StephenPatterson Posted November 15, 2011 Share #21 Posted November 15, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Everything on a M9 is easy to learn. ...and takes time to master. I don't want to give the impression that the OP should definitely not pursue owning a Leica. In my post above I was trying to stress the obvious concern that if you are not enjoying a Fuji X100 (which some call a baby M9) then you should think seriously about if an M9 will suit you. Yes, you can change lenses with an M9, but compared to dslr users with zoom lens and ever changing focal lengths we Leica folk tend to use our feet a great deal for composition. You mentioned 21mm, which is a fantastic focal length on the ff M9. I also use 21 quite a lot, as shooting in crowded streets and alleys in China there are times when you must work close, and this is a great lens for that. A 50mm (Summilux ASPH in my case) is my preferred "portrait" lens, whatever that means. As I mentioned the 35mm focal length is used for a majority of my shots. I've shot concerts with the M9, and it is a different "feel" than using a huge telescope lens. IMHO, a more personal look. I have no experience with weddings. Most people who come on this forum have already made up their minds to purchase an M8 or M9, and are just looking for justification. I can't give you absolution from the Leica affliction, but can only offer that if you do fall prey to your desires...well, you won't be the first. Good luck, Stephen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Hi StephenPatterson, Take a look here Leica M9 as the only camera?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
swamiji Posted November 15, 2011 Share #22 Posted November 15, 2011 You really need to get to a dealer and try it. Until you do there will be doubt, once you do, it will be decided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted November 15, 2011 Share #23 Posted November 15, 2011 I make a living with my photography and have shot editorial, commercial, wedding, and concerts (recently an entire Pearl Jam show) with Leica's both film and digital (now only the latter). I also use a Nikon D3 for certain purposes (usually my 14-24 or longer lenses). Since I got two M9 bodies I feel much more comfortable using the M9 for jobs - that said I have shot a large wedding with one M9 only and the results were fantastic. I do have lenses ranging from 18 to 90 but 70% with 35mm. But like most posters say here the M way of working is not for everybody and there is no shame in that. Use what suits you the best - you and the client will thank you. Fortunately Leica gear loses little resale value these days so you can pick up used and if you change your mind sell it on again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted November 15, 2011 Share #24 Posted November 15, 2011 One issue that occurs to me is that for weddings you'd need a backup M8/M9 body or another system. I've shot only a few weddings but could not imagine doing so seriously without a backup. How would you handle this? Another factor is, coming from an autofocus background, it will take you a while to become proficient enough to handle a wedding with a manul focus rangefinder. And you may find you never adapt. It's easy to use for casual shooting, but under the pressure of a wedding.... I sold my 5DII kit to fund my M9, and I couldn't be more pleased. But if I were shooting weddings seriously, I'd stick with a DSLR system. That, plus an X100 for personal and travel shooting sounds about perfect to me. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuca Posted November 15, 2011 Share #25 Posted November 15, 2011 One issue that occurs to me is that for weddings you'd need a backup M8/M9 body or another system. I've shot only a few weddings but could not imagine doing so seriously without a backup. How would you handle this? Another factor is, coming from an autofocus background, it will take you a while to become proficient enough to handle a wedding with a manul focus rangefinder. And you may find you never adapt. It's easy to use for casual shooting, but under the pressure of a wedding.... I sold my 5DII kit to fund my M9, and I couldn't be more pleased. But if I were shooting weddings seriously, I'd stick with a DSLR system. That, plus an X100 for personal and travel shooting sounds about perfect to me. John I think a nex body with M adapter could do the job for a backup of leica M9 maybe a nex 5n with evf. ok, there's a crop factor, but you gain in high iso performance. 'lux 35 on M9 'lux 50 on nex et voila' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxter Posted November 15, 2011 Share #26 Posted November 15, 2011 I just have one M lens (35 Summilux) but since I bought the M9 I hardly use my 5DmII... Especially traveling is so much more fun!! I just don't sell it because I sometimes need it for video/studio/wildlife (and my wife - somehow she don't like manual focus...). I personally didn't regred one Euro... Best regards Sven Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted November 15, 2011 Share #27 Posted November 15, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Only one camera. Perish the thought! Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
germinaleke Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share #28 Posted November 15, 2011 Only one camera. Perish the thought!Carl I think I have to agree :s going to try someone's M8 tomorrow and then I'll decide the issue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted November 15, 2011 Share #29 Posted November 15, 2011 Finally sold the D700 and my last nikon lens a few weeks ago. I just didn't use it anymore except for the odd macro shot. Hopefully will be doing some set/stills work again next year and if I used to be able to do it with a couple of nikon 801's I think 2 M9's will be OK!!!. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib_robinson Posted November 15, 2011 Share #30 Posted November 15, 2011 I think an M9 ( I haven't used one) is great as a travel cam and street cam but value for money a dslr system makes a lot more sense, no? Is there anyone reading this who made a switch from a dslr to an M and does the kind of shooting I do?? I've been shooting with an M for way longer than an SLR and use it for about 85% of what I do, but I own a Canon 1DIV and use it for a variety of things that I can't: macro with flash, events requiring multiple flashes (with Pocket Wizards), long focal-lengths, sports & high-speed nature work (birds in flight). That said, an M9 isn't just a street and travel camera. I use it whenever I can because I simply love using it. In my "value for money" equation, I include how I feel about a camera and, in that regard, the M has always been more valuable than an SLR. They are simply different tools. They are not interchangeable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted November 16, 2011 Share #31 Posted November 16, 2011 Is there anyone reading this who made a switch from a dslr to an M and does the kind of shooting I do?? I haven't, but my experience may help, I guess. My first camera was a Canonet range finder. All I wanted at that time was interchangeable lenses, and finally I bought myself a compact SLR camera (a Nikon FE). Over the years I graduated to a number of FMs, but all nice small cameras with nice solid Nikkor lenses. That camera went all over the World with me. Then it gave up the ghost, and I decided to buy an F3. Actually, I ended up buying an F5 with a really good 17-35 mm AF lens. But, we never gelled. Much as I liked that camera, it just got too big, and everything weighed too much and I found I wasn't using it anymore. When that kit got stolen, I looked at 5DIIs and Nikons, and I found them a complete turn off. Then I started reading about the M9. None available, and I hadn't held a Leica in my hands. Ever. But what I read awakened an interest in my that dated back to that first Nikon. I'm not a professional. I don't really do sports photography, and certainly not weddings or concerts or anything like that. I take pictures of friends and family and things around me, and when I travel. It's all very personal. When I ordered my M9, selecting a lens took me a while, and gave me a huge shock. How much? I seem to have got over that now So, I would say that you know enough about photography to understand what the M9 is about. There is not much to be gained by holding one. It's a camera. You won't really know until you've shot off a few shots and got a feel for what the camera involves, and if it's for you. Asking here won't really inform you. The rational advice is, don't be silly. But then who is rational. As an only camera? Sure. There isn't really room for another. read Thorsten's article linked above. I think it's about the best summary I've read. Then take the plunge and get on with it. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted November 16, 2011 Share #32 Posted November 16, 2011 My experience is similar to John's except substitute Olympus for Canonet and Nikon (Olympus 35RC followed by the OM models). I have never favored big hefty cameras, though. I like more compact cameras. For me, going from MF to AF is harder because I like to have precise control of what I am focusing on. Which is why I still like rangefinder focusing. But, as others have said, you really have to try it yourself. All my pictures are taken with lenses ranging from 21-135. If I was shooting sports or wildlife or close-ups, I would go for another camera type. As is often said, horses for courses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted November 16, 2011 Share #33 Posted November 16, 2011 I still own my Nikon D700 setup but shoot all the time with the M9, the S2 (which is not much faster than an M9) and a Nex (when it needs to be small). I allways keep the Nikon because I think I might need fast AF sometimes. And yes, with my kids there are some moments when I eventually miss a shot with the S2/M9 which I might have cought with the AF of the D700. But then the overall IQ from the Leicas and also the shooting experience I much prefer so the Nikon gets used barely. There are 2 areas where I do not find the M9 ideal: 1) if you shoot a lot of sports from longer distances 2) if you want to shoot wildlife from longer distances One thing you might need to do: test your M lenses on your particular M-body regarding focus. You might send them in and if you do so send the body and the lenses in for calibration. I had to do this een woith some new lenses and I believe many who say the M9 is hard to focus dont do user error but might have lenses which are not calibrated to their M9. Overall I have to agree that rangefinder is a very different shooting style and I also recommend to check it out before you buy! Regards, Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted November 17, 2011 Share #34 Posted November 17, 2011 Just having one camera and one lens, must, no will make you a better photographer...any camera can be mastered, and much quicker if you limit your choices...so the M will be a perfect choice and if the rangefinder is problematic, just try and try again until you get it right (might take up to a year)..... after a while you will know if you need a 2nd/3rd/4th lens... but by then you are more likely to be a camera collector and then the M is an even better choice..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohnri Posted November 17, 2011 Share #35 Posted November 17, 2011 I make a living with my photography ... I do have lenses ranging from 18 to 90 but 70% with 35mm. May I trouble you to ask which 35mm lens do you use? Mine is the 35 'lux ASPH v.1 and I love it. Best, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted November 17, 2011 Share #36 Posted November 17, 2011 [...]One thing you might need to do: test your M lenses on your particular M-body regarding focus. You might send them in and if you do so send the body and the lenses in for calibration.[...] I thought Leica recommended that one not send in the body. They calibrate lenses on a standard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 17, 2011 Share #37 Posted November 17, 2011 I can't, because I take pictures of kids as well and I don't have enough skill to use the M system for it. Unfortunately that is. Some people can though, obviously. Taking pictures of children is quite easy. If you are used to the Leica M camera. Even better than a reflex camera. Really, you must try it for a few months! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 17, 2011 Share #38 Posted November 17, 2011 Aren't you unlucky.. An M9 with a Summicron 90 or any 135 lens is a far more discreet tool to shoot concerts than any DSLR with a bazooka lens in front.... That also depends IMHO. I have made many shots in a discrete way from a distance, with a Nikon F4 and 300mm lens , with a blimp bag , covering the camera. At concerts with classical musicians, it was sometimes the only way to shoot instrument and face up close. On the other hand, a conductor like John Elliot Garderner banned camera's from the rehearsals and concerts, with one exception : the Leica M6. Nowadays, I feel at ease with a Nikon D3 with a 300mm lens and an M9 with smaller 50mm's and wide angle lenses. It's a great combination! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 17, 2011 Share #39 Posted November 17, 2011 As an only camera? Sure. There isn't really room for another. read Thorsten's article linked above. I think it's about the best summary I've read. Then take the plunge and get on with it. Cheers John The Thorsten article is really wonderful. You must read it, if or before you decide to buy a M9 It's wonderfully convincing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 18, 2011 Share #40 Posted November 18, 2011 Well I've just got back in touch with my Canon dealer to see if I can get back the 85 1.2 L lens I traded in three weeks ago when I replaced my 15 year old Canon work-horse L series 24-70 / 70-200 lenses with new items. I did this because I was working a corporate event yesterday (horrible low level light & flash not possible) and realised that for the moment, I wasn't able to get some of the shots I needed with the M9 at 2500 and either 50 lux or 90 cron. I managed by using the 70-200 + monopod and didn't come away with egg on my face. However, it reminded me that there are moments when the 5D2 at ISO 3200 + auto-focus + the light gobbling capacities of the 85 1.2 really make a critical difference. The M9 was perfect with wide angle lenses (I used the 28 cron for groups and scenes), but above 50 I just wasn't confident. The good news is that they've not sold my lens, and are willing to give it back to me at the trade-in price. OK - maybe I have to get a Nocti, but the old Canon is only going to cost me £750. This is a price I'm willing to pay for a lens I use for half a dozen jobs a year. M9 as only camera? For some professional jobs, in some circumstances, for me, no. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.