M8.2 to M9

S

Smitty

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Has anyone moved from a M8.2 to M9? Just wondering if you would see a significant difference other than elimination of the cut filters and crop factor of the M8?

Thanks, Steve
 
And larger native print sizes. It has been a long while since I've opened an M8.2 file, so can't speak to differences in color or processing. I've gotten very used to the M9 files and find the color generally excellent, tho green can sometimes be a touch finicky to set well, something I don't recall so much with the M8.
 
Might the M8 be better for black and white? The use of IR cut filters was necessary for accurate colors (esp. black), but the absence helped those interested in monochrome..... (ps I don't own an M9, but used an M8)
 
Bigger files and higher usable ISO are nice, and the colours are a tad more accurate. I do miss the top display quite a bit, though. The main display is still just as awful, as are the file write times.
 
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both can start showing the age. M8 with coffee stain LCD and M9 with sensor "corrosion" (guess that was the word).
 
I had the M8.2 LCD replaced by Leica (which I understand have since become unavailable). So far it seems to be doing just fine.
Am in the process of a M9 purchase..Seems as though most all have had a sensor replacement and looks as though the same sensor is used i newer models?
 
Smitty -- good luck with the M9 purchase. What is the current range of prices you have seen? Are there good deals to be had?
 
From what I have seen $2500-ish to high 3k's depending on condition. Seems that most all have had sensors replaced. Not exactly sure what impact actuation's actually have or if it is because it is now possible to record them.
I should think that if Leica has replace the sensor they would also have gone completely thorough the entire camera. In the case of my M3's 4's and others the camera will pretty much go on and on.
 
marko.oja said:
..I do miss the top display quite a bit, though...
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I really did miss it at first, but had forgotten about it till you mentioned it. I do like the info button, getting battery life at the same time, but yeah, that little screen was really nice.
 
Lss said:
Can you give an example? The cameras are basically the same.
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Shutter is certainly better feeling on the M9 than the M8 (i.e. less clunky). The M8 had shutter issues enough that Leica replaced two of them on two different M8s for free for me. I've never heard of anyone complaining of this on the M9. The M9 felt faster to me. The M9 handled batteries better than the M8 (less freeze ups). The framelines on the M9 are classic M frameline FOVs. Better ISO control (i.e. in-bewteen ISOs). Built in Lens Codes. I can't see how someone would think the M8 and the M9 are exactly the same. Maybe the M8.2 is closer.
 
I have both

I have both

I originally bought an M8 and sold it when I got the M9. Big difference in ISO, and full format. Less noise. However, when I sent my M9 for sensor replacement (4 month) I purchased an M8.u, which I love. I got my M9 back but I cannot see myself getting rid of the M8.u. I use the M8.u for black and white without UV/IR filter, and for outdoor portraits with 85mm and 90mm, and 135mm lenses. I just love both.
 
jsrockit said:
I can't see how someone would think the M8 and the M9 are exactly the same. Maybe the M8.2 is closer.
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Obviously the cameras are not exactly the same. The biggest difference is the sensor, as explained in the OP. My question was about the clunkiness, as the cameras appear the same to me in this respect. The topic is about M8.2 to M9.

On the outside, the big differences between these cameras are the loss of the useful top display and addition of the useful ISO button. The M8.2 has the sapphire display, which the regular M9 lacks, but this is not a huge usability issue.

I have had an M8.2 spec M8 for years, and it has never had a freeze up. The shutter feel is the same as the M9 (it may be the same shutter), and the write times are slightly faster due to smaller files. The M9 does have a more mature interface and software in terms of providing an actual ISO control and the manual lens selection. In terms of feel, there is basically no difference. The cameras are basically the same.
 
Well, I have an M8 and an M9, and had an M8.2 on long loan from Leica, and my view of the differences (at some length) is here. On the same site there are also reviews of the M8.2 and M8.

Cheers,

R.
 
I had an M8.2 and felt I was constantly running into a wall with useability. Night shots are nearly impossible without a tripod. The M9, while still having limits is a more useable camera in my hands. Either, when used within their limits, offer exceptional image quality. I never found the crop factor to be an issue. It isn't enough to be a factor in my mind.
 
Had a M8u briefly and a M9P now. M8u felt more like an analog in regards to its limitations (mainly ISO). I love M9's higher usable ISO, viewfinder, and full-frame crop.
 
Do not have either of these cameras. I can see that if someone has already and it works , no major reason to dump. I have wanted one for my M lens collection. However, it seems that so much better to have live view, which I believe neither has. I am concerned that the M8.2 despite some improvements over the M8, (although lost the high speed shutter), is just not something I see Leica reliably supporting.

For the money.....Fuji. Just one man's opinion....sure to see blowback.
 
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