Me Leica! Posted July 27, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Aeons ago (or so it feels) I had an M8. Never had a more unreliable camera, but on the other hand never had more fun shooting with one (the only exception being my old R-D1). For all the shortcomings of RFs, the usability factor is very high. I've always been curious about the M9, and the prices are now sort of reasonable (that's "Leica reasonable", of course, which is a different scale to anyone else; find me another camera from 2009 which still retails for a third or more of its original price). Assuming that the sensor's been replaced (and this is stated on the shop displays), would you still get one today? Let's assume for now that I'm not really interested in the M240 or anything released since. The Monochrom is conceptually intriguing, but the prices are still significantly higher than the regular M9. I'm not concerned about its technical abilities, I have a fair idea of where the limits are. I'm looking for "objective" (pardon the linguistic pun) rather than subjective answers, bearing in mind the camera's age, and that it's an electronic device. On top of this, I'm in Japan, where people tend to take care of their cameras and where shops are scrupulously honest about the gear they carry. So the chances of being intentionally deceived are very slim. Edited July 27, 2018 by Me Leica! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 Hi Me Leica!, Take a look here Would you buy a used M9 today?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SunnySixteen Posted July 27, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 27, 2018 Aeons ago (or so it feels) I had an M8. Never had a more unreliable camera, but on the other hand never had more fun shooting with one (the only exception being my old R-D1). For all the shortcomings of RFs, the usability factor is very high. I've always been curious about the M9, and the prices are now sort of reasonable (that's "Leica reasonable", of course, which is a different scale to anyone else; find me another camera from 2009 which still retails for a third or more of its original price). Assuming that the sensor's been replaced (and this is stated on the shop displays), would you still get one today? Let's assume for now that I'm not really interested in the M240 or anything released since. The Monochrom is conceptually intriguing, but the prices are still significantly higher than the regular M9. I'm not concerned about its technical abilities, I have a fair idea of where the limits are. I'm looking for "objective" (pardon the linguistic pun) rather than subjective answers, bearing in mind the camera's age, and that it's an electronic device. On top of this, I'm in Japan, where people tend to take care of their cameras and where shops are scrupulously honest about the gear they carry. So the chances of being intentionally deceived are very slim. I say go for it. Full disclosure, I have never owned a digital M, but I am an avid user of film Leica, M6 and M2. I have been curious about digital M's lately and may jump over eventually, M9/M9-P with sensor replacement would be at the top of my wish list as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaeaix Posted July 27, 2018 Share #3 Posted July 27, 2018 Have owned both M8 and M9, in and out a couple of times. M9 is for sure a camera to own, if sensor is problem free. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 27, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 27, 2018 Experiences vary. For instance I owned two M8.2s and had no problems with either one. I sold one and traded another for the M240, and later for the M10, the best digital M I’ve owned. But if cost were a concern, I would take a chance on another M8.2, or in your case an M9, but only from a reputable dealer with some warranty. I always carry personal insurance for every other circumstance. I did additionally pick up a mint MM, with new sensor and Wetzlar service late last year, and the prices have come down about $400 since then. I should note that the camera has frozen once with a few lost shots, but has otherwise been fine. It’s not nearly as refined as the M10 (VF, noise, weather seal, etc), but the files are marvelous. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
low325 Posted July 27, 2018 Share #5 Posted July 27, 2018 I’m seriously considering picking up another M...if film I’m swaying to an M6, if digital I’m considering a second (yes 2nd) M9. Outsides of the sensor, the M9 is quirky. It freezes up on me once in a blue moon. Sometimes it can’t read my cards. And aside from adjusting the RF with every lens. My advise to anyone getting into RF is to keep it simple. But if your choices are between a M8 and M9, I’d aim for a M9. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted July 27, 2018 Share #6 Posted July 27, 2018 if you can afford one- and want one- then I say go get one. The m9 is an excellent camera- i took so many great photos with mine. It does sound and look a bit old after you have owned the next variations- but what never gets old is the image quality. I kind of miss the m9 compared to my m240 in that regard- the images just looked so good right out of the camera with little need to process. M240 files need more tweaking in my experience. The M9 images just have a certain snappy pop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted July 27, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 27, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) If here is bad M8 sindrome and concern for ten years old electronics, what is the deal to ignore M240? They are as M as any M Leica. It just takes extra time to get money for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denys Posted July 27, 2018 Share #8 Posted July 27, 2018 What’s the worst that can happen? Look after it and you’ll get most of your money back if you sell or trade in. Just to be pedantic, a “replaced” sensor could still corrode if the new sensor wasn’t the version 2 type. Like some others, my M9 had a replacement sensor before Leica solved the corrosion problem. That new sensor also corroded and was replaced by the version 2 type. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 27, 2018 Share #9 Posted July 27, 2018 I’m seriously considering picking up another M...if film I’m swaying to an M6, if digital I’m considering a second (yes 2nd) M9. Outsides of the sensor, the M9 is quirky. It freezes up on me once in a blue moon. Sometimes it can’t read my cards. And aside from adjusting the RF with every lens. My advise to anyone getting into RF is to keep it simple. But if your choices are between a M8 and M9, I’d aim for a M9. Misconception about adjustments. The RF does not get adjusted to the lens, nor the lens to the RF. Both are adjusted to a common standard - and separately. It has been this way since 1954. 1932 actually. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham (G4FUJ) Posted July 27, 2018 Share #10 Posted July 27, 2018 Would I buy one? As the owner of an M6 and M8, yes I would - when the funds are available But first another lens (or two). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted July 27, 2018 Share #11 Posted July 27, 2018 I bought my m9 three years ago and haven't looked back. It has it's quirks but these are outweighed by the positives. High ISO isn't the best, buffer gets filled up after six shots or so in succession which cave be really frustrating. But when the light is right it sings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim0266 Posted July 28, 2018 Share #12 Posted July 28, 2018 I'm not sure of your reasoning in dismissing the 240/262. Also not sure of prices in Japan, but here in the U.S the prices for used 240's are not much more than M9's, about $200 more. There is a cult that seems to have grown around the M9 (much like the over rated V4 35mm Cron) and its other worldly image rendering that people claim to see. Having owned the M9 before going to the M262 I would never go back to an M9. The 262 is simply better in so many ways and more camera for your money. Most of these apply to the 240 as well: 2 meter optimized frame lines. More accurate than M9. LED illuminated frame lines. better high ISO. New shutter. The sound of the shutter is sweet compared to M9. Smoother shutter release. Larger 1GB RAM buffer gives more headroom than M9. Ability to see ISO and EV values in the the viewfinder on startup. Better ergonomics of the setting dial compared to the M9. More accurate auto white balance means less time tweaking images in Lightroom. Fast setting of manual white balance due to direct WB button. Battery that seems to last forever. No live view or video mode (over 240). Less is more. No unnecessary USB port on side of camera akin the M-E. Body weight practically same as M9 series (plus over 240). Back LCD usable to see focus if needed. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 28, 2018 Share #13 Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) I would certainly do that if I didn’t have one already because of the 18Mp and the colors which are more neutral than anything that came after it in the M range (we must realize that high ISO’s come with a price). I would only buy from someone I can trust about the sensor being replaced. And I would go for an M9P because the sapphire screen would give me more freedom to move. Edited July 28, 2018 by otto.f 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzX Posted July 28, 2018 Share #14 Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) For a third or less of the original price and in good order I would go for it. But keep in mind, that for the lenses have their prices - even if they are second hand ones. Edited July 28, 2018 by HeinzX Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topsy Posted July 28, 2018 Share #15 Posted July 28, 2018 I would if I hadn't already bought 3 since last year. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted July 28, 2018 Share #16 Posted July 28, 2018 I just did! Brand new sensor, 2200 actuations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfunnell Posted July 29, 2018 Share #17 Posted July 29, 2018 Would appreciate anyone explaining how to tell if the new replaced sensor is a "type 2" . I have had a new M9 then the M9P (wish I had kept it) and then a ME for a while and would like to also buy another now as I miss the colour and rendering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted July 29, 2018 Share #18 Posted July 29, 2018 Would you buy a used M9 today? If mine was broken, yes. The reasons: - CCD - No pointless "features" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hello Posted July 29, 2018 Share #19 Posted July 29, 2018 If it was the Monochrom, yes I would. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
analog-digital Posted July 29, 2018 Share #20 Posted July 29, 2018 (edited) "...Would you buy a used M9 today? ..." NO! To expensive, not good enough. A M8 is still the cheaper and better choice. PS: I will sell mine in grey with a new sensor (2018). Edited July 29, 2018 by analog-digital 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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