CarlRadford
Member
I drive a Landrover Freelander - its very nice and extremely capable but I'd love a Range Rover at some stage in my life - even for a little while. Do I need a Range Rover absolutely not - but some people just love toys 
rbsinto
Well-known
If I could afford an M9, I'd buy a new, black re-issue Nikon SP, and squirrel away the change for a rainy day.
atlcruiser
Part Yeti
I would buy one in a second.
I love the M8 and the M9 would be astep in the right direction for me. An M6 for B+W and an M9 for color would be a super combo.
I have been doing more and more MF and the need for an "accessory lmited" digital system in FF is there
I love the M8 and the M9 would be astep in the right direction for me. An M6 for B+W and an M9 for color would be a super combo.
I have been doing more and more MF and the need for an "accessory lmited" digital system in FF is there
kshapero
South Florida Man
You already have a very nice kit. Might I recommend a short tele to go with you rig, like a 50mm lens?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I would buy one in a second.
I love the M8 and the M9 would be astep in the right direction for me. An M6 for B+W and an M9 for color would be a super combo.
I have been doing more and more MF and the need for an "accessory lmited" digital system in FF is there
Dear David,
I couldn't agree more. A lot of the people who are saying "If I could afford an M9..." are actually saying "I don't want an M9." This is a perfectly reasonable response, though somewhat detached from the actual question.
Many more people could afford an M9 if they didn't have other priorities (a new fitted kitchen or a new car every few years, never mind boats and other luxuries). Their 'if I could afford...' posts are therefore lies, or at best irrelevant.
That leaves plenty of people who genuinely can't afford one. The only reasons I can consider one are (a) it's part of the business, and therefore tax allowable and (b) an inheritance my wife received a couple of years ago.
I can't help feeling, though, that a useful question for many is not just "Can I afford this?" but "How badly do I want this, and how much will I enjoy having it?"
It's a bit like having children. Frances and I decided not to, but we fully respect the choice of others who made the opposite decision, and we even envy them in some ways. But not in others, which is why they envy us in some ways...
Cheers,
R.
ferider
Veteran
I can afford one but don't care. Just the prospect of running around with batteries, memory cards, and 15-20k worth of equipment (2 bodies and lenses ?) puts me off.
I like the film process. Much like others like to drive old cars - which I do, too.
And frankly, Akiva, i don't know you other than via RFF, but I am sure that you can afford one if you really want it.
Roland.
I like the film process. Much like others like to drive old cars - which I do, too.
And frankly, Akiva, i don't know you other than via RFF, but I am sure that you can afford one if you really want it.
Roland.
CSG123
Established
Technically, I suppose I can "afford" one in that I have money in the bank. My problem with the M9 is that it's too expensive for what it is and its value simply isn't there for me. It would not be a good use of the money to buy one although I'd absolutely love to try one out.
The whole Leica thing is a bit of a myth anyway and the uniqueness of their cameras is long over (it ain't the 40's anymore). HOWEVER, I love owning the M4 I recently acquired and it's inspired me more than I might have imagined. But the M4 was the last of a breed and spending $700 for it is a whole lot different than spending ten times that for an M9. The M4 will never be worth less than I paid but in 5 years what will the M9 be worth? The value *I'd* put on a new M9 is somewhere between $2000-3000 with $2000 being the closer number.
The whole Leica thing is a bit of a myth anyway and the uniqueness of their cameras is long over (it ain't the 40's anymore). HOWEVER, I love owning the M4 I recently acquired and it's inspired me more than I might have imagined. But the M4 was the last of a breed and spending $700 for it is a whole lot different than spending ten times that for an M9. The M4 will never be worth less than I paid but in 5 years what will the M9 be worth? The value *I'd* put on a new M9 is somewhere between $2000-3000 with $2000 being the closer number.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Oh, sure, there are dozens of other brand new digital RF cameras, at far lower prices...
Cheers,
R.
CarlRadford
Member
Its a value judgement. Can you afford it and do you want it. Very few people are in a position where this would be a tool that pays for itself at a professional level. Good luck to those that can afford it - hopefully some might even part with a couple of film M's for us mortals to use to ease their guilt
Must be lots of bankers due end of year bonuses
Must be lots of bankers due end of year bonuses
Andy Kibber
Well-known
Well of course. We all make priorities in our spending. I suppose I could live in a hovel and eat dog food for a few months while I saved up $10,000. Similarly I could rob and steal to get the money.
Fact is there are plenty of things I'm not willing to do to buy an M9. I suppose at bottom, you're right: I don't want an M9.
CSG123
Established
Well, see, I *want* one but not for $7000.
archeophoto
I love 1950's quality
The M9 is way to expensive for what it is. I think one is much better off with a D700 or a 5D MKII. The high ISO performance of the Leica is just not comparable, especially compared to the D700. While I certainly appreciate the "Made in Germany" aspect of the M9 I think $3500-4000 would be more appropriate.
archeophoto
I love 1950's quality
You don't want a Range Rover! Believe me. Guess how I know
I drive a Landrover Freelander - its very nice and extremely capable but I'd love a Range Rover at some stage in my life - even for a little while. Do I need a Range Rover absolutely not - but some people just love toys
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Clearly it isn't, or they'd not be selling them as fast as they can make them.
What on earth does "more appropriate" mean? Only "what I am willing to pay." Nothing more, nothig less.
Cheers,
R.
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ederek
Well-known
I have a 5D and the L primes. Superb setup. BUT, I wasn't 'better off' with it at all for travel, social outings and similar scenarios. The result was the 5D couldn't practically be carried anywhere and everywhere.
The first time I traveled with the M9 and a few lenses in a little Domke bag - well, there's no looking back, the 5D will never travel with me again. Maybe a large format field camera, but not the 5D relative to the M9.
I agree about ISO, but that's a sacrifice for the size and handling characteristics of the M9. There are other quirks and shortcomings we can point out with the M9, but hey, it works pretty darn well.
Was very fortunate to get the M9, 50 and 75 lux with cash from a bonus. Don't regret the decision one bit. If I were desperate for cash, the Canon setup would get sold first.
The biggest negative with the M9 is that it's quite good and very convenient, so the M4 doesn't get as much use as it deserves...
Could I afford another M9 if I had to replace this one? Not sure, so I look at it as a very fortunate splurge, and shoot with it like every day is the last.
archeophoto
I love 1950's quality
Ferrari sells all the vehicles they make. With some models you even have to apply to get one. With resume! Good marketing is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.
By "appropriate" I mean that the technology behind the M9 in no way warrants the cost. $3000-4000 for the technology, the rest is something else. Status symbol maybe?
The D700 (or the 5D mkII) outperforms the M9 nearly all the way for less then half the price. Shoot a wedding with both and you know what I mean.
Also, the M9 is by no means a small camera. Yes it is smaller then the D700, but you still won't slide one down your pocket.
If you put a small prime on the Nikon, it isn't that bad.
By "appropriate" I mean that the technology behind the M9 in no way warrants the cost. $3000-4000 for the technology, the rest is something else. Status symbol maybe?
The D700 (or the 5D mkII) outperforms the M9 nearly all the way for less then half the price. Shoot a wedding with both and you know what I mean.
Also, the M9 is by no means a small camera. Yes it is smaller then the D700, but you still won't slide one down your pocket.
If you put a small prime on the Nikon, it isn't that bad.
3rdtrick
Well-known
Ferrari turned down my resume... I thought it was the other button on the cruise control... I did get accepted for an M9 and I enjoy it very much. I have been working many hours and my film workflow has gone by the wayside so the M9 has allowed me to enjoy my photography hobby. For those of you who still have your film workflow down, by all means keep shooting it. There are many great deals on great old film cameras. In a way I wish I still had time to work with film but I am too caught up in the instant gratification of digital.
Pete
Pete
Roger Hicks
Veteran
This is a completely meaningless statement. There are NO OTHER full-frame RF cameras on the market. That's nothing to do with marketing. It's limited production of a limited-demand item. HOW is Leica supposed to get the price down to $4000?
And actually, the M9 is quite a small camera. Not tiny, to be sure, but without a mirror box and a petaprism hump, it's not as lumpy and awkward as an SLR. There are lots of pics purporting to show SLR bofies that are as svelte as a Leica -- and they are, as long as you ignore the mirror box and pentaprism.
Your argument about 'shoot a wedding...' is pure nonsense. There are only two reasons to shoot a wedding with a Nikon or Canon instead of a Leica. One is that you prefer the Nikon or Canon, and the other is that even if you'd prefer a Leica, you can't/won't afford it.
Cheers,
R.
John Lawrence
Well-known
If I could afford one I'd buy one, just to see what the fuss was about.
John
John
I'll admit it... I want one and can afford one... but haven't been able to bring myself to buy one. It's just too expensive for what it is.
I'm going to wait for the Fuji X100 which seems more true to what I really want in a camera. If the X100 doesn't end up being a great camera, I'm afraid I'll be back to looking at the M9.
I'm going to wait for the Fuji X100 which seems more true to what I really want in a camera. If the X100 doesn't end up being a great camera, I'm afraid I'll be back to looking at the M9.