As I mentioned, my Leica M9 and Leica Monochrom have finally met their maker, quite literally since I traded them back in at Leica Ginza, and so I’m excited to show off some photos taken with my new Leica M10.
The Leica M9 and Leica Monochrom have treated me extremely well over the past 7 and 5 years, respectively, and will be missed. I’ve been shooting with the Leica M10 for a few weeks now. The short answer: I love it.
The Leica M10 body
The Leica M10
For those who know me, they know I am not a technical photographer. I don’t like to debate the technical details of cameras or which camera, lens or settings is better. My philosophy is simple; what you choose to shoot and how you decide to shoot it is a personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer but rather what you are comfortable with and what helps you to create the images you desire. If your camera does that, then you made the right choice.
Leica Cameras are something that I can easily carry with me as I travel around Tokyo and the world, and as I transition from business to my personal life throughout my day. The size and shooting style fits my lifestyle well.
I always have my camera around my neck as I’m going about my day and shoot what I shoot what I come across. The images in this post are my ‘daily images’ over the past few weeks. Lighting conditions weren’t always perfect. It wasn’t always golden hour, but I shot with what light was available at the time. The scenes are not all optional, so they should give you a reasonable expectation of real-world conditions shooting with the Leica M10.
The imagesfrom the Leica M10 are all straight out of the camera except for cropping and adjustments to brightness. Any vignetting is the signature of the Summilux 35mm being shot wide open at f/1.4. None of the images have had color, saturation or other adjustments made to them.
I know some people will ask technical specifics regardless of what I said above so here are the technical details of the Leica M10 as best I could figure them out:
- Megapixels: a bunch
- Frames per section: enough
- Weight: a bit more than my M9
- Dimensions: thinner than my M9
- Battery life: seems long
- ISO: more than my Monochrom
If you want the specifics, visit their website. Also be sure to check out WBTW’s Photogaphy section.
Today’s Configuration: Leica M10 with a Summilux 35mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4. Note all but a few images were shot with the 35mm.
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Jiyugaoka Station
Steve Collins
Ebisu
I really like how the colors in this one came out. I have shot this building a few times but always later at night where the light wasn’t as balanced.
Cones in Ebisu
I wanted to make sure I got a few test shots of cones as well given my responsibilities. Getting the ‘orange balance’ correct is essential.
Don Quijote Mega in Shibuya
Subway Train in Tokyo
Jiyugaoka 自由が丘
I had a few people ask me if I could shoot some side by side so they could do comparisons between the old and new sensor. I don’t have an M9 anymore so I can’t shoot side by side shots. I did shoot some familiar scenes around Jiyugaoka so if you are interested to explore my older Jiyugaoka posts please feel free.
I would say this; they are different cameras. If you like how these look then go for an M10. If you don’t then stick with your M9 or Type 240. I really like the more simplified M10 design. The ISO can be accessed via a nob so now you can access aperture, ISO and shutter speed without going into the menus. The buttons on the back were significantly reduced down to 3. I like that you can connect to the camera via Wifi and transfer images to your phone with the M10 app.
Jiyugaoka 自由が丘
Jiyugaoka 自由が丘
Jiyugaoka 自由が丘
Narita Airport Sushi
For the 100s of times I have flown through Narita Airport I have never stopped to have the sushi. I was a bit early for my flight so I figured I would take the opportunity.
Narita Airport Sushi Chef
I like how this came out. I wish his pen and paper weren’t on the counter.
Narita Airport
Anna Maria Island. One of the beautiful places near where my parents live.
Anna Maria Island
Rod & Reel Pier Anna Maria Island
Lakewood Ranch
Dave Powell is a photographer based in Tokyo, Japan who shoots with a Leica M9. He is the publisher of ShootTokyo, a friendly daily photography blog which he calls a “labor of love.” You can follow him on Twitter @ShootTokyo and visit his photo blog site at http://www. shoottokyo.com.
