Jono, who is an old friend of mine and a previous guest photographer on this blog, has been working closely with Leica over the past few months as a beta tester for the very exciting Leica M.

With retail shipping of the camera due quite soon, Jono has just published a truly newsworthy piece based on these experiences:  The Leica M (240) Introduction. 

As he says;

"This article is not meant to be a review. There are others better equipped to do that, and you should be aware that on the one hand I’m not an independent voice; as always, my loyalty as a camera tester is to Leica: If I find a problem, then I tell Leica, If I like something, then I tell everyone else! On the other hand I hope that I’m an honest correspondent, and I won’t say anything that I don’t really believe to be the case."

So don't expect detailed side by side comparisons and metrics to peer group cameras, blah blah blah. Instead enjoy Jono sharing his experience of using the M as a photographer.

There's more in this article than anyone has previously been allowed to say. If you are thinking of buying an M then it is absolutely required reading.

Also today, Sean Reid, another Beta tester, has published an article in which he compares the new M's performance, in beta iteration, against some of its stable-mate and predecessor cameras. Sean's site is subscription only but the article is pretty much required reading for the true M aficionado.

And in this onslaught of new M-formation, Ming Thein, third leg of this beta testing stool, has also published his thoughts and experiences, which are nearly all positive. Ming's site is free to view.

I expect to be publishing the first in a series of in-depth review articles of a final firmware version of this camera myself fairly soon - so keep checking in here to see when the first one appears.