Leica M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome)

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

I purchased this camera a few months ago after doing a good bit of research on rangefinders. I had never used a rangefinder before, but some of the advantages it gives you over a DSLR (i.e. weight, size, ease of use) made it a very attractive alternative for many different situations...like street-shooting, touristy (is that a word?) shooting, and hand-holding for quick shots while hiking. This camera is simply amazing in its, um, simplicity. Pop the lens on, set aperture on the lens, set the camera shutter speed to "A", and forget it. You're done. Now all you need to think about it getting a good shot. The menu on the rear monitor is basic and straight-forward. Compared to the menu for the Nikon D4 or D800, it's a joke how simple the menu panel is to operate. Need to change maximum Auto ISO? Want to change file format? Format memory card? Check out battery life? Every possible menu option is visible after one press of the button. You don't need to hire Magellan to navigate the sub panels, like you do with Nikon. If you are used to Nikon, the controls on this camera are so simple it actually feels like something is wrong when you first use it.The viewfinder and focus technique take some time to get used to if you're accustomed to DSLR usage. Especially if you're using a wide-angle lens like the Leica 18mm or 21mm, you have to get used to not seeing the entire image in the viewfinder. They do make an adapter for wide-angle work, but it's [$]. For that price, I can live without it. I prefer to manually focus with a DSLR whenever it's relatively efficient to do so, so I enjoy the control you feel when focusing with the rangefinder. The lenses are very small compared to typical DSLR lenses, so getting a feel for the smaller focus ring takes a little practice.The images are crystal clear and as sharp as you could ever expect from any digital camera. The only drawbacks for this camera are 1) Both the camera and the lenses are very expensive, and 2) Ypu can't shoot telephoto...beyond about 150mm rangefinders are unusable. But, beyond that, this camera is fun to use, and takes great images.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

I am just begining to use a rangerfinder camera, it`s been one month only, so I am still discovering and very much in love.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

The Leica M9 which was introduced in 2009, has been replaced by the M9P. The only improvement is the sapphire screen, and some cosmetic changes.The cheap screen on the M9 is not a big deal, but it is not worth the $ to upgrade to the M9P.Do not fall into the Leica ploy to trick you to spend another $ for the M9P, buy the M9 and use your Leica or Zeiss lenses to their full potential with the Kodak CCD full frame sensor.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

If you want the very best digital camera, this Leica is for you. Another Steve Jobs quote is relevant here: "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." The M9-P works perfectly.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

Pricey? Perhaps. Well engineered? Absolutely! Attractive? Stunningly so. The perfect companion to my M6. As I am not quite completely sold on digital, I carry my new M9P in the same bag as my M6. They share lenses and my attention. The M9P comes out for action, the M6 when I have time to contemplate making a picture. It seemed to me a waste of "good glass" to invest in a different digital line -- I like the clarity of my M lenses (35,50,and 90 Summicrons with an Elmarit 28mm Asph), but I also have found that I have not had to change the way I compose and take an image -- the M9P is an M6 with a different image capture. My only complaint -- must by a new case -- the M6 case can't be used. Actually, this complaint is really in the noise level, and I've found that post processing,digitally speaking, CAN eliminate the noise!

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

The Leica M9P is a beautifully crafted piece of equipment. I love the Leica and Zeiss lenses that I own and can use for the Leica M9P. The build is solid and the old fashion ease of use is special. The images that are created by this rangefinder type of camera is in a class of it's own.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

I upgraded from the M8 when Leica finally came out with a silver chrome M9 (the M9-P)- it has met all of my expectations and allowed me to use the full potential of my lenses without the 1.3 factor of the M8.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):

I have been an avid amateur photographer for the better part of 10 years and my most recent camera was a D700. While I love the D700, the imaging quality of the Leica is like no other. The three dimensionality of the images this camera renders is simply amazing. I use a Cron 35, 50 and Elmarit 90 as my setup. The manual shooting has forece me to think before composing and this has had a very solid impact on the quality of the images I shoot. I also probably shoot only 15% of the total number of images I used to shoot with my D700.

The only downside to this camera is the manual focus. It took me about 1000 actuations just to get used to focusing manually. But now that I have it dialed in, it is easy. I just love this camera. It really forces you to be a better photographer and the portability of this thing is just fantastic.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

Amateur photographer. Leica kept it simple and direct.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

Having shot with many different camera setups, I have always sought after that "camera to end buying cameras." I have shot with an Elan 7e, 20d, 30d, 5dmkii, Nikon Fm3a, Cambo 4x5, Mamiya 7II (which I use to this day quite often,) and my newest addition, the Leica M9-P. (Black.) I can say without a doubt this camera has re-invented the medium that is photography for me. The best way I can describe the effect this camera had on me after using it for the first time was...imagine taking a 6x7 shot only to have it be developed and staring at you from an LCD screen a second later! Granted, this camera is not a "film killer," however is the best and most fun digital camera I have owned. It has the feel of a film camera with the immediacy of a dSLR. And lest I fail to mention, is the most sturdy camera I have ever owned to this day! The images are TACK sharp. I have shot with Zeiss ZM lenses on this baby and also the Summilux 50 only to arrive at exquisite results. The Leica M9-P is timeless, and is certainly a "camera-purchase" killer if there ever was one...until the M10 is released.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

The Leica M9P is a camera that just works. Simply. If you are a fan of traditional rangefinder film cameras, this is the digital full-frame version. The basic operation is straightforward, with aperture on the lens and a shutter speed dial on top. That's the way a camera should be in my opinion, and why no current Nikon or Canon camera interests me. The shutter speed dial nicely incorporates half EV steps between the standard shutter speeds. On my camera body, the off-on-continuous-self timer switch is a bit too easy acting, and I have accidentally switched off the camera a few times, but it is fast rebooting so that has not been a problem yet.

On the electronic side, the camera settings menus are mostly straightforward and easy to use. The only ergonomic software quirk I mind is that the white balance control is accessed by the Set button on the back lower left but most of the other basic functions are accessed with the Menu button at top right.

Picture quality is great at 160-800 ISO, and 1250 is acceptable for low light use. My Leica 28mm/2.8 Elmarit ASPH and 75mm/2 APO ASPH lenses both produce astonishing results, as does the Zeiss Biogon 25mm/2.8 ZM (selecting the camera's profile for the 28mm/2.8 ASPH). Flash exposure is perfect with the SF24D. I have yet to try my Metz MZ54 on the body.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

Great upgrade from DSLR user. I travel a lot, this is the best travel companion I've by far.

Personally, minus the red dot and plus the Sapphire Crystal Cover make huge different while traveling.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

I usually carry it with me. I used to have a Nikon D700 and Nikon D90 with couple of Nikon lenses and Zeiss ZF lenses. But they are too bulky and hard to carry. Therefore I got this Leica M9-P.

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

I am astounded by the high level of quality of design and manufacture. To be brief, the M9-P is pure joy to handle. Yes, it is a "thinking mans" camera. The quality of images is so uniquely beautiful. Making images with this camera is a spiritual experience which just might change the way you relate to the world. It is not for everyone and it wont do everything but what it does is move you closer to God. Thank you Leica !

Comments about M9-P Digital Camera Body (Black Paint):

I've been waiting (and saving) for years for the perfect digital Leica and believe this is it. I've used M6 and M3 Leicas for years in my newspaper career and am happy to finally be able to add a digital Leica to the mix. I've already used it on 2 assignments and couldn't be happier. Only downside is the cost.