Saying goodbye to the Leica M9 💔

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

This poor schmuck is caught in the never ending Digital gear treadmill. I shoot with old film cameras and old digital cameras. Nothing newer than 2007. I shoot black and white film and color chrome in 35mm and 120. I shoot everyday color with DSLR cameras (D3, D700, and D300). Life is simple. 12mp is more than enough. Digital is for fun 🎉 Film is forever 🌿

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Try an X2D and then see what you say. ;o)

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

@zoltankaparthy9095 I use a Linhof 617s Technorama from the 1990s. After all these years, nothing has impressed me more. Like Kubrick's 2001:A Space Odyssey. Still the best film ever made.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

@ I am not familiar with the Linhof. They do have a great rep as does this model. Still, contempt prior to investigation is dangerous. You cannot get the dynamic range (15 f stops) the color depth 16 bit or IBIS with your platform. Do not be too quick to dismiss what you do not know.

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

@@zoltankaparthy9095 Some of the greatest photographs had short dynamic range, lacked sharpness and have lasted forever in my memory. Art is in the Edges. Technology continually polishes away the edges. Keep that in mind.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

@GaryIrving-x5o Yes, and Matthew Brady made some great photographs. Is your point that glass plate is better? Is limited dynamic range better? Is washed out color better? Are you going to drive an old beater or a new car? And while the brush does not make the painter if you look closely you will find that painters buy the best brushes they can afford. Everybody, well all but an infinitesimally small group, wants to work with the best tools they can. I am familiar with these arguments. They exist elsewhere. The old way is better. No, maybe you prefer it. And that's great, good for you. But technology has moved on. No painter will paint with five colors if he can paint with fifty. That someone may have made a good five color painting does not mean it is a good idea.

[@SebastianOakley]

I completely agree with this 100%... As a Leica M-E user (an M9 without USB port and frameline sector) there is such a magic to is CCD sensor with color and shooting in in black and white that no other can really match - the M10-R came close but the M9 is like shooting digital Kodachrome. While it might not be the fastest or have high ISO it's still an amazing camera to date, I've had mine for over 2 years and I see no sign of letting it go, in fact I'd sell my Leica M2 before my M-E

[@FrankDavalos]

Now you’re making me regret my decision mate!

[@SebastianOakley]

​@@FrankDavalosIf you feel that way, then you know what you gotta do... Get another one!

[@arshotsphotography]

I have the Leica M-E and I love mine! There is a distinct look and feel that those photos produce.

[@marcgilles4520]

8:52 honestly the Bluetooth feature is something that’s hard to give up. You’re really disciplined. You described my current work flow with the Leica M11-D. After a couple hours, I like to open the app and cull my photos on the bus ride home. I haven’t taken something out of my camera in months. Power it with usb and transfer images with Bluetooth.

[@FrankDavalos]

I'm a weird guy man! I love having bluetooth too... just not on my Leica M cameras!

[@romankampa6212]

Good advice with the dead pixels. I gave up my search for an M8 because of this… sadly there is always a risk with those cameras 🥹 Great review: thanks!

[@alanmeier5539]

Thank you for your honesty about the Leica. Garbage is garbage even if you gild it !

[@D.Trider]

M-P Typ240 is pretty perfect color wise and with 24mp.

[@FrankDavalos]

Never been too intrigued by the camera, but a little by the sensor. Always been after the MD-262

[@wilfredshum3703]

Agree that Leica M is not for all photographers, but I am addicted to its older models especially the M9 and M8.2.

[@Archetcetera]

As a Leica M9 user, I completely agree with your assessment. It’s not a perfect do it all camera and therefore not an ideal primary or only camera. The colours can be magical but they are also not neutral and can easily feel over-saturated for example. I still love my M9 and M8 and I don’t think I’ll ever sell them. I had an M10 and sold it. I miss it sometimes but somehow I like the quirkiness of the older Leicas. So yeah, it’s complicated!

[@FrankDavalos]

Yeah, I sometimes miss being able to use a digital M and not have to make those calculations… but I suppose I have other cameras for that! It’s a weird problem to have.

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Had a corroded M9 for 1.5 years and totally agree with you. Had a lot of fun with it, but in the end the corrosion was a pain starting with f8. Now a few weeks ago my M8 came back from Wetzlar service because of the dead pixel issue. Luckily it was only 180€. Also agree on your conclusion on Leica cameras, since I also count myself into the enthusiasm camp and now also owned quite a lot of Leica cameras, bought and sold a lot 😅 Is the MP and the Q2M your currently Leica kit? Great job on the video as always my friend! 😊

[@FrankDavalos]

That’s awesome that it’s back! Yeah that’s all I’m shooting now. Just bought bulk rolls of Tri-X and Vision 250D! Thanks again for watching brother! 🙏🤘

[@karl47289]

I just got a M9p two days ago! It’s a magical camera. Question though, how do I keep it safe from the corrosion issues at home or in general? Also since I’m from Ontario, Canada, it’s very cold here too.. will the cold affect the camera itself? And finally, does shooting in the heavy heat during summer affect anything? I shoot portraits and street Thanks!!!

[@FrankDavalos]

In my experience I’ve been able to shoot it in Canadian summers no problem. If you have one with the original sensor, you will need to have low filter glass replaced or it will likely eventually corrode. Kolari does this or there are some other technicians that can as well!

[@Archetcetera]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Just a note: You can buy cheap third party batteries for the M9 and M8. I have a bunch of them. And they were cheap.

[@FrankDavalos]

Yeah good point that I probably should have mentioned! I was referring to OEM batteries specifically. For some reason I’ve always felt like Leica users are less likely to use third party batteries, but I probably should have mentioned that! Thanks! 🙏

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I have about a dozen third party because when I run out of batteries the camera is done.

[@user-ue1pv1wv7o]

so what did you replace the m9 with? sony a7iv?

[@FrankDavalos]

Nothing! Current lineup: MP, Q2M, GRIII, RB67, Fuji GS545S and an A7RV and FX3! 😂 Those are just the cameras I feel like naming

[@user-ue1pv1wv7o]

@@FrankDavalos so you didnt say goodbye to M9? You still take pics with it? I'm confused.

[@FrankDavalos]

Nope, I sold it!

[@D.Trider]

@@FrankDavalosnice collection. Mine is about the same. Gr3, m10m, m-p typ 240, m3, Rolleiflex 2.8f, d850 and ZF. Oh and a super8. Haha

[@FrankDavalos]

@ hate that I don’t have a Rollie haha. Also have a Super8!

[@JacobChristiansen1]

The m9 still has the best ISO selector of any M digital camera. One funny thing about the back screen is that you can see more shadow detail if you view the screen at an angle instead of straight on.

[@FrankDavalos]

That is a hot take! Although if I think about it, I actually agree. Set it and forget it!

[@jayocotube6483]

Where are you going to list it for sale?

[@FrankDavalos]

It sold in one day haha 🥺

[@jayocotube6483]

@@FrankDavalos Great! Probably for more than you paid.

[@FrankDavalos]

@jayocotube6483 Actually I just listed it for exactly what I paid although I sold 2 batteries separately! I probably could have got more to be honest but I was okay with it.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

The solution is simple: move to the Niagara Peninsula where it is warm. And you are still in Canada. ;o)

[@davidbrighten2572]

True - Ottawa is extremely cold today

[@FrankDavalos]

Don’t tempt me!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

@ Good day for skating on the canal.

[@TheJ_G]

My biggest complaint with the M9 is that I sold my M8 for it, and my M9 would NOT stay calibrated when my M8 always stayed calibrated. Also I think the M8 images looked a touch better than the M9.

[@FrankDavalos]

Interesting! I like the M8 but the crop is no bueno for me. Cool camera though!

[@frankqpham]

😢

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

"Ahhh, I just cant afford to buy film anymore"...proceeds to buy a new digital Leica and lens. And soon a new computer/software/ memory storage......🤔🙄

[@jackthompson8377]

Three M9s? Poor baby. All this to shoot family photos. (Cute kids though).