Buy a second M8 or add an M9???

[rivercityrocker]

So I have made up my mind to buy a second Leica M. Simply because I like to use different focal lengths and I don't want to be bothered swapping lenses all the time.

I had made up my mind to buy an M9 to complement my M8. I want to get the full performance out of my 50mm Summilux. The 1-stop better ISO and the use of a 21mm lens (I don't use it a lot, but I have one).

So here I am money in hand ready to pull the trigger on a $4K M9 and I start thinking about how I really like the 35mm focal length on the M8 and I also like the way the 50mm performs on the M8 too. Perhaps I just got accustomed to it.

My two most used lenses are the 35mm Nokton and the 50mm Lux. I feel like the 50 is being wasted on the M8, but if I use the 50 on the M9 then the 35 on the M8 is going to be about the same focal length. On the other hand I can use the 35 on the M9 and the 50 on the M8 and that will be a nice combo (but that brings me back to not using the 50mm to full potential).

Upon further consideration I start thinking how happy I have been with my M8 and it got me wondering if the M9 is really worth double what I can get a second M9 for? If I'm happy with the focal lengths the M8 provides me with is there really a need for me to get the M9? I do shoot in low light a lot, but I've been making the M8 work. Is one stop worth it???

Part of me thinks I want the M9 more for my ego than anything. I'm not one that really cares about what people think about my gear, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't irk me when some people look down at me for having the M8. (It's human nature).

This may seem kind of stupid to some folks, but I'm just kind of putting it out there to try to make some sense of it. I've done the research, I know the cameras inside and out and even though I was pretty much convinced that I needed the M9 now that it's time to pull the trigger I'm wondering if it's really the right choice. I have the money for the M9, but $2K is a big chunk of cash to save. (Hell, for the price I could have THREE M8's with a 21, 35, and 50)

If I were only planning on having one camera, I'd sell the M8 and go with the M9 for sure.

I'd like some other voices to weigh in. What are some of your opinions? Has anyone else been in the same boat? :bang:

 

[keytarjunkie]

On the other hand I can use the 35 on the M9 and the 50 on the M8 and that will be a nice combo (but that brings me back to not using the 50mm to full potential).

The lenses are interchangeable. You can use them more than one way.

Spending $1500-4500 on another camera body just because you don't want to be bothered with swapping lenses, seems a little extreme to me (though I'm unemployed, so maybe that has something to do with my view). You should buy a second M8 if you need a backup to your current M8, for reliability reasons (and I guess, out of laziness and redundancy!). You should buy the M9 if you want something different than what you currently have.

And believe me, if people "look down" on you for using the M8, you should not pay them any attention, nor care what they think.

 

[rivercityrocker]

I guess, I should have pointed out that I shoot for a living. Swapping lenses is a pain in the middle of a concert when I only have 3 songs to get my shots.

There's also the "how long will Leica support my M8?" question. What if the shutter breaks? The LCD glass popped off a couple of weeks ago and I had to glue it back on. Luckily I was at home and not a the music festival I shot earlier in the afternoon.

I don't really care what people think, but it's human nature to feel kinda jealous when your friend rolls up with an M, MM, 24mm Summilux and a Noctilux. 🙂 It's dumb, but yeah...

I dunno. I thought I had my mind made up, but it's a good chunk of dough.

 

[Pioneer]

If money is tight for any other reason, then it might make better sense to take care of that business first.

But if not, it is only money...right? Can't take it with you. Lots of people don't like changing lenses. If your finances allow you to do this, go for it. The M9 and the M8 are great cameras.

But if your wife is like my wife (if you don't just ignore this part) you may want to work a bit on your rationalization. Just to buy it so you don't have to change lenses may not work very well on her. 🙂

 

[disambiguated]

Consider the X-Pro 1.

Consider the X-Pro 1.

I dunno. I thought I had my mind made up, but it's a good chunk of dough.

I sold my M9 and lenses, and used the proceeds from *one* of the lenses to buy a Fuji X-Pro 1, and I've never looked back.

 

[pepeguitarra]

I have the same question and am tempted to buy anothe M8 in addition to the one I have..

 

[Pioneer]

I sold several other APS-C sensor digital cameras, bought an M9 and a couple lenses and never looked back. 🙂

Truthfully, I have never regretted buying my M9. It is the only digital camera I own where I control the action.

But everyone has different needs.

 

[rivercityrocker]

I sold my M9 and lenses, and used the proceeds from *one* of the lenses to buy a Fuji X-Pro 1, and I've never looked back.

Oh no. I went that route. TWICE. I tried to make that thing work. It's like launching a drone attack with a faulty navigation system.

 

[rivercityrocker]

Well, I talked to my buddy who knows his way around the Leica system and has some factory connects. After much debating and thought processing, I've decided that I will go for an M instead. He's gonna make some calls. If he can't source one quickly I'm gonna keep the M8, buy an M9,and when he can get an M I'm gonna flip the M9 and M8 which should get me about $1K short of the M.

I'll be back to one camera, but he swears that the M is worth it. He's even talking about swapping out his Monochrom for a second M. And he really digs the Monochrom.

Now the choice is Ebay M9 or retail M9?

The money is only a concern because I really want an Pre-ASPH 35 Summilux as well.

 

[crispy12]

I'd use the M9 or M, IMO it's a much better camera than the M8 re: image quality. The look of full frame is quite different, and the ISO quality fair bit better. I would go for the M straight, and just keep your current M8 for now.

The M8 is good at certain shots, such as infrared (very good) or black and white. I prefer it for those shots to both the M9 and new M.

 

[disambiguated]

Oh no. I went that route. TWICE. I tried to make that thing work. It's like launching a drone attack with a faulty navigation system.

The newer firmware has transformed it into an eminently usable camera.

The only thing I miss from the M9 is that while the Fuji lenses are small, they aren't as small as the Leica lenses.

 

[Timmyjoe]

The M8 is a fantastic camera, but the thing about it that drove me nuts is the focal length multiplier thing. I have a tendency to fall in love with the way particular lenses render and that being said, I've had a love affair with a 50 lux, 90 cron and 50 cron for years. Love the way they render on my film M's. With the M8, they were now a 67, 120, 67, which screwed me up. I got a 25 for the M8 so I could have a 35, and my 35 then became my 50. When I wanted to take a kit out (where I usually take a wide (35), normal (50), and short tele (90)), I had to bring all these different combinations of lenses if I wanted to shoot color (digital on the M8) and B&W (film in my M6).

I hated that aspect of having an M8, so I finally sold it.

I would strongly recommend either two M8's or an M9 with a film M, so your lenses will be the same when you switch between bodies.

Best,
-Tim

 

[raid]

I have an opposite opinion on the crop factor. In my case, it helps me trim down how many lenses I carry.
Say, I carry with me a 35mm and a 50mm lens for use on the M8 and the M9.
Standard match is 35 on the M9 for a moderate wide angle lens and the 50 on the M8 for a moderate tele for portraits. When I want a 50mm perspective, the 50 on the M9 and the 35 on the M8 will do.

Add a 90mm lens, and you have even more options.

 

[Monochrom]

The m9 is a fine camera and stellar for using to it´s full potential wide angles.

As a second camera i´m using a contax tvs III.

The m8 is a great cmaera but the older shutter is way too noisy, menus and auto iso are not as the m9´s.

The m9 is a different experience in coparison to the m8 or any other crop sensor camera.

 

[rivercityrocker]

The newer firmware has transformed it into an eminently usable camera.

The only thing I miss from the M9 is that while the Fuji lenses are small, they aren't as small as the Leica lenses.

That's how I got screwed twice. I was promised by the Fuji rep the new firmware would make it better. Ultimately, I decided that a real rangefinder and a real DSLR were what I needed. Not some hybrid mess.

 

[rivercityrocker]

I would go for the M straight, and just keep your current M8 for now.

If I could find an M I would. This waiting list crap years after release is ridiculous. They should be rolling out M's instead of making X-Varios.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Well, I talked to my buddy who knows his way around the Leica system and has some factory connects. After much debating and thought processing, I've decided that I will go for an M instead. He's gonna make some calls. If he can't source one quickly I'm gonna keep the M8, buy an M9,and when he can get an M I'm gonna flip the M9 and M8 which should get me about $1K short of the M.

Here is your original problem, from 10 hours ago:

So I have made up my mind to buy a second Leica M. Simply because I like to use different focal lengths and I don't want to be bothered swapping lenses all the time.

It doesn't sound like you're trying to solve your problem. Was it more of an excuse to buy something new?

There's also the "how long will Leica support my M8?" question. What if the shutter breaks? The LCD glass popped off a couple of weeks ago and I had to glue it back on. Luckily I was at home and not a the music festival I shot earlier in the afternoon.

This argument seems like the antithesis of a Leica camera, something that is meant to last a long time. If Leica runs out of parts, there will always be broken M8's that get parted out. I think you need to get past this question/excuse if you want to use digital cameras.

I don't really care what people think, but it's human nature to feel kinda jealous when your friend rolls up with an M, MM, 24mm Summilux and a Noctilux. 🙂 It's dumb, but yeah...

I disagree. That just sounds like a huge waste of money to me, I don't look up to that. Do you feel...limited by your "measly" M8 and 50mm summilux? If so, I'd recommend reevaluating more than your future expensive camera purchase plans. I'm sure the M 240 is a great camera, perhaps as a professional it's the right tool for you and all, and I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying it...but that does NOT solve the problem you came here with. It sounds like you're looking for some encouragement from the gear addicts, rather than a solution to your problem. Just my 2c

 

[Vickko]

I got rid of my M8, because of the crop factor, ＵＶ/IR filter, and lack of coding selection menu.

I miss the faster shutter speed of the M8, but realized that I didn't use it much.

I think if you get an M9, you'll be getting rid of your M8.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Saw this on Steve Huff's site. Worth checking out to see if they're still in stock. Hope that helps.

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/11/05/leica-m-240-in-stock-black-or-silver/

 

[jaapv]

Note that as the pixel density on the sensors is identical (actually the M9 has the same sensor as the M8, only larger) an image from the M9 cropped to M8 size is exactly the same image as you would take with the M8. That nullifies the "longer lens on smaller sensor" argument.