Has anyone bought the Leica M-E

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StillKicking

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It's time to bite the bullet and buy my first digital M.

A refurbished M9 appeals as does the M9M. I currently shoot 95% black and white with my M3/M2 combo so the M9M could be a good option for me. If I want to shoot colour I could just pop a roll of Velvia into the M3.

Alternatively could go for the M-E and get the full warranty etc.

I was just wondering if anyone has bought a Leica M-E and if so how have you got on with it?
 
Just out of pure curiosity, could I ask you why you would prefer the M9M to the upcoming new Leica M, as they would cost you approximately the same amount? (M9M is actually more expensive)

To me it appears that the new Leica M is a much better deal with many attractive features, and if anybody doesn't plan on using those features, they can just ... not use them. The convenience of having a faster camera alone is huge ...

PS: If "black and white resolution is higher" is your answer, many experienced photographers and reviewers have deemed the M9M to have approximately the same resolving power as a ~24-26mp CMOS colour sensor (Luminous Landscape being one such review site).
 
bugmenot said:
Just out of pure curiosity, could I ask you why you would prefer the M9M to the upcoming new Leica M, as they would cost you approximately the same amount? (M9M is actually more expensive)

To me it appears that the new Leica M is a much better deal with many attractive features, and if anybody doesn't plan on using those features, they can just ... not use them. The convenience of having a faster camera alone is huge ...

PS: If "black and white resolution is higher" is your answer, many experienced photographers and reviewers have deemed the M9M to have approximately the same resolving power as a ~24-26mp CMOS colour sensor (Luminous Landscape being one such review site).
Click to expand...

I am sure I would love the new M.. I have not been considering it simply because it is not available yet.
 
bugmenot said:
Just out of pure curiosity, could I ask you why you would prefer the M9M to the upcoming new Leica M . . .
Click to expand...

My experience tells me that you can never get a conversion to B&W from a CMOS sensor that looks nearly as close to actual B&W as you can get from a CCD sensor, or B&W film. So if I were looking for a digital camera, and the output I wanted was B&W, then I would go with a M9M or an M9(P) before I would look at the new Leica M.

Best,
-Tim
 
I handled one in a Copenhagen shop today. Must say I felt tempted. But it's not the kind of money I carry in my pocket...
They said the M will be available in April.
If I do get the M-E, the first thing on my to-do-list will be to repaint the top & bottom plates. That colour doesn't go with anything in my humble opinion.
 
I looked at an ME last weekend, but price here in Singapore was the similar to an M9 in the US, so another M-9 for me, particularly after the price has dropped.
 
Rented and shot with the M-E this weekend. The color combo wasn't that bad in person, but I do miss the grip of the M9. the M-E grip is simply not as good, or grippy.
 
There's a photo in the gallery with the ME. Cannot remember who posted it. I want the MM and don't think the M would match it. Settling for my M9-P for the moment. I like the ME without the preview lever. Hate the colour. Looks like an East German Postal Service camera.
 
I'm torn between getting an used M9 for $4000-4500 or a new M-E (so $5500), thus a $1-1,5k price difference.

I'm having a hard time deciding, the M9 sure looks prettier in all black, nicer leatherette (though it can be replaced by Aki Asahi's 4034 which seems to be great) and being less expensive is a plus, but I wonder if the difference would be worth it regarding having a brand new shutter, sensor, electronics etc and the 2 yr warranty.. also, I really dont find the M-E to be ugly, in fact I think it's kinda charming.
 
D.J. said:
I'm waiting to see if the ME will be available in chrome or black finishes.
Click to expand...
I would vote for M-E with Black finish and black "griptac" leather.
I think leica would make a great move in supplying M-E with NO leather and various color leathers could be put on in the local leica service.
Imagine, for example hammer grey with brown or PINK leather...
 
Rangefinderfreak said:
I would vote for M-E with Black finish and black "griptac" leather.
I think leica would make a great move in supplying M-E with NO leather and various color leathers could be put on in the local leica service.
Imagine, for example hammer grey with brown or PINK leather...
Click to expand...
Twenty or more years ago, a friend of mine wanted leather seats in his new Porsche 911. Then he found out what Porsche leather cost. A set of leather Recaros (better seats) was cheaper. So he ordered the car delivered to the garage that would install the Recaros with NO seats. Porsche replied, "How are we going to deliver it?" His answer: "Not my problem..."

For those interested in how it turned out, they delivered it with a single, temporary, second-hand front seat, which they took away.

Cheers,

R.
 
Leica M vs Leica M 10

Leica M vs Leica M 10

I disagree with your opinion on the designation on "M". If you look the present Leica producion schedule, the main products are leica S and leica M.
leica S wil be the tool for advertising/studio/fashion shooter. Most of the new releases are for that format. Also It will win users from Hasselblad ( nobody takes hassy seriously anymore)
Leica rangefinder has a great history and the M line, digital or analogue will remain a tool for journalists and amateur "street" shooters. The future will be still photography combined with video, may "purists" say what they may.
 
Richard G said:
There's a photo in the gallery with the ME. Cannot remember who posted it. I want the MM and don't think the M would match it. Settling for my M9-P for the moment. I like the ME without the preview lever. Hate the colour. Looks like an East German Postal Service camera.
Click to expand...

Could someone please provide a link to said photo?

TIA,

Joel
 
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