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 p.2 #4 · Leica M9 review in this weeks AP mag (UK) | |
SoundHound wrote:
M9 obsolescence is turning obsolete-already! Nikon have announced their super hi-ISO D3s and Canon, in 3 days (soon?), their Mk IV (likely to eclipse the M9 even with a 1.3x crop). Obviously, NiCan have FF next generation sensors in the pipeline too.
Leica is, as usual, 1 or two generations behind SoNiCan. Their reputation rest on, easy to design, legacy, non retrofocus lenses. How can the M9 be a current digital camera when it sports crippled software (it can barely expose @ 2FPS) and a fuzzy LCD, etc??
Wow. I don't think this is a fair or reasonable assessment at all -- and I am often critical of Leica in this forum. From everything I see, the M9 looks to be a competitive product (in terms of IQ) if expensive. For the people that use it, in the way that they use it, it doesn't need 2FPS -- it never has. Lot's of applications that don't need 2FPS. As for, "easy to design, non-retrofocus lenses" that is just lacks insight and understanding of what Leica lens designs are. Improving the design of symmetrical lenses is just as challenging as it is for retro-focus lenses and Leica continues to innovate and advance the art and science of lens design. After all the advances in SLR lenses, Leica's rangefinder lenses continue to advance as well and continue to hold an advantage -- they are challenging, complex state-of-the art designs. To suggest or imply otherwise is just not accurate. Yes, the D3s has just arrived and is indeed the high-ISO king. So? The M9 will smoke it at low ISO's. As with FPS, choose the tool for the job at hand. I don't ever need 14 fps and 102,400 ISO. If I did, I would buy a D3s. But to be honest, an M9 would suit my needs better. A canon 1D MkIV? We'll see it when we see it, but it will be a product more like the D3s -- and tool for a need different than the M9 and not competitive with the M9 for ultimate IQ.
It seems to me, and I suspect many others, that for it's intended uses, the M9 is competitive, not obsolete at all, and represents a compelling manifestation vor embodiment of current generation technology. Will it be for everyone? No. Rangefinders aren't for everyone or for every use. I suspect, however, for those that can afford it, there will be many happy and satisfied users who will produce images that are every bit as good as any top of the line SoNiCan camera can produce in the same situation, if not better. Nothing on the short-term horizon from any manufacturer threatens to change that anytime soon.
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