A Leica M9 for $999! (in 2019)
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- Опубликовано: 31 авг 2019
- Get ready for the story of a stroke of luck that probably won't be repeated - a fully working Leica M9 for less than $1000. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea, whichever you prefer....) - this is a long one!
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I prefer cameras that look like they've been actually used, scratching on a viewing screen is nothing, it makes no difference to what the picture comes out like.
Glad to have stumbled across your page. Great video/perspective on the M9; thanks for sharing. I agree, it's a great camera! Looking forward to seeing more content from you!
Thanks Jordan. Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome catch! Stoked you got a great deal. I love my M9-P.
keep us updated with the sensor, I'm curious how fast corrosion spreads and in what weather conditions you used the came.
You can buff out the LCD screen with auto fine polish. I did my Leica and it clear everything except the deep scratches.
“Somebody already snagged that one.” 🤣👍
What a beat up, lopsided piece of...amazing kit! My film and digital M’s all look like garbage beaters cosmetically. But are all mechanically sound. Great deal on your M9. Cheers!
Beautiful photos. I'm interested in the M8 and M9 mainly because they have the old CCD sensors, supposedly co-developed with Kodak. I keep hearing that the colors and tonality are very unique.
Fuji x100v gets better colors
@@reach831 that's your opinion/preference. Like with anything else in photography, it's subjective. CCD sensors function in quite a unique way compared to CMOS sensors and is a big reason why they render the way they do. Just as Foveon sensors are unique in their function and how they capture and render colors. Fuji has Xtrans sensors, which does have some advantages over a traditional Bayer sensor, but Xtrans is still a simple CMOS sensor, it just has a unique RGB color filter pattern.
From an engineering standpoint, a unique RGB color filter slapped on a CMOS sensor really can't compete with a Foveon or CCD sensor. Of course, if you personally prefer the color rendering from a Fuji, nobody can argue with that.
M8 is uniqe gem, already classic. I sold Fuji X100S because images is not even close M8`s Kodakcrome fluid
So jealous. Awesome story Rob. Congratulations.
I got my M (240) in mint condition last year for €1600. Happy as a clam. I started off with the 35 f2 and 50 f1.1 from 7artisans and I'm not sure I would buy them again, knowing what I know now. The 35mm is okay but the 50mm is too much of a character lens in my book. A secondhand Summicron 50mm v4 is only a few hundred bucks more here in Europe. And there are plenty of other good deals to be made on older lenses if you know what to look for.
A couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on a 40mm Summicron-C, the lens that shipped with the Leica CL back in the seventies (the lens that was on the Minolta CLE that you used was probably the 40mm M-Rokkor which is essentially a carbon copy of the Summicron). It looks brand new and was serviced by Leica Germany in May of this year so the service is still under warranty. It brings up the 50mm frame lines which takes a little getting used to but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. It is an amazing little lens and I paid 425€ for it, an absolute steal.
I've also got my eye out for a secondhand 28mm f2.8 Elmarit
If you like the Canon 50mm f1.8, I would suggest you look into the 1.4 LTM too, which renders absolutely beautifully and is much better than the 1.8 IMHO. Dare I say I think it's even better than the 1.2 version of that lens...
Enjoy the M9, Rob. And keep the pics coming. The last two you posted in this video were my favorite. Absolutely beautiful.
Hi bikerchickie! That's a fantastic price on an M240! I've been really impressed with the 35mm 7Artisans but I never gravitated towards the 50mm f/1.1. Honestly the clickless aperture and size are what turned me off a bit from it. When I had the CLE I actually used the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton - an awesome lens. I've seen the f/1.4 Canon here and there but again...it's the size of the f/1.8 that really calls to me. I think if I went with a genuine Leica lens at this point, it'd be a Summilux, probably a 50mm. But there are more pressing matters to attend to before I look at new lenses. :)
Thanks for the compliments on the last two pics. I have a few different projects and shots up at robzeiglerphoto.com if you'd like to see more. Nothing with the M9 yet, but I'm sure that'll change in the future!
What do you mean by "knowing what I know now"? I thought the 7artisans lenses were quality ones
I love the pictures - they really look amazing. Did you edit them or are they straight out the camera? It goes to show that the proof is the final picture, but you were still brave to buy one in that condition at that price. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks very much! These are all touched up in Lightroom, mostly contrast and exposure tweaks. I will say these M9 DNGs required less editing that I'm used to from my Fuji RAWs.
Looking for a M9 now. Great video thanks
Did you post process your sample photos or was it straight from the camera? I have always loved the M9's color. Thanks
Hi Sameer. Excellent question, thanks for asking it. I post process all of my shots, but to be honest anything done to 99% of the shots shown in this video was very simple exposure or contrast adjustment (30 seconds or less). The only actual color change was the one of my daughter on the chair (slid more into the warmer spectrum) and the B&W conversions at the end also had the blacks lowered and highlights adjusted as well. Ultimately, the M9 DNGs need the least amount of adjustment of any digital camera I've ever worked with.
Hey Rob, great post. I'ma hold off for a used M10 for $999.
Q: What lens did you use on the color shot of your daughter standing in the wood chair, soft background?
Thanks JK. You never know where the M10 prices will have landed about 10 years from now! :)
As for your question: that's one of my favorite pictures and it almost single-handedly solidified the M9's position in my bag. The lens used for that shot is the 7Artisans 35mm f/2 (amzn.to/31Tbc6k). For less than $300, it's a native M-mount with 6 bit coding and an f/2 aperture - there's really nothing to lose. I definitely recommend trying it out.
I got a great condition M9, with 50mm cron and zeiss 18mm as a bundle. It is beautiful to use and a tool to make you slow down. Low iso its average, and the backscreen sucks. I subsequently got a Q, great at higher iso, autofocus, but there is something about the rendering and colours of the M9. It keeps the mystery. Im glad you got one at a good price.
Such an awesome story. I'm glad to see you mesh with it this time around!
Thanks Thomas. Yeah the experience with film definitely helped me to mesh with the M9 this time around. I still wouldn't recommend this as a "first" rangefinder to anyone, but once you understand it's quirks and can live with them it's a very fun camera indeed.
Great video great perspective
Whatever things others say this is one of the greatest cameras. I have used this camera and I love Leica M. I still have the M8 this is the same as M9 but only different is M9 is full framed m8 is APS senses of crop verson. You can buy a base plate and as an extra part replacement,
Cyril, I hear you on the base plate replacement. I've been keeping my eye out on eBay, but I'm not keen to spend $100+ if the one I have is working but just a bit rough around the edges. I'll keep my eye out for a bargain, though.
Do you run into any problems with the rangefinder focusing on the M9 when using your non-native lenses?
None this time around! All good.
999$ is a steal indeed, congrats.
With a replaced sensor it is still sits at a steady 2500$ in the EU.
Damn, you managed to snag one right before the price started climbing again, ofc you probably don't want to cash in on it but you'd make a tidy return!
Great video! You mentioned the Minolta CLE, how did you like that camera?
The Minolta CLE was a great rangefinder. Small and the perfect viewfinder for a 28mm shooter. For my hands, an additional grip may have been better but you really can't find a smaller autoexposure rangefinder out there. It's like a mini-M7. I'd prefer Minolta's own CLE over their Leica branded CL counterpart. Minolta took great care to give the CLE a leg up, in my opinion. I'd recommend getting one with a return policy if possible - my initial CLE had the "dancing" LEDs and a sluggish shutter at 1/60th. Returned that and bought a different one that had neither issues and served me quite well! Most of the photos here were taken with the CLE: www.robzeiglerphoto.com/texasroundup
@@RobZeigler Hey, Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I have the Minolta CLE along with Minolta's 40mm and 90mm. I had the 28mm but traded it in for a Voigtlander Ultron 2f. The Minolta 28mm was suffering from fog and Schneidertis.
It's a great little camera. I'm in Japan for a year and it's my main street camera. It has served me well. I'm trying not to go broke because of all the old vintage cameras and lens here in perfect condition. PEACE!
A couple cheaper Leica lenses worth checking out are the 40mm cron and the 90mm pre-APO (the one just before the APO). I got my 40mm for $400 and my 90mm for $800. And they pair amazingly with the M9
@Rob Zeigler , I’m picking up an m9 now that is apparently still clean but old sensor. Has your m9 deteriorated since this video or is it still the same? Thanks
Still the same! As always with the original sensors, I’d recommend being able to return it if you notice any egregious corrosion that the seller missed. But if it looks anything like the spots in these videos, I’d say you’ll be ok (especially when taking ‘normal’ shots as opposed to shots of the sky, etc.). Enjoy the M9!
@@RobZeigler wonderful and encouraging news, thanks for the reply, it’s appreciated. All the best.
hey dude! would you be willing to put some raw files in a drive for us to play with? im really considering an m9 ( dont care for the lcd etc) but i'd rather see how it's files are
I'll see what I can do! Time is tight at the moment.
@@RobZeigler any you have on hand would be amazing! if not then don't worry. :)
Got a M9 with 530 shutter releases for 990€ 🙏🏼 Has a bit sensor corrosion but I made a C1 import process to remove the spots.
Probably I will let change the sensor by Leica in future. Than I spend around 2500€ for a nearly brand new Leica M9.
I can get one for around that price. Would you still recommend it still in 2020?
It has some Corrosion to a really small extend. I am super unsure. best chris
Hey Chris. Leica just announced that they're completely stopping the M9 sensor replacement program (not even allowing you to pay for it). It's just done as a program entirely. To that end, I'd say not to buy an M9 (even at $1K) with corrosion already present UNLESS you have a return policy to fall back on.
Review it yourself and then see if it works for you. If not, send it on back. No return policy? I'd be way more hesitant about getting one in that case...
@@RobZeigler thanks man! stil not decided yet. i think if the corrosion wouldnt get any worse over time, it wouldnt be a huge thing for me
@@GoGrJr Yeah, copy that. It's just not something I would be able to accurately predict. Trust your gut!
I recently bought a pristine, mint condition Leica M3 for just $200.
That's amazing! Shortly after I posted this M9 video someone on Twitter found a Leica M2 AND Summicron 50mm DR for $65 at a Houston thrift store. $65! And get this, it had a Leica meter on top - when they removed that meter it turned out to be a very rare M2-R! So now that $65 camera turned out to be a $3000 camera with a $600 lens on it. Now THAT is the deal of a century...
@@RobZeigler oh my.. which church should I go to get that kind of luck!
I brought a used M9....how do I know if sensor was replaced?
You can send the serial number to Leica (email addresses can be found on your local Leica websites). If it's been serviced, they'll have a record of it.
Have you tried cleaning the sensor?, seems dust not corrosion..
You're the second person to mention that, so I gave the sensor a good dousing of air with my bulb blower, but I'm not going to introduce any "sensor cleaning" fluid or anything like that. If it's dust, I'm hoping the air did the trick. Really gave me the impression it was that amoeba-like corrosion when I first zoomed in on it, but hey - I'd be happy to be wrong on that! I'll keep an eye on the files to see if that air blast helped.
well i got my M9 all boxed with three batteries and two chargers for 1800 UK sterling, I agree that the screen is awful, but i shoot mine like a film camera, I turn off the review and just use the screen for menu settings, its no good for reviewing images. as for the screen, yes it gets greasy, and scratches, but for the scratches try polishing them out GENTLY with some toothpaste.... yes toothpaste! its a very fine cutting compound that also works on clouded car headlights! then clean off with a good glass cleaner, just go at it carefully!
Prices for M9s dropped after Leica stopped free servicing the M9 sensor last year. Even this price is certainly low compared to current average, but IMO you get a fairly outdated digital system. I am using Leica M film cameras but didn't like the M9 when I was offered one for a decent deal a few years ago. Enjoy it - it's fun to use it within its limitations.
No doubt that it's outdated, but it's those limitations that make this such an appealing camera for me. Digital cameras can suffer from seeming mostly the same from brand to brand. This one feels more like a film camera, and I've grown to really enjoy that! Thanks for watching!
It's look like dirt, not corrosion. I have the same spots, if it's corrosion you would see broken surface and haloes. My local dealer (where I bought it from) confirmed this and also told me not to try clean the sensor due to the fragile surface.
How do I know if my sensor has been replaced on my M9?
@@alihaydor you have to send Leica the serial number and get it confirmed by them
For $999 heck yeah.... mine suffered from the corrosion and it happened after the free sensor replacement period was up. It cost me about $900 to get the sensor replaced which includes the camera maintenance....I still enjoy shooting it for sure.
Now it costs 1600 euros..
M9 sensors replaced after September 2015 have the revised type which should not corrode. Nice easy camera to use but prefer my M2.
what is the condition of the sensor now?
Going strong! No additional issues.
@@RobZeigler Thanks for replying! Do you have any idea of how to slow down the corrosion? How bad could it be? Thanks!
@@oheey8161 In my case I do think I'm dealing mostly with dust, but in the case of corrosion I don't think there's much you can do in the way of slowing it. I did some research and couldn't identify an actual cause other than the defective glass coating itself. Eventually it could cover so much of the sensor that taking a photo at any aperture is a lost cause. If it's severe, I'd get it replaced or invest in a new camera.
Regards the base plate, remove it and look at the latch is it bent? Look at where it locks without mounting on the camera. Yes that’s dust on the sensor not corrosion.
Thanks Rodney, I'll look closer and see if there's something out of alignment. And you're the third person who's commented that it's dust. I've given it a solid spray with the rocket blower, so let's see if that does the trick! If it does...well....this deal just got a whooooooole lot better!
New sensor or old sensor?
Old. I talk a bit more about that in the video.
How much it costs in general now
M9's with replacement sensors go for about $2500. M9's with signs of obvious corrosion usually go for around $1800. I've seen some sellers offer corroded sensor M9's for as low as $1500 since Kolari vision can offer a $999 sensor replacement service (to bring you up to what a $2500 replacement sensor M9 would cost).
@@RobZeigler I rather to go for M8
There are high dollar Leica Digital cams with no preview possibility, no LCD. MD type 262.
That is not corrosion spots. looks like typical dust!
congrats
Damn I just paid $2,750 for mine with a 15 sensor. I am praying it’s not bad
CCD ID 15 is the new sensor. You should be just fine! Enjoy it!
@@RobZeigler thank you!! 🙏🏻
Liked and subscribed...based on your down to earth thinking process.
But...non-native cheap glass?
You praised it.
You didn't say it was Leica quality, but you were super pleased.
Since I read that Leica designs glass and sensor to work together, I'd be interested in a comparison with a rented Leica 35mm lens and your 7 Artisan lens.
I just have a hard time believing there isn't a stunning difference. I realize this might be difficult to be objective if you take/cpmpare pictures of your 2 year old "life."
Hi Terry, thanks for the comment. You know, I'm really pleased with this little 7Artisans lens. The photo of my daughter in the yellow shirt in this video is actually one of my favorite shots of her yet (and the prints look equally amazing). That photo was with the 7Artisans lens.
To be completely honest, I don't know if I'd be the right person to do a comparison video of a 35mm Summicron vs the 7Artisans lens. For me, it doesn't really come down to charts or corner sharpness. The question for me is, how does the photo make you feel? Can you live with the results? In the case of this lens, I love the photos and though the Leica Summicron is probably optically superior in some way, I'm just not seeing anything in the photos from the 7Artisans lens that makes me shy away from it.
To be fair, the Summicron is surely sharper at the corners, doesn't have any distortion and is probably free of color fringing completely. It's also likely perfectly spec'ed and tuned out of the box (the 7Artisans gives you the tools to adjust if necessary - though I found mine to be accurate from the jump).
In the end, I'd love Leica glass, but only if it could offer me something so completely different from the non-native lenses that it absolutely, without a doubt justified the extra $2,000 investment. Yes, of course I had to bring up the price. :) It's hard not to when you're a Dad supporting a family. A $999 Leica M9 was a no brainer, but I still need to make smart choices. For me, for now, it's 7Artisans, Voigtlander and Canon.
Right on, man.
I make the argument of humanity over photo technology all the time.
I might be wrong but I’ve heard that Leica replaces m9 sensors for free due to a know corrosion issue
It was free until 2018. It Is now $1600
lucky you :)
dude thats dust on the sensor I think not corrosion
Hey Rocuk! Yeah, I've huffed and I've puffed (with an air blower of course) but those spots are pretty stuck on there. Not willing to clean the sensor anymore than that for fear of making a small problem a bigger one. There are also more "bacteria like" spots that show up here and there, you know the ones...little amoeba looking splotches. But all in all, not too bad to deal with!
and you got it on black too.. LoL! :-)
i Just bought an M8 for €999. with less than 1000 shutter count in 2023!@!!!
why you dont buy 7.5 rated for 1050 lol
The M8 is much much better.
I’m a fan of the full frame M9 myself.
Hi Rob! I recently got my M9 for 1.300 euros and I must say I am a happy camper. Did you find out if those spots were actual corrosion rather than just dust or dirt? Normally, with corrosion, you get those kinds of white rings around the dark spots. Cheers from Spain!
Hi Adrian - still testing but I have tried to clear out any left-over dust with a rocket blower. Haven't had a chance to get out and shoot it much recently (work is keeping us all busy) but I'll report back if it's all clear! Wouldn't that be great if it was? I appreciate all of the comments pointing out their observations re: corrosion vs dust!
This video should be demonitized, it is sadistic in nature to mere mortals wishing they got an m9 for that much
I make $0 from RUclips, so demonetize away! I just have to save up my own pennies for another $999 M9. ;)
That should be the right price on all Leica M, brand new.
Spending a thousand dollars on a flawed camera... let me see... NOPE. The M9 has proven Leica quality=joke. I will hold tight my two M2s and my summicrons but never will purchase a digital Leica. I am not that rich
Hi XY, well...my feeling was that spending $999 on a $2500 camera with the cushion of a guaranteed return policy (if it was flawed) was a safe gamble. And let me tell you, it paid off. Hey but what I really wanted to say was that I'm not rich either - I can't afford "two M2's and summicron(s)". How much did two M2's and multiple Summicrons set you back? :)
Having said that, I agree that mechanical Leicas are fantastic. My M3 isn't going anywhere any time soon.