M9M VS M10M

[a.noctilux]

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1 hour ago, zoe said:

This thread is so interesting and helpful that I hope it continues. I don't own either camera but I am about to make a purchase. Thanks to the contributors.

Either Monochrom can give excellent results.

Neither/either one will be limited only by user's skill (or lack of ...).

Each Monochrom must be learned how to use at best, and results are not "good out of the box" ( most of time ).

 

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[AceVentura1986]

On 3/8/2020 at 1:40 PM, a.noctilux said:

Each Monochrom must be learned how to use at best, and results are not "good out of the box" ( most of time ).

 

Must agree with this, esp re the M9M. While the results are generally rather flat, the images perk up easily with just a bit of tweaking. 

[fotografr]

On 3/8/2020 at 8:48 AM, zoe said:

This thread is so interesting and helpful that I hope it continues. I don't own either camera but I am about to make a purchase. Thanks to the contributors.

Which one--MM1 or M10M?

[davidmknoble]

5 hours ago, fotografr said:

Which one--MM1 or M10M?

Depends on your budget.  After using all three, each one takes a good step up in both dynamic range and noise reduction.  

My favorite is the M10M, but for several different reasons, I love the film body size and it's much easier to carry and switch between an MP and the M10 series.  Also, I enjoy printing S007 images at 17x22 inches and framing to hang in my office.  The M10M provides a native resolution that allows me to do this with no upsizing. 

Best, the M10M does incredibly well at ISO 50,000.  Many may not care about the higher ISO, but I carry this body around day and night and shoot some very early morning and late night shots.  With the M246 I've either gotten banding when doing that, or occasionally just blurry shots from low shutter speeds.  I actually posted a picture on instagram of a 17x22 print from an ISO 50,000 shot with the M10M that was, IMHO, better than the Ilford 3200 I've exposed and printed. (Instagram @davidmatthewknoble).

I believe the M10M is the first body that rivals some film and exceeds some film very well.  

Just my opinion....

[davidmknoble]

Here are the instagram images (sorry, they are 1080 pixels wide).  But they show the general ability of ISO 50,000.

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[pdandurand]

On 2/22/2020 at 1:02 PM, shirubadanieru said:

Reporting back after using the camera a bit more:

1) I am definitely happier with the output than I was in the beginning, and feel my editing has also gotten better
2) I feel I like the tonality more when shooting with a yellow filter; I also tried a orange filter but the effect was a bit too strong for my taste
3) My vintage lens from the 1950s definitely are much sharper wide open than with any other digital Leica; this is something I'm still getting used to and it has its pros/cons
4) ISO / Usability wise, the M10M is simply much better than the M9M, and a joy to use

In the end, even though I feel some nostalgia for the M9M I will keep the M10M as my only digital (hopefully long term) camera.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts! Much appreciated : ) 

Three years later... How is it going with your M10M. Did you keep your M9M? Some people talk about the grain-look with the CCD sensor and some say you can produce grain with post-shoot editing. However, if the grain structure is more "digital-like" rather than "film-like" to begin with, then no matter what you do with Lightroom or PS, I think you can get more organic results with a CCD sensor. 

Having said that, I had an M9-P years ago, but Leica lost it when I sent it in to get the sensor replaced. They gave me a new M240 and I traded it in for a Leica Q. I still have the Q, but just bought a used M9. Now, I'm thinking about returning it and getting a monochrom M. I haven't found a Leica store yet selling an M9M, but a few have the M10M. I shoot mainly street photography and some portraiture. I could keep the M9 and convert the color to B&W with LR, but then maybe it's the time to get a monochrom.

Thoughts on where you are today with your experience?

[shirubadanieru]

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5 hours ago, pdandurand said:

Three years later... How is it going with your M10M. Did you keep your M9M? Some people talk about the grain-look with the CCD sensor and some say you can produce grain with post-shoot editing. However, if the grain structure is more "digital-like" rather than "film-like" to begin with, then no matter what you do with Lightroom or PS, I think you can get more organic results with a CCD sensor. 

Having said that, I had an M9-P years ago, but Leica lost it when I sent it in to get the sensor replaced. They gave me a new M240 and I traded it in for a Leica Q. I still have the Q, but just bought a used M9. Now, I'm thinking about returning it and getting a monochrom M. I haven't found a Leica store yet selling an M9M, but a few have the M10M. I shoot mainly street photography and some portraiture. I could keep the M9 and convert the color to B&W with LR, but then maybe it's the time to get a monochrom.

Thoughts on where you are today with your experience?

Very simple answer…hehe I’m back to shooting film only, because digital can never get closer for me. That being said, Monochrom was the closest if you enjoy B&W that is. Any Monochrom would do. M9M now is getting quite old though…but does have the CCD sensor and 18MP are more than enough. If you shoot mainly during daytime, this is still the best camera, and while it can do high ISOs VS the M9 the files lose detail and get some noise, tbh CCD or not I still find digital noise ugly. M10M can shoot under any condition though, so it is the most versatile camera…and also, newer and more reliable. Too many MP though, making it easier to notice vibration..you’d need to shoot 1/500 and above ideally with a 35mm or 50mm to avoid this. It’s not ideal, but given the camera can shoot at ridiculous ISO speeds, it’s not an issue either. 

[costa43]

I'm debating between these two at the moment. I sold an M9M which I regret dearly and want to either buy it back or go for an M10M. This thread has been helpful. 

[Olaf_ZG]

I had the original, now have the m10m. Regret sometimes selling the original but will not sell the 10.

However, if I now would buy the original, I would add a colour m9 as well.