Photography is a nostalgic and evocative experience, and there are few cameras that encapsulate that as well as a Leica. And, none more so than a Leica M. The switch to digital from the all-electronic M7 wasn’t seamless, or without detractors. As well as few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticized for its sensitivity to UV light, producing ruddy skin tones and purple tints to black synthetics.
Following a year or two later the M8.2 was a minor upgrade yet a more-accomplished offering in many respects. The same detractors cited the unchanged sensor sensitivity issues, a result of using a thin hot-filter in front of the sensor but borne, ironically, of the maker’s determination to deliver the familiar drawing-style of Leica lenses to the corners of the image.
Mounting pressure, imagined or otherwise, to produce a digital M rangefinder delivering the same or similar user experience as the film-based cameras resulted in the announcement at 9am (EST) on the 9/9/09 of the full-frame 35mm format M9. Outwardly the M9 closely resembles the M8.2 and earlier M8 and yet inside, despite earlier doubts by Leica that it could be achieved, sits the Holy Grail of makers and users alike, a full-frame digital sensor.
A sensor with same dimensions as the film it replaced. A nostalgic exercise? Perhaps. But, you no longer have to have to think the 28mm has the same field of view as a 35mm on the M8 before you raise the camera to your eye. There’s no more mental arithmetic, one less hurdle between you and your goal. What you see in your mind’s eye is what you’ll see in the M9’s viewfinder. Not that this is new to DSLR users of course, but that’s not the point. Leica wasn’t going to compete with rivals using their (now discontinued) R-system but at least they can build-on the rich heritage of the inherently portable M-series. One body and three lenses takes up no more room than one DSLR brick and f/2.8 mid-range zoom.
Purists may still baulk at its digital characteristics though. The body is a millimeter or two thicker than the earlier analogue models and it lacks a wind-on lever. Many M-users miss this, not so much for the feeling of winding the film across the sprockets or the cocking of the shutter but as a natural thumb-rest. An aftermarket product, such as the Thumbs Up, maybe what’s needed, but many argue Leica should have added that themselves and the body design should be brought up to date.
Storm Damage, Leica M9 with Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (new version) at f/1.4, ISO160.
The M9, like the M8, still requires the base be removed to change the battery and SD card. Moreover with the introduction of the Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic and Olympus, some detractors argue the coupled rangefinder method of focusing is dated and outmoded. But they overlook the fact it’s still superior in clarity and contrast to any current electronic viewfinder. There’s no live view or HD video either, but why would you want it in a camera like the M9? It’s the antithesis of the DSLR. There’s no more than you need, it has aperture priority semi-auto and manual exposure, like those cameras from the late 70’s. Continuous shooting tops 2fps maximum.
The M9’s 18-megapixel CCD is the same pixel density as that of the physically smaller sensor in the M8, but there have been slight improvements in noise levels. That being said, you’ll likely not want to use the maximum, ISO 2500 equivalent, gain, except in emergencies. More obvious improvements over the M8 include a new info panel showing battery life in percentage terms, as well the capacity remaining (in MB and frames) on the SD card and far easier selection of EV compensation. Indeed, there are three different methods to adjust exposure compensation, two of which are visible in the viewfinder! An exposure bracketing option has been added too, and while less attractive to the street photographer, those who may be inclined to use it for landscapes (and why not) will find the M9 the most versatile M-series to date. Heck, the Leica M9 is the most compelling of its kind yet.
Sales
Buy the outstanding Leica M9 at Adorama:
Adorama (US)
Black body $6,995
Steel Gray body $6,995
Leica M9-P black $7,995.00
Leica M9-P Silver Chrome $7,995.00
Amazon UK
Black body £4,875.00 inc VAT
Steel Grey £4,875.00 inc VAT
Related Posts
Read our review of the Leica X1 here.
Read our review of the earlier Leica M8.2 here.
Related posts: Leica outs surprise M9-P
