Leica M9 Digital
The M8 finally done right
- 18 MPixel Full-Frame (correct)
- IR-filters no longer needed (correct)
- 16-bit RAW (almost — it is actually 14-bit padded to 16-bit)
- Lens-type selection via camera menu (correct)
- Multiple frame auto-bracketing (correct)
- Easy to set ISO button (correct)
- Reduced high ISO noise (1-stop improvement)
- Image Quality (slightly lower sharpness than the M8)
- Movies (no)
- Shake reduction (no)
- 24 fps (no)
- Electronic fame-lines and zooming viewfinder (no)
- Smiling cat detection (no — go to hell)
- Same size and form-factor as the M8 (correct)
- World's smallest full-frame professional-quality camera (correct)
After an impressive sequence of on-line leaks, the Leica M9 was officially released on September 9th, 2009. The much maligned Leica M8(.2) was retired on the same day.
Price and Availability
€ 5500 or $USD 7000 — I agree that even by inflated Leica standards this is a rip-off.
It is a moot point however, as you cannot buy the camera anywhere. Maybe 200x units were sold when the M9 was released in September 2009, but since then they have practically vanished — for every happy M9 owner are maybe 50 others on a waiting list. Best realistic estimate for general "walk-in-store" camera availability is mid-2010 (see discussion at L-camera-forum.com: #113088).
According to fanboys however this isn't a problem. "Sie müssen geduldig sein."
Meanwhile the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 sure looks like a tempting (albeit half-frame) alternative…
Must-have accessories
- SensorVu Cleaner "Adidt AC-01" to clean the M9 CCD Sensor: (purchase via Microtools)
- Zagg "Invisible Shield" LCD protector screens: (purchase online)
- Giottos Aegis 8250 12-layer glass LCD protector screen: (see Giottos website)
- Wide Angle bright-line finders: (see separate FAQ topic)
- CornerFix de-vignetting software: (see Sourceforge page)
- Bracketeer Exposure Processing Software: (purchase via Pangeasoft)
- And of course — Delivery Tracking Software to figure out your place on various camera-dealer waiting lists…
Links
- Leica's M9 System Page
- DPReview's M9 Preview
- Thorsten Overgaard's M9 Page
- David Farkas' M9 Review
- Michael Reichmann's M9 Review (with full specs)
- The Digital Journalist M9 Review (with full specs)
- Ken Rockwell's M9 Page (with full specs)
A note about possible broken links
This FAQ has over 900 external links. Over time it is inevitable some of them will break. If you are bothered by this, see this detailed topic elsewhere in the FAQ.