eleskin
Well-known
I have been reading alot of reviews on the M9 and the verdict that is coming down here is Leica has a real winner on its hands. I cannot afford one now, but I will squeeze blood out of a rock if I have to in order to get one sometime next year. My M8 will do for now. What excites me is I cannot wait to go to the Photo Expo Plus in NYC. Leica will have the hot new product, people will stand in line to see it, and there will be depressed faces at the Canon and Nikon booths. I have been wanting this for years to happen, and it looks like it will. I will have a blank SD card and lenses in my camera case. Leica IS the "Little Train that Could"! CONGRATULATIONS LEICA! WELL DONE!!!!!!
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Yep. Leica is going to take all of Nikon and Canon's DRF business away from them! 
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I don't know if this will cause depression, but if M9 sales are good, I could see it stimulating some competition. May Nikon or Canon will come out with a digital RF, as discussed in another current thread. In the meantime, those companies have their own hot products. Many of us are more likely to afford a D700 than an M9.
I do agree with the "congrantulations Leica," though!
I do agree with the "congrantulations Leica," though!
Reality check- best thing Nikon could do is come out with a lower price on the D3x. The current price is nuts. Sony is blowing them out of the water with the same Sensor in a body going for 1/3rd the price.
Canon- has been offering Full-Frame for a while, recognized the importance of it a long time ago.
Leica has a real winner on their hands, assuming there are not too many "bugs" and "Glitches" in the design. If it truly solves the IR problem without requiring Hot Mirror Filters, and does well with existing wide-angle lenses, it will meet the demands of a ready made niche market and will have wedding photographers looking at it seriously. Biggest complaint I hear from Pro's shooting Digital: blown highlights on wedding dresses. Buy an M9, stick a Summarit 5cm F1.5 on it, problem solved.
Canon- has been offering Full-Frame for a while, recognized the importance of it a long time ago.
Leica has a real winner on their hands, assuming there are not too many "bugs" and "Glitches" in the design. If it truly solves the IR problem without requiring Hot Mirror Filters, and does well with existing wide-angle lenses, it will meet the demands of a ready made niche market and will have wedding photographers looking at it seriously. Biggest complaint I hear from Pro's shooting Digital: blown highlights on wedding dresses. Buy an M9, stick a Summarit 5cm F1.5 on it, problem solved.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Promised myself I would not open another M9 thread.
The title of this one was too much. I hoped for a bait and switch.......no luck.
Leica will not get any extra market share from Canon or Nikon with the M9.
what they will get is some business from folks that have been waiting for the full frame model. That's it. Any pro event shooter who want's to work with Leica glass is not going to give up his/her Canikon AF kit to do so (maybe add the M9 but not trade in the reflex). I wouldn't , would you? This camera will go to high end enthusiast and high end studio pros. The average guy like me shooting weddings, parties, and portraits will be unlikely to use the M9 as a primary camera. Even when it makes financial sense from a "gear" standpoint. The hit rate of a SLR is undeniable. Keepers make money.
The title of this one was too much. I hoped for a bait and switch.......no luck.
Leica will not get any extra market share from Canon or Nikon with the M9.
what they will get is some business from folks that have been waiting for the full frame model. That's it. Any pro event shooter who want's to work with Leica glass is not going to give up his/her Canikon AF kit to do so (maybe add the M9 but not trade in the reflex). I wouldn't , would you? This camera will go to high end enthusiast and high end studio pros. The average guy like me shooting weddings, parties, and portraits will be unlikely to use the M9 as a primary camera. Even when it makes financial sense from a "gear" standpoint. The hit rate of a SLR is undeniable. Keepers make money.
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wjlapier
Well-known
Nikon users will be depressed as again more coolpix will be released, along with another 18-xxx consumer zoom, and still no AFS updated primes.
eleskin
Well-known
Well, I knew my title would have some ears stand up. But seriously here, this camera will appeal to many out there, those who have Leica and those who do not as well as those who had leica i the past and are looking for an excuse to get back in.
I know of quite a few pros who do not relish carrying around heavy gear all the time, and would really relish a pro system as compact as the M9 for certain situations. I would imagine a pro who has the M9 as part of his or her arsenal (I have many cameras that do different things for the job they are good for, both film and digital) that would be used along side of their Nikons, canons, etc,,,
Also, many serious amateurs and Pros alike are not going to choose the M9 and get rid of what they have already to pay for it. I am keeping all my stuff, including my M8 when I get the M9 next year when my budget permits
We must also remember there are things a rangefinder is suited for better than a any DSLR (wasn't this true with the SLR's of the past as well), especially in the wide angle lens range.
Look at the choces we have. Even if the M9 cost alot, look at all the wonderful lenses that are non Leica that are wonderful and offer tremendous value. I have the new Voigtlander 15mm Super Wide Heliar, and I dare anyone to find a better value in the Canon or Nikon line for the price of that lens. THERE ARE NONE! So knowing this, the M9 is of even greater significance, and any pro that ignores this denies himself other creative possibilities!
I know of quite a few pros who do not relish carrying around heavy gear all the time, and would really relish a pro system as compact as the M9 for certain situations. I would imagine a pro who has the M9 as part of his or her arsenal (I have many cameras that do different things for the job they are good for, both film and digital) that would be used along side of their Nikons, canons, etc,,,
Also, many serious amateurs and Pros alike are not going to choose the M9 and get rid of what they have already to pay for it. I am keeping all my stuff, including my M8 when I get the M9 next year when my budget permits
We must also remember there are things a rangefinder is suited for better than a any DSLR (wasn't this true with the SLR's of the past as well), especially in the wide angle lens range.
Look at the choces we have. Even if the M9 cost alot, look at all the wonderful lenses that are non Leica that are wonderful and offer tremendous value. I have the new Voigtlander 15mm Super Wide Heliar, and I dare anyone to find a better value in the Canon or Nikon line for the price of that lens. THERE ARE NONE! So knowing this, the M9 is of even greater significance, and any pro that ignores this denies himself other creative possibilities!
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
You know wealthier pros than I do. Most I know are trying to figure out how to pay the rent, not thinking of $7,000 rangefinders. I've got to find a better class of friends.
RF-Addict
Well-known
The release of the M9 will have zero impact on either Nikon's or Canon's marketshare. Don't kid yourself - who wants a manual focus camera without any zoom offerings? There is a small group of photographers who will be thrilled with Leica's offering, but that's it.
What is nice, is that Leica will make another round of money on the M8 customers they secured over the past few 3 years (and on M8 customers that they previously lost) plus it looks like they will add many new customers on top of this.
The question is, what are they going to do with the M10 to get yet another round of business?
The question is, what are they going to do with the M10 to get yet another round of business?
f16sunshine
Moderator
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Leica does not play in the same school yard as the others and in no way will steal anyone's thunder. I think all parties involved are happy about that. Yes, Leica will have a spot in the sunshine and not have to share it with anyone.
Bob
Bob
Mudman
Well-known
lower price.... you're funny.
When I used to frequent Nikonians, I remember reading worried comments from Nikon DLSR users regarding the gap in their lens lineup from 56mm to 69mm because they only had the 12-24/4, 17-55/2.8, and 70-200/2.8 zooms (three fine lenses btw) !!!
And you think these guys are going to switch to shooting manual focus prime lenses only??? With no program mode, or shutter priority mode???
RFF is a great place to hang out, but I think we sometimes forget how small our world really is.
And you think these guys are going to switch to shooting manual focus prime lenses only??? With no program mode, or shutter priority mode???
RFF is a great place to hang out, but I think we sometimes forget how small our world really is.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I agree that there will be a big buzz at the Leica booth. There was last year with folks wanting to see the S2. That is all great, and the fact that it will be a FFRF that they are showing will be a huge plus, but........
you know the Canon booth at PhotoPlus is the size of a small city, and Nikon's isn't that different. I don't think they will be able to see the Leica booth through the crowds at their own.
That said, I am interested in seeing how much the show in general will be cut back due to the economy. Will Canon Town have only one zip code rather than the two they seemingly had last year? Who will not be there, and who will be at a little table rather than a sizable booth?
flip
良かったね！
Improve the inevitable flaws that surface in the M9 at a lower price
Seriously, it's been one day. Nobody knows boo about this camera except the specs, which aren't exactly the place you find bug reports. Much like laser eye surgery, expensive purchases are best made after time has passed and ohers have tested the water.
CMOS sensor with better high ISO qualities ....
Absolutely!!! Isn't nigh-shooting one of the biggest reasons to have this kind of camera, anyhow? With my R-D1, I'm still inclined to give it a rest after dark and go film.
fbf
Well-known
We shall see
"During this fall, Canon will make one of its largest and most important launches in the company’s history and we hope you can attend. During a luncheon, you are invited to listen to CEO Jouko Tuouminen, Marketing presiden Monica Forsberg and trend analyst Magnus Lindkvist, talking about tomorrows trends and factors of success in the continually more digitalized everyday life.
Date: september 29
Time: 11 am- 1pm
An invitation including more information will come soon."
"During this fall, Canon will make one of its largest and most important launches in the company’s history and we hope you can attend. During a luncheon, you are invited to listen to CEO Jouko Tuouminen, Marketing presiden Monica Forsberg and trend analyst Magnus Lindkvist, talking about tomorrows trends and factors of success in the continually more digitalized everyday life.
Date: september 29
Time: 11 am- 1pm
An invitation including more information will come soon."
amateriat
We're all light!
The M9, as well as the Panasonic GF-1, are about the only excuses for me to show up at Photo Expo at all. (Well, that, and perhaps Kodak and Fuji giving away some film, of course. I might have a look at Pentax' K7, but, generally speaking, dSLRs are so over in my book. Yes, if you need a 300mm somethingorother, nothing else will do, but the last time I used one...wow, that was 25 years ago!
Leica is in the process of rebuilding itself in the pro market, and this time it means business. They aren't going to topple brands C and N anytime soon, but, like Apple in regard to Microsoft, they don't have to, in order to thrive. "Don't just play the game, change it." Apple got that, and now Leica gets it.
My dedication to film remains as it was. But I think I'll be taking digital capture a good deal more seriously from here on in. The fireworks I foolishly wished for years ago might now be getting their fuses lit.
- Barrett
I might have a look at Pentax' K7, but, generally speaking, dSLRs are so over in my book. Yes, if you need a 300mm somethingorother, nothing else will do, but the last time I used one...wow, that was 25 years ago!Leica is in the process of rebuilding itself in the pro market, and this time it means business. They aren't going to topple brands C and N anytime soon, but, like Apple in regard to Microsoft, they don't have to, in order to thrive. "Don't just play the game, change it." Apple got that, and now Leica gets it.
My dedication to film remains as it was. But I think I'll be taking digital capture a good deal more seriously from here on in. The fireworks I foolishly wished for years ago might now be getting their fuses lit.
- Barrett