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Similar M9 picture quality with Leica compact?


ymc226

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I like the color, sharpness and overall picture quality using my wide angle ASPH Leica lenses along with my M9 and MM.  I also have a M240 but don't use it much compared to the original full frame Leicas as I usually travel with the MM and M9 together so batteries and charger are identical.   

 

Because I miss quite a few off the cuff pictures due to focus issues I bought a Olympus OMD EM5-II along their 12-40 autofocus zoom lens but I find the quality in terms of lack of sharpness and detail unsatisfying along with the different color palette.  I also bought it as it is relatively compact compared to a full frame DSLR of which I have a Nikon.

 

For travel I would want a compact Leica point and shoot with good autofocus.  I usually use 21, 28, or 35mm lenses on my Ms so would favor either the X series or D Lux.  

 

My question is will I get the sharpness and color similar to the ASPH M lenses and CCD sensor of the M9?

 

For those that use the M but also want a compact to travel or for other reasons, what Leica compact have they found to be satisfying? 

 

 

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I like the color, sharpness and overall picture quality using my wide angle ASPH Leica lenses along with my M9 and MM.....

 

For travel I would want a compact Leica point and shoot with good autofocus.  I usually use 21, 28, or 35mm lenses on my Ms so would favor either the X series or D Lux....  

 

My question is will I get the sharpness and color similar to the ASPH M lenses and CCD sensor of the M9?.....

 

If you´re pixel-peeping, the answer is, quite simply "NO!"

 

With a more realistic attitude, images from my aging X1 sometimes come close to those from M9/MM with top notch glass.  So I suppose newer X series cameras will, too.  My older, small sensor DLuxes don´t come close; I´ve not tried the latest 109, but my experience with Panasonic micro-four-third sensor cameras is that there´s still a considerable gap between them and the M series.

 

My own compact nowadays is a Ricoh GR, which even beats the X1 (and is much faster and more convenient to use).  The colours from the GR aren´t quite up to the M9 CCD, but B/W conversions are uncannily good (and I do own and use a MM).  A great buy really.  BUT: I would not buy anything at all right now, before seeing what will be presented at the Photokina next week...

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With most compacts, I often whish I had my M9 with me when shooting the picture.

With my X2 this is not the case. It can produce almost the same results as the M9 and often with less PP effort.

 

So I suppose the X series is the way to go for you.

Make sure that the camera is really a lot more compact and lighter than the M. The X2 fits the bill perfectly IMO.

 

With the Q , I have no doubts regarding IQ, but I am afraid size and weight do not differentiate it enough from the M with a smallish lens. So I might as well take the M9 with me then.

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For the quality you're looking for, it's still one of the fixed lens APS-C options: either the X100 series (AF is much improved on the original version after firmware updates. It's quite inexpensive now) and the Ricoh GR. The X100 even has the option of a wide angle converter you can get to take its 35mm equivalent focal length down to 28mm. The GR has a 28mm equivalent lens.

 

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For the quality you're looking for, it's still one of the fixed lens APS-C options: either the X100 series (AF is much improved on the original version after firmware updates. It's quite inexpensive now) and the Ricoh GR. The X100 even has the option of a wide angle converter you can get to take its 35mm equivalent focal length down to 28mm. The GR has a 28mm equivalent lens.

 

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Don't make the mistake I did of adding a filter, lens hood and thumbs up. With all those on its almost the size of my m9.

 

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Thanks for all of your replies.  I looked on the Leica website since I haven't looked at equipment in over a year.  What a different that makes as I barely heard about the Leica T and the new TL is being announced this month.  Although I wanted something compact, I realized that I would be willing to put up with something up to a M sized camera if it had great autofocus, was wide angle and had great picture quality.  I don't pixel peep but print from 8x10 up to 16x20.

 

The Leica Q seems to fit the bill.  Even though it has a CMOS sensor, the colors it produces are more saturated by report ala M9 style, is full frame and has a 28mm lens which ties the 21mm focal length as my most used.  B&H and Adorama didn't have any in stock although the large volume stores usually don't have any stock of the more popular items.  I called a local shop which had the original MM when they were rare as hens teeth and low and behold, they had one in stock.  It will be in my hands by Tuesday.  I just updated LR 6 to the latest so I can process photos from the Q.  Thanks all.  

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Just goes to show how elegant the M actually is. Not possible to get much smaller and still get anything near its image quality. I'd still go for the (okay , naked ) X100/S/T over the X because of its brilliant hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder.

 

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Just goes to show how elegant the M actually is. Not possible to get much smaller and still get anything near its image quality. I'd still go for the (okay , naked ) X100/S/T over the X because of its brilliant hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder.

 

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If I could justify the Q I'd still keep my original x100. There's something magical about the Bayer sensor.

 

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Ditto. I am holding on to my original X100 for the same reason. It produces files of a more natural color, esp in skin tones, than the sometimes overcooked, over-processed look you get from the subsequent X trans-sensor.

 

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Ditto. I am holding on to my original X100 for the same reason. It produces files of a more natural color, esp in skin tones, than the sometimes overcooked, over-processed look you get from the subsequent X trans-sensor.

 

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I sold my X100 sadly. Mostly because it funded, along with my 7D and Canon Lenses, my M8 back then. I did love the X100 and the files it produced. My main problem with the camera was the horrible hit rate (maybe 60%) I had with the (slow) autofocus, along with a nearly unusable manual focus. I might try to pick another one up one day, if I find it cheap. 

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I sold my X100 sadly. Mostly because it funded, along with my 7D and Canon Lenses, my M8 back then. I did love the X100 and the files it produced. My main problem with the camera was the horrible hit rate (maybe 60%) I had with the (slow) autofocus, along with a nearly unusable manual focus. I might try to pick another one up one day, if I find it cheap.

I picked up my x100 again for the first time since getting my m9 after my son was born and I loved the rendering and the close focus compared to my m9 and 50mm Summarit was great. I then took it out thinking the autofocus would allow me to get a better keep rate when he was crawling around but not necessarily so. The same with my xe1 and 18-55mm lens maybe I need more practice using af after being solely manual for a while!

 

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Good decision. I have the Q and it compliments my M9P very well. Although the size is similar to M bodies, it's actually much lighter when considering that it's a body+lens combo.

 

It's a very versatile camera when travelling, with it's decent video feature, low-light capabilities (very usable high-ISO plus image stabilization), e-shutter up to 1/16000 sec (almost like built-in ND filter), blazingly fast autofocus, touchscreen, and near silent shutter. And yes, the IQ of the Q rivals the M9P + 50 lux.

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Good decision. I have the Q and it compliments my M9P very well. Although the size is similar to M bodies, it's actually much lighter when considering that it's a body+lens combo.

 

It's a very versatile camera when travelling, with it's decent video feature, low-light capabilities (very usable high-ISO plus image stabilization), e-shutter up to 1/16000 sec (almost like built-in ND filter), blazingly fast autofocus, touchscreen, and near silent shutter. And yes, the IQ of the Q rivals the M9P + 50 lux.

 

Thank you, I'm planning on the Q replacing my M9P and MM as my only travel camera as I light to travel light given today's airport/airline practices since 9/11.  How have people found the Q in regards to black and white.  I've read the consensus is the M8 did better than the M9 on B&W conversions.

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Thank you, I'm planning on the Q replacing my M9P and MM as my only travel camera as I light to travel light given today's airport/airline practices since 9/11.  How have people found the Q in regards to black and white.  I've read the consensus is the M8 did better than the M9 on B&W conversions.

 

 

I'd make sure you have a small lens, a one camera bag and simply use the M9, when it's a one camera trip. Get a MkIV 35mm summicron if you haven't already

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I currently only have the MM (traded M9 for it) and I planned to get another M9 because I really love the files I get using that camera.  I can't afford a second M right now and that is good because I want to learn to use and enjoy the B&W experience for a while.

 

The relevance here is that I have a Leica X and have used an X100, X100s and X1 in the past. These are fabulous cameras.  IMHO they don't duplicate the M9 but they do better in lower light and I have made beautiful enlargements with them.  While the X may not rival the Q for resolution, I prefer the way the X handles myself in size, ergonomics and so on.....for significantly less money. Otherwise, I agree with  IWC Doppel's suggestion to travel with M9 and 35v4!

 

David

 

 

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I currently only have the MM (traded M9 for it) and I planned to get another M9 because I really love the files I get using that camera.  I can't afford a second M right now and that is good because I want to learn to use and enjoy the B&W experience for a while.

 

The relevance here is that I have a Leica X and have used an X100, X100s and X1 in the past. These are fabulous cameras.  IMHO they don't duplicate the M9 but they do better in lower light and I have made beautiful enlargements with them.  While the X may not rival the Q for resolution, I prefer the way the X handles myself in size, ergonomics and so on.....for significantly less money. Otherwise, I agree with  IWC Doppel's suggestion to travel with M9 and 35v4!

 

David

 

 

I bought a Fuji X100s when they came out and sold it 12m later as I hardly used it, and always took my M9 with me. It fitted in my pocket, but add keys, wallet mobile etc, might as well have a small ban n pop the M in!

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