Testing the Leica M9

[Piewacket]

Hi,

I am a professional photographer based in Atlanta and Los Angeles. I just started working with Leica and spent the last two weeks testing out an M9 and posting about it on my blog.

You can find my first post here and then added new posts all this week... I still have a few more to post next week, including a beautiful beauty shoot I am really happy with.

I had to send it back today, I will miss it... 🙁

I am seriously considering buying a vintage M3... there is just nothing like a rangefinder lens!

 

[Thardy]

Too bad you had to send it back, but then you were lucky enough to actually use one. Enjoyed your images.

 

[JPSuisse]

Welcome to the forum. It's the only forum I'm really on.

I liked the style of the pictures on your blog. It's unique.

JP

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Love the screen name you chose, from a great Movie.

The M3 is a great camera, several come up in the RFF classifieds. These tend to have been used, and typically have been cleaned/lubed. Much better than an Ebay shot in the dark.

 

[Piewacket]

Love the screen name you chose, from a great Movie.

The M3 is a great camera, several come up in the RFF classifieds. These tend to have been used, and typically have been cleaned/lubed. Much better than an Ebay shot in the dark.

I will keep an eye out Brian, thanks for the info and yes a great movie!

 

[Jeff S]

Tamarkin in Connecticut recently had a double stroke M3 in "EX+" condition posted online for $645.

Jeff

 

[jamato8]

I wish I had my M3. Sold it so many, many years ago. I even prefer the DS action to single stroke. I still have my M2 but continued to double stroke it. Now I am getting an M9, with no stroke. :^( And people worry about how many frames a second it will shoot. More than my IIIC, that's for sure. :^)

 

[Piewacket]

I like to shoot fast and used the continuous mode quite a bit. I was impressed with how fast it was. The card you use is a factor in the speed. I used a Sandisk Extreme III.

 

[Eelco Amsterdam]

M9 28 mm Summicron ASPH 800 ISO 1/11 sec. Dutch Windmill
View attachment 77251
Eelco

 

[Piewacket]

Today I posted my favorite images from my testing of the M9, a 20's inspired beauty shoot.

I loved this camera for shooting fashion... if you are familiar with Lillian Bassman it is her favorite too.

 

[Renzsu]

Very nice blog, bookmarked 🙂

 

[bluepenguin]

Very nice and southern style pictures... I live in Atlanta Area and just love these style pictures.. 🙂 I mainly use M8.2 and MP. The M3 is the good

 

[bluepenguin]

Wow...

I look it up and your professional pictures are really awesome.

 

[palec]

Hello Lara, welcome to RFF!
I really like what what you've done with M9 and I love those shots you've made with M3. I have to add that I've recently purchased Lillian Bassman's book Women. I'm not much into fashion photography but her work is outstanding. Good luck with finding your next tool of choice.

 

[robert blu]

I like the pictures in your (bookmarked) blog because of the style. I did not know Lillian Bassman's work, but for sure I ll have to look for it.
robert

 

[greggebhardt]

Today I posted my favorite images from my testing of the M9, a 20's inspired beauty shoot.

I loved this camera for shooting fashion... if you are familiar with Lillian Bassman it is her favorite too.

Just visited your site and WOW! Nice images indeed! I would be very interested to hear how you like the M9 after you use it for a few months.

Lived in Atlanta all my life except for the last 13 years, I am jealous and miss the Atlanta Springs with the Dogwoods and Azaleas! In Atlanta there is no doubt when it is spring!

Please keep posting.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Agreed, you did some nice stuff with the M9. I like the Bassman book too, BTW, though so far I have only thumbed through it at the bookstore...I really should buy a copy.

You might like my friend Alicia's blog, yours reminds me of it, a little bit:
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/

Not photography--embroidery & lifestyle type stuff. But like you she has a very refined kind of aesthetic.

Welcome to the forum, enjoy!

 

[ZlatkoBatistich]

I loved this camera for shooting fashion... if you are familiar with Lillian Bassman it is her favorite too.

Lillian Bassman uses an M9? I read in the NYT article that she uses Photoshop, which is pretty cool considering she is 92.

 

[Piewacket]

I thought I read she used Leicas...so I just meant Leicas in a general way.

Thanks to everyone for the nice feedback!

 

[jamato8]

I have my M9 but need to have the lenses calibrated to it. The 90 is pretty much on but my other two lenses aren't and Leica stated that are having to calibrate lenses and camera a fair bit.

I will say that shooting the M9 in the higher ISO's is to much like film I am amazed. It looks like grain in B&W rather than digital.