Leica M9 Photography

The Most Interesting Pictures From The Leica M9 Camera

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Posts Tagged ‘GF1’

The Honeymoon is Over

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Well, Actually it Never Started for Me

Okay, I admit it. I really, really wanted an M9. I love my M6 and M3. They are wonderful cameras to use. I think an M9 would be the digital equivalent too. And the M lenses are amazing.

I almost sold my Canon gear, to get an M9. I even signed on to a waiting list. While I was waiting, I reconsidered. $7K is a lot of money. Way too much money for me right now. Even if I sell all my Canon gear (which would have gotten me over half-way there). I have this belief about cycling that applies to photography. For bikes I say “It’s the engine first then the bike.” For cameras that translates as “It’s the brain first, then the camera/format.” The camera is only a tool, and an M9 just wasn’t going to make that big of difference in my photography. No matter how much I loved the gestalt of the camera.

And so, I still don’t have an M9. Maybe I will buy one in the future, but maybe not. In fact, to keep myself from thinking about the advantage of shooting digital w/ Leica lenses I decided to buy a Panasonic GF1 (at roughly 10% of the cost of an M9) and an M-lens adapter. Now the advantage of digital is gone — though the lure of a full frame sensor is still real. I’ll just have to use my Canon 5d when I want digital and wide angles. I would probably do that anyway because I have the lenses.

The Honeymoon Really is Over

Michael Reichmann at Luminous Landscape is a self-professed Leica fan. His role in the industry as a photographer and writer puts him in the position of getting to use, and justify buying, some pretty amazing cameras. Including the Leica M9. He has been shooting M9s since before their launch, and he has been doing some raving. But he recently posted An Open Letter to Leica on what he sees as the shortcomings of the M9 in its current state, and what needs to change when the M10 is designed. It’s an interesting read.

In addition to Michael’s essay, he has posted a couple of other opinions that differ from his own, but also include criticisms of the M9. More interesting reading:

Enjoy!