m9 vs m6

[Dralowid]

I often read these threads with interest. OPs ask about cameras and comparisons with other gear. Few ask these questions in the context of other gear that they may have 'on the go'. Sometimes it is more useful to consider the whole picture and then discuss the elements within.

Apart from stuff in boxes (OK, I collect) I have an aged diginasty under the seat of the car, an M6TTL that only comes out now for high days and holidays and a Nex 6 with a few M and even R lenses that gets the most use. As yet, no smart phone but that would replace the diginasty.

What am I saying? Only that it it often helps to look at the thing as a whole and not get hung up on any particular piece of kit and its shortcomings/advantages. Think toolbox.

 

[willie_901]

Hi,

It would be nice if I could set up (say) the X100 my way and then save the settings to the SD card, meaning independent of the camera as I could then store it in the computer, and even get a print out of all my settings.

The inability to save all settings to an SD card is silly and inexplicable. I suspect some brands support this.

It would not be a significant cost to implement full menu parameter back up automatically via WiFi capable cameras.

The good news is Fujifilm firmware updates (probably moot for the X100) no longer overwrite your menu settings.

I took iPhone photos of my X100 LCD screen for each menu screen to record settings.

Somewhere on the internet an Excel sheet can be downloaded for entering and notating menus settings for the X100. I would find the link but all links to this source were censored from my previous posts and private RFF messages. So you will have to use Google

 

[MIkhail]

Without intent to offend, and regardless the specific camera, just a thought... when I read "the menu systems and settings really confusing" this always brings a question in my head: what can be so confusing about the menu? You go over it couple times, assign the customizable buttons to the main functions that you need and just move on, IMHO. What else can be there? Especially since modern cameras allow you one or more custom sets saved... Just set it and forget it...

 

[Fraser]

Hi,

It would be nice if I could set up (say) the X100 my way and then save the settings to the SD card, meaning independent of the camera as I could then store it in the computer, and even get a print out of all my settings.

As it is I am planning, when I finally get there, to sit down and write a long, long list of my settings. This is not a problem I have with the M9 or Digilux 2 or mobile.

Regards, David

Thats what I've been doing for years every time get new work cameras (Canons) only need to setup one how I like it, copy the setting onto memory card stick it in the other, also it means if you organised you can keep a memory card in your bag with all your settings just-in-case you have to do a factory reset.

 

[jaapv]

I have DSLR which has a lot of menus, yet, I set many things with controls, without menus, screen. But. M9 (M-E in my case) total absence of advanced and deep menus, absence of extra dials and exactly the same bottom plate, very similar frame lines makes it feel as the closest to film M.
Fuji X, Leica M240 don't have this feel. For some it is not important. For me it is main reason why I want to look and feel camera in my hands. Not as advanced image taking tool, but simple, classic Leica M camera.

I must be insensitive. The M9 and M240 feel exactly the same to me...😕

 

[adamjbonn]

I'm so fortunate that I can memorise all my Fuji menu settings requirements.

It is only a handful of things though.

sincerely, I'm not trying to be snarky with this next bit,

But google is great for these things, type something like 'x-pro2 shoot without lens setting' and you're quickly directed onto post #114 (or whatever) of the DPR forum thread that is running where people are complaining about finding this setting and you can just harvest the info

I suspect the trick is not trying to remember WHERE the settings you want are, but WHAT the settings you want are

But that's just the way I look at it

 

[David Hughes]

Without intent to offend, and regardless the specific camera, just a thought... when I read "the menu systems and settings really confusing" this always brings a question in my head: what can be so confusing about the menu? You go over it couple times, assign the customizable buttons to the main functions that you need and just move on, IMHO. What else can be there? Especially since modern cameras allow you one or more custom sets saved... Just set it and forget it...

Hi,

Agreed, you set it up and forget it and then, one day you find the things doing something odd, and regardless of your plans you have to go through everything and try and remember what it should be. That can be a pita months later and in a muddy field without the manual. I don't think, or rather I hope, I'm not the only one to suffer this way.

Edit a bit later: for decades I've been using film and that sets the output (B&W or colour) and ASA/ISO for the next 36 shots. Then all I played around with was the shutter speed, aperture and focus. And I could change the lens on some cameras and on some I had zone focusing (thinking of the Olympus XA2). Digital is so extremely variable that it takes a lot of the pleasure out of it... I like to feel it is all my own work, to coin a phrase. ;-)

One day I'll sit down and work out all the factors and variations available, there's probably hundreds. And they are not all obvious.

BTW, no offence taken, always interesting to hear everyone's views and I don't expect everyone to agree with me.

Regards, David

 

[pagpow]

I understand the concept below, but my experience is usually just the opposite. Often, when two objects of different size objectively weigh the same, the larger one feels lighter because it exerts less force per square inch on your hands, or put another way, our nerves are sensitive to density. So the perceptions reported here continue to be interesting.

Giorgio

I think it has to do with visual impressions and expectations. The M9 looks bigger and heavier, so one tends to perceive it that way. One of my psychology professors was experimenting with what he called "visual capture," the tendency for the eyes to overrule the other senses. He made a device that caused a perfectly straight bar to appear bent. When you touched it, it felt bent.

When you look at an M9, it looks heavy, so that's how we experience it. And if the lack of a winding lever makes it feel more awkward in the hand, that could contribute to the impression as well.

 

[pagpow]

Hi,

This is a new use of the word 'compact' that I did not know. I am seeing my FED 4 in a new light...

Regards, David

PS But how can I describe my Olympus XA now?

Super-compact.

Giorgio

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I must be insensitive. The M9 and M240 feel exactly the same to me...😕

I don't know... This wheel they putted on M420 and all of this jazz with additional futures just makes it closer to DSLRs, not to M6. IMO.

 

[sepiareverb]

I find the M9 lighter, but then I use a Rapidgrip on a film M. Simplest digital camera ever, other than the M8 which had the counter on the top. M9 files are a dream to process.

If you need an ISO higher than 800 you might want a Monochrom.

 

[David Hughes]

I understand the concept below, but my experience is usually just the opposite. Often, when two objects of different size objectively weigh the same, the larger one feels lighter because it exerts less force per square inch on your hands, or put another way, our nerves are sensitive to density. So the perceptions reported here continue to be interesting.

Giorgio

Hi,

That got me thinking but the results were different.

If I compare the M2 and M9 then I can pick up the M2 with both hands. The M9 can't really be picked up with both hands because of all the bits down the left side (from behind). So I pick it up one handed and carefully at the top right hand side. So the weight isn't taken by two hands but one, etc, etc...

Regards, David