Leica M10 - Thoughts After 6 Months 

Spot on with the description and expectations. I went through this conundrum quite few times since owning my first M. I think you're on the right track... accepting that it's ok to just use the right tool for the job (or destination, mood, whatever) will save a lot of anxiety and make life easier. For me, I grab the M10 when I can enjoy it and I use my X-T5 for things the M10 can't do or can't do well.

I owned ME, M240 and M10, I now am using M10-D. I used to owned Nikon D810 and Fujifilm but now that I used M, I never look back. I think it's a personal preference thing. For me, it is the perfect tool even with all, if not because of the limitations. I can't quite explain it. This camera should makes no sense at all but for me it does. Do not sell if you love it, but sell it if you can't stop thinking about the inconveniences. Because when I first tried the M, I said to myself "where have you been all my life". But that's just me. Hope this helps :)

I bought an M10 in 2022 as well. It was (is?) my dream camera, but also was the camera I shot the least last year. However, it's at the top of the list when I rank them by favorite. There's definitely emotion involved. I'm a sucker for quality, too, and the way that thing feels in my hand is indescribable. All that said, I do feel greater sense of satisfaction when I nail a photo with that camera than with others, almost like I really did "make" the photo. The challenge of it and knowing I have to work extra hard to make good photos is appealing. Or, that's what I tell myself to justify owning one :-) Either way, I hear you. I sometimes wonder why I own one, but also know I will never consider selling it!

I really wanted to purchase M11/M10R but just couldn’t deal with the rangefinder focusing so I ordered Q3 yesterday. I am excited as it has everything I need.

Nice job on this Eric. Makes me want one, again 😆

Depends on the user and what they like to shoot. I jumped through Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm and settled on a Leica M years ago that works for everything I like to shoot and does it well. I got tired of lugging around a lot of crap and use an old M240 and 3 lenses (28, 35, 50) that fits in a small 3.5L Wotancraft pilot bag that's all the camera gear I own now and very happy. I thought that I would miss all the whistle and bells the other brands stuff into there cameras, but the fact for me is I don't what so ever. Nice video thanks

Had an M6 back in the day, and got an M8 and sold both. I just never got use to using a rangefinder viewfinder, especially with the tighter frame lines. Looooooved the way the camera felt and looked but I just wasn't good with it. But I appreciate them, and when I see great images from them from people who 'see' better through them than I do, I enjoy the photos more. I do love the less is more approach of Leica cameras.

Ive had a few digital Ms and an M7. I have decided to go SL2S, and put M lenses on it, but have the option of autofocus. Mostly for the EVF, and being able to use ultrawide (12mm) or long lenses. Critical focus with the M10 can be difficult, and I hate missing photos (ie 50mmf1.2). Its a little bigger, it has weather sealing. Not a lot of downside.

Thing about new users with Leica is you've used a lot of other brands that evolve to what the consumer/photographer might need, that the history/heritage of this camera brand is unique on its own, either you'll accept and love it or hate and say dislikes about it. I've been contemplating if I'll be upgrading to an M11 this month, fast-forward, my dream camera was the M10 and I think given the situations about the perfection I was looking at it is still not with M11. My M10 still does the job, with its downside that I do still accept up to this day. I guess I was almost swayed by the hype of M11 but then again M10 still shines for me.

7 artisans makes stick on tabs that work great. You can get them from b&h for like $7. I’m using Leica and voightlander glass on my Fuji X-pro 2 right now. It’s weather sealed, which is the primary reason I haven’t gone digital M. Not the most practical setup in terms of hit rate…but fun, and the old lenses definitely have a look.

Hoping for Fuji XPro 4 with image stab abs screen like the 100v as single camera photo video documentary machine. Or maybe A7c mk ii with active steadyshot and a few extra dials and buttons.

As a photo-dad, I've had many of the same thoughts. I've used Fuji X, Leica M (film and digital), and the Q2. It's all trade-offs. Fuji is the most versatile; M is the most engaging; and the Q2 is the most convenient, because you have AF and can crop for 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm using one lens. (IMO, the Q2's crop approach works wonderfully.) For a while, my kit was film M + Q2. Then I went all M (M4-P + M10). Now I've sold the M10 and gone back to film M + Q2 because of the convenience. I think this is (finally) my sweet spot. After a certain point, you just have to say that you have the gear you have and you're going to stick with it!

Thanks for your video. I am contemplating getting an M10. I have a couple old film Ms I don't use much. I was ready to sell them and needed to shoot up the film that had been sitting in them forever. When I scanned the photos I loved them and thought--what the hell was I thinking? I will just end up buying more Leicas later for more money. After 50 years of photography I have too many cameras, but I know better than to sell these. I guess I'm either nuts about them or maybe just plain nuts. And you didn't talk me out of the M10.

So I don’t have any other camera besides my m10 and 50mm summicron v4, and I’ve been getting good enough to capture lovey portraits of my daughters 3, and 1 month old. It’s a wonderful feeling to nail the shots. It’s a joyful learning experience, other camera I’ve had are the a9ii z6ii z7 d3, d200, a7s, all do better but m10 brings me the most joy when using it.

I love the picture, who cares about being 100% in focus or not .. what an amazing memory and meaning .. I got a little one too so I can relate. Still on the fence on buying the M-10. Its pretty expensive even now.

Agree! Very accurate assessment of the M10 in relation to other cameras. The easier it is to shoot with a camera, the less enjoyable and more boring it seems to me. Part of the fun is learning, the practice, getting better over time, and mastering the craft. When there’s minimal learning required, the fun seems equally minimal to me.

I am shooting Leica since I was 16 yo and I am 71 yo. I have exclusively used Leica M for all my work since then. Including Olympic Games, Weddings, landscape, products, fashion,,name it…I have and still doing all my photography with Leica M with 90% using different 50mm focal .

I have the m10r and the Q2. Take both on trips (cruising). The Q2 for its 28mm and weatherproof sealing and for the M10R I have Voigtlander lenses. A 50, 75 and 90. Haven’t missed a shot that I want to take and the fixed prime lenses has made my composition, framing better. And the size of the cameras make them perfect travel cameras.

If that’s the camera that makes you pick it up and go out and shoot then it’s a win and worth it. For me, that’s my Fuji XT cameras. I have the XT2 still and recently bought the XT 5. I tried the XH2 for a little while but it just did not work for me. I still have my full frame, Nikon Z6, and while optically it out performs the Fuji, it just does not inspire me to pick it up and go out and shoot. Combined with all of the in camera image controls that Fuji allows with its JPEGs make it a very unique camera. Another bonus I have noticed is that Lightroom does just as good of a job now as capture one with the new 40mp files.

Thanks for sharing this. I own (or have owned) an M240, a Q2, and an M10-P. I just couldn't get with the Q2. The lens is too big for the camera to be called compact. Plus I realized 28mm is just too wide for me. I held on to the M240 until the M11 came out, driving down prices on used M10s. I love that camera with a 35mm Summicron, a compact dazzling lens. Plus the M10's shutter is very quiet. The 24Mb sensor is plenty big for the size prints I make. I don't need giant files filling up hard drives and slowing down Lightroom.

I’ve owned my M10 for 5 months and 12 days and I still enjoy it as much as I did when I got it. Except now I’ve accepted that I actually own it instead of being in disbelief about it lol From the first pictures I took the pictures looked special and I knew I didn’t make a mistake in buying it. It’s worth every penny even when not using Leica glass. I use voigtlander lenses on mine. The only reason it can’t be my only camera is because it’s not weather sealed and neither are the lenses. If it was it would easily be my one and only camera. I ordered a Like New Leica SL type 601 from KEH yesterday and I’m excited. It’s basically a mirrorless weather sealed version of the M10 with AF and better low light performance. Eventually in a few months I’m gonna sell my M10 to get a new or mint condition Leica M10-R. I want one that will be basically be brand new that I can wear out. The one I have is fairly worn and it’s obvious. It’s why I got it for less than $3,500. I’m gonna sell it to get myself a higher resolution one that’s basically new and with the newer shutter and rear screen. That will be the one I keep forever because I’m sure I’ll eventually end up selling the SL type 601. Right now is the best time to buy as they have bottomed out on how much they’re going for. I’m sure eventually they will go up a bit. At least enough for me to make my money back when I decide to sell it. But the M10 definitely left enough of an impression on me where I want to get a new one so I can experience it for many more years and it’ll show the wear of me using it. Not like the one I have now that used to be someone else’s and it shows wear based on how they used the camera. Pretty excited about the SL and hopefully my M10 sells fast when that time comes 😅

Thanks for keeping us updated..if anything just confirms I’m not made for Leica life..I mess enough shots up with my sony…drawing inspiration from a camera just doesn’t compute to me but everyone is different

That last picture is absolutely dreamy and the lack of clinical sharpness is not detracting in any way.

Would love a camera that was a hybrid between the X-Pro and the Leica M's, true rangefinder focusing when you want, but also the ability to use autofocus and a EVF that you can use for longer lenses, would be the perfect camera imo. The Q2 is nearly there, just need an interchangeable lens version

Weather sealing has been always the one thing that makes me hesitate to bring my M cameras especially to places with sands and rains. Has anyone ever got an issue regarding this?

Spot on with your evaluation of Leica. I had the M11 and loved the camera but it just had too many limitations, or lacks the versatility to justify using it occasionally so its gone.

There is a true zoom for Leica M by Venus Laowa… their 12-24mm zoom for M I found that its great for street but also great for travel, landscape and portrait as well. With zone/pre - focus, shooting action pictures is fine too.

Never touched a Leica, because I am afraid to do so ... Thanks for sharing your experience. It confirms in my mind that Leica's are first and foremost, Passion Cameras. That is enough value in of itself.

I sold my m10 off recently about a year or so of ownership. Still have a couple of M lenses around. I do miss the camera very now and then due to sentimental reasons but not for the performance or more the lack of it with my very humble Nikon z6ii. Before the m10 I had the m240 for some 5-6 years. That camera had to go back to Germany for repairs about 4 times. So the local Leica did a sweet deal for me to swop up to the m10 with a bit of cash top up. It is like you say basically a very good camera but very restricted in use and applications. Nikon glass is so much cheaper with AF. So I am a happy camper. I am still keeping my film M bodies - M3, M4P and MP. Just dont have much confidence with modern Leica electronics personally. At the end of the day the camera is just a tool one use to do a job. Use what you find yourself reaching out for naturally and without much reservations is best. After a while one become very good with any camera and it becomes an extension of the person.

It’s a legend, and challenges you to make good foto’s, taken into account its limitations. It’s like an old sports car, not high tech but a joy to ride.

I had a chance to use m4 for a few weeks alongside gfx50s2. Yes, gfx is a bigger, heavier camera. It is also billion times more ergonomic and pleasant to use compared to m4. I missed or misfocused more pictures than ever with m4. I also had an accident when gfx slid to a concrete floor from a box I put it on. Nothing happened to it. A week later, the same accident happened again (I did not learn my lesson), but the camera had an RRS bracket on it this time. The bracket scratched severely. This is what happens to full metal body cameras compared to plastic ones. There is some pleasure in rotating the focus wheel and fiddling with the controls on Leica. But this is a rather weird and rudimentary skill to be proud of, especially for the price. I prefer to think of myself as an artist who creates pictures. Nothing in this definition says "by playing with knobs on camera". I might get a digital Leica just because it does not have a video in it, and this is how I like my cameras. "Wants" are always better than "logic" :)

I had an M8 for a while sold it and regretted it straight away bought an M262. For me Photography is as much about the process as it is about the end result. Leica understand this, the M range cameras really put you in charge on the image making process. None of the M's are perfect or even practical half the time but they make me want to pick it up, use it, desire it. M cameras really speak to you. I might trade my M262 for an M10, I prefer the M10 to the M11.

My take with the m10 is that it is a Zen camera. Can you make beautiful work with it, yes. Can you do it on a job, under stress with pressure for delivery? Probably not the right tool for that.

Personally I'm all-in on Leica. I use an SL2 as my go-to camera - it's fantastic. And just added an M11 after selling 20 years' worth of Nikon and Canon gear for it. I believe the M11 has some very clear advantages over the M10. The higher res sensor allows you to crop dramatically, eliminating the need for longer lenses to quite some extent. The Visoflex2 eliminates some of the drawbacks of the manual rangefinder - e.g. shooting wide lenses, shooting in low light etc. After having owned the M9 and the M240, I have to say that with the M11 M bodies are finally more versatile at that point.

The limatations of any camera is the photographer. How would you use the Leica if it was your only camera? One thing I like about my leica M10 and any M camera for that matter, is it gives you total controll. It's not any of the other cameras you mentioned and for very fast shooting it's not the one. I'd rather get one good shot instead of sifting through a 100 to look for the one. What might help is the Visoflex to nail in the focus at the wide apatures. Good Luck to you!

Rene is an awesome very knowledgeable stand up guy. I received great service from him.

i have this thought regularly with my Ricoh GRIII, though i love the images and it fits in my pocket, the auto focus and lack of video for family stuff means it's less valuable for me. But the IQ is so good. It's frustrating that a Sony ZV-1 is likely more of what I need for the pocket camera.

Taab mini lens focus ring. (B&H has them).

You are totally correct

My Leica TL2 is my go-to camera for many things. Maybe one day I’ll add an M camera to the collection but that’ll be more of a ‘me time’ camera, which I don’t have a lot of that right now. The other camera I reach for is my xpro 3 for family, friends, etc shooting…basically anything that doesn’t involve anyone else which then I’ll use the TL2. Ended up letting go of my Pentax k1 because just too big to carry around currently and doesn’t fit my needs and the Leica x2 because just way too slow for anything that moves. With that all said, again maybe one day I’ll add in the M camera and I appreciate your video! Side question, who in our area (I believe were in the same neighborhood) has modern Leica cameras for sale in person?

The video quality and colors look great on this video. What camera did you use to record this?

Great video! I own a M240 that I love. But its dynamic range and especially clipping the highlights is pretty horrible. That combined with the metering system. How do see the M10 in comparison in this regard? Thanks!

I think the idea of hybrid coverage and the ability to reliably do paid work without stressing through it are both completely valid concerns. But I think there’s something to be said for putting everything else to the side and taking the passion camera and making it your goal to shoot the paint off of it. Where would your photographic skill set be in 1, 2, 10 years if you went all-in on the Leica and what would that be worth to you when weighed against those competing priorities. If the first two are dealbreakers then ok, fair enough. Take the mystery video camera 😉 and shoot the paint off that one. Ps - all the shots look great, particularly the last one. “Critical focus” be damned.

That’s why I chose Leica film camera, and shoot Fuji for digital. Leica for life & digital for live.

I think that there is nothing wrong with using an M camera for some things, especially personal shooting, and a pro-level auto-focusing camera for duty/business/work or other serious pursuits. I and my wife are very serious about photographing wee beasties, for her naturalist/citizen scientist volunteer work. For that, well, there is the Nikon D5 and D850, and, occasionally the older Canon equipment that I used for evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography, during what seems like a “previous life.” I bought my M10, five years ago, after retirement, to act as an antidote to the sad things I saw, and photographed, as a matter of duty. As for the importance of being in perfect focus, well, something need not be perfectly focused, to be precious. Make a print of that image, with your daughter, in your shadow, and keep it with you, forever. It is beautiful. 🙂 Focusing tab on your 50mm? The optical formula of the Summicron-M 50mm has not changed since 1979. An older Summicron, from the 1979 to 1994 time frame, will have your focusing tab, but the same familiar glass elements. Trade-down, perhaps? The glass coatings also changed, since 1979, so, do the homework, on that aspect. Sometimes, I use a zone-/scale-focused 28mm Elmarit-M (older, Version III) when playing with my grandsons. I hold the M camera at their level, not using the viewfinder. This just works. It does take a bit of experience, with judging distance and DOF, to get there, but it works. I get images that I could not get, by trying to squat or kneel, to use a viewfinder. An M camera can be such a wonderful family camera.

The M10 remains at the top of my wishlist. But agree couldn’t be my only camera. 6 months? Is that a new record yet?

I see your points and agree with some of them. I don’t shot video so I love the lack if that feature! But I think you can’t compare the M10 to the sony or canon cameras. These are two totally different things. I would pick that m10 to the trip any day! But ai wouldn’t focus on those 500mm shots. I wouldn’t even bother. I took my M10 to greece this summer, sand, salt water, sun etc. don’t be dumb and it’s fine (I was dump my first month with it and took it to a snowstorm for 2 hours, works great hanging on the side of my jacket.) I think it’s about expectations, and know your gear. The M10 is very close to analog photography as the process. And you need to think what will happen, and not whats happening. This weekend I was out with my kids in the snow. I’m always 3-5 meters ahead of them with my m10. If they are at the top of the slide, I’m in the middle or the end setting focus m. At f2 with 35mm, I take a crisp sharp image with no problems. Of course, sometimes things go wring, but it’s not the end of the world. The thing is, we rely on the modern cameras so much that we start to lose the manual senses. My work camera (canon 5D mark IV), I was on a session in a restaurant one day and the focus was a bit of all the time. I was so nervous and I managed to fix is good enough. But if I would’ve used my m10 I would be much more confident that day :)

I’ve had many cameras, from R series Leicas, M6 x2, Hasselblads, M8,M9, an early adopter of digital with the Canon D30 an a series of pro units following from that. Sold it all when I closed my studio in 2012. Now, back to Leica, with the M11P. Best camera I’ve had… ever. Wouldn’t even contemplate swapping it for anything else… I can’t stand those plastic menu clogged cameras. I do own one which has one purpose only. The menu is so ridiculous I use 2 functions only. The aperture and ISO selections. I simplify it to the point where I only have one fixed focal length lens. The Nikon Z6II with the 105mm macro. 42 years of shooting and it’s back to basics for me. From what I see in the comments, Leica’s are an acquired taste and not for everyone. Fair enough.

Hasselblad 503CX+Carl Zeiss 50mm, 80mm & 150mm : )

I have been considering it for a while and this video has been tremendously useful thank you. I will not be buying one haha

You have to work, work and work to master an M camera. Once you master this unique tool you will improved your work everyday. That will never happen with another camera brand.

I have the camera the more you use it the more it can be used for everything. When I take it on vacation and only take it I can do almost anything with it other then telephoto action. This camera keeps me coming back for more. Image quality is sometimes better or sometimes worse then my other cameras. It seems to work good in certain light but not so much harsh daylight dynamic range its the worst point for me on this camera.

The Sigma FP is the smallest FF body, but it doesn't have a proper shutter. It's also a powerhouse of a video camera in raw. The Leica M10 is a great camera for travel... if you want to get mugged. Take a MFT camera- it's good enough. Check this video out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VpraY_LB1y4.html

I have an M11 and two kids. I can’t contradict anything you said :)

The M series is made for street and documentary photography, unless that is the kind of photographer a person is, then they are going to struggle to use as well as justify the purchase of this amazing camera. Im a documentary/street photographer and I’m currently saving money for this camera. It’s a lot of money, but it’s more than a camera, it’s a legacy.

Got rid of the OM-5 already?

Ich habe meine Leica`s nur für mich selbst. Mit meiner Canon kann ich arbeiten, mit meiner Leica mache ich Kunst. Das ist der Unterschied.

I’ve packed my M10 back into its box after taking photos of it several times, but i just never get around to putting it up for sale. Then, nothing to do in the evening, i take it out again, and mess with it. And i think “shuggar, why did you do that”? I hated my M10. Then i disliked my M10, then I found my M10 frustrating, then I liked my M10….i wished I’d never bought it…..i wished I’d never even seen it….it has been the most convoluted experience I’ve ever had with a camera. It feels so so nice to handle, but it’s oh so clunky to use. Then you slow down. You go at the M10 speed. Slow down. And slowing down you slowly start to like this camera, a lot, for certain stuff. So, if you can afford it the M10 is a wonderful instrument, for some things. And that’s what it now is for me, i know when i want to use it and use it. I can’t see me selling it, ever. But I don’t take it out with me every time, yet.

You want smaller Full frame? Sigma FP L, 61mp, weather sealed, L mount just like SL2.

Exactly what I'm going through right now, still debating whether to keep or sell. Regretting either way. Leica...you're so complicated!

That Leica, if you take care of it, will last you and you can pass it down to your little girl one day. Of how many cameras you have today can you say you could send it for maintenance 20 years from now? Only the Leica. Other brands will be obsolete and parts long gone.

Interesting. But please stop agitating the camera while you speak! The camera is at risk!!!

If my grandmother had wheels she would be a bike… You can make any excuse you like to not do or take something. Maybe adapt the camera to your surroundings…

JPEG with an M is quite criminal. JPEG are for amateurs.

Lol..this camera is not for you Sir. Simple as that.