In frustration, I came close to selling all of my Leica equipment a few days ago.
After an ice storm that left this city without power (and some of our fellow citizens still have no heat!), the whole family became ill (and we still are…).
What does this have to do with Leica?
Well, the one day where everything was “normal”, thankfully, was Christmas Day — our power had been restored and we hadn’t yet gotten sick. Naturally, I was looking forward to photographing.
After shooting some frames and reviewing the images, I realized the focus was off! A few key moments were lost (or at least, rendered blurry). I took a few test shots and realized my M9 was back-focusing by about an inch. Enough to mess things up when photographing at f/1.4.
This is one of the charms of rangefinder ownership. The rangefinder focusing mechanism, over time, can spontaneously (or with little provocation) deviate from spec.
No problem, I thought. That’s why I have a back-up M9(P).
So I started photographing with it. But I realized why this camera has been relegated to back-up status. Its buffer chokes up after a few frames and it takes several seconds before I can start photographing again. The outcome: I missed a few more key moments.
A specific charm of Leica ownership is that one M9 can behave in a much different way from another — identical — M9 (with the same SD card and the same firmware!). Leica still hasn’t mastered the whole electronics thing… which may be perceived by some as somewhat of a shortcoming in the digital age.
Back to the story…
Maybe it was because I had spent the weekend and some of the week re-enacting scenes from Pioneer Village, or maybe it was because I was getting sick, but I had had enough!
(I know, I know, these are “First World” problems, and — believe me — I know how fortunate I am. I’m just venting).
I started packing away the M9s.
But what other camera(s) would I now use?
Out of everything currently out there, the only non–Leica camera that will accept my M lenses and give me a full frame sensor is the Sony A7(R). And its CMOS sensor comes the closest to achieving my coveted M9 CCD sensor rendering (the Sony colour signature is another story). But… Leica lenses (especially wide angle ones) don’t necessarily shine on other manufacturers’ platforms. So my pricey Leica Summilux lenses would be worth little on the Sony.
No problem, I thought once more. I’ll just sell my lenses too and start from scratch.
But, but… I used the Sony RX1R earlier this year and the computer-as-camera user interface left me cold. That, and having to rely on the EVF: through it, it didn’t feel like I was watching the world… it felt like I was watching TV.
So I turned my attention to DSLR cameras.
The only contender for me would be the Nikon Df. Small for a DSLR, plenty of external controls for manual shooting, etc. And I was close to purchasing it, despite the downgrade in base ISO image quality it would represent (high ISO functionality is another story).
But I prefer to manually focus. And I’d been-there-done-that with the D3 and D3s, both coupled to a Noct Nikkor 58/1.2 AIS lens. When photographing action wide open, the hit rate with this system is low (even when using the “green dot” focus aid).
Plus, I’ve grown accustomed to the “see the world outside of the frame” view of the rangefinder window. With it, I can see elements outside of what the lens sees, and I can therefore better anticipate how a given moment may unfold.
Finally — believe it or not — I was once more tempted to switch to a new Leica M240. Oh, but the image quality would be… (well, you know). And don’t forget those electronic gremlins, which continue to plague Leica, even with their latest bodies…
In the end, I decided to keep my current gear. Yes, I know… I’ve become predictable.
Which places my photography situation in a precarious position, with respect to any future “upgrade” path.
Hopefully, by the time my current M9 cameras die (or their sensors spontaneously crack — but that’s another story!), there will be other viable options out there for me).
I’m holding out hope for Sony to sort out its user interface, and I’m also closely watching for advances in EVF technology.
Or maybe Leica will finally produce a non-beta version of a camera.
Yes, it’s a love-hate thing.
—Peter.
Prosophos 
I could not live or work with that mood. There´s no perfect gear but there´s a limit. I´m sorry if I´m too direct but your relation with Leica M bodies isn´t good for your health. Maybe keep the glass and move to another body. Digital Leicas aren´t good Leicas as far as I could read a hundred times.
I use a Canon 5D mark III, the best 5D ever, most fine tuned 5D, with just four lenses (two of those very specialized lenses) from Canon and Zeiss for my professional needs.
I´m very happy. When on the move for fast and easy work I use a Ricoh. Ricoh is another good example of a fine tune camera. No bad surprises.
As I said; I´m very happy.
The Leica M body price… I cannot find justification for it. In face of so many problems and restrictions… I can´t justify that price.
Leica glass is different. First class glass. Mechanics first class too. German design. Handmade in Portugal by wonderful professional people with decades of commitment. Made to last.
A glimpse of my work:
https://www.facebook.com/Cunha.Atelier?fref=ts
Do not suffer for a piece of gear. Enjoy your photography.
I´ll keep following your adventures .-)
Best regards.
Luís Filipe Cunha wrote:
“…your relation with Leica M bodies isn’t good for your health.”
—
Ha! That’s probably the truest statement that has every been made on this site… and I thank you for your directness (and civility).
The truth is, if I was (primarily) photographing professionally, I’d use Nikon (or Canon). So, no arguments from me.
But, I usually photograph my own experiences. And I’ve found the ideal combination of portability, image quality, and ergonomics is found in Leica M cameras.
But, yes, if I had to move on… I would. In fact, I doubt I’ll stick with Leica beyond my current M9 bodies.
Though I’ve learned to never say never.
—Peter.
It´s a pity that Sigma Merrill cameras are such a cripple cameras in many aspects. A Sony A7r type of camera with a Foveon sensor and Leica (or Zeiss) Glass would be… nice. .-)
Sometimes a change of pace helps bring everything back into perspective. Although it’s not an overall or longer term solution, I feel compelled to amplify something Luis mentioned in passing.
The Ricoh (GR) helped get me out of a funk with supposedly more serious cameras. If you are close to your subjects, both in the emotional sense and the physical one, it is an amazing tool. Coming to terms with the snapshot aesthetic of a fixed wide angle lens helped me come back to normal and telephoto lenses on larger, and at least theoretically more capable bodies, with a different perspective.
Also, it is really refreshing to use a camera, which through several decades of fine-tuning of design and implementation in both film and digital models, just gets out of the photographers way and does its predefined job with no engineering issues.
Maybe it only applies to me, but with respect to EVF vs. optical viewfinders, I have found reasonably effective ways to utilize the very clear GV-2 OVF when the screen is not enough. My understanding is that the outer frame of the GV-1 would allow you to watch the action outside the intended capture FOV. It is not a rangefinder and definitely not a Leica, but it would be a relatively inexpensive experiment if you’re so inclined.
Great comments, appreciate your thoughtful response.
That´s the real beauty of modern age communication, blogging, forum, etc.
15-10 years ago I wasn´t a professional photographer (I´m a designer for 25 years; that was my instruction and my practice). Almost everything about photography I learned online, sharing and asking and reading books, along with practice. The same on video and films.
We´ve a lot to learn from each others. This modern conversation models are priceless and are the new “tertulia”.
Back to gear; last spring I went for a week to Paris and I refuse to carry my heavy DSLR even with just a 50mm lens. I took my tiny Ricoh in my pocket and in spite of the rain everyday and being with my family and a friend who join us there from London I made a ton of images. I felt really free to walk and photograph, many times in a stealth way.
I post some of those photos online and kept people´s photos based on my own ethic choices (faces, etc) just for myself but the point is that as an exercise it was wonderful. The right camera for that journey thru Paris in the rain surrounded my people.
I can, if I want, use those images for my professional work since Ricoh keep doing a great job with those tiny cameras, with RAW, lovely ergonomics, etc. The files are professional usable files.
Like some other brands Ricoh choose to fine tune good options and they´re right in my opinion.
Fully agree with Arèjukas .-)
I’ve always been a fan of the Ricoh user interface — and they are photographers’ cameras indeed.
Dear Peter, I hope you’re feeling better and recovering from your illness. I know exactly how you feel about the reliability of Leica RFs. Both mine have problems – The M8.2 shutter died at low frame count. The M9 RF mechanism is badly out of whack and I’m currently sick of messing with these cameras. As you know, I’m loving the Df and it’s ability to shoot in low light. For me, the only thing I would have liked the Df to have would be a RF style window that allowed me to see outside the frame and go back to the TTL when needed! 🙂
Best to you all. Cheers!
Hey Raaj, I’m telling you, I was THIS close to getting a Df…
As you know Peter I’m not convinced in investing a new M beyond my MM until we see a bit of progress in the reliability stakes with Leica and just see where their intent is with the ME. Also the M240 for that matter.
I’m not so worried about the RF adjustment as I’ll accept that as part of “the deal” when it comes to using this mechanism.
So also thinking and wondering what way to go. I used a Pen 5 the other day. Really nice little camera and loved the ergonomics but back to micro 4/3’s that would be. But it just might be an option (Olympus, not Pen). Olympus have really positioned themselves in a unique and strong position from an ERGONOMIC perspective with great glass. Appreciate the sensor side of things and rendering no where near FF, imo. Though alas still like using something electronic vs. that analogue “feeling” that M provide.
Get on that plane to some where warm and things will start to become “normal” :-). It certainly sounds like it has been a tougher christmas than normal for many people in Toronto.
I think you’re wise to be cautious Andrew, but I function better with two identical bodies. Thus far, Leica’s support of their digital cameras has been very… um, very un-Leica like. Don’t get me wrong, they will often provide exemplary service, provided they don’t run out of LCD screens (M8), CCD chips (M9, M-E), and who knows? (M240).
Mon Peter,
First of all, I hope that the health of the whole family is looking good !
I want to congratulate you for your recent images that speak for themselves …
Great intensity , and PROSOPHOS signing bonus !
I think we should stay with the system “M”, no matter what!
Rangefinder is an absolute must for photography that you employ !
About me , I can not go back … and then use a Summilux , with an EVF ! OOPS , what heresy …
I know you do not like the Leica M240 , but allows me to say that it is a superb camera , and that 100 percent viewed files have nothing to envy to the M9 !
A 3200 isos , the M9 is far behind …. but I recognize that the M9 has a soul , and the 240 is just a war machine …
My current combo is the Monochrom ( nothing can fight ) , and 240 with 35 Lux … I still have my M9, because I want to make a great comparison with the 240 and the 50 Cron … but I already know the answer !
Perfection for the 240, and a perfect life our M9 …
I want to get everything in order quickly for you!
Your friend.
Hugues .
You are always too kind, mon ami.
When you write:
“I still have my M9, because I want to make a great comparison with the 240 and the 50 Cron … but I already know the answer !”
… So do I…
—Peter.
I feel your pain.
I’m back with my M240. I am using a modified version of Rebecca Lily’s presets for Lightroom which are wonderful with the m240.
I keep the EVF in the bag in case the rangefinder gets in a funk.
>
Thanks Bijan.
The M240 colours are just part of the problem… unfortunately.
I’m feeling your pain Peter! I read about your loss of power and that is never any fun especially that its happened around the holidays. On top of that you’re having issues with your pride and joy Leica gear.
I’m curious if you’ve tried reinstalling the latest firmware with the M9 that giving you buffer issues?
I only have my M-E but am considering a second M9 body as a backup. As you know I travel half the year in the air and there can be issues with pixels due to cosmic radiation. Leica mentions this in the Leica M-E manual on page 163 of the English version.
Why I mention this is I’ve had an issue early on with a bad pixel and sensor column array (very thin vertical white line) show up in my higher ISO images. Of course Leica repaired it very quickly but I suspect it to happen again due to my travels at high altitude. That’s the reason for a second body.
Now back to getting rid of your Leica gear. I know I’m like you when it comes to ergonomics (simple is way better) and the rendering the M9 CCD provides. There really is nothing else out there like our M9/M-Es Peter, nothing.
The new Sony A7R has issues coming out of sleep where its quicker to have the camera off and turning it on vice keeping it in sleep mode. I’m able to keep my M-E on all the time and have the power management set to one minute. With just a touch of the shutter button it comes alive and is ready by the time my eye is looking through the viewfinder.
Then there’s the shutter issues.
I also don’t want to go back to autofocus. How do I know what I want is really in focus when I let the camera be in control? Too many instances mentioned online about the quirks the Sony FE lenses are having in low light.
I could go on but you understand my passion just as much as I think I understand yours Peter.
My advice is stay the course Peter!
Oh, I’m staying the course. For all the reasons you cite (and more).
Now, if you had spoken to me 36 hrs ago, well…
Shoot B&W film again develop yourself, I use M6 and Mamiya RZ67. Here’s the reason, no upgrade pressure, more enjoyable, mostly mechanical, superior image quality (tri-x and hp5+) even better than MM. Only me thinking out loud, totally enjoying your honest writings, hope your city warms up soon.
My preferred medium is film. Remember my tutorial here about how to develop B&W film? My good friend Mark took that and ran with it, and then bested me by learning colour film developing.
The problem is, for me, convenience trumped quality and now I’m only shooting digital.
I wish I was joking. But I’m on vacation with my family.
I took my m240 skiing with me yesterday and somehow during the day I must have jostled it too much and now mine is back focusing by an inch as well.
To make matters worse my EVF is at home. Thought it was in the bag.
Maybe it’s time I get the fuji x pro and screw this Leica world as well !!
>
Oh dear…
Yikes, this all is so disappointing. I have been getting along with the M9, MM, and A7, which offers a drastically different way of seeing, yet no worse…just an adjustment. Peter, I agree that not all bodies, nor all lenses, stay in their wheelhouse for very long, and it’s frustrating about the M system. Yet, the charms are there, and I continue to hang on to the M9 (due to all that it offers) and the MM (my magic machine) until such a time that something proves itself better. The A7 is different, neither better nor worse, but couldn’t replace the RF experience….
All the best to you as this gets sorted out…
I can only say good things about the Leica M because I love the design, the history, the technical and mechanical quality and glass quality also; and because I never had one ,-)
I´m sorry. I don´t mean to be rude. Couldn´t resist. Humor is good to our health.
I´m amazed that Leica users do not give up, in face of so many recurrent problems. I admire you´re persistence and I really hope that Leica one solve those problems.
Peter, I hear you. I had the same issues with my M9 RF last Summer and mentioned it on this blog to which you said you’d had excellent experience with focus accuracy and you considered it a non-issue. But the issues I was having drove me bunkers. The camera and 3 lenses spent more time in multiple calibration trips than in my hands taking pictures throughout Spring and Summer. By Fall when all calibrations were done I’d given up and decided to sell it all. I packed it all in boxes and listed it for sale. Then I went out to shoot with my M6 and an old 50 Cron and realized immediately why I’m so attached to this system: it inspires me to photograph. It sounds cliche and stupid because one should have a higher motivation for shooting but I tell ya when I’m feeling uninspired and I haven’t shot for days and one day I look at that camera sitting on my desk or carry it in my hand I immediately want to get out and shoot with it. It’s the exception to the rule. It’s the one time a piece of equipment speaks to you, through its design, simplicity, elegance, uniqueness, heft, optics, engineering, and yes heritage. And when you do obey that urge and shoot with it oh it’s so satisfying and rewarding! I have anxieties about what’s next when my M9 goes bad, but I know I would’ve regretted it if I had abandoned the Leica system. Good luck with your pursuit.
it can be frustrating. be sure that both cams have the latest firmware, for my M9 i always use older 16 GB memory cards. it seems that the M9 has issues with never ones. I has my RF checked by Leica, it seems ok. Sometimes i catch myself thinking about selling all my Leica glas, use my old d700 or Sony and invest the money in a vintage car or something like that. but somehow i love this stuff and i keep hanging on to it 🙂
Peter,
Thank you for sharing this with us. This certainly was a hefty xmas time for you and your family. But hopefully your family is well and you come out stronger.
After reading your digital Leica frustration and your story I agree that there is NO substitute at the moment if you are sold to Rangefinders. My Leica M8.2 served me brilliantly for three years after the rangefinder mechanism was adjusted. At the moment the camera is at Leica Solms due to the coffestain problem and i can only say that their Customer Care has been perfect till now. A new digital Leica Rangefinder will be coming my way soon.
So in the mean time I am using and really really enjoying the M6TTL/M5 and I know that if anything power related or digital rot related accidents happen I can always enjoy the memorable moment I captured with it. Apart from that it firmly reassured me that the base of my photographic system has to be rangefinder. Nothing gives me more positive vibes than picking up my Leica rangefinders and it makes me want go out and shoot and create these memorable moments rather than to just register fun times. So my take is that Leica Rangefinders give me more memorable moments. Maybe crazy but I just realized this. Apparently my brains work like that.
Back to coming out stronger and learnings. Frustrating yes, but I think that every tool can be temporarily out of order (have experienced that with every brand/product).
If you are a professional and have to get the shot/assignment a second digital body is needed. If you want to spread risk and want a FF EVF camera that takes the M-mount a Sony A7 could be a nice addition as back-up body that will even add possibilities to your creative arsenal.
If you are shooting for your ‘own’ satisfaction than maybe a Leica M- film body with some rolls of film will be the perfect and great back up. You will have the shot on the perfect system even if you have to wait a few days to see the result. Getting the shot is more important than convenience.
For me there is no substitute at the moment. It will have to be a Leica M rangefinder. Which is quite liberating once you accept that..
My future will be analog and digital leica M.
(Now the hard part is choose which digital M that will be..but that is another discussion.)
Looks like it’s not just me in the same boat then Peter. I’m a late convert to the M9 and the buffer issues are doing my head in right now!
I’m really starting to regret my decision of selling my M6 0.85 TTL and all my Fuji X-Pro1 gear for the M9, why did I do it? I know why, I was far too lazy for 35mm film workflow and envied the digital convenience of the M9. And the X-Pro1, as great as it is, was not a Leica MF camera. I’ve already sent my M9 back to the dealer once over the buffer issue and re-loading the f/w didn’t change a thing either. Maybe I’ll try loading the previous f/w on it or maybe I can be sensible and logical about this situation and ditch it and re-buy the M6 & Fuji gear.
Why do we do these things? Why do we put ourselves through it? Sorry, but after *3* separate attempts I know realise that “digital” Leica M’s are really just not worth all the stress!
Just to add, after reading many, many postings about the buffer filling issues and discreet mode note working properly I’ve been doing plenty of experiments this afternoon and have come to the conclusion (so far anyway! haha) that downgrading firmware to the previous one (v1.176) seems to solve my problems.
Peter, with your buffer issues was/is your camera in discreet mode? Mine always is and it suffers from not re-cocking too on single shots randomly which has been a nightmare. Info here helped me greatly but the explanation posted by Leica frankly makes no sense at all to me?!? – http://findingrange.com/2012/07/28/leica-m9-firmware-version-1-196-problems-or-issues/
I’ve been testing between the two firmware versions (1.179 & 1.196) and using different cards and the downgrade has not posed a single problem so I think (hope!) I’ve cured that problem.
I believe mine have the newest firmware, which was already loaded on them when I bought them (used). My previous two bodies were kept at 1.176, because I had read about the issues with the newest firmware. Maybe I should “downgrade” these two bodies (although one is now in transit for rangefinder calibration).
I never use my M9 in discreet mode — I don’t believe Leica ever sorted out the issues around this, and never will.
Please keep us posted on your findings. I too have experienced these frustrations on both M9 and Monochrom.
Update: I no longer have a copy of firmware 1.176 and cannot find one available online. I do have a copy of firmware 1.162, but the camera won’t permit me to revert back to this version. If anybody knows where I can access 1.176, please let me know…
Thank you to Luiz for coming to the rescue!
Glad you managed to get a copy Peter. I found it hard to find too. Anybody else that needs it I found it available to download here:-
http://www.driversdown.com/drivers/Leica-M9-M9-P-Camera-firmware_101708.shtml
I like my Df, but on Christmas morning- my M9 gave the best pictures.
I keep my Leica bodies in fitted half cases, and those in Nikon Pouch cases. Best best are “Circa Nikon F2” CS-9 and CS-10 puches, and the M8 in it’s half case go into a Nikon case made for the D7100. I believe this protects it against some of the knockaround shocks that throw off the RF calibration.
I sympathise.. Its a lot of money to have tied up in gear and still have doubts about it. Call me crazy but I have yet to move on from my film M6 and Hasselblad V kit.
Not crazy Antonio.
Lately I´ve been working on my digital files to make Platinum/Palladium (Pt/Pd) prints (I´ve some tests already printed) and my “teacher” only works with medium or big format film cameras. Many brands and many models.
It all depends on one´s goals and projects. My files are producing great results so are the analogue ones. There´s no right or wrong tools. We must use what we like and need.
I use digital for cost and convenience but I LOVE the error and randomness of analogue processes.
Fortunately we live in 2013 and everything is present and possible (in photography). The old and the new. Even better we are able to combine both.
By the way, my “teacher” was invited by Leica to test the M Monochrom camera to produce B&W files in order to make Pt/Pd prints (very demanding with a huge tonal range prints; far more than silver prints). Good results however he will not gave up on analogue medium and big format photography.
Lets keep shooting .-)
Somewhat echoing Ashwin’s comment, I love and continue holding onto my M9P but am also really enjoying the Sony A7R so much that I feel compelled to keep it. Rangefinder + CCD sensor + manual focus on one side and, high quality EVF + high iso tolerance/high resolution CMOS sensor + autofocus, actually offer great complementarity and versatility in one’s arsenal.
Peter,
Can I suggest you get an X Vario on loan and try it out for a few days. The cliche that it’s “more than the sum of its parts” was never more true.
Yes Harvey, I agree. In fact, I praised its image quality back when it was introduced:
http://photographsbypeter.com/2013/06/18/opinion-leica-x-vario/
(You see, I form my opinions on what I “see” and not spec sheets.)
—Peter.
Peter, have you kept on eye on the latest Fuji x-t1 that is soon to be hitting the shops? The viewfinder is as close to optical that you can get at the moment and with the external dials you should be able to operate it manually as well without it leaving you cold too much. I also use the M9 and Monochrom but I’m tempted to squeze as much out of a fast depreciating M9 used market and trade it in for the x-t1 and a couple of the cracking little Fuji primes. Sometimes i also feel like im treading on egg shells with it as I’ve had to have 2 new sensors due to dead pixels and if it happens to me again i fear my mind will be in the same state as yours was. I feel that I’ll get the best of both systems then for when I want different looks and with the fuji m mount I can still use my Leica lenses? I like taking landscape as well so the Fuji offers some operational advantages over the M9 too. I’ve ruled an upgrade to the M240 out mainly for the same reasons as you but if I don’t get on with the Fuji I might see what the next generation M has to offer so I haven’t ruled out a return. Ive been using the fuji x100s and im impressed so i do have high hopes for the x-t1. Just a thought? P.s. i’ll take my monochrom with me to the grave.
Peter, stick with it. The rests you get are worth it.