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Steel grey M9 or chrome M9-P?


NZDavid

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When I was lusting for an M8 I thought the silver was the way to go. When I finally pulled the trigger on the M9, I went with the steel gray, as it was closest to what I really wanted.

 

Looking at the M9P I am really satisfied with my choice. Very retro looking, and I love, love, love the smoother black covering. Cannot stand that bubbly Vulcanite. Just don't get it. It's fuggly in the extreme!

 

Go with the steel gray and a Giotto cover and save 1K. But do pull the trigger either way. You will not be sorry!

 

Mark

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Bubbly??? Bubbly??? Bubbly vulcanite???

 

It's not bubbly.......It's classic.

 

David, why are we having this conversation. Leica is as much about the heart as the head. You know what your heart is telling you. Don't buy the painted grey M9 and fret for the next two years. Buy the M9-P, then laugh when the electro M-10 comes out that requires a knowledge of Playstation to operate the thing.

 

M9-P is classic...a camera for the ages...not something to be traded in a few years...certainly not to be traded for some wiz bang psudo M class auto live view kinda rangefinder wanna be.

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David does this help? No M9-P then though.

I think that the chrome M9-P is the prettiest of all.

From memory the greys I have seen have shown marks to brass like the black. You can look at chrome M3's even or a lot of chrome M6's that can look pristine. Entirely personally taste what you like. I always had the Giottos protector on my M8 and I did the same for my M9. I think that the sapphire glass would be really worth having though, if you are willing to wait and pay the difference.

 

Functionally I find the grey one's body covering more slippery, but I typically have my camera in a half case (mine on the left) which makes it more sure to hang onto especially vertically. I'll rebel and say that I actually preferred the 'leather' like covering on the M7 to the "vulkanit' and especially over the too smooth material on the MP and chrome M9. Acadamic if you like the half case.

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Just worth pointing out that few new Leica lenses are now made in satin chrome and I am not convinced that the 'silver' anodised finish would match well with the new M9-P. However, I may be wrong. All-black would be the safer bet!.

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Well, you've convinced me: Both models are classics, like all the Ms. As far as looks go, the M9-P hearkens back to the M3 while the standard M9 is more 80s-inspired. Vulcanite is not a big deal. I like the look of the silver grey and it seems to have worn pretty well after extended use. But some have reported a few annoying scuffs, and I don't buy the idea paint finish is "supposed" to wear. Would chrome finish be more rugged, despite its shiny good looks? Any more photos appreciated. I might be mad, but I am edging towards the chrome M9-P because I have the feeling it might possibly hold its value a little more.

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There it is then David :) Yes the black paint or steel grey will shows marks and wear through to the brass to some degree. The chrome is much harder wearing if you prefer that the camera remain as unmarked as possible.

I agree that the chrome M9-P is a classic like the chrome MP.

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It’s gonna take me forever to save up the moola so I don’t care how long it takes to

get a chrome one after that. I think by the time I can finally afford it the ‘’panic’’ will be

well over anyway. I just like it: no other reason.

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If I was buying an M9 of any description, it would now be a silver chrome M9-P, no question. The "old" black (M8) turns into a sort of dark green and goes light along the edges and corners. The painted finishes seem to be getting better but still wear, which leaves the silver chrome finish as the most durable.

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I bought a steel grey M9.

If they'd had a proper chrome M9 at the time I'd have bought chrome.

 

I bought several modern chrome lenses after the release of the M9. It's true, they look so much better than the black lenses. But the extra weight really only makes it practical for the smaller chrome lenses(35mm pre-asph cron, 50mm summicron IV, 50mm elmar).

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Yes the M9-P looks better and yes it will wear better than the grey due to being chrome.. so if the looks are a thing and if wear is an issue (should imagine the an M9-P will hold value a bit better if you are heavy user) otherwise get M9 grey and a screen protector.

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And now on sober reflection I am veering back to the silver grey. The price premium is NZD2000 (USD1600) which is hard to justify. As I said at the start, I like the look of all of them -- differences in Leica M looks are minimal -- my main concern was durability. Yes, I like taking them out into the great outdoors, but if I'm careful it should be fine. I don't bother with a half case so am wondering if I should.... Thanks again for all your advice.

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That's a smart call David. While the chrome finish and sapphire glass are nice, that's way too much money over and above the cost of a standard M9. Of course some will argue here that $1 more is too much of a premium for the M9-P.

 

Get the grey and slaps a screen protector on the LCD. It's what is inside that counts most.

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