Leica: Cant use same lenses on the M9 and the M8? What gives?

[eleskin]

There was a post on Leica Users Forum from a pro photographer from Switzerland on problems he has with his new M9. One problem is a blue line on his photos at iso 640. Another problem, a big one for me, is Leica told this man if he had his lenses adjusted for the M9, they would not work on the M8.2 or M8 (focus would be off). For those of us who were planning to use the M8 as a backup to the M9, this is not good news at all. It actually means that if you want a backup for the M9, get a DSLR (I am now attracted to Sonys Alpha pro brand with Zeiss lenses) or something else that wil use Leica lenses and focus properly (Olympus Digital Pen, etc,,,).

Who in this forum is now using the M9 and the M8 and is NOT having any issues with proper focus? This concerns me in that there are some things about the M8 I like, and some i like about the M9. i have a full range of M lenses including the older Noctilux,and would really like the flexibility to use both the M8 and M9. by the way, ALL of my lenses have perfect focus with the M8, including My Noct which was sent to germany for correct focus for my M8 (it has dead on focus which is difficult art f1.0).

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Perhaps something to do with the processing to correct lens issues with the larger sensor? It would be interesting to know more about this.

 

[eleskin]

Well, I will not send anything in that I do not even have an M9 yet ($$$$!!!), the photographer in Switzerland has the problem and will do the sending. I only raise concern as one who still uses their M8 and am planning to get the M9 next year well into production (I always wait so Leica can iron out any bugs in the new cameras). I will then use the M8 as a second camera (although for some situations, the 1.33 crop is advantage).

 

[eleskin]

All of this if true, draws one closer to the use of a DSLR as a backup or worse!!! I love rangefinders, but why all of these problems after spending $7,000? What gives? That Sony Alpha 850 is under $2000 and looks like one hell of a deal as a backup or to complement either an M8 or M9 with Zeiss lenses!

 

[jaapv]

I can attest it is not true. Worst-case scenario is to have a body or one or two lenses readjusted to tighter tolerances. The majority of cases will not need that.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Everything I've tried so far on the M9 works fine.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jaapv]

There was a post on Leica Users Forum from a pro photographer from Switzerland on problems he has with his new M9. One problem is a blue line on his photos at iso 640. Another problem, a big one for me, is Leica told this man if he had his lenses adjusted for the M9, they would not work on the M8.2 or M8 (focus would be off). For those of us who were planning to use the M8 as a backup to the M9, this is not good news at all. It actually means that if you want a backup for the M9, get a DSLR (I am now attracted to Sonys Alpha pro brand with Zeiss lenses) or something else that wil use Leica lenses and focus properly (Olympus Digital Pen, etc,,,).

Who in this forum is now using the M9 and the M8 and is NOT having any issues with proper focus? This concerns me in that there are some things about the M8 I like, and some i like about the M9. i have a full range of M lenses including the older Noctilux,and would really like the flexibility to use both the M8 and M9. by the way, ALL of my lenses have perfect focus with the M8, including My Noct which was sent to germany for correct focus for my M8 (it has dead on focus which is difficult art f1.0).

No problems. I had to correct my 90 AA (notoriously difficult), 135 TE and 50 Summilux asph but all in the M8 period. My M9 was spot on but lost focus accuracy on an extended journey under harsh circumstances. A 5-day turnaround correction by Solms took care of that. Now I have two M8 bodies, one M9 body and 10 lenses, all interchangable without any focussing problems, except me missing focus from time to time, but that is old age...🙁

 

[bobkonos]

Hmmmmmmmm...don't seem to have any problem using the same lenses on my M2 or M3 or M4 or M6 or MP. Welcome to the future.

 

[jaapv]

Oh yes, forgot to mention it: my lenses are fine on my M3 as well.....

 

[Roger Hicks]

And my M2 (x2), M4-P, MP...

 

[johannielscom]

Sounds like a bogus story on LUF to me, I take the words of Jaapv and Roger over any unknown Swiss blokes' anytime.

Link to the post there would be appreciated if we are to even consider this any further.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Sounds like a spurious story. A lens collimated to a neutral reference (like a Siemens star) using a front-surface mirror will work fine on either.

 

[jarski]

damn, Jaapv and Roger cut wings from this rumor. everybody wants popcorn on Christmas. no ? 😛

btw, now that I thought about it, merry C everybody !!

 

[250swb]

My lenses work OK on my MP and M9. The story is just hysteria, and its unfortunate that any creedence is given to it in the first place.

Steve

 

[snausages]

I played with an M9 using lenses fresh off my RD1. No problems whatsoever. I was able to crop the M9 images almost 100% with the desired point of focus remaining sharp.

 

[dspeltz]

Nonsense

Nonsense

I use three M8s and 1 M9 and there is no problem whatsoever. And the lenses work just fine on MP, M6, M3 and M4.

DS