Bag my Nikon gear for an M9

[anthony_semone]

An unexpected effect of having just gotten an X100 and its IQ, WB and ease of daily carry, is that I'm giving serious thought to bagging all my Nikon gear.

Context for that is this:

Our last trip to Paris in Sept of this year, lugging around my D700 brick 4-6 miles a day, with just a 24/2 or 50/1.2 90 % of the time, was not only a pain in the neck, but in my back as well. A year ago, even though I had the D700, 90% of the time I used my Oly Ep-2 and the kit lens. Anyways, I've got a boat load of Nikon gear and I'm looking at getting rid of it and using the funds for an M9 and a Zeiss or VC 35 or 50mm lens. I'm not a pro, I make no money from what I'm doing, I just enjoy taking pictures 🙂

Any of you all gone from Nikon to M9 and then reversed your gear? or, regretted doing it? My primary shooting interest is in cityscape, landscape and street shooting. I can always borrow my son's high-end D3s and his 80-200 if I need fast and heavy (though I can't imagine why) 🙂

I'd appreciate any input you might feel you want to give,

tony

 

[bene]

I have an M9

I have an M9

Hi, I have it. Its a love hate relationship.

I love it for the the way it helps the eye Its perfect for street and good for bright or moderate light.

But it is to me a frustrating camera for landscapes.

Its not so great in ISO. Given you have been using D700 you might be annoyed by the noise. anything above iso 640 is no go.
But I love how it looks in black and white a degree of authencity with good glass that is.

I suggest, Sony Nex-7 instead with RF glass.

Given you plan to buy a M9,
A sony with the best leica glass is a better bet.
The recent article by Sean Reid is a good idea to look at reidreviews.com

 

[bene]

Nex 7 + Leica 35 asph FLE would be a good start. as a 50 replacement.

If you really need a 24mm replacement you might consider a slr lens instead as retrofocus lenses are better off.

Or native E mount 16mm

 

[Jeff S]

Different tools; some use complementary systems, some not, depending on needs. The M9 can do many things, but generally won't be as ideal for macro, some sports, tele or ultra high ISO work (although even these can be accommodated).

Be sure you like the RF experience before you sell anything. See your local dealer for a loaner, or rent one here.

I shot film Ms for many years along with large format, medium format and SLR systems. Eventually I dumped everything but the M (now using just M8.2s), but that suits my current shooting needs and preferences. YMMV.

Jeff

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I don't understand these threads. Nobody can answer that question for you. Clearly, you have the bug for an M9. Dump everything else and buy one. If it doesn't work out, dump the M9 and buy the Nikon stuff back. Too much angst. They are only cameras.

 

[Jeff S]

. Dump everything else and buy one. If it doesn't work out, dump the M9 and buy the Nikon stuff back.

A lot easier for him to get a loaner (or rent), then decide to sell rest or not.

Jeff

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Tony,
My offer still stands on a loaner M9 for you to try out one of these days.

Phil Forrest

 

[mynikonf2]

Many mistake the call of the wild (dump current system, buy _______?) for what it really is, boredom! Creative people are easily bored, a generalization for sure but none the less true. We are people of extremes, if there is no conflict we will create one..."dance with the one that brung you", (if you sell your Nikon gear, you'll be sorry).

 

[Nikon Bob]

With that much at stake a loaner or rental would be a real good idea to help you decide. Ideally both kits would be the way to go to compliment each other.

Bob

 

[myoptic]

Hi, I have it. Its a love hate relationship.
I love it for the the way it helps the eye Its perfect for street and good for bright or moderate light.
But it is to me a frustrating camera for landscapes.
Its not so great in ISO. Given you have been using D700 you might be annoyed by the noise. anything above iso 640 is no go.
But I love how it looks in black and white a degree of authencity with good glass that is.
I suggest, Sony Nex-7 instead with RF glass.
Given you plan to buy a M9,
A sony with the best leica glass is a better bet.
The recent article by Sean Reid is a good idea to look at reidreviews.com

"ReidReviews.com accepts no advertising. A subscription is currently $32.95 per year." this would have been a useful piece of information to have included along with your recommendation to read a certain article (only available by subscription) on his site. I have read some of his reviews on other sites and they are excellent, but a word or warning would have set my expectations appropriately.

 

[retow]

I have the M9 since its release into the market two years ago and like it despite its known limitations. However, sensor technology has improved since and very capable aps-c sensor cameras in the USD1100 range to use m-lenses with are now available (NEX7, NEX5N, and in my opinion the best, the Ricoh GXR M). Have a look at LL with some comparisons of NEX7 and M9 with m-lenses. Personally, I'd not buy an M9 now but wait what an M10 will bring in terms of sensor, buffer, write time, lcd screen improvements and maybe even life view. The price difference of about USD 6000 between M9 and the cams mentioned above for RF, FF and simplicity looks rather steep these days. Sensor output is no longer a differentiator. As you are coming from the DSLR world, the NEX7 might be a nice step inbetween to try m-lenses as well as enjoy AF shooting to shorten the wait for an M10.

 

[bigeye]

It sounds like you don't need a system camera anymore. Horses for courses. Go light, be happy.
.

 

[Moriturii]

Do yourself a favor, get a Nex 7 with a Leica M adapter. It's simply better in probably everything the M9 has to offer but build quality. That includes IQ, Price, ISO, quick use (once you set it up the way you personally want it) etc.

 

[jsrockit]

I don't understand these threads. Nobody can answer that question for you. Clearly, you have the bug for an M9. Dump everything else and buy one. If it doesn't work out, dump the M9 and buy the Nikon stuff back. Too much angst. They are only cameras.

I gotta agree with this... it's very simple.

 

[jsrockit]

Do yourself a favor, get a Nex 7 with a Leica M adapter. It's simply better in probably everything the M9 has to offer but build quality. That includes IQ, Price, ISO, quick use (once you set it up the way you personally want it) etc.

Quick use? How is it going to be quicker?

Also, I wonder why so many people want the M9, but are so quick to diss it over a camera that is totally different from it. If you want a Leica M that is digital, has a mechanical rangefinder, classic controls, simple menus, optical VF, full frame, etc. ... the M9 is still the only game in town.

I'm not dissing the Nex-7, but it is not a Leica M. Many of us are attached to all of the aforementioned about the M9. IQ is not everything when it comes to truly enjoying a camera.

Now, if you don't want to spend the cash on a M9, then I truly understand the Nex-7 as the best alternative (though I would probably still have to have a M8 at least).

 

[Nikon Bob]

True, in the end only the OP can answer his own question. If you want to avoid the time and hassle of selling off one system for another it might be better to test drive the other system first. There are also possible acceptable alternatives that are less costly to explore and not have to sell an entire system to try out. My answer to the very same question, without the help of this board, was no to selling my Nikon system to buy an M9 even with having an assortment of M lenses already. I would not recommend that to anyone else because there is no one size fits all answer to that question.

Bob

 

[gavinlg]

Why not wait and see what the fujifilm interchangeable lens camera will be like? it'll be announced in the first 2 months of 2012, will have interchangeable lenses, an extremely competitive sensor, and the same form factor as the x100, and an optical viewfinder. It would no doubt be significantly cheaper than an M9.

 

[Moriturii]

Quick use? How is it going to be quicker?

Also, I wonder why so many people want the M9, but are so quick to diss it over a camera that is totally different from it. If you want a Leica M that is digital, has a mechanical rangefinder, classic controls, simple menus, optical VF, full frame, etc. ... the M9 is still the only game in town.

I'm not dissing the Nex-7, but it is not a Leica M. Many of us are attached to all of the aforementioned about the M9. IQ is not everything when it comes to truly enjoying a camera.

Now, if you don't want to spend the cash on a M9, then I truly understand the Nex-7 as the best alternative (though I would probably still have to have a M8 at least).

All Leica's have extremely lousy shutter button placements, Nex 7 does not, ergo it operates faster. You can not change shutter on a Leica Mx as easily and quickly as you can with a Nex 7 / hexar RF (had to throw hexar a bone 😉)

I suppose Leica M9 has the benefit of having a bigger sensor, therefore, shallower DoF if that is your thang. But throwing vastly superior ISO (NEX 7) out the window for questionably "better" (M9,most probably not) IQ sounds funny to me, makes me giggle.

But hey, some people are truly bamboozled by nonsensical adage and tricks by salesman, go ahead mate.

 

[burancap]

IQ is not everything when it comes to truly enjoying a camera.

My Nikons are wonderful tools. They blend like a blender.

My M's are like Lugers. Nothing brings a smile to my face more than simply handling them, regardless of image quality.

 

[jsrockit]

All Leica's have extremely lousy shutter button placements, Nex 7 does not, ergo it operates faster. You can not change shutter on a Leica Mx as easily and quickly as you can with a Nex 7 / hexar RF (had to throw hexar a bone 😉)

Huh? Only lousy to someone who is not used to it. Since I am used to it, it is the fastest for me. Do you own the NEX-7? Have you used it?

I suppose Leica M9 has the benefit of having a bigger sensor, therefore, shallower DoF if that is your thang. But throwing vastly superior ISO (NEX 7) out the window for questionably "better" (M9,most probably not) IQ sounds funny to me, makes me giggle.

As I said before, it is not about IQ or high ISO, it is about a comfort level with a mechanical rangefinder with old school controls. I use a Fuji X100 for high ISO. High ISO, like IQ, is not everything in photography. Comfort with your tool is. Again, I'm not dissing the NEX-7. I'm just kind of sick of the M9 bashing lately. Choosing a Leica has never been about best bang for one's buck. It's about a certain old school philosophy that appeals to those of us who have been photographing for a long time with m cameras. You either get it or you do not. Neither is wrong or right.

But hey, some people are truly bamboozled by nonsensical adage and tricks by salesman, go ahead mate.

Huh? I was not tricked or fooled or bamboozled. I made my decision based on years and years of experience. I never even spoke to a salesman when I bought my M9. Not everybody thinks the same way as you. That does not make them fools. 🙄