Which Leica for me?

Ben Z said:
I agree 110% with that. Even though some "experienced, professional" reviewers believe they're better qualified and we should defer to their opinions (as would, I'll wager, the manufacturers who pay them 😉)



I don't think it's that complicated. Leica doesn't supply demos to their dealers, the dealers have to buy them...and not much incentive for them to do that when they have people lined up with deposits in hand ready to buy sight-unseen and arrival-date-unknown.
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Hi Ben
I think the only thing one can say is that if there is a broad consensus of reviews that all say the same thing then probably there is some truth in it. But ultimately I have to be happy with what I buy and the lack of a demonstrator is a serious problem. I am sure you are right that the dealer having to purchase demo units is an issue. Incidentally this is an even bigger problem for the S2. Apparently leica are insisting that dealers by a minimum of two of these. My dealer (which has the highest UK Leica sales) is refusing to stock the S2.

I must be getting old or something but somehow i dont seem to have that "I want one now" feeling about the M9. Certainly not enough to order unseen and untested. I guess im just very happy with my current gear as it does all I want. (M7, D700, Hasselblad 501). Long term who knows? Maybe wait and see what Nikon does next! Then theres always that medium format digital back option.
Best wishes

Richard
 
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Ben Z said:
I agree 110% with that. Even though some "experienced, professional" reviewers believe they're better qualified and we should defer to their opinions...as would, I'll wager, the publications (hoping to sell advertising space to the manufacturers) who pay them 😉.



Ben - you nailed it. My opinion of these "professional reviewers" went downhill lately.

Most of them are doing it for the money, unreleased gear, advertising, discounts, etc. Some of them are very good photographers and I enjoy looking at their pictures. Some of them really really suck at it and no amount of gear will cure that. I review my own equipment. I get it, test it, use it. Nobody is going to tell me what I need to buy and what I need to own. But this cycle is never ending. New camera gets released, reviewers gush over it declaring it best thing since sliced bread that everybody needs to own, people dump their current no longer suites their needs. Camera manufacturers love it.
So my plan is to wait for M9.2 or M10 to get announced, then filter out all the "Why I need Mxx and why my Mx no longer takes great pictures of my cat, kid, filling the blank" and then wait for them to start dumping old non working M9s at fraction of its cost. That will be a great time to get a slightly used M9 for half the price 🙂
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Sitting on the fence long enough.
Finally decide to go with the ..........M9.
Can some one point me to a good dealer here in Canada ?
Vancouver dealers want full pop, a big deposit and then I have to wait for 3-6 months.........grrrr.
Thanks for all the replies and help ,
Mike
 
rugyboogie said:
Sitting on the fence long enough.
Finally decide to go with the ..........M9.
Can some one point me to a good dealer here in Canada ?
Vancouver dealers want full pop, a big deposit and then I have to wait for 3-6 months.........grrrr.
Thanks for all the replies and help ,
Mike
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I am afraid this is the reality of purchasing an M9. Its not likely to be much different any where else. If you do buy from another country then after sales support becomes an issue.

Good luck with your M9

Richard
 
rugyboogie said:
Sitting on the fence long enough.
Finally decide to go with the ..........M9.
Can some one point me to a good dealer here in Canada ?
Vancouver dealers want full pop, a big deposit and then I have to wait for 3-6 months.........grrrr.
Thanks for all the replies and help ,
Mike
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Having just read through the thread I think this is the right choice. For architectural photography your wide angle lenses will be wide. I also think that for your desired use, digital is the way to go, film doesn't make sense for you.

Having said that, I have to agree with the people that suggest picking up a film body to see how you like it. I'd recommend either the M6 TTL or the M7 as I believe both have the shutter dial turning the same way. You can play with the camera and get used to using a Rangefinder while you wait on the M9. Once you get the M9 you can resell the film body for about what you put into it.

My problem is that after having used my M6 TTL since getting it in April, I find myself wanting more lenses, and starting to think about a M9 at some point in the next 2-3 years (I need the glass first). While I have been wanting the Nikon D700 replacement when it comes out, I now think the M9 might be a better choice.
 
healyzh said:
While I have been wanting the Nikon D700 replacement when it comes out, I now think the M9 might be a better choice.
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Any definate news on a D700 replacament or is this just assumptions?
Im guessing that the the D300 and D3 pattern of upgrade will continue. If so it will just be a D700s with slightly better high ISO performance and video capture.

As much as i could extract from Nikon UK was that the replacement (what ever it will be) will be in the next calendar year. Probably not worth waiting for if only minor 's' improvements. At some stage there will be a new sensor (? the 14MB Sony one?) and that might well be worth the effort. But this would follow the release of a D4 which has to be at least 1 year away. Who knows not I?

Richard
 
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ot - old cars

ot - old cars

Richard, a bit OT, but I noticed the old car in your avatar, and it seemed similar to one we saw a few times in Montana a few weeks back.

Apparently the owner had bought it in San Francisco, and was driving it through MT to the east coast. As we stopped during some one way passages in Glacier park, the owner was always swamped with onlookers. The kids liked the license plate of the car:

936778069_Ad6AM-L.jpg


Richard Marks said:
Any definate news on a D700 replacament or is this just assumptions?
Im guessing that the the D300 and D3 pattern of upgrade will continue. If so it will just be a D700s with slightly better high ISO performance and video capture.

As much as i could extract from Nikon UK was that the replacement (what ever it will be) will be in the next calendar year. Probably not worth waiting for if only minor 's' improvements. At some stage there will be a new sensor (? the 14MB Sony one?) and that might well be worth the effort. But this would follow the release of a D4 which has to be at least 1 year away. Who knows not I?

Richard
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ampguy said:
Richard, a bit OT, but I noticed the old car in your avatar, and it seemed similar to one we saw a few times in Montana a few weeks back.

Apparently the owner had bought it in San Francisco, and was driving it through MT to the east coast. As we stopped during some one way passages in Glacier park, the owner was always swamped with onlookers. The kids liked the license plate of the car:

936778069_Ad6AM-L.jpg
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Hi yes looks like a Morgan +8. They are not as old as you might think! The factory still makes about 4 per week and is owned by Charles Morgan who is the grandson of the originator. Mine is about 15 years old and used as my main form of transport. Unfortunately I have some back trouble and its not exactly ideal these days! Still very reluctant to part with it. Its more a way of life than a car.

I was hoping for some info about the D700 replacement!

Best wishes

Richard
 
Richard Marks said:
Hi yes looks like a Morgan +8. They are not as old as you might think! The factory still makes about 4 per week and is owned by Charles Morgan who is the grandson of the originator. Mine is about 15 years old and used as my main form of transport. Unfortunately I have some back trouble and its not exactly ideal these days! Still very reluctant to part with it. Its more a way of life than a car.

I was hoping for some info about the D700 replacement!

Best wishes

Richard
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Judging by the chrome bumper it looks like a pre-1983 one, though. Unless the owner replaced the aluminum abomination.
 
jaapv said:
Judging by the chrome bumper it looks like a pre-1983 one, though. Unless the owner replaced the aluminum abomination.
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Its difficult to say. Chrome is available as a factory upgrade. The bit which looks odd to me is the position of the indicators bellow the bumper. Not sure why they have done that!

I agree the aluminium incarnation is not pleasant. The indigo blue Moggy next to it looks quite nice as well. Indicators in the proper place.

Richard
 
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