Robin Harrison
aka Harrison Cronbi
Anyone seen this Rockwell post?
http://kenrockwell.com/leica/m9.htm
Don't worry, I washed my hands after reading it.
Ahead of the release, he's updated his blog dated 09/09/09 with info about the M9. Fair enough, you say - copy the specs from the brochure, whoop-de-doo.
But he seems to have a photo of a 'M9 Concept'. Looks like the M9 from the brochure (no lcd on topplate), but has no M9 markings or red dot. THAT'S how the production model should look! It looks like one of his normal product photos, but he doens't mention having used it per se, or how long he's had it. Perhaps he hasn't. Perhaps he just took the photo of it.
If he did have a test camera, you have to think the NDA has been broken, even considering the leaked brochre. And you have to think there are at least a few other 'big reviewers' out there who have been working on their tests already.
Anyway - just interesting that a guy who didn't buy a D3x purely because of the price is "already trying to figure out from which dealer I want to order my M9".
I have to disagree with his recommendation to M8/.2 owners: "[I would] dump it as fast as I could". If the rumoured prices are roughly right there will be plenty of people who can afford a secondhand M8 but can't aford an M9. Should be some level of demand there.
Even if the M9 would struggle to challenge the market position of the photojournalists' pro DSLRS, it could yet take a decent chunk of the pro landscape photographer's market, where high ISO, frame rate and AF aren't important, but access to top quality wide angles (WATE) and file quality (obviously TBC, but 18Mp 16bit files @ ISO 80 sounds promising) are. Look out for the M8+WATE Vs D3x+14-24mm Vs 1Ds+17-40mm tests all over the place.
On a separate note, the biggest losers in the wake of the M9 release? Those who bought the 24mm summilux hoping to use it on the next generation of digital M as a fast wide-standard. Ouch. Personally I wouldn't want to use an f1.4 lens with an external finder if I had the choice. 21mm and 24mm seemed too close when they came out, and I coulnd't help but feel 24 was chosen over 28 because of the M8.
So where are the finder options, Leica? What would be wrong with a 0.55x finder with full frame 24/35, 28/90, 50/75 lines for those who have shelled out thousands on the 24 lux? And for those who've shelled out even more thousands for the nex noct, how about a 0.85x finder to at least match the best focussing acccuracy the film Leicas offered?
http://kenrockwell.com/leica/m9.htm
Don't worry, I washed my hands after reading it.
Ahead of the release, he's updated his blog dated 09/09/09 with info about the M9. Fair enough, you say - copy the specs from the brochure, whoop-de-doo.
But he seems to have a photo of a 'M9 Concept'. Looks like the M9 from the brochure (no lcd on topplate), but has no M9 markings or red dot. THAT'S how the production model should look! It looks like one of his normal product photos, but he doens't mention having used it per se, or how long he's had it. Perhaps he hasn't. Perhaps he just took the photo of it.
If he did have a test camera, you have to think the NDA has been broken, even considering the leaked brochre. And you have to think there are at least a few other 'big reviewers' out there who have been working on their tests already.
Anyway - just interesting that a guy who didn't buy a D3x purely because of the price is "already trying to figure out from which dealer I want to order my M9".
I have to disagree with his recommendation to M8/.2 owners: "[I would] dump it as fast as I could". If the rumoured prices are roughly right there will be plenty of people who can afford a secondhand M8 but can't aford an M9. Should be some level of demand there.
Even if the M9 would struggle to challenge the market position of the photojournalists' pro DSLRS, it could yet take a decent chunk of the pro landscape photographer's market, where high ISO, frame rate and AF aren't important, but access to top quality wide angles (WATE) and file quality (obviously TBC, but 18Mp 16bit files @ ISO 80 sounds promising) are. Look out for the M8+WATE Vs D3x+14-24mm Vs 1Ds+17-40mm tests all over the place.
On a separate note, the biggest losers in the wake of the M9 release? Those who bought the 24mm summilux hoping to use it on the next generation of digital M as a fast wide-standard. Ouch. Personally I wouldn't want to use an f1.4 lens with an external finder if I had the choice. 21mm and 24mm seemed too close when they came out, and I coulnd't help but feel 24 was chosen over 28 because of the M8.
So where are the finder options, Leica? What would be wrong with a 0.55x finder with full frame 24/35, 28/90, 50/75 lines for those who have shelled out thousands on the 24 lux? And for those who've shelled out even more thousands for the nex noct, how about a 0.85x finder to at least match the best focussing acccuracy the film Leicas offered?
