Heading Out to Shoot with The Leica M10-R and Leica M10 Monochrom

2020-12-16 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: apochromatic, black and white, Leica, Leica Elmarit and Elmar, Leica Elmarit-M and Elmar-M, Leica M, Leica M lenses, Leica M Monochrom, Leica M10 Monochrom, Leica M10-R, Leica monochrom, rangefinder, Really Right Stuff, tripods and support, Zeiss, Zeiss ZM

It has been years since I shot Leica in the Death Valley area. Winter is interesting too. I plan on hitting the Eureka Dunes area (northern Death Valley), the Alabama Hills, and some snowy country where I can get access. But mostly lower elevations where I can tan my hide a bit.

I’m heading out for a relatively short trip and won’t publish very much until my return, but thanks to reader Roy P, I have the Leica M10 monochrom in addition to the Leica M10-R, both 40 megapixels which should make for a few interesting comparisons of color vs monochrome.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica M10-R/M10m system and top-grade lenses

   

Leica M10 Monochrom and Leica M10-R

It’s a tall order for just two weeks over XMAS what with with the M10M (with filters too) and M10R and perhaps my Leica M240 for context (sharpness, etc). I’d love to exchange the M240 for the M10R or M10M, but it’s just too darn expensive; I’d much rather have a Fujifilm GFX100.

I hope to offer at least some context and guidance on the merits of the following lenses:

• Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
• Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
• Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
• Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
• Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
• Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon
• Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 Distagon
• Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 Planar
• Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
• Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R via the Leica R-Adapter-M. (R and M versions have the same optical formula)
• Leica 100mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R via the Leica R-Adapter-M.

My top lens pick above all others for the Leica M system is the Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon, based on beautiful bokeh, extremely high micro contrast and the best performance of all the wide angle lenses available for Leica M. The ZM 35/1.4 is a standout, a real gem. But as yet I am unsure if the 40MP sensor on the M10-R can really capitalize on full lens resolution from any of these lenses.

Leica M10-R system and top-grade lenses

Leica M wish list • Deals on Leica

$8995 Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. OUT OF STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$3495 Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH. IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$7795 Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$2795 Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH. IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$2030 SAVE $360 = 15.0% ZEISS 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZM Lens (Silver) IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$12995 Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH. IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder
$9095 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH. IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$9395 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH. Lens (Silver Anodized) IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$14395 Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH. OUT OF STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder	$13795 Leica 90mm f/1.5 Summilux-M ASPH. OUT OF STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

Thanks to Really Right Stuff for loaning me the excellent Really Right Stuff L-bracket BM10 for the Leica M10/10R/10M.

 

Really Right Stuff modular L-bracket for Leica M10/Leica M10-R/Leica M10 monochrom