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Theory on used M9s


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This summer I'm going to be stopping off in my home country (the UK) as part of a summer holiday jaunt. As I now am able to buy things in the UK and get a tax refund back home (Japan), and as the prices of used Leicas in Japan are (thanks to the fetish the Japanese have for all things German) quite ridiculous (I'm seeing M8s and M9s being offered on auction sites at 30-40 per cent more than they are advertised at on Leica dealerships in the UK), this could be a good time to look at picking up a used M9 from a reputable dealer like Red Dot, Richard Caplan, etc (history : I used to have an M8 and an M8.2, and for all their quirks there has rarely been a camera I enjoyed using more).

 

Here's a theory: the M9 has been out for a long time, certainly in digital terms. One of the arguments against being an early adopter is that the kinks haven't been ironed out, the (inevitable) firmware updates haven't come out yet, etc, so the camera is still a work in progress. However, the M9 seems to have been through all its troubles (the sensor being a case in point), so my theory is that a used M9 is now either going to be

 

1) a stable product which should, barring bad luck, be perfectly usable assuming it has been kept in good order by previous owners and the dealer

 

or

 

2) totally and irreparably broken (and thus hopefully not sold by any dealer with a conscience!)

 

Taking everything into account, do you (the esteemed members of this board) think that a used M9 with a new or non-defective sensor represents a smart purchase these days? I do love the idea of the M262 (I have no use for video or live view because I have other cameras for that), but there aren't likely to be many used ones around yet, and the new ones are currently more than my budget will sensibly  :) allow.

 

Thanks upfront for any thoughts.

 

 

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It is a smart buy if you want one, if not, it isn't.

I don't quite get the reasoning not to buy a 240 because you have other cameras. If you don't need a feature, don't use it. It is not as if you are paying extra for it. On the contrary it is simply a more mature camera which happens to offer a few extra possibilities as well.

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If you already have the lenses and you want a full frame rangefinder without the cost of a new model yes it's really the only choice. At the moment my m9 is having the sensor replaced so I decided buy a smaller dslr while its away picked up a Nikon df (secondhand) and a new 35mm 1.8 for a lot less than a secondhand m9. I really like Leica but I'm never really sure it's ever a smart purchase!

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Got me a second (M9-P) chromium two weeks ago, already owning a black one.

Price might decrease a bit, but not to compare with any other digital camera - bought yesterday, nothing worth tomorrow.

 

Thomas

 

 

 

.... picked up a Nikon df (secondhand) ....

 Ha ha, there are more guys like me!

Edited by duckrider
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I'm sure this has been posted before but this is an interesting read if you are considering an m9 rather than a newer model:

 

http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-M9-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-19-Leica-M9-Confessions-Definitions-and-What-is-That-Details-Explained.html

 

I bought an m9 last year and I've got to say I love it. I love the simplicity of it, I know you can just choose not to use video etc.

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Taking everything into account, do you (the esteemed members of this board) think that a used M9 with a new or non-defective sensor represents a smart purchase these days?

 

I have two and they are excellent cameras - one has a new sensor the other (which has been checked by Leica) hasn't and doesn't need one. As far as I am concerned they represent very good value at the moment (prices are slowly dropping). But you need to appreciate that you are unlikely to get a refund of vat (sales tax) because dealers usually operate the 'vat margin scheme' whereby they only pay vat on their 'profit' on the item sold, and this is not reclaimable by the customer - perhaps worth looking for an ex-demo later body which carries vat (1/6 of the total price) unless you find a very reasonably priced used M9.

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They are indeed excellent cameras, I enjoy mine as second string to the M240 and my Monochrom1 too, but each time I pick up the M 240 it is obvious how much more developed the camera feels: the improved viewfinder, the more sophisticated shutter, the better LCD, the better balance with heavier lenses, etc. This fixation on a few auxiliary features has nothing to do with the improved qualities  as a DRF camera as such. If I were to buy a used camera now I would feel more future-proof with one from the 240 stable.

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Using an M262 and M9-P side by side at this time, the M9-P with the new sensor, I see no reason why an M9 would not be a decent purchase if all you are interested in is still photography. The LCD is dated, but as a quick histogram check after a shot, there's nothing really to complain about. Just think of it as an MD 262 with a nicer back LCD, LOL

 

I see no reason why I wouldn't be happy with the two bodies I have for quite some time.

Edited by Gregm61
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I have two and they are excellent cameras - one has a new sensor the other (which has been checked by Leica) hasn't and doesn't need one. As far as I am concerned they represent very good value at the moment (prices are slowly dropping). But you need to appreciate that you are unlikely to get a refund of vat (sales tax) because dealers usually operate the 'vat margin scheme' whereby they only pay vat on their 'profit' on the item sold, and this is not reclaimable by the customer - perhaps worth looking for an ex-demo later body which carries vat (1/6 of the total price) unless you find a very reasonably priced used M9.

 

That's interesting. I practically never engage in VAT-reclaimable shopping, so this is news to me. I'll have to look further into it.  Thanks for the information.

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I'll have to look further into it.

 

https://www.gov.uk/vat-margin-schemes/overview might help - also check camera shop's websites as many mention the fact that they use the margin scheme on second hand equipment.

 

For example, a quick browse of a couple of websites of London dealers reveals:

 

"There is no VAT charged on second hand equipment."

"THERE IS NO VAT TO RECLAIM ON PRE-OWNED GOODS"

 

so you may want to consider your options further - new gear will carry vat and ex-demo gear usually carries vat.

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I recently bought a used M9 myself — this after I found myself reluctant to shoot anything but my Monochrom. I think it's a brilliant camera and very happy I jumped on a nice one. It's still got the original sensor, so I figure it might have to go in for a new one whenever the corrosion rears its head. If anyone needs a Fuji X camera as a backup, I have a couple for sale. LOL. 

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What a stupid way to measure front to back. You want the actual body thickness, the bit you actually hold, not buttons or thumb rests. If the M didn't have a built in thumbie ( which is far smaller than a 'thumbs up' for an M9 and just as effective) would that please you?

 

Put it some callipers across the actual body shell and they are precisely the same.

 

Yet those same people who insist on bringing this up over and over, more often than not end up putting on a half case anyway!

 

And those complaining about weight of the camera bodies end up using Leica lenses.... and we don't see too many complaints about the weight of them... or constant comments about shaving a few grams off a Summilux...

 

What is it with some people...? Is there really nothing more interesting, or less repetitive, to say?

Edited by Bill Livingston
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They are indeed excellent cameras, I enjoy mine as second string to the M240 and my Monochrom1 too, but each time I pick up the M 240 it is obvious how much more developed the camera feels: the improved viewfinder, the more sophisticated shutter, the better LCD, the better balance with heavier lenses, etc. This fixation on a few auxiliary features has nothing to do with the improved qualities as a DRF camera as such. If I were to buy a used camera now I would feel more future-proof with one from the 240 stable.

While the M typ 240 is probably considerably more mature in its core features, the rangefinder, weather sealing, shutter, frame lines, etc.. I do understand the appeal of a more simple camera that omits superfluous functions. Of course, everyone can decide what they consider to be superfluous.

 

I personally would rather have a camera with the feature set of the M9 or the M typ 262 than the M typ 240. I know you can just ignore features, but the simplicity and uncluttered design of the Leica cameras is part of why I like them so much. Especially the video button (and having mic holes!) I do not like.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Oh, and an M9 (get one with a new sensor installed, because replacement takes ages) used is a great deal (for a Leica...)

 

I was "lucky" in that my M8 (also bought used) broke spontaneously and was apparently unrepairable, because Leica offered me a refurbished M9 (with the new sensor) for only €800, which is a little more than the repair cost of the M8 we had previously agreed on. Maybe in a few years I will be able to upgrade to a newer M for a similar price :-) Always a few years behind...

 

 

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