Leica Film to Digital

[Pete B]

I've been offered a Leica ME for £3000. It's only 5 or 6 months old. I've been reluctant to get into the Leica M9 ilk due to issues that have cropped up but which are perhaps exaggerated because they're brought together on the forums.
I like shooting film for holidays but often I would appreciate the immediacy of digital for day to day photography for sharing and getting to know my lenses more intimately. I wouldn't like to sit post processing a holiday's worth of images.
Returning to digital with a couple of Leicas has been in my mind for sometime. My initial return to film was out of exasperation at the size of Nikon DSLRs - I got myself a small film Leica and you know how that path always goes, suddenly you've acquired a lot of M lenses. And I found that I really like the look and use of film and started to feel a little nauseous when I thought of digital photography. So, with this opportunity of a digital ME at £1200 less than a new one I have a question for you all. Has anyone been on the fence about going to Leica digital but then found that they really enjoy it and perhaps even wish they'd gone digital sooner?
N.b. This isn't the Leica ME which was stolen from Red Dot Cameras earlier this week!!
Pete

 

[James24]

As someone who loves Leica M digital I think you should do it! £3000 is a very good price for an ME, and you will have a transferable warranty which should give you some peace of mind.

Perhaps you should keep your film Leica M as well though. I sold mine and now hanker for one again, not that I miss using it so much as just having one around.

 

[TennesseJones]

I recently started using an M9, after years using m6's.

I think the m9 is terrific, and am using it in a very similar way. I think, at a good price, it's a good idea.

I shot a book commission all on film last year, and pretty much all on the m6's. That was a wonderful experience, and my processing was paid for so it didn't break me. So I was certain I'd stay with film, and the experience of using film Leicas. I loved my battered old bodies and knowing how many rolls of what film were in my bag.

But.. an m9 came along through some trades and luck for about 1500 so I went for it.

I know I've a lot to learn about digital processing, but I can honestly say I'm really enjoying the m9, and it has advantages. I'm sure if I'd come to it from a d800 or something I'd have been stressed by its quirks. But I didn't, so I wasn't.

Go for it I'd say.

 

[MCTuomey]

I'd do it. Wait. I did do it. Digital for small format. Film for med format only. Kept a film M and nearly never use it (sad), finally selling it (sadder).

 

[johnmshaw]

In the same boat 🙂
I just bought my first Leica Digital, only an M8
But can't wait. The ME is a fantastic camera. I say do it 🙂

 

[Pete B]

I'm really on the fence about this. I think, although it's a good offer, more good offers will come in the future. I really like the look of the M9-P but for the moment I think I'll stick with my film Ms and try to use my Ricoh GXR a little more. It is a lot of money and, as I don't print images often, and locally film is very cheap, and I don't take a lot of images I don't need to go to digital yet.
Pete

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

I keep and enjoy both: M9 amd M6. M9 is is great for colour, M6 for BW.

 

[leicapixie]

It seems nobody answered your one OTHER question..
what about all the post processing?
needed as the JPEG are useless or very poor..
i have stopped short with digital.
Yes i use digital, but on cameras where the JPEG is good.
The offer is OK, considering the prices..

 

[thegman]

If the price is legit, it's good, but if you do go for it, make sure it's all above board first.

As for film or digital, it'll work for you, or it won't, the only way to know is to try I think.