NZDavid Posted June 23, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been waiting until the release of the M9-P before finally getting an M9. Which ever way you look at it, it's a lot of moolah! Right now there is a steel grey M9 actually available here. I like the look of both the new chrome M9-P and the steel grey. My main concern is durability of the paint finish and the screen. There seems to be some criticism that the paint finish wears badly. Has anyone actually experienced this? (I am referring specifically to the steel grey version). Or is this issue totally exaggerated? Does it matter? I like to use cameras and take them anywhere, not mollycoddle them! Again, I realize it won't affect functionality one jot, but it will affect value. As a comparison, my X1 got a minor scratch on the LCD after a year and a few thousand shots, but no wear to the steel grey paint finish. I used to have a Minilux and the titanium finish wore badly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Hi NZDavid, Take a look here Steel grey M9 or chrome M9-P? . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Artichoke Posted June 24, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 24, 2011 love my chrome M8 after seeing a grey paint M9, I decided to go with the black version the new chrome M9-P looks mighty tempting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted June 24, 2011 Share #3 Posted June 24, 2011 I've been waiting until the release of the M9-P before finally getting an M9. Which ever way you look at it, it's a lot of moolah! Right now there is a steel grey M9 actually available here. I like the look of both the new chrome M9-P and the steel grey. My main concern is durability of the paint finish and the screen. There seems to be some criticism that the paint finish wears badly. Has anyone actually experienced this? (I am referring specifically to the steel grey version). Or is this issue totally exaggerated? Does it matter? I like to use cameras and take them anywhere, not mollycoddle them! Again, I realize it won't affect functionality one jot, but it will affect value. As a comparison, my X1 got a minor scratch on the LCD after a year and a few thousand shots, but no wear to the steel grey paint finish. I used to have a Minilux and the titanium finish wore badly. My 2005 chrome MP is spotless (I got it on trademe in February, and the seller did say he hadn't used it that much). There's a little bit of paint missing from the "p" in open on the base plate, and that's it. My grey M9 went into a Luigi half case straightaway (the half case arrived before the camera) - I have taken it with me everywhere, including cycling down the Whanganui River. It is tough, but scuff marks and little signs of wear are appearing, even though it lives in the half case. I'm pretty sure the hard chrome version would have faired better. Having said that, the grey M9 still looks great! I will seriously consider the upgrade, if it's not too expensive, when it becomes available (if I can afford it). If I was buying now, I'd get the silver chrome M9-P, I think ... Please excuse the iPhone photo - I hope it helps. Cheers John 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/155156-steel-grey-m9-or-chrome-m9-p/?do=findComment&comment=1712874'>More sharing options...
photolandscape Posted June 24, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 24, 2011 I've been waiting until the release of the M9-P before finally getting an M9. Which ever way you look at it, it's a lot of moolah! Right now there is a steel grey M9 actually available here. I like the look of both the new chrome M9-P and the steel grey. My main concern is durability of the paint finish and the screen. There seems to be some criticism that the paint finish wears badly. Has anyone actually experienced this? (I am referring specifically to the steel grey version). Or is this issue totally exaggerated? Does it matter? I like to use cameras and take them anywhere, not mollycoddle them! Again, I realize it won't affect functionality one jot, but it will affect value. As a comparison, my X1 got a minor scratch on the LCD after a year and a few thousand shots, but no wear to the steel grey paint finish. I used to have a Minilux and the titanium finish wore badly. After 18 months, 13,500 shutter actuations and lots and lots of handling (careful, but not pampering) the only mark on my steel gray M9 was the result of my rubbing the Leica neckstrap metal ring up against the gray paint leaving a tiny scratch. Since there is no difference in functionality and you can get a steel gray now for roughly $1000 US less, the steel gray option sounds good to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted June 24, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 24, 2011 I've been waiting until the release of the M9-P before finally getting an M9. Which ever way you look at it, it's a lot of moolah! Right now there is a steel grey M9 actually available here. I like the look of both the new chrome M9-P and the steel grey. My main concern is durability of the paint finish and the screen. There seems to be some criticism that the paint finish wears badly. Has anyone actually experienced this? (I am referring specifically to the steel grey version). Or is this issue totally exaggerated? Does it matter? I like to use cameras and take them anywhere, not mollycoddle them! Again, I realize it won't affect functionality one jot, but it will affect value. As a comparison, my X1 got a minor scratch on the LCD after a year and a few thousand shots, but no wear to the steel grey paint finish. I used to have a Minilux and the titanium finish wore badly. For me, the M9-P doesn't add enough for the $1,000 extra. Buy a nice Zeiss or used Leica lens with that $1,000 while you wait for a new Leica lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 24, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 24, 2011 Well, it's like women... On the one hand you have a nice, dependable girl. Maybe not as young or pretty as she once was, but she's still still a looker, very low maintenance and very dependable. Then there's this new bird, smart, athletic, VERY attractive and enjoys all the best in life. She's low maintenance in the long run, but she also expects to be wined and dined before she commits to a long term relationship. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scc Posted June 24, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 24, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'll take the second girl please Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted June 24, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 24, 2011 Well, it's like women... On the one hand you have a nice, dependable girl. Maybe not as young or pretty as she once was, but she's still still a looker, very low maintenance and very dependable. Then there's this new bird, smart, athletic, VERY attractive and enjoys all the best in life. She's low maintenance in the long run, but she also expects to be wined and dined before she commits to a long term relationship. Then you get that commitment and each blemish bugs you. You think about what things might have been with the nice, dependable girl. Her signs of age wouldn't bother you much at all. And you think about all that money you spent on the exotic super model. Then you realize that, at the end of the day, their performance in low light, romantic conditions and what they ultimately deliver is exactly the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 24, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 24, 2011 Then you get that commitment and each blemish bugs you. You think about what things might have been with the nice, dependable girl. Her signs of age wouldn't bother you much at all. And you think about all that money you spent on the exotic super model. Then you realize that, at the end of the day, their performance in low light, romantic conditions and what they ultimately deliver is exactly the same. True, true...both will keep your feet warm at night!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted June 24, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 24, 2011 True, true...both will keep your feet warm at night!!! And the exotic super model is undoubtedly going to demand some expensive cosmetic surgery when things start to age. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 24, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 24, 2011 And the exotic super model is undoubtedly going to demand some expensive cosmetic surgery when things start to age. No cosmetic surgery (read upgrades) needed, as all M9s are created equal, at least beneath the skin. Of course you could always get out you Rocket Blower and give her sensor a little attention. Ok, back on topic. Not everyone cares about the appearance of their M9, well OK. I've also observed that not everyone washes and vacuums their cars. If you're only interested in getting from point A to point B then the appearance of your vehicle does not matter. Likewise if you're only interested in your images then brassing and gaffer tape shouldn't bother you. I respect that. I do care about appearance, and I feel I get more enjoyment out of my gear (and my car) if it looks nice. I choose wool over polyester, leather over cloth, real cask ale over Budweiser, and chrome over grey paint. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
euston Posted June 24, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 24, 2011 My main concern is durability of the paint finish and the screen. There seems to be some criticism that the paint finish wears badly. Has anyone actually experienced this? (I am referring specifically to the steel grey version). Or is this issue totally exaggerated? I’ve had my steel grey M9 for over a year and a half. It lives in a Luigi half case which protects the lower body and the LCD screen. It goes with me everywhere and I use it every day. The steel grey finish is totally unmarked and shows zero wear. If my experience is anything to go by, worries about the durability of the finish are unjustified. I see comments on these forums about the poor wear record of the steel grey grey finish but it is contrary to my direct experience and, to my knowledge, no-one has ever posted any evidence of it. The M9-P is a nice looking camera, apart from that horrible (in my opinion) shiny vulcanite. So is the steel grey M9. I’m less keen on the idea of having high quality, anti-reflective, sapphire glass to cover the poor quality LCD. That’s just bling - all show and little substance. The screen is good for making the settings and checking the histogram and framing but not much else. There are no marks or scratches on mine, by the way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 24, 2011 Share #13 Posted June 24, 2011 Well, it's like women... On the one hand you have a nice, dependable girl. Maybe not as young or pretty as she once was, but she's still still a looker, very low maintenance and very dependable. Then there's this new bird, smart, athletic, VERY attractive and enjoys all the best in life. She's low maintenance in the long run, but she also expects to be wined and dined before she commits to a long term relationship. I have never come across a very low maintenance woman. Can you tell me where I can get one please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted June 24, 2011 Sounds like they can all be trouble! [old Royal Navy saying, see: http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/sr/page9.html ] Perhaps having fun along the way is important, too! As for LCD, yes, sounds like it's not the cutting edge kind, but fine for reviewing. Which I wouldn't absolutely depend on anyway. So far, almost a dead heat between those who say silver grey doesn't matter and those who would opt for the chrome... thanks all for comments thus far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 24, 2011 Share #15 Posted June 24, 2011 If I were buying one now, I'd opt for the P in chrome. Unless it's going to be months on a waiting list in which case I'd go for what's available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 24, 2011 Share #16 Posted June 24, 2011 love my chrome M8after seeing a grey paint M9, I decided to go with the black version the new chrome M9-P looks mighty tempting +1 I might contact Leica about this conversion program... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freusen Posted June 24, 2011 Share #17 Posted June 24, 2011 ............if I were buying one now, I'd opt for the P in chrome............ +1 ___________ FrankR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
insomnia Posted June 24, 2011 Share #18 Posted June 24, 2011 and little signs of wear are appearing, even though it lives in the half case. Sure this is a "even though" and not a "because" (think of rubbing/friction)? Of course a halfcase can prevent from big scratches and so on, but I think there can be better things for the painting than a permanent tight (yet not tight enough) contact to leather. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
denoir Posted June 24, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 24, 2011 M9 say hello to car door: 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! I'm not particularly into cuddling my gear. There are minor scratches on the LCD and major on the bottom cover. Apart from that the only other mark is the one in the picture above which isn't very pretty. Had I been buying an M9 now I would have still chosen the steel gray. I positively hate the crude vulcanite on the black version - which I'm guessing is the same they use on both versions of the M9-P. The best M texture that I've seen/used is the PVC of the M6. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I'm not particularly into cuddling my gear. There are minor scratches on the LCD and major on the bottom cover. Apart from that the only other mark is the one in the picture above which isn't very pretty. Had I been buying an M9 now I would have still chosen the steel gray. I positively hate the crude vulcanite on the black version - which I'm guessing is the same they use on both versions of the M9-P. The best M texture that I've seen/used is the PVC of the M6. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155156-steel-grey-m9-or-chrome-m9-p/?do=findComment&comment=1713292'>More sharing options...
j.henry Posted June 24, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 24, 2011 David, I'll say that the new Chrome M9P does look nice, but not sure it is worth the money. An extra USD 1,000 will translate into an additional NZD1,500-2,000 down here (greetings from Auckland, BTW). I got a Steel Grey M9 in December, have traveled extensively with it, and have just over 10,000 shutter actuations on it. It's been in a wonderful Luigi case since I got the camera, and it's in great shape. A couple of small scratches on the top plate from when I removed an external viewfinder and it scrapped against the portion in front of the hot shoe. So be it. I've also had a Giottos screen protector on it since day 1, and am now on my second, the first having been destroyed after it bumped into the Mamiya 7ii strap lug while traveling. Absolutely no damage to the primary LCD screen. So, even if I had a M9P with the new screen crystal, I'd still spend the $30 to have a protector over it. While the camera doesn't brass, my Steel Grey Thumbs-Up does, and it looks great now. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Steel Grey M9 (with a screen protector). And, if you are, for about the same price difference you'll be able to upgrade down the road (according to other posts). So, I vote get the same now, and upgrade later if you really feel it is necessary. Cheers, Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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