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a M9/ME as a travel companion to my M10


fatihayoglu

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Hi all,

 

I am thinking to acquire a M9 or ME as a second camera to team up with my M10. My plan is to travel with 2 camera, one is attached with 35cron and one is attached with 50cron or lux, rather than trying to swap lenses. I usually do street but also do some portraits on the street. For portraits I find 35 a bit distorted hence the need for 50.

 

So I was thinking about this combo. I know about the sensor placement of these models but is there something else I should pay attention?

Also what are the exact difference between M9, M9P and ME (except the latter one doesn't have USB port, which I don't know the use of)

 

Looking forward to hear your thoughts.

 

Cheers,

 

Fatih

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The main potential issue for the M9 series cameras is the sensor corrosion issue which is well documented and discussed on this forum. Just make sure you get one that already has the new-gen sensor. 

 

You might also want to pair the M9 with your faster lenses since it has a comparative disadvantage to your M10 in terms of high ISO IQ. But then again, high ISO images from the M9, especially in B&W, can be an acquired taste. 

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M-E grey ‘battleship’ colour only. No USB port or frameline lever. No top plate engraving

 

M9 black or grey (lighter grey to ME) No top plate engraving

 

M9P black or silver chrome, no red dot logo on the font, top plate engraving, and sapphire lcd screen

 

As mentioned endeavour to find one with a late (late as possible) sensor replacement.

 

As with any secondhand product, check that everything works, it’s not full of dust, the RF is calibrated and overall condition is in keeping with the price

 

Markets vary around the world... but the m9 seems to have become a two league game, tatty, worn, old sensor and cheap vs good condition, new sensor replacement and less cheap ;) personally I went with the latter.

 

Compared to the M10 (or in fact most cameras) the m9 will feel it’s age in terms of menu responsiveness, shot to shot times, buffer clearing, iso performance, iso selection (needs two hands and you have to press and hold the iso button) and IIRC (anyone?) the M9 is the only FF digital M that has frameline calibration set at 1 meter (which might grate swapping between two different Ms)

 

If you’re shopping for a ‘minty’ new sensor m9, you could most likely get a M240 for the same coin...

 

The m9 is a bit special though (not saying the 240 isn’t) and being the world’s only FF CCD camera does give you images that have something of a signature look about them, and a lot of people really fall for those files.

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My concern would be the weight of traveling with two Leicas with lenses to gain not a massive difference in focal length.

 

The M9 is a fantastic camera, issues with it are 'poor' high ISO capabilities. The sweet spot seems to be ISO 160. I tend to shoot at low iso then under expose and pull back shadow detail in lightroom which usually gives a less noisy image.

 

The buffer is also an issue if you shoot 6/7 images on quick succession it tends to lock up the camera for a short time which is irritating.

 

Advantages: CCD sensor is amazing, will you be post processing the m10 images to match the M9?

Simplicity, no video, no bells and whistles. Not a lot to set up just go out and shoot.

 

Difference between m9 and ME is the colour, lack of USB port (never used this anyway) lack of frame line lever (very rarely used this)

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...

 
Since the M10 uses different batteries and chargers than any other digital Leicas, traveling with your intended combination would be an exclusionary argument for me.
Not only as a backpacker I would like to have it easy and simple, with fewer electronic devices you might check in at airports less questioned.
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I kept my M9 after getting an M10, and they are fine to use together. However, others have made valid points about different batteries, etc. Weight may or may not be an issue for you - for decades my kit was and M4 (or 6) and a LeicaflexSL which is a load, taking different lenses,  but was very nice to use.

Now I'll often take the M10 (or 9) with an M (or CL) film camera. They use the same lenses, and don't need a different charger etc. I also use different F.L. and enjoy the different rendering of digital and film. Even my wife comments on how nice the color film images look.

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Actually, this is something I can do as well since I have a film MP that I shoot with TriX usually. My only hesitation is, I don’t trust myself too much but I guess I can’t advance my skills if I don’t try over and over again.

 

What is the general consensus of color film among the group? I know few people uses Portra 400 but I find the colours slightly muted. I prefer something with more saturation but I guess Ektachrome doesnt have 400? Any suggestions?

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Ektra (ISO 100) tends to be more vivid, and I like it when the weather is more cloudy. While I generally like the colors, it sometimes shows bright reds with an orange tint in bright sun, while indoors the reds are usually very nice. I also like the finer grain of Ektra. However, most people feel the color of Portra is more reliable.

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HCB had upto three cameras on him. So, it is absolutely normal to have two M.

Especially if one is to kept for special purpose as portraits on the street.

I agree with OP, 50 does it better and it sucks to change lenses on the street.

M-E was made well into 2015. This is why my M-E was getting new sensor for free this year.

But M9 or -P looks even nicer with worn out exterior, IMO.

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I agree with the OP, I too prefer changing cameras rather than lenses, I have an M9 and an MP(240). The only unfortunate thing is that I need to pack two different chargers for the batteries when travelling. All things being equal, I would prefer two or three bodies of the same model, but it is no big deal to have different models. With film, I worked with an M3, M4, and M6.

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I would adopt one of two options below:

 

1 - If I keep M10 as main M camera, I would take my "lens-porter-second-M" M-D as this one don't need another charger (in case just a second battery that will be fine)

I fear that in this configuration the M-D would become main camera :p (see second option)

2 - When I need two main M cameras (if my wife use one M ;) ) : that would be M-D and M(typ 262) and NO M10

those two share same charger and batteries and M(typ 262) is a bit lighter than my other Ms

 

:rolleyes:

1.1 outsider with M10 the other can be any film M, but depend on number of film rolls to carry

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I bit the bullet and bought a good condition M9-P (sensor changed in 2017 and with 4000 clicks on it) and ordered a new set of batteries. I will keep it until I am happy with my film skills (and of course scanning skills). Then we'll see, maybe I'll sell M9P and keep my film MP as travel companion. 

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I enjoy the fast switch between focal lengths in the field, thus I carry M10 + M9 most of the time. Combo works great for me. Both fit into a convenient Pacsafe hip bag, which is rather nondescript and leaves both hands free.

 

I use the M10 for wide or ultrawide (the latter because of EVF) and the M9 for normal or tele (the latter for better balance). Depending on location and theme, this setup may vary or may be accompanied by a film M or LTM - but three is definitely the maximum number of cameras I carry at a given time :).

 

Even three M‘s do not weigh me down more than my Nikon + battery grip + 24-70, which I still prefer for very rough environmental conditions.

 

My M9 has the new sensor. Before replacement, blue skies were full of wormholes...

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I use the M9 as a companion camera to my M8. It works very well for me. Switching the lenses around gives me new perspectives due to the 1.33 crop.

No, same perspective unless you change your camera position; otherwise just a cropped field of view, which you can also obtain through PP.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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I travel with a 3 camera setu, always have done since my film days (3 Canon F1ns, B&W, Col Neg, Col Slide). Now I take 3 M9s, 21, 35, 75, 90 & 135.

 

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