w44neg Posted December 6, 2015 Share #1 Posted December 6, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is a long post with the outcome being: Would you buy a brand new M-E, or save a few hundred GBP and go for a used M9? A couple of years ago I purchased a Leica M9. It was a massive decision at the time due to the cost but as soon as I edited my first photographs, I knew I'd made the right decision. I also purchased the 35mm ASAPH cron at the time. Several months later, I started to get the itch for an M240. I tried one out for an hour and instantly loved the screen res, the sure-footed "click" of the shutter and the incredible battery life. So after a lot of thinking, I did what others have done, and I sold the M9 to fund the M240. I also swapped my summicron for a Summilux FLE thinking that this would be far superior to the summicron, right? After only a week or so, I was regretting this decision, badly. You can get as scientific as you want with tests, but in the end, I've never had image results like the M9 gave me. It made me realise that for me, all that matters is the IQ and not the device itself. I've currently got an A7Rii and I love it, but I miss the M9 still to this day. I'm thinking of separating my equipment for work vs. play, rather than using the A7Rii for everything, and therefore purchasing and M9 with a 35mm Summicron ASPH again. However, for some reason, I'm beginning to think a brand new M-E might be a better option. If I could find a brand new M9, this would be an even better option, but I'm guessing that won't be possible. I never once used the USB or framing lever, so I wouldn't miss these. I'm not a massive fan of the grey that the M-E is coated in, but I'm sure a nice case and chrome lens would alleviate that. The issue? Well, a brand new M-E will undoubtedly cost a fair bit more than a used M9. The M-E will come with Leica Passport though which is nice peace of mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 6, 2015 Posted December 6, 2015 Hi w44neg, Take a look here It's now or never I guess: Leica M-E?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Schrödinger's cat Posted December 6, 2015 Share #2 Posted December 6, 2015 My preference, for some time now, is to purchase used. The number of low mileage excellent condition cameras out there is sufficient that I prefer to let somebody else eat the depreciation. I currently have a 240 M-P which appears to have been a factory refurb and which included a 1 year Leica factory warranty. The discount was sufficient to finance another lens. I suggest some careful shopping might produce a real bargain on the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRIago Posted December 6, 2015 Share #3 Posted December 6, 2015 Used M9. If it comes with a sensor problem, Leica will change it free of charge anyway... they changed mine for the new version, it looks like I won't but a digital camera for a few years. ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 6, 2015 Share #4 Posted December 6, 2015 The M-E is discontinued now, but some will still be out there on dealers shelves so you might be able to do a deal. I am happy to buy used digital gear but only with warranty, some dealers offer 12 months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted December 6, 2015 Share #5 Posted December 6, 2015 The M-E is discontinued now, but some will still be out there on dealers shelves so you might be able to do a deal. I am happy to buy used digital gear but only with warranty, some dealers offer 12 months. It all depends on the price/condition ratio. If I can buy something cheaply enough, then I can afford to repair it should something happen to it. If it functions flawlessly, then I'm money ahead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted December 7, 2015 Share #6 Posted December 7, 2015 New M-E However I am not sure if any come with new type sensor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landberg Posted December 7, 2015 Share #7 Posted December 7, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought a new M-E last week, great camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted December 7, 2015 Share #8 Posted December 7, 2015 M-E is still available new for £2999 – a good buy at that price (the original RRP of the M8 if I recall correctly). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted December 7, 2015 Share #9 Posted December 7, 2015 This is a long post with the outcome being: Would you buy a brand new M-E, or save a few hundred GBP and go for a used M9? A couple of years ago I purchased a Leica M9. It was a massive decision at the time due to the cost but as soon as I edited my first photographs, I knew I'd made the right decision. I also purchased the 35mm ASAPH cron at the time. Several months later, I started to get the itch for an M240. I tried one out for an hour and instantly loved the screen res, the sure-footed "click" of the shutter and the incredible battery life. So after a lot of thinking, I did what others have done, and I sold the M9 to fund the M240. I also swapped my summicron for a Summilux FLE thinking that this would be far superior to the summicron, right? After only a week or so, I was regretting this decision, badly. You can get as scientific as you want with tests, but in the end, I've never had image results like the M9 gave me. It made me realise that for me, all that matters is the IQ and not the device itself. I've currently got an A7Rii and I love it, but I miss the M9 still to this day. I'm thinking of separating my equipment for work vs. play, rather than using the A7Rii for everything, and therefore purchasing and M9 with a 35mm Summicron ASPH again. However, for some reason, I'm beginning to think a brand new M-E might be a better option. If I could find a brand new M9, this would be an even better option, but I'm guessing that won't be possible. I never once used the USB or framing lever, so I wouldn't miss these. I'm not a massive fan of the grey that the M-E is coated in, but I'm sure a nice case and chrome lens would alleviate that. The issue? Well, a brand new M-E will undoubtedly cost a fair bit more than a used M9. The M-E will come with Leica Passport though which is nice peace of mind. The gray is gorgeous in person. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted December 7, 2015 Share #10 Posted December 7, 2015 I love my M-E. Bought it new in April when the writing was already clearly on the wall, and had the sensor replaced in July (not the new type).The camera is an absolute delight, and yes, the CCD results are magical. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w44neg Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted December 7, 2015 So here's a curveball... today, I picked up a Monochrome (M9 type)!!! It was totally unexpected and I'm praying all is well with it (I only have a Voigtlander 15mm to test it with). However, I think an ME may still join it as I'll miss those beautiful colours I'm sure. Hmmmph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landberg Posted December 12, 2015 Share #12 Posted December 12, 2015 The gray is gorgeous in person. I agree! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landberg Posted December 12, 2015 Share #13 Posted December 12, 2015 I love my M-E. Bought it new in April when the writing was already clearly on the wall, and had the sensor replaced in July (not the new type). The camera is an absolute delight, and yes, the CCD results are magical. How do i know if i need to change the sensor? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted December 12, 2015 Share #14 Posted December 12, 2015 How do i know if i need to change the sensor? If you take photographs and do not see any issues in particular, then you don't need to change the sensor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted December 13, 2015 Share #15 Posted December 13, 2015 How do i know if i need to change the sensor? Put your widest lens on it (50mm is fine, 28 or 35mm better), stop down to the smallest aperture and take a picture of a clear blue sky (or any clear, uniform surface). Look at the file and see if there are spots with white outlines, marks that look like cracks, etc. Dark spots are probably just dust, but if they remain in the same place after a cleaning they too could be early signs of corrosion. My M-E and M Monochrom both had corrosion. My M-E had the sensor replaced in July and the new is corrosion-free and beautiful. Leica ended up replacing my M Monochrom after misdiagnosing the corrosion and then being back-ordered too long on replacement sensors (total over a year since I sent it to them) so they just gave me a new camera. The new one (also original CCD type) is perfect, though I did have to clean some oil off of the sensor after my first shoot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted December 14, 2015 Share #16 Posted December 14, 2015 Dust spots tend to be spots, corrosion spots often have black borders. Best to take to a Leica store and have the sensor cleaned and they will diagnose for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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