Honestly, I didn't want to call a camera with a live-view a Leica M camera. However, since I started using the LEICA M, I've been thinking I need the live-view to use the potential of Leica. In this 3rd report, I'd like to show you what the live-view shooting is like. That's not enough? I know. I shot with six 50mm lenses, old or new, to show you how they are different.
( Photo & Text : A.Inden )
Many people use auto exposure. Modern digital cameras generate excellent results in most conditions, but in some extreme lighting conditions (against the sunshine or under strong contrast), they sometimes produce that we don't expect. Normally in this case, we use exposure compensation, but with the LEICA M, it's a lot easier to manual control. Once you half-press the shutter button, you can either turn the shutter dial with your finger of your right hand, or turn the aperture ring with your finger of your left hand. That's it. Since the view in the viewfinder changes according to the setting, you can visualize the exposure level directly in the viewfinder rather than take a guess from your experience. What you can do at the scene changes dramatically because now you get the instant feedback on the live-view, in addition to the intuitive control offered by the Leica M camera. It's easy to use extreme exposure, over or under, so I tested the potential of the lenses.
The first one is the first generation of the SUMMICRON-M f2.0/50mm. This lens takes a soft and gentle picture when shot over slightly against the sunshine. But, it's not easy to judge the "best" amount of exposure. I shot the girls on their way home from school overexposing the highlight with a live-view light meter.
The natural bokeh has some depth and the highlight spread looks beautiful with a little halo.
The second one is the Planar T* 2.0/50 ZM. While many modern lenses are aspherical, this is a precious non-aspherical lens. This is just my personal opinion, but the Planar is best for shooting cities using under exposure (-1 or -2). But when I decide exposure with the live-view, I cannot exactly remember the amount of underexposure.
Many photographers have been fascinated by Leica lenses' unique and beautiful bokeh. But, sadly it was difficult to fully utilize the uniqueness until the LEICA M was released. Because the live-view shows the results directly, you can now shoot until you are pleased and you'll be free from the anxiety whether you fully utilized the lens character. What a joy! The LEICA M is the best tool because you can taste the countless number of lenses from corner to corner on a full-size sensor. Your dusty old lenses may take something new and interesting on the LEICA M. Or, it's that peculiar and difficult lens that you can mount on the LEICA M and just enjoy. Now, once again, your journey for old lenses will begin.
I wanted to show the detail of the white dress by underexposing slightly. The bokeh of the urban landscape was reflected on the glass. After checking the bokeh doesn't cover the focus area, I pressed the shutter.
The third one is the SUMMILUX/M f1.4/50mm (3rd generation). I shot a movie using a close-up lens for SIGMA's DP2 Merrill. You can check how this lens draws differently according to the light and the focus distance.
The fourth one is the SUMMICRON-M f2.0/50mm (collapsible). This is a precious lens because you can take close-up shots with the SOMKY. It was very dark, but I was able to focus accurately and check the bokeh thanks to the live-view.
Once you know you can focus with the live-view, you want to use the NOCTILUX. The max apertures for the lens are f1.2, f1.0, and f0.95, but they all have an ultra-thin focus depth. It was very difficult to focus wide open with a rangefinder, so I often ended up focusing on the eyelashes rather than the eyes. And, if the focus area is outside of the center of the frame, I needed to focus at the center, compose, and then adjust the focus using my intuition. With the M, you can focus accurately with the focus aid (5X and 10X magnification). Before, I was happy just because I was able to focus wide open, but with the M, I can be happy because of the overall picture quality. Enjoy the paper-thin focus and the flowing bokeh starting from the sharp area.
The fifth one is the NOCTILUX-M f1.0/50mm (2nd generation). Looking at the live-view, I focused on the waterdrops on the front windshield. I was having a difficulty in getting a sharp result wide open, but I'm amazed by the solidity when it's focused.
It looks like the saddle of the bicycle is floating in the background. This is why we use the NOCTILUX wide open, right?
Even though the subject was outside of the center of the frame, I was able to focus relying on the solidity in the bright lighting.
The sixth one is the NOCTILUX-M f1.2/50mm. This first generation is an endangered species. It depicts a wet atmosphere if you choose the background carefully. However, I feel this one has a thinner focus depth than the f1.0 version, so I use extreme caution as if I am walking on thin ice. Unfortunately, as of now, the M's focus aid with a 10X magnification works only in the center of the frame.
I had never thought about using a Leica M body with a live-view before I encountered the M at the Photokina last year. This was shocking enough for brain cells of a M-rangefinder user for over 30 years. There I declared to the chief editor that I would never buy it because I thought it was just the wrong path as a Leica M camera. Then, once the M arrived, I started saying "it's so convenient and I cannot live without it." But, it's natural because I always say, "it's best to use a lens wide open." and "Leica lenses have the best bokeh."
A Leica M is a perfect tool that becomes a part of your body. Not to mention, shooting with the live-view and EVF takes more time than shooting with the rangefinder. But, with the M you can focus in the two methods and you can choose the best method according to your shooting style and the situation. Use the rangefinder to shoot casually and swiftly, or use the live-view to shoot taking your time. If you are still wondering if this is a real Leica M camera just like myself at the Photokina, I urge you to try this camera anyways. While mumbling something, you'll say "I see. This is another Leica." This is because Leica M cameras have always been how a camera should be.
