leica m9: reliable? good performance?

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Rui Resende

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I'm starting to dream about buying a Leica M9. I've entered the M world, through the CL, loved it, wanna be there. I'll be purchasing a CLE soon, and for the moment i'm done with film cameras, not because i would mind owning an m6 or m7, but because i want to focus my investment elsewhere.

Now I'm considering the M9, because I have this project in mind. It's basically a photo trip, to an african country. I'm gathering contacts, if everything goes well, i would be able to go there next summer. Travelling a lot, walking a lot, thus light gear would be fantastic. I would gladly leave my dSLR home, even if i do like shooting with it, but only if i can garantee that i can (also) shoot digital. So right now, I'm thinking:

CL+CLE+M9
plus
40mm+90mm+28mm

and that would be it. Film cameras for b&w, m9 for color (i don't want to shoot digital b&w, i just don't like the results). I will use and get used to the CLE soon. I know by heart my CL, and i trust it, because i know that even if the meter fails, i'll always be able to make exposures with it, being a mechanical question.

But the question is the M9. How does it hold on in the field? Is it a good camera for a professional (which i'm not) to use? And the question is really, can anyone point me out photojournalists (and respective galleries if possible) who Do work with Leica m9 in the field? covering wars, floods, or just usual reportage subjects? I found out that i never actually saw the professional results of the beast, nor if it is reliable under adverse situations (like falling to the ground or getting run over by a truck :p)

thanks, it would help me a lot, i'm trying to decide on the best investment.
 
Mine did not fail, yet, whereas my former CL did (and my CLE don't... ;-) - BUT: Although I use my M9 sometimes under harsh conditions as I do with all my cameras I would not recommend you a M9 for a trip, that you seem to plan. The reason is not, that the M9 is unreliable, but a simple pure mechanical camera can be repaired everywhere, where a good fine-mechanic is available, a M9 stays dead, if it is dead. You can then send it to germany and wait three month before getting its back.
 
The M9 is sort of a novelty camera. It's made for light use, and it's support system world wide is lackluster at best. Professionals would do well to use this on personal projects where camera reliability and versatilty is not the most important factor. Also considering the cost of buying an M9 and a backup, and the cost of repairs and optics alone, it just doesn't make sense.

I'd advise a D700 or 5D mark II, and a Fuji X100 as a compact for the reportage style work you want to do.
 
Great performance. Reliability can be questionable. Just had mine return from waranty work.
 
My thought is that you would need backup, that is, a pair of M9s. Alternatively, select and bring a healthy stock of color film in the event your single M9 failed.
 
thanks for so many useful answers and advice!

krötenblender, i'd thought about what you said. Something that is not purely mechanical always has a better chance of failing. But that rules out every digital camera, and i would like to be able to shoot digital, for the color shots. so i think i'll have to take my chances with a digital camera. m9 is a tempting option, that would allow me to carry only 3 lenses. if i'd take my nikon dslr, i'd take 2 systems with me... heavier camera, heavier and more lenses. How did your cl let you down? what happened?

Brian, that's a very good example, the flickr you passed! It's an m8, but i can take it from there, the images are great. that's just the context i was talking about, not that i intend to be in such places (with war)

MCTuomey, i can't afford 2 m9 bodies, but i do think you have a point. If i carry color film, my trip would certainly be secured. I may go that way. I just want to consider options now, think all that i have to think about equipment now. While on journey, i just want to shoot.

Great posts, keep them coming! i'd still enjoy seeing the work of other photojournalists shooting m9 (or m8)
 
Mrbessar4a said:
The M9 is sort of a novelty camera. It's made for light use, and it's support system world wide is lackluster at best. Professionals would do well to use this on personal projects where camera reliability and versatilty is not the most important factor. Also considering the cost of buying an M9 and a backup, and the cost of repairs and optics alone, it just doesn't make sense.

I'd advise a D700 or 5D mark II, and a Fuji X100 as a compact for the reportage style work you want to do.
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You're absolutely sure about all this, having used the M9 professionally for several years?

Because my experience has been different.

Cheers,

R.
 
I know M9 users that have taken the camera into some very rough terrain and used them under adverse conditions.

My cameras tend to lead an easy life by comparison.

I would be interested in hearing more first-hand experience from actual users of the M8 and M9 rather than opinions not formed by actual use of the camera.
 
Alright kids, if you want to see this discussion again go back and read one of the prior 4 million arguments over this issue. Some people use the M9 professionally, and some don 't. Get over it and move on please to something else.

Thank you.
 
If I was fortunate enough to be contemplating such an adventure myself the M9 would be way down my list of cameras I'd take. The camera's fine and it's reliability record is decent IMO but these conditions add a factor or two to it's durability and suitability credentials.

I'd be taking one of the smaller Nikon DSLRs or maybe a Pentax ... something with decent image quality and some sort of resistance to dust and moisture. Image quality is a noble priority but you don't get much out of a camera that suddenly won't work in the middle of nowhere.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, I'm just saying that personally ... I wouldn't take the chance!
 
Rui Resende said:
thanks for so many useful answers and advice!

krötenblender, i'd thought about what you said. Something that is not purely mechanical always has a better chance of failing. But that rules out every digital camera, and i would like to be able to shoot digital, for the color shots. so i think i'll have to take my chances with a digital camera. m9 is a tempting option, that would allow me to carry only 3 lenses. if i'd take my nikon dslr, i'd take 2 systems with me... heavier camera, heavier and more lenses. How did your cl let you down? what happened?

Brian, that's a very good example, the flickr you passed! It's an m8, but i can take it from there, the images are great. that's just the context i was talking about, not that i intend to be in such places (with war)

MCTuomey, i can't afford 2 m9 bodies, but i do think you have a point. If i carry color film, my trip would certainly be secured. I may go that way. I just want to consider options now, think all that i have to think about equipment now. While on journey, i just want to shoot.

Great posts, keep them coming! i'd still enjoy seeing the work of other photojournalists shooting m9 (or m8)
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Nor can I. So I carry an M8 as a back-up to the M9. In the days when I had only the M8 (since just after it came out) I carried a film body as back-up to that. Yes, the crop factor is a nuisance, but tolerable, given that you're dealing with a back-up (which I haven't needed yet, for either the M8 or M9).

Apart from my web site (which has been neglected lately, though that is about to change), I've illustrated quite a few magazine articles with my M-digi cameras. If the new ideas for the site work (it'll take a few months to find out), yes, I'll buy a second M9 as a more convenient back-up: no sane professional works without a back up.

Cheers,

R.
 
Are you going to be covering wars? floods? dust storms? nordic or antaritc conditions? etc.? Will the camera survive a landmine? Or, are you going on vacation with a bunch of tourists? What is your criteria for difficult situations? Basically, any camera is going to function under normal humid, dry, rainy, snowy, etc. conditions if you take proper precautions. I think the true issue between the M film v. the M digital is how long will you be able to readily obtain film and film processing. You can buy a lot of film for the price of an M9 until film is no longer available. Then move on. Personally, with all my years of photography the only things that have failed in my cameras have been: 1. batteries, 2. seals, and 3. operator.
 
I thought the whole idea of a Rangefinder today is that it can go with you. Looks nice, quiet, unobtrusive.

Do we have to keep em in a case now?

how many M9 issues are caused by rough handling? Didn't I read here there have been sensor issues on 25%? And some of the other more common issues seem to have nothing to do with handling at all.

I'm as curious as the OP :)

BTW GREAT set there Brian--were some of those shot with an m6 or....? Seems a mix of film and digi.
 
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Addendum, prompted by comments on rough handling:

My last trip with the M9 and the Land Rover was a couple of weeks ago.

The Land Rover (1972 Series III SWB) needs a top end overhaul (valve regrind) after 100,000 miles on a new engine with the ignition overly advanced. There's a long (and unfortunate) story behind this.

There are those who regard Land Rovers as unreliable because they either don't, or don't know how to, look after them (I plead the previous charge).

The M9 is working fine. As it was when I came back from 3000 miles in June, carrying it in the tank bag of my motorcycle (1978 BMW R100RS).

Cheers,

R.
 
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uhoh7 said:
BTW GREAT set there Brian--were some of those shot with an m6 or....? Seems a mix of film and digi.
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Tightsqueeze, also a member here at RFF, used an M8 in Iraq and also film Leica M- I knew he had an M7, also I believe an MP. He used an M9 in Afghanistan. He sold the M8 on RFF a year or so ago, it led a rough life but worked fine. At one point it was dropped several feet inside of an armored personnel carrier to the metal floor. I've used that particular camera after it returned, and his M9 before he deployed. The M9 did not lead an easy life either, and he used it at a pool party at our house to take pictures of Nikki and I having a splash fight. His M9 with the Noctilux got soaking wet. It was fine.
 
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I've not had any troubles with either of mine and they've gotten a lot of both use and travel time. I've had more problems with one particular MP and one particular M7 than with the M9.
 
Mrbessar4a said:
The M9 is sort of a novelty camera. It's made for light use, and it's support system world wide is lackluster at best. Professionals would do well to use this on personal projects where camera reliability and versatilty is not the most important factor. Also considering the cost of buying an M9 and a backup, and the cost of repairs and optics alone, it just doesn't make sense.

I'd advise a D700 or 5D mark II, and a Fuji X100 as a compact for the reportage style work you want to do.
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Sorry, this is just nonsense. Leica CS, despite some Internet bashing, is amongst the best in Solms and New Jersey is rapidly catching up. LUF is full of professionals using the M9. I fear they frequent this forum not as often. A Fuji X100 is an excellent point and shoot with some nice features, but as a Leica replacement just a copycat wannabe, I fear.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Addendum, prompted by comments on rough handling:

My last trip with the M9 and the Land Rover was a couple of weeks ago.

The Land Rover (1972 Series III SWB) needs a top end overhaul (valve regrind) after 100,000 miles on a new engine with the ignition overly advanced. There's a long (and unfortunate) story behind this.

There are those who regard Land Rovers as unreliable because they either don't, or don't know how to, look after them (I plead the previous charge).

The M9 is working fine. As it was when I came back from 3000 miles in June, carrying it in the tank bag of my motorcycle (1978 BMW R100RS).

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

To add, I dragged my M 9 through central Africa for six weeks ( just returned) it got bashed in Landrovers in the bush, covered in dust and sand, totally soaked and fogged up in the tropical rainforest, thoroughly vibrated in doubtful light aircraft, and never missed a beat.
Roger will be happy to know that one of the advantages of Landrovers is the option to replace a broken spring with a piece of Mopane wood when out in the bush.

Full disclosure, my backup was an M8 which was also without problem, hardly used it,and for long tele I used the DMR/R8 with the varioElmar 105-280 and extenders, which did have some moisture problems in the rainforest (water in the contacts) as backup on the long end I had a Visoflex/Telyt 280 which I didn't need at all.
 
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uhoh7 said:
I thought the whole idea of a Rangefinder today is that it can go with you. Looks nice, quiet, unobtrusive.

Do we have to keep em in a case now?

how many M9 issues are caused by rough handling? Didn't I read here there have been sensor issues on 25%? And some of the other more common issues seem to have nothing to do with handling at all.

I'm as curious as the OP :)

BTW GREAT set there Brian--were some of those shot with an m6 or....? Seems a mix of film and digi.
Click to expand...
No you did not read that. 45 cameras out of 30.000 is not 25%.
 
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