Camera Labs

Hi folks,

We rather fell into a trap when discussion about the new Leica M9 and X1 cameras continued in the original rumour thread. I've spent some time this morning trying to work out if I could split the M9 stuff out into its own thread and this is the result. I started the new thread with one of my own posts which I'll now modify to reflect the original M9 release...

Here is the Leica UK M9 product page. The new Leica brochure is available here (PDF, 6.8MB).

The M9 is, at this time, the smallest full-frame digital camera, it has an 18MP sensor with no heavy AA filter diminishing the benefits of that lovely Leica glass and, of course, it's a rangefinder. That says it all really but for more visit the Leica M microsite.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

M9. So classy...

It'ssexiness is probably the main part of the price though

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Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

Here's a BH Photo Video interview with Leica CEO Rudy Spiller and 'aspiring photographer' Seal on the three new cameras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYxx_P-xzTo

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

And here's a What Digital Camera hands-on video with the M9:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6O_xq9X0A8

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Well with promotional material like that - who wouldn't want to part with thousands?

Maybe I'll save my kidney for a rainy day.

(Refering to the Seal clip)

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Cheers,

Phil
'I see dead pixels'

http://www.phil-lowe.eu [New Design]
Nikon D300, Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR, Sigma, 10-20mm DC HSM, Empty OXO packet
Panasonic DMC-LX3

Hi folks,

The half-hour presentation from Leica of the M9, the X1 and the S2 is available here at Vimeo. Not the best quality video so if anyone knows of a better version please share the link.

The more I see and read about the M9 (let alone the S2) the more I'm tempted but even selling all my current kit would get me considerably less than halfway towards where I'd need to be by the time a few lenses are added to the collection. Oh well, it's nice to dream...

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

They are simply not for us mere mortals. Merely being passionate about photography is not enough. You need to be passionate and have a serious amount of wonga to burn.

(Or if I'm being cynical - 'not passionate and have a serious amount of wonga to burn'.)

Very frustrating that they make sure that certain people are priced out of the market though. Maybe they should have some kind of Willy Wonka type prize and we can all go in search of a Leica Circular Polariser containing a golden ticket. Mind you I can't even afford one of those. Oh well ... back to my LX3.

_________________
Cheers,

Phil
'I see dead pixels'

http://www.phil-lowe.eu [New Design]
Nikon D300, Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR, Sigma, 10-20mm DC HSM, Empty OXO packet
Panasonic DMC-LX3

.
By the way, the M9 Instructions (manual) can be downloaded from this page together with other stuff.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Here's a jpg of a sample tiff from Lecias website

http://kenrockwell.com/leica/images/m9/ ... _PoP_4.jpg

Its a 50mm f/0.95 shot wide open...at 0.95.

Thats sharper than my 24-70 is at f/4!!!

You just HAVE to love that glass. Imagine it stopped down even just to f/2 it'd be even sharper!

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

I'm not so sure... it has quite a processed look to me.

If you really like the lens, it does fit on the micro FourThirds systems nicely Guess for most the budget is a bigger problem...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Well, I dont think its been really sharpened much in pp. it is soft at 100% but the depth of field is minimal and focus has to be precise to the mm. so consider that AND its shot wide open I'm amazed its not a blurry mush.

_________________
Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Hi folks,

Some interesting snippets today from this (UK) Amateur Photographer article:

Demand for Leica's M9 camera is outstripping supply as customers - including professionals trading in their DSLRs - snap up the full-frame camera within minutes of Wednesday's launch.
.
...customers include newspaper photographers switching from their bulky, more pricey, top-end DSLR kit to the more compact M9 rangefinder costing £4,850.
.
...a wedding photographer has just traded in two Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II cameras...
.
Clients have also included a man who traded in his Nikon D3 DSLR and lenses - to the great relief of his wife who, apparently, was glad to be rid of DSLR kit that took up precious space at home.
.
...the majority of clients are 'very keen amateurs and enthusiasts' - most buying the camera body only - and that there is currently about a four-week wait for new orders.

I'm not totally sure that the bride and groom are going to be hugely impressed when their expensive wedding photographer turns up with an M9 instead of a reassuringly bulky EOS 1Ds (it's big so it must be "professional") camera but I've certainly come to understand why the M9 is so appealing. The trouble is that every time I look at the numbers I can't help reminding myself that, by the time one adds some prime examples of Leica glass, the same cash outlay would pay for an EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM and still leave enough left over for a TSE 24mm Mk II f/3.5L tilt & shift lens and maybe even a new telescope.

Still, "chapeau" to Leica for continuing to think outside the box.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

my advice is stay way from Leica Digital body, because digital technology evolves very fast.

For example, the M8 is basically useless now. The price drops almost half now. I don't think it is a good investment.

But why people still buying it? first it is prestige factor, people that think with their feeling rather than the head. They are likely to be a collector instead of photographer.

Second is the traditional photographer who are used to shoot in rangefinder style in the old days of film. The current dSLR might not satisfy them because it has different way to operate it and also very bulky.

For regular consumers and hobbyists like us, I think is just a big waste of money.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

I don't see any difference in obsolescence between the Leica M series digital and any other DSLR. New models will always come along, old ones will always drop in price. Unless it is some stupidly limited special model, they're never going to be collector's items.

If the M8 drops down enough, I might get one to play with, but that's probably still a long way away.

Is it expensive, yes. In a parallel thought, Canon and Nikon have made rangefinders in the past. Could they do a modern digital one for much less than Leica? Building up dedicated lenses might be the only hard part... if anything, maybe they could make one even better by utilising the best of modern technology.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

yes, but they are promoting that Leica cameras are built to last and for generation to generation. That is the reason how the high price tag is justified.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work