andalus Posted March 13, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 13, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Here's a question, a follow up to last post: I am buying the M9. It's coming soon. Huge purchase for me. I buy this camera with the expectation that it (has to be) my last Leica body buy. Just like when I bought the MP years ago, which I will likely (have to) sell now. Who among you bought the M9 in the same spirit as one like me, with limited funds, may have bought their MP -- a camera for the rest of one's life? With the expectation that the M9, treated well, will "last" a very long time, like YEARS ahead. I am not talking about taking 5,000 shots a month, BTW. Just normal use for a non pro who travels a lot and likes to record adventures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 13, 2010 Posted March 13, 2010 Hi andalus, Take a look here M9 purchase your "last" of Leica bodies??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
digitalfx Posted March 13, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 13, 2010 The M9 will last a long time, but it will not be my last M. The sensors will evolve and within a few more years we will have a far superior M10. Then you simply sell the M9 as most of us have done with our M8's or keep it as a spare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scc Posted March 13, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 13, 2010 As long as my M9 keeps going, I cannot see myself wanting a 'better' digital M. I'm very happy with its results and performance. While I agree it could be improved, it will keep me happy for many years I suspect. I just hope it is built to last the distance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mby Posted March 13, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 13, 2010 Depends on your age etc., see How Long Will I Live? - Life Expectancy Calculator Nothing digital will probably outlive your MP, just for reasons of battery supply etc. - On the other hand, I'm still using my HP-21 Best regards, Michael P.S.: I do own an M9 since half a year and I'll never look back! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsjxyz Posted March 13, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 13, 2010 Not until M10 that have self cleansing sensor, better ISO, and LiveView. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJW Posted March 13, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 13, 2010 Pentax Spotmatic was my last camera Nikon F was my last camera F2 was my last camera F3 was my last camera (still have it) F4 was my last camera F5 was my last camera Contax G2 was my last camera Leica M7 was my last camera Leica M8 was my last camera Leica M9 is my current last camera. I have had a lot of "last" cameras. 8-) (the list above is not even complete). But now I am smart enough to know what last camera means. It means the last camera I purchased. I enjoy the advances in technology, and without knowing what is coming next I am not going to say anything is my "last". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted March 13, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 13, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Who among you bought the M9 in the same spirit as one like me, with limited funds, may have bought their MP -- a camera for the rest of one's life? Depends on how old you are? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted March 13, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 13, 2010 Not until M10 that have self cleansing sensor, better ISO, and LiveView. I get live view on my M9... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 13, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 13, 2010 When I bought the M9, I did so with the same mindset as buying the M8: A digital camera with a halflife of three to five years. Now that I have the thing, however, I find myself losing all interest in technological progress, as I despair of ever matching the quality of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scc Posted March 13, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 13, 2010 Now that I have the thing, however, I find myself losing all interest in technological progress, as I despair of ever matching the quality of the camera. This. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggits Posted March 13, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 13, 2010 Never know what the day of tomorrow brings. As a danish politician said for some years ago: "I have an opinion until I get a new one" But for me right now - my main photographic wishes is fulfilled with M9. I hope that it will last a year or hopefully several more so that I at least can get some more funds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFV Posted March 13, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 13, 2010 Hmmm... difficult to say. To be honest I think that an M10 will be with us sooner rather than later. Not because the M9 is not good enough (although there is room for improvement) but rather because in order for Leica to stay profitable it will need to renew its product line much more often than in the past. The M6 lasted for an incredible long time because it was fantastic and allowed film to evolve by it self. I don't think it will be more than two years between new Ms. The question is really if you can skip one model. Instead of going for an M10 just wait for the M11... As Jaapv points out, technology is still developing so upgrades every two years are understandable. As far as I am concerned, and unless the M10 is a HUGE improvement, I will try to skip over and get the M11. At least I hope... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 13, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 13, 2010 I am just worried Leica have manoeuvered themselves into the same corner that Borgward did - building a product that is so good that the customers feel no need to buy the next model. To a certain extent we see that happening to the M8 vs. the M9 right now. Maybe Alan is right, the M10 might be a drastically different camera, designed to attract a completely new customer base. We can only hope that the M9 will remain in the program the way the M7 and MP do, in that case. The M10 as we see it might just be an M9.2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pophoto Posted March 13, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 13, 2010 This is very interesting, although the M8 was digital, it was never full frame unlike the M9. The balance of the M9 with regards to being full frame and a very good balance of Megapixels... I can certainly say it's a difference of buying possible a M3 and being happy all the way through to the release of an M7. Although this isn't an accurate analogy, to me it definately has enough longevity, as long as it will still be working in the long future! For now I am happy with the lenses and the M9 body, but the future will definately make room for improvements for both! Pophoto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andalus Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted March 13, 2010 Interesting responses. Like the suggestion that people bought the M9 for as a long time camera, maybe not will be trading up to the next best Leica. Yes, really, aside from some things, how much better a picture can one get from an M10, 11, etc. I kinda imagine NOT MUCH better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 13, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 13, 2010 When I bought the M9, I did so with the same mindset as buying the M8: A digital camera with a halflife of three to five years. Now that I have the thing, however, I find myself losing all interest in technological progress, as I despair of ever matching the quality of the camera. Ditto!!! That's exactly how I feel too. The camera is certainly capable of more than I'm using it for these days. I am just worried Leica have manoeuvered themselves into the same corner that Borgward did - building a product that is so good that the customers feel no need to buy the next model. I feel very much the same way about my 8-way MacPro that I've had since 2007. I'm only now beginning to get interested in upgrading but there's still no compelling need. With the M9 I don't feel any compelling need for more resolution, although future improvement in dynamic range, sensor cleaning and overall noise control would tempt me in future versions. Ergonomically and functionally I'm fine with the current camera. It'll take a significant update to tempt me to upgrade. I have a similar feeling these days with my Nikon D3s too - good enough for purpose for the foreseeable future. Is the M9 my 'last' Leica M camera? - probably not. It's not state of the art technology as far as the electronics are concerned today and there is still plenty of scope for innovation and improvement. Never say never Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pix_N Posted March 14, 2010 Share #17 Posted March 14, 2010 First of all, for my first post, "Bonjour à tous" For sure an M9 is able to live a long life by your side. But the real problem seems, like for any electronic device "How long will it be serviceable ?". We got the answer for M3/.../M7. Mechanical parts can be built rebuilt and re-rebuit for decades. I am not so sure about CCD's, seven layers printed boards, processors and so on. And sadly it does not depend on Leica's good will. For that matter Leica (and only but sadly) is not anymore different from any "canikon computer". Amicalement @+ Patrick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFV Posted March 14, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 14, 2010 I am just worried Leica have manoeuvered themselves into the same corner that Borgward did - building a product that is so good that the customers feel no need to buy the next model. To a certain extent we see that happening to the M8 vs. the M9 right now. Maybe Alan is right, the M10 might be a drastically different camera, designed to attract a completely new customer base. We can only hope that the M9 will remain in the program the way the M7 and MP do, in that case. The M10 as we see it might just be an M9.2. Ironically it is the digital age that might just save Leica. The M6 had no need to be improved for close to 15 years. Today this would mean death. Thanks that there is room for improvement in the sensor field. This makes me happy because it will ensure Leica for the future even not having me buy every single future M. I hope they are soon releasing a new Digital-R it will give them a boost and it would fill the rather large gap between the M and the S... As far as the M9 is concerned I am more than satisfied with 18MP and ISO is better than the Velvia or Kodachrome y used with my beloved M6. There is always room for improvements but right now I would only ask for a better sensor or more "realistic" sensor. My only request would be the return of the top LCD for battery and frames. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted March 14, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 14, 2010 I haven't read every response so this may have come up, but are we also including film M bodies? The M8 brought me through the looking glass into an M7, followed by an M5 and lastly an M3. (I am at present an "odd M" man, 3,5,7 and 9, and yes, odd works well in my case). So time stretches in both directions, and the notion that any subsequent M to the M9 means a newer model is only part of the story! For instance, if I am lucky enough to have health and eyesight that allows, my 65th birthday present to self will be an a la carte MP with some personal particulars that will make it an heirloom for as yet unborn family. But I'll shoot the heck out of it before it gets passed on! best....Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted March 14, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 14, 2010 New technologies open up new vistas for photographing which did not seem possible so far so I will always be exploring new areas but I am more than happy with my M9. Having said that, I am not looking for an underwater M. I think we are blessed that there are so many good cameras around and photography is fun again. Having an online community has only helped me become better as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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