Just bought a M9 - need help with accessories

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- thumbs up
- soft release
- 1.4X magnifier for 50/90
- gordy wristrap
- leica handgrip (I didn't like half cases, even with the grips)
 
the essentials are:

1. extra battery: get an original m8 or m9 battery. around $100.
2. bag: I have a vintage leitz hard bag and a domke fxb
3. soft shutter release button (eBay has tons in all colours)
4. Sd card!
5. neck strap or wrist strap as you prefer: I like leather myself.

the half cases aren't very good....in looks or in function...I'd stay away. they just add bulk and are aesthetically quite ugly IMO.
 
The only thing I view as essential is a Thumbie (look up Steve Barnett - 250SWB on here), which I prefer to the Thumbs Up, ymmv:)

A spare battery would be nice, but I haven't got one

Spare SD cards are too easy to lose, but useful - I wouldn't worry about brand too much - I use Transcend

I've got a Billingham case, but rarely use it other than for keeping stuff in in the car.
 
As many others have said, extra battery. You didn't ask, but i'd also recommending a screen protector as it scratches easily e.g. a Giotto.
 
JMQ said:
As many others have said, extra battery. You didn't ask, but i'd also recommending a screen protector as it scratches easily e.g. a Giotto.
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This is the least expensive good choice fo a screen. I have it on the M8 and one on the M9.
 
JMQ said:
As many others have said, extra battery. You didn't ask, but i'd also recommending a screen protector as it scratches easily e.g. a Giotto.
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+1

Absolutely, it's so much a part of the camera I'd forgotten I'd put one on! Giottos, ACMAXX and GGS are all good; I think mine is the Giottos.
 
Yes, you can buy cheap batteries - but I still haven't heard of any non-Leica batteries which work 100% correctly (charging, displaying charge level, and actual shooting) on the M9. This should be mentioned when recommending the cheap batteries.

I don't like it, but it's reality.

-Robert

Rangefinderfreak said:
Check batteries in Ebay: You can have 8 pcs for the price of one "leica" brand
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Klaus, since Expodisk has different sizes (equal to filter size) what will the one suitable for M9? I doubt they have like 46mm size...:confused:

icebear said:
Congrats to your new M9. In order for you to enjoy it right away a few tips:
+1 extra battery is a must, of course.
SD cards: I use Lexar Pro 16GB SDHC cards and never had issues and I never heard of anyone using a Lexar card in M9 who had problems.
Format in camera and A L W A Y S watch the red light indicating data being written to the card. NEVER turn off the camera during this period. Look into the appropriate section in the manual, follow the instruction and you will never loose a picture.

White balance: there are several options, white/ grey cards, profile cards etc. For me the easiest to use every time is the Expodisc. Any tool giving supposedly an even better result, is only better when it is used every time you shoot under different light conditions. The Expodisc comes with a small attachable strap. I wear it around my neck, the disc in my shirt pocket, always handy.
Press : Set, select manual WB, press Set again, hold Exposdisc in front of the lens and release the shutter in setting A, no focus but accurate exposure necessary.

For me an essential the "thumbs up" attachment and a Photoequip MD grip. I also use a selfmade "sling" a double finger loop that attaches to the strap eyelet. And of course since years I use a Tom A. Softrelease.

Bag depends on how much you want to carry. I carry too much;).

Enjoy, get out and shoot and let's see some pictures.
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tohara said:
Nothing is essential but the following will add to the experience

Spare battery
Zhou half case
Thumbs up
Soft release
Gordy wrist strap . . .

. . . Domke f803 is a nice bag, a lot cheaper than billingham and far more discreet
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Highlight: Or, as far as I am concerned, greatly detract from using the camera by covering it with useless junk. I'm not saying that you're wrong: just that your advice will not suit everyone.

Also, I can't quite see how a Domke is even slightly more discreet than a Billingham, let alone far more discreet.

Cheers,

R.
 
Avoid Sandisk cards. No issues with Lexar.
I love my Thumbie.
You don't need a bag until you get other lenses. Get a nice neck strap instead and your camera is always ready to go. When you buy your next lens you can then get a Hadley for your extra battery and cards.
I like Gordys straps. They wear in nicely.
I have two spare batteries plus four cheapies that are in a drawer. I moly take more than one battery when I'm working.

I've got half cases, soft releases, grips. They're all in drawers, except my RRS L plate and grip I use when I use a tripod.

Sometimes less is more.

Gordon
 
Spare batteries are interesting. I have them for my Coolpix 4500 and the X100. I needed a second battery with the Coolpix for a wedding and didn't have one. Miraculously someone else at that wedding had a spare to lend me. I bought a second and have never really needed it. I can go days and days with the M9 without recharging: I'm an amateur and I have a day job. With the X100 my worry is that I will find myself with two relatively flat batteries, the one in the camera, and the spare which I falsely assume might have more charge. I have run the risk of being uanble to use either at short notice. With only one battery for the M9, I am much more in tune with the charge and I have never come close to running out when it would have been inconvenient. Yes, I will get another. But for six months I have managed fine.
 
Thanks to all for the replies - lots of great information. I've decided to "ease into" my M9. Lexar cards instead of Sandisk (although I've used Sandisk extensively in other gear). Unsure of LCD screen cover - a glass cover has the potential for fogging during cooler fall weather, and I'm also concerned with breakage.

For a case I appreciate the comments about "wearing" your camera so it gets used. I'll just go with something generic to avoid drawing unwanted attention to the camera - I have a small Tamrac bag that seems to hold the M9 without much drama. I may add the neoprene Leica "snuggie" for some extra protection. Just a single Summicron 50mm to start. I don't envision much street shooting so my second lens may be a 28 instead of a 35 when I'm ready.

I'll consider the various grip options, but for now I'll just shoot and see what my needs are as I gain more experience with the camera.

Thanks again to all - the help is much appreciated.
 
raid said:
Yes, I got several SD cards too. B&H has a back-up charger for $35 shipped by Annsman. Bstteries, charger and SD cards are like film for a film camera.
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Raid, I don't see that back up charger at B&H. Was that a recent purchase?
 
IMHO, the glass covers are useless, especially the Schott glass whatever. I would use a glass cover if I wanted the best optical/viewing quality. It just happens that the LCD of the M9 is so crappy and unclear anyway, and the glass can break and the shards can scar the screen. I use only film cover. It doesn't break, protects from scratches, and can be removed without leaving glue on the screen.
 
EdwardKaraa said:
IMHO, the glass covers are useless, especially the Schott glass whatever. I would use a glass cover if I wanted the best optical/viewing quality. It just happens that the LCD of the M9 is so crappy and unclear anyway, and the glass can break and the shards can scar the screen. I use only film cover. It doesn't break, protects from scratches, and can be removed without leaving glue on the screen.
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I tried a couple of these film LCD protectors on my X2. They were damaged so easily I changed them out five times in one month. The Giottos LCD protector on my M9 has been on there since I bought the camera and doesn't have a scratch on it, the camera has been handled exactly the same as the X2. I fitted an ACMAXX to the X2 after that first month. Similarly, it has not a scratch on it in the ensuing two months.

For me, those film LCD protectors are simply a waste of time and money.
 
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