For a long time, Leica was known for producing some of the best cameras on the market. Some of the most iconic images in history have been shot on a Leica and the M series has remained one of their most sought after and almost idolized series of cameras. Recently I had the immense pleasure of testing the Leica M10-P and here are some of my thoughts on the camera.
Build Quality
I feel this section is a little unnecessary because I could quite simply describe the M10-P as having the absolute best build quality and end it there. Every other camera I've used feels a little less in comparison. Now I will clarify this is specifically about build quality and not durability because those are two different points. The M10-P is probably not a camera I would use in the rain or expect much from it after a steep drop. This is as described, specifically about the quality of the build.
I've been very lucky in the last few years because I've had the chance to test and use a wide variety of high-end cameras. From Phase One XF systems to the Hasselblad X1D. The X1D was one of the most impressive cameras when it came to design and build but the Leica is something else.
The weight of the camera, for example, brings a certain presence. It almost demands to be treated as though it's important. The weight of it comes as a bit of a surprise when you first pick it up. It's not that it's heavier than many cameras I've used it's just a little unexpected due to how compact it is. The dials, the buttons, the way the aperture ring clicks, everything has been meticulously designed. The bottom plate that you need to remove in order to get access to the SD card slot is metal. Even the hot shoe cap is solid metal and that level of attention to detail is rarely seen by any other manufacturer.
Ergonomics and Usability
With the M10 series of cameras, Leica has worked hard to improve both the ergonomics and handling of the camera. the issue is that the whole form factor is pretty limiting when it comes to how much you can actually improve. Most of the M series cameras I've used form Leica have been pretty bad when it comes to ergonomics and the M10-P is not much better. Personally, I find the M3 to be the best when it comes to handling. It could be due to the smaller and lighter size of the camera but I just found that camera to be significantly better in the hand.
The main issue with the M10-P is that there isn't anywhere comfortable for your fingers to rest. There's no real grip on the front of the camera and on the back, it's pretty flat too. This makes the whole experience of holding and handling the camera pretty uncomfortable. The weight of the camera doesn't help in this regard either. Personally, I hate using any kind of strap with my cameras especially neck straps; however, with this camera, I had to use a wrist strap just to be able to have some purchase on the body.
With the wrist strap, the experience of holding the camera was better and it did allow for better usability, although it wasn't the most comfortable experience.
One of the key new features of this camera is the ISO dial and I think it's a welcome addition. Having physical and dedicated dial for ISO is pretty convenient. Unfortunately, the dial was extremely stiff and trying to lift it up to change the ISO was almost always a bit of a chore and it really took me out of the experience of shooting with the camera. I simply resorted to leaving the ISO on auto because I just didn't want to use the dial anymore.
Overall when it comes to sheer ergonomics, it's probably one of the worst cameras I've used so far.
Usability is an area where this camera is a bit of a mixed bag. If you've ever tried to manually focus with a DSLR you'll know how it's a bit of a pain. The Leica M10-P, however, is quite obviously primed for manual focus and I rarely found myself switching to liveview. Essentially focusing through the viewfinder was mostly a pleasant experience. The split screen focusing system within the viewfinder is excellent and I found it be a complete joy to use. I loved lining up shots to get the image and although it does take longer than shooting with most modern auto-focus cameras I really enjoyed the process. The few times I used liveview to focus was mainly in low-light scenarios. Shooting manually through the viewfinder in low light situations was almost impossible because you simply couldn't see your subject. Fortunately, the screen on the camera is brilliant and I found the focus peaking features to be very precise.
The menu systems was another thing I loved about this camera. There aren't many cameras on the market today that offer intuitive well-designed menus for their cameras. Leica has remained one of my favorite camera manufacturers when it comes to their menus. The fact that there are only three buttons on the back of the camera makes things extremely simple. Sure, there is no joystick or a scroll wheel but honestly, I didn't miss those features because for one it's manual focus only and two, the touch screen is excellent. The buttons and D-pad also have a really good satisfying feel to them; once again the construction of this camera is second to none.
Composing the Shot Isn't Easy
Most SLR and modern mirrorless cameras allow you to see exactly what the sensor or lens is seeing through the viewfinder. This makes composing your shot much easier. Rangefinder type cameras like the M10-P do not operate in the same way. Without getting too technical the viewfinder gives you an approximate view of what your image will look like. Even with the frame projections within the viewfinder, it's not the easiest camera to compose with. This may be down to my own individual capabilities and lack of practice with these types of cameras, however, this is still something that needs to be mentioned. Each focal length that you shoot with tends to present its own challenges. For example, with a longer focal length like the 75mm, you'll be able to clearly see the frame lines in the viewfinder to compose the shot but your view won't be magnified. When you shoot with a DSLR type camera changing the lens will change your angle of view in the viewfinder too. This doesn't occur with the M10-P or any rangefinder type camera that I can think of. Shooting with a wider angle lens like the 28mm will mean that the frame lines extend somewhat beyond what the viewfinder is able to show you. There is also the issue with the lens hood on the 28mm obstructing the view. The lens hood does have a slight cut out to help you see, however, this still isn't brilliant.
Image Quality
In my use, I haven't found images from this camera to be mind-blowing or anything beyond what I've seen from many other cameras. If anything, image quality from this camera is decent at best, it's not fantastic and it's not bad. The lenses I used were the APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2.0 ASPH and the Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH. Once again the lenses were good but not the best I've ever used. The dynamic range is also pretty good but nothing to write home about. You could probably get away with recovering 2 stops of highlight information and 3 stops of the shadows. Anything beyond that is either going to be blown out or not worth recovering due to the noise in the image. When it comes to detail and sharpness the lenses I used were pretty sharp but once again not the best that I've ever used. The one area where I thought the Leica did exceptionally well was color. I doubt the camera is perfectly accurate when it comes to color, however, there was just something I found very pleasing about the colors from the M10-P. It's important to note the fact that when I say decent this is relative to the cameras that I normally shoot with. I regularly use medium format cameras for many of my projects. The reason I'm mentally comparing the M10-P to some of the high-end cameras I use is predominantly due to the high price tag.
Missing Focus is Easy
This could be due to my own individual capabilities when it comes to range finder type cameras however, it's pretty easy to miss focus with this camera. Even if you correctly focus using the viewfinder, shooting wide open is difficult. Even the slightest movement from you or the subject between when you focus and press the shutter button will more than likely lead to an image where you miss focus.
Dee Dee @dovileete Shot for https://freerunhelps.com/
As you can see with the image above, focus landed on the eye that is not closest to the camera. Conditions were quite windy which meant that even after focusing the slight movements were enough to affect the image quite significantly. Another issue is that in many cases you may have to focus and then recompose and this will more than likely lead to you missing focus. The split focusing system only works in the middle of the frame and if your subject slightly off center you will need to recompose the shot after focusing.
Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't get images in focus and I found the best way to combat these issues was to take a large number of images.
Why I Love This Camera
In this article, most of my points about this camera have been somewhat negative. So far I've only really praised the build quality and described the image quality as decent. Even with that I absolutely loved shooting with this camera. I've never enjoyed shooting with a camera as much as I did with the M10-P. The whole experience of shooting with it was simply wonderful. I honestly couldn't leave home without it. Every picture required a certain degree of thought and process. The issues relating to focusing and composing very quickly became part of the charm. It's as though the camera was challenging me to be better. If I missed focus or messed up the composition it made me want to shoot more and get the shot that I wanted. Unfortunately, the time I had with it simply wasn't enough. I experienced a great deal of enjoyment shooting with this camera and in a weird way, I felt more like a photographer. I can appreciate how some of you may want to point out how I should shoot film or a full on manual camera and I disagree. I have several film cameras and although I really enjoy shooting with them it's not anywhere near the same experience. The only camera that comes somewhat close is the Fujifilm X100F and although it is my favorite camera, the Leica is a whole new experience.
Even the JPEGs coming from this camera were such a joy to look at. The Leica color profile really appeals to me; there's something so pleasing about how this camera renders color.
JPEG straight from camera only cropped in post
Looking at the two images below you'll see the difference between the standard Adobe color profile in Lightroom vs the Leica M10 profile and personally, I prefer the Leica profile. The skin tones look more vibrant and have more "pop" to them. The Adobe color profile looks a little muddy to my eye. Of course, we all have our individual preferences.
What I Liked
- Exceptional build quality, no one else makes cameras like this.
- Leica color profile and beautiful looking JPEGS.
- The experience of shooting with the camera is something special.
- The challenge of shooting with this camera.
What I Didn't Like
- Terrible ergonomics.
- ISO dial is far too stiff.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I feel like I didn't do this camera any real justice. I feel like someone who has a lot of experience shooting with M series cameras could have produced much better-looking images. I only had the camera for about two weeks and the majority of that time was spent trying to get to grips with the whole system and figuring out the best way to shoot with it. This camera does require far more patience than what I've developed so far with many other cameras. What I've learned is that this camera does require a little planning before you start shooting. Finding a location that you think could work and then waiting for the right time to press the shutter button. This also prevents issues with focus and composition.
I don't think this is a camera that I would use for any professional work. The M10-P is more about enjoying photography and shooting with it because you appreciate the experience. After shooting with it I no longer feel these cameras are overpriced. Value is relative and we all have our own individual ideas of what we think is good value for money. Prior to shooting with it, I like many others considered it to be something for people with more money than sense. I'm genuinely convinced by the camera and I will now work towards purchasing one for myself.
You can purchase yours here for $7995.00.
Lead image by freestocks.org on Unsplash
$8,000 for an underachieving camera?
There’s no camera like it on the market. Have you actually used it?
I read the entire article, I'm asking my question based on the content I read. It seems everything is underachieving except for your preference towards the color rendition and feel of the camera (which has limited value I think).
Can you provide a little more detail about what is so special? I'm asking because I'm interested, not being antagonist. I've always been fascinated with Leica cameras, I've used one on a single occasion, for just a weekend, another photographer had one and I toyed with it briefly. It was interesting, the feel was fun, seemed "nostalgic" if that makes sense.
I do agree with the color rendition, it's a little more unique than Canon and Nikon, it seems slightly more reminiscent of film color rendition (which is very appealing for some photographers).
With that being said, $8k is really steep for working photographers unless there is some sort of ROI, in my opinion.
Are there any Leica cameras that produce the same color rendition at a lower cost? That might make more sense, if you're purely going for the color rendition and the feel of it, maybe one of the lesser expensive models would be more palatable financially.
I talked about the experience of shooting with it as being the main draw. Image quality, dynamic range all of those technical ways that we normally analyze cameras isn't what this camera is about. Don't get me wrong the camera has very good image quality it's just not better than several medium format cameras I've used. I mentally compared it to medium format for image quality due to the price tag not against other full-frame systems which does put it at a disadvantage but considering the price I thought that was fair.
The colors from this camera are really nice but I wouldn't use it to shoot architecture or interiors. I use a custom calibration for my shoots and the profile would just get overwritten.
If it were compared against another full-frame camera then yes this would be up there with the best.
It's not a camera for working photographers I wouldn't recommend it to a working photographer. It's a different breed of camera. This is more of a luxury item and not something I'd use for any actual work.
This camera is predominantly for enjoying photography. Trying to compare this camera in the context of a professional tool doesn't really make sense. It's like trying to compare a Rolex to a smartwatch. I mean sure you could take the Rolex to the gym to monitor yourself but it's going to be less than effective.
A Rolex is jewelry. Nobody buys a Rolex for its function. It's a status symbol. The comparison is pretty apt.
But then you go on saying this:
"If it were compared against another full-frame camera then yes this would be up there with the best."
Umm... what? You'd put this up there with a 1DXmkII, a 5DmkIV, a D5, a D850, an A9, and an A7RIII? In what bizzarro universe?
I might pay money if I had for a Leica M-A because it's the only fully mechanical 35mm camera that I know of that's still in active production, but a Leica digital? Please... If you like the lenses, just get an M-Mount adapter and slap them on any number of more affordable MILC's.
Some Rolex's can go down to 1000 meters. So yeah, some people do buy them for their functionality. And of course, gold doesn't corrode, unlike cheap, very useless stainless steal.
This is true. Unlike a Leica, Rolex's do actually have some functionality even though they will never be as accurate as a modern digital watch can be due to their mechanical nature. I stand corrected.
(sigh) I don't have the energy to correct anything that you said.
Seems that you have plenty of energy to devote words to agreeing with people who agree with you.
Well that requires profoundly less energy. Also it was like superrrrrr late for me at that time lol.
LOL! I feel yah.
There's a very good reason that there's no other camera like it on the market. All of the other major manufacturers are looking to develop cameras rather than toys for dentists.
I shot Leica for over 40 years and finally gave it up last year. Yes, it is a wonderful experience and there is no camera like it, but it has succumbed to boutique status. The lenses have lost all character in order to compete with the other brands and achieve ultimate sharpness. The bodies are so expensive that I'd rather buy a medium format camera and save money. My Sonys can do everything the Leica can and do it better. If I had a lot of money, perhaps I would go back, but likely to an M9 and some older Mandler-designed lenses. I'm just not the target audience anymore and it's a shame because I made some beautiful images with my old Leicas.
I agree with you it's not something I'd use for any professional work. There is something a little magical about them. I'm glad we agree about buying one once we have enough money saved lol.
They are a bit boutique though I agree about that.
I have a lightweight grip on my M6, and it makes the ergonomics just about perfect, give the size limitations (I mean, smaller cameras can only be so good ergonomically). I assume there's one available for the M10, too. Next time maybe give one of those a try.
I don't understand the "experience" argument.
I picked up a X-T3 in December. I was enamoured with the experience for about a week. Other than being smaller/lighter than my 5D3 and having a different button layout it's still just a camera. I use them interchangeably with no issue. They're both great cameras and serve their purpose. I don't fawn over the X-T3 because of the experience. Dials are great but it takes 2 seconds to change a menu item on a 5D3.
I appreciate the X-T3 because it's discrete, I can wear it comfortably around my neck and the EVF is nice to use. It's a perfect go anywhere camera with impressive jpg output which reduces time spent post processing.
I get shots with the X-T3 I don't with the 5D3 simply because I take it places the 5D3 doesn't go.
Range finders seem like a major pain in the ass to use. I have a few old M42 lenses that I pull out on occasion. They were dirt cheap and are fun to use for about 10 minutes until I realize how many shots I missed because AF is MIA. The experience of focusing manually and the experience of objectively worse lenses compared to my Canon & Fuji glass isn't why I use them. They produce vastly different images than my fancy lenses. It's worth putting up with them for an hour or two here or there since they cost nothing and the output is unlike anything I can get with my other stuff.
If a Leica sensor and jpg engine produce something that's genuinely unique that's a great reason to buy one. Build quality, form factor, ergonomics, lens selection and status symbol are also all good reasons.
"Experience" is, in my opinion, just another way of saying novelty. Novelty wears off (remember your first wife? :P). It's not quite the justification I want to hinge an $8k purchase on.
If Leica works for you, awesome. You don't need to justify it using intangibles, just enjoy it and make great memories with it.
Perhaps, but previously, I was using my m with other cameras, and the best images where given by the m, not necessarily the ones with highest iso, nor best dynamic range, but the ones that I remember the most and consider better from my work :) Physiological? Perhaps, but the images tell a different story :)
The iso dial is to be left up if you want to be changing iso... You just push it down to lock the settings and avoid any changes. It works great this way.
Maybe that's what I was doing wrong. I always kept it down until I wanted to use it to change the ISO.
This is kind of bizarre. One would expect, for that kind of money, at least the ergonomics would be superb.
What exactly DO you get? A decent image, but focusing is difficult. Nice build but not easy to hold. And a high price. A Rolex costs, but it's solid and well made. A Mercedes costs but it's damned nice to ride in. What is the real justification here?
Seems too much like riding on past perception rather than reality.
That's the key quote: "After shooting with it I no longer feel these cameras are overpriced"
The lenses are “good but not the best I’ve ever used”... I think praise for Leica should be based really in large part to lens quality. The 28 Summilux is savage on center, compare it’s mtf to even the enormous 28 Sigma. Even the very common 50 Summilux is sharper than the venerable Zeiss 55 Otus wide-open (according to the lensrentals 50mm rangefinder/dslr lens comparison). Not to mention about 1/4 of the size.
Leica lenses are fantastic and I think they're brilliant. When I said they're not the best I've ever used it's because I was comparing them more to medium format as opposed to other full frame lenses. I've heard a lot of great things about the 50mm summilux but I haven't had a chance to personally test it.
I can appreciate it may be somewhat unfair to compare it to medium format cameras however I did that because of the price point. It's comparable to a GFX or even the X1D when it comes to the price. With that in mind, yes the dynamic range is good but not the best.
I do agree with you about how good this camera is. Maybe the way I explained it makes it sound like the camera is average but it's not. It's far from average and it's only "ok" when compared to cameras with much larger sensors but similar price points.
Also the dynamic range of the M10-p sensor is comparable to the Sony A7r3 and Nikon D850 according to the photons to photos. Comparable being about 1 ev at 100 iso (11.6 be 10.6). Though it’s obviously less resolution, the dynamic range is not so bad a dark photograph can’t be stepped on and not avoid noise.
Usman: thanks for the clarification, yes it does touch the bottom of medium format price point, I agree. I agree whole heartedly though in your final “like/don’t like” summation.
Comparisons of cameras reminds me of an old quote (popularized by Bruce Lee): “it’s like a finger pointing at the moon: if you concentrate on the finger, you miss all the heavenly glory...”
M10 is lovely. At f/1.4 if you use focus peaking either with LiveView of with their VisoFlex, you can focus fine every time....
Here is an image from my most recent shoot with M10 ...
Yeah, there just is something to shooting a Leica M. Hard to explain, and many won’t get it, but it makes you slow down, be deliberate, shoot with intention, know your surroundings and lighting. But it’s small, and the glass is compact, and you just don’t draw the attention you do with a DSLR. The “look” of the shots is old school. You’ll miss plenty but make plenty as well and, again, you have to think more about your photos. A Nikon shooter forever, and still very much am (D850 and Z7), the Leica experience is just different and feels like you earn your results more. Won’t sell my Nikons, but carry my M10P with me everywhere because it is so fun to shoot and the results are gorgeous. Not for everyone, but highly recommended.
Windows PCs consistently outperform Macs on technical spec, cost, and availability of apps and compatible devices (ecosystem), and yet people still buy Macs. The same thing can be said of Corvette vs Porsche 911, and yet people still buy the 911.
Yes, the Leicas are insanely expensive but it would be a mistake to evaluate one based on spec-to-cost ratio. I agree with the author's comment above that there's something magical about the M10, and I believe this applies to both the experience and the images it produces. We've reached the point with digital cameras there's very little point in comparing technical specs anymore as it pertains IQ. Other things matter more, and they are intangibles.
The M10 will definitely slow you down, and that can be both a good and a bad thing. For people who need superior A/F capability (or even just A/F in the case of the M10), other cameras beckon. Many M10 owners also own a Sony A7/9, D850, etc., to use when the situation warrants. The M10 is most definitely not a spray and pray camera.
For me, the main appeal of the M10 (besides the images it produces) is its compact size when combined with M-glass. If you cover-up the red dot (which Leica happily does for you w/ the 10-P, for a fee), it's a very unassuming camera that won't intimidate subjects or draw attention to the person shooting. I also happen to enjoy the experience of shooting with it, but that's very much a personal preference.