rf1552
Member
Get the M9. You will enjoy using it. Instead of developing film, you'll be "developing" your digital photography skills. 
RedLion
Come to the Faire
Get the 5N
Get the 5N
The obvious answer is the Sony NEX 5N. I got one with the Hawk's factory M-mount converter. Shoot all of your M glass on it and get the NEX 16mm F2.8 for those wide shots. So tiny, you just wear it on your belt with a carabiner clip and you'll take it with you everywhere. Shoot it Rolleiflex style or get the viewfinder and shoot rangefinder style.
Get the 5N
The obvious answer is the Sony NEX 5N. I got one with the Hawk's factory M-mount converter. Shoot all of your M glass on it and get the NEX 16mm F2.8 for those wide shots. So tiny, you just wear it on your belt with a carabiner clip and you'll take it with you everywhere. Shoot it Rolleiflex style or get the viewfinder and shoot rangefinder style.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
I'm not sure an EVF, even a really good one like this, can be called rangefinder style. You are still looking at a miniature TV screen.
Like watching the telly is not looking out of the window.
Like watching the telly is not looking out of the window.
bigeye
Well-known
$$$ vs compromises?
Keith: There is only one digital RF worth the switch from film.
- Charlie
Keith: There is only one digital RF worth the switch from film.
- Charlie
boomguy57
Well-known
Boy that does sounds easy...now for the price tag
This is not difficult.
You have M mount lenses that you like to use; you prefer the DoF from full frame; you like using RFs; you don't have time for film; you don't want to lug a large camera around.
There is only one camera that fits the bill - the M9. You can afford it, so just do it and start enjoying your recreational photography again. I look forward to seeing images from your m9 in the near future
rf1552
Member
I for one, am willing to pay $5k-6k for something that brings me so much pleasure in my life.
Obvious? I'm not so sure about that.
Adanac
Well-known
The decision matrix for this pursuit is easy:
Or...
Or look at things another way:
Or maybe some other motivation drives you?
There are so many way of slicing and dicing to come up with permutations but if full frame *and* M lens compatibility, today, is important to you then there is only one choice. M9. Or stick with film.
Making a move to digital is like Keith says, embracing a new medium. Maybe embracing a
crop camera isn't too tough a pill to swallow. There are some benefits to the live view / electronic finder cameras.
Personally I'm in the "use what is necessary and sufficient camp" while I wait for the potential for a compact full frame M lens compatible digital camera to arrive on the scene.
It will happen. I think. Hopefully. Probably. Given the trends in Japan it seems likely at least.
What is less certain is whether the available choices in FF compacts allow me to mount my M lenses natively or via adapters? That isn't a given but there is reason to hope for this outcome.
In the meantime the Ricoh GXR allows me to use my M lenses, now, on a worth digital camera. That they have different effective fields of view on the 1.5 crop isn't troubling me much at all. If I really need the ZM18 to be an 18mm lens I can always shoot a roll of film to satisfy that itch.
Or...
Or look at things another way:
Or maybe some other motivation drives you?
There are so many way of slicing and dicing to come up with permutations but if full frame *and* M lens compatibility, today, is important to you then there is only one choice. M9. Or stick with film.
Making a move to digital is like Keith says, embracing a new medium. Maybe embracing a
crop camera isn't too tough a pill to swallow. There are some benefits to the live view / electronic finder cameras.
Personally I'm in the "use what is necessary and sufficient camp" while I wait for the potential for a compact full frame M lens compatible digital camera to arrive on the scene.
It will happen. I think. Hopefully. Probably. Given the trends in Japan it seems likely at least.
What is less certain is whether the available choices in FF compacts allow me to mount my M lenses natively or via adapters? That isn't a given but there is reason to hope for this outcome.
In the meantime the Ricoh GXR allows me to use my M lenses, now, on a worth digital camera. That they have different effective fields of view on the 1.5 crop isn't troubling me much at all. If I really need the ZM18 to be an 18mm lens I can always shoot a roll of film to satisfy that itch.
boomguy57
Well-known
"Willing" and "able" are indeed very far apart at times.
As a full-time graduate student, the M9 is prohibitive. And to be honest, even if I could afford it, I would be conscious of the price tag all the time. Every nick, scratch or bump would concern me; every time I take it out to shoot after dark, in unsavory neighborhoods, or anywhere for that matter, I would be reminded that I am holding thousands of dollars of equipment. I fear I'd leave it at home rather than risk losing my investment...
Maybe I'm strange, but nobody else has raised this point that I have seen.
As a full-time graduate student, the M9 is prohibitive. And to be honest, even if I could afford it, I would be conscious of the price tag all the time. Every nick, scratch or bump would concern me; every time I take it out to shoot after dark, in unsavory neighborhoods, or anywhere for that matter, I would be reminded that I am holding thousands of dollars of equipment. I fear I'd leave it at home rather than risk losing my investment...
Maybe I'm strange, but nobody else has raised this point that I have seen.
tightsqueez
Well-known
Keith, I think you'll like the M9. It's everything a camera should be minus whatever you do to it to make an image… if that makes sense. Very little gets in the M9's way of making an image, unlike so many of these baby plastic wanna-be cameras.
I too have a D700, love the thing but honestly prefer the M9. And that's saying a lot. While the lowlight ability of the D700 is good, the M9 files are just fine. If anything we have gotten lazy with the aid of high ISO's. Personally I prefer the color of the M9, maybe not out of the camera but adjusted, yes. I've taken the M9 and D700 out to shoot at the same time but for some reason prefer the Leica images and I'm using Nikon's good glass (24/1.4 G, 35/1.4 G, 50/1.4 G and 108/1.8 AIS).
If you are patient I'd wait for this Fall to see what Leica throws us. M9 prices should decrease accordingly. Given your itch, ignore all the "me", "my" and "I" comments here and run with what your heart says.
Got the monetary means today? Go for it. You live once.
I too have a D700, love the thing but honestly prefer the M9. And that's saying a lot. While the lowlight ability of the D700 is good, the M9 files are just fine. If anything we have gotten lazy with the aid of high ISO's. Personally I prefer the color of the M9, maybe not out of the camera but adjusted, yes. I've taken the M9 and D700 out to shoot at the same time but for some reason prefer the Leica images and I'm using Nikon's good glass (24/1.4 G, 35/1.4 G, 50/1.4 G and 108/1.8 AIS).
If you are patient I'd wait for this Fall to see what Leica throws us. M9 prices should decrease accordingly. Given your itch, ignore all the "me", "my" and "I" comments here and run with what your heart says.
Got the monetary means today? Go for it. You live once.
mervynyan
Mervyn Yan
chasing the digital IQ, I'd go with N/C FX and keep shooting some films on M7/P
astro8
Well-known
Keith....if photography is your passion and the D700 doesn't enhance that passion in your personal photography just get the M9.
I know you love film, but shooting film probably feels like a burden on you at the moment because you are time poor, so just get the M9.
What's the worse that can happen?
Yeah it's a lot of money blah, blah, blah...but if you have the means at the moment and it gets you out shooting and more importantly, enjoying your shooting, it's worth every cent imo.
Life's short mate.
-Greg
I know you love film, but shooting film probably feels like a burden on you at the moment because you are time poor, so just get the M9.
What's the worse that can happen?
Yeah it's a lot of money blah, blah, blah...but if you have the means at the moment and it gets you out shooting and more importantly, enjoying your shooting, it's worth every cent imo.
Life's short mate.
-Greg
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
And if you don't like it, sell it on. There's still a market for them. And if you do like it and Leica do put out an M10, it won't make the M9 a bad camera all of a sudden.
MCTuomey
Veteran
What Ezzie said.
Keith, if you don't, you'll wish you did.
Keith, if you don't, you'll wish you did.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I'm pretty keen I have to say ... I am taking my time here though and trying not to be impulsive!
There seems to be a few low milage examples cropping up on Oz eBay ... I would prefer not to buy from OS due to the risks of postage etc. A local purchase has more appeal for me.
This looked OK and I was quite tempted for a while.
There seems to be a few low milage examples cropping up on Oz eBay ... I would prefer not to buy from OS due to the risks of postage etc. A local purchase has more appeal for me.
This looked OK and I was quite tempted for a while.
Ade-oh
Well-known
I'm not going to offer an opinion on what camera you should buy, what I will say is that most worthwhile, creative photography seems to take time, and while the digital process is more convenient than film, it isn't necessarily less time consuming for anything other than idle snapshots. I also don't have a lot of time for photography just at the moment, but my digital cameras are just as idle as my film cameras.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
edodo
Well-known
Hey Keith!
Hey Keith!
Long time no see! The perfect tool for you to make a seemless and nice transition is a nex7! With it you would be able to shoot all your prefered glasses including ltm, ikon and many many more lenses with your digital body! I love the flicked lcd and hipshot style, very stealthy and very RF like, candid shot is very rewarding with nex, not as easy as an M, but you don't have to process film! The M9 is overkill, and you will always prefer a process roll from a M3 with a summilux mounted on it. The M9 won't produce the same satifaction so why spending all that money! Get a Nex, be done with it, and shoot film during important event like families wedding and such! You'll save a lot of money, and be glad you did the right move..
Hey Keith!
Long time no see! The perfect tool for you to make a seemless and nice transition is a nex7! With it you would be able to shoot all your prefered glasses including ltm, ikon and many many more lenses with your digital body! I love the flicked lcd and hipshot style, very stealthy and very RF like, candid shot is very rewarding with nex, not as easy as an M, but you don't have to process film! The M9 is overkill, and you will always prefer a process roll from a M3 with a summilux mounted on it. The M9 won't produce the same satifaction so why spending all that money! Get a Nex, be done with it, and shoot film during important event like families wedding and such! You'll save a lot of money, and be glad you did the right move..
leicapixie
Well-known
i am in similar boat as OP. i lack the incentive to do film work..it's close to 200 rolls not proofed to paper. i use digital, inexpensive point and shoot,with manual controls, for my "pro" jobs all for internet. My Leicas are still in use! i found out that you don't need pro labs, usually with antiquated equipment and banker charges. The 1-Hour labs using Fuji or Noritsu can do high resolution scans! Mine are approx.6MB.In 1 hour! The cost here in Canada, under $5.00
A few hours at home with Picassa or Adobe , prefer the former, have digital files from the CD, ready for 4x6" or 8 x 11" prints.
B/W from the color negatives. i prefer real B/W film, but I will go this way now.
You have the M2, the lenses. I'm sure you must have a film Nikon! They are very cheap anyway, except a new/used F6.
I am thrilled with the new scans. I have a scanner but it is so slow, i am glad i found it, not bought it!
The M9 is great. I've also used the M8, it's nice. I have a cheap Kodak with Rochester sensor, that has the magenta issues.The color though spectacular.
So are the "moire" patterns..The cost for a very basic, but Leica type camera excessive. They don't feel or SOUND like a real film Leica. The shutter sounds like my Canon Ae-1P that does need a service! The sound of a mouse getting killed.The lens focusing issues at wide apertures and longer lenses intolerable.
If i won the Lottery, yes there would be one now in bag. At that price $5500 no way. Rather add a smaller cheaper Nikon digital DSLR. Add some fine prime lenses..
So high resolution scans or add a smaller digital DSLR from Nikon.
A few hours at home with Picassa or Adobe , prefer the former, have digital files from the CD, ready for 4x6" or 8 x 11" prints.
B/W from the color negatives. i prefer real B/W film, but I will go this way now.
You have the M2, the lenses. I'm sure you must have a film Nikon! They are very cheap anyway, except a new/used F6.
I am thrilled with the new scans. I have a scanner but it is so slow, i am glad i found it, not bought it!
The M9 is great. I've also used the M8, it's nice. I have a cheap Kodak with Rochester sensor, that has the magenta issues.The color though spectacular.
So are the "moire" patterns..The cost for a very basic, but Leica type camera excessive. They don't feel or SOUND like a real film Leica. The shutter sounds like my Canon Ae-1P that does need a service! The sound of a mouse getting killed.The lens focusing issues at wide apertures and longer lenses intolerable.
If i won the Lottery, yes there would be one now in bag. At that price $5500 no way. Rather add a smaller cheaper Nikon digital DSLR. Add some fine prime lenses..
So high resolution scans or add a smaller digital DSLR from Nikon.
Wow, so many don't like the M9. To me, it is the best camera I've ever owned... and I've owned a lot (M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M6, D700, Hasselblad, and dozens more, etc.) Seems to me that the price tag makes people make excuses for why it isn't as good as a "real" Leica, but it is certainly a real Leica. I get that it isn't as quiet as a M2, or doesn't use the almighty film, and costs way too much... but it is a hell of a camera that is capable of superb quality. The M9 gives me more satisfaction than any other camera ever. Sure, it's probably the right place, right time for the camera, and the fact that I've never been happier with photography that taints my view here, but I never regretted buying it for one second. Keith, go for it.