Switch from M9 to OMD - Am I Stupid?

[jsrockit]

Does anyone have any reasons why I shouldn't go for an OMd? Dodgy AF, Poor IQ etc etc

If you can deal with it feeling like a TV remote and deal with the 4/3 aspect, you'll get a very fine camera to use.

 

[NeeZee]

If you are worried that your M9 breaks during the trip as you don't have the cash to get it repaired it probably just means you can't afford an M9 even though you got one 😉 (Just for the record: I will probably never be able to even buy a new Leica M ever). I mean, it's a camera, a tool for taking pictures, that should give you a good time. To me it sounds like you would not only be more versatile with the OMD but also be more relaxed (which arguably would also increase the quality of the results you're getting). Where's the fun in photography (and in life in general) when you have to be overly cautious all the time?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I've been seriously considering not upgrading to the M9 --I initially thought of selling the M8 and a few lenses--, but Leica's latest "you know what, we're not supporting the M8 entirely anymore, even though when we introduced it we said it would be forever..." really made me think hard. That is to say, the M9 would be dropped just as well when it becomes the "has been" in the lineup.

They really shot themselves in the foot with that. A manufacturer will take advantage of their faux pas in the not-too-far future.

The OM-D sounds like a great replacement, if you don't think too much about the crop factor, even if it's not a replacement. I've seen a few of them and wish I had the spare change to get one myself.

 

[redisburning]

AF camera with EVF and lcd is hardly a rangefinder.

IMO sell M9 -> rent two M9s for trip -> reevaluate when you return.

make sure you get insurance.

 

[Fraser]

If it was me I would keep the M9 get a 35mm lens for it and some insurance and take one camera one lens on your trip.

 

[jippiejee]

I'd keep your M9's ff quality for the trip, it was nearly made for traveling, and just add a small high IQ point and shoot into the mix as backup. Something like a Lumix LX5 or the Sony RX100. There will be times you would regret having to shoot with a 2x crop factor when not bringing your M9.

 

[Godfrey]

My problem here, and one of the big reasons for setting me on this thought path, is the fact I can't afford any latitude with my M9. So, while the chances of anything happening that would kill-off the M9 are no doubt very slim and more in my hands than it's comfortable to admit should anything happen I can't simply replace it, even with something much much cheaper.
...
Does anyone have any reasons why I shouldn't go for an OMd? Dodgy AF, Poor IQ etc etc

Sounds to me like the M9 was simply a bit too pricey for your comfort in putting it into extended field use, at which point buying something much less expensive that gives you plenty of overhead comfort is the right move. Whenever I have to spend too much of my energy thinking about the equipment, I'm NOT thinking about my photographs—that equipment is getting in the way, regardless of how good it might be.

The Olympus OM-D/E-M5 is by all accounts thus far an excellent camera, although perhaps not for everyone. Very good to great lenses, weather-sealed, mostly likely very tough and reliable ... these are typical Olympus qualities.

The two biggest negative comments I've heard (and participate in to small degree) is that it's rather small and busy in my hands (lots of buttons, knobs, dials, switches in a small space), and that the menu structure and configuration options are many and overly complex to figure out. The first issue is a physical one ... I can teach my hands to deal with a small camera having lots of buttons if I really like the camera, and the available grips do ameliorate this somewhat. The second is an Olympus failing that I find on a lot of their cameras in the lower end and middle range, less so on their pro line SLRs.

Most of the users who are enjoying this camera find these negatives to be minor after a bit of familiarization and learning time. Note that I haven't purchased or used an E-M5 extensively so my experience with it is mostly brief moments when I have been loaned one for an afternoon's shoot or at the dealership. I do have a lot of time into using Olympus gear, though, and still have my ancient but still very viable E-1 DSLR ... a magnificent camera despite being only 5 Mpixel and somewhat lethargic in writing data to storage. I'd still take it anywhere on the planet ... of course it's monetary value is now "throwaway" money, really, so that part of any worry is long gone (it was a $2000+ camera when it was new in 2003).

It sounds like the OM-D has really caught your fancy. ... but there are other possibilities.

Another alternative if you really like your M-mount lenses and manual focus: the Ricoh GXR-M. All together, a GXR body and M-mount camera unit runs about $1000, an EVF another $230, and it does the best job of any TTL electronic camera I've experimented with using RF camera lenses. You could sell the M9 and buy two of them, new, and keep your existing lenses, even adding to the kit with a couple of other choices (if I may suggest ... the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f/4 and Nokton 40mm f/1.4 are great choices for this camera). It's as small as the OM-D (or maybe even a little smaller) and you have the tactile feel of those lovely lenses. The menu structure is a lot less complex and the controls are simple and direct. A camera and three lens kit pack into a very small, light bag, add a second body/camera unit and it still packs into a very small, light bag.

I have been working with the GXR since April 2011. The A12 fixed lens camera units (50 and 28 mm equivalent FOV) are both excellent quality, had them since the beginning. The A12 Camera Mount unit was released in Fall 2011 and immediately expanded the capabilities of this camera in a brilliant way—it's a perfect complement to my Leica RF gear now. Indeed, it is what incited me to re-direct my interests back to Leica M-mount lenses and ultimately led to my buying the M9 (and re-acquiring two old favorite Leicas, the M4-2 and CL).

But enough gushing about what I like. I think taking the burden of the M9 off your mind is important to you, so proceed in that direction. Be sure to do it with enough time to focus on whatever you end up with and learn it thoroughly before your trip.

 

[jbielikowski]

Maybe just leave M9 at home and get something cheap for the trip? And when you'll be back just sell that camera and you gonna still have the M9.

 

[mbisc]

My recommendation (FWIW): don't ever do an important trip with a NEW (read: unfamiliar) camera !

 

[Fraser]

If you are selling the M9 then buying a couple of bodies and lenses it all adds up to the same cash value just in more things if you know what I mean. One good thing about taking only one body and one lens is you don't need to worry about leaving gear in hotel rooms etc.

 

[timo73]

AF camera with EVF and lcd is hardly a rangefinder.

IMO sell M9 -> rent two M9s for trip -> reevaluate when you return.

make sure you get insurance.

The rental option is certainly an interesting point and worth me looking into, though I wonder just how much I'd end up spending over eight months plus the insurance?😱 I'd need to check on rates obviously. As for the fact its not a rangefinder, no problem, I'm not wedded to the RF system.

I've been seriously considering not upgrading to the M9 --I initially thought of selling the M8 and a few lenses--, but Leica's latest "you know what, we're not supporting the M8 entirely anymore, even though when we introduced it we said it would be forever..." really made me think hard. That is to say, the M9 would be dropped just as well when it becomes the "has been" in the lineup.

They really shot themselves in the foot with that. A manufacturer will take advantage of their faux pas in the not-too-far future.

The OM-D sounds like a great replacement, if you don't think too much about the crop factor, even if it's not a replacement. I've seen a few of them and wish I had the spare change to get one myself.

The issue of Leica continuing to fully support their digital M is another reason I've wondered about the amount of money I have tied into my M9. I found their recent statement quite astonishing and am surprised more people haven't wondered what long term support will be available for their new and expensive M10 when it arrives - a shot in the foot no doubt.

If it was me I would keep the M9 get a 35mm lens for it and some insurance and take one camera one lens on your trip.

Keeping my current kit is a possibility, going with one camera and one lens is not. This is potentially a trip of a lifetime, certainly with my current income, so I'd like to have as many options as possible when it comes to what and how I can photograph. I'm no Robert Frank.

If you are worried that your M9 breaks during the trip as you don't have the cash to get it repaired it probably just means you can't afford an M9 even though you got one (Just for the record: I will probably never be able to even buy a new Leica M ever). I mean, it's a camera, a tool for taking pictures, that should give you a good time. To me it sounds like you would not only be more versatile with the OMD but also be more relaxed (which arguably would also increase the quality of the results you're getting). Where's the fun in photography (and in life in general) when you have to be overly cautious all the time?

Pretty much my thoughts and pretty much why I asked the question - I have it but can I afford to actually use it? If not, why keep it when I can get pictures of a very similar standard with something I can afford to repair or even replace. As for the crop factor, I lived with it when I had my old Nikons and my M8 even though the crop wasn't as severe. Plus if I get a 12mm then its equivalent to a 24mm which is wider than I currently have with the M9.

Perhaps RFF was the wrong place to ask about replacing a M with a M4/3s😀

Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their thoughts and advice, its a BIG decision for me!

 

[timo73]

Godfrey - thanks for the advice and the point towards some other options, I will look into them too.

Mike - I've got four months, just over, before I head off so I'd intend to 'put some hours in' before I leave no matter what I end up taking but your point is certainly very true.

Fraser - You're right, perhaps reality would demand I go with one body, a few lenses and some extra cash in my pocket for potential repairs or simply to enjoy myself with my buddies 🙂

Jan - I see what you're suggesting but that just makes me feel like there's no point having the M9 anyway. Whilst others may be unconcerned about a long backpacking trip with their M9 or may have a contingency plan should it be needed I'm not sure that I a) am or b) have said (affordable) plan.

I think I'm slowly but surely answering my own initial question, perhaps I should be concentrating on what to research camera wise if I think, deep down, I know I can't hold onto the M9.

 

[GaryLH]

First off given everything u have said about your reasoning to sell the m9, first and foremost the issue of comfort level in my mind heads the list. A long trip like that is no fun if u are constantly worried about your gear.

No matter what your final decision, get a p&s like a Sony rx100 or Panasonic lx5 or 7. They not only make a great backup camera, but much easier to have someone else take a picture of u then to show a random stranger to take the picture with a more complicated camera. It is your backup if the batteries on the om-d die on u... Personally, I would go with the rx100, amazing iq even at ISO as high as 1600.

The om-d is one of the very few cameras out there outside of Canon and Nikon dslr (mainly pro level ones) that is fully weather and dust resistant. I think the gxr with dedicated a12 50 and 28 modules are as well... Outside of that then only the p&s with 10ft max submersion capability, but I find their iq ok for snorkeling but not always the greatest on land.

I would go with one of the following options:
1- omd w/ 12-50 kit and a fast prime like a 20f1.8 or 25f1.4 Panasonic
2- Ricoh gxr w/ a12 module and add lenses in wide or long side to fill your needs
3- Fuji xp1 w/ at least 2 of their primes plus their m module adapter

With the omd option, it really about traveling light and fast. The fast prime gives u a min. Of two stops more for low light work then the zoom. Personally, I would not go with the m adapter with this option.

With the gxr the main question is if u want want to stay m lenses only or supplement with the af modules. With the m double it has both multiple magnification and peaking for focus assist. The gxr implementation with m module handles rf wides w/o problem and maybe the best way to go if u want to use your m rf lenses.

The xp1 with their 28 and 50 equiv lens. U can use your 28 and 50 for a 42 and 75 equiv with their m module. Their 90 equiv is a macro lens which tends to have a bit slower af speed. Don't get me wrong it is a great lens (I have it).

The main reason I recommend a m adapter here over not one for the Olympus are:
1- 2x (omd) versus 1.5 (xp1)
2- 28 and 50 fall nicely in the holes in the lens lineup.
3- like the gxr, can setup custom profiles for at least 6 lenses if u buy their adapter and inf focus is spot on which means zone and hyper focal will be correct. The omd does not have the custom profile capability.
4- your kit zoom already duplicates the lenses u have

For all around travel camera, I don't think u can beat the omd.

Good luck
Gary

 

[hausen]

The frustrating thing for me with my recent travels with my M9 is working through the photos and cleaning dust from dirty sensor. Seems to me that I can never change a lens outdoors. I cleaned my sensor before I left for Europe and had my 28 Summicron on for most of the trip and some of my photos look like I was standing in a sand storm. I have asked myself whether it is time for my M9 to go and have asked myself about the OMD as well.

 

[twopointeight]

Lumix GF1, or any of the ones that followed, especially the G3 + a 20mm 1.7 lens, is a worthy back-up, so you can keep the M9. You'll have seller's remorse if you sell the M9.

 

[jsrockit]

My recommendation (FWIW): don't ever do an important trip with a NEW (read: unfamiliar) camera !

I never understood this... while I get that ergonomics are very important for comfort, most of us can use whatever camera to make photos when it comes right down to it. The basics (i.e. shutter speeds, apertures, etc) haven't changed for a long, long time.

 

[jsrockit]

You'll have seller's remorse if you sell the M9.

Perhaps not. I don't regret selling my M9 even though I bought a M8 to replace it.

 

[Maximilian]

You are going on what seems to be a spectacular trip and you already own one of the greatest cameras ever. I would think it's a great shame if you down graded your camera for a once in a life time trip like this! Now is when you need that M9!

I've used the OMD a little bit and I really like it, the files look nice for what they are, but they are not even close to the standard of the M9's files. I totally get your fear on dragging expensive equipment with you, but just think of the awesome pictures you can make with your M9!

If you have a little spare cash, get a point and shoot as a back up. If you have a little more spare cash, get a good point and shoot like the RX100! It's pretty darn good, but there are cheaper point and shoots that would serve as a fine back up camera too though..

 

[Paul Luscher]

I own both an M9 and and OM-D, but I'd say get the OM-D. I think the OM-D is where cameras are--or should be--going. It's got all the advantages of the M9: small size, quiet and discreet, plus a whole lot of other features the M9 doesn't have.

And all at a very reasonable price--about 1/6 the cost of a M9 body. So I think its a better idea to get 2 OMDs to cover yourself, rather than having to worry if your very expensive M9 might fail in the clutch.

I love my M9, but there are times when trying to make like Cartier-Bresson needs to yield to more practical considerations...

 

[Keith]

I'd recommend visiting the micro four thirds forum and spend a bit of time looking at the images being posted and listening to the chat going on about the camera.

You'll have to weed through a lot of photos of flowers, cats, insects and kids to find anything that really gives an indication of what the OM-D is capable of though. That said there is a wealth of info about the camera over there!