Summacube Posted October 20, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 20, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just took delivery of my M9 & Summilux 50mm 1.4 ASPH the other day. This is my first Leica as I have traditionally used a Canon EOS 1D Mark III with L glass. I am absolutely blown away by the image quality of the Leica. I've been reading commentary about the almost mythical quality of Leica glass, uncertain if I really saw what everyone was going nuts about. After having taken a few casual shots on the streets or Rome and uploading them to Lightroom, I can only gape in awe of the quality. There is a certain vividness and dimensionality to the photo that I have never seen before with my Canon. I asked my wife to look over the photos and she, too, agreed that there was something almost hyper-real to the images. I realize no uploaded JPEG can render the quality of this impact, but I am astounded by what this camera can offer. Leica is so very pricey, but so very good. Here are two that really stood out for image quality. I did adjust them in LR with contrast, exposure, sharpening, and vignetting...but I have never been able to get this look with my Canon photos. Hood of Fiat (1/2000, f/1.4, ISO 400, 50mm) Melons (1/1400, f/1.4, ISO 400, 50mm) 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/100896-leica-newbie-blown-away-by-image-quality/?do=findComment&comment=1082989'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Hi Summacube, Take a look here Leica Newbie Blown Away by Image Quality. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ashwinrao1 Posted October 20, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 20, 2009 It's a brave new world, full of nice IQ, especially from the wonderful summilux 50. I also proudly own a RF system (currently M8, hoping and dreaming about the M9 soon), and Canon SLR set up (1DIII, 5DII). The difference in IQ is subtle but substantial! Enjoy the best 50 out there, and the M9 to boot! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffwros Posted October 20, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 20, 2009 It's too bad, though, because it looks like your M9 is suffering from the occasional & dreaded "X-in-the-middle-of-the-frame" problem. I'm hoping a firmware fix will take care of this before I get one of these! Seriously, though, congrats and enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted October 20, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 20, 2009 You are doomed Hi there - congratulations and welcome, lovely isn't it. Now you'll need: WATE 21 'lux 24 'lux 28 'cron 35 'lux 75 'cron 90 'cron 135 Then you'll need to start buying the older pre-asph: 35 50 after that you'll find you can't live without a very expensive and discontinued 75 'lux I could go on, but it's unkind to point out to you the slippery slope that you're just on the brink of. Mind you, after 3 years of M cameras, they've given me so much pleasure that one forgets the credit card bills (and, no, I don't have all of those lenses . .. yet) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrism Posted October 20, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 20, 2009 I never saw a Fiat 500 in that lovely yellow, but I do appreciate the awe you feel when you look at the photographs and ask yourself "I made that? Wow!" You are starting out with the best of the best when you have an M9 and a 'Lux 50mm. Enjoy it! Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted October 20, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 20, 2009 3 years? I thought I was new to Leica having only bought my used M2 in 1971. Having Leica Ms is like having another child in terms of the costs you'll be incurring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted October 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 21, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) You are doomed Hi there - congratulations and welcome, lovely isn't it. Now you'll need: WATE 21 'lux 24 'lux 28 'cron 35 'lux 75 'cron 90 'cron 135 Then you'll need to start buying the older pre-asph: 35 50 after that you'll find you can't live without a very expensive and discontinued 75 'lux I could go on, but it's unkind to point out to you the slippery slope that you're just on the brink of. Mind you, after 3 years of M cameras, they've given me so much pleasure that one forgets the credit card bills (and, no, I don't have all of those lenses . .. yet) What? No Noct? You've left off the Holy Grail of lenses! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted October 21, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 21, 2009 Congrats! It only gets better! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summacube Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted October 21, 2009 Ha ha. Thanks for all your humorous commentary, everyone. My wife is definitely concerned about the new potential for lens creep. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bixi Posted October 21, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 21, 2009 Hi Summacube, Very nice images in amazing colors you posted. I was in a similar situation. I had a Nikon D700 with some lenses. I sold them all. Now I'm the most happy owner of a M9. It brings me so much fun and enjoyment. Have fun, Bixi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted October 21, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 21, 2009 No Holy Grail here. I would be perfectly happy with a M9, the 50mm Summilux ASPH, a good 90mm Elmarit-M and a 35mm Summicron ASPH -- the classical 'holy trinity'. Everything else is 'occasional lenses' that may be fun to have, but not essential. The fact that I am up to my knees in glass is another matter. I bought nearly all of it second hand, and some lenses are not even Leica. The old man from the Age of the M2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted October 21, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 21, 2009 Summacube (welcome!), Bixi, have we got icons for your '9s on the map yet? Leica M9 Deliveries - Google Maps Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bixi Posted October 21, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 21, 2009 Summacube (welcome!), Bixi, have we got icons for your '9s on the map yet? Leica M9 Deliveries - Google Maps Dear Rick, I don't think that there is an update on your map. I got my black M9 from Auckland, New Zealand Best, Bixi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted October 21, 2009 Share #14 Posted October 21, 2009 What? No Noct? You've left off the Holy Grail of lenses! Ah yes - that was almost certainly a Freudian slip, as it's probably the only one which I really badly want . . . and certainly can't afford! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wookchang Posted October 21, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 21, 2009 Nice Summilux feel!!! I am very glad that you like your M9 so much. I urge you to add ASAP a 35 Summilux Aspherical (not ASPH) and a Noctilux 1:1.2 to your collection of Leica lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted October 21, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 21, 2009 Ha ha. Thanks for all your humorous commentary, everyone. My wife is definitely concerned about the new potential for lens creep. In old Europe, there is always the concern of space, so an explanation of how each Canon lens sold and Leica lens bought saves a significant amount of space! You could also develop a back-ache each time you carry your Canon kit and remark on how good your back feels when you carry the Leica kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbet Posted October 21, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 21, 2009 impressive indeed. could you also show the shots straight out of the camera. I'd like to have an idea of how much processing is required. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summacube Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted October 23, 2009 Summacube (welcome!), Bixi, have we got icons for your '9s on the map yet? Leica M9 Deliveries - Google Maps Just put it on the forum thread. I am assuming that we just provide the details on that thread and you update it, no? If not I don't think I can update it any other way at the moment as I am on the road for the next several days with only my iPhone. Thanks for your welcome. This seems like a really good forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summacube Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted October 23, 2009 Nice Summilux feel!!! I am very glad that you like your M9 so much. I urge you to add ASAP a 35 Summilux Aspherical (not ASPH) and a Noctilux 1:1.2 to your collection of Leica lenses. The noctilux seems, indeed, impessive. I would love the .95, but I just can't stomach dropping so much on a lens. I can already feel the need for the 35mm, though. But I do want to avoid carrying lots of lenses. I had 6 lenses with my canon and I always felt I should use a different lens than the one currently on the camera. Even if I only had two lenses with me, I couldn't help feeling the picture would some how be better with the other one. I liken it to the concept of the tyranny of choice - the idea that too much choice causes us to feel less satisfied with what we have. I almost feel liberated by having a small camera with only one lens. I am absent the worry of having the right lens on the camera, miss fewer shots by wasting time changing lenses, and have less junk to lug around and worry about. I feel more connected to my subject and the process of photograhy with simpler gear. So, I hope to keep my lens collection as minimal as possible. I'm going to try to do everything with the 50mm until I see real compelling reason to go to the 35. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summacube Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted October 23, 2009 In old Europe, there is always the concern of space, so an explanation of how each Canon lens sold and Leica lens bought saves a significant amount of space! You could also develop a back-ache each time you carry your Canon kit and remark on how good your back feels when you carry the Leica kit. I definitely agree that the confining spaces of Europe can be a great reason to carry the Leica. I am also seriously thinking about selling all of my canon gear. I don't want to be too hasty and will give it a few months to ruminate. I have big trip to Africa in December and definitely want the big lenses for Safari. Can one really do all the lanscape and nature work with a Leica? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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