Author: Peter | Prosophos

Leica M9 vs. M240 (CCD vs. CMOS)… here we go again.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Leica M(240) CMOSIS sensor

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Something happened this week that compelled me to write this.

A well-known Leica guru and ambassador published a review of the Leica M240 and — unsurprisingly — praised most things about it: the new features, the new CMOS sensor, and (gasp!) even the EVF add-on.

The thing is, as I was looking at his sample images, my honest reaction was:  his previous Leica M9 photographs looked better.

My visitor statistics on Prosophos.com tell me one of my more popular posts this year is:  M240: More Thoughts.   Moreover, if I type the search “Leica M240 vs CCD” on Google, that same post and my Leica M240: Final Verdict post are currently the top two search results.   In fact, any combination of the search terms “Leica M240/CMOS vs. M9/CCD” on Google will yield one of my posts on either page 1 or 2.

I realized all this today, and wondered:  Why?

My best guess is that many of you see what I see, that the Leica M9 beats the M240 in the only thing that counts: image quality.

And no amount of cheer-leading for the latest and greatest will change that.

So I’ll keep photographing with my antiquated M9 until the successor to the M240 arrives.  And when that happens, if Leica sticks with a CMOS sensor (which they most certainly will), hopefully they’ll have enough sense to strike a deal with Sony.

—Peter.

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If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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Related posts:

100% feedback on ebay.

Q&A, Teaching point

Ebay

So what does it mean when you see a “mint” Leica M3 listed on ebay from a seller who, after thousands of transactions, has 100% positive feedback?

It means you’re pretty safe to buy this M3, which is advertised as perfect — including the “vulcanite” covering, which is described as “original and complete”.

Right?

Well, have a close look:

Ebay M3 - 1

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Do you see it?

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Ebay M3 - 2

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Look carefully at the back door covering – it actually differs from the rest of the camera.  Therefore, it’s not all original.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s wrong with this camera, which has been put on sale for a premium, because it was “owned by a collector who kept it in its box” for the last 50+ years.

Right.

Bottom line:  It’s difficult to know who to trust on ebay — so be careful.

—Peter.

My camera of the year for 2013: Leica M9.

Q&A, Teaching point

Leica M9

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The Leica M9.

Yes, it’s still that good, nearly four years after its introduction.

(that’s an eternity for digital cameras)

And yes, that’s just my opinion, hence the word “My” in the title.

As of this date, 99% of the images on this site have been made using this iconic camera.

I’ve been tempted by the Nikon D800, the Sony RX1, and the Leica M Monochrom (I haven’t been tempted by the Leica M240), but I keep reaching for the Leica M9.

—Peter.

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If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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Related posts:

Opinion: Leica X Vario.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Leica X Vario

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The newly released Leica X Vario has “it”.

What’s “it”?

…Image quality.

This camera has image quality in spades.  All of the sample photos I’ve seen just ooze micro-contrast, sharpness, jaw-dropping colour, etc.

The Leica M8 had”it”.

The Leica M9 had “it”.

Heck, the Sony RX1 has “it”.

The Leica M240 will never have “it” (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

Am I tempted to get this camera?

Surprisingly, yes.

Will I get this camera?

No.

All the documented shortcomings — slow zoom lens, slow auto focus, no built-in viewfinder (forget the price for now, I mean, this is Leica so you know what you’re in for) — ultimately conspire against this camera, at least for my kind of shooting.  I’m too addicted to the “decisive moment” and the rapidity of rangefinder shooting.

But, man, have you seen the sample images?  The colour?

Wow.

—Peter.