Thanks Philippe!

I must thank Thrice (Daniel) and Makten (Martin), for their advice on lens choice on the M series cameras.

Thanks everyone It took a bit of frustration to get to know the camera (less forgiving than the 5D Mk II) but with a bit of practice it sings, and my back appreciates the weight saving.

From where I'm sitting the M9 doesn't really do anything special, image quality wise, that isn't surpassed by other 35mm FF cameras (DSLR), or equalled by 1.6 crop and m4/3rds.

It's clear that the photographer is by far the most important part of the equation.

That said, I still lust after the M9-- just not because of anything in the image quality.

... it's because of the equation of size, weight, operation, and "good enough image quality."

And I want want badly for that reason.

Snap shots on the way to work ....
M8u with ZM Biogon 35/2.0

Pretty pictures

Paul,
Nice set #2 very well done.I know very little about the Leica cameras.Can someone take a few minutes and explain to me the Sensor size as compared to other DSLRs and the advantages of the Leica.Is the M9 Full Frame? Is it currently possible to mount Mamiya Glass on to an M9?
Thanks in advance
-Jim

Leica M8 and M9 are rangefinder cameras, so they're fundamentally different from (D)SLRs in design. As far as sensors are concerned, both use Kodak CCD sensors that do not have antialiasing filters. The M9 is full-frame, and M8 has a 1.3X crop factor. You can read about M8 and M9, including significant differences from (D)SLRs, in Phil Askey's (p)re-views:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leicam8/

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/leicam9/.

As far as Mamiya glasses are concerned, it is theoretically possible to mount them on an M9 through an adapter and get infinity focus. But, but because the camera is a rangefinder, you would be guessing at the focus, so practically not useful.

Quick question ...

If you have both Biogon 35 and Cron 35 ASPH, which one would you keep?
Let's leave the price factor at the very end....

PSquared63,
thank you for taking the time.I need to wrap my head around what a rangefinder is, and how it differs from my 5D
-Jim

gotta love rangefinders

thrice,
thanks also for taking the time.The link also helped me to understand.
-Jim

thrice wrote:
justruss wrote:
From where I'm sitting the M9 doesn't really do anything special, image quality wise, that isn't surpassed by other 35mm FF cameras (DSLR), or equalled by 1.6 crop and m4/3rds.

From where you're sitting looking at resized for web shots mostly 1/25 the size of the original image.

Please, for the love of god, let's not make this another The World vs Leica thread.

Well, that's an unfortunate reading of my post Thrice... considering it was a soft way of paying you a compliment. And too bad you didn't read the part of my post where I mentioned saying I REALLY want an M9... because of what it does offer that I think is outstanding. But instead, you seem to think I was trying to make a post about Leica vs. the world.

Advice: Take chip, remove from shoulder.

Paul, really nice set of shots!

Here some shots from this afternoon with the ZM 50/2 Planar. I am finding this lens very sharp and easy to use. This is of a young 7 y/o with here new horse, called Tess.

Thrice. Great writeup about rangefinders. All the things I have wanted to know.

And your photos are superb as usual!

Well, I love my M8 for the image quality it produces. The size and weight benefits are icing on the cake.

To all who have posted so far, excellent work!

Excellent shots Zombii

Daniel is a pro

Paul is a pro

and what am I ?.....a lowly gear head (but I'm gonna get there)

If you're talking about Paul Yi, I don't think he's a pro although he shoots like one.

Thanks Charles!

Paul Yi wrote:
Quick question ...

If you have both Biogon 35 and Cron 35 ASPH, which one would you keep?
Let's leave the price factor at the very end....

Paul,

It depends on your taste and preference. IMHO, both lenses are among the very best in 35mm focal length. Yet, these two lenses have subtle differences in style and characteristics. To my eyes, Zeiss Biogon renders images with beautiful luminosity and crispiness, yet very smooth. Zeiss images are extremely pleasing to eyes. Leica Summicron ASPH has more micro contrast, extremely sharp with deeper and rich color rendition. Leica images are punchy and have more ‘character.’ Other factor you may consider is that mechanically, Leica lenses are better built compared with Zeiss ZM line.

Of course, these are very subjective comments based on my own experience and others may have different opinions. If you have opportunities to use both, it may help. Both lenses retain their values very well so you can always sell the one that you don't want to keep later.

Enjoy your M8!

I have decided to go with ZM, because I felt it had a bit more 3D-Look to it.
And, I often do a close-up shots with smear background....^^
I wish I could keep both, but I'm also looking at 90mm lens.
That will be my next decision making pain.... Apo or Pre-ASPH......^^