The M9 Chat Box

[Ranger 9]

And its still not rain or salty corrosion bringing sea air resistent?

You just have the butler keep wiping it off with a chamois. I'm sure that's how Seal does it.

 

[fotografz]

Anyone want to start a poll taking bets on how long it takes until Marc (fotosense) sells his Nikons and Sony's and buys a couple of M9's for his wedding work?

Already done.

 

[kinok1]

Here are my thoughts. I pay my bills with a pair of m8s. I have had more than my fair share of problems with them both, then again they get beat to hell.

i love the idea of the m9 - finally full frame. but i have to ask leica - wtf?? why bring out Seal to introduce this camera? all this says to me, a working pro, is leica cares more about celebrity, brand cult, status, than they do the (albeit few) men and women out there making a living using their cameras.

as tempting as that m9 is...i might just have to pass. not because there is anything wrong with the camera, but the company seems to be moving in directions i no longer support.

damn.

 

[nostatic]

i love the idea of the m9 - finally full frame. but i have to ask leica - wtf?? why bring out Seal to introduce this camera? all this says to me, a working pro, is leica cares more about celebrity, brand cult, status, than they do the (albeit few) men and women out there making a living using their cameras.

as tempting as that m9 is...i might just have to pass. not because there is anything wrong with the camera, but the company seems to be moving in directions i no longer support.

damn.

True. He's no Ashton Kutcher :ROTFL:

 

[kinok1]

No being defensive of nikon here...but ashton kutcher did not roll out the d3 or d3x.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Here folks some more info

http://m9.leica-camera.com/home_en.html

http://media.leica-camera.com/res/dnl/en/leica_m9_faq_en.pdf

 

[totallynatural]

Interesting that they've played up the celebrity connection: Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, Seal -- right after showing "battle scars" on the M3

Bryan Adams???

If anything thats put me off my dream of ever wanting to eventually own a Leica. Everytime I see one I'll now have images of Robin Hood and that awful song.

If it had been Ryan Adams...

I'd always associated Leica with bresson et al...Leica just killed that for me :thumbs:

 

[KurtKamka]

Unless I'm mistaken, Bryan Adams has been working as a very accomplished professional fashion photographer over the past several years ... I'd certain share your disdain, however, for that awful Robin Hood song though.

 

[KurtKamka]

Looks like exactly what I was hoping it would be ... full frame, higher megapixels, no more filters and an extra 1-2 stops in ISO performance. And, an ISO 80 setting to allow me to continue to shoot fast in bright light.

 

[johnastovall]

I just wonder how soon Adobe will have the M9 in ACR for use with Bridge and Photoshop. I'm not a fan of Lightroom and my workflow and color mangement is built around Photoshop.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

From our friends at Camera West just got this e-mail

Special Announcement
09/09/09




Dear Guy,

By now I am sure that you have heard that Leica has announced what is likely their most important camera since the original UR Leica or the M3. If not, then it is my pleasure to present you with this exciting news.

Sincerely,

Sean Cranor
Camera West

Leica M9
Smallest Full Frame

Today, Leica has officially unveiled their M9, 18.5mp, full frame Digital rangefinder camera!



Our initial review of the camera is impressive, to say the least. The camera is the same size as the M8 and feels about the same heft, although technically, it is a few ounces heavier. The build quality, fit and finish, is all Leica. Its 24x36mm sensor makes 17.4mb, compressed DNG files that open to 103mb, 16 bit TIFF. The IR cast, that some shooters experienced, has been addressed with a thicker IR filter. The dial on the back of the camera now can control exposure compensation and there is a proper battery level meter. The camera also has a bracketing mode, which will be handy for HDR. If you have ever used a Leica M camera, then you are already aware that this is the smallest and lightest, full frame, digital camera now on the market.




Side by side comparison with my M8.2, the M9 appears to make a more pleasing image, with natural colors, more predictable depth of field and slightly higher ISO performance. At a pleasantly surprising $6995.00 price tag, this is the digital camera that all Leica shooters will need to own. We expect the first shipments to hit in about two weeks. Please contact us by phone or email to reserve your M9.





Leica X1
A New Standard

Leica has also announced a new standard in compact cameras, the X1.

This camera is using a 12.2mp, APS-C size CMOS sensor that is typically used in DSLR cameras. The lens is a fixed 24mm2.8 Asph, 8-element, Elmarit. The 1.5x magnification ratio makes this equivalent to a 36mm lens in 35mm format. The camera has manual controls and is built on a metal frame and promised to be fast and responsive. The camera weighs in at only 10oz and is about the same size as the D-Lux 4, but thicker.





I expect that this camera will perform to the levels of the M8, in a smaller and lighter package. The price is to be $1995.00 with expected delivery around the Holidays.




In This Issue
Leica M9
Leica X1


Camera Specifications



M9


S2


X1



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So these look to be the US prices as noted earlier

 

[matmcdermott]

Unless I'm mistaken, Bryan Adams has been working as a very accomplished professional fashion photographer over the past several years ... I'd certain share your disdain, however, for that awful Robin Hood song though.

Has he? I was unaware. I knew he was a Leica fan and good photographer, but didn't know that was his main gig these days.

 

[kevinparis]

kudos to Seal for speaking with some passion and without looking at his script every 10 seconds unlike the Leica reps. I appreciate they weren't speaking their first language.. but it was pretty turgid stuff... and a little under rehearsed.

still you have your proper digital RF now. I am sure the x1 will be a fine camera... but that price ....ouch!!!

K

 

[nei1]

Have they given the camera to any respected photographers who might give a little more insight?

 

[clay stewart]

It does peak my interest, even after reading about that war photog in Iraq, who pretty much poo pooed the M8 in everyway, as far as a pro camera goes. Maybe that's why Leica doesn't want serious photogs doing the advertising anymore. I think maybe the M8/M9 is more like Leica Jewlery, than a serious image maker, these days, at least compared to the M6 and earlier models, but I still kind of want one (M9) with a 28 and 50 cron.

 

[nei1]

You just have the butler keep wiping it off with a chamois. I'm sure that's how Seal does it.

Damn;my bloody butler"s allergic to chammy;well he"s for the chop then.

 

[Mitchell]

I read in the DP review the M9 was 14 bit, but camera west and another say 16. Which is it?

Best,

Mitchell

 

[jaapv]

Probably the old story. 16 bits, but the last two bits contain no usable information.

 

[jaapv]

Have they given the camera to any respected photographers who might give a little more insight?

They did, images are appearing.

 

[Chuck Jones]

14 bit sensor, out to a 16 bit finished file.