M9 - buyer remorse? (currently looking to get one)

[jsrockit]

It amuses me when Leica cultists ascribe all sorts of mystical powers to their cameras. Anthropologists call it 'magical thinking.' whatever works to convince you the camera was worth the price you paid.

Well, this can be said of any product and all people. We all justify what we buy in some form or another.

Also, whether a camera is worth it to you could be calculated in pure enjoyment. I certainly enjoy using a M over any other camera. Therefore I pay more.

It amuses me when someone else has an issue with how someone spends their money. 😀

 

[Teuthida]

Well, this can be said of any product and all people. We all justify what we buy in some form or another.

Also, whether a camera is worth it to you could be calculated in pure enjoyment. I certainly enjoy using a M over any other camera. Therefore I pay more.

It amuses me when someone else has an issue with how someone spends their money. 😀

I really don't care how people spend their money. Just dont try to justify your choice with irrational ex post facto rationizations. Carry on.😎

 

[jsrockit]

I really don't care how people spend their money. Just dont try to justify your choice with irrational ex post facto rationizations. Carry on.😎

I don't need to justify my purchases... so I guess I agree with you.

 

[Lax Jought]

Or you could have bought a Pentax Spotmatic for $50 and learned the exact same lessons.

It amuses me when Leica cultists ascribe all sorts of mystical powers to their cameras. Anthropologists call it 'magical thinking.' whatever works to convince you the camera was worth the price you paid.

I just looked up the Spotmatic, nope I wouldn't have learnt the same lessons with a film camera. As I was saying, I already had a DSLR and a serious compact from which I had learnt the very basics of photography with. Using a film camera would've been a step backwards as it would have limited the number of photos I take (and lessons learned from each photo I could have potentially taken) and it would also have slowed the whole process down, having to develop and scan the film as opposed to being able to (almost) instantly see the results and learn from it.

And no, I have not attempted to ascribe all sorts of mystical powers to the camera in my post either. The M8.2 was really an easy option as a camera that I could carry everywhere (couldn't do that with the DSLR), that could do more than a regular small chip compact.

 

[Tom Niblick]

I think my M8 was $4,500 new. I had it for 4 years. I sold it for $2,250. That comes out to $47 per month or 3 rolls of slide film with processing.

My M9 was $7,000 new. I've had it for 1 year. I plan to keep it forever but if I had to sell it would go for $5,500. That's $125 per month or about 8 rolls of film. Since I used to shoot about 20-30 rolls per month, I've already nearly recovered my investment.

This is only using film savings. Print sales and advertising revenue generated with the M9 paid for the camera in a few months. But to be fair, any camera can be used for work. And I could have been using any number of $2,500 to $7,900 cameras.

Would the M9 be a better investment at $5,000 new? Well duh, yeah! But it is priced right where the high end Nikons and Canons sell and few complain about shelling out $5,000 to $8,000 for these pro bodies. Do you get more bells and whistles with Canon and Nikon? Well yeah... but I'll keep my M9 thank you. Absolutely no regrets!

 

[blimey]

it's hard to rationalize a 22 year old mind these days... let them be.. part of life is growing pains and OP needs to discover this himself. OP, does not need to post to justify purchase when the heart overpowers the mind.

i've sold my 8.2 28cron, 50lux approximately 2 years ago and i miss it. even with a very good job, it was tough to keep up with GAS. an M9 or Leica for that matter is nothing without the the lens.

you will want to try different lens like Zeiss, VC and etc only to find yourself that the Leica lens is more impressive(IMO). then comes more GAS to a point that you'll justify to finance another lens.

For hobbyist, having a Leica is painful. It will deplete your bank account fast.

 

[jsrockit]

For hobbyist, having a Leica is painful. It will deplete your bank account fast.

Over the last year or two if you bought a leica lens chances are it has increased in value. You just need to sell it to capitalize (which most aren't willing to do).

 

[MCTuomey]

If you take cost out of the equation then I would definitely get it. Well, I would get it if I get to keep my dslr and lenses. 🙂

I'm in the same place, and shooting my dSLR more. Might sell the M9 because it doesn't do enough for the money I've got into it, i.e. more luxury than necessity. It's not remorse - I'm just boringly practical.

 

[seakayaker1]

Buy the M9.

. . . . . you will either enjoy it or you will not, but at least you will know.

There is always a cost/benefit for everything in life.


btw, I have no remorse over buying my M9, used, a year ago.


The prices for used M9's have been dropping and you should be able to move in that direction with a good savings with a little patience.

 

[Richard G]

Cost. Look up letter to George on Mike Johnston's TOP site. George objects to being advised by the expert to get a full frame DSLR and a fast prime for several thousand dollars. Mike writes back apologetically, but details the alternative, usual route, through P&S, entry level DSLR, kit lens, better crop factor DSLR, one slow prime, another zoom etc etc, arriving at last, after two years and a lot of angst and not many good photos, arrives at last at Mike's original suggestion, having spent in the end, only as much again as would have been required at the outset. That's how I feel about the M9. Yes I got the Fuji X100, and from there is was either the X Pro 1 and three lenses, or the M9 and no lenses. And the M9 is now a reasonably known quantity. Having proved my patience with, really preference for, a fifty year old film Leica, I am highly likely to be content with my several thousand dollar M9 for the whole life of that camera, which should at least be as long as my oldest digital, 8 years and likely longer. I can't think of another lens I even want at this point, except of course the 50 Lux ASPH which I tell myself I will never waste money on. But in the end I will, almost certainly second hand.

 

[brokencivilian]

Not planning on leasing anymore, found out it would cost about another 2gs. However! I will be saving and hopefully getting one around july

 

[Nikon Bob]

Not planning on leasing anymore, found out it would cost about another 2gs. However! I will be saving and hopefully getting one around july

Leases are never what they seem at first blush. Congrats on saving yourself 2gs and have fun with that new M9 come July. Nobody advised you not to get one just how to go about it in a more economical way.

Bob

 

[brokencivilian]

Leases are never what they seem at first blush. Congrats on saving yourself 2gs and have fun with that new M9 come July. Nobody advised you not to get one just how to go about it in a more economical way.

Bob

I know, which is why I probably put up a defense. I mean, I would lease if it made sense... but it doesn't. Ill just save a while then get it when I can.

 

[Archiver]

You will love it even more when you have it this way, knowing that it is fully paid for. 🙂

 

[brokencivilian]

You will love it even more when you have it this way, knowing that it is fully paid for. 🙂

I think so to, and I mean. If i can save up for this, I can save up for anything!

 

[blimey]

Over the last year or two if you bought a leica lens chances are it has increased in value. You just need to sell it to capitalize (which most aren't willing to do).

So true and that was my growing pain. It has definitely appreciated in price since.

 

[Keyne]

Also, for the financial people. I plan to have half if not more paid up front before taking the lease.

If you will have half the cost of an M9 saved up... why not just buy an M8 with a warranty. Then keep saving enough money to bridge the gap from selling the M8 and go get the M9 outright. Best of both worlds really. Also, if you save more you could keep the M8 as a backup camera.

By the way, is it a "lease to own" lease which is more of a loan? Meaning the amounts you pay each month are going toward paying for the camera? If it is a typical lease at the end of the lease term don't own the camera but need to buy it from them at residual value (or value stipulated per the lease contract) right? If so why not get a loan to cover the cost of the camera and then at least you own it.