Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think this is the answer to Joe's question ... people are getting in early to avoid the possible glut of M9s that may hit the market if the M10 really grabs attention.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Yeah I think that's it. Maybe Monochrom got a few people out of their M9s, but M10 with "a lot better ISO performance" would be worth the upgrade for some people, and they don't wanna see M9 price tanking at M8 price today...
And surprise! M10 will have full-auto mode, 1080p video and retro filters and M9 price goes crazy.
kanzlr
Hexaneur
for one, Leica could put the M9 sensor in a more ergonomic body, that doesn't feel like a sharp edged brick, low res LCD and add sealed doors instead of the 1923 removable bottom plate...
maitani
Well-known
I'm lusting for an M9 since it was released, prices, from being 'out of this world' are getting into, 'common, it's once in a lifetime territory' Since I had my friends M8 for a couple of weekends, I was blown away by those files, so i just broke down for a low actuation M8.2, the low shutter noise, and being some years newer, lead me to that path, it looks brandnew.
I noticed it might be the only digital I need for the next years besides my D700 which is used for assignments and I need to keep it. so for me the 8.2 is an 'intermediate step' to the way to an M9 (which will remain a classic for years to come, despite the newer and better sensors on the horizon, those CCD hold their own in terms of tonality and low iso performance) I'm pretty 100% sure that after photokina those 5k classifieds, will hit 3.5k territory, when the M10 will be announced.
so I guess the actual sales reflect several reasons, panic sales before deflation, the' x-pro1 factor' (which for some was the camera they were waiting for... for some of course.. not) and of course the Monochrom and the M10 on the horizon, altogether explains about the actual situation imo.
I've been tempted by a cheap M9 recently (around 4k on local craiglist) but fortunately resisted, and got now a just like new M8.2 for an incredible price.
I noticed it might be the only digital I need for the next years besides my D700 which is used for assignments and I need to keep it. so for me the 8.2 is an 'intermediate step' to the way to an M9 (which will remain a classic for years to come, despite the newer and better sensors on the horizon, those CCD hold their own in terms of tonality and low iso performance) I'm pretty 100% sure that after photokina those 5k classifieds, will hit 3.5k territory, when the M10 will be announced.
so I guess the actual sales reflect several reasons, panic sales before deflation, the' x-pro1 factor' (which for some was the camera they were waiting for... for some of course.. not) and of course the Monochrom and the M10 on the horizon, altogether explains about the actual situation imo.
I've been tempted by a cheap M9 recently (around 4k on local craiglist) but fortunately resisted, and got now a just like new M8.2 for an incredible price.
thegman
Veteran
I have never had an M9, but I've had an MP. Once you've had one a while, the GAS/lust goes away, and it's just another camera. Then you realise you've got a lot of money tied up in something that can be replaced with something a lot cheaper, and maybe something you prefer. I replaced my MP with an M3 because not only does it cost a lot less, I much prefer it as a camera.
I wonder if many people in a fit of GAS, got the M9, and maybe months or a year later realise they've got $7000 hanging round their neck which could be spent better on a cheaper camera and trip somewhere.
I wonder if many people in a fit of GAS, got the M9, and maybe months or a year later realise they've got $7000 hanging round their neck which could be spent better on a cheaper camera and trip somewhere.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
crisis
BobYIL
Well-known
Went through some 40 M9's on the famous auction site and noted some descriptions:
Mint in box
Hardly used
Indistinguishable from new!
Shutter count 78
469 actuations
Shutter count 189
Only 219 actuations!
155 actuations only
Good Heavens! Did they buy Leicas for show off?!? It's a wonderful camera to use, certainly the most "usable" full frame digital!! Disappointment due to image quality? Then they need Hubble-quality eyeglasses...
As if they bought them last Saturday and put on sale on Monday! Were these all wrong choices? I do not think so as the reviews are everywhere, flickr is full of stunning M9 shots... Are these people pros? Pros do not buy cameras to test, they rent them.
If I were to buy a $7K camera I would be thinking carefully and once bought then I would really be using it as long as I am pleased with the results by not minding the trends. My most beloved and used cameras are more than 40 years old.
Mint in box
Hardly used
Indistinguishable from new!
Shutter count 78
469 actuations
Shutter count 189
Only 219 actuations!
155 actuations only
Good Heavens! Did they buy Leicas for show off?!? It's a wonderful camera to use, certainly the most "usable" full frame digital!! Disappointment due to image quality? Then they need Hubble-quality eyeglasses...
As if they bought them last Saturday and put on sale on Monday! Were these all wrong choices? I do not think so as the reviews are everywhere, flickr is full of stunning M9 shots... Are these people pros?
Pros do not buy cameras to test, they rent them.If I were to buy a $7K camera I would be thinking carefully and once bought then I would really be using it as long as I am pleased with the results by not minding the trends. My most beloved and used cameras are more than 40 years old.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Went through some 40 M9's on the famous auction site and noted some descriptions:
Mint in box
Hardly used
Indistinguishable from new!
Shutter count 78
469 actuations
Shutter count 189
Only 219 actuations!
155 actuations only
Good Heavens! Did they buy Leicas for show off?!? It's a wonderful camera to use, certainly the most "usable" full frame digital!! Disappointment due to image quality? Then they need Hubble-quality eyeglasses...
As if they bought them last Saturday and put on sale on Monday! Were these all wrong choices? I do not think so as the reviews are everywhere, flickr is full of stunning M9 shots... Are these people pros?
If I were to buy a $7K camera I would be thinking carefully and once bought then I would really be using it as long as I am pleased with the results by not minding the trends. My most beloved and used cameras are more than 40 years old.
I'm sure a lot of these are just bought on a whim by people to whom seven grand (more with a lens) is chump change. They try it and realise they are way out of their depth and go screaming back to their DSLRs!
I bet they aren't selling. The $4000 ceiling is calling.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I tend to agree .... $4000 seems to be the ceiling many potential buyers are waiting for and slowly prices approach that level. Therefore, many try to sell now since sales prices will be under more pressure once the M10 specs have leaked (I would expect sometime in August ...). Also, now is a good time to sell to potential buyers who are looking for a new toy for their summer vacation / trip and still have money to spend.
Yes, especially when you take repair costs into account. For example My M8 was just serviced for $1500USD.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
crisis
No crisis from this M9 owner -- still pretty happy with mine!
Bill58
Native Texan
flip
良かったね！
Trading up to nex, perhaps. I'll make it a straight swap. ;-)
hteasley
Pupil
I see more M6s than I see M9s in the classifieds. I think it's just perception bias that there's a flood of M9s.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Well considering the M6 had an eighteen year run that's hardly surprising ... there must be an awful lot of them out there!
I still think that compared to a month or so ago there are a lot of M9s appearing in GAS Alley!
I still think that compared to a month or so ago there are a lot of M9s appearing in GAS Alley!
Range-rover
Veteran
Digital cameras come and go, that's the state of affairs with them, soon
as the new flavor of the week arrives the old cameras sadly get dump
even Leica's.
Range
as the new flavor of the week arrives the old cameras sadly get dump
even Leica's.
Range
luuca
Well-known
I think my m9 will stay with me until it could give me superb up-to-A3-prints.
after that... we'll see
sure I don't think to sell a good camera only because its value will drop after M10 launch.
after that... we'll see
sure I don't think to sell a good camera only because its value will drop after M10 launch.
BobYIL
Well-known
But don't you find it foolish?! The M10 is most probably to come with a FF- 24MP sensor from Sony. Fine.. but today the 24MP is offered with APS-C sensors too; that is 24 x 2.25 = 54MP technology is already available for FF size, waiting for Fujitsu to develop the processor engines. And this will go on and on until a certain MP is reached requiring no anti-aliasing filter (around 70-80MP); no doubt about it.. Then would the Leica users need to sell their M10, M11, M12 to upgrade each time? Nonsense! Totally nonsense and silly!
Many professionals with their DSLRs would follow the trend as lots of them shoot 100K frames a year, some send their cameras for shutter replacement after 400K shots in couple of years.. They amortize their investments in months, if not in weeks; also they might need new cameras usually after a year or two.. So if a new model comes out then why not?!
I wonder how many of our members having M9s shoot some 20K frames a year.. What could be the percentage; I tend to believe 95% of their cameras are just ran-in.
maddoc
... likes film again.
It would be foolish to sell a Leica M9 just because the next generation model is expected to be launched. However, I doubt that many Leica M9 were sold to photographer who had the idea of actually making money by using it and selling prints ...