Help me choose which Leica.

MCTuomey said:
Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 would be my choice. You'll like having the speed, the Nokton compares well to the pre-asph Summilux image-wise.
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That would be an excellent choice as long as you get the latest M mount version so you do not have to play with adapters. I have a bunch of 50s and 40s lenses (Summicron, Rollei, Voigtlander) and do not recommend the 40 just because the M9 does not have corresponding frame lines.
I highly recommend (this being on a budget) the Zeiss Planar 50 - really nice and far more flare resistant than any Leica 50 that i have. For Leica 50 you are looking at a used Summicron. Just be aware that the Summicron 50 DR does not work with digital Leicas as the focus mechanism is unable to work past about 10 feet due to construction issues.
 
M8.2 is my suggestion, mine just sold for $1300 on the auction site, still a fantastic camera. However M9 are a bargain also, I grabbed an almost new M9 from a reputable store for $2500 (hence the M8.2 sale). I sort of miss the M8.2, I liked the crop factor. I looked look and hard at the newer models, even shot them and just could not see the any justification for jumping past the M9. And again, I would have stayed with the M8.2 if the mint M9 hadn't came along at a low price.
 
As I see it, an M9 has about a stop better high iso performance and more resolution over the M8.2 (leaving aside issues of Leica support). The rest of the differences - crop factor, IR cut filters - are easy to deal with. If you don't need the resolution or extra stop of low light performance, you can get a lot of camera in an M8.2 for 1200-1300 USD. Otherwise, pony up for the M9. There are good reasons to go with the M8.2: excellent B&W conversions; really lovely files all the way to iso 640, gorgeously crisp and richly colored SOOC; more useful framelines compared to the M9.

But I'm carrying on ... end of the day what do you need?
 
M9. Had the M8, bought an M9 and really noticed the difference in files, at least to my eyes. High ISO banding was bad on my copy of the M8, and the resolution at 10mp left something to be desired. I also had a number of lenses with different filter threads, requiring IR/UV filters for each size, which was a huge pain in my mind. If you can afford the M9, I'd say go for it!!!
 
Bidding on an M9 with 50mm Summilux. Lets see how it goes. Part of me hopes I win, part of me hopes I don!
 
Fingerpuk said:
Let's just say I buy the M9 tomorrow, I'm looking for a 50mm to go on it. I can't afford a new or new ish Leica lens so what's a good alternative?
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like they say, CV 50/1.5 is sweet and easy to find around 600 or less. Many love that lens.

However......for 900USD you can find a good v4 cron. Then you are in the big leagues. Plus it's much smaller.

But say you are on a real budget, plus you shoot some low light:

No Brainer:
Canon LTM 50/1.4 for about 275USD. Easy to find. Watch for haze. M9 loves this lens:


L1001696 by unoh7, on Flickr

WO:
L1001683 by unoh7, on Flickr

Basically 300 bucks will get you a decent lens for the M9 from 21 all the way to 135. And there are good ones for even less. The Canon 50/1.8, 100/3.5 and 135/3.5 all are real good for around 100 bucks.

At 35mm the little CV 35/1.4 will take the M9 into some dark places for about 400 bucks or less. It has quirks, but it's actually pretty good, and at F/8 it's sharper than the CV 35/2.5 skopar.


L1017051 by unoh7, on Flickr

35 is alot better for low light just because you get some DOF WO, while the 50s get very tight already at f/2

My goal would be to find a M9 for 2800, just back from Leica with a new sensor and the paperwork. The shutter will wear out too, so low count is best.
 
The M8.2 and M9 are both great cameras. I owned both of them and believe you would be happy with either one. Myself I would go with the M9 since if a problem appears with the sensor then there Leica should take care of it at no cost.

For a 50mm lens the Voigtlander 50/1.5 or the Zeizz 50/2 Planar would be two lenses that would not break the bank. Cameraquest which runs/owns the RFF website is a great place to pick up a new or used copy. The Zeiss Planar is available from Pop Flash a supporter of RFF currently being sold at a nice discounted price. The Voigtlander 40/1.4 is also a nice inexpensive alternative if you need to save some money and still have a nice M lenses to go with either camera.

Good luck with your search and decision for a camera and lens.
 
Didn't win. Quite happy about it. Decided to buy from a shop who will give me at least a certain level of support.
 
totally agree!

totally agree!

Fraser said:
Rather than a 50mm I would go for a 40mm Summicron.
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I would (and did) go for the M8, especially for black and white digital, and any of the minolta/ leica 40mm variations. Also worth looking into 50mm canon LTM lenses + LTM to M adapter ring and/or the optically excellent Voigtlander lenses in a variety of focal lengths (18 F4.5, 21 F4, 25 F4, 35 F2.5, 40 F1.4...) You can easily get good to excellent samples of any of these, including the great Canon 50mm 1.4, in the range of $250-400.
 
I'm going to keep calm and keep looking. I almost got a very clean M8 for £750, that would have been great but missed out due to being stuck in meetings. I'd be happy with an M8 for my first digital M.

I'd then make the jump to the 240 or maybe something new for my 40th birthday, in 3 years 🙂
 
uhoh7 said:
Boy they are all over the bay. Some go just over 2K! There is one which is still brand new, never used, for 3200.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-M9-18...k-Body-Only-/171902311121?hash=item28062d1ad1

I would say a picky and persistent buyer could find one easily under 2500.

and I just saw an exe M240 at FM for 3900 with some extras.

These cameras are not just for dentists, anymore!
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You have me confused here... The only dentist I know that owns a Leica - and I know hundreds- is myself....🙄
 
If you win, awesome, but I totally understand the hesitation. Just had a similar bid gone good/bad on a black paint M4. Submitted a best offer, which was way lower than I thought the seller would take...but he did...whoops.

Anyway, the M9 is awesome, and if you do end up getting it, you will love the files it produces. Some of my favorite personal photos came from the M9. Alas, I sold it for a down payment on a truck. Good luck on the cam, and enjoy the 50 Lux, another of my favorite lenses.
 
I haven't won any of the eBay cameras, which is fine I'd prefer to pick up. I'd love the M9 but the cash right now will only fit in the M8. But as I say, I'm prepared to wait around for a deal. This camera will be with me until I die so no (yet) rush.
 
Fingerpuk said:
I haven't won any of the eBay cameras, which is fine I'd prefer to pick up. I'd love the M9 but the cash right now will only fit in the M8. But as I say, I'm prepared to wait around for a deal. This camera will be with me until I die so no (yet) rush.
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Definitely wait for the M9. The M8 files are gorgeous BUT its a fussy camera.
 
Lss said:
In what sense? Putting on an IR cut filter really isn't a complicated move.
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It's well documented that IR cut filters help the m9 files as well.
Even more so the m240 files.

It's just a filter. Really not a big deal unless it is and, in those cases a bare lens will need shading as well as a filtered one.
 
Lss said:
In what sense? Putting on an IR cut filter really isn't a complicated move.
Click to expand...

I wasn't knocking the M8 at all. I think the files are gorgeous BUT the point is that when it was the only Leica digital M, dealing with its shortcomings/quirks was an acceptable condition. Now, with quite a few other M models to choose from its not worth the investment for someone just buying into a digital M for the first time in late 2015. The only advantage is price and its simply not enough of an advantage.
I have intentionally not listed its quirks because this is not about bashing the M8, a great camera that has had its day in the sun
 
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