Testing the KEKS Leica M-Meter within the Wild

The Leica M3 outlined an period—an icon of precision engineering that also conjures up photographers seven many years later. The KEKS M-Meter revives that legacy, bringing trendy metering to basic M our bodies with out sacrificing the mechanical purity that made them legendary.

When the Leica M3 first hit the market in 1954, it despatched shock waves by the photographic group. Instead of a next-gen Leica screw mount, it represented a wholly new evolutionary line for rangefinders and instantly caught on with skilled and information photographers worldwide. And whereas the Nikon F would quickly hit the cabinets and produce about one other revolution in nonetheless pictures, the Leica M physique remained a powerful contender by the arrival of the digital sensor and as much as as we speak. Indeed, Nikon and Canon have each given up the ghost on their SLR mounts and our bodies; Leica nonetheless produces the Leica MP and M-A movie our bodies—maybe not in comparable numbers, however nonetheless sufficient to stay worthwhile.

For all of its engineering complexities and marvels, the M3 lacked one essential capability: in-camera metering. This situation wouldn’t be resolved till the Leica M5, a brutalist physique that proved far much less fashionable with photographers of the period. Leica solved this with a sequence of Leica Meters, clip-on devoted gentle meters of various complexity and sensitivity. These units, roughly the dimensions of your thumb, would slip onto the chilly shoe and connect with the shutter velocity dial. It was a surprisingly elegant answer, however not one designed for the long run. As the many years handed, the Leica Meter confirmed its tooth; the growing older system grew to become much less and fewer dependable till ultimately they grew to become all however unusable. Functional and dependable examples are exceedingly uncommon, whereas nonfunctional meters could be had for just a few {dollars}.

 In current years, a wide range of corporations have begun to supply shoe-mounted meters of various high quality and accuracy. KEKS, to one of the best of my data, is the primary to supply a contemporary model that replicates the shutter-speed–coupled model of the Leica Meter. The KEKS M-Meter represents a distinct segment product for a distinct segment group; in contrast to different shoe-mounted meters it’s designed to work with a restricted variety of M-mount our bodies and nothing else. And but, in replicating the operate and design of the unique Leica Meter whereas updating it with a digital readout, modernizing the consumer interface with bodily buttons reasonably than the unique dials and wheels, and utilizing a USB-C battery reasonably than the unique button-cell batteries, it represents one thing completely distinctive.

Over the previous couple of weeks I’ve been testing the meter, seeing the way it features compared to my MP, and customarily working it by the paces for real-world work. And whereas there are at all times higher cameras with extra trendy metering features, I really like having my older M our bodies as a part of my on a regular basis carry equipment.

So the place does the KEKS M-Meter stand?

First, let’s speak concerning the bodily facets similar to match and end. The exterior is a mixture of aluminum (or brass when you purchase the black-paint model) and plastic that matches the silver end of my M3. The meter {couples} simply with the dial, and appears sturdy sufficient to climate on a regular basis abuse. The 1.3″ OLED display sits in a beveled body, offering a stage of safety towards scratches or impacts. One situation that early Leica Meters had was that the metallic backside would scratch the digicam’s high plate. Some customers would defend their cameras with tape, whereas others simply lived with the imperfections. The backside of the M-Meter is manufactured from plastic and, after a number of weeks of use, has left no seen mark. It couldn’t damage to place some tape on the underside of the meter, however I don’t know that it’s strictly mandatory.

As to the interface, it’s an exceedingly easy setup: two buttons for adjusting the ISO, whereas a 3rd button on the rear accomplishes the precise measurements. You could make micro changes by way of the menu operate, permitting for full, half, or one-third aperture-stop measurements. When you press the measurement button, it gives you an f-stop based mostly in your shutter velocity.

The 240 mAh battery is able to full charging in an hour and, as talked about, expenses by way of USB-C and is alleged to carry a ten-hour (fixed use) life. At least one Reddit thread has talked concerning the battery dropping steam when left untouched for prolonged durations of time—it is a criticism I’ve had hassle replicating. Right now I’m on day 4 following a full cost and I’m nonetheless at round ⅔ energy. Barring any points, the battery is meant to final two to a few weeks untouched earlier than needing to be recharged. To their credit score, KEKS has said that they’re engaged on a brand new PCB to unravel this situation, and have been lively on social media immediately answering questions or complaints. The meter itself comes with a 24-month guarantee.

So what’s it like utilizing this out within the discipline? The course of isn’t in contrast to the unique Leica Meter: level within the route of your topic, press the rear measurement button, and regulate both your shutter velocity or aperture based mostly in your readings. It’s not as quick as taking pictures with, say, a Nikon F6—however when you wished to be taking pictures on an F6, you’d be taking pictures on an F6. That’s to not recommend it’s sluggish, both—only a bit extra handbook than some shooters may be used to. The M-Meter measures from ISO 6 by 3200; when you plan on taking pictures with a sooner movie velocity you’ll have to do some calculations in your head. Really although, it’s a easy, intuitive course of—far simpler than the unique Leica Meter. Double-clicking the measurement button permits for steady studying. I think about that’s barely more durable on the batteries, nevertheless it makes issues simpler when taking pictures in altering lighting situations.

I carried this by a number of tasks throughout three states. It was the primary time in fairly some time utilizing the M3 since selecting up the MP. While the MP is a better digicam to shoot with (readings are inner to the viewfinder), it’s solely so by levels. The M-Meter functioned easily and took little or no effort to combine into my workflow. The battery simply lasted by a number of shoots earlier than needing to be recharged, and I by no means spent greater than a half second getting a studying. During protests, renaissance festivals, and simply strolling round Washington, D.C., I discovered it an easy-to-use little bit of equipment that enhanced the taking pictures expertise reasonably than detracted from it. Prior to this, at any time when taking pictures the M3 I might depend on a handheld meter, a metering app, or one other digicam to get my readings—or god assist me, generally I simply winged it. The M-Meter allowed me to reliably get my publicity proper with a minimal of fuss.

So, let’s get to the final and most essential query: why? Why does this factor matter to you?

The KEKS M-Meter scratches an itch I didn’t know wanted scratching. It provides each M physique as much as the M4-P a stage of dependable performance that was sorely wanted. Put extra succinctly: it’s one other instrument in your field to go on the market and get your photographs. Are there different choices? Sure, completely: TTArtisan, Voigtländer, and a bunch of others all make shoe-mounted meters that do comparable work—however KEKS is the one one to actually recreate one thing designed particularly in your Leica. Think about that for a second: there’s an organization on the market making a helpful accent for a digicam that hasn’t been made in virtually six many years. That’s a distinct segment product if I’ve ever heard one, however man, if it isn’t a pleasant possibility. 

What I Liked

• Easy to put in, straightforward to program, straightforward to make use of

• Relatively reasonably priced at $120–$140

• Designed particularly to suit Leica M1, M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M-A, M-D, M-D2 our bodies

• Available in three colour choices: chrome, black, and black chrome

What I Didn’t Like

• Reports of battery points

Specs

• Color: Chrome / Black Chrome / Black Paint
• Materials: Aluminum / Brass (Black Paint)
• Battery: 240 mAh / 10 hours battery life / Full cost in 1 hour
• Charging port: USB-C
• Display: 1.3-inch OLED show
• Metering: 30 common metering (roughly 50 mm lens view)
• Metering mode: Single / Continuous
• Exposure mode: Shutter precedence
• Exposure compensation vary: –3 to +3 (1/3)
• Aperture steps: full, half, one-third
• Aperture worth: f/1.0–f/128
• ISO steps: full, half, one-third
• ISO worth: 6–3200
• EV vary: 1–20