Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black) USA

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I use this camera professionally for portraits, weddings, modeling, and street photography. It is extremely well built and inconspicuous. I love the manual controls (less is more people!) and the rangefinder, once you learn it, is actually much faster to use than ground glass focusing and also far more accurate. The full frame CCD is unbelievable when exposed correctly and combined with Leica lenses, you can truly get some wonderful images out of this camera. It becomes like an extension of your eye, allowing you to just get to shooting photos where with other camera's you would just be fumbling through settings.

My only dislike with it so far is the lcd screen. it is small and images don't look anything like they do once imported. it also gives the impression that your images are far more noisy than they really are.

Aside from that It is a truly amazing camera and I wouldn't own anything else.

P.S. IT IS WORTH THE MONEY!

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

'been a Leica users for 40 years. Love the feel,balance and quiet. It's what the M8 wanted to be. But.... I find the dynamic range sensitivity considerably less than what is spec'd [10 stops]
ISO 160 yields the best DM but your are forced to shoot at questionably sharp shutter speeds.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I'm a beginner to photography and the only other digital camera I have is a Canon s95. My friend recommend Leica M9 to me. I could not compare this with others. But this is easier to learn. Manual focus is not hard, even for a beginner! I really love the color.... And it is light. I could take it everywhere as most DSRL are too heavy for girls.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Solid build. Beautiful camera ever

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Plenty of reviews here to get you an idea of how wonderful this camera is.
I bought mine back in August 2011 and have pt it through it's paces with over 6000 exposures.

I'm a professional photographer and use predominately for weddings as my main camera and a 35mm f1.4 Summilux lens.

Trust me, I read every review under the sun before committing $12k for lens and camera. This is one beautiful little camera to use. I shoot documentary photography. This is a small camera, non-threatening and very unassuming to people. No one I'm sure takes me seriously and that's the way I like it. It means I can get shots that were more challenging with a larger (and louder SLR).

Yes, kinda poor low light resolution, but this is eliminated by the fact you can hand hold a couple of shutter speeds slower due to the mirror-less vibration free rangefinder system. Incredible easy to use focusing, even in low light. It's actually quicker focusing in many ways compared to my Nikon D3.

I did find, as per many reviews, that my 35mm lens had slight back focusing and this was remedied very quickly. You should certainly make sure everything is pin sharp by using a focusing target. You can send back to Leica for calibration or do it yourself fairly easy.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

This camera Looses files - Do a search for M9 file corruption and read for yourself.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I am an amateur photographer who likes a lot rangefinder cameras and m9 corrected the limitations that have m8.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I sold an M8 to move to the M9. I'm a long time Leica M user. Getting back to the full frame is like coming home. THe M8 was always awkward to use with the 1.33 magnification factor, reduced field of view with wide angle lenses and petty as it seems, I never seemed to know which bright lines went with which lens field of view. THe M9 corrects the IR/UV problems of the M8, increases the sensor resolution to a full 18 MP, which without low pass filters (anti-moire) the practical resolution is at least a s good as the Canon and Nikon ~20 MP DSLRs in the 20 MP range. Color balance is better to my eye than with the M8, though I mostly do B+W.
Combined with the extraordinary Leica M lenses the image quality is spectacular. Subjectively, the achievable resolution seems to exceed that I could obtain with Kodak technical pan film or Fuji Velvia (ISO 50) in the past with the same lenses.
In the M tradition, the interface is simple, no nonsense and fast to use. No wading through layers of menues.
My only concern is how Leica will manage the lifetime of the M9. The M9 chassis should not appreciably change over the coming years as was the case with the film M bodies. I wonder if there could be a program of upgrades if major improvements in the sensor or electronics follow. It seems that upgrades could be as simple as swapping out internal parts. Whether that is a viable or sustainable business model is the question. At the current prices, I doubt most M users would be quick to upgrade to a hypothetical M9.1, 9.2, 9.3... with the purchase of a new body.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Very precise and intiutive operations and consequently exelence photos.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I have shot Nikons as a serious amateur for 30+ years, now own a D3s and many ultimate fast Nikon lenses. After several months of reading about DSLR users who had migrated to the M9, I bought one with a 50 Summicron 6 months ago, and have been buying some other lenses (Leica and Zeiss)as I could find them.

Some observations:

There is no question that the best Nikon lenses can take superlative photos. The M9 and almost any Leica (or Zeiss) lens can take superlative photos several times more frequently, while weighing 1/3 as much.

I have not yet become an accomplished "zone focus" master, and I still look through the viewfinder and focus on my subject (almost always people). This causes me to lose a few shots due to my inexpertise, but there is unequivocally more of a rapport between the photographer and the subjects when you're using an M9, vs. using a D3s.

The image quality of the M9 blows the doors off of the D3s and almost any Nikon glass. You can enlarge images much more without losing detail, and there is detail stored in the shadows and highlights of the Leica raw images which can be retrieved in post-processing which simply is not there in the D3s. Yes, the 200 / 2 and a few other Nikon lenses are probably as good, but they weigh well over 10X as much, which severely limits their usefulness.

All of the Leica lenses are probably great, and I can verify that many are phenomenal. In the 6 months I have owned the M9, I have captured many more "priceless" images than I have in 30 years with Nikons.

Caveats: Nikon is certainly better for macro and telephoto. Leica has nothing to compare with a D3x w/ 600 F4 or Zeiss Makro-Planar 100. If we are shooting a birthday party with a bunch of rowdy kids, and you can do a better job with an M9 than I can with a D3s and a Nikon 24-120, you are a far better photographer than I will ever be. This does not hurt my feelings.

Bottom line: If photography is an important part of your life and you can afford an M9, I suggest you get one. I can't imagine anyone ever regretting it.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I travel extensively on business, and my DSLR is simply too big to take with me--and it is not even a full-frame. The M9 with 3 lenses is not exactly light, but it delivers results way beyond anything of this size.

There's lots of good comments in the other reviews here, but I'll underscore a few

1) dust on the sensor is an issue, so you'll need soemthing like a rocket blaster right away. 2) I've had a few isolated situations where the data from even the new digital Leica lenses were clearly recognized by the camera, but mysteriously did not transmit into Adobe Camera Raw, and aperature settings appear to be transferred as rounded-off numbers to the nearest full-click f-stop. 3) The monitor is weak for a camera of this class, but the exposure spectra (for me, the most important feedback from the camera) are perfectly readable.

I think most DSLR users will notice a change in their shooting style--the 28mm viewfinder field lets you see a lot more, and despite any slight inaccuracy of the frame lines, it tends to help me with composition.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I bought the M9 to use an old 35mm v4 summicron Lens I have. I use a d700 that does everything very well, but I like the discreet form factor of the M9. The image quality is excellent but I was slightly disappointed by the component quality of the camera. The LCD screen basically provides an image shaped histogram of your photo. I'm certain a higher resolution 2.5 inch LCD could be added without impacting profit margins. The plastic click wheel also strikes me as something Leica would have done better. I also think the on/off/mode switch should have firmer resistance as I often move it inadvertently. The main point of this camera is still valid however. The sensor is great and provides film like grain at higher iso's. The menus and functions are clear and easy to navigate. I have a black model with taped off logo's making it a stealthy classic looking camera. I process the DNG files through Aperture and they look perfect right out of the camera. The M9 with a 13 inch MacBook air is the ultimate travel combo. A camera of this size with a full frame digital sensor is an incredible innovation for Leica and justifies the premium price. Of course, it is the Leica glass that really makes the IQ outstanding. Fortunately these beautifully constructed lenses elevate the overall M9 tactile experience.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I use my M9s for documentary work and when ever and where ever I travel. I have yet to find a 35mm camera to deliver the kind of results the M system delivers. I have owned high-end DSLRs but none afford me the kind of direct control which is conducive to the flow of photographing events as they unfold. The camera and lenses are compact and easy to travel with. The lenses are beyond compare, many are gems of engineering & design and all reflect manufacturing craftsmanship found in laboratory instruments. The system may be pricey - but over the long term you are way ahead - besides, you get what you pay for.At this price - the camera needs:Auto sensor clean.Sapphire (scratch proof) view screen - standardA grip with an arca swiss mount - (like the one from [...])A thumb rest to better stabilize the camera and an accessory shoe above the finder to allow for those wide angle finder accessories so you can easily/rapidly switch from camera rangefinder/viewfinder data to external finder accessory for rapid focus/metering and composition.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Until you have witnessed the image quality of this camera you cannot know what you are missing.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I use the M9 as I used my film Leicas, for both commercial and personal work. It's size makes it less conspicuous than a DSLR, it's fairly quiet, most Leica lenses are superb. If you are accustomed to auto-focus cameras, you will have to learn to focus it yourself.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Leica lenses, camera bodies are top notch. I have been waiting for the digital Leica as a companion to my film Leicas. I will continue to use film in addition to using the digital body. This camera puts you back in control as the photographer.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Great camera. I have a Nikon D300 and 4 lenses, but i was looking for a high quality compact camera for travelling. This is the one.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

I LOVE my M9. I have always been a Leica M shooter, having three of the film Ms and numerous lenses. I was not totally sold on the M8 due to the crop factor and other issues with that camera. I am so glad I waited for the M9. This camera cuts beautiful images to the sensor, it handles very well and has that Leica feel. Works well with my older lenses that are not coded.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

Leica has addressed all that was wrong with the M8. New full frame18 megapixel sensor, ability to tell the camera what lens that is mounted without 6 bit code, multiple exposures for HDR photography, classic black paint body, no need for IR/UV filters, easier ISO change, silent shutter, easier battery check and memory card capacity, and free download of Adobe's Lightroom 3.
Beautiful images in Raw and jpg. Uses same battery and accessories as M8. Probably the best thing Leica has come out with in years.

Comments about Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black):

You hear a lot about what's wrong with the M9 -mainly that it isn't as good at high ISO as cheaper bodies from Nikon and Canon. That may be true, but back in the film days we got by shooting ISO 400 and 800 all the time. The M9 is great up to 1600, and if you use proper technique, you can shoot some amazing images with that limitation.

The M9's strongest feature is its lack of feature. By not offering a ton of useless features like Portrait and sport modes, multiple metering modes, in camera retouching, etc., the camera is able to be great at doing the one thing that really matters -taking great photos. The M9 works great in pure manual mode where you select both shutter and aperture. It also has a great Aperture priority mode where you can adjust exposure by turning the setting ring if you don't like what the camera is giving you.

Bells and whistles are nice but they really can get in the way of your picture taking at times. The M9 frees you of those obstacles.