Is the M9 still worth it in 2020?

[ianman]

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1 hour ago, pedaes said:

They are much to good to share😉

Now we know!

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, ianman said:

I have to admit that the first generation sensor seemed to attract a lot of dust. I used to call it the Dyson M9. I used to clean the thing very very often. Since the sensor was changed in 2016, I've cleaned it maybe five times at the very most. Maybe it's due to the sensor, maybe it's due to my method (I now use a LensPen SensorKlear). With the older sensor, a blower would move nothing, now even a quick blow job seems to make it (and me) happy.

I agree with this experience - assumed it was manufacturing stuff in the early days, certainly the oil spots are no more.

[Ko.Fe.]

7 hours ago, analog-digital said:

And now, Ko.Fe.?

Don't know, yet. Going to take it with me on the trip to where I had my M-E from. Will decide after it.

I'm not big fan of M9 sensors colors, but I like how clear are low ISO images. CMOS can't give it.

I have some money to develop C-41 film in the lab, but it is not productive even as hobby. Might let go to my M4-2 as well.

For my own needs I would like to have weather sealed M with higher ISO. 

For someone who comes from film M, I don't know. M9 sensor isn't film.  

[Archiver]

On 2/27/2020 at 4:30 AM, ianman said:

I have to admit that the first generation sensor seemed to attract a lot of dust. I used to call it the Dyson M9. I used to clean the thing very very often. Since the sensor was changed in 2016, I've cleaned it maybe five times at the very most. Maybe it's due to the sensor, maybe it's due to my method (I now use a LensPen SensorKlear). With the older sensor, a blower would move nothing, now even a quick blow job seems to make it (and me) happy.

This is a good point. Until the sensor was changed, my M9 was a dust magnet. Since then, it's only had one or two spots that have been easily cleaned off, over the course of two and half years.

I'm not even going to mention how a quick blow job seems to make your M9 and you happy. You should aim for longer ones. 🙃

Edited February 29, 2020 by Archiver

[musicsoul]

So I again have the same question allot of people have. But I’m curious what you think.

I can buy a M9 with replaced sensor for 1800 euro’s. 7000 shutter count.

Or a M262 for 3000 euro’s

Or a M-P 240 3600 euro’s

Or wait for a second hand M10 (around 4500 euro’s). 
 

It wil be my only digital camera. My other camera is an M6 which I love. The M240/262 are fine but they don’t feel “Leica” to me. Probably because of my M6. For iso a need max 3200, which is a problem with the M9 right? The price of the M9 is a tempting way to start with a digital Leica.

[FrozenInTime]

Wait, in a few months the M10-R should drop the used M10 prices.

The M9 produced great base ISO images, but its electronics were poor from the start with SD card and battery interactions and the LCD really bad in any light. 

ISO >> 640 was a step into banding issues.

 

[ianman]

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59 minutes ago, musicsoul said:

For iso a need max 3200, which is a problem with the M9 right?

Yes, as the M9 goes to a max of 2500. I've never needed more than 800 which it does with no issues. I am also one of the lucky ones I guess as I've never had any problems with electronics or SD cards and the only problematic battery was a cheap-ish third party POS that was duly dumped. I'm still using the original battery that came with the camera in 2009.

So, if you need ISO 3200, the M9 will not meet your requirements. Also if you need video and LV or need to shoot it like a machine gun then it's not for you. Like you, I come from film and I use my M9 much like I use a film camera.

Regarding prices, 1800€ for such a low shutter count is lower than I've seen, if the body is in good cosmetic condition then it is a very good price. OTOH 3600€ for an 240P seem on the high side... to say the least.

On a purely personal note, for all it's lack of bells and whistles I'd get an M9 or sibling over any other digital M because the quality of the images it produces far outweighs it's "issues" (noisy, no mega high iso, bad screen). Minor reasons why I prefer it are that it still has the "classic" look, with the frameline illuminator window, the recess on the top plate, etc. And I like and use the frameline selector.

Edited March 9, 2020 by ianman

[WvE]

For now I'd go for the M9. Other than the sensor I had no real issues with it (mine is soon 9 years old). Yes it has it's limitations but under the right conditions its IQ hard to beat. It's the right "upgrade" to the M6 🙂 

Whenever the M11 comes out you can consider to buy a used M10 or even the M11 '(if its that good), until then, enjoy the M9 (I'm sure it will hold its value given its unique IQ).    

[Topsy]

52 minutes ago, ianman said:

Yes, as the M9 goes to a max of 2500. I've never needed more than 800 which it does with no issues. I am also one of the lucky ones I guess as I've never had any problems with electronics or SD cards and the only problematic battery was a cheap-ish third party POS that was duly dumped. I'm still using the original battery that came with the camera in 2009.

So, if you need ISO 3200, the M9 will not meet your requirements. Also if you need video and LV or need to shoot it like a machine gun then it's not for you. Like you, I come from film and I use my M9 much like I use a film camera.

Regarding prices, 1800€ for such a low shutter count is lower than I've seen, if the body is in good cosmetic condition then it is a very good price. OTOH 3600€ for an 240P seem on the high side... to say the least.

On a purely personal note, for all it's lack of bells and whistles I'd get an M9 or sibling over any other digital M because the quality of the images it produces far outweighs it's "issues" (noisy, no mega high iso, bad screen). Minor reasons why I prefer it are that it still has the "classic" look, with the frameline illuminator window, the recess on the top plate, etc. And I like and use the frameline selector.

I agree with everything Ian has said here and I would offer that an M9 alongside a film M will not bring frustration to the meeting because it is not super fast super high ISO etc so working with it is similar to a film M.

[musicsoul]

Thanks for the responses! I just heard the sensor was replaced not that long ago. And it's a store, I can send it back within 14 days and I get 3 months of warranty. So I will order the M9

[analog-digital]

Somehow, the M8 is also a good choice ...... and so much cheaper ....😇😎

[EdricBF]

I have a replaced-sensor M9 and love its sort of "Kodachrome" picture output. But I have another mirrorless system to fill my other photo preferences (AF, IBIS, OIS etc.). If I were to select the "one and only" digital Leica, I would buy the latest one (M10). And if money was tight for an M9, I wouldn't have purchased any Leica in the first place...

[ianman]

1 hour ago, EdricBF said:

And if money was tight for an M9, I wouldn't have purchased any Leica in the first place...

IMHO this is a misconception, to some extent anyway. It would depend just how tight money is at the point of decision. For example I'm sure that over the 10 and a half years that I've had my M9, some people have bought a load of "cheap" cameras and paid a much higher price over the years.

I have to say, yet again, that I just don't understand when someone writes "I love the output of the M9, but I'll get an M240/M10/M11"... you'll loose the output you love so much. You will get a quieter shutter, higher iso, apparently a better VF (not that I've noticed), etc. The smaller body is, to me, barely noticeable if at all (I use an MP too so I know). I'm sure it's all very nice to have, but to me it seems all so insignificant compared to the output, after all isn't that what counts?

[ianman]

3 hours ago, musicsoul said:

Thanks for the responses! I just heard the sensor was replaced not that long ago. And it's a store, I can send it back within 14 days and I get 3 months of warranty. So I will order the M9

To be honest if it's from a store, at that price, it's a really good deal. And as you say, you can send it back if you decide you don't like it after all. Now though comes the difficult part... choosing a bag!!!! 🙂

The store will probably give it to you along with the camera, but just make sure you get the official Leica CS document stating that the sensor was changed. It's good to have this if you want to sell it on later.

Edited March 9, 2020 by ianman

[ianman]

4 hours ago, analog-digital said:

Somehow, the M8 is also a good choice ...... and so much cheaper ....😇😎

Yes and yes 🙂 Certainly for B&W or even better B&W infrared. If not, I wouldn't want to go back to anything less than a full frame M.

[analog-digital]

@ianman

I have to disagree with you......😇 

I have/had some digital M's in my hand. The M8 already produces damn good B&W AND color pictures. I bet you wouldn't notice the difference under normal circumstances .....

And for a very good "Leica" price. 💪

[pedaes]

18 minutes ago, analog-digital said:

@ianman

I have to disagree with you......😇 

I have/had some digital M's in my hand. The M8 already produces damn good B&W AND color pictures. I bet you wouldn't notice the difference under normal circumstances .....

And for a very good "Leica" price. 💪

You have to be comfortable managing two things - its not 'full-frame' so you need to convert focal lengths, and you need to use a filter in certain situations.  Everything else is good.

[ianman]

27 minutes ago, analog-digital said:

I have to disagree with you......😇 

I have/had some digital M's in my hand. The M8 already produces damn good B&W AND color pictures. I bet you wouldn't notice the difference under normal circumstances .....

You are of course perfectly welcome disagree with me... but to be honest, I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with. I merely pointed out two of it's main characteristics. Namely that the M8 is a great choice for B&W and it's not full frame. I didn't write anything about it not being good for colour.

[otto.f]

6 hours ago, musicsoul said:

Thanks for the responses! I just heard the sensor was replaced not that long ago. And it's a store, I can send it back within 14 days and I get 3 months of warranty. So I will order the M9

You can’t go wrong with that. But I would test it thoroughly and soon because the price would make me a bit suspicious. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[analog-digital]

Let's put it this way, for 95% of the pictures I see here, a Leica M8 would suffice .....

That says a lot about the quality of the Leica M8. Especially since I think the CCD sensor already has something "magical". And from 90 or 135mm with this sensor it becomes a few mm more .... .👁️