GEAR TALK - Why The Leica M10 Needs EFCS

In the last Gear Talk post I mentioned hoping for a M10-M / M10-P firmware update adding EFCS (Electronic First/Front Curtain Shutter). Today's post will expand on that topic.

In a nutshell - EFCS takes shutter vibration out of the equation. It does so by starting the capture electronically via the sensor rather than the mechanical shutter. There is still vibration at the end of the capture when the mechanical shutter closes the exposure. Generally that mechanical event does not impact image sharpness. Using a mechanical shutter to close exposure eliminates a rolling shutter issue.

If snapping pictures while walking around and such, EFCS is not really needed on Leica M. But if delving into edge cases like long telephoto lenses, then ECFS would make significant improvements in my keeper rates. There are several use cases where EFCS will improve file quality, but for this week's Gear Talk installment, I will focus on long telephoto lenses.

TELE-HELL

My borderline obsessive compulsion to use telephoto lenses on the Leica M's has been fraught with pitfalls, failures and frustration. The challenges have been -

• Atmospheric conditions and heat waves
• Incredibly thin depth of field for critical focus
• EVFs lacking resolution and FPS
• Wind buffeting the camera and lens during long exposures
• Leica M Shutter vibration

Those 5 factors compound in various ways depending on the scene, exposure solution and shooting conditions. This or that factor might be more or less of an issue depending on the scenario. That said, I might successfully navigate the first four bullet points, and then shutter vibration skrews the pooch. The Leica M's shutter vibration is always there and must be mitigated. Mitigation options -

• A large tripod and robust tripod head to firmly support large telephoto lenses and hopefully minimize vibrations from wind buffeting or other conditions adding / introducing resonance into the capture.
• In daylight I crank up the shutter speeds to 2X of the focal length (with the rig set-up on a sturdy tripod). It is common for a daylight tele shot to be ISO 5,000-10,000 due shutter speed, filters and aperture - CRAZY!
• At night, hopefully a long exposure (4 to 8 seconds) will mask the initial vibrations. Of course, if there is a steady wind and the tele's lens hood is gulping wind like a wind sock, then all is likely lost.
• Use a different camera... cough-cough... preferably one with EFCS.

HOW EFCS WOULD WORK

Ideally, using the 2-Second or 12-Second timer mode would automatically enable / utilize EFCS. In practice, how EFCS would work -

• 2 or 12 Second Timer Mode Selected
• Shutter button pressed to start the exposure process
• Mechanical shutter opens and usual vibrations ensue
• 2 or 12 second passes, allowing mechanical vibrations to dissipate
• Capture starts
• Capture finishes, ended by the mechanical shutter
• Sensor turns off

Also, Leica should add a menu option to simply turn on / off EFCS. If the only way to access EFCS was via a timer shooting mode, that is not ideal because there are times when a timer delay is not wanted, like when using the Leica M's interval shooting mode or if shooting handheld with the EVF. Speaking of which, using EFCS for handheld shooting with the EVF would essentially eliminate shutter lag. This how a camera like the Sony A7rIV works. Though, I expect thermal management might be an issue for the M10 with sustain EVF / LV use.

THE BENEFITS

For these tele images, the upshot would be lower ISO speeds for daylight captures and shorter exposure times for the night pictures (shoot with a wider aperture). There are still other factors conspiring against my efforts, but eliminating the mechanical shutter vibration would be a tremendous step-up in image quality and keeper rates. Without EFCS it is possible to get results; however, if doing the work, it is a pity to leave behind some quality. If the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 had EFCS, I would certainly have many more keepers to choose from when writing this article. Next time I will discuss how EFCS will help when shooting with filters on the Leica M10 Monochrom.