🔴 STILL GOOD? Back Together After 7 Years! Leica M9-P Re-Review

Best Leica camera for colour photography: Review - Leica M9-P + Leica M9 presets for Lightroom
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[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

📝 NEW LEICA M9/M9-P BLOG WITH MORE PHOTOS - bit.ly/3FgHTQe 💫 MRLEICA LR PRESETS - mrleica.com/presets/ 📝 LEICA CLUB WELCOME PACK - mrleica.com/leica-club-join-the-club/ 🚀 LEICA WORKSHOPS: mrleica.com/workshops/ 🚀 FREE MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE EBOOK: mrleica.com/ebooks/ ▶ WATCH NEXT: ALL LEICA Q VIDS - bit.ly/3gOswGh 🚀 GET YOUR FREE EBOOK: mrleica.com/ebooks/ 📞 ZOOM: Not sure what camera or lens to buy? Arrange a call today - bit.ly/3lBkdgq ⭐ PATREON: 100+ Videos & Zoom - mrleica.com/patreon/ ✅ CHECK PRICES: (US) ebay.to/2F0HoxY (UK) ebay.to/3ijzle2 (DE) ebay.to/3iqDNYs (FR) ebay.to/2ZJ3E75 (HK) ebay.to/32A8xBu 🛎 SUBSCRIBED?: Monthly Giveaways! bit.ly/3qET0ZO 📷 SEE MY KIT: mrleica.com/kitlist/ 💫 MRLEICA LIGHTROOM PRESETS - mrleica.com/presets/ 🚀 LEICA WORKSHOPS: mrleica.com/workshops/ 🎞 NEED FILM?: mrleica.com/do-you-need-film/ ☕ COFFEE: Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica

[@SebastianOakley]

You can actually use modern day SD cards in the M9/M-E if you reformat them to FAT32, which can be down via a free download. Because of this I now use a 64gb SanDisk card - hope this helps others keeping this wonderful camera going!

[@GuamPhotography]

Yes this is correct I use a PNY 64GB in mine :)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Sebastian, that's a really great tip, thanks! Noted.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@SebastianOakley]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom not a problem, love the videos!

[@trustmeimareporter]

I used two M9s and four lenses (21mm Super-Angulon f/3.4 and 35mm, 50mm and 90mm Summicrons) during 10 years of intensive photojournalism while employed at news organisations in Abu Dhabi, Myanmar and Hong Kong. You had to absolutely nail exposure and focus, but you were rewarded with stellar colour images that reproduced beautifully on newsprint, in magazines and online. But after multiple sensor replacements and a series of repairs/adjustments, Leica declined last year to fix the shutter on my battered black M9. Leica accepted it as a trade-in for a Leica CL, which I use as a vacation camera. My second M9 is semi-retired. I've switched to Lumix S series as my main camera bodies, but they don't have the same feel or look as those M9s with the straightforward manual operation and simple menus. My old Leica M lenses look small and worn on the heftier Panasonics, but I still favour manual focus. I may upgrade to an M11 someday, but for now I'll allow for a respectable amount of time to honour the huge role the M9 has played in my life.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for sharing, great story. I would highly recommend getting the Leica SL. That is the best camera for MF lenses. It's a dream to use, a tank and a workhorse. I use the CL for travel (see a video soon) but the SL is my daily driver. They said the SL2-S has the closest colours to the M9 if your budget will stretch that far. (I have Lumix S too so my recommendation comes with that background).

[@MarcS4R]

i just recently got an M9 again, and I love it. I opted for the ME (220) because i really like the gray paint. Like you said, the colors are amazing. I can recommend to only buy an M9 with a factory replaced corrosion resistant sensor. You can check if its installed via the Debug Menu, the Sensor ID should be CCDID 15 or 16. To Enter the Debug Menu : 1. Turn on your camera. 2. By using the buttons on the back of the camera, this sequence will enter factory service mode: Delete > Up (2x) > Down (4x) > Left (3x) > Right (3x) > Info. .

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Marc, excellent info there for anyone checking their cameras. Really useful thanks and yes sorry I forgot to mention the M-E

[@Funktrainer]

I own a 2012 M9-P with Sensor ID 11 and no corrosion issues at all. Simply get a M9 with no corrosion on its cover glass.

[@MarcS4R]

@@Funktrainer corrosion can happen at any time, personally, it happened to me before. i would prefer to get the and M9 with a Leica replaced corrosion resistant sensor. But each to their own. at the end of the day , its still an amazing camera

[@Funktrainer]

@@MarcS4R I got my M9-P at a camera shop for a steal three years ago because people are frightened at those corroded sensors. It is unlikely that a glass will start corroding after ten years of not doing so. Leica just replaced the sensors that showed the issue not all per se.

[@ralfkenneweg4935]

If you are looking to buy an M9 and are unsure whether the sensor has been replaced or not, you can call Leica Customer Service. With the help of the M9 serial number, they can provide information over the phone as to whether and when the sensor was changed. However, if the sensor is defective (i.e. not corroded but simply defective), there are no longer any spare parts for the repair. Then no one else can fix it. I also got the M9 and I love it but You have to know the risk.

[@LucyS565]

As always, very informative. Thank you Matt!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Lucy!

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Those colors are BEAUTIFUL One of your best videos Matt Great story and explanation.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks RS, glad you liked it!

[@CrueLoaf]

I love my Leica M9-P. Had the sensor replaced after it suffered from the issue! But the colours are lovely. Very filmlike. I’ve whacked on a 35mm Summilux from 1981. Fab!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great combo and yes, can’t beat those CCD colours!

[@lensman5762]

You can easily make your own presets to make the M240 to look li!e anything you want. The M240 CMOS gives you a clear canvas to work from. With both the M8, M9 or any other CCD camera it is very difficult the reprofile the colour. Still the punchy saturated CCD colours are mostly attractive to most people.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes I do use my presets to make most cameras look more interesting/ to my taste. CCD is harder to edit true.

[@james.shafiei]

M9-P and M9M also has a quieter, damped shutter. You can feel the M9’s shutter in the body when you release it but in the M9-P and M9M you can barely feel it at all. Kolari in the US also do CCD glass corrosion repairs and they seem slightly cheaper.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for confirming James, I knew the M8.2 was quieter but was not sure about the M9s .. a Patreon doesn't rate Kolari so will send his to the UK. (I've not used either*)

[@james.shafiei]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom ah ok, good to know in case either my M9 or M9M gets corrosion! Thanks for the video.

[@eugene8524]

Great video as always!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Eugene!

[@Pmike404]

I bought an M9 about a year ago with a replaced sensor and the previous owner sent it into Leica for the M9-P rear glass upgrade and a new top plate. I pretty much leave the Ricoh GR 28mm LTM lens on it all the time.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Mike, nice. I've not heard of my M9-to-M9-P upgrades so that's cool to hear.

[@koraypekericli]

Thank you for the honest update...

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, no problem!

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

I always found the M9 images very "round" and filmic. The M8 is very kodak Tri-X monochrom. Love these cameras despite their weaknesses. Both trained me well on exposures and helped me transition "backwards" into shooting film with confidence. Cheers!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes I love the look from the M8 and M9 too.. and now shoot film like you.

[@raksh9]

One 32GB card gives about 1700 exposures, and given the slow nature of the M9P, one or two cards is more than adequate for almost all situations. Black and white conversions from the M9 are stunning. I shoot the M9 alongside the Panasonic S5, and I'm constantly attempting to make the S5 files as close to the M9 as possible. When budget allows, I will get a SL2-S.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes cards last forever in the M8/M9 :) .. yes it's made me re-think the SL2-S too!

[@Funktrainer]

The M9 is not slow when you shoot it in compressed RAW which it was originally designed for.

[@4WHEELBIKER]

Thanks. The M9 colors are great. I never shot the M9 but was aware of its cons. Totally agree with the vibrancy of Fuji's velvia simulation. It's the cameras/setting I reach for when I need colors to really pop. I think the colors on the Leica SL (601) set to medium high are also spot on.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes I enjoy the SL too and prefer the files to the M240. The Fuji Velvia was slide film scans :)

[@AbrahamMusalem]

Thanks for the vid, Matt. You always seem to have a video that applies to me haha. Just picked up an M9-P with a replaced sensor.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! That's the goal for Leica users! M9-P - great! Enjoy

[@Tekrel]

I went through a lot of videos on the M9 and this was the one that made me finally buy one off ebay. Took a little bit of getting used to from my more modern kit but what you said is absolutely correct if a red or blue is in the frame it doesn't have an equal with color output. Still I have to use it sparingly because only a matter of time before it becomes a brick but really enjoying my results so far.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Greg, I appreciate your feedback! Leica need to hire me for their sales team haha :). Enjoy your M9! (I always miss mine!)

[@jameslenney]

"Education is important, but coffee is importanter". Love it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha thanks James!

[@tuftufclub159]

Hi Matt, very intresting video, beautiful images ! For sure, the Leica M9 is an iconic and amazing camera ! I will continue with my leica M8 + IR filter. I hope that you will find the time one day to make a re-review of the M8, perhaps shoulder to shoulder with the M9. Thanks alot, take care, greetings, Roger.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Roger! Yes a remake of the M8 video in the future sounds like a nice idea if I get a chance.

[@simonkimber1152]

The m9 colours are great, although I prefer the M8 slightly. I think probably the most usable option is my m10p with a Kodachrome preset in Lightroom

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I loved the M8 for B&W but preferred the M9 for colour. Later cameras offer lots more other benefits

[@dlyon9673]

Watched this again and really enjoyed it. An attraction of the M9 versus the SL, of course, is the Leica M rangefinder experience. I'm still grooving on my M9, and another positive is the nice crunchy shutter sound -- feels like I'm taking a big bite of the beauty of the world cookie. Okay, that's a bit random ... As a note re the sensor issue, the problem is actually with the glass and adhesive covering the sensor. In US, I have been very happy with Kolari fixing this issue.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks and thanks for name dropping Kolari to help others!

[@iljaklimenkov1022]

First of all, thank you for the informative video about Leica M9-M9P.... I mean everything is on the shelves and everything is as it is, there is nothing else.I caught myself thinking that I noticed exactly these same moments in the camera. And I even used its not large screen only to view settings or histograms.But when I came home and downloaded these negatives, I forgot what I wanted and where I was going. Both color and black and white photographs are simply magnificent.Yes, she is not perfect, like an old friend, about whom you know everything and he will not let you down.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Beautifully put! Yes the final photos massively outperform the camera experience (in a great way)

[@Funktrainer]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom If you want a quick M9 experience just stop shooting it in uncompressed raw mode. The processor of the M9 is not able to shoot uncompressed DNGs.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Kolari Vision will also fix M9 sensor corrosion these days. They also sell refurbished ones. So there are options for this wonderful camera! I have a late production M-E and have never had the sensor problem, so I think I'm good :-)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks DOn and great info on Kolari Vision, thanks. Sorry I forgot to mention the M-E!

[@daoxinzhishui]

I really enjoy attaching my old "imperfect" lenses to my Leica M9, especially the Nikkor 5cm f1.4 ltm. I feel images from that Kodak CCD in M9 series does have the feature found in color transparent films (amazing green and red rendering), which is hard (if not impossible) to reproduce with CMOS-based cameras nowadays. Old lenses with worse optical quality often produce dull results even on my Leica SL (typ 601), but will always surprise me when attached to M9. What's more, black & white images from M9 is also very good (especially when ISO is over 800, there're film-like grainy features). There are lots of CCD-based digital cameras back in the history, but AFAIK, Leica M9 series (M9/M9p/ME) seem to be the only one equipped with the full-frame-sized sensor. This alone adds another uniqueness to Leica M9. If there's no infamous sensor corrosion issue, I believe M9 will be even more sought-after.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks N, great summary. Yes I think people still love it as it was never matched by another camera. I love the Nikkor and agree the older lenses have less contrast so pair nicely with the M9.

[@sunny16portraits]

You make a good sales pitch Matt :) Although one more con for me personally is it doesn't take the 50mm dual range so I would have to either replace that or get another lens... have looked at them before though, especially the M9-P looks nice.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Thomas, Leica would make millions if they employed me haha .. sorry if i oversold it but I loved the colours! :) Can't use as a main camera as too slow and yes good point on DR.

[@dlyon9673]

Thank you for this interesting video. Your shots from the M9 look great. As a note, I believe another difference of the M9-P from the M9 is that Leica reduced the shutter sounds on the P.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks D, ah yes I remember hearing this too I think, I know the M8.2 was more quiet than the M8. Thanks

[@Funktrainer]

The shutter of the M8.2 M9 and M9-P is the same. They have all the downgraded, more silent 1/4000 sec Copal shutters. The real thing is the quick M8 shutter with the pro specced 1/250 sec sync speed.

[@iello911]

Thanks for sharing your views, Matthew. I have owned a few M9/M9Ps over the years (the first one replaced my M8), and eventually switched to the MM, since i was converting 99% of my files to B&W), One of the M9s and my first MM were sent back to Leica to replace the sensor, when they were still offering the option. However, the issue was NOT the sensor, which was fine, it was with the poor adhesive that was used to attach the glass cover. Once moisture penetrated between cover and sensor, then you would have the dreaded spots (which were not corrosion per se). I encountered the same issue on my latest - and current - MM, long after Leica stopped replacing sensors, so I sent it to Kolari Vision here in the US, they replaced the glass covering (in less than a week) and the camera is now as good as new - and I know the problem will not occur again! I do still prefer colour files out of those CCD sensors ... M8 was better for B&W conversions, but the M9 has amazing old school colour rendition.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for the great info for others to read too. Interesting stuff. Glad to hear Kolari Vision is offering the service in the US to avoid shipping to the UK. I totally agree with M8/M9 comment!

[@BrunoChalifour]

What is "old-school" color rendition? And why should we look for it? It might be interesting (and clarifying for some of us) to elaborate on this.

[@costascosta273]

Bought an m8, sold it to buy an m9p, bought back an m8 after missing the black and white which in my opinion are better than the m9. Now have just bought an M9M. Leica is a rabbit hole..

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha yes Leica is dangerous. Agree M8 B&W files are amazing and better than M9 (and are sharper)

[@thilipdhev]

Hi. How is the m9m. Can u share ur experience. Thanks.

[@costascosta273]

@@thilipdhev I love it. It is like shooting an endless roll of HP5 for me but if you are used to a colour camera and converting, you will notice some differences. You have a much flatter dng file to begin with and to inject contract prior to editing, you are limited to colour filters/higher contrast lenses. A big difference is you cannot use the colour channels to post process as there are none! This also makes highlight retention a fair bit harder. The ISO advantage you have over a colour camera is somewhat negated in certain circumstances as you will be looking to underexpose a little more than usual. Now for the positives, the tonality of the image when printed is so good for me. I just could not replicate it with my regular M9. The limitation of not having colour was a plus too. You have to be a real b&w fan to make use of one but the M9M is a classic for me. Best of luck in your decision making.

[@GuamPhotography]

Still have my M9-P and loving it !!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great! :)

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

You are right, across the board, on the pluses and minuses. My M-9 had the sensor cover and circuit board replaced by Leitz and as the body was a bit ratty it was cheaper to buy. I love the color. It is my go-to with a good 50 or 35. Until I got the X2D it was my main camera. I also have an M8.2 which also has good, slightly different, color. The old CCD's were nice. HB did a great job with their Sony CMOS BSI. It is super. But the M-9 always beckons. Great vid, as usual. You are consistent. ;o)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Sandy! Yes M9 colours are still the best! :) Hassy are good for CMOS.

[@Funktrainer]

The auto white balance of the M9 is simply amazing. I never put my SL (Typ 601) in AWB as the results are always weird. With the M9 I just have to reduce the magentas a little bit and raise up the shadows and it is perfect. Especially mixed lighting is reproduced perfectly with the M8 and M9.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes I do like the M9 colours. I think on day 1 I had it on AWB as forgot to check then DWB after that (just my normal setting).

[@BrunoChalifour]

If it were that perfect why would you have to fiddle with the "magentas"? Couldn't you do the right adjustments for the SL too? I do not understand.

[@Funktrainer]

@@BrunoChalifour Auto white balance of the SL is always false so I leave it in daylight setting all the time and correct the tones later in the raw development.

[@BrunoChalifour]

@@Funktrainer I do the same with all the cameras I have used and teach people who attend my workshops to do the same. Auto White Balance under sunlight conditions is always an issue as it is an arbitrary correction that modifies the color of the light if it strays from typical midday sun. As a result any photograph taken early in the morning or late in the afternoon (to take sort of extreme cases but cases that perfectly illustrate the point) will see its colors tempered with and "diluted". Yes, as long as one is outside (and not at night under artificial light), the Daylight setting, I found, is the best one. [in other words working like in the old days with "Daylight" film that records all the deviances of light from 5600 K (depending on the film)).

[@R0CUK]

I have to disagree, I owned an M9-P and the white balance was awful, nearly as bad as the screen, also it had a magenta tinge to the blacks. I don't get why everyone praises the colour of it, if you shoot Raw it's going to be the same as any other digital Leica, you can manipulate it to whatever you need to

[@williamgoss4691]

An amazing amount Leica knowledge generously and freely shared. I’m very attracted to the filmic colours of the M9, and the lower cost compared to the M10 & M11. I was aware of the corroding sensor in those earlier models so I was particularly interested in the poss of getting the Sensor repaired / replaced in the Uk, £1,000 isn’t cheap, but as long as you factor it in when you are buying one, it’s tolerable. Clearly that’s why some of them are surprisingly ‘cheap’. Thanks very much. (Hv Sub’d).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks William! Yes budgeting for the sensor replacements helps when looking at the cheap listings with sensor issues.

[@giolee1274]

one of the best camera i've own. regret selling mine, but the corrosion was just too much.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Gio, yes I miss mine too. They can now be fixed but I shoot mostly B&W so CMOS cameras are fine

[@webersteve1547]

The M9 is greatly supported by DxO Pure raw, which enhances the higher ISO dramatically.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great tip, thanks Steve!

[@BrunoChalifour]

What do you mean by "dramatically"? One stop? Two? Leading to reasonably clean 3200 ISO exposures? What about the dynamic range?

[@mignav464]

Couldn't agree more with everything you said here, been using the M9 for years and still love it. My workarounds of the limitations as follows: 1. tell if shot is in focus or not: set camera to JPEG only, then you can zoom in and the camera shows (a little more) detail than in RAW only on the "screen" 😉 I guess it has to do with computation power, or lack thereof (2009). 2. ISO: live with the noise, or go to B&W from ISO1000 and up. Fantastic output. 3. get good presets going for you. -Colour standard/best filmic look for my taste: Color saturation level 2 of 5, contrast and sharpness to medium. -Colour pop: saturation 3/5 -B&W flat -B&W high contrast P.S.: Leica have stated, that the advantage of resolution between the 18MP M9 and the 24 MP M240 is only 14%. I have never once missed resolution in any photo, print sizes up to 30x40 cm even if cropping in.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks and thanks for those great pro tips! Yes I didn't notice the 18MP res at all.

[@mignav464]

You're welcome Matt. Question back at you, 3:19 "DNGs unedited", what underlying profile is set in LR as you import the DNGs? Like "Adobe Standard", "Adobe Color"...?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@mignav464 good question, I’ll never touched it so standard I think.

[@BrunoChalifour]

If someone gave you an M10, right away, would you use it or would you still use your M9. From what you know (although not having used an M10 apparently) what would justify your choice?

[@mignav464]

No, I have used an M10 and a 262 (of friends). I also use a Q (Typ116). I just like the SOOC (jpeg) output of the M9 best by far out of all the mentioned cameras. Personal choice, so nothing to justify. So if I'm honest, I'm trying to make the attached RAW look like the SOOC jpeg in Lightroom. Or give it an own touch. But the least work I have to put in with the M9, what can I say. Love the M10 for its speed, quiet shutter, liveview, ISO performance and overall responsiveness. Same with the Q. Would love to own an M10, but cannot justify selling the M9 for it.

[@Funktrainer]

Silver Chrome original M8, M9-P and SL (Typ 601) for all the beautiful MF glass made by Angénieux, Canon, Leitz, minolta, Nikon, PENTAX and Zeiss are my three main cameras. Sometimes I use my Hasselblad H2 plus film or CFH-22 back and the H3DII-31 for Macro, Landscape and Street which also inherit the great Kodak CCDs.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great! We enjoy/ have enjoyed a lot of similar kit! I have owned all mentioned cameras (M9 not M9-P*).

[@BrunoChalifour]

Hi, thanks again Matt for a passionate and detailed analysis. Great job! As a photographer who worked for decades with film and now two decades with digital cameras I would like to repeat what others (including Leica people working on M cameras) have reiterated: the superior, impossible to match colors obtained with the M9 and M9-P is a MYTH. Gracefully and fortunately Matt also honestly provides the argument to justify such an assessment in the video. What are the arguments? 1- The CCD sensor gives a “film” look… well as some may say in the UK “Roobbish”! First let us look at what “film look” is. With the M9, most people mention straight-out-of-the-camera JPGs looking like slide film (not color negatives), so not just “film” in general but just “slide film”, a type of film that highly depended/depends on the quality of its processing, its conservation once manufactured, and the fact that the considered batch did not have any color bias, which happened (I can quote bluish Ektachrome for instance, many times…). Have pro M9 people got any idea of the number of different slide films and of their generations there have been? The answer is obviously “NO”; in other words there has been looks as there has been many different brand and types of film by these brands. Another point here: when was “film look” a plus. Just looking at the ways different kinds of film rendered color, we soon realize none rendered natural colors really well, each had its own bias (“Fuji green”, “Kodachrome red”, …). As far as my use of color photography is concerned the M240 has a far better, precise and “natural” rendition of colors (by natural I mean closer to what I saw when taking the photograph) than any M9 or M9-P whose colors show a vibrance and a saturation (that are not equal with every color) that cannot be seen in the real world. In other words if you want to get strangely saturated colors, get an M9! ;o) 2- The issue with the M9, expected considering it was Leica’s first steps with digital Ms, was its slowness and its limited dynamic range which Matt rightfully stresses. Even if one’s exposure is measured and adjusted to the scene, if the range of light exceeds the dynamic range of the camera, which often happens in summer outside of Britain ;o), both highlights and shadows run the risk of being clipped. 3- Color rendition is just a matter of software and any color file from a later M model or any other recent cameras (recent ones provide a greater dynamic range that favors manipulations more than ones with a small dynamic range) can be turned into the M9 / pseudo “film” (whatever it might be) color profile. The fact that Matt himself has created pre-sets should tell us a lot about whether it is possible or not. So in conclusion, do I think that acquiring an M9 is a good solution in 2022, one that should be advised? The answer is obviously not. Even Leica stopped its collaboration with Kodak and its problematic sensors with the M9-P. The risk of corrosion and the cost of having to replace the sensor (with which sensor may I ask? One that would be a CCD strictly identical to Kodak original CCD? Hmmm, I may have doubts here too). The only good reason would be a short-term financial one. In my opinion it is one of these situations when it is worth going the extra $ or British pound to acquire a M240, a Q or a CL (if we stay with compact Leicas and not DSLRs). In any case great all-around analysis Matt. Keep the good work going and have a happy new year!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Bruno, yes I agree the M240 and later cameras give a more true representation of the scene. Yes the M9 is too slow for me that's why I no longer own one (for the photos I do). Agree you can make presets to get any look I just love how M9 DNG files look. Yes I would be scared to buy an M9 because of the problems so if I want the film look in 2023 I shoot film. HNY!

[@BrunoChalifour]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Great comments Matt. Thanks.

[@kbalch]

The M11 (any chance of some Lightroom presets for it?) is my first Leica digital camera, so I don't have any firsthand experience with its predecessors. I've been very happy with its color rendering (and its dynamic range is the best I've ever seen), so I'm not inclined to step back to an earlier body, especially with the M9's many negatives (slowness, poor screen resolution, requirement for old SD cards, etc.). That said, I still found this look at Leica's recent history to be very interesting. Keep up the great videos!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi, yes I would like to develop some M11 presets. As soon as I get the opportunity to spend a bit of time with the camera I will be sure to both do a video and presets.

[@Kappavandam1495]

The M9 never failed me, and those colours are unmatched.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank Frank, yes I love the colours

[@BrunoChalifour]

Yes I can agree with "unmatched" whatever this is supposed to mean. ;o)

[@JimmyCheng]

what I found most special about M9 is not it's color per say. But rather, its transparency and clean-ness when shot at base iso with good lighting conditions. It's so clean and sharp that if you don't zoom in, it looks sharper than 24mp M10 photos.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Jimmy, yes I definitely don't notice a 18MP vs 24MP difference

[@kostyafedot551]

+1 :)

[@BrunoChalifour]

That is technically impossible or you may consider comparing images taken with the two cameras with the very same lens. In terms of sensors the one on the M10 is far superior to the one on the M9 (not just my experience, just a technological and scientific fact, especially considering resolution) so it can only be a difference in the lenses used.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@BrunoChalifour I have used the same lens to do comparative tests and that’s what I found. Hence I own 3 m9ps and only 2 m10ps simply because the camera looks gorgeous especially the safari version. File wise, m10 file never looked as stellar, I’m sorry but that’s the truth.

[@BrunoChalifour]

@@JimmyCheng I read you. I have never seen such a difference in favour of the M9, but good for you if yours do. It is true that straight out of the camera the JPGs look different in terms of colour but that can be replicated with the adequate preset (see the page of Reddotforum on the subject-I am mentioning it because the two guys making it are serious Leica users and experts and their findings match mine). All the best.

[@erichung9043]

Matt, have you looked at the Pentax 645D which also has the Kodak CCD sensor? Its used price is at about the same ball park as the M9. I balked at the M9 due to its sensor corrosion issue. Some owners have mentioned online that it could reoccur again. But I 've found, I could load the M9 color profile in Capture One when I edited the RAW files from my ME240. The colors are more popped. Just an observation.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Eric! I've not. I did own a Hasselblad H3D-31 with CCD sensor so I know colours can be nice from other CCD cameras too. I've not tried CaptureOne but with LR you can boost colours to CMOS files to get more pop as needed too. (I do this to my boring M240 files!)

[@kostyafedot551]

The only digital Leica I'm keeping for now is M-E 220. It was one of the last ones made in 2015, I got it in 2016 and sensor cover failure occurred shortly after it. It was still free repair with last version. Pity, LCAG has none of the most spare parts for M9 series cameras which went out from production in 2015 and was sold by LCAG as refurbished around 2020 or so.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Kostya, great that you got it repaired back then.

[@Phil.Austin]

Had my M9 for over a year now and am still amazed by the colours and monochrome. The only con for me is the slowness when taking multiple exposures

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Philip, yes not the fastest camera for sure but if you have the time the files are well worth it

[@Funktrainer]

turn off uncompressed DNGs

[@Gymnarius]

At 1:44 the information is the other way around: the M9 is 585g, the M9-P is 600g. This difference in heft sounds negligible, but the M9-P imho feels notably better in hand than the M9. Thanks for the video. I parted with my M9-P in 2019, having used it for 5 years, after a crack suddenly appeared in the sensor glass. I started missing it so much that I found an affordable one last September, with an upgraded sensor. The M10 is a more generous, all-purpose camera, but the M9-P is simply way more fun.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ah thank you, sorry for getting the numbers mixed up. Makes sense with the M9-P glass on the sensor. Sorry to hear about the crack, yes a Patreon in NY just had the same issue with his. Glad you were able to get another.

[@Gymnarius]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt. Yup, the sapphire glass makes the M9-P put on weight :) I read about the crack problem (different from corrosion) suddenly occurring also in other copies. Still, the M9 and all its siblings remain a class of its own.

[@samuelkoesling9655]

Can you share some raw photos from the M9? Would love to play around and see how skin on people works out. Thanks!

[@melkasculpture-andrianmelk9397]

What happens if the electronics go, is anyone who can work on that side of the problem? Great camera and review, I have the ME 202 model and love it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great point, you never really here of Leica electronics failing in M bodies (well only the new M11!) but i'm sure eventually it can happen

[@JohnRicard]

Nice comprehensive assessment of the M9, but you should have mentioned the small buffer. 5 shots and then the camera has to write the files and you can’t take another photograph. And, the buffer is even smaller when you shoot at high ISO. This has a major impact on your ability to take good photographs and I think you should have mentioned it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks John, yes the M9 is SLOWWW. I likely said this but not exactly as you describe it. I use it like a film camera so I don't need 5 fast photos but yes for anyone coming from say a Sony (or any modern digital camera) this might be a surprise and not work for their shooting style. The M9 was too slow for my client work so hence I had to get a later/ less camera. CCD sensor is still the nicest for me.

[@irenedp4947]

I’ve used an M9P for professional work the last three years. Early this year I got a second M (a 10r from someone who was buying an 11) which helps as I carry a lens on each. But I still prefer the M9. I love the color, the rendering, the density of the shadows and the slightly surreal air of anything I photograph with it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Irene, great. Yes if a camera gives anything more than reality it's a big win for me!

[@Kokoro-ss5iv]

That's why I still keep one m9p for day time and one mm ccd, which made me shooting 5000 iso bnw photos with great photo quality

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes! Great combo!

[@blende5.693]

the M9P was one of my favorite cameras at all. I love the shutter sound and of course the nice look of the images. After 12 years with my M9P, the camera was really dead. RiP my lovely M9P😢

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sorry to hear, my old M9 was pretty beat up (and sensor issues) when I part-ex'd for M240

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Leica can’t fix them?

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

@@WhoIsSerafin Leica does not do sensor repair on the M9 as it has none to replace the failed sensor with. Some shops can peel off the corroded cover layer and replace it with a new layer. That is your only course. It is worth the ~US$1K.

[@blende5.693]

@@WhoIsSerafin sadly no, I used the camera for nearly all my natura trips. That was definitely a hard time for my M9. The gases from the Halemaumau vulcan killed the M9 finely.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@WhoIsSerafin no they no longer offer the service

[@Jotdotcom]

Nothing beats the colour rendering of an M9. I had my sensor replaced early on, and it has gone bad again, so I’m not sure what to do with it now.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes I think it is the white balance that I like / gives the look. They say the SL2-S is the next best for colour.. (beating all others)

[@andyjones5192]

Treat it as a „digital film camera“ and it won’t disappoint. Colours are a very personal thing. Don’t like how the M9 render brown tones as I feel they easily get a purple tint Other than that it’s quite likely this camera might turn into an expensive paper weight sooner or later beyond repair so I would recommend having a closer look at the SL2-S. it’s colours are not too far of from the M9 magic.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Andy, "digital film camera“ - yes spot on! Yes after hearing re- SL2-S colours I now want to test one again and shoot in colour to see if I can see it.

[@ralfkenneweg4935]

I have both and can partially attest to that. but the colors are not the same. But you get a similar look. The furthest away from the M9 was the Leica M (240). On the other hand, I was very satisfied with the look of the Q.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@ralfkenneweg4935 thanks Ralf!

[@andreaperuzzi5182]

The M9 colors ara amazing. It could be the perfect camera with a brand new processor.. even with that iso performance. About red and blu colors, the Sl2-s probably is the only modern Leica Camera that goes close to the M9 (IMHO).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andrea, yes agreed and yes a +1 for the SL2-S!

[@TheSololobo]

The M9 is a special camera thats for sure, the color rendering is very reminiscent of Kodachrome film.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes agreed!

[@ginobartali9338]

Thanks Matt for sharing this video. I totally agree with you; the colors out of a M9 are amzing compared to M240. The white balance of the M240 are mostly false, like the M10. Now I own a M240 and I tend to downsizing again to M9, cause of the colour rendering. But in one point point I disagree: you could reduce the shutter sound with hit the buttom, hold it, put it under the jacket and leave it again. For me it's the stealth mode and nearly soundless than. If anybody wants to swap his M9 to M240 please drop me a line (Germany only). The sensor should already replaced:

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Gino! Ah yes I forgot the discrete mode on the older M cameras. Thanks for reminder!

[@BrunoChalifour]

Hmmm, what do you mean by "the white balance of the M240 and the M10 are mostly false (not my experience having used the 3 cameras). First which "white Balance" are you using? Consider using daylight all the time except when under artificial light rather than AWB and shoot in DNG (raw format) that should solve your problem.

[@kevinmarkham6385]

a company called kolari vision also repairs m9 sensors and sells m9’s with corrosion resistant sensors

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Kevin! Yes I hear they are in the US so great for those in the US not wanting to ship to the UK

[@ansgarbook712]

Matt but how where your subjective thoughts about the M9P was it like coming home ? did you appreciate the pictures over your M pictures now?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Ansgar, I definitely noticed the colours compared to my 4 CMOS Leicas - M9 are better. High ISO, speed, everything else is worse but if you love colour and dont mind a slower pace this is still the best option I think. (I need more do everything cameras).

[@BeingWolfy]

Maybe I missed it in the video. Will you be buying an M9 again, since you enjoyed using it? Thanks Matt!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great you ask. I did nearly buy one on eBay but then I came to my senses. I have quite a few cameras already and don't do enough colour work to get the M9 again.

[@Stesalti]

Hi Matt one thing I did not understand is if with the replacement of the new sensor the color remains very beautiful and particular as in the old Kodak ccd sensor because I would have found a m9p with the sensor already replaced but I wonder if with the replacement of the sensor also lost the magic of those fantastic colors thanks

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Mario, I've not done a side-by-side comparison but a few say it's not quite the same after. Others don't seem to notice and are happy.

[@Stesalti]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt I think I'll dive into the M typ 240..

[@daveandrews6384]

You have better colours with the original sensor, and you also get more light gathering ability to the sensor with the original cover glass. But the obvious downside is that the cover glass will corrode eventually as it's not moisture sealed.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Dave, interesting. Great info, noted.

[@daveandrews6384]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom let me know if you want evidence 👍

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@daveandrews6384 thanks Dave 🙏🏻

[@smartdoctorphysicist3095]

Hi can you tell me is the colour on the M10 better than the colour on the M9 or M9-P, please let me know.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi the video answers this pretty clearly.. absolutely no :) ..that's why the 2009 camera is still so popular as still unmatched.

[@cggg490]

Question: how do you switch to black in white in the menu on the M9?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Set the JPEG to B&W. That gives you B&W preview photos but you can still record DNG too for colour.

[@harveycreswell5386]

I love my M9-P and will never sell it. But I find the reds and greens horrible and usually have to desaturate them. So I don't like it for landscapes but it's fantastic for portraits with a 50mm Summilux.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Harvey, when I shot JPEG with my own M9 I found the colours too much but for DNG and this time around I quite enjoyed the more interesting look vs modern cameras

[@giovanniGLR]

What about the leica s006 ? If i want a similar look to the m9 but i need more res could be the best solution?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes nice idea! The colours are nice in the S. A student brought one to a London workshop once and let me borrow it.

[@Analogbrain]

Very nice video, Matt! I considered buying a M9 a year ago, I'm atracted to the model due to the combination of full frame and CCD sensor, but I was scared off because of possible sensor corrosion. At 1500 € it probably would have been an ok investment anyway. In my opinion CCD sensors can give some of that Kodachrome glow that I miss. However I shoot CCD sensor cameras (Pentax K10D, Konica Minolta D7 and Nikon D40), and full frame (Canon 5d mark ii, Sony A7r and Nikon D700), just not at the same time! And my Voigtländer vitessa t turned out to be an excellent rangefinder.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Kalle, €1500 sounds good but it sounds like you have it covered with CCD alternative options too

[@matuszewskistudio]

kolari does the sensor fix as well

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Noted thank you!

[@matuszewskistudio]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom No problem, i cant recommend that company enough, i've converted old Canon 6D to digital IR-ektachrome this year and folks were very helpful. I'm fighting with myself not to buy coroded M9 right now, it has been always my dream camera to own

[@brandonlavoie4364]

Timing is so weird! Just purchased one used that had its sensor replaced in 2018. Looking forward to messing with it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Amazing! I think you'll love the images, enjoy!

[@wilfredshum3703]

Matt, any significant difference in color between DNG and JPEG without post processing? I enjoy shooting with my M9.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Wilfred, from memory the JPEG were a bit too saturated for me when I owned it, especially for portraits (and much lower DR)

[@wilfredshum3703]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks. I will look into that.

[@ben56k]

Are the colors from the M9 only in JPEG's, or in RAW as well? And if the colors are in RAW as well, did I loose them, when I edit the Image?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

RAW colours are what I shared. JPEG are like RAW on steriods.. very colourful!

[@thanyawong]

Leica remakes M6. I hope they will remake M9 in one day with new LCD and new battery. I know it is almost impossible because no manufacturer makes CCD sensor today. The M9 CCD sensor is a phenomenal.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

We can hope! It would be an instant hit

[@michaelc4917]

Do you use compressed dng raw or uncompressed in your M9 ?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I sold my M9 years ago and this one was borrowed. For all Leica cameras I use the standard DNG format, whatever that is.

[@patrickjclarke]

I gotta be 100% honest, even though I know CCD does a better job at reds and greens, with modern profile tools like DxO Photolab, I can get my files to look 98% the same. I have a CCD A100 (much lauded sensor that's also in the D200) and took it and my M240 and shot the same shot and then processed them both in DxO. Other than a slight nod to the aforementioned red and green, I can make my A100 look like an M240 and vice-versa. And to me, that 2% benefit to a CCD camera (M9 or the A100 in my case) isn't worth the downside. I honestly don't care about any camera's built in "color science" profile any more and use DxO camera profiles to keep things consistent across all my cameras and color files. For BW, it's strictly Cobalt's CCD Monochrom profile. But I get it if you don't want to mess with apps and ditching the built-in camera profiles, but it seems a lot of people are making sacrifices because of some built in "look" that you can get elsewhere (or close enough).

[@patrickjclarke]

or to clarify more...if I'm THAT worried about amazing colors and that extra 2%, I'll grab my Sigma Merrill over any of them :P

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Patrick, yes it's very true you can make camera files look however you want in post. I think many people prefer the colours in camera (as it were) so less editing.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes for me I use CMOS cameras as I need all the benefits they bring over the older technology.

[@lukeekry]

Hi, can someone hint on best SD cards for M9? My Sandisk Extreme SDXC works but sometimes I get "Reading folder data" after powering my M9 on. My Lexar Professional SDXC 1066x won't work at all and M9 says no card inserted. Thanks.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I sold my M9 many years back for the M240 at the time so I forget but from memory older is better so afford the super fast newest ones. Hopefully a current M9 user will see this and give you an exact answer.

[@lukeekry]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks, I have purchased older SDHC 433x cards from Transcend, hopefully those will be OK.

[@lukeekry]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have purchased a pair of older Transcend SDHC Class10 UHS-1 cards with 32GB capacity and they work like a charm. No more recording or reading issues in my M9.👍

[@crissignori7482]

and colour on the new M11 ???

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I think the try to improve M with each release (from M240 onwards). SL2-S is said to be the best.

[@UncleMichaelable]

Kolari vision in the US.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for the info!

[@eugene8524]

Red Dot weight 15g 😁

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha

[@filipghiorghi]

mp film 35 roll working

[@filipghiorghi]

yes no

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Can you explain your question a bit more? Leica MP 35mm film camera is great yes.

[@filipghiorghi]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom saw the m7 had that don''t know were this is

[@crissignori7482]

One thing that really surprises me is that you do not own any Leica 35mm lens. WOW !!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I do ;) Summaron 35mm f3.5

[@crissignori7482]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I did not see that listed on your current list of equipment. Plenty of Chinese glass though.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@crissignori7482 I have my old M9 listed, yes sorry I’ll add this (the review for the P), thanks!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@crissignori7482 ..ah it’s LTM not M, see that section 👍🏻

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

..I’m a 50mm guy (didn’t keep the Chinese 35 ones*)

[@CollectiveMindz]

Club lasers scare me, they can easily roast a camera sensor or your eye if you are using a dslr.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks yes I had no idea until I saw a fried sensor that someone posted on a reel somewhere

[@CollectiveMindz]

@Matt Osborne I think the odds are lower with a Leica and using classic metering because the sensor is covered by the shutter curtain the laser would need a direct hit while exposing for a photograph. Compared to a mirror less camera or leica using advanced metering where the sensor is always exposed. I certainly wouldn't risk my leica at a club but an older fuji body or cheaper mirror less camera might be worth the risk for a highly paid event. I appreciate your videos and I'm always looking forward to the next. Thanks for continuing to produce great content for us. :)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@CollectiveMindz thanks yes that makes sense and thanks for the kind words!

[@malfunction8165]

Ya cant go wrong with an all electronic camera, can you.............

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha, yes always a risk. I try to use film cameras with as little electronics as possible

[@malfunction8165]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Coming from a parachute and flying background, I'm a great believer in the less complicated something is there is less chance of it failing when needed.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@malfunction8165 nice 👍🏻

[@christosmilonas7986]

Unfortunately big problems with sensor. Really hazardous as Leica does not fix them if decayed. I own a M8 and love it. Would not dare to buy a M9 due to frequent erosions of the M9 cameras.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Christos. If you watch later in the video I explain you can now get the M9 sensor replaced (in 2022). M8 is good as less risk.

[@jasongold6751]

I would never invest in an old Leica digital! No more battery. No after service, no new sensors. Buy a Canon or Nikon of same vintage, pay pennies. I bought an old Nikon D-50! I think older than M8! Colours are great, no special filters. Only drawback is the "1 GB SD card". Still hundres of images! Actually I would never buy a new Leica-M digital. My M3 is 56 years old in pro service.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes a film Leica is all you need. I wouldn't buy the M9 either despite me loving the images.