“Maestro” calls Leica completely without wrong modesty the new image processor, which processes with the Leica M the data of the likewise 24-megapixel CMOS. For the first time in a Leica-measuring-search camera, live-view and video-function are possible. Does this justify the proud price of around 6,800 euros for the case?
Enclosures and accessories
The Leica M shows the fact that it has something special to do with unpacking: the silver outer box is elegantly peeled off to four sides after removing the closing flap. And what would come under it would be described with insufficient "cardboard" - a pretty box made of matt black cardboard with magnetic closure. In the upper floor, the carton of heavy cardboard is located, with two pull-out drawers underneath the manual and supplied accessories. How beautiful can be unpacking. More importantly, the Leica M with a new Maestro image processor and 24-megapixel CMOS in the format of 36 x 24 mm is also technically the best form.
Cleaned top
The closed all-metal housing of the Leica M is available from a magnesium alloy, optionally black lacquered or silver chromium-plated and sealed against dust and splash water. Formally, the M flagship largely corresponds to the sister models M9, M-E or monochrome. With a small variant, however: for the first time, there is a metal thumbrest with integrated dial on the back.
Focusing Aids in the Live View
The optionally available multifunction handgrip-M (approx. 750 Euro) with integrated GPS module and X-synchronous jack for stud-slot machines promises even more support. A USB port on the handle allows computer connection, including remote control, in combination with the Leica Image Shuffle software. Also available as accessories is the electronic viewfinder EVF-2 (about 400 euros). Owners of Leica-R lenses can use them with an R adapter on the M and use the camera as an SRL model after buying an EVF-2.
Buttons and Menus
SD card slot and battery (1.800 mAh) are hidden underneath the removable, milled base plate. In contrast to M9, M-E or monochrome, the tripod thread is unfortunately not integrated into the base plate, but is sunk in the housing. This is supposed to provide even higher stability, explains the Leica technician (especially when heavy R-lenses are adapted to the camera), but has the disadvantage that one does not come to the SD card under the floor plate during the tripod without The camera from the tripod head.
Typical Leica design determines the cleansed top of the Leica M. Stylish control element is the shutter speed dial, which is locked in half EV steps. The slot shutter allows exposure times from 1 / 4,000 s to 8 s (in bulb mode to 60 s). The setting position for the flash sync time (1/180 s) and the letter "A" for automatic time with aperture pre-selection are highlighted in red. The workspace is set at the aperture ring of the lens, in full or half EV steps.
The lever of the Leica M is surrounded by a four-step rotary switch, which allows you to choose between S (single image), C (standard image, maximum 3.5 B / s), self-timer (2 or 12 s) and "Off" Off). The turn-on delay of the Leica M is relatively long with 2.5 s. To the right of the trigger, the start button (M) is for video sequences in Full HD (1080p) with a maximum of 25 frames per second
For the exposure measurement the Leica M offers in principle two different methods to choose. On the one hand, the conventional center-weighted measurement of the M series, in which the light reflected by the shutter blades is measured. To do this, select "classic" in the camera menu under "Light measurement". If, on the other hand, you switch to "Advanced", the exposure is measured directly at the sensor, in which case multi-field and selective measurements are available along with mid-range measurements. For the selective measurement there is a central measuring point, which is displayed in the live image, which can not be ascertained which percent of the image field is captured by the selective measurement.
The Leica M is a classical measuring-search camera with a light-field detector with a mixed-image distance meter, recognizable by a bright rectangular field in the viewfinder center. In this field, by rotating the focusing ring, two identical image sections are covered. Alternatively, you have the possibility to manually focus directly in the live image (activated by LV key). On the one hand, the "Live View Zoom", a magnifying lens magnifying up to 10 times, can also be activated by rotating the focusing ring of the lens with a corresponding presetting. In addition, there is the practical "live-view-focus peaking": Correctly focused motif edges turn red.
As far as the quality of the monitor is concerned, the Leica M has clearly gained in comparison to the sister models: three inches diagonal and a resolution of around 307000 RGB pixels. The cover glass is made of scratch-resistant Corning gorilla glass.
By default, the monitor displays a small gray bar at the top of the screen, recording mode, exposure time, measurement method, and ISO number. Pressing the Info button will bring additional displays such as battery and memory card capacity, the lens used, the WB setting, and the selected image quality to the screen, half-pressing the shutter button activates a live histogram. Outside of the live mode, the Info button is used to display a window, in which - in addition to further status displays - battery and memory card capacities are illustrated in percentages and as bar graphs.
The main menu of the Leica M is divided into the categories camera, recording (1 page with 6 entries) and setup (3 pages, 22 entries). A scroll bar with side-section markers on the left of the image field is used for orientation, but the scroll wheel is best used for scrolling, but it can also be used with the arrow keys
The set menu contains the eight most important function areas: ISO, white balance, file format, JPEG resolution, video resolution, exposure compensation, exposure metering and user profile (four memory locations). To set parameters, you must call the respective submenu. There is a faster way in the exposure correction: press the silver focus button on the front under the Leica M while turning the dial. The Focus button also activates the magnifying glass, which is sometimes confusing.
Image quality
A further direct access key exists for the ISO setting, also in combination with the setting wheel (or up / down arrow keys). The nominal sensitivity is ISO 200, ISO 100 is defined as a pull stage, ISO 6400 is a push stage. With ISO automatic, Leica M can not only define the upper ISO limit, but also a longest exposure time.
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On the other hand, no adjustment possibilities are found for the noise filter or the gradation curve. It is also not possible to manually correct the white balance, out of WB automatic or a preset. Although the color temperature can be adjusted in Kelvin, a correction on several color axes is not provided. Something annoying, because the WB automatic partly strong coloring produces. Well, the WB measurement works by means of gray card, but it is really useful only in the studio. Tip: Just go to RAW / DNG mode and set everything up in Photoshop or Lightroom.
Apart from possible color shades, the Leica M 24-megapixel CMOS, supported by the Maestro image processor, also produces excellent JPEGs. With the Summilux-M 1.4 / 35 mm Asph. The high dead-leaves value of 1,321 LP / BH at the ISO minimum decreases only to about 6,400 LP / BH between ISO 200 and ISO 6,400
The kurtosis (loss of texture) is pleasingly low for the Leica M with values between 0.4 and 0.6. The noise remains very moderate between ISO 200 and 1,600 (VN 0,6 to 1,0), noticeably increases at ISO 3,200 (VN 1,4) and markedly at ISO 6,400 (VN 2,2). The dynamic range is very high between ISO 200 and 800 with 10 to 11.7 diaphragms. At ISO 1,600 / 3,200 the dynamics are still 8 screens and only drops to just under 6,400 at ISO 6.400. Bottom line, the new Leica can certify that it is now also in the picture quality in the front row in the front line, especially to ISO 800.
Test Conclusion
With the Leica M, Leica's measurement-sensing concept has finally arrived in digital modernization - thanks to live view and video function, high-resolution monitor and excellent picture quality. So you do not have to put on the glasses of the Leica enthusiast to find this camera well. The fact that you have to deal with purely manual focus is just the principle.
A small beauty defect is still the automatic white balance, which makes it lack of reliability. But this can perhaps be corrected soon by a software update and already today, when one is photographed in the DNG mode. What has not changed: If you compare the Leica M's score with that of other models, you should consider the missing autofocus, which leads to a zero point score.
Leica M
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