Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If Leica are already having trouble getting what is effectively a very outdated sensor it's not looking great for the long term future of the M-E or M-9 
kena
Established
If Leica are already having trouble getting what is effectively a very outdated sensor it's not looking great for the long term future of the M-E or M-9
Thats a good way to rain on somebody's parade….merry Xmas to you too.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Sorry ... I wasn't trying to be a doomsayer but occasionally I get a yearning to own a full frame RF and reading these sorts of threads is a worry.
I can't help but wonder how long Leica will push on with the M-E before they try to shoehorn everyone into the 240.
jippiejee
Well-known
When I told my photo gas pusher (Talens, Delft, now closed) about the M-E he was really pissed off. His latest M9 had been on the shelf for about six months already, and Leica launched another M9 version undercutting his wholesale price?
M-E: this is all an after-thought, getting rid of stock components. Not something they'll actually give much priority.
Better buy a used M9 instead and save some.
M-E: this is all an after-thought, getting rid of stock components. Not something they'll actually give much priority.
Better buy a used M9 instead and save some.
Last edited:
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Not so. Leica introduced the ME to cater for the group of users that prefers a CCD sensor.
raid
Dad Photographer
Exactly. Buy a used M9 now and enjoy the premium FF camera .... (some claim)
raid
Dad Photographer
I will use the M8/M9 combo until they "expire", so the speak.
ymc226
Well-known
I agree. Although I have a M240, I use my M9-P just as much. I print up to 16x20, on an Epson 3880 and am just as satisfied with my M9 prints as with my M and MM.
The M-9 has the advantage of a longer long exposure potential which I can use the Lee Big Stopper to more effectiveness.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
Same here Raid. Never thought I would own M9 however thoroughly enjoying it as I get more familiar with its controls. Very responsive.
jarski
Veteran
nuff said. Leica was already doing pretty well at the time Kodak sold their sensors. they should have foresee problems down the road if not buying the sensors themselves :bang:
I can't believe Leica would repackage an already outdated M9 style camera (I know, it's still a great camera), sell it for $5500, and then have the balls to say wait 14 months...all while M9s are readily available on the used market for $4000. Ok, wait, I believe it.
Michael Markey
Veteran
So do I and I feel the same way .
They need to start building some confidence into the business model and stop making these unfortunate out sourcing decisions.
hepcat
Former PH, USN
Outdated? I have 20x30s hanging in my house shot with the M9-P. Mine performs quite admirably. Frankly, my M8 still performs admirably and the file sizes are easier to handle. I haven't seen anything from the M240 in still work that totally eclipses what the M9 can do. I think the M9 is going to have a nice, long run... and the M9-P is going to become the 'last of the true Leica rangefinders." Ok... maybe that's the M-E... but you get the point.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
I am hoping that Leica makes a new M-E with the new sensor and without all the bells and whistles. If not I will probably be getting a used M9. I think the MM will have a long life to. It will for me anyway.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Michael,
What? Like it's not good enough to make some of the finest cameras in the world for almost 90 years? And to have over a year of back orders? Yeah, I can see how they are complete failures.
Cheers,
R.
asiafish
Established
Outdated? I have 20x30s hanging in my house shot with the M9-P. Mine performs quite admirably. Frankly, my M8 still performs admirably and the file sizes are easier to handle. I haven't seen anything from the M240 in still work that totally eclipses what the M9 can do. I think the M9 is going to have a nice, long run... and the M9-P is going to become the 'last of the true Leica rangefinders." Ok... maybe that's the M-E... but you get the point.
Umm, what about the MM? THAT is a definitely a true Leica rangefinder, and likely to remain something of a cult classic long past the sell-by date.
burancap
Veteran
After 90 years... from a manufacturing viewpoint, yeah, they are. From a boutique viewpoint, nope, they are a huge success. The challenge is delineating just what they are, or rather, just what they have become.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Hold on. "Boutique" goods aren't "manufactured"?
I buy Spanish hams from a small secadero in Biota. I could pay a third as much for a mass-produced air-dried ham. Why should I? And why should they greatly increase production?
Growth and the mass market are greatly overestimated goals. They broke Connolly Leather. Why risk going broke for people who want to buy quality goods at unrealistically low prices?
Cheers,
R.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
Hi Peter,
Just saw this thread and I'm sorry that I can't tell you why you can't find an M-E in stock. I bought my M-E almost a year ago once my wife "the boss" gave me the go ahead to "upgrade" from my GXR.
The GXR-M led me to Leica and for the previous year (2012) I noticed how small the Leica inventory was and how quickly something that was in stock sold out.
So when I got the go ahead I did not hesitate in making my purchasing decision.
Now that I've shot close to 20k actuations with the camera this past year I'm still very satisfied with that decision. In my opinion I still prefer the CCD rendering to any of the CMOS sensor images I see online.
Not that it will ever happen, but it would be nice if Leica were to upgrade the electronics like they did with the S2 to improve ISO to 1600.