M9 full specs and pictures are out. Let's discuss.

[nugat]

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Internet is full of m9 brochure download sites, specs, pictures from the official microsite etc.

We can discuss them without links, right?

My first impression: it's an M8.3 with a full frame sensor.

Edited September 5, 2009 by nugat

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[futureancient]

Cant see any reason why we can't discuss them without posting links.

 

Gotta say the images were great.

[erlingmm]

OK, so it was out for a second, and I managed to save it. It seems to be a straight FF version of the M8, only major change is FF with 18,5 Mpix, and ISO 80 (and 1/3 increments), ISO on button instead of Protect - even physical dimensions are identical. No UV/IR necessary.

No information so far on processor (Maestro?), or bit depth, as far as I have seen. Essentially what was predicted, very exciting!

Edited September 5, 2009 by erlingmm

[stevelap]

I've already posted some brief comments in two other threads......not sure that I should have now:eek:

 

But as you say, it's all over the internet.....

[fuchs]

It certainly looks like a full frame M8.3.

 

Yet the brochures mention nothing about the IR contamination problem. Will it still need UV/IR filters or not?

 

 

EDIT: Sorry, the brochure states clearly that the IR problem has been solved by the redesigning of the IR filter at the sensor level.

 

Thank god the choice this time was again to not include an AA filter

Edited September 5, 2009 by fuchs

[efftee]

Certainly answered A LOT of questions! Only thing missing now -- sample photos taken with the M9. I'd like to see some.

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[futureancient]

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The ISO range goes down to 80, with loads of options inbetween that at 2500. Obviously the brochure suggests excellent performance at high ISOs.. guess we'll have to see.

 

The sensor micro lense stuff was interesting.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[yanidel]

Good :

- ISO80 which lessens the need of 1/8000. Great for wide-open shooters like me.

- clean files up to 2500.

- soft release shutter option

- the two points above mean that you can probably gain up to 3 stops vs the M8 in low light. This is to me the biggest difference and main justification to upgrade from a M8 (if I do so).

- ability to select lens manually, coding will not be necessary though still useful for added quickness.

- I like how framelines are paired (28-90, 35-135, 50-75)

- the body is basically the same as M8, this is a great news, don't have to get used to a new handling.

 

Not so good:

- not weather sealed

- no mention of sensor cleaning

 

I don't care :

- no UV/IR needed

- 18mp

Edited September 5, 2009 by yanidel

[perb]

Since there is a choice of DNG 18 MB compressed (non-linear reduction of colour depth) or uncompressed 36 MB (i.e. 18 Mpix @ 16 bits per pix) this suggests new faster processor, in other words Maestro.

 

By the way, same spec battery as M8.

 

Regards

Per

[perb]

No mentioning of a new 35 mm Summilux and special restrictions when using 135 mm APO-Telyt (stop down at least two stops).

 

Regards

Per

[efftee]

Anyone knows what this 'auto ISO shift function', which apparently increases the sensitivity when the shutter speed falls below hand-holdable levels, is about?

[yanidel]

Anyone knows what this 'auto ISO shift function', which apparently increases the sensitivity when the shutter speed falls below hand-holdable levels, is about?

I had the same question but I tend to think that it is their way to describe the current Auto-ISO of the latest firmware

[okram]

I dislike the 1m setting for the framelines.

2m is much better for me, and 0.7 was a mistake (IMO).

[stevelap]

VF: 0.68x, -0.5dpt, framelines 28-90/50-75/35-135, 1m.

[markowich]

the m8's are gone from the M brochure.

peter

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[efftee]

I had the same question but I tend to think that it is their way to describe the current Auto-ISO of the latest firmware

 

Could it be some user pre-set shutter speed, below which the camera - if on auto ISO - would automatically adjusts itself to a higher value to compensate for the slow speed?

[stunsworth]

Anyone knows what this 'auto ISO shift function', which apparently increases the sensitivity when the shutter speed falls below hand-holdable levels, is about?

 

It sounds like the same as auto ISO on the M8. Exposure bracketing is new though.

[efftee]

It would appear the Snapshot mode is still around too...

[dpattinson]

It would appear the Snapshot mode is still around too...

 

yes, but as a menu option not on the shutter speed dial.

[markowich]

16 bit per channel color information....

peter