Is it worth to upgrade M9 to M9-P?

Hi Kevin, looks like only you can make that call. I believe Leica NJ charges $1300 for the sapphire glass replacement, and $2000 for the glass, top, bottom plates. I see the advantages to the sapphire, but that's a lot of money.

I have the vanilla version of the M9, and it takes the same photos as the M9-P. I have the screen protected by a giotto glass.
 
Your call Kevin. I personally do not think it is worth it unless you are particularly rough with your gear.
 
I know someone who did this to their M9. Scott just happened to be one of the first to get a M9 when they were first released. It kinda made sense in that not only did he get a fresh camera back with the upgrades, but it was CLA'ed and I believe he got another two years on his warantee. Effectively it was like a new camera.

Also at the same time Scott sent in a 50 Lux ASPH to be checked and calibrated to the body. Somehow he had damaged the hood, but Leica sent back the 50 Lux with a new hood at no charge.

Cal
 
Depends on what you're looking for. For this substantial expense, your camera will be more stylish ... but what else? The sapphire screen may be nice, but what more does it really get you than a Giotto screen protector? Getting a new two-year warranty is a plus, depending on the warranty status of your M9. But I wouldn't have any interest ...
 
they have the same inner organs. pretty much a cosmetic upgrade (apart from the screen cover, but the regular can be protected with a screen protector).
 
I agree mostly with what's already been said; as a photographer there probably isn't much merit unless you really need the sapphire screen, and as someone who enjoys fine machinery you'd be better off with an M3.

If it's your long term main camera it might be more worthwhile just for the "feel" or what not, otherwise it's a rather expensive upgrade with no additional functionality or benefit towards actual photography.
 
Another way to look at this is the difference in re-sale values between the M9 and the M9-P, and your cost to upgrade. The current M9 and M9-P re-sale price differential is about $1000. It'll cost you $2000 to upgrade.
 
Really appreciate for all your opinions. : )

I have to think clearly to make the decision. As my M9's shutter count is only 700 with a dent on the top plate(I's my fault.... Terrible accident...) and out of warranty,I want to fix the top plate and get one year warranty if possible. Or I have to upgrade it to M9-P to get the new top plate and warranty.
 
No. My bog standard M9 survived riding across Africa on a BMW motorcycle that did not survive. A month with no care for its safety whatsoever, though it was protected by a leather half case.

If you are in for the "ruggedness" the normal M9 is fine. If you are in it for the looks and have money to spare....why not?
 
The internals cannot be exactly the same. On LUF users found the M9 firmware can be downgraded from 1.176 to 1.162, on the M9P it cannot. There must be a difference somewhere.
 
I paid $1700 to upgrade my M8 with the sapphire AND new framelines AND a new shutter. $2000 is what Leica is asking for sapphire and top/bottom plates on the M9. Those M8 upgrades were substantial feature upgrades, not just cosmetic. I got back only $500 of the upgrade cost when I sold my M8. So I will not be doing an upgrade on the M9, instead putting $2000 into my M10 fund.
 
jaapv said:
The internals cannot be exactly the same. On LUF users found the M9 firmware can be downgraded from 1.176 to 1.162, on the M9P it cannot. There must be a difference somewhere.
Click to expand...

Could be just that 1.162 doesn't contain a directive to "look for" an M9P as it wasn't in the catalog back then.
 
The M9P will of course take better photos, so this is a no brainer. And when you do the upgrade, get the silver, those always take better photos than the black ones. :)
 
the Main reason I got the "P" was for the sleek front view of the camera, as I do a fair amount of traveling and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. Most people dont know you have an $8k camera in your hands, or digital at that, when they just see a plain black front without fancy Leica renderings and the red dot.
 
I've asked myself that question and figured that my M9 with black tape and Acmaxx screen protector was doing just fine. It is a cosmetic upgrade that offers no new or upgraded functionality, as nice as it looks.
 
fotomeow said:
Most people dont know you have an $8k camera in your hands, or digital at that, when they just see a plain black front without fancy Leica renderings and the red dot.
Click to expand...

Most people have no idea what "Leica" is, with or without read dot and engravings. Nor could they imagine that a camera could cost $8k. And if they stole it, they'd get less for it than for a big DSLR.
 
It strikes me as kind of silly dropping 2k to upgrade the front so as to be "inconspicuous," since obviously the best way to make a camera less desirable to thieves is the free upgrade known as looking old and beat-up, not pristine and shiny.

If you have cash to throw around like that, fine, but at least be honest about wanting it for cosmetic reasons.

Like thinking "oh, debadging my M5 means noone will want to steal it." People in the know will ID it in a glance. I highly doubt some professional camera thief is going to be staking you out for months, waiting for the chance to snipe your 10k camera. It'll be Jimmy down at the McDonald's who snatches your bag from the back of your seat and pawns it for $100, all the while being pissed it isn't a big dSLR that he could hawk for $150.
 
If Leica also offer an upgrade from the M9P to the M10 in the future, then yes, why not, as long as you've got the cash to burn?

Otherwise you'll regret very, very soon according to popular rumors that are floating around.
 
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