Thickness of M9 a problem?

[nodrog]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I handled an M9 for the first time this weekend at the Leica showroom in Ginza. I was surprised & disappointed at the increased thickness of the body, perhaps 5mm over the film bodies as far as I could tell.

 

Given that the M film bodies had what I consider to be perhaps the best proportions 'in the hand' of any camera I've used so far, has anyone perceived this to be a problem, or, at least, an inconvenience in practical use?

 

I love the idea of being able to use my Leitz lenses full-frame on a digital body, but am not too happy about this first incarnation of the digital M. It just feels 'chunky' in comparison to the old bodies. The price is a whole other issue, especially here in Japan at ¥777,000!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jaapv]

2 mm. After using the M8 and M9 for over three years I find the film Ms on the thin side. In daily practice this is a non-issue imo.

[jlancasterd]

I handled an M9 for the first time this weekend at the Leica showroom in Ginza. I was surprised & disappointed at the increased thickness of the body, perhaps 5mm over the film bodies as far as I could tell.

 

Given that the M film bodies had what I consider to be perhaps the best proportions 'in the hand' of any camera I've used so far, has anyone perceived this to be a problem, or, at least, an inconvenience in practical use?

 

I love the idea of being able to use my Leitz lenses full-frame on a digital body, but am not too happy about this first incarnation of the digital M. It just feels 'chunky' in comparison to the old bodies. The price is a whole other issue, especially here in Japan at ¥777,000!

 

Get yourself a 'Thumbs Up' grip and the handling of an M8/M9 becomes second nature

[giordano]

IMHO the extra height and width have quite spoilt the beautiful proportions of the original M3/M2, but I haven't found they affect the handling - certainly not as much as the less secure grip resulting from the absence of the battery cover or self-timer lever and the presence of the digital control wheel just where the ball of one's right thumb should rest.

[PeterSchlicht]

Although I'm following this forum for quite some time now, on nearly daily basis, this is my first post. I am on several waiting lists for the M9 and can't wait to actually receive it.

Initially I subscribed to the forum being interested in the M8, but considered it as a 'preliminary' product on the way to a high-end digital M. I think, with the M9, Leica achieved the goal. Coming from Pentax 67 and MF Nikons since the 1980' I currently use a Nikon D700 with some AF and MF prime lenses, while waiting for the M9...

 

Regarding this particular thread... I really wonder about the problems some folks have... ... 2mm!!!

 

Cheers,

Peter

[erl]

The problems tend to be all perceived. In practice they disappear. Handling/using one is the real test. I switched from M6 to M7. Yes I notice the difference, but it's not problematic. Then I went to M8 and M9. Yes they are 2mm thicker, but still smaller than my Hasselblad with which I am still very comfortable.

 

Try switching cars and note your experience. Of course one will be different from the other, but not necessarily worse, or better. Adjust and be happy.

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

IMHO the extra height and width have quite spoilt the beautiful proportions of the original M3/M2, but I haven't found they affect the handling - certainly not as much as the less secure grip resulting from the absence of the battery cover or self-timer lever and the presence of the digital control wheel just where the ball of one's right thumb should rest.

I'm a bit confused here. On one hand you seem to be saying that the protrusion of the self-timer and battery cover used to make the grip better, on the other hand you are saying the presence of a similar protrusion like the control wheel makes the grip worse.

[frozenace]

Compared to MP, my own impression was that the M9 actually feels lighter...

[jaapv]

Official figures:

 

MP 585 grams

M9 585 grams

 

[frc]

That's less weight per volume so subjective it feels is lighter.

[richard_man]

I don't find the body thickness to be any issue. The control wheel and the LCD do sort of get in the way. I do feel them, sort of like T-shirt tag bothers me kind of way. However, it's a minor annoyance. Don't let it detract you from getting an M8.2 or M9 because of it.

[epand56]

That's less weight per volume so subjective it feels is lighter.

 

Depends on the lens you have on...

[twom4]

I have been using film Ms for many years and owned 8 of them.

 

No problem whatsoever when switching to M9.

 

I wonder why it's an issue for you? Is it a matter of habit or just feel?

[nodrog]

IMHO the extra height and width have quite spoilt the beautiful proportions of the original M3/M2...

 

My feelings exactly. They've buggered with the proportions, even if only by 2mm it seems like a mistake on their part. I'm sure there was a lot of table-thumping and heated discussion about that 2mm, but someone, somewhere, didn't stick to their guns and veto that size increase.

 

I know Leica isn't known for their innovation, but I kind of expected this to be better for the price of, what is after all, a pretty nice new kitchen, or a very serviceable used car (2 things I'm in the market for at the moment)

 

Just my 2p-worth. It doesn't rule out my buying one, but I'd like to spend some time using an M9 to see if I can live with the changes.

[jaapv]

Actually the camera is 4 mm thicker, which is to accomodate the LCD screen and sensor mother board. The lens mount was moved forward 2 mm to leave 2 mm for the body. The rest of the dimensions are identical to the M6TTL and M7. If you want to have it smaller, have a look at Mark Norton's anatomy thread. It is a marvel of design that they managed to cram everything into the body as it is.http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/21331-anatomy-leica-m8.html

[yanidel]

I think what makes a real difference is whether you have a thumbs up on or not.

With the thumbs up, the camera seems lighter and fits perfectly in the hand. I guess the better ergonomy suddenly make the perceived extra thickness vanish.

[zlatkob]

The size of the camera is delightful, but it is not easy to grip. The camera should be designed with better ergonomics, so that there is no need for third-party add-ons like the Thumbs Up. So many changes were needed to make the M digital; some minor additional changes could have made it easier to grip.

[gjames9142]

I think the camera feels fine in the hand. My only problem is the phantom limb syndrome when I take a series of shots. My thumb thinks it's winding film. Maybe they could make one of those thumb thingies that actually ratchets.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[giordano]

I'm a bit confused here. On one hand you seem to be saying that the protrusion of the self-timer and battery cover used to make the grip better, on the other hand you are saying the presence of a similar protrusion like the control wheel makes the grip worse.

 

Just so. On the front, the self-timer (M2-4) or battery cover (M6) used to give a bit of anchorage for the ring finger of my right hand, but the M8-9 has nothing there.

 

On the back, the ball of my thumb rested on the vulcanite and the distal phalanx on the back of the top plate. Somehow, the control wheel, arrow keys and monitor on the M8/9 get in the way of that, enough to make the digital camera feel less secure than the film Ms.

 

FWIW I never used the wind lever as part of my hand-hold.

[nodrog]

The size of the camera is delightful, but it is not easy to grip. The camera should be designed with better ergonomics, so that there is no need for third-party add-ons like the Thumbs Up.

 

'...not easy to grip' doesn't sound good to me & echoes my first impression. In fact, in the showroom, as there was no strap attached to the body, I was fearful of dropping it, which I never felt with my M4-P, strap attached or not. It felt heavier, too.

 

I don't know what a 'Thumbs Up' is. I'll have look for one. Seems like a rotten solution to a problem that shouldn't exist, if you ask me.

 

I've a mind to take the old M4-P out for a day just to remind myself how it should feel!