I feel I need to write this here:
Having used M6, RD1 and then M8/M9 (and many DSLRs from various brands).
The M9 (and the M8 is pretty close IMO) is the near perfect camera for me.
I have tried all kind of DSLRs, M4/3 ETC but I allways come back to the conclusion that for me the M9 is near perfect.
why?
1) IQ - for some reason I just prefer the IQ of the CCD of the M8 and M9 over the cmos from Nikon/Canon/Pentax. Even though colors are maybe sometimes a little tricky the clarity and microdetail of the images is superior for my taste.
Noise is not the great over 1000ISo but then you have lenses which are fully usable at f1.4 to compensate.
2) Size: camera and lenses much smaller than most DSLRs - you can bring it nearly everywhere (Big plus)
3)Handling: great. simple user interface, nice viewfinder (specially for 35 and 50mm which I like a lot)
4) Focus: you need some patience and eventually send lenses in for calibration but once you have the right lenses it works very well. I get at least as precise focus with my M9 than with all DSLRs I have tried (except maybe Nikon which offers the best AF IMO).
5) Lenses: just amazing what lens options you have if you are a prime shooter. Many of them fully usable at f1.4. Sharp, nice bokeh, good contrast and color and small. ALso many options from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others.
Sliding hoods make the small lenses even more portable.
The only downside I see are the limitation regarding tele and sometimes AF would be nice for action. However I much prefer a precise rangefinder about a not so precise AF. Still a fast and precise AF (ala Nikon D3 or D700) allows to shoot some things which you cant get (reliable) without Af. And its expensive (but with stable value and very good used market)
Thank you Leica!
Having used M6, RD1 and then M8/M9 (and many DSLRs from various brands).
The M9 (and the M8 is pretty close IMO) is the near perfect camera for me.
I have tried all kind of DSLRs, M4/3 ETC but I allways come back to the conclusion that for me the M9 is near perfect.
why?
1) IQ - for some reason I just prefer the IQ of the CCD of the M8 and M9 over the cmos from Nikon/Canon/Pentax. Even though colors are maybe sometimes a little tricky the clarity and microdetail of the images is superior for my taste.
Noise is not the great over 1000ISo but then you have lenses which are fully usable at f1.4 to compensate.
2) Size: camera and lenses much smaller than most DSLRs - you can bring it nearly everywhere (Big plus)
3)Handling: great. simple user interface, nice viewfinder (specially for 35 and 50mm which I like a lot)
4) Focus: you need some patience and eventually send lenses in for calibration but once you have the right lenses it works very well. I get at least as precise focus with my M9 than with all DSLRs I have tried (except maybe Nikon which offers the best AF IMO).
5) Lenses: just amazing what lens options you have if you are a prime shooter. Many of them fully usable at f1.4. Sharp, nice bokeh, good contrast and color and small. ALso many options from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others.
Sliding hoods make the small lenses even more portable.
The only downside I see are the limitation regarding tele and sometimes AF would be nice for action. However I much prefer a precise rangefinder about a not so precise AF. Still a fast and precise AF (ala Nikon D3 or D700) allows to shoot some things which you cant get (reliable) without Af. And its expensive (but with stable value and very good used market)
Thank you Leica!