Okay, if it isn't going to be an M9, what is next best?

Vickko

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Okay, if it isn't going to be an M9, what is next best?

Suppose, I am thinking of selling my M9. And M-Milestone is too far away and frankly too expensive.

What is next best? Oh, I am excluding the M8. Been there, didn't like it.

Is it limited to 4/3rds cameras?

Oh, I plan to keep all my M and R lenses.

So if it is 4/3rds cameras, which one(s) are emerging at the top of the heap for image quality and ease of use?

Must one be using RAW on those cameras? e.g. I find I don't like the images given by my GF1, but maybe because I don't shoot RAW on it.

Hope to hear from you all

Vick
 
Any reason you don't want to go APS-C? The Sony NEX-5n, NEX-6 and NEX-7 seem to be popular for M mount lenses. The Ricoh GXR with M module too. m4/3's crop is too much ... your 35mm M lens turns into a 70mm m lens.
 
If you want to keep the M lenses, then I think APS-C is more acceptable crop than m43. If you like wide angles, the micro lenses on the NEX 5N and Ricoh GXR may be of interest to you.

I understand R lenses work quite well on Canon EOS, with the price of the full frame EOS models now, I would not rule it out simply because it's DSLR.
 
I personally think that the GXR A12 M is the best M mount alternative to the M8/M9. A 15mm Heliar lives on my GXR and complements my M9 nicely. It is a different user experience of course but the lack of AA, direct M mount compatibility, and the high IQ makes up for it.
 
If you just want some digital camera where it's physically possible to mount M lenses and have them focus to infinity, then you've got a lot of options in the EVIL category. OTOH if you want an optical rangefinder and a digital camera optimized for M rangefinder lenses, then it's RD1, M8/8.2, M9/9P, Monochrom, M-E and M.
 
Why selling

Why selling

Okay, if it isn't going to be an M9, what is next best?

Suppose, I am thinking of selling my M9. And M-Milestone is too far away and frankly too expensive.

What is next best? Oh, I am excluding the M8. Been there, didn't like it.

Is it limited to 4/3rds cameras?

Oh, I plan to keep all my M and R lenses.

So if it is 4/3rds cameras, which one(s) are emerging at the top of the heap for image quality and ease of use?

Must one be using RAW on those cameras? e.g. I find I don't like the images given by my GF1, but maybe because I don't shoot RAW on it.

Hope to hear from you all

Vick

Vick,

why do you want to sell the M9, if not for an M (10) ?
 
It depends on your goal with this new camera.

If you are looking for the highest quality image output I would look to Fuji x-series or GXR.
If rather, you are looking for the Rangefinder experience in a digital platform.
Grab an RD1 for $1000 to satisfy you until the M is available to ship.
Personally If I was in your position I would keep the M9 until the new camera is available.
It's not likely to loose to terribly much more value by next spring. I mean, If you can sell it for $5k now… do you think it will be below $4.5k by the time the M ships?

I'm continuing to shoot with my Xpro-1 for fun primarily but also work. My M lenses are spending time on the m5 shooting film.
When the M and Monochrom hit shelves I will give a test drive and decide which way i will go.
as much as I crave the RF experience, I can wait a few months to let early adopters report in and see some image samples to guide the choice.
Right now the Monochrom is much more unique. As was the case with the m9/p… the 5Dii has been filling that spot just fine.
 
Nex 5 or Nex 7. I have a 5n with a couple adapters for my M and R lenses. I typically only use it for snap shots or on a tripod for careful framing and focusing, but if I was going to use it as an every day camera with manual focus lenses I'd get one with an EVF (like the optional one for 5n, the new NEX 6 or and NEX 7)...it's just too difficult to see a screen when the sun is beating down
 
If you're counting on shooting your M lenses I'd go with the GXR-M. It's really quite good with a sensor specifically designed to handle RF lenses, including micro-lens adjustments. That would be my choice, YMMV.

Used an adapter with the X--Pro1, worked OK but I have a feeling that wides may have an issue.
 
It ties up a lot of money, money that could be spent on a Rolleiwide or Rollei 4.0FW.

Such is the irrationality of GAS.

:)

No other digital camera will give you the M feeling, so make sure, you will not regret selling the M9. If you like using it and the tied up money is the only issue but you intend to reinvest into other gear, I'd recommend to sleep over it a couple of nights...
 
I had decided to sell my Fotoman 69, but decided to take it out for one more try. When I got back, I took down the "for sale" ads. If you shoot the M9 one more time, and still want to sell, just sell.

I wholeheartedly approve of the Rolleiflex 4.0FW by the way.
 
Ricoh GXR.

The GXR with Mount A12 permanently installed on it is no longer a modular camera but is a purpose built M lens camera, the only purpose built M lens camera on the planet that is in current production not designed and built by Leica.

The Mount A12 has no anti-alias filter, like your M9. Your lenses are free, within the confines of a cropped sensor, to express themselves.

Unlike the M8, the Mount A12 has no issues with IR. You won't have to get out IR filters again.

The GXR / Mount A12 is a 12.3MP sensor - not the most up to date but not that dated and it remains very serviceable. It's biggest weakness is in noise as sensitivity goes up, but that might be familiar to M9 shooters too so perhaps not an issue.

It may be that Ricoh updates the sensor to 16MP or beyond. There is a desire within the GXR community (and beyond, no doubt) to see Ricoh-Pentax come out with a full frame module.

The GXR plus Mount plus an EVF (which I'd assume you'd want whether you use it all the time or not) will run about $1,200 US and have a warranty. It won't be a rangefinder camera though.

For me the GXR is both a good camera and a way to keep using my rangefinder lenses until an affordable full frame digital option comes up.

I used the NEX-5N - despite having a 12.3MP sensor to NEX-5N's 16MP sensor, the GXR produces visibly more detailed files and better edge to edge performance, particularly with distant subjects. Close in, both cameras do excellent. Depending on what you shoot go with one or the other. A NEX-5N with the "Hawk Helicoid Adapter" allows you to turn your NEX/M lenses into a macro photography machine on the fly, very handy. I have a macro ring for the GXR (Leica ring) - it works but it isn't nearly as handy as the helicoid adapter.

Depending on which lenses you have you may wish to avoid the NEX-7. Symmetrical wide angle lenses don't do as well on the NEX-7 as they do on the NEX-5N; it may be the NEX-6 is different though - no results to talk about as yet but more should be known soon as Sony lets these out into the wild for review.

I do still want to get to a full frame sensor for my M lenses, but not at M9 prices new or used, and it's really the M that I would want anyway, being a fan of live view /and/ rangefinders. Probably I won't ever get to satisfy both itches with a digital camera. I'm ok with that.

The GXR isn't perfect, the NEX isn't perfect. Heck, even a M9 has issues. You'll need to think about what sort of photography you intend to do most with M lenses on a digital camera that isn't a rangefinder - through that thought process a choice should become more clear.

I ditched the NEX after a couple months and have continued to shoot the GXR with M lenses only. After a year, I'm still happy, but do want to see Ricoh bring out a full frame module. Here's to hoping.
 
My $0.02...

I don't think you'd get the same sense of satisfaction that you get when shooting an RF, so other than the Leica DRF's, the only other option that gives you that same sense would be the Epson RD-1(s).

Anything else would be a compromise, and it's really a matter of which compromises you're willing to make.

I have the Sony NEX5 (because it was the only APS-C option at that time), and I will likely get the NEX6 sometime next year. Beyond that, I'm 1) waiting to be able to afford a digital M or 2) waiting for another DRF (like others, I'd love a Zeiss DRF, full frame or not). The Epson's 6.1 mp is a deal killer for me.
 
How can you balk at the price of the Milestone when you have an M9 ... I don't get this bit? :D
 
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