My Camera of the Year for 2016.

Inspiration, Leica M8 (CCD Lives!), Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Q&A, Teaching point

Prosophos - Leica M9 Black

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My 35mm digital camera of the year for 2016 is:

Leica M9/M-E

🙂

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After experimenting with the Nikon D810 (and other cameras) for more than seven months, I continue to prefer the Leica M9/M-E for image quality, at base ISO.

It is clear to me that the D810 has the better performing sensor by all objective metrics and has more malleable files, but somehow the M9 images look better.

(The runner up camera is once again the Leica M8.)

But, am I being premature with my selection?  What will the second half of 2016 bring?

Leica may finally improve on the disappointing M240 with the release of a new M in the fall, but realistically most of us won’t be able to get a hold of it until 2017.

Either way, don’t expect it to be a CCD camera like many of us have asked for in My Open a Letter to Leica.

I’ll be interested in it anyway, if the image quality is better than the M240.

—Peter.

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Previous Camera of the Year Winners:

 

2015: Leica M9/M-E

2014: Leica M9/M-E

2013: Leica M9/M-E

2012: Leica M9/M-E

2011: Leica M9

2010: Leica M9

2009: Leica M9

2008: Leica M8/Nikon D3

2007: Leica M8/Nikon D3

2006: Leica M8

Fraction.

2016, Baseball, Beyond 200 feet of My House™, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M8 (CCD Lives!), Portrait, Q&A, Sports, Teaching point

The dividing line (and timing) of an out.

On a technical note, whereas I would have machine-gun-photographed with the D810 at 5 FPS to try to get this shot (and would have had a 50-50 chance), I was able to get the “decisive moment” with the M8 on a single click of the shutter.

—Peter.

Fraction

↑Leica M8 (CCD Lives! – Prosophos Open Letter to Leica) + Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH.

Nikon D810 vs. Leica M9 (in “real life” use).

Inspiration, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Nikon, Nikon D810, Q&A, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART, Teaching point

(Not a scientific comparison between images taken at two different times under different conditions — but this reflects “actual use” conditions for me.)

(See related:  Nikon D810 vs. Leica M240 in “real life” use.)

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I photographed my kids’ school Fun Fair yesterday.

Here is an image from the event, taken with the D810 + Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art @ f/4:

Fun Fair 2016

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Here is an image from last year (2015), taken with the Leica M9 + Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE @ f/4:

Fun Fair 2015

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… And here are the magnified views.

First, the D810 + Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art @ f/4 (magnified):

Fun Fair 2016 (magnification)

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Next, the Leica M9 + Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE @ f/4 (magnified):

Fun Fair 2015 (mangification)

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My conclusions:

The D810 + Sigma 35 Art made it easier to photograph the event, the M9 + Leica 35 FLE produced more pleasing image quality (in “actual use” conditions).

In all fairness to the D810 + Sigma 35 Art, when the conditions are right and the focus is nailed, this combination leaves very little to be desired: Nikon D810 + Sigma 35 Art in optimal conditions.

—Peter.

Nikon D810 vs. Leica M240 (in “real life” use).

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

This is a comparison I did tonight for my own purposes.  I’ve decided to share it with you.

This reflects my “real life” use of these camera/lens combinations, but does not represent a scientific analysis.

I repeat, this is NOT scientific.

Here are two images from the kids’ school Lip Synch competition.

The first was taken in 2015 with the Leica M240 + Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH:

(f/2.8 | 1/250 | ISO 1600).

Prosophos Leica M240 and Leica 50

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The second was taken in 2016 with the Nikon D810 + Sigma 50mm ART (I was sitting a little further back):

(f/2.8 | 1/250 | ISO 1000).

Prosophos Nikon D810 and Sigma 50

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Now here are the central crops (looking at the individuals in sharpest focus from each image)…

Leica M240 + Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH (100%):

Prosophos Leica M240 and Leica 50 (crop)

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Nikon D810 + Sigma 50mm ART (100%):

Prosophos Nikon D810 and Sigma 50 (crop)

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The results above are consistent with other images I’ve examined.

The variables that differ between these two images are numerous.  The only thing they have in common is that they represent real-life output from my use of these camera/lenses.

What do YOU think of the results?

—Peter.