Stealth3kpl Posted May 20, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 20, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been offered a Leica ME for £3000. It's only 5 or 6 months old. I've been reluctant to get into the Leica M9 ilk due to issues that have cropped up but which are perhaps exaggerated because they're brought together on the forums. I like shooting film for holidays but often I would appreciate the immediacy of digital for day to day photography for sharing and getting to know my lenses more intimately. I wouldn't like to sit post processing a holiday's worth of images. Returning to digital with a couple of Leicas has been in my mind for sometime but two M240s will be expensive so I started thinking M/M9 or 2xM9. I found that I really like the look and use of film and started to feel a little nauseous when I thought of digital photography. So, with this opportunity of a digital ME at £1200 less than a new one I have a question for you all. Has anyone been on the fence about going to Leica digital but then found that they really enjoy it and perhaps even wish they'd gone digital sooner? N.b. This isn't the Leica ME which was stolen from Red Dot Cameras earlier this week!! Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 20, 2013 Posted May 20, 2013 Hi Stealth3kpl, Take a look here Considering Digital. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted May 20, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 20, 2013 I've used my M9 "like a film camera" for about three years without problems (other that a red (hot) pixel that is removed automatically by Lightroom). I often use both an M9 and M6 rather than constantly switching lenses, and have been very pleased with the M9 images. Since I take one shot at a time (at least no faster than I would on my M6) and use older/slower cards I've never had any buffer / card-writing problems (still using 1.162 firmware) and commonly use discrete mode without problems. It is nice to change "film type / speed" at any time, and (used to film) I've never missed it having better ISO performance. I'll bet you would be pleased. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 20, 2013 Share #3 Posted May 20, 2013 I used film Ms for decades and watched while others made the digital leap. This was for 3 key reasons: first I liked the silver prints I got from my darkroom(s); I was not savvy about digital tools; and I wasn't yet sold on the look of digital prints. This changed in 2009, when I was faced with a long distance move and decided not to build a 5th darkroom, and was reinforced when a photo friend I knew for 17 years convinced me that the tools and materials for inkjet prints were finally up to par given our film standards. Not to say the same, but capable of a wonderful print. So I sold my film Ms and moved to an M8.2. I'm not sure I would have wanted to do this sooner, given my prior concerns, but I'm absolutely sure I made the right choice. My prints have improved continually since the transition 4 years ago, in part due to my learning curve, and in large part due to significant improvements to the software (LR), the papers available, better paper profiles, etc. Much like in the darkroom days, the tools are only a starting point; the key is to get to know them and use them well; but good tools and materials sure help. I now have no hesitation to exhibit my digital prints next to my film prints, and did so at a show last year. I still like to control every step from camera to matting and framing, so no excuses outside of my own decisions and actions. A side benefit from the switch is that I now like to shoot color in addition to b/w; before my M work was exclusively b/w. I don't miss the darkroom at all, and the convenience and flexibility provided by digital is unquestioned. I am careful, however, to maintain a disciplined workflow despite any temptation to loosen standards or to significantly increase output. I'd say that the worst part of the change for me is the continual need to update software and hardware, whether I want to or not. This is a fact of life with computers, but one I disdain. But it's a blessing and a curse, as the same updates that improve results are a pain in the butt to have to continually address. Anyway, that's my experience. BTW, I skipped the M9 and bought a second M8.2 as back-up. But I'm looking forward to testing the new M after teething issues are sorted, not for the 'bells and whistles' but for improvements to the traditional M RF experience, e.g., quieter shutter, faster processing, longer battery life, weather sealing, illuminated and 2m frame lines, etc. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 21, 2013 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2013 I still love the look of film but it has got to be very expensive now. In practice, the M9 handles just like the film Ms! There are more similarities than differences. (See my post "The M9 in practice, below). One of the biggest drawbacks is the cost, but if you already have the lenses, go for it! I think you would be delighted by the ME. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted May 21, 2013 Share #5 Posted May 21, 2013 I purchased an M8 when they came out. I shot it side by side with an M3 (both hung around my neck at the same time). I had no problems and would not expect you to either. I finally sold my M3 when I couldn't get decent lab work anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted May 21, 2013 Share #6 Posted May 21, 2013 No reason to spend all day processing. Use a preset in Lightroom to apply the setting you like to all the files at one time. Time, less than 60 sec Given a competent lab, they will be the same a film images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted May 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm really on the fence about this. I think, although it's a good offer, more good offers will come in the future. I really like the look of the M9-P but for the moment I think I'll stick with my film Ms and try to use my Ricoh GXR a little more. It is a lot of money and, as I don't print images often, and locally film is very cheap, and I don't take a lot of images I don't need to go to digital yet. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamey Posted May 21, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 21, 2013 but for the moment I think I'll stick with my film Ms and try to use my Ricoh GXR a little more. It is a lot of money and, as I don't print images often, and locally film is very cheap, and I don't take a lot of images I don't need to go to digital yet. Pete IMHO a wise move Pete. Ken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted May 21, 2013 Share #9 Posted May 21, 2013 I've been offered a Leica ME for £3000. It's only 5 or 6 months old. I've been reluctant to get into the Leica M9 ilk due to issues that have cropped up but which are perhaps exaggerated because they're brought together on the forums.Pete The ME and M9 are essentially the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 21, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 21, 2013 It is a lot of money and, as I don't print images often, and locally film is very cheap, and I don't take a lot of images I don't need to go to digital If you don't take a lot of pics and you don't print often, why would you need two digital Ms, as your initial post indicated? For back-up, there are many alternatives, especially for the casual user. Digital is not necessarily about printing a lot or taking a lot more pics, although that's the common and unfortunate view IMO. For me, it's a decision about work flow and final print quality, not quantity; there are many variables to consider. YMMV. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 21, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 21, 2013 Also the results from film and sensor cameras do look different in final print. As it happens I prefer digital nowadays, but that is purely a matter of taste. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 21, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 21, 2013 Also the results from film and sensor cameras do look different in final print. As it happens I prefer digital nowadays, but that is purely a matter of taste. That's exactly what I meant by 'print quality' above. I'm frankly surprised how pleased I now am with my digital prints; I clearly didn't anticipate that 4 years ago when I reluctantly gave up the darkroom. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted May 21, 2013 If you don't take a lot of pics and you don't print often, why would you need two digital Ms, Jeff It's just the way I am. I really dislike changing lenses, and I've always the wrong lens on if I've one body with me. Time will come when I've returned to digital. Perhaps when the M-P is out. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfhrased Posted May 27, 2013 Share #14 Posted May 27, 2013 I picked up my M9-P for about that price. Sapphire coating, different appearance and frameline lever are the only noticeable differences for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 27, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 27, 2013 Do I sense some 'over thinking' about a simple situation. Changing a lens takes two or three seconds and a small camera bag and a couple of lenses is less cumbersome than two M9's or M-E's clanking around together. Then the post processing worry of a holidays worth of photographs,........well to paraphrase Michael Caine in the 'Italian Job' "you're only supposed to post process the bloody good ones!" Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted June 1, 2013 Erm,...........now don't get annoyed. I, er, ...........bought an M9-P. I don't know how it happened. I just found myself paying for it. I took it up onto the fells yesterday (Helvellyn) to compare it with the GXR. There's no difference in the quality of the output as far as I can tell, except that the cropped sensor of the GXR with the 35/1,4FLE gives better corners than the 50/1.4Asph on the M9 as you'd expect. I find the buffer painfully slow on the M9P but I was prepared for that and I try to let it finish before I review the picture because people say to. I was thinking "what've I done" until I took the GXR EVF from my eye and lifted the M9's viewfinder to it. Wow! I really love rangefinders. Today I was up on the fells again (Scawfell Pike) and decided to shoot it just as I would my film cameras. It's early days yet but I am impressed with it. I'm not giving up on film - they're my holiday cameras, but the M9P might be day to day camera I've been waiting for. Pete 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! 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/205059-considering-digital/?do=findComment&comment=2336356'>More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted June 1, 2013 Share #17 Posted June 1, 2013 Erm,...........now don't get annoyed. I, er, ...........bought an M9-P. I don't know how it happened. I just found myself paying for it. I took it up onto the fells yesterday (Helvellyn) to compare it with the GXR. There's no difference in the quality of the output as far as I can tell, except that the cropped sensor of the GXR with the 35/1,4FLE gives better corners than the 50/1.4Asph on the M9 as you'd expect. I find the buffer painfully slow on the M9P but I was prepared for that and I try to let it finish before I review the picture because people say to. I was thinking "what've I done" until I took the GXR EVF from my eye and lifted the M9's viewfinder to it. Wow! I really love rangefinders.Today I was up on the fells again (Scawfell Pike) and decided to shoot it just as I would my film cameras. It's early days yet but I am impressed with it. I'm not giving up on film - they're my holiday cameras, but the M9P might be day to day camera I've been waiting for. Pete ] It is for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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