Do I need an M9

[ziggy]

I have been quite happily shooting my Leica lenses (50 lux v2 and a 35 cron ASPH and some R lenses) on my GXR, and m43 bodies. No film though with my inherited M3 sitting in the dry cabinet - too much hassle for someone having little time for shoots.

Although I am getting good results especially from my GXR, with the clean colours and leica 'glow', I would like to get more out of the lenses. Would using an M9 make a visible difference to the GXR? Of the Fuji X1, or even the NEX?

I am not particular about any of the camera bodies to use. I just want to see how much more I can get out these beautiful Leica lenses.

Any comments and views would be very much appreciated.

 

[zixaw]

Do you absolutely need one? Probably not. Will it maximize the enjoyment of your current M lenses? OH YES!

Despite what anyone says, in my opinion, GXR, Nex, M43, Fuji XPro1 etc have nothing on a full frame CCD sensor with no AA filter that is optimized for M lenses. They have their advantages, mainly, focus assist, in body stabilization (for some) and high ISO performance. Of the 3, I only really miss the high ISO, the others I can live without.

Here is my personal experience. I recently bought a D800E and I have been happily shooting it with my manual focus Zeiss lenses. Thinking that since I had a new toy, I should send both my M9s for the M9-P upgrade since I have been putting it off for way too long and both my M9s are pretty much or close to out of warranty. Well, week 1 without my M9s was ok, I was happily snapping away with my D800E, week 2 I started to miss the M9, week 3, I called Leica only to find out that it will be awhile before parts arrive for my M9s and so I went and bought a M9-P.

 

[artspraken]

M9 will be better than GXR, but dollar for dollar GXR gives more bang per buck.

For M9 you can crop and picture still nice coz resolution much higher than GXR.

Do you NEED? Well nobody NEEDs M9 for anything. Its just one way to rome.

I use film and scan high res

 

[alantcs2010]

M9 can definitely bring out the quality of Leica and Zeiss lenses because of the full frame sensor without AA filter. It is a great camera for streets, landscape, portrait and even interior photography. It has got greater emotional value than GXR, NEX and X Pro1 because of the simplicity that allows you to concentrate on shooting. Now I only use it for professional work and I use a M3 for personal creation. To me, the M3 is even better as there is nothing more simpler then it.

 

[louie15]

I say try out with the M8/M8.2 first to see if u like RF style. I did that but i had to sell off entire dslr set up then, got the M8.2, then swapped for M9 and now went backwards to M6.. M9 probly gonna go as well.. its just hard to turn back and i get temporarily confused if someone hands me a dslr now.. haha.

quality wise, M9 is there, prices are dropping mad.. but its the handling of an RF that gives more "fweeeling"..

 

[Errz]

or rent for a day or 2 to test it out?

Camera Rental Centre - Camera / DSLR / Lens / Video / Studio Rental Service in Singapore

 

[NazgulKing]

I myself am contemplating a Leica M9, if only because well, I am getting sick and tired of the workflow for film, what with dust, scratches....

 

[raytoei]

yes you need one because i am selling my m9p.

 

[ziggy]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I'll still have to think about it - preference will still be a few more lenses.

I love the M3 for the simplicity but the film workflow kills me as I have very little time, and I'd rather spend whatever time I have shooting than trying to scan the film. BTW can anyone recommend someone who does good drum scans? No point have a great shot and scanning it on a flatbed.

 

[artspraken]

Plustek 7600i is good enough

 

[ALFREDC]

You will not regret going with the M9. Its a piece of wonder and a joy to shoot with. Even placing it on the table its nice to look at. Love it!

 

[Fudgecakes]

you need this

M9P:B

 

[Riotbmx]

You will not regret going with the M9. Its a piece of wonder and a joy to shoot with. Even placing it on the table its nice to look at. Love it!

That's a very expensive paper weight

 

[ziggy]

Plustek 7600i is good enough

My Nikon Coolscan IV which I bought when it first came out has not been used for the past few years due to lack of time. That's why I am hoping to send negs out for high quality scanning, or just shoot digital.

12-hr workdays, family commitments and unpredictable weather don't leave much time for as much shooting as I like. That's why need to farm out tasks like scanning, or just shoot digital.

 

[ziggy]

You will not regret going with the M9. Its a piece of wonder and a joy to shoot with. Even placing it on the table its nice to look at. Love it!

Yep, all Leicas have that special touch and feel. I wish it could be for all of them but the drooling is either the M9 or one of the new and extrordinary optics like the 35 lux FLE. Choices, choices.

 

[Errz]

Yep, all Leicas have that special touch and feel. I wish it could be for all of them but the drooling is either the M9 or one of the new and extrordinary optics like the 35 lux FLE. Choices, choices.

Buy the lens and get Sony NEX till got good 2nd deal or buy new when got the $$?

 

[sinned79]

Buy the lens and get Sony NEX till got good 2nd deal or buy new when got the $$?

or settle for a M8.2

 

[NazgulKing]

or settle for a M8.2

The M8 isn't really a friendly camera when it comes to wide angles.

 

[LKSC]

I am not particular about any of the camera bodies to use. I just want to see how much more I can get out these beautiful Leica lenses.

To truly see what any lens can do, and to appreciate the differences between them, you ought to shoot slide film.

When shooting negatives or digital, there is so much post-processing involved before you even see the image that "character", if any, tends to get diluted.

 

[ziggy]

To truly see what any lens can do, and to appreciate the differences between them, you ought to shoot slide film.

When shooting negatives or digital, there is so much post-processing involved before you even see the image that "character", if any, tends to get diluted.

Totally agree.

One advantage of digital is that I have total control of how the picture should finally look like, even if it is not the optimum, like CDs vs vinyls. However the quality of film processing, and printing in Singapore is underwhelming. This is in addition to the much more time consuming film workflow.

I want to get the max out of equipment if possible, but not at too much 'cost' in effort.

The GXR with the lenses seemed to exceed my expectations. How much better would it be if it was an M9? So it basically boils down to "if I want to spend $7k, would it be a M9 or a 35 lux FLE". Right now, the FLE has the edge.