Don Libby
Well-known member
I’ve convinced myself I need/want a M9.
That first sentence just about says it all. As many might know, I shoot landscape images with a Cambo WRS1000 P45+ combo and while not extraordinary heavy it can be cumbersome when combined with a large tripod and head. I simply love this setup and have no plans of ever going away from it. What I need is a kick-*** small camera that has the image quality to stand by itself; capable of sustaining large prints.
Going into this I have several “givens” the major one is that no 35mm is capable to matching the IQ of medium format. What I’m after is a camera that can hold its own and will act as a complementary camera. By that I mean be able to take on long hikes where I simply don’t want to carry close to 30 lbs of gear in an area where I’m uncertain of what I might find. Instead carry a camera that’s full frame 35mm that’s small enough not to feel like it weights a ton by the end of the day and have lenses that are as capable of stunning IQ as my Scheiner’s and fit in my pocket. And be able of producing files close to that of a 1DsIII.
All this brings me to the Leica M9. I see the M9 as what the X-Pan should have be could be if it were ever brought back to life. I had used an X-Pan years ago and loved every minute of it so I don’t foresee too many problems with the M9 as far as using a RF again.
I’ve recently joined the Leica Forum although still in the lurking stage as I haven’t actually joined in any on going thread have read just about everything I can on the M9. Which brings me to the next point; I’ve been reading of some of the same problems/concerns as posted here with the exception of one. The IR-absorbing cover glass being broken. It appears that this has been an on going concern since release on some but not all up to and including deliveries made as recently as this week. Has anyone here experienced this? I also understand that it can take a very long time just to reformat a card (which I do every time) so how long does it actually take and do you really need a fully charged battery? I understand one problem is a real while the other may be just a nit pick that’s settled by firmware update. I’ve also seen where Leica has stepped up to the plate and is fixing all cracked glass without question.
In short (well for me that’s hard) I’m still convinced this is the right move for me however I plan on waiting a couple months before actually ordering; of course I have to do that any way since the M9 is on intergalactic-back order. I plan on having this with me next October as I spend close to a full month shooting in and around Jackson Hole WY.
So please stand by as a new Leica owner is on his way. I also want to thank “Tom in Mpls” for doing much of my leg work for me all the while thinking it was just for himself.
Oh and by the way, I’m thinking of using a 50mm and 75mm lens to start then eventually get a 35 to “round out” the kit.
I welcome any and all suggestions/recommendations.
Cheers
Don
That first sentence just about says it all. As many might know, I shoot landscape images with a Cambo WRS1000 P45+ combo and while not extraordinary heavy it can be cumbersome when combined with a large tripod and head. I simply love this setup and have no plans of ever going away from it. What I need is a kick-*** small camera that has the image quality to stand by itself; capable of sustaining large prints.
Going into this I have several “givens” the major one is that no 35mm is capable to matching the IQ of medium format. What I’m after is a camera that can hold its own and will act as a complementary camera. By that I mean be able to take on long hikes where I simply don’t want to carry close to 30 lbs of gear in an area where I’m uncertain of what I might find. Instead carry a camera that’s full frame 35mm that’s small enough not to feel like it weights a ton by the end of the day and have lenses that are as capable of stunning IQ as my Scheiner’s and fit in my pocket. And be able of producing files close to that of a 1DsIII.
All this brings me to the Leica M9. I see the M9 as what the X-Pan should have be could be if it were ever brought back to life. I had used an X-Pan years ago and loved every minute of it so I don’t foresee too many problems with the M9 as far as using a RF again.
I’ve recently joined the Leica Forum although still in the lurking stage as I haven’t actually joined in any on going thread have read just about everything I can on the M9. Which brings me to the next point; I’ve been reading of some of the same problems/concerns as posted here with the exception of one. The IR-absorbing cover glass being broken. It appears that this has been an on going concern since release on some but not all up to and including deliveries made as recently as this week. Has anyone here experienced this? I also understand that it can take a very long time just to reformat a card (which I do every time) so how long does it actually take and do you really need a fully charged battery? I understand one problem is a real while the other may be just a nit pick that’s settled by firmware update. I’ve also seen where Leica has stepped up to the plate and is fixing all cracked glass without question.
In short (well for me that’s hard) I’m still convinced this is the right move for me however I plan on waiting a couple months before actually ordering; of course I have to do that any way since the M9 is on intergalactic-back order. I plan on having this with me next October as I spend close to a full month shooting in and around Jackson Hole WY.
So please stand by as a new Leica owner is on his way. I also want to thank “Tom in Mpls” for doing much of my leg work for me all the while thinking it was just for himself.
Oh and by the way, I’m thinking of using a 50mm and 75mm lens to start then eventually get a 35 to “round out” the kit.
I welcome any and all suggestions/recommendations.
Cheers
Don