Waldo Posted August 24, 2014 Share #1 Posted August 24, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been offered an M9 (chrome) which looks cosmetically beaten up on the outside but which is fully functional within. However the vendor describes it as "an early M9". I don't have the serial number (I can get it from the vendor) but will there be any difference in mechanics/quality etc between an "early" M9 and any other M9 (I already have an M9, bought from new in late 2011 from a Leica dealer in Siena, Italy). I need a second body = reason for potential purchase. I have toyed with getting an M(240). I like the idea of the "advantages" the M(240) has over M9 but love the pics I get from an M9 and it suits my way of working (I don't need high ISO, or really quick buffering, or video etc and can live with a 'weaker' battery etc.). Any advice gratefully received. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 24, 2014 Posted August 24, 2014 Hi Waldo, Take a look here "Early" M9 versus non-early M9.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Stealth3kpl Posted August 24, 2014 Share #2 Posted August 24, 2014 I don't think there is any difference. Pete 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted August 24, 2014 Share #3 Posted August 24, 2014 I don't think there is any difference.Pete No difference whatever. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 24, 2014 Share #4 Posted August 24, 2014 I have and still use what I believe to be the first M9 in this country (Aust). It has beenused in Antarctica, India, multiple beach locations and a broad range of general travel. It is about 4.5 years later now and functioning perfectly. I have no idea about it's internal workings, but what comes out in the form of images constantly amazes me. The release of the M did not stop my M9 working well. If you can live withe 'beater' as backup, then go for it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted August 25, 2014 Share #5 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) There has been minor changes, but they are very minor and may not appply to all cameras. Firstly the "leather" was changed later in the process. The earlier version was smoother but had larger pebbled "grains". I think this looked very nice but for some reason leica stopped making it. Also, I had a mid/late-run M9 and compared it to my friends very early M9 (first one in the country I am told). My friends M9 definitely had a warmer color calibration, whereas mine had the famous green/blue calibration. Also, my M9 was ever slightly louder in the shutter as well. They both had roughly the same number of actuations before we both moved on. (He to M240, me to MM). This could be down to individual differences, but I have done quick comparisons to other M9 and they all were quite similar to my "late" M9. Either way, the more time passes, the more pictures I see from the M240, the more I think that M9 was a really great camera for its time. I am actually considering to reaquire one as a backup for my Monochrom. I will wait until we see what the rumored ME2 will offer. PS. A post dedicated to my friend's camera!: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/213048-masters-m9.html Edited August 25, 2014 by skinnfell 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 25, 2014 Share #6 Posted August 25, 2014 I have been offered an M9 (chrome) which looks cosmetically beaten up on the outside but which is fully functional within. . There are no 'early' chrome M9's, only the M9-P was offered with a chrome option. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted August 25, 2014 Share #7 Posted August 25, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) There are no 'early' chrome M9's, only the M9-P was offered with a chrome option. Steve The OP probably means the painted steel grey finish. I suppose that later M9 batches may have rectified, or attempted to rectify the spontaneous sensor cracking issue? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 25, 2014 Share #8 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Yes and no. There clearly has been a tightening up in the production process since the fault is rare these days, but as the sensor is constructed close to what is technically possible, it cannot be ruled out completely. At any rate Leica will always replace a cracked sensor free of cost. Edited August 25, 2014 by jaapv 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 25, 2014 Share #9 Posted August 25, 2014 the more I think that M9 was a really great camera for its time. Yes, agreed. I used one of mine recently as a change from the Monochrom and I was reminded how good a "personal stuff" camera it really is when combined with a small lens. I was using it with a 35 Summarit and, truth be told, it's all the camera I could want for this kind of need. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted August 25, 2014 Thanks to everyone who gave replies to my question. Now the only question I have remaining is for myself: do I buy the camera or not! Best wishes, Waldo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 25, 2014 Share #11 Posted August 25, 2014 It's your money, I wouldn't trust anybody else to spend it if I were you. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted August 27, 2014 Share #12 Posted August 27, 2014 How much of a great deal are you getting on that one that is beaten up on the outside? If that's just because the previous owner was cavalier about handling it, no problem. But if it equates to high mileage (actuations) then IMHO it would have to be a helluva cheap price to risk ex a shutter replacement, when there are so many pristine, low-actuation M9's out there. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted August 27, 2014 Share #13 Posted August 27, 2014 Do not count on reselling a beat up camera. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTI Posted August 27, 2014 Share #14 Posted August 27, 2014 I would question why the seller would even bother mentioning that it's an older version. Something wrong with the sensor? You might want to be more critical in such a case. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 27, 2014 Share #15 Posted August 27, 2014 I would question why the seller would even bother mentioning that it's an older version. Something wrong with the sensor? You might want to be more critical in such a case. Possibly an attempt at openness and honesty. No reason for an early model to have a faulty sensor. Mine is definitely from the earliest batch, working perfectly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted August 27, 2014 It's beat up on the outside. The sensor has been cleaned once by a trained Leica dealer. I know it will have little re-sale value. Has about 11,000 actuations. And the seller is not a fly-by-night. But yes, for a few hundred pounds more I could get something a bit less beat up on the outside at least. I don't want to open a can of worms but as I already have an M9 (some brassing, but serviced by Leica, and in good condition) the obvious thing would be to get an M240 – but I do not think I would be using the video option. I'd be paying for something I wouldn't use (whilst getting the extra features the M240 has over the M9 of course: ISO, battery, dynamic range, buffer etc). Then again, if I had a camera capable of shooting some video, I'd be lying if I said I'd never be tempted to use it. You know, just once. But only once... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted August 27, 2014 Share #17 Posted August 27, 2014 It's beat up on the outside. The sensor has been cleaned once by a trained Leica dealer. I know it will have little re-sale value. Has about 11,000 actuations. And the seller is not a fly-by-night. But yes, for a few hundred pounds more I could get something a bit less beat up on the outside at least. I don't want to open a can of worms but as I already have an M9 (some brassing, but serviced by Leica, and in good condition) the obvious thing would be to get an M240 – but I do not think I would be using the video option. I'd be paying for something I wouldn't use (whilst getting the extra features the M240 has over the M9 of course: ISO, battery, dynamic range, buffer etc). Then again, if I had a camera capable of shooting some video, I'd be lying if I said I'd never be tempted to use it. You know, just once. But only once... Get the M240. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 27, 2014 Share #18 Posted August 27, 2014 You are not exactly paying for the video option, it is more like a side effect. The camera is on the same price level as the M9 when new. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 8, 2014 Share #19 Posted September 8, 2014 I have an early M9 - one of the first in the UK bought in September 2009. It was clear when I later bought an M9-P that Leica had learned a lot in the intervening couple of years on how to set up the camera, both the rangefinder and sensor alignment. Returning the original M9 to Leica for alignment improved things greatly and if you do decide to go for the beaten up M9 - or any M9 I suppose - you should budget for returning it to Leica for a health check and alignment. That will inevitably impact what you should pay for it. A bit like fitting new tyres to a newly acquired secondhand car, it makes sense to reset any newly acquired secondhand camera to a known state by returning it to Leica.. Personally, I've never subscribed to the idea that an excessively brassed, scuffed camera is somehow an endorsement. So while I don't baby my cameras, I do take care of them and would never buy a camera in poor cosmetic condition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted September 8, 2014 Share #20 Posted September 8, 2014 I`d only buy from a reputable dealer with 1 year warranty. As an alternative new M-Es can be had at discounts from Leica dealers, with the advantage of warranty and generous Leica customer service past the warranty period. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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