I want one.... and that is based on the packaging alone.
The new features (live-view, better ISO, etc.) are also nice to have.
Leica M9 Lens Detection
The Leica M9 can recognize lenses and apply in-camera adjustments to the photo. For this to work, you need lenses with the proper encoding.
This encoding is a set of black and white 'dots' on the lens that the
camera can detect (basically a binary system). Older lenses don't have
this system, so you can set the lens type manually in the camera menu.
If you're using non-Leica lenses (e.g. Zeiss), you can set the lens detection by hand in the menu system. Unfortunately, Leica only implemented a list with Leica lenses. No third party lenses are available, so you need to be creative.
Needed a Telelens
This morning I went for a little walk around town. Just a bit too late for a nice sunrise, but that didn't spoil the 'fun'. Took some nice photos in my 'backyard' @ Groot Heidestein.
On the way back, I heard and saw some woodpeckers in the trees (about 30-40 ft away), and it was the first time I missed a serious big-ass telelens for my M9..... Thankfully, I only have that 'urge' once or twice every year or so. So no need to invest big money in something I almost never use. I could drag my D300 with 70-200 f/2.8 with a 1.7TC and a tripod along for the ride, but I'm afraid that my back might start to complain.
I guess that life is all about priorities.
The Leica M, and Will I Get One?
Leica MLeica announced the new Leica M rangefinder camera earlier this week. It wasn't named the M10, but just M. The new rangefinder will have:
- 24Mpix CMOS sensor
- Better ISO performance
- Live-view with focus peaking
- Movie-mode (max. 1080p@25fps)
- Better dynamic range
- Bigger and better LCD screen
- Leica R Lens compatible (with optional adapter)
- Optional Electronic Viewfinder
- Optional Grip with extra features (external flash, power, usb, etc.)
The price will be around the original M9 pricing (€6800), and available in the beginning of 2013. The price is a steep figure compared to other (dSLR) camera's, but that shouldn't be a surprise. In hindsight, the price is lower what the rumors predicted (around €8000).
Will I want one? Sure, but not before the camera is on the market for at least a year, so that the firmware has matured, and all the annoyances/bugs are fully documented.
With the purchase of a new Leica M, I fear that I have to sell my Nikon gear (along with the current M9 off-course). This is more of a sentimental issue, since I hardly use the Nikon anyway. I use my M9 >95% of the time.
So keep an eye on this blog, to see if I'm really gonna get me a Leica M within the next two years (or so).
Leica M9 @ Night
Last Tuesday was initially the first time I took my M9 out at night. I've no idea why this didn't happen any sooner..... As you all know, the M9 isn't famous for its high-ISO performance. Basically anything over ISO 800 is really grainy (I prefer the term grainy over noise, since I convert most of my photos into black and white).
I went out with the M9, the 50mm Summilux, Carl Zeiss 28mm f/2.8, and my tripod and below are some of the results.