripod [yes Jono a tripod] the on camera settings
for single shot, and timed [never used the continuous setting] made it a breeze to set an M8 shot and switch to a timed release, and revert back single shot if need be. The M10 forces one into the menu for every change of single/timed exposure; this function is far worse than in the M8.
For 10 years I perfected manual highlight metering with the M8 using a +2 2/3 stop exposure compensation, I can't use that technique with my M10 because Leica thinks it's a good idea to have a red spot permanently blinking in the viewfinder – I find it unpleasantly disconcerting and have had to abandon M10 highlight metering.
I understand that some users want auto settings, and that's fine, but my process is manual control and single shot. I rely on histogram guidance, and the M8
histogram wasn't exactly fantastic, but the M10's has been miniaturised to half the size of the M8's. Ten years after the M8 there's still no RGB option for those who wish to protect all channels from highlight exposure clipping. The implementation of the M10's histogram in the EVF is appalling [as noted by Lloyd Chambers but seemingly ignored by other commentators. The only way to access the EVF histogram on shutter half/press is to have the top and bottom of the viewed image obliterated with camera settings I have zero interest in seeing, I could switch them off – but then I lose all access to the live histogram. Inevitably I end up with an absurd finger dance to keep the EVF image clear of clutter, then have to switch the clutter in to get the histogram back, and then finger dance the clutter away again. Seriously Leica; that's a good idea?
Mention of clutter brings me to an enduring irritation; twinned framelines, eternally distracting twinned framelines. I would love an
option to upgrade to
28/35/50 tramlines only; hell I might then even be more encouraged to use a 75mm [but with the EVF]. If having distracting lines were a good idea Peter Karbe and Dr. Kaufmann would have rectangles engraved on their glasses.
And lastly, but importantly. No level in the M10. A level would make my exterior tripod work easier, faster, and more accurate, I'd even use it with the EVF when hand holding. The lack of level is inexcusable.
OK. I didn't want to write the above, but I was asked. I really think the M10 could have been my Stradivarius, but instead Leica made a trombone. I don't like cameras, but I'm a photographer in love with photographs so I have to use a camera. When the camera gets in the way; I sometimes feel I'm a trombonist.
Enough!
Hey Jono, did you ever sort out a touring bike frame? Give my love to Cornwall.
................ Chris
