Really quite good M9 review on Engadget

[squirrel$$$bandit]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/leica-m9-hands-on-or-the-tao-of-leica/

Unlikely place to find it, but this review really does give a fine sense of the rangefinder experience.

 

[Davidin10003]

interesting read, thanks.

 

[swoop]

It's definitely a romantic review.

I love my M9. But I picked up a D2x pretty cheap with sigma lenses for events, sports and product shots. It's about all the D2x is good for. Everything else I do with my M9. And sure, I could probably get a 5D and stable of Canon primes which would work just as well and would still be cheaper than just the M9 body. I just really love the way my M9 handles. And it's always with me because I don't have to think twice about the bulk or weight or looking like a geek.

 

[Davidin10003]

Maybe it's a NYC thing, but recently I've found that the M9 attracts a lot of attention on the streets. Last saturday 3 different people stopped me to ask about it. My wife was getting jealous, because usually people stop to comment on our cute little newborn instead! Anyway, it's definitely not inconspicuous around here, but that doesn't matter, since I FEEL inconspicuous when I use it. I'm much more comfortable aiming it at people on the street than I was with a 5DMkII.

 

[aizan]

i dunno, it had me cringing several times per paragraph...

 

[jamato8]

I was in the store yesterday and I was trying to get out of the way of a guy I thought was looking at something on the shelf beside me but every time I moved he did. I realized he was looking at my camera but never did say anything. :^)

 

[whatever]

Freedom

Freedom

The article is dead on. To add my thoughts, I always hear photographers say the fully automated DSLR gives you the freedom to shoot what your seeing without concerns for the settings. For my taste, I like being involved with the settings. With the M camera you have to know every aspect the picture taking experience, including the camera settings, or you wont get the shot. For me the freedom is what I choose in every shot, not what the camera will choose for me. Bill

 

[newsgrunt]

Not sure what (photo)journalists he hangs around but every one I know uses AF in a variety of ways and none rely on it 100% in most situations. Use it to get you in the ballpark and almost all will tweak the focus manually.

Rangefinders are great and I like the M9 but it still has some issues that can't be glossed over and need to be addressed asap imo.

 

[wayneb]

I found the giant blurry photo "through" the viewfinder amusing. "Look, there's nothing there except framelines!"