Should I take the M9 jump!

[RichardM8]

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Hi everybody,

 

My 'home' is the X1 forum just around the corner.

I'm enjoying my X1 very much since I have it. The simplicity, the controls, the stunning IQ, all the things that make the X1 a very special compact.

 

My camera history is a list of premium compacts (Canon Gs, Dlux, Panny LX3) and a Canon 40D SLR with Canon and Zeiss Distagon (manual focus) lenses. The usual story, I got sooo tired of lugging SLR gear around, found it more intrusive than I like and it was gathering dust more and more, hence the X1 and I love it to bits.

 

And now the confession; I find myself eye-balling and lusting for an M more and more!

 

Why?!?... There is no way in the world I can 'justify' to spend so much money on a camera. I just like taking pictures, nothing professional and don't consider myself very talented. With a lot of effort I manage to capture some good shots. But I'm having a great time while at it. The X1 has inspired (or forced?) me to take better pictures than any camera before.

 

But now I'm afraid I want an M... The look, the feel, the engineering, full frame. You all know the list better than I do. Do I need the (arguably) better IQ? No not really. Will I buy a collection of lenses with it? Nope. Probably one, maybe two. The only 'real' thing I can think of - if I manage to learn and master it - is the speed an M is capable of in skilled hands. And I *think* I like the more manual way of shooting with a DRF but I never had one.

 

Maybe I'm being too honest but besides this, the wannahave factor of the famous, unique and almost mystical M is what pulls at me the most. Status? Not sure but I don't completely trust myself on this one either. I feel almost pathetically greedy.

 

Now I might be in a position soon that would allow me to buy an M9 with a 50 Cron (my first choice I think). This is not a position that I'm in very often so it will be kind a of 'do-or-don't' situation.

 

AAaaarrrgggghhhh !!!!! I'm torn between sanity and lust!!!!!!

 

 

Richard.

[elgenper]

Do it! Your wallet will hurt a while, but you´ll be through with compromises and ´almost-as-good´ solutions; they´ll add up, too, when you´ve run through a number of them without really being satisfied...

 

50 is an excellent starting point, btw. The finder frame is easy to see, and you´ll quickly adjust to the 50 way of seeing. Don´t fall for the temptation to get more lenses until you´ve really feel at home with the first (and have a feeling for in what focal length a second one should fall to compliment the first most effectively). Don´t plan for more than two; it´s a nuisance more than an asset....

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[nippa]

Well , actually the X1 has got me thinking about buying an M9 before the VAT goes up to 20% here in the UK in January. The X1 image quality makes you feel that way.

 

And then I remember my M9 experience earlier in the year when I went to Sheffield to buy a black model. I drove nearly 200 miles that day through snow and ice as all roads through the Pennine Hills were closed.

 

I wanted to buy.

I had the money.

And then the camera came out of the box.

 

Absolutely no wow factor - unlike the X1:)

The rough grained black texture was definitely not to my liking.

The thick black paint looked like it had been applied in somebody's back room.

Sure the camera was heavy and felt solid and I knew that this is what I really wanted BUT in my hand it did nothing for me.

 

I looked through the viewfinder and in the dark interior of the store had had expected to see a bright image.This was my first view through a rangefinder camera and it was nowhere near as good as I'd expected. In the lowish light focusing was possible but not as clear as I'd anticipated.

I was still willing to buy!

 

Then we came to try some lenses.

For whatever reason the viewfinder frames failed to change for the new lenses without considerable fiddling around. The magic was beginning to evaporate.

 

As it happened I slept on the decision to buy for 24 hours and then decide to wait to see an X1.

 

The following month I was in West Palm Beach where I played with their demo X1 and I was sold. My response to the X1 was completely the opposite to that of the M9.

Within a month my Sheffield dealer provided me with the X1 and I've been happy ever since.

 

When I now read the M9 forum I can see how many technical problems people are having.

Given the large sums of money involved I'm glad that I was able to handle the M9.

The fact that even that new model M9 straight from the box appeared to have a defect is quite worrying.

 

Just shows how important it is to see things in the flesh.

If I do buy an M9 it won't be in black!

[ianman]

Hi Richard.

 

In short: go for it !

 

I don't think you need to justify anything in terms of cost or quality of your output. Of course if you get nice pictures (and you will !) it's that much more enjoyable. The fact is, it seems you enjoy photography, whether you consider yourself good or bad or average is irrelevant. Choose the equipment you want... life is short and you only get one... enjoy it !!

 

As for your worry about speed... there is nothing to worry about, practice makes perfect and it's very enjoyable to practice :-)

 

Have fun !

Ian

[JanCderidder]

I acquired an M8 year ago because I had M lenses which I used for my film M's. I didn't do film anymore and never sell anything so my M lenses were/are sitting on the shelf so to speak. Buying an M8 seemed like a good idea at the time. As yourself I am far from being any good and neither have the aspiration of becoming very good, I just love photography and do in my own manner, so from the start the expense for the M8 would be rather disputable, if I soul search deeply I would even call it waste. But I have the money, so why not... and I went for it.

The first thing that bugged me was the autofocus and the viewfinder itself, having become accustomed to "good" dslr's, bright viewfinders I began seeing the M8 as somewhat of a step back in time, but it was considerably more luggable than my dslr kit, something I appreciated at the time. After a while though I had to force myself using it, again the MF and the viewfinder (I do have bad eyes, I must say), but I did use it and the results were OK but I didn't have the "fun" using it, and having "fun" is my main reason for photography.

Then came the day my M8 broke and had to be sent back to Solms, a period where I started using my AF dslr again. The use was better and easier, the lugging about rather uncomfortable, still not in a "fun" hobby environment because of the sheer size and weight I bought an LX3, which I loved using in a period of say 9 months I used this as my only camera and took about 20k "happy" photos. My M8 had returned and found it's place beside my DSLR on the shelf an was happy using the LX3. The image however were less of a quality I was use to, but knowing this I could happily live with this solution. I love the weight, the size and the practicality of being able to use it, I always had it with me....

 

Then came the X1 introduction, I went to my local store tried one and realized that was the camera for me. It wasn't yet openly for sale then yet. This period between introduction and actual availability gave me to "think" about it. I knew my favorite focal length was between 30 and 40mm so in the end I ordered mine and never looked back since. I realize it might lack a couple of features, so what? my 1978 Volvo lacks a lot of features compare to any modern car but I love using it, the same with the X1... I would never consider having it replaced for it does everything I need it to do well...... must read "need" here and not want. For of course I would like faster AF amongst a couple of other things, but I don't really need it. The viewfinder, well I use a slide on this is fine with me, for one its much brighter than my M8 viewfinder. It doesn't provide the shooting information... well bugger that I shot over 80k photos with my M4 without even an integrated lightmeter. I use the X1 in a similar manner I decide the aperture and/or the speed set Auto iso most of the time and go out and shoot.... just like my M4.... and I'm having fun again. The image quality, I think, is better than that of my M8 certainly more versatile due to a better high iso IQ, granted it doesn't do sports and nature and stuff ... never did that anyway.

 

To cut a very long story short, if you have the cash readily available and won't miss out on anything else go for it, if you have to make even minimal concessions purchasing the M9 I would reckon think twice, perhaps borrow or rent one for a week and then decide. The M9 is definitely a very nice camera, but expensive and maintenance prone (as I read in this forum) and if you are in want/need for longer/shorter focal length well that might be an argument as well, but there are other solution for that, cheaper ones at that. I don't see the M9 outperfoming the X1 at 35mm all that visibly much anyway.

 

My wife is an avid photographer, and a good one at that, she uses a Nex and a GF1 mostly with my Leica M lenses, good results I must say, and both being priced in the range of a replacement Leica lenshood, a good purchase... and Manual focus as well. Any looking forward for the final outcome....

[jaapv]

We can't make your decisions for you. The suggestion to try one out - there are plenty of friendly members in Holland who will help out in that respect- is the only way. Btw owning a black one and using a grey one now I vastly prefer the black.

[jmteno76]

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I

My wife is an avid photographer, and a good one at that, she uses a Nex and a GF1 mostly with my Leica M lenses, good results I must say, and both being priced in the range of a replacement Leica lenshood, a good purchase... and Manual focus as well. Any looking forward for the final outcome....

 

Jan,

 

One of things that I love about x1 is the len - very similar to my experience with the panasonic LC1 - does your wife like the M lens on the GF1? How much do you lose by putting a Leica lens on GFI as opposed to an M8?

 

Joan

[Stephen.s1]

Hah! I could have written your post.

 

Been there, done that. Bought one. Never looked back! Here's the short version:

 

While I was waiting for a M8, I sprung for a M6. YES! The system suits me well. So, bring on the M8. I liked it fine, but regularly cursed the fact that much more engineering should have been done before it's release.... Filters... Pffff!

 

By now I was firmly hooked,and looking forward to my M9... No surprise. It's my prime camera.

 

The D3 languishes unshot for many weeks... RIP

 

Good luck with your decision.... I never regretted mine.

[phancj]

Richard,

 

I went thru this argument in my head from Feb to June this year, gosh this may be a bit long, let me try to do it brief as possible:

 

- X1 introduced me to Leica, and guess I can safely say its my favorite camera since film days. It gives me tremendous satisfaction-simplicity, great IQ, tiny. gave me confidence in Leica as a brand as well.

 

-My other camera for work is my trusty D300 since it launch, so I shoot macro with it 60mm & 105 mm (product shots). Also other prime lenses 35mm, 50mm, 18-200, etc.

 

- Due to the weight and bulk I do not enjoy bringing the Nikon out anymore. I also thought of buying the M9, my wife asked me to spoil myself and she'll gladly take my X1 haha. But if I have to choose one lens I will buy likely the 35 cron or lux. having the X1 for a while, I went shooting with my nikon as a trial for 50mm and 35mm and thinks 35mm is far more versatile. if only one lens 50mm may not be wide enough for many circumstances while 35mm we can always move closer. Many instances with 50mm I couldnt walk far behind due to wall or whatever.

 

- In June I finally decided to go ahead and buy the M9 with the cron, not the lux as according to online reviews (and I did loads of research more than my work then haha) the 35mm suffered from focus shift. Unfortunately (or fortunately) they ran out of the M9 and it has to be on pre-order. Whats worse is there isnt any for me at the store to try.

 

- Went to a used camera store to try M8 with 35mm cron. The weight of the M8 is a real concern as compared to the x1 the darn thing was brick-like,feels tough but heavy. manual focus was doable in a very short time (10 minutes) but it was strenuous on the eyes after a while. I could not foresee I could shoot 500 frames on it like I do with the X1. It was particularly tough with longer lenses and in the dark. You also have to match two images till they become one and sometimes there is challenge to find a distinct shape to do it. Dont get me wrong the system works for sure but it takes getting used to and I am sure many on this forum are masters of the game but I think the whole process can be strenuous. I got both short and long-sightedness I can still do it with ease but I can feel the strain after doing repeatedly for 20 or so photos. My take is Richard please go the the store to try even an M8 so as to get an idea of Rangefinder focus. From my images I took (I brought a 16GB SD for the trial) they were almost all spot-on, had nice quality and different rendering but hard to say which is better compared to X1.

 

-The X1 I just frame shoot, like my Nikon.

 

- Then came the slew of reports of quality issues with both the X1 and M9. About then small portions of my X1 vulcanite were lifting from the edges so I repaired it myself so as not to lose time not using it. Repair was great, but it tells me Leica probably being a small company cannot have the financial clout of say Nikon/canon in dealing with suppliers due to limited quantity. I still like the cameras they produce but if I spend that much for an M9 with a cron/lux (the 35mm with floating element which eradicated focus shift is almost out) and if anything goes wrong then what a bummer!

 

- I dropped my X1 and broke only the lens cap. Asked camera shop they had no similar cap so I had to buy the leica cap at a very high price. Then came reports of pricing of charger,etc, not to mention the spare battery which cost $100??!! (which I bought) I also dropped the X1 on another occasion but only (thankfully) a small dent at bottom.

 

- Images come out of the X1 the way I like, and I do not foresee I need other focal length. Anyway I have the Nikon to take care of rest, and I am not a pro anyway.

 

Think at this moment I lost interest somewhat due to:

 

1) The M9 is heavy, and big. It is not only so, but also because of its high price tag I will not enjoy carrying it around for fear of damaging it. Repair costs, delay in enjoyment waiting for it to be back, spare part costs, rangefinder alignment to me all spells problems in the future. If it is like the M6 or film Leicas I will buy in a heartbeat, but the digital Ms I am not sure now, with IR filters cracking, etc,etc go read on the forums scary for a $11,000 camera with lens. The M9/X1 like most cameras do not seem tough enough if you are really rough but on a camera this price we expect more?

 

2) Nikon has the wonderful 24mm f1.4, and the 35mm f1.4 is out soon. I can see that as a cheap option meanwhile my X1 takes care of most of my travel and everyday needs.

 

At the end, I think you need to consider:

 

- Does the X1 being fixed 35mm work most of the time for you? On the occasion it does not, do you have alternatives? Buying lenses for the M9 is no joke, they cost a bomb, to collect several focal lengths is a real investment.

 

- Do you want a camera you need to take care of? (given its price tag)

 

-Is the weight acceptable?

 

-Is the lack of AF a big issue?

 

At last, I came to the sensible (IMHO) conclusion not too long ago that my photographic needs are mostly covered. I will use my X1 for most situations for the others my Nikon. I may buy the 35mm 1.4 when it comes out next month for fun to put on my Nikon.

 

I find lenses much more future proof as investments.

 

The X1 stays my trusty photographic sidekick until the AF M/R Leica comes out (and a more durable one with less complaints), if it ever does. We'll see.

 

I also realize that just because Leica made the X1 which I like doesnt mean all the cameras they make are suitable, or that I'll enjoy all the cameras they make.

 

And one funny thing, my wife asked me yesterday evening why I havent bought the M9 yet!

 

Good luck with your hunt!

Edited October 3, 2010 by phancj

[Viv]

Rangefinders do not suit everyone. Try the M9 before you buy.

[andym911]

Its up to you...I wouldn't but many would....for the same price get an M8.2 and an M6 or an M2 with the same Summicron 50 and a Summicron 35.

 

Then you are set for life

 

andy

[chris_tribble]

If you're not interested in a system camera (ie more than one lens) there's no point in getting an M. If you want something that you'll be happy to carry all the time and which will cover from 16mm through to 135mm, delivering outstanding images at each focal length, you should get an M.

 

An M with a single lens is called an X1 (or maybe a Fuji X100 - unless Leica can do what they should have done in the first place and include an optical VF in the X2)...

 

An M with 28 + 50 + 90 (or other combinations) is a wonderful resource.

 

But that costs a lot of money if you're starting from scratch - even if you buy Zeiss or Cosina lenses...

 

Decisions, decisions...

[wda]

Richard, I am sure you will receive contradictory advice on this question. I am not qualified to answer it at all; nonetheless, as a long-standing Leica user I sense you have caught the 'bug'. My suggestion is to look for a good used late-version M8; add a 35mm lens which roughly equates to the 50mm focal length you have in mind, and shoot - shoot - and shoot.

 

If you discover that it was not a good decision, you still have assets which can be realized. My guess is that you will enjoy the camera, at lower cost.

 

I have both the M8 and X1 which work very well together as I have explained in many threads before. Other lenses can be added ONLY after you are comfortable with the core outfit.

 

Good luck and do let us know what you decide.

 

(I feel a little uncomfortable, offering advice which is contrary to the spirit of this 'M9' forum. But it is well meant. One day I might upgrade to a mature M10!)

[vertekijker]

The M9... I never leave home without it. Such an improvement over the M8 - excellent automatic white balance, full frame, better ISO performance, easier for lens recognition, no need for infrared filters, etc...

------------

Frans

[d2mini]

I've had an M9 for about 10 months now and it's my first rangefinder.

I only have two complaints.

 

1. No autofocus. Yah, i know it's a rangefinder. But as a photographic tool, I can't be as creative with it as I can be with a D-Lux 5, GF1 or even my Nikon D700. If I was just out shooting landscapes this wouldn't matter, but in my world it does.

 

2. No zoom lens available. Sometimes this would just make life easier and I know I'm missing shots being that it takes so long to change a lens, vs being able to zoom in a split second. I end up shooting in batches. Like yesterday I was covering an event with the M9 for a while. I first went around shooting a bunch with the 35mm. Then later I went around shooting with the 90mm. I've done the same on vacations. Having a second or even third M9 would make this less of an issue.

 

So the M9 is more of a personal toy for me, that I'm constantly wishing I could use more than I really can. I love it, but the simple fact is that my D700 is the right tool for the job much more than the M9, especially shooting professionally. What keeps it in my camera bag is the great IQ, size, simplicity, etc.

[RichardM8]

Thank you for all the great responses. Decisions, decisions indeed. For the moment I'll stick to reading and tying to get more insight on 'M photography'.

 

Gosh this isn't getting any easier...

[dwbell]

Short answer from how you framed your question is - Yes.

 

There's a lot of "buts" though.

 

I came to the M9 in the last month because I wanted to know what the RF "thing" was, I wanted simplicity, I wanted "purity". I'm very good with my SLR's technically, I understand and can control ETTL flash in 3 groups, wireless radio light control (Elinchrom), Av plus ETTL all the bells and whistles of a modern day SLR I am competent with.

 

In the end the only way for me to understand "it", the "Leica thing" was to do it myself for at least a year. M6's are cheap, scan the film blah blah but I've got a digital workflow set up and running and the reason I've learnt so quickly is because I started my photography with digital. I learnt every time I shot by looking at the results within a split second on the back. Film is touted now as more controlled, more careful, more requiring concentration. I don't agree with that view, I can learn a lot more, a lot quicker with digital. I literally cannot imagine using one maybe two shots and not knowing where they lack, where they could be improved. I will shoot the thing, incrementally changing framing, composition, distance, aperture everything until it's perfect. I don't accept that the film shooter knows which is my final shot before I do and goes straight to the keeper.

 

So in the end the M9 was the one that would tell me if RF was for me. The M8 didn't "do it" enough for me to pull the trigger. I waited until the 9's were in ready supply (over a year) and have now bought the body in grey plus the 35 cron ASPH.

 

So is it "all that"? Nope. It's not. As I've said, I come from a purely digital photography background. I would wager that I'm one of a very large number of customers who haven't come from M3 heritage. We've come from a 5DmkII.

 

- Leica's previous advantage was low light. Coming from the 5dmkII it's a shock, it feels disabling. The canon kicks the Leica's butt all over the park. Stick a €80 plastic fantastic 50 f/1.8 on the canon and it will run circles around the M9 in low light both in use and file quality - and you could have up to FOUR of those set ups for the same price. So that old adage doesn't apply.

 

- Manual focus - the ultimate control. Again, not really. It's nice to do it yourself, the process is enjoyable but it's not faster, nor more accuate. My 5d focuses perfectly at every focal length in almost all light conditions. It does so almost as quickly as I can half press the shutter. Sure around 200 it can hunt in very low light, but the 9 doesn't "do" 200mm so the comparison is moot. The biggest problems I have with both systems is focus recompose focus loss at small apertures. The 30D with a crop sensor puts the focus points closer to the outside of the frame, the 5d less so, the M9 is a centre focus point only. As a result this "problem" (of mine) is best to worse in that order, 30D - 5DmkII - M9. The real answer is manual focus on the 5DmkII - which is next on my list.

 

- Quality engineering. Er, sorry, again, not really. I hear the previous MP's, 3's etc are miracles of mechanical engineering. That's nice. But the 9 is a digital camera and as such these "qualities" need to translate into that realm. The shutter button itself doesn't ooze a quality feel. You get used to it sure but it isn't like "ooooh yeah baby", in fact the "feel" is better on the 5D, as in knowing where it's going to release. The on/off switch is pathetic, the canon's are better. The software, which in a digital product is just as important in terms of quality, is pretty poor. Sure they can claim "simplicity in use" but that doesn't mean it has to lack quality. Same for the buttons and dials. I have some equally expensive high end audio gear (who's purpose is to reproduce music not necessarily to look and feel great) which is miles and miles ahead of the 9 in terms of screen quality, display/menu design and button feel/quality.

 

- Image quality. Well, with the 35 cron that I have it doesn't "cut me it's so sharp". It's as sharp maybe a tiny bit sharper than my L lenses. Low light performance is poor (as above - ISO1600 is my level of acceptability). Resolution is good, but when you come from the larger file size of the 5dMkII again, it's not mind blowing. Shooting mid-wide with the 35 however the "quality" of the files is superb. The Bokeh is very nice, completely different to any canon glass I've used, much nicer in my opinion. The files are just "better", "nicer", "cleaner". All the things you've heard are true. I can't really put my finger on it but they are gorgeous! They're also extremely malleable - this is another "Leicaism" that I didn't believe until I experienced it. You can pull shadows, mid tones all over the place giving the impression of increased DR, but it' actually less than my canon. They're more robust, flexibly etc. In RAW you can do amazing things with these files.

 

- Ergonomics. From an SLR to this I found it uncomfortable as hell. It may "sit like a camera should" in the hands of people who grew up with RF Leica's but to a "born into digital SLR" tog like myself it's the most finger aching thing I've held. It gets better with time and you learn to hold it differently. For carrying around all day it is a joy, it's not "light" so much as small. I've tried G9's, LX-3s etc and the combination of fiddley plastic and servo motor whining when I start up put me off taking pictures. The 9 just hangs there and is ready to go when you are. It's size is the correct size to be used well with precision without being fingertip stuff. I love having it with me and carry it all day everyday.

 

- Viewfinder. I read much about this before buying but to be honest the terms discussed like uninterrupted, bright, outside the frame etc haven't seem to made any difference to me. The 5DmkII doesn't now seem dark or restricted. I often shoot the SLR with left eye open anyway. They're about the same to me to be honest. I'm not a "decisive moment" street shooter though.

 

- Value. Contrary to what people might expect from my comments above I'm fine with the price. I don't think the camera is amazing quality (physically) but Leica are the only one's who can offer this in any form. They can charge a premium, they should do and do do in fact. They spent the money and the time developing this technology and they need to recoup that plus some to keep going. I understand that their primary purpose is to make money, as any business is. Making sexy camera's is what they do to enable that money making.

 

In the final analysis though I really don't think you can do what I've done above. I just don't think you can compare on tech specs or price. The M9 is the only digital full frame RF available, it delivers beautiful pictures and that's what it's designed to do. It is amazingly satisfying to use, it's beautiful to look at and a real pleasure (absolute joy I'd say) to shoot with. If you want to learn and understand what it's all about and can afford to then buy it. You're learning, you're making pictures, you're expanding your skill set as a photographer and if you're anything like me you'll really enjoy doing it.

 

I dislike many things about my Leica. I've had it 2 weeks and it needs to go for repair already. But I do love it like I've not loved a body since I started 8 years ago.

 

Hope this helps and I hope people won't flame me for being honest. Nothing gained from fanboys, nothing gained from haters. If I were Leica I'd be doing my best to not listen to either of those groups! =)

 

Buy it - you'll love it.

[RichardM8]

I'm very impressed with the experienced well though through responses. Much appreciated!

 

 

As Michael Reichmann put it so well in one of his M9 reviews; a digital M Leica is in many ways a limited camera from the perspective of the all-singing, all-dancing polycarbonate wonders that are available for a tenth the price from any of the major Japanese camera makers.

 

Get over it! Why? Because what an M Leica offers is a way of working, a style of shooting, and a freedom that few other cameras can offer.

 

 

This is something that even the little X1 has learned me with it's simple elegant controls and fixed lens. I don't think I'll ever go back to a big lumpy SLR that feels and works like a picture taking laptop.

[vonheim]

Short answer from how you framed your question is - Yes.

 

There's a lot of "buts" though.

 

--- snip ----

 

Buy it - you'll love it.

 

I also use a 5D II and agree with most of the points made. I have the 5DII, M9, E-P2, and a P&S, but 90% of the time I grab the M9. It produces high quality images that are very pleasing to me and the camera is of a size that is convenient to bring along.

 

If I go for a specific shoot I may pick the 5DII (macro, BIF, etc.). The P&S is shared with many people at parties etc as I don't worry about it, but appreciate the pictures people take. The E-P2 is lingering in limbo after I got the Leica.

 

All the cameras have their advantages, but if I had to chose one I would keep the Leica. It is my travel, walk-about, landscape, cityscape, portrait lens and dominates everything I shoot between 35 and 90 mm. With the quality and size of files Canon and Leica must truly come up with something spectacular for me to upgrade to their next models. My money goes to lenses, and therein lays the fun of my photography.

 

For me the Leica is the shortest route from shutter click to print (with their lenses and raw files).

 

Get the M9 and a good 35mm or 50mm Leica lens! You'll love the picture quality!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[sblitz]

i think you would fully appreciate the m9 if you purchased the 50mm lens. having the x1 i do not think that getting a 35 with the m9 will show you enough of a difference to justify the cost and the subsequent returns to repair dead pixels and cracked sensors. with the 50 you will get the separation from the dof that really makes the photos "pop" and appreciate what the m9 does. as for other lenses, hopefully over time you will add to your arsenal.

 

enjoy.

 

steve