What has this to do with cameras, you might ask? Well, to some extent this forms an analogy with the Leica M rangefinder. By rights the mechanical rangefinder it should have died off ten years ago; and it might well have done so if there had not been such an enthusiastic following among people with a shelf-full of manual-focus lenses. And a few bob to spare, it must be added.
Yet….. why buy a hobbled digital camera when you can lay your hands on a camera offering all the electronic aids you could wish for, and a control panel to satisfy a fighter pilot?
As most of us appreciate, there is a lot of fun in manual focus. And, if you are going to focus manually, I can make a strong argument for the supremacy of the mechanical split image over all the modern aids, such as focus peaking and magnification. Sure, both have their advantage. A modern EVF is helpful with “difficult” lenses such as the Noctilux or the 50mm Summilux, but, by and large, manual focus with an M camera is quick, efficient and precise. I am so wedded to the concept of centre-focus and recompose that I use it most times on digital cameras with electronic viewfinders. I just find it easier to select the subject, focus and then recompose the picture.
But we could go further. Surely, the M10-D is the epitome of purity in camera design. As a rangefinder experience it is impressive, with absolutely no electronic distractions.
Others (yes, David B) will disagree. Even I can disagree with myself when I have a Lumix G9 or, even, a D-Lux 7 in my hands. But perhaps Joshua’s commentary on the world of horological connoisseurs has a parallel in the photographic world.
As Joshua concludes:
The routine of winding a watch can be just as satisfying as walking your dog or sleeping in your own bed.
What’s your view? The M10-D is nothing if not controversial. Is it like walking your dog? Should it be regarded as the Leica connoisseur’s ideal camera? Discuss.
