Leica M9 in 2024

[3D-Kraft.com]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Yes, it's quite subjective - even when you take skin tones as reference. Also lighting, lenses etc. play a role as well as the tool and profile, you use to "develop" from the DNG files.

Torsten Overgaard also noted in his M9 review "the skin colors are a tad reddish/orange". He provides presets for Lightroom and somewhere I read, what his main adjustments have been. I don't find it anymore, but it was somethink like a reduction of the orange tones by about 40%.

EDIT: Here you find such a discussion with recommendations: https://www.getdpi.com/forum/index.php?threads/lightroom-settings-adjustments-m9.29120/ (e.g.: "For example I read on the excellent Overgaard site that he usually desauturates 8-10% on the reds and 10-30% on the orange")

Edited June 5, 2024 by 3D-Kraft.com

[Casey Jefferson]

5 hours ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

Yes, it's quite subjective - even when you take skin tones as reference. Also lighting, lenses etc. play a role as well as the tool and profile, you use to "develop" from the DNG files.

Torsten Overgaard also noted in his M9 review "the skin colors are a tad reddish/orange". He provides presets for Lightroom and somewhere I read, what his main adjustments have been. I don't find it anymore, but it was somethink like a reduction of the orange tones by about 40%.

EDIT: Here you find such a discussion with recommendations: https://www.getdpi.com/forum/index.php?threads/lightroom-settings-adjustments-m9.29120/ (e.g.: "For example I read on the excellent Overgaard site that he usually desauturates 8-10% on the reds and 10-30% on the orange")

Maybe it's the lens. I shall borrow a Leica lens to test out. So far Thypoch really giving me very natural color palette and I don't feel any color oversaturating, and I understand that the summilux and nocts give really punchy colors.

[Casey Jefferson]

Thypoch 28mm + M9

That classic Leica pop (for lack of better word!). Again sooc with minor EV adjustment and slight crop on LR mobile. I've never shot with a camera and lens combo this addicting! 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Budfox]

I had never heard of Thypoch lenses before - but the results look pretty good to me. I initially thought it might have been a long lost archived Leica rarity.

[Ko.Fe.]

On 6/2/2024 at 6:51 PM, Casey Jefferson said:

Good day everyone! I would like to share my thoughts after revisiting the ill fated first FF digital M from Leica.

First of all this is my 3rd M9 - first being a corroded original sensor, second an ID15/16 sensor, and now original sensor with replaced filter glass (in Beijing).

I sold the first one because I'm not ready to take the risk sending it over for filter glass replacement, and it always give me a sense of hit or miss with the colors (pairing with 35/2 cron asph). But I like it enough to try out a new sensor M9 - I can immediately tell the rendering is different, colors looks a little more saturated and modern rather than slightly rustic output, and often put out excessive blue tint to shadows areas and especially annoying when the human eyes rendered slightly blue on the white areas.

I went through M-P240 and then Q2 and I end up missing the M9 colors, that's where the 3rd one comes in, and the price is right. It has all the quirks owners complained during the early days - banding in shadows, vertical line in very underexposed areas, SD card lock message. But boy the colors! For the very first time I was blown away by the rendering. The DNG often need no more than slight EV adjustment white balance fine tuning. It has clarity as well as just the right contrast that even leaving the image slightly darker works just as well, and that's what I believed to have given the classic M9 look where many of the user posted images were slightly darker or simply SOOC.

A few more thoughts:

1) I've read about SD card lock error and I did discover insert and pressing the card down all the way (don't press hard!) seems to cure the problem. If done right, pressing the card (when ejecting) won't give the click noise. Haven't hear anyone talk about it but the error rarely happen ever since, if anything, I habitually switch on and check after inserting the card, it'll give out the error within few seconds if not done right.

2) I feel like I can shoot this M9 with JPEG only (save for low light ISO640 DNG push method), colors seem more natural than what I remembered from the previous two copies, exposure is much more predictable too, it's just as reliable as shooting with the newer M models. The first M9 had some funky color response like magenta shift to the reds, and when I push the DNG where the colors will eventually become cartoonish, for lack of better words. 

3) The experience of shooting with this M9 reminds me so much about the good old days. I used to shoot with an old Canon digital compact camera and leaving everything on auto and never feel the need to edit them.

Here are few sample shots, with my one and only M lens I have now - Thypoch 28mm. Only very little editing done to them, colors untouched straight from DNG.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

So...What's my verdict? If you can find one original sensor with replaced filter glass it's imho the best way to still enjoy the M9 CCD goodness. Do check everything as the workmanship for replacing the glass varies a lot, according to various owners in China sharing their experiences. So far I haven't seen convincing outputs from M9 replaced by Kolari, the color rendering seems different.

It is all subjective. I can't say I'm impressed by first two from yours. Sorry.

But I'm 100% with you on M9 sensors colors not the be the same after "corrosion" replacement. Honestly, I miss original rendering after it was replaced on my M-E 220. Too much of the blue.  And kind of liquid feel is gone (I see this feel on your last three ones). Also, more cast in the corners started to show up even on lenses it wasn't before. Something like on your last image, BLC, just much more with Wetzlar replacement. 

But it is still the camera I like most, because rangefinder was my only camera for years at very beginning. 

The fact I could buy replacement battery in 2024 for very low price is also an anchoring factor

I should not have to sell mint M8 which I purchased shortly after getting M-E 220.

They went very low in price for sometime. Perfect everyday, everywhere digital Ms, without been worried of wearing $$$$. And rendering is very close to original M9 sensor. 

[Casey Jefferson]

3 hours ago, Ko.Fe. said:

 

But I'm 100% with you on M9 sensors colors not the be the same after "corrosion" replacement. Honestly, I miss original rendering after it was replaced on my M-E 220. Too much of the blue.  And kind of liquid feel is gone (I see this feel on your last three ones). Also, more cast in the corners started to show up even on lenses it wasn't before. Something like on your last image, BLC, just much more with Wetzlar replacement. 

 

You did find the colors are not the same after official replacement from Leica and it's reassurance to me, always feels like I'm the only one who saw differences. 😁 Glad you also notice the corner color cast correction were messed up a little. 

"Liquid" feel is very well described with the rendering of the original. I'm sure there are slight difference after filter glass replacement but I feel it's more reliable than ever, if anything. The metering is dead on, and predictable. The white balance also for some weird reason accurate for the most part, including golden hour and blue hour and warm artificial light. This is my first digital camera that I can rely on sooc most of the time.

[Ko.Fe.]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

7 hours ago, Casey Jefferson said:

You did find the colors are not the same after official replacement from Leica and it's reassurance to me, always feels like I'm the only one who saw differences. 😁 Glad you also notice the corner color cast correction were messed up a little. 

"Liquid" feel is very well described with the rendering of the original. I'm sure there are slight difference after filter glass replacement but I feel it's more reliable than ever, if anything. The metering is dead on, and predictable. The white balance also for some weird reason accurate for the most part, including golden hour and blue hour and warm artificial light. This is my first digital camera that I can rely on sooc most of the time.

I'm in the broadcast business, we get used to notice the differences on the images.

I think, I'll finally follow jaapv's recommendation to use IR cut filter for M9 sensors.  

[Olaf_ZG]

I just ordered a m9… 

[Olaf_ZG]

I should maybe explain why… I used to have the mm, which was great, except for its buffer, and sometimes, when photographing out of focus (on purpose) images I shoot a lot. Traded the mm for the m10m. Couldn’t afford both at that time.

For colour I have the SL system, but it is heavy for just going out for a walk, hence the desire for a colour m or film camera.

Settled down for the m9 cause I really loved the mm, and with colour, having a SL, I don’t need the speed…

 

[DennisPT]

2 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

I should maybe explain why… I used to have the mm, which was great, except for its buffer, and sometimes, when photographing out of focus (on purpose) images I shoot a lot. Traded the mm for the m10m. Couldn’t afford both at that time.

For colour I have the SL system, but it is heavy for just going out for a walk, hence the desire for a colour m or film camera.

Settled down for the m9 cause I really loved the mm, and with colour, having a SL, I don’t need the speed…

 

I quitted using the SL because of the weight and replaced with an M10P if I need live view.  Still kept my M9P for colour and use it as my primary camera when there is enough light.

Congratulations and hope you like your M9!

[swatch]

On 7/12/2024 at 4:57 PM, Ko.Fe. said:

I'm in the broadcast business, we get used to notice the differences on the images.

I think, I'll finally follow jaapv's recommendation to use IR cut filter for M9 sensors.  

Hello Ko.Fe

May I ask what benefit a IR filter brings for M9?

[Ko.Fe.]

On 10/15/2024 at 5:50 AM, swatch said:

Hello Ko.Fe

May I ask what benefit a IR filter brings for M9?

Same as on M8. Let me know if you need help to google it.

[rivi1969]

On 10/14/2024 at 9:50 PM, swatch said:

Hello Ko.Fe

May I ask what benefit a IR filter brings for M9?

Having both an M8 and M9P I see zero benefit using those filters with my M9P. The magenta color cast of the M8 is not present on my 9.

[3D-Kraft.com]

Am 15.10.2024 um 05:50 schrieb swatch:

May I ask what benefit a IR filter brings for M9?

Also the M9 IR-cut filter is not perfect but it performs comparable to most other cameras of that time. It is still possible to create extreme situations where you will see some purple cast on dark surfaces or shifted green tones.

But in most of the typical photo situations, I see no reason to use an IR cut filter on the M9. Here an additional glass layer only produces disadvantages.

[Steadimann]

Yes.

I bought M9P for myself - amazing camera. Love the sound, love image quality. Some reviewer said you cannot go with ISO higher 800. Shot this at 1600, also did test 2000 - no problem. Noise is there at 1600, but nothing major. 

IF i knew that I could have purchased 15 year old Leica M for a bit over 3k Euros and get what I get, I would have got it instead of Q2 which was my venture into Leica.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Steadimann]

and if you put sharp lens on it, resolution and details are insane. Above picture was shot with 35 Summilux steelrim reissue wide open, so soft.. But shot with 35Apo, sharpness is breathtaking. 

[3D-Kraft.com]

vor 17 Stunden schrieb Steadimann:

Some reviewer said you cannot go with ISO higher 800. Shot this at 1600, also did test 2000 - no problem. Noise is there at 1600, but nothing major.

The visibility of noise is not the major issue. The problem is the already quite limited dynamic range of 11.7 f-stops, that will get further reduced by another 3 - 4 stops in the ISO settings you tested. Your example does not show high demands on the dynamic range, but as soon as there is more light and more shadow in the image, you quickly see the limits.

[Steadimann]

17 minutes ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

The visibility of noise is not the major issue. The problem is the already quite limited dynamic range of 11.7 f-stops, that will get further reduced by another 3 - 4 stops in the ISO settings you tested. Your example does not show high demands on the dynamic range, but as soon as there is more light and more shadow in the image, you quickly see the limits.

true, but it normal situations it's not an issuebe . And I tend to one of those who does not think photograph has to be perfect in technical sense. I don't really care.. perfect = boring  

Edited January 15 by Steadimann

[3D-Kraft.com]

Yes, we are closer to film than with any other digital M.🙂

Edited January 15 by 3D-Kraft.com

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Steadimann]

answering one of the questions whether m9 is worth it in 2025  of course this is only one side of the story, but here is M11 vs M9 - 60 mgpxl vs 18 mgpxl - shot with same lens, both perfectly focused. Ones who know technical details well will know the answer, but still.. which is which and why? One image is 100% scaled, another - 180%. Made both BW so colours would not give it out.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!