I bought a Leica M9 (with sensor corrosion!) - Buying a digital Leica M camera on a Budget
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- In my quest to find a digital camera with a more film-like experience, I decided to buy a Leica M9 with sensor corrosion as a cheap(ish) way to see if the Leica M system was for me. I talk about my reason for going this route, talk about some of the downsides the M9 has (but they don't bother me), and I share color and black & white photos from the camera using the 7Artisans 35mm f2 "wen" lens, and the Leica 50mm f2 Summitar.
I don't go into detail about the sensor corrosion in the video since there are a number of sources out there that discuss it, but the basics are that the glass covering the sensor was prone to corroding. The corrosion produces little marks like dust specs on the images. Leica replaced them for free for a while, and then at a discounted cost, but no longer have the sensors. My sensor glass was replace by KolariVision.
Cost: My M9 with corrosion was around $1200. Basic sensor glass replacement is $1000. It was worth it to me, but I realize it is not for everyone. 
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I just had lunch with a friend (like an hour ago) and we discussed this. He has the M9-P, he recommended I get the M9. All the same points as you said in this video...:)
For me it was definitely money well spent, I really love the camera. Thanks for your comment!
Congratulations! Enjoy the Leica experience 🙌
Congratulations, enjoy it, is a excellent camera, like no other.
I did enjoy the video. I was all set to comment that you should spend the money to fix the sensor corrosion and then you said you did that. Sounds to me like a great avenue to get into a Leica.
It definitely worked out to be an "affordable" way to see if the Leica M system was right for me. The biggest risk would have been if the sensor glass replacement went wrong and ruined the sensor, but even then I could have sold it for parts.
I did exactly the same thing buying used with sensor corrosion. Best decision ever. Love the camera to bits, and for how I use it at gigs with really fast wide open apertures, the spotting doesn't present too much of a problem. Regarding high ISO performance, the trick is to get the very best exposure you can in camera. 1600 iso is more than useable and the results are excellent IF you get it right in camera. The RAW files are really not that flexible for pushing an pulling like files from newer systems and I think this is were a lot of people go wrong. I have a few slideshow videos on my channel taken with the M9 if you're interested.
I've noticed that too about getting a perfect exposure. It is more like shooting slide film, if you get the exposure right, you'll have a beautiful image. I agree with 1600 being quite good as long as you expose properly. I checked out one of your videos, nice work! I'll check out more this evening. Thanks!
For more lens options, look at the inexpensive M mount Voigtlanders like the Nokton 35mm f1.4 v1, Color Skopar 35mm f2.5, Ultron 28mm f2 (original M version), Heliar 75mm f2.5 or f1.8, etc. Fast lenses will help hide the corrosion in the edges, and these lenses render beautifully on the M9.
I had an M9-P loved it but sold it as I was worried about the corrosion issue , even though it had none. Loud shutter was offset by the lovely colours from it. Enjoy it.
Thanks! Yup, definitely a loud shutter!
I know what mean about optical viewfiders, i have an olympus E3 with optical viewfinder and an olympus OM1 and i prefer to use the E3, the lcd screen is rubbish on that too but like you i use it like a film camera
Enjoy the heck out of it. 👍👍👍
I know the feeling but the difficult part is staying and being content with the leica ecosystem (cost wise) I’m also a leica user invested in both the digital and analogue M and occasionally I do wonder why I put myself through the system haha. for now, I still enjoy it and as they say, we are merely one of the passenger (user) of our own leicas.
Just got mine back from Kolari and it's perfect. It's like getting a new camera for about $120 bucks.
I thought the replacement on the web above 1k??
Hey M9 owner here.. also bought it for the film like sensor.. My one was replaced however so no corrosion problems. If you really like the classic Leica film look I would not waste money on cheap modern lenses eg TT or 7 Artisans. The beauty of the M mount is you can super cheaply convert any LTM Leica Thread Mount lens to M. Particularly the Canons.. 50/1.8 and 50/1.4 are fantastic lenses. Also the Canon 28mm 2.8 is a tiny beautiful wide angle. Many of the older Canons are in better shape than early Leica.. and boy do they glow nice on an M9 sensor. Oh yeah also all the thread mount Nikkor Lenses.. I mean theres a world of lenses that you can fit on the M9 and still have rangefinder coupling.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, the LTM lens options are a good way to go. I have a 50mm f2 Summitar from my IIIf that I use on the M9 and it has a nice look. The 7Artisans I have was at a sale price I couldn't pass up, much cheaper than what the Canon & Nikon LTM's go for. But one of these days I may get one of those to compare.
I got mine for 6 month now and i love it. The colors are the best part of it imho :) the after two month i had big issue with saving the pictures on my sd-card, tried multiple ones and search for solutions....nothing worked till i updated the firmware again on the latest one, since then no more issues on that part. Sensor is corroted too but i dont care that much, its noticable at f5.6+ for bright sunny days i just take an ND 8x filter and everything is fine. i wish you a great time with this amazing Camera, greetings form germany :)
Thanks for sharing about the issue saving to the SD card, it is good to hear the firmware upgrade worked. I agree, the colors are great, I like the M9 color much better than my Sony a7RII. Take care!
I especially like the color strict out from my M9. My favorite lens is the 35 mm Summaron f/2.8 for my travel.
You just create color as you want it. Three self references in two sentences is never a good sign.
@@johnsmith1474 Clown comment. Go "create color" on your computer- alone in the eyeburn glow of your monitor. Meanwhile we'll be out shooting in the real world instead of fiddling with sliders.
My M9 was a little over 2G CDN with Slight scuffs on top BUT the sensor was Replaced by Leica Germany with the Updated CCD 11 sensor so far with no issues. It's my pride and joy for certain but next to my D200-Fuji X-Pro 1 it's a step up due to full frame. I'm on a budget (Joke with Leica?) so refurbished second hand with Cannon/CV/Leica legacy lens LTM some M Mount ANY person with basic light play can still achieve excellent results with out breaking the bank. It's just good practice and working with any tool you have to create great results. Sure the lens are older but the optical quality is still excellent. Not striving for digital perfection super HD I feel it's closer to classic film look with the CCD sensor with out the cost and work of darkroom developing.
how much was that CCD11 sensor from Germany's Leica? Thanks.
@@a2b1 Leica repaired from Germany HQ when I bought it from seller but Leica doesnt support CCD any More-Check out Kolari Vision sensor repair is around 1500-USD depending on Various repaired M9s @Kolari Vision in NJ USA-Hope this helps you!
You may want to keep the M9. It has limitations but the CMOS cameras have a different look. And it’s not easy to equalize the color in post with what comes out from an M9.
Great video. I started with an M8 and immediately knew I wanted an M9. I got the M Monochrom and love it. For me the screen is simply to double check framing and alignment. I actually enjoy the grainy look on the higher ISO settings.
Thanks for sharing, and glad you liked it! I'm definitely interested in the M Monochrom as well, maybe once I sell some other gear I'm not using. ;-) I agree on just using the screen to check framing, which I do occasionally since I'm still getting used to the rangefinder.
Great photos, how much editing was done to the files? Especially the shot with the cyclist. That really has a filmic look.
Thank you! For the color, and the cyclist, I generally use a Lightroom preset David Farkas at Red Dot Forum made for the M9, which I believe is meant to simulate the JPEGs that come out of the camera. It generally works pretty good, but sometimes is a bit much and I need to adjust it quite a bit, or just use settings I made for my Sony. The B&W are all converted in Silver Efex.
How are you dealing with the viewfinder and having glasses? I tried one and had a hard time seeing the 35mm frame lines, it was rather annoying and felt cluttered.
Thanks, that is a really good question. When I have the camera horizontal, with my glasses I can just barely see the top & bottom 35mm lines without moving my eye around, but do need to move it a bit to see the side lines. At first I found it a little annoying as well, but now I don't seem to notice unless I'm trying to be really precise with my framing. I'm still getting used to using a rangefinder, but it is slowly becoming second nature.
Over a year later how do you feel about the camera now? I purchased an M8 because it was $1000 or more cheaper than the cheapest M9 on sale that was in good condition. Only thing I feel bad about is that it’s a crop sensor and now I have to buy a wider lens for any focal length I want
Thanks for checking in, I love it! I feel I have been taking a lot more photos with it, and it feels really natural for me, more like a film camera. Image quality is fantastic and I did a test print section to 30x40 and it looks great at normal viewing distance. I almost never use my Sony a7RII anymore other than "DSLR" scanning film. I should probably make some new videos. ;-)
@@GrainAndPixels would love to see another video as an update! Not many recent M8 videos out there
thank you for your comments,
can you please tell me the company witch repairs the sensor.
And by the way its the first camera witch i really do not sell anymore.......
Andreas from germany
I had my sensor glass replaced at Kolari Vision here in the US. I heard there is a company in the UK that also replaces the M9 sensor glass, but I don't recall who it is.
Although I don’t own any Leica cameras….I do understand where you’re coming from re an optical viewfinder…it’s a much more relaxing and natural experience using optical than electronic.
And as for sensor technology I prefer the rendering of the older cameras. Like my D4s, D810 and Fuji Xpro 3.
Those aren't even old! Grab yourself a 10.2mp CCD camera like a pentax k10d, k200d; Nikon d200, d40x, d60; or Sony Alpha 100, 200. They'll have a very nice rendering and plenty enough resolution. Grab a Nikon d700, d3 or 5D classic or 1ds mk ii for full frame greatness on a budget.
@@mikafoxx2717 I had a D3s when it first came out and a D200, I agree the sensor on those cameras are lovely. But the D4s has better focusing capabilities.
OK thxs
State the goddamned price, what is this some sort of secret?? And how about you explain "sensor corrosion?"
You have a very good eye, both for composition and for end result tones. I'd note that getting "Kodacolor" or "lovely b&w" is just something you do in Photoshop no matter the source (presuming sufficient data & the skill) but I empathize completely with anyone who doesn't want the added work.
Sorry, I meant $1200 Bucks
Glad it worked out for you too. Hopefully we can get many more years out of our M9's!
I have mine untouched, feeling so offended to spend another thousand dollars for a mistake that the manufacturer did. As this camera has become old and slow over the years, in your case of $1200 + $1000, I would rather get a Nikon ZF.
you officially got the Leica virus. ;)
I think it's not fair to suggest a discontinued camera. No More sensors! No more new Battery. (Battery word is plural). Grain is ugly in Digital, it's noise. Not using modern Leica lenses really silly. i cannot afford them! Look what you paid! Use film! Use older Leicas. My M3 bought 57 years ago, still working. Perfect. A better viewfinder! Leica is a prestige brand trading on it's past. Leica shows more images and blogs than NIKON Canon Fuji Olympus Pentax! But it's still overpriced. Sure film costs but new Leica and sensor troubles. battery lock up, freezing on SD cards, Poor after sales service. I bought a Nikon D50. CCD sensor! Lens included $60. OK. Rest my case. My images very beautiful. about 7.5MP.
Kolari Vision can replace the sensor. Yeah it does cost a lot, but I still love Leica cameras.