Leica M10-R

[scott kirkpatrick]

Jono Slack's impressions: https://www.slack.co.uk/leica-m10-r.html

It looks to be a fine development in the M10 line. Jono's comments about the image files and their editability would excite me if I were still shooting with Leica M bodies.

However, since I've exited the M line and moved to the CL as my standard hand-held camera, and the Hasselblad 907x as my larger format 50Mpixel camera, I can't really see any serious motivation for me personally. I may well acquire another M at some point, but right now I'd likely pick the M10-D because I prefer the ergonomics of an M without an LCD in the way. I have no plans or urge to buy one at present, however.

Everyone seems to get hung up on the price whenever a new Leica is released. I can't say as I understand this; I choose not to. It's expensive, yes. Like so many other things, that's simply a matter of choice coupled with what you personally are willing to spend. I don't see much point to complaining about it.

G

Jono's impressions seem to be holding up. I borrowed a few of his files and can see that they render just fine in Capture One. Adobe already supports the 10-R, but that may not be the best solution. There was a bug in the firmware released to the press the week before the announcement but that seems to have been sorted out now. The current firmware has a complicated four-part number. I would expect something simpler and more confidence-inspiring like firmware 1.0 to appear soon. There was a rushed, pandemic flavor to the whole announcement process. For example, the prices and statements of commitment to various M models are very inconsistent at the moment. The M10-D is enduring bad press, because they apparently are not going to make any more. Since we are still several years away from an M10-RD, they might become available at a good price soon. I'm quite happy with mine, although there are a few things that they never got around to adding to its firmware. No show-stoppers, though.