Leica M-D (Type 262) Hands-On Field Test

[@ZoltanFencsak]

I don't think it's pure enough.. Firmware should allow to you to change ISO only once after every 36 shots! :)

[@dieterjohnson3018]

LOL!

[@DH-gp3gp]

That was awesomely funny.

[@AANasseh]

Oy vey! Well said... this is the typical Leica BS. I have no idea why the sheep pay so much for this camera.

[@DavidHDennis]

I own a Leica Q, which is basically an updated M with a single fixed lens. It costs $4,250. Sony sells their similar RX1R II for $3,298. That's a significant price difference, but those who have tried both cameras prefer the Leica's design by a significant margin. I can reasonably conclude, then, that since Sony is known for fair pricing, the Leica Q is priced at least somewhat reasonably given the design and quality of the camera. In other words, the Q is expensive, because doing what they have done in mating the size and shape of a compact camera with the image quality and design of a Leica is costly to achieve. Likewise, the M with its old school design is expensive, because hand craftsmanship is expensive. No argument there. What I can report - and many, many reviews of the Q back this up - is that the Q is a delight to use, far superior to cameras with lesser price tags. The manual controls are perfectly designed and weighted, the body feels solid as a rock, and I have never seen a camera easier or better to focus manually, despite my fading vision. And I cannot argue with results: I have taken my best pictures ever with the Q, better even than with my even costlier Nikon D5. I think what's disappointing to many is that the Q and other Leicas is that the desirable attributes they have are extremely costly to provide in this age of plastic. They are superior tools, but accessible to almost nobody thanks to cost. You can take beautiful pictures with a Nikon D3400. It's 1/10th the cost of the Q. But they won't be the same as the results you get with the Q.

[@Brownboy42069]

+David Dennis you just suck at using your D5, gramps

[@andrewf5390]

I've had the M-D for about 8 months now and I absolutely love it. I've taken it to the UK and South Korea and honestly I haven't missed the screen much at all, but have had a lot more fun and a surprisingly high number of keepers.

[@pepsiplease69]

I bought a used M-D. Really love using it. The only complaint (if you could call it that) is that I’m only able to shoot raw at maximum resolution. Without a menu or other controls, there’s only available the option to set the date and time or alter exposure compensation. There’s no way to select picture quality. As a result I wind up with huge files and it takes my (borderline dinosaur) mac mini a while to digest.

[@boarini2003]

Center-weighted is so simple! Place the subject you want to expose for in the center of the viewfinder (where you also focus) and half-press the shutter and re-compose if necessary. That's it. Are we so atrophied by technology we can't even do that?

[@supersingular]

Exactly!

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

That technique works great for spot-metering. If you are shooting a back-lit subject, or you focus on a face but the subject is wearing dark clothes, a centre-weighted meter will still completely botch the exposure. I think centre weighted is the bastard son of spot and multi-matrix metering, and its time has long since passed. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@leiya107]

+TheCameraStoreTV The effectiveness of spot metering depends on how big the "spot" actually is (I've seen it can vary between 1% - more than 5%), and depending on what the use case scenario is. In most cases, when all things are equal and no exposure compensation applied, I find that spot metering ruins the shot more than centre weighted (unless you manually set your own exposure from the spot metering reading, which is how I think it should be used anyway). Same goes with Multi (or Matrix or whatever your camera calls it). It's only effective when the programme itself is effective. As I have commented as an earlier comment to this video, the CONCEPT of centre-weighted metering is fine. And it's the only way to go when you focus at the centre (I only use single point AF on any digital camera anyway). Multi/matrix/evaluative relies too much on the effectiveness of the programme. "Atrophy" is the perfect word to describe it.

[@SobelTomas]

Of course, there is a way how to measure exposition in those situations. Everyday reporter photographers in the film times, they can tell you, how you can easilly use few helpers to measure the light correctly. There is a book about that, i think it is this one: www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 I think that the camera can have its customers. I don't have money for that right now, but I know a lot of people that feel similar and have this kind of amount to spare. I can understand that.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Yes, center-weighted metering worked in 1970s for B&W photography, but goodness gracious, for digital sensors, multi-segment is ways better! What worked for film does not work for digital sensors!

[@sophrapsune]

Buy a $1500 M6 and with the other $6500 shoot film... and buy an international holiday to your favourite photography location.

[@jakkatoe]

1500, for an M6 hahaha

[@andrew1977uk]

I am probably going to be outspoken here. But I like the simplicity of this camera, I think more people could benefit from shooting film or a camera akin to this.

[@zilun]

I love it has no LCD. But I'm not digging that ISO dial. I would have preferred that dial to be on top bezel and nothing on its back.

[@philg6757]

Hey Chris you forgot Jordan`s video review segment.

[@Callsigngrizzly]

I would love to see a little book ended cut to jordan of him just saying "It doesnt"

[@tehjamerz]

+Angus O'Leary 😂

[@EnnTomi1]

hahahha The troll

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

We shot it, but once again saying that there is nothing here felt a bit redundant. I did comment that for all the photographers complaining that they have to pay more for video features they don't use, between this and the Nikon DF, it seems cameras without video wind up being more expensive due to the smaller possible audience. So knock it off with that particular line stills-only shooters! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@Callsigngrizzly]

+TheCameraStoreTV I would assume just implementing a video feature into a camera that simply can't have menus in the first place (at least not in the traditional sense) would be practically impossible. plus I have a feeling someone buying a Leica has no intention of ever using video in the first place

[@4thelulz8]

The comments here from people who obviously couldn't put a camera like this to use and definitely couldn't afford it are so freaking funny. The M-D is a great camera. Of all the Leica Ms that I have owned, the M-D is my favorite digital and is what I use as a back up to my MP film cameras for all of my personal photography. The seamless handling from my film M's the the M-D is greatly appreciated. I love the M-D. It isn't something for everybody, but everything for somebody. As a person who makes his living shooting Phase One and technical cameras, the M is a pleasure to use for everything else.

[@thedausthed]

What is funny is people like you that try to justify your purchase (in what you are clearly putting far to much of your self worth in) by calling people that point out objective flaws in it poor!

[@4thelulz8]

Where do you see justification? I only need one reason and one reason only to shoot what I shoot. That reason is simple. "Because I enjoy it." No justification necessary. There may be a camera with more resolution, more dynamic range, more features, or any number of things that would give rise to a person saying it is "better" than another camera, but in the end, it all comes down to what you enjoy. So again, where is the justification? There is none and there need not be one. I clearly explain why I personally enjoy the M-D, but make no comments comparing it to any other camera by price or by feature set. What we do see though on rumor sites, forums, and here on youtube is all the price whiners come out of the woodwork every time someone talks about Leica. And wouldn't you know, it's all about the price. Blah, blah, blah... Every camera has flaws, even my Leica cameras. Big deal. It makes no difference to me if people point out flaws. It just seems that the most consistent "flaw" you all seem to point out is that you hate the price. So go buy something you can afford or go change your station in life. Whining about money is for losers.

[@thedausthed]

No, what we see is children that are so unsettled by people pointing out how over priced their toy is (even in comparison to other leicas that are better in every way!) they rant on with BS about people not being able to afford it! Ever wonder why people do not do the same when talking about other high priced cameras? Because they are real high end cameras, not cameras with bad sensors with the most stupidly basic interface for MF money!

[@4thelulz8]

So you talk about some imaginary justification and then blow it off when you get called out on it. Now your imagination is telling telling you to accuse people of being unsettled, yet you seem to be the one making nonsensical statements devoid of logic, photography knowledge, economics, and overall accountability. If something is overpriced, then it is by definition "priced too high". Now I suspect that I am not dealing with a very educated individual, so no economics lesson is going to benefit you, therefore I won't wast too much time. Leica tends to have waiting lists on cameras and lenses (not all of them, but many) because their production ability is overshadowed by a larger demand for the product. Now pay attention. Such a situation would not indicate that they are overpriced at all. Given, they are not in the volume sales game like other manufacturers, but that is a factor in many industries. Simply put, these cameras are expensive compared to a lot of the other cameras out there, but they are dirt cheap compared to my Phase One equipment I use at work. They are also expensive relative to YOUR budget, but I don't find them a bother financially. Basic economics tells you that you are having an emotional response vs a reasonable one, witnessed even further by the fact that, for some reason, you seem to care how much other people spend on their equipment when it is really of no consequence to you. Unless of course what we are seeing is financial bitterness, which then makes perfect sense. Another thing, I am not aware of ANY camera manufacturer using "bad sensors" in 2016. That is absurd. I have shot and owned Sony, Fuji, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Phase One, Ricoh, and I am hard pressed to find a "bad sensor" out there. Some are better in one or a few departments, but that does not make the others "bad". The characterization is dishonest, or at the least, disingenuous. Take the A7R2 for example. More resolution, more dynamic range, better high ISO, arguably a superior sensor to the one in the Leica M. However, what if you happen to enjoy a more "basic interface"? What if you prefer the M lenses? What if you prefer rangefinders? What if you prefer optical finders? What if you prefer Leica colors? What if you prefer a camera with the build quality of the M? None of this changes the fact that the Sony sensor is clearly technically superior, but none of this makes the Leica sensor "bad" either, and none of this should really force a person to abandon the camera they love to shoot simply because you feel they should spend less money, or because you feel that despite their love for all of those factors, that they should still yield their buying decisions to another camera based solely on the sensor. As a person who makes a very fine living as a photographer, it is amusing to me to see people fixate on a sensor when there is so much more to the process. It is because the sensor provides something tangible to cling to for those who are not really photographers, pro or hobby. You sound like a real winner. Carry on...

[@andrewf5390]

LOVE the M-D. It and the original M9-based Monochrom are my absolute favorite digital cameras ever.

[@taco5581]

Dear Internet, I hate all things that don't fit into my personal goals and priorities. Due to my offset value system, I mistakenly measure my own value by material wealth and I therefore feel inadequate even though this is untrue. When I cannot afford something or I have a different perspective on something, I attempt to suppress the feeling of inadequacy by attempting to insult, discredit, or diminish the opinions and values of other people. I have not taken the time nor do I have the ability to self-reflect on the idea that my purchase of a $1000 digital camera is ridiculous and wasteful to someone else in the world. I am only able to see and comment on this concept when it does not align with my personal point of view. In summary, anyone that buys a Leica is an imbecile.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

My favourite comment in this thread! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@thattassiewargamer]

The most insightful comment I have ever read. You'd make a great dinner guest.

[@ThePurple1968]

Alternatively, this is wonderful for someone who is entitled to save and buy their own fun, like golf clubs, sail boats or any other minority’s activity The fact that you don’t get it and judge those individuals based on your own values makes you the imbecile.

[@AdamEronenPiper]

This camera is perfect coming straight from an M6 but that price! I'd rather keep buying chemicals and spending my time in the darkroom.

[@leiya107]

Precisely, I feel that this camera is kind of pointless because of the price. At that price, you might as well shoot film and get ALL the benefits that are being purported by the "minimalism" of this camera. Plus, nowadays film images are considered more beautiful than digital images, so you get the advantage there as well. Unless you have professional needs and you need digital output, in which case, you're using a DSLR anyway...

[@AdamEronenPiper]

I understand the price. It's an exquisitely made full frame camera priced not to amazingly far out from a high end DSLR. But when you can buy almost 5 Leica film cameras that will hold their value for the same price? That coupled with the depreciation on digital technology and it's unjustifiable. That said, if money was no object, this IS the camera I would buy. I don't need features, I just need full manual control and a lens. I can do the rest, I don't need a processor to hold my hand or a screen to tell me what I already know. I've been shooting like that for years.I want this camera!

[@leiya107]

I actually own a Leica M2 myself, so I do like Leica. But even as a fan, I find the price a bit too much. "Build quality" and "craftsmanship" can only go so far. I respect those qualities of Leica, but I still maintain the price is not proportionate to them. But that's how capitalism works, the monetary value is NEVER proportionate to the actual value; classic case in point, salaries, never a proportional reflection of the actual labour and effort put into the work, that's Marx's view (and mine too) anyway. You're right though, if money is no object, I might consider buying a digital Leica. But I still think a film Leica is superior, because of some of the things you've alluded to, like the digital technology will become obsolete, whereas film is itself in its most "perfect" form already (that's a whole other discussion). If money is no object, I would get the one that's got the most features, you know, with video and live view and all the trimmings (don't even know the model number - I'm THAT uninterested), because that's what digital technology should be. If you want to go minimalist, you can always turn off the screen. With this camera, you're deliberately crippling digital technology, as if saying analogue (film) is a crippled version of digital. That's a huge error.

[@AdamEronenPiper]

I'm on board with everything you just said. I like the built in light meter on my M6 but I think the M2 is the most beautiful camera of all the M's (the M3 looks to fussy) and I'd sooner get an M2 than the Leica in this review.

[@leiya107]

Don't bother with an M6. I don't understand what people see in the M6, apart from the black paint. I do prefer black paint than the oooooh-retro! silver chrome finish of the M2 (but if nowadays black connotes "pro photographers" and silver connotes "ooooh, retro" and harmless hipster, choosing silver does mean more stealth than black today) I have once owned an M6. But the fact that you have look through the viewfinder to get a reading before you can set your exposure made the experience kind of "stupid". Yes, you can do the DSLR-thing and adjust the exposure whilst looking through the viewfinder looking at the metering. But a shutter dial on the top plate, in my opinion, is never meant to be adjust at eye level. Instead, the shutter dial is adjust while the camera is in your hand by your side, or below your chest. Like many people who have gone the ooooh-Henri-Cartier-Bresson route, I much prefer pre-setting everything before even decide to take a shot. I tend to get my exposure values ready when I enter a new lighting condition, so that when a photo opportunity comes I can just look through the viewfinder (with or without focus depending on time) and snap. So the idea of looking through the viewfinder whenever there is a change in lighting but you're not actually taking a picture seems kind of idiotic to me. I ditched the M6 and went for an M2 and a light meter (with LOTS of spare change - that's the best reason). Hated the chrome finish, but it makes changing exposure values much easier. Now I've even ditched the light meter too because film is so forgiving you can afford to be a bit wrong in your estimation.

[@TOOBBIINN1]

I have to say, your videos are getting better and better. Nice job everyone and keep the Leica content coming!

[@bildkistl]

I love the concept of the camera and to be honest from all the reviews I saw from you the shots in this review are the best!

[@BradMaestas]

I didn't find setting the date that big of a deal. Pretty straightforward. One hidden little operational point I found on David Knoble's site that doesn't seem to be in the manual is the cleaning mode. Move the power switch to Self-Timer, hold down the Function button and fully depress the shutter release. This will open the shutter until your battery dies or you turn the camera off. After you turn it off it gives you 10 secs (indicated with the flashing self-timer light in the VF) before it closes the shutter. I've had mine just over a week and I'm absolutely loving it.

[@geraldprost9254]

This must have been a very challenging review. Congratulations on a job well done. Thanks for reminding me how fun it is to shoot at Heritage Park.

[@benwelles2160]

Excellent video. Kinda funny though, this is the 2nd video in a row where the featured camera is untouchable for 99% of camera users.

[@likeris2]

one day I will, becouse I waiting for this. would be nice if leica create MD Monochrome. and this concept not for everyone. but for me big YES. why? ... you don't understand anyway.

[@antonioramirez694]

These are the best photos I have seen from you in any of the many Camera Store videos I have watched. I am not going to attribute that to the camera, but it certainly seems you bonded with it. Nice job on the video, as always.

[@geoffreybassett6741]

Great colors on this one Jordan!

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

Thanks! The nice light in the locations helped! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@nickbedford]

I "wasted" my money on a Leica M Typ 240 a year and a half ago and yet it changed the way I approach photography and now it's the only camera I use. Street photography, landscapes/panoramas and hiking, portraits, everything on it with a single 35mm lens, every week. If you're wondering about the dynamic range I just uploaded a video which demonstrates it pretty well. Metering is simple. Gather shutter speed metrics from the scene through the rangefinder then AE lock it on the most appropriate by using your prior experience. I covered up my M's display to try out this "film" like way of digital shooting and love it. But definitely each to their own. You either love manual focus rangefinders or you don't. Most of my friends love them fortunately.

[@nickbedford]

A Leica rangefinder without a screen (or a taped over one) is very much about making you, the photographer, actually THINK with your brain about what the photo will be instead of just letting the camera show it to you and choose everything for you. Leicas bring along a certain aspect of shooting process with them. For me that is what makes me enjoy photography so much nowadays. I'm putting the work back in my court, not the camera's (for the most part, of course). Some more thoughts on it anyway.

[@FFVoyager]

Come back Contax - I want a digital version of the G series. :-(

[@FFVoyager]

Doesn't take the Zeiss lenses and I'd guess, not holding them both at the same time, that the Fuji is larger.

[@FFVoyager]

I really doubt that Fuji bodies have anything to do with Contax at all. No doubt the lenses can be adapted but that kinda misses the point (and the electronics won't work will they?) I'd guess that the Contax G is close to the X100 in size but obviously you can't change lenses with that Fuji

[@niccollsvideo]

There are certain things we just don't ask for in the photo world because to even mention them, to even whisper in closed rooms the idea of them, might make too much sense and be enjoyed by too many people. The Contax G2 remade in digital is one of those things, so kindly be quiet about the very mention of it, lest we all be happy forever and ever. Chris@TCSTV

[@DavidSpry]

Me too. The closest thing is the A7 series, but Sony lacks the simplicity and sophistication of Contax.

[@mikereynolds2494]

I feel the same way about a digital version of the Mamiya 7 II :-)

[@benrun9722]

those portraits in the beginning are the best photos on tcstv ever

[@Glenners]

Excellent review! I'd like for another brand to release a "purist" camera for a much lower price; Seems like it'd be a fun change of pace.

[@supersingular]

Voightlander did it already. It wasn't much cheaper but it was truly worse.

[@BiggeDink]

Seems like Fuji could do something similar and sell it for $600.

[@JujuForTheWin]

Get a Fuji X100 (or S, or T), use the OVF, flip it to manual focusing and turn the screen off. There you have it

[@Utkarsh_A]

I have my finals on Wednesday and I've watched just about every one of your videos. Why do you guys make such god damn videos ?

[@supersingular]

I admire your videos, yet on this case, I think you missed a true review that pointed out what gives this camera a deep meaning. There are photographers like myself that love taking pictures with a film camera, but always dreamt about doing so without having to pass through the developing process and then the digitalization process. The Leica MD allow us to do just that. Taking pictures through a range finder and without the possibility to check the picture taken gives personality to each photo, the photographer will always be responsible if the picture didn't came out as expected, not the metering system or the autofocus system which force us to do better. Leica MD allow us to create a picture instead of just taking it.

[@thedausthed]

No, this camera is just bad. The whole idea of a rangefinder camera is flawed (only SLRs, SLTs and Mirrorless cameras truly show what will be in frame before you take the photo) and combine that with no image review means that taking images is going to be a crapshoot. A real "purest" camera would be a DSLR with a split prism focusing screen.

[@supersingular]

+Thedaus Some photographers, like myself, like the idea of watching a bigger frame than the one that will ultimately become the picture, it gives us the opportunity to see what's entering or leaving the frame, such a simple fact opens the composition window to a new level, in which you feel an urge to photograph the decisive moment. Additionally, not knowing exactly what's ultimately the result of your image gives us a little nice surprise when we develop, which increases the personality of each photo, and overall, creates a more interesting photographic environment. I own a Canon 1DX Mark II, you can check my channel to see some of my work with it, coupled with a Canon 35mm f/1.4 L II, the images are stunning and the perfect set of features in-camera is just wonderful, yet from my experience, I enjoy a million times more shooting a Leica M. At first I was skeptical, but this is something you need to try in order to know. And not only to try, but to be open minded to enjoy it.

[@thedausthed]

A manual range finder is hardly what you would want for a "decisive moment" (which is action), something with autofocus would be much better for that. A purely manual camera is for slow photography and a viewfinder showing you the truth of what you are going to get is much more valuable than seeing somewhat outside the frame (which you still can do with an SLR, just open your other eye). Not being able to see how your shots have turned out till later will not add "personality" to a shoot, it just means that you will be so afraid of wasting your time by taking bad shots (that you will not know about until later) you will end up bracketing the crap out of everything.

[@supersingular]

+Thedaus Obviously you don't know who Henri Cartier-Bresson is, or anything about "the decisive moment". Also; Action shooting by Robert Capa? I guess it doesn't ring a bell in your brain. I would suggest you to first, go and educate yourself more on the subject of classical photography, and second, wait until you've used a Leica M, and then, when you have some moral, come, read again my comments and reply something that actually makes sense.

[@mynewcolour]

+Thedaus this made me chuckle. You're miles off.

[@bombaybigman]

I always fancied a camera like this with minimal buttons, unfortunately it is still expensive. Chris do you like using 75 summarit? but not 90?

[@Callsigngrizzly]

Who cares if your wheat fields are in focus, just shoot at F16 and eat the depth of field for breakfast

[@FFVoyager]

Or he could look at the focus ring and work out the distance for himself!

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

Chris wanted shallow depth of field in that particular shot, so he had to use the rangefinder focusing instead of just stopping down and using the hyperfocal distance. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@dkirk335]

Great Video! As one who goes WAY back to film days I had always longed for a leica film camera but could never dig up the $$$. And after seeing this price I doubt I ever will. After shooting with D800E and 14 stops of range it is difficult to shoot with any other camera. If I want to wax nostagic I think I'll just turn off the preview, shoot raw only and see how I do.

[@luisfornero]

I liked a lot this review, your accent is really easy to understand for a non english native speaker. I think you make great comments and thoughts about Leica/film experience, etc. It's nice to see Canada in you videos (I love that country). About exposure compensation+center weighted metering.... I've got tired of using compensation 90% of the time on my M9P, solution is just use full manual mode all the time, much more fun now.

[@carloreyes168]

One of your best video and pictures. I enjoyed the video. Please make more of these. I think it's because of the place. Keep it up! 😊😊😊

[@Stevecair]

Awesome jobs, Chris and Jordan. Photos are great! As a M and Q user, I watch this video with smile all along. I first came in M systems simply for its look. I was very frustrated at the beginning cause I could nailed the shots. But like what you said in video, you learn from those. Over time, I come to appreciate the simplicity of M and fine optics Leica offers. There are people hating Leica, while some love it dearly. I am the latter. It is perfectly normal. I feel the M system is more a platform for people to use Leica glasses. I remembered people lashed over Leica' move from CCD to CMOS then. Now? Well, not many. Lenses make the difference from my experience. People appreciate differently. For me, Leica might not be the most technologically advanced, but man... I enjoy its Ms and lenses. Besides, they look good :D Thanks for video. Jiawei

[@rcrogers6]

Excellent video, one of the best! There are a few good, unanswered questions here.

[@ChadWork1]

Hi, this isn't a question about the Leica, but rather the method used to support the FS5 in shooting this. It looks very stable, but not quite tripod level stable. But it looks too stable to be hand held. What are you doing with the FS5 to support it? Shoulder mount alone? Shoulder mount with image stabilization in post? And if it's shoulder mount, what shoulder mount are you using? Over on DVXuser, we've been trying to find a great shoulder solution that doesn't require tools to move the handle down to an extension arm, with no luck yet. Thanks

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

I shot this and most TCSTV episodes with the camera supported by a Manfrotto MV500 monopod. It's reasonably stable, and allows very quick setup, which is important as I want to record Chris making observations on the fly. I'm not a huge fan of shoulder mounts. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@ChadWork1]

Oh of course! I even just got the Sirui P-204S, which is a great new design.

[@ChrisProuse]

Nothing to see here for me (shoots video), moving along, however.... I do think Leica's on to something. They should make a version that doesn't come with a view finder, sell it for $16K, and then they only have to sell half as many.

[@cl3826]

They did that. It was called the M60 and it inspired the cheaper M-D

[@OldCameras]

I'd love one of these if I could afford one. Seems like the battery life would be great without an LCD.

[@collete00]

Hi! Can I ask what is the ( or a list) of budget-camera? thank you

[@pxchoi]

Hey Chris, I enjoy watching the videos and I follow each new episode. However, I think there's a little gap with not only TCS but with the other camera reviewers as well. I think there's been some great advancements with speedlites within the last few years - both Nikon and Canon are offering RT capabilities built right into the unit. We're long passed the days where we had to jury-rig our lights, taking risks with our 580s frying out while using Pocket Wizards or wondering which third party option was going to work best and reliably. Maybe best of all, no more fussing around with optical triggers and trying to get each light to line up properly. As of lately, I've had the need to shoot with multiple light sources, which has me thinking about picking up a Canon or Nikon body, but a big part of the decision making process is going to depend on which company offers the best wireless shooting experience. Is there any chance that TCS has anything in the works to review the 600EX II and SB5000, head to head?

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

That's a great idea for an episode. I'll talk to Chris about it! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@WatchmakerErik]

Thanks for another wonderful review, guys! Chris, specifically I want to ask you; You talked about how the camera was a good learning tool. Would you say that it's better than learning with a film Leica, like an M6? As a separate question, is it a better value? My way of thinking says that the film experience is still out there with a film Leica, and a digital body stripped of all its features is only an imitation. Also, I'm disappointed that the stripped M-D doesn't even represent a mild cost savings.

[@stephanbl5212]

I love the idea of this Leica. And I love the way you tried to figure it out. Sure, you can get a camera a lot cheaper with a lot more features. And you could think that you would just have to go manual on this better equipped camera to have the same effect. But I don't think so. The Leica forces you to concentrate on the essentials of photography. You will have to get a feeling for this camera and the way you take pictures. It's a completely different kind of magic. I expierenced this when taking pictures with black and white film on a Pentax Super A and processing it by hand in the dark room. There is so much work in just a single shot. But the result is no way comparable. And I don't mean this in terms of image quality.

[@rygochannel]

hey chris, can you share hands-on field test of nikon 50mm 1.4D ? thanks

[@raytracemusic]

the pic with the field and the barn was really nice - I am pretty confident I will never own such a camera though :p

[@Tim....]

Those shots were amazing

[@gumballer77]

Would've good if the HUD in the viewfinder showed you what iso the camera was set at.

[@kerhst]

That was a fun video. Great job, guys. As for the camera, I love my technology. The simplest I get is limiting my shooting to one or two lenses and two flashes on an outing. Could buy a lot of glass or light for one of those Leicas.

[@GTyoutube]

Hey Chris great review as always - As a photographer who grew up film (includimg home developing BW and Colour) I have always wantrd an analogue camera with digital sensor - I loved the Epson with winder and would like to see Leica strip back even further and put a dial for compensation on top and a mechanical winder for the shutter (we dont need multi frame capability in a camera like this) - its still not pure enough for me and too expensive yet again. My go to digi is Fuji XT1 and film is Leica III and Nikon FT :-)

[@jasonavina8135]

really like this camera and the whole concept behind it, but i totally agree with your review that its taking a lot of features away and retaining the high leica price. Had this been priced as high as one thousand even(not more), Id strongly consider buying it even though i had no plans on buying a leica before hearing about this camera. Also it was a missed opportunity at a lower price point, to have introduced a younger generation of photographers to film style shooting. Its a snobbiness that seems to permeate the camera industry to price an anachronistic, very niche item that high.

[@nomadben]

I think it's a really interesting idea, but it needs to be much, much less expensive.

[@theSUBVERSIVE]

I can't believe Jordan didn't make his appearance talking about the video! Hahahaha...

[@Crispy_Bee]

I'd love to see a comparison between an old digital medium format camera with an old CCD chip (like the P65+) and a modern CMOS camera to see which one provides better colour and has a better image quality at base ISO. That would show us how far technology has come and whether we're really better off with new gear in terms of pure image quality.

[@Gadgetbig]

Hey, Jordan ,, video quality looks amazing on this vid

[@dirkstadil8621]

I would probably never buy a Leica because of the pricing. But i have to say that in my opinion Chris took some of the best pictures i have seen on this chanel. So this camera may help to concentrate on your composition etc....

[@knownaigm]

I actually love the idea behind this and I am glad such a big company has the balls to produce it. However, I truly feel that whenever a company strips something back, for whatever reason, that cost cut should then be passed on to the consumer. I work at a brewery and we have done some old school traditional table beers that are very simple and low on ingredients. While they are awesome beers, they also cost much less to produce and therefore we also charge the consumer less. After hearing about this camera I was super enthusiastic about the more purist spirit but then I saw the price tag and I immediately noped out of the website. If Leica is looking to innovate and bolster this current renaissance of traditional camera love their smartest move would have been to release this camera with its purist spirit and keep the cost as low as possible... they might have started a revolution if this thing was even remotely competitively priced. Also, as always, great review.

[@TCKe]

Reviewing this camera keeping in mind"most people out there" is a mistake, there is nothing about this camera for "most people out there". From the price tag to the ergonomics. If it was cheeper i would buy it buy it, i mean a simple camera should cost less no. But thanks guys your reviews are the best out there. :)

[@mikkelstrm7202]

Great pictures today!

[@jlwilliams]

Yes, it's too expensive (as Leicas always are) but I kind of like the idea of LCD-free shooting, and leaving out the LCD does seem to have allowed them to have made the camera thinner (compared to the standard 262 model, which is kind of pudgy.) But Chris -- you used an Epson R-D 1 a while back; don't you think that if Leica were serious about this camera as a tool, they should have included something like Epson's nice analog-dial readouts for battery charge and shots remaining, plus an exposure compensation dial? All that function-button clicking just seems too janky...

[@timur7381]

great photos in this episode!

[@olofljunggren1189]

I definitely want this camera. Ain't got the money, but it definitely is for me.

[@takuan650]

That would be the only Leica I would like to have ( provided having the the dow to buy it! har, har). I shoot RAW DNG manual only, mostly slow and considered. Great camera for that type of photography. Thanks for the review.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

A Leica is a Leica. Made of metal, made in Germany, made with great rangefinder optics and with full frame lenses that can't be made smaller with such a sharpness. All of that have a cost. The camera doesn't have a display but the viewfinder gives the basic informations about exposure, battery, remaining photos etc. So it has some basic electronic aids. Something's that it isn't mentioned not only from this review but from others too is who safe it is against robbery. It looks like a film camera and who wants to steel a film camera today. Of course a desperate thief will steal anything but this camera doesn't scream that it is expensive. Certainly not a thieves magnet. Also it isn't intimidating at all in street photography. If someone doesn't want to be photographed and asks you to delete his photo, will have a hard time. 😜You can tell him that his photo would be destroyed after developing the film roll. He will believe you. DNG is more than adequate for most.

[@thedausthed]

Lots of cameras are made of metal, being made in Germany does not justify the cost (very much so when you can get much cheaper cameras from the likes of Fuji that are made in Japan), just about all cameras have good viewfinder optics and small lenses do not mean the camera body should cost a lot!

[@dannyhenriquez3667]

How ironic to say how "safe it is against robbery" because it's not flashy looking. I'd rather pay a fraction for a full featured Japanese camera than get robbed by Leica. You could buy a gun with the savings and still have plenty left over so you can take your chances against thieves. Low quality RAW's, no control, no features, no video.... My iPhone 5 runs circles around this overpriced Leica crap. What a joke.

[@FFVoyager]

You don't have to buy one!

[@dannyhenriquez3667]

Don''t worry, it never crossed my mind. I only watched because I enjoy TCS videos. When I saw the title, I figured I could get some giggles out of it. I was right, it was funny. Although the Leica fanboys are funnier.

[@JohnRobertsTV]

Maybe if the price was $600 instead of $6000 the camera would be interesting to me as a "film-like" experience. But for $6000 I'd much rather get a used $75 film camera and shoot the real thing. You can develop a lot of prints with $5925.

[@TheShanahg]

Or get a film Leica for same functions.

[@StevenScholten]

Hey Chris. Some great portraits in this video. Other excelent photos as well. Wel I guess if you want to spend less then on a regular Leica and don't need all the other stufff....But if money is not an object I'd just buy a regular 262. Just don't check the screen if you want to make it a challenge. The fact that a Leica will last you a lifetine is apealing. Durability quality all great. But the prices are over the top. Very very happy with my X-Pro2

[@kape06111]

Nice review Chris

[@omniambience]

Beautiful overpriced camera. Beautiful photos captured as well!

[@rendyandrian7149]

Somehow I feel Chris' photos in this review are really wonderful especially the BW ones. I guess without any LCD for checking composition, this camera 'forces' its user to really think before pressing the shutter.

[@pertileluca]

That location is amazing!

[@JamesPetts]

Never mind about the camera - I love that park.

[@Jolan_cam]

Can you guys test and review the batis 85mm?

[@leiya107]

8:52 I don't think this exposure error is due to centre-weighted metering. It's just badly metered, that's all. The concept of centre-weighted is fine. It's the ONLY way to go: You focus at the centre (that's where the patch it), which is your main subject (because you're focusing at it), so you also take the metering at that point. But because sometimes you have things like backlighting and all kinds of differences in exposure values, and you want the overall image to expose well and not just your focused subject, so you want the AE programme to take that metered value from the centre as a reference and adjust it to its surroundings: hence, centre-weighted metering! What's wrong with that?

[@fredsbloggs656]

The deal was that the window was in the center of the frame! It seems the camera is fooled in those situations.

[@leiya107]

I'm not entirely sure about that. If I was to take this exact picture with an AF camera (which I'd have set to my beloved centre-weighted metering AND centre-point AF, the two really need to be set together otherwise it wouldn't make much sense at all), I would have pointed the single AF point/square onto one of the wooden boxes/plaques (what are they?), possible on the bit where it says "blue something matches", because that's the nearest point of the main subject. At that point, the top windows would have been even higher than the frame we have now, because I'm point the centre AF point at what will become slightly below centre after recomposing. So the centre-weighted metering would have been less affected by the strong light coming from the windows. THEN I recompose and take the shot. No camera that I've used would have taken a centre-weighted meter reading so biased by a strong light on the very edge of the frame. That method of shooting I've just described correspond to a Leica M exactly. Except you don't half-press the button to do both the AF and AE. I haven't touched a digital Leica in my life so far, so I can't attest whether half-pressing the shutter button will give you AE. But if it does, if you half-press the shutter button WHILE you're MF'ing on the target I mentioned, I guarantee the resulting image would be much better exposed than in this video. My suspicion is that Chris only half pressed the shutter button AFTER recomposing, hence the point of focus was NOT the point of AE, resulting in a badly exposed image. But that's just a guess.

[@nickbedford]

Apparently metering around the scene for a better shutter speed didn't occur to the reviewer :/

[@gabrielsanzvillegas1707]

awesome pictures!

[@ryangreen9020]

Nice review! I wish Leica had not used the brass top. They could have shaved $1,000 off the cost and saved some weight. I currently shoot an M-6 TTL. I tried the M240 and didn't like having an LCD or all the buttons. I also hated the weight. I was attracted to the M-D until I saw the price and learned that it weighed the same as the 240. So close, but not quite there.

[@traintrambus]

Great video with an interesting camera. I long to own a leica and this appeals but the cost.

[@whothinksforme]

When you gonna review the Leica SL?

[@ArturoTabera]

Nah, they were just warming up wih this one. Here comes the real deal! I'm from Germany and I heard rumors they will make a cardbox pinhole Camera without controls for just under 80k$. They will present this amazing game changer on Photokina 2016 and call it Leica co ("Camera obscura" or "computer obsolete", i'm not sure) Isn't that great news? I'm so excited! Will you review it, please?

[@DavidHDennis]

This camera must be striking a favorable impression for someone, since it's out of stock in Leica Store Miami. The entry level 262, identical but for the existence of a display, is available in a bundle with a no extra charge lens at the same price. I don't think the M-D will be much of interest to anyone but film nostalgists, but who am I to judge? There appear to be enough of them so this is a successful product for Leica, and I'm glad for them that this is the case. (Personally as soon as digital SLRs became available, I switched happily, since I could now take all the pictures I wanted, and never looked back. I hated paying for film, so digital revived my interest in photography big-time.)

[@2nd3rd1st]

When I'm suffering from dilated aperture or overexposure I want to be treated by Leica M.D.

[@WatchmakerErik]

I had used photo paper instead of toilet paper once, and it gave me polaroids. I had to see the Leica MD right away, as they develop quickly.

[@2nd3rd1st]

Clever haha xD

[@FFVoyager]

That's a very old joke.

[@horaciomillan4181]

Maybe it´s true that it is overpriced, but I have a Leica 109 and it´s wonderfull to use it. Also there´s a great difference in the design, even if you compare it with the Panasonix sister camera, and you can perfectly feel it. I think that if you have the money and the skills, you only live once, so buy it and enjoy it. And of course, photography is an expensive hobby, but still less expensive than a car, for instance, and you can create something. So don´t wait till you are old and blind.

[@LeDrummerDu88]

14:00 A german camera reviewed in a train, great nostalgia (jk)

[@logtothebase2]

Those heritage museums are great locations for taking pictures and you have a few cracking pictures I would have loved to have taken myself. but there is something false about it, knowing its people acting in costume, in a styilsed working museum, rather than people working for thier livelihoods, the value of the photography is much denuded (not that there is an alternative in this case, the real environment is gone) I feel the same way about the camera, an insightful choice of venue for this review.

[@FFVoyager]

Well, they are still photographs of a heritage museum.........

[@ArturoTabera]

1918 they will be pushing it even further. You just get a flat rectangular aluminium frame. It will be called the Leica AF for "aluminiu frame" for just under 120k$. You can take pictures of it with your smartphone, and it has a Frame-Strap. But that are optional features. 2023's gonna be the ultimate Leica Year, though. The Leica IS, "imagine the shot". This will be basically no camera. But you can tell all your Friends about your imagined shot on the social networks. For just 150k$ this is the ultimate camera. You basically can take any shot you like any time and anywhere! This will again revolutionize the industry and makes a great Leica 100th Anniversary.

[@DavidDatura]

There's something about bringing back the anticipation of what your photos will look like, that was lost with the switch to digital. This camera brings back that anticipation to a certain extent. I also admire the tank like build quality of Leica's M-Digital range that is still unmatched I believe. On a more negative note though, Leica's M-D range are still way too thick (chunky), I believe over 5mm more than their film counterparts which I still find a little off-putting. And then there's the sensor these cameras use, which is generally inferior to the Sony ones used by many other camera manufactures, and don't do justice to the Leica M glass and quality of the cameras themselves IMO...despite all that though, not to mention the stratospheric price tags of these things, I still find them very desirable.

[@molerscamera2329]

I cleaned the sensor on one of these that came through the store the other day; it was an interesting experience, certainly a bit different than cleaning a Rebel. I shot an M8 for a few years but eventually sold it keeping only a 50mm and an M2 for when I needed all the feels, and ultimately my reason was that I couldn't justify the cost of new Leicas, and a Sony A7 was technically much more capable for much less money. That said, I've never thought that Leicas are "overpriced," and I think that's a term that's generally used incorrectly when referring to luxury goods. Leicas are a low volume product that are produced using expensive manufacturing techniques by highly trained and well paid technicians. They're going to cost a lot. Whether that is a justifiable expense is entirely up to the consumer, but it's not overpriced in the sense that they're gouging the customer; no one NEEDS a Leica. Leica's aren't EpiPens after all. Regardless, I think as a Leica user, the M-D doesn't have much appeal to me. Why not shoot a film Leica? Oh well because shooting film is inconvenient. Okay, so when you shoot digital you're looking for convenience, like, having an LCD, and instant feedback, right? Well, not too much convenience. Right...

[@schmolinski2068]

Yeah, great video report. Ridiculous price wonderful camera :-) would buy instantly if I had the money...

[@Alhazmi75]

Great B&W photos

[@MrDilan2009]

I wonder if you can do new Nikon DL Series Test

[@lemmor6791civ]

For those low light situations, you could have taken some Leica Summilux glass, or Zeiss or at least those 1.4 Voigtlander lenses...

[@TnFruit]

wo bleibt das nächste Video? ( if you have nothing to do, you can translate this)

[@djrbfmbfm-woa]

jordan has the best eye for composition i've seen outside of the very best cinematographers in movies. he is grossly underpaid. j.

[@harrymultimedia]

how do you meter with this camera

[@vorpled]

Adding in a Hybrid Optical/EVF like in the XPro that you can use to chimp the difficult shots and change the date/etc and I think that would be the best of both worlds.

[@mikegreen6411]

Can you guys do a VS video showing the jpegs out of different brands. A lot of people say Fuji is the best, but before Fuji people said Olympus was the best.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

Funny you mention that, a similar video is in pre-production right now! Stay tuned! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@thedausthed]

Olympus has really crap jpegs, you can not even turn off the noise reduction (even with the setting set to off, it still does some) and said noise reduction just loves puking yellow blobs (which is much worse than the noise) on the image for some dumb reason. It also has massively over active moire reduction that nukes away small areas of colour. Unfortunately the free Olympus raw processor software also has the same shit code as the camera.

[@dddmmm21]

Just making sure I understand... There is no way to review the pics you took on the camera? Not even through the viewfinder (assuming it is EVF)?

[@killamagillagorilla]

its an OVF, like other Leica rangefinders. (except the Q, i think) The idea is that its a digital negative. Instead of bringing the "negative" to get developed you digitally develop it in Lightroom. Thats when you see your photos. Its like shooting a film camera.

[@Luzuuu]

No review in the camera whatsoever. And the viewfinder is optical. :)

[@jakobw135]

Why does the ISO only go down to 200? Why not 100 or lower? Also, the viewfinder is inferior to the one of the M10P. That sucks.

[@Daniel_Zalman]

Great video!

[@surfindaddio]

Think I'll stick with my M6 for now. Seriously tempted by the monochrome and the 'M'.

[@ronitsingh85]

I have now seriously thought about getting this, price wise, expensive as all Ms are, looked into the SL, I know you cannot replace or compare an M and SL or sony alpha series, all different and an M is far from any body out there, Leica with the M-D took it to a whole new level of being strange! Yes I adore the rear ISO dial, I did hate the flip out LCDs and wished they could be fixed,, well now, not having one, is the way to go for people like me who want nothing more than to hold a real well made modern classic body and not worry about what they just took and confidently keep shooting , that feeling keeps growing and overwhelms you with joy. I don't wish it to have image stabilization, complicated, less of a batter life, learn to hold camera steady and as leica has some pretty fast lenses, they should help, I would rather have leica increase ISO performance than add IS.

[@paristo]

Olympus I am looking at you, PEN-F should offer similar feature by allowing a EVF mode that doesnt pop-up values when half-pressing a shutter. Now it is nice that user can flip screen to front so no skimping, enable S-OVF so no idea of exposure than value,but then you show other values than just EV when hiding all and half-pressing shutter button. Olympus look Leica and produce a GM5 size PEN with no rear screen at all! just a big EVF at rear centered. Yes, I could buy this Leica, but I take more willingly a EVF and simply use S-OVF for the accuracy and pleasure.

[@GearZenChannel]

I would certainly like an M-D, but can`t afford one at the moment, so the used M8 I picked up for $1k will have to do for a while. In a couple years I will pick one up from KEH for $2k(or less) and enjoy the heck out of it. Until you have used a truly well made camera, you just can't underdtand. The only camera I have owned that came close to Leica M for quality of build was my Canon 1D mkii that I recently sold. Personally, I would rather have an older very high quality camera than a brand new camera with all the bells, but poor build. For most hobbyists (and some pros) used just makes more sense.

[@Native20559]

Thanks for the wonderful review. But having reviewed a digital camera that mirrors many of the features a typical film camera might have and enjoying it (and thank you for that, despite it being an overpriced Leica), how about you guys consider reviewing an actual current vintage film camera with many of those same features but that's considerably less expensive, and ACTUALLY really, really fun to shoot like an Nikon F6. Chris you'll have the time of your life with this camera, as will anybody else willing to give it a try!!!

[@rolandrick]

I also can not spend that amount of money for a camera of the M series. But for some people it makes probably a huge sense to buy a M (without the -D). Just think about it: Leica could handle it to put a Full Frame sensor in an M format cam and you can use ALL of the M lenses back to 1954 or so (can not recall the exact year) and with an adapter also those back to about 1932. And there are many many exquisite lenses made by Leica the last 70 years. If you own or inherited them, the M becomes suddenly very valuable. Ok, ⅓ or the current price would also be fine... And a leaf shutter could be added... You see, it always depends on your point of view 😉🤓👍

[@tomwalker996]

Really great video and I love the concept of the M-D but I gotta say I can't imagine who would buy this camera. If you really want the nostalgic experience, $8,000 buys an awful lot of film. If this was under $1,000 I would say it could be an interesting option. I guess to some people $8,000 isn't a lot of money.

[@leehargreaves7473]

It was wonderful to see what life was like in 1950s Canada

[@sotocine99]

Nice greetings from Wetzlar.