An M - or keep the M9 and buy a Nikon Df?

[MarkP]

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I had to get out of the Nikon upgrade game. It will wear you down if you try to play that game.

 

I have considered a new M, or an MM. I am hopefully saving some money toward one or the other. We'll see how this goes. I sold a couple of lenses already, and need to move some more stuff.

 

Sounds like you have substituted one addiction for another.

The Leica upgrade game is far more dangerous......

[MarkP]

With the new M typ 240 you retain all of the capabilities of the M9 with a beautiful shutter. More importantly, you gain two new features, live view with focus peaking and video capability. The former is great for those wide aperture lenses, some real feedback in tough focusing situations. The latter, video, gives you a new domain for experimentation and fun.

 

I stopped by a camera store last week while on vacation and checked out the Df. It does not have the feel of a Leica, much less dense. The other thing that shocked me was how many buttons and dials it has. The M digital series all make due with less complexity. I have a D700 and dozen or so Nikon lenses, so an upgrade makes some sense, but I could not see $3K worth of fun from the Df. Purely subjective opinion, however.

 

When all else fails, try a rental and see what you like.

 

Eric

 

Also, the finder is much improved, and the files have far more dynamic range and are more robust in post processing.

[tomlianza]

As a Nikon (d800's) and Leica (M9) owner I was interested in the Df, but when I was on a recent trip to Japan, I tried it out and it just did not work for me, too many buttons, too many knobs, etc. I sent my M9 in for cleaning along with a few lenses to be coded and checked for focus. During that period, I purchased a Fuji X pro 1 and the leica and Nikon adapters. It works fine with both lens sets. Now I use the Fuji almost exclusively when I travel, although the Leica is with me when I am at home. I used the new M and I didn't see a reason to upgrade. The M9 is a fine camera as long as you don't shoot in low light. If I were you, I would stand pat.