jevidon Posted October 4, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I Purchased a used M9 with only 5200 actuation's on the shutter. Aside from a few very tiny paint chips on the black top cover, the LCD screen, while bright and functional, has a number of scratches and a light slightly foggy area on the surface where someone obviously rubbed it with the wrong material. It is otherwise functional but scuzzy looking. I am considering sending it to Leica for the M 9-P upgrades. I had them install the sapphire screen on my old M8 and never regretted it. I am also considering having them install silver top and bottom plates because, while black paint is very stealth and popular, it doesn't wear particularly well. My M8 had black anodized surfaces and even that brassed rather quickly on the edges and corners. The difference in price between used M9's and M9-P's are around $650 to $900 The Leica M9-P conversion including top and bottom plates and sapphire LCD cover is $2000. The Leica sapphire glass cover conversion alone is $1300. Recovering (Vulcanite) is included. Are there any knowledgeable comments out there to help me decide what to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 Hi jevidon, Take a look here Convert M9 to M9-P ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ynp Posted October 4, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 4, 2014 I wanted to keep my M9, after some time with the M240. I upgraded my M9 in two steps: the upper panel first, because it was dented a bit, and, after a couple of months, I upgraded the rear and the display cover. They also changed the leather covering along with the sapphire screen. I love the Leica script on the top. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted October 4, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 4, 2014 If the cost is acceptable to you, do it. You will probably not recover the investment fully at resale. If you got the camera originally at a deep discount because of condition, the conversion is more attractive. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 4, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 4, 2014 The difference in price between used M9's and M9-P's are around $650 to $900 The Leica M9-P conversion including top and bottom plates and sapphire LCD cover is $2000. The Leica sapphire glass cover conversion alone is $1300. Recovering (Vulcanite) is included. Are there any knowledgeable comments out there to help me decide what to do. So acccording to what you said, if you sold the M9 and bought an M9-P it would cost you $650-900. Upgrading the M9 would cost you $2000 and it would never re-sell for as much as an M9-P let alone recovering the upgrade cost. I must be missing something because I don't see what you are confused about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 5, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 5, 2014 That's assuming one can sell sell the M9 for enough to make the upgrade cost of $650-900. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 5, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 5, 2014 I never understood the fixation with resale value! If you 'design' your camera for reselling, why buy in the first place? Choose the features/look you want, not what some possible buyer down the track might want. As for the upgrade option for the M9 to M9P, I did it, only because it cost me nothing. There is no functional advantage at all. I just like the script on top, but would not have paid for it. The sapphire LCD screen is no advantage as far as I can determine. I had the crappy plastic one since release, took it everywhere, including India, Antarctica, the beach frequently, and never got a scratch. The sapphire screen seems harder to keep clean. I also preferred to original leatherette covering to the MP version. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) One thing that is making move in the upgrade direction is that I am contemplating a CLA anyway. The M9-P upgrade includes a complete CLA. Unfortunately, no one will tell me what a CLA costs since the technicians say they have to see the camera first, which is reasonable. I've never had a complete CLA, but I assume that it is at least $300? Any experience on this? As for the covering, there is a purchaser's choice between the M9-P leatherette or the original pebbly one. Edited October 5, 2014 by jevidon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 5, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 5, 2014 Your assumption is as close as you can get without the actual inspection by the tech. That assumes no parts required, which will be extra. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted October 6, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 6, 2014 I like the beat up look of my black one, am keeping the M-E 'pristine' for now Do what makes you happiest, you wont regret it. I bet you use it for a long time Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 6, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 6, 2014 (edited) I never understood the fixation with resale value! In a bizarrely unfortunate coincidence, since the advent of digital where new technology beckons every few years, the money tree in my yard has stopped bearing fruit As for the upgrade option for the M9 to M9P, I did it, only because it cost me nothing. Well then, that's a horse of another color. I might opt for a facelift on my own face if it was free Edited October 6, 2014 by bocaburger 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted October 7, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 7, 2014 In a bizarrely unfortunate coincidence, since the advent of digital where new technology beckons every few years, the money tree in my yard has stopped bearing fruit Well then, that's a horse of another color. I might opt for a facelift on my own face if it was free I'll do it for free. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted October 13, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 13, 2014 Another option is to find top plates, if you want the steel grey look instead of chrome. I did the opposite - found black paint top and bottom plates and replaced my Steel Grey. Made it into an anti-panda M9. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/235017-convert-m9-to-m9-p/?do=findComment&comment=2687912'>More sharing options...
jevidon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted October 13, 2014 The Locust, What is that lens your M9 is sporting? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted October 13, 2014 The Locust, What is that lens your M9 is sporting? Edited: Never mind. I Googled it. It is a MS-Sonnetar 50mm f1.1. Since it is based on a very old Zeiss formula, I expect it to be quite soft wide open and even somewhat soft down to f2.8, but how is it at f3.5 to f5.6? What is the optimal f stop in your opinion for both contrast and sharpness across the field? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted October 13, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 13, 2014 The Locust, What is that lens your M9 is sporting? Edited: Never mind. I Googled it. It is a MS-Sonnetar 50mm f1.1. Since it is based on a very old Zeiss formula, I expect it to be quite soft wide open and even somewhat soft down to f2.8, but how is it at f3.5 to f5.6? What is the optimal f stop in your opinion for both contrast and sharpness across the field? It's soft wide open. It's soft at f2.8. The optimal f-stop is: don't know. Who cares? It's a character lens, not a pro lens. If you want a sharp lens, use a summicron. I use this lens cuz it's light weight, fast, and charming, not because I can read the font on the newspaper taped to the wall. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 13, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 13, 2014 One thing that is making move in the upgrade direction is that I am contemplating a CLA anyway. The M9-P upgrade includes a complete CLA. Unfortunately, no one will tell me what a CLA costs since the technicians say they have to see the camera first, which is reasonable. I've never had a complete CLA, but I assume that it is at least $300? Any experience on this? As for the covering, there is a purchaser's choice between the M9-P leatherette or the original pebbly one. Send it in and they will give you an estimate of cost for the CLA. The upgrade is mainly cosmetic so if you mainly take images, save your funds for the M-P. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted October 13, 2014 It's soft wide open. It's soft at f2.8. The optimal f-stop is: don't know. Who cares? It's a character lens, not a pro lens. If you want a sharp lens, use a summicron. I use this lens cuz it's light weight, fast, and charming, not because I can read the font on the newspaper taped to the wall. Good enough. Thanks for the review. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leohong Posted October 15, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 15, 2014 Can I upgrade a Monochrom? Thanks Leo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 15, 2014 Share #19 Posted October 15, 2014 Upgrade to what? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leohong Posted October 16, 2014 Share #20 Posted October 16, 2014 M9 to m9P, MM to MMP? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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