Input on new backup for M9

[BerndReini]

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How about a used M6. There is nothing like black and white film and being able to use the same lenses. If you M9 really goes down, you can probably find a roll of color negative anywhere.

[bocaburger]

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about a Fuji XE-1. The user interface looks much more to my liking than the Nex. But it's a bit larger, and from the reviews I read the EVF isn't as good as the Nex, especially the focus peaking. Then again I have no touble focusing the old Panny G1 manually, it's just slow to have to hit the magnification button, focus, then de-magify and check composition. But for a lot of travel photography speed isn't an issue, and a lot of the time I hyperfocal even with the M9. But yeah, the Fuji looks a lot more like my kind of familiar camera . Reminds me a lot of the Konica Hexar RF I used to have.

[sblutter]

An M-E. A back-up is a back-up, not a 2nd choice

 

For pocket, Sony Rx100

 

Video, 5DM3

[wda]

Some mixed advice above. My take is that if you want a back-up to a specific camera, then the back-up needs to be a very close approximation to that camera, such as M8/M9. If cost is an issue, consider the X Vario which not only meets your emergency need, but also gives you an unique tool for use when your M9 might seem inappropriate or the combined kit too bulky and heavy. The X Vario would add features and performance in a compact fairly light package.

[Stealth3kpl]

I really like my GXR with M mount sensors. I like the fact that I can swap sensor/lens units without exposing the shutter/sensor to the elements. It's rugged, small and light. They are reliable. Unlike Mitch, I like the colours and don't feel the need to use anything other than the std LR4 colour palette. I took it to Canada as backup to my film cameras recently. It made for a very light pack. Infact, the GXR bodies are so light I took 2 with a voigt 15 and 25, and a summicron 50. Great little kit and getting cheaper all the time as companies try to off-load these little beauties since their discontinuation.

Pete

[viramati]

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about a Fuji XE-1. The user interface looks much more to my liking than the Nex. But it's a bit larger, and from the reviews I read the EVF isn't as good as the Nex, especially the focus peaking. Then again I have no touble focusing the old Panny G1 manually, it's just slow to have to hit the magnification button, focus, then de-magify and check composition. But for a lot of travel photography speed isn't an issue, and a lot of the time I hyperfocal even with the M9. But yeah, the Fuji looks a lot more like my kind of familiar camera . Reminds me a lot of the Konica Hexar RF I used to have.

As I said before the focus peaking on the fuji is very good with anything from 35mm up. The GXR is very good but has a totally different control system to the leica when the fuji fits in a a lot better. What made me sell the GXR in end was the the the black out time that you get after taking a shot which really made it useless for any sort of action/documentary photography.

[bocaburger]

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I decided against the GXR because I don't want a separate EVF to carry around, I want the camera self-contained so-to-speak.

 

And yes, I do realize that an ideal backup would be another M9, or an ME, or even an M8. But they are all just too much money for my purpose. Assuming my M9 never malfunctions on a trip, this backup is never coming out of my luggage back at the hotel. I have no desire to use any EVF unless I have no other choice.

 

The X-Vario sounds like a great camera...but again, very expensive and has an external EVF. And the reason I carry the G1 as a backup is precisely because I want to be able to use the M lenses (albeit at double their effective focal length). I also have a Panny LX5 which gives surprisingly (well, maybe not so surprising, after all it has a Leica lens) good IQ.

 

Perhaps my interest in a Nex 6 or Fuji XE 1 might be an undiagnosed case of GAS

[BerndReini]

One think to keep in mind is that it is nice to stick with one system. I own way too many cameras and it bothers me so much that all of them take different batteries, need different charges, different lenses, record different file formats. It is such a mess. I love the 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, so when I travel with a backup, I end up taking so much stuff. The Fujis and Sigmas are the worst offenders since they don't play well with Lightroom and Aperture.

[viramati]

One think to keep in mind is that it is nice to stick with one system. I own way too many cameras and it bothers me so much that all of them take different batteries, need different charges, different lenses, record different file formats. It is such a mess. I love the 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, so when I travel with a backup, I end up taking so much stuff. The Fujis and Sigmas are the worst offenders since they don't play well with Lightroom and Aperture.

 

I have to say that I don't agree as I find that Lr5.2 actually handles the fuji files very well and have no problem working with the fuji and leica M (240) files side by side. My basic kit at the moment is the leica M with 28 summicron, fuji X-pro1 with XF 35 1.4 and summilux 50 asph in the bag, the 50 lux can either be used on the M or the fuji as 75mm equivalent lens. All of this take up very little space and is a highly versatile combination

[derleicaman]

I have a NEX 6 and take it with the M9-P when I travel. It takes very good images, with the adapter can take pretty much all my M mount and LTM lenses. The EVF is excellent as well as its high ISO performance. Easily fits in the bag with the M9-P and 5-6 lenses.

 

I don't think of it so much as a back-up to the M9-P but rather as a complimentary camera to the Leica. It comes in handy for low light, or with flash, or when I don't want to take the M9-P out of the bag for various reasons (weight, security). It worked out very well on three trips to various parts of the country this summer. I will be taking it to the LHSA meeting in San Francisco the end of this month.

 

I am working on an article on it as a companion to the M9-P for an upcoming issue of Viewfinder. I purchased it last fall prior to the M9-P, which I acquired this June. I'm glad I did and the prices have dropped a bit since then. Have been quite pleased with the pairing and I don't even own an AF E mount lens for the NEX. Lots of fun using it with all my legacy lenses. Looking forward to see what the NEX 9 FF will be about, but at $3K will require a lot more thought on purchasing than the 6.

[garysamson]

I have to say that I don't agree as I find that Lr5.2 actually handles the fuji files very well and have no problem working with the fuji and leica M (240) files side by side. My basic kit at the moment is the leica M with 28 summicron, fuji X-pro1 with XF 35 1.4 and summilux 50 asph in the bag, the 50 lux can either be used on the M or the fuji as 75mm equivalent lens. All of this take up very little space and is a highly versatile combination

 

+1

[FlashGordonPhotography]

If it's purely for emergency use I'd probably just stick to what you have. yes you'll loose some of your wide angle capability but you'll gain in the telephoto area. You'll just need to adapt your vision until the M9 is repaired.

 

But.... Personally I like to have a camera that adds something to my system rather than sit in a box growing fungus. I have two M9's for work, but for personal stuff I carry 1 M9 and (currently) an X-E1. I also own a pair of Olympus EM5's and have owned a NEX7 (which I couldn't love, despite it being a fine image maker). Personally I can't get used to using M lenses on the m4/3 camera and the Sony menus are just the most horrible mess (format card function in the middle of the menu???). The XE1, on the other hand, I really enjoy using. It's a fun camera to shoot with. Apart from the aperture stops turning the wrong way, I love the handling. it's a very familiar camera for an M user. And I make use of where the M9 can't go (macro and telephoto zooms). The EVF is fine for the considered photographer (better than your G1 but with more lag than a current m43). The high ISO performance is fabulous and it's native lenses are excellent. If you do get a Fuji get the original M adaptor. The function button is great in use and you'll be able to program in focal length (for exif) as well as vignetting and edge correction for 5 different lenses.

 

I think if you did get the Fuji you might get more use out of it than you think. I spent a long time waiting for a Leica made camera that does what this little Fuji does. And I think Leica really missed an opportunity by not making one.

 

Gordon

[bocaburger]

Yes it is just for emergency use. In fact if it's a place I've been to before and have a lot of shots already, I've been taking the LX5 instead of the G1. That way I have backup for the entire M system in case my bag were to be stolen. Not much good having a backup body without any lenses to go on it For most travel shots the LX5 would cover it, at least much better than my iPhone. I think if I were planning to sell the M9 and go Leica-less until I could get a used M240, the Fuji would make a great stop-gap, but for what it would cost me (about $875-900 used w Fuji M adapter and 1-2 spare batteries) it's a bit overkill for an emergency backup. The Nex6 with a Voigtlander adapter (both used) would "only" set me back about $650 but even that is a bit much for a camera I hope never to need to use. Back in my film days I did indeed bring 2 bodies, but even then I never carried the second one around. I find having 2 cameras on me was a nuisance.

[paulholland27]

I agree, the LX5 is a very good choice, I have the very similar LX7 as my 'backup'. It sits in the front pocket of my Billingham Combination Bag with My M9, 50'lux, 35'cron & 24'marit sat in the main bag. I don't want any more weight or bulk than i absolutely can get away with, its only ever useful if you've got it on you and i rarely stay in places where id be comfortable to just leave kit lying around in a hotel room, but we all travel in different ways.

 

No its not a true replacement of my M9 but if the worst happens then its on me to whip out and continue taking lovely pictures.