From the past: Leica M9 review
[The following is a review I was commissioned to write for HotShoe magazine back in late 2009 when the Leica M9 had just been released. I’ve republished it here, with thanks to Leica UK for the loan of the M9.]
Hot Gear Review
Leica M9
Photography has taken a nostalgic twist as Leica has announced the first full-frame digital model, the Leica M9. However, the switch to digital from the all-electronic M7 film model wasn’t seamless or without detractors. As well as a few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticised for its sensitivity to UV light, producing ruddy skin tones and purple tints to black synthetics.
A year or two later, the M8.2 was a minor upgrade yet a more accomplished offering in many respects. The same detractors cited the unchanged sensor sensitivity issues, a result of using a thin hot filter in front of the sensor, but borne, ironically, of the maker’s determination to deliver the familiar drawing style of Leica lenses to the corners of the image.
Mounting pressure, imagined or otherwise, to produce a digital M rangefinder delivering the same or similar user experience as the film-based cameras resulted in the announcement at 9 am (EST) on 9/9/09 of the full-frame 35mm format M9. Outwardly, the Leica M9 closely resembles the M8.2 and earlier M8 and yet inside, despite earlier doubts by Leica that it could be achieved, sits the Nirvana of makers and users alike, a full-frame 35mm digital sensor.
A sensor with the same dimensions as the film it replaced. A nostalgic exercise? Perhaps. But, you no longer have to have to think the 28mm has the same field of view as a 35mm on the M8 before you raise the camera to your eye. There’s no more mental arithmetic, one less hurdle between you and your goal. What you see in your mind’s eye is what you’ll see in the M9’s viewfinder. Not that this is new to DSLR users, of course, but that’s not the point. Leica wasn’t going to compete with their (now discontinued) R-system, but at least they can build on the rich heritage of the inherently portable M-series. One body and three lenses take up no more room than one DSLR brick and a f/2.8 mid-range zoom.
Purists may still baulk at its digital characteristics, though. The body is a millimetre or two thicker than the earlier analogue models, and it lacks a wind-on lever. Many M-users miss this, not so much for the feeling of winding the film across the sprockets or the cocking of the shutter but as a natural thumb-rest. An aftermarket product, such as the Thumbs Up, may be what’s needed, but many argue Leica should have added that themselves and the body design should be brought up to date.
The Leica M9, like the M8, still requires the base to be removed to change the battery and SD card. Moreover, with the introduction of the (mirrorless) Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic and Olympus, some detractors argue that the coupled rangefinder method of focusing is dated and outmoded. But they overlook the fact that it’s still superior in clarity and contrast to any current electronic viewfinder. There’s no live view or HD video either, but why would you want it in a camera like the M9? It’s the antithesis of the DSLR. There’s no more than you need, it has aperture priority, semi-auto and manual exposure, like those cameras from the late 70s. Continuous shooting tops 2 fps maximum.
The M9’s 18-megapixel CCD is the same pixel density as that of the physically smaller sensor in the M8, but there have been slight improvements in noise levels. That being said, you’ll likely not want to use the maximum, ISO 2500 equivalent, gain, except in emergencies. More obvious improvements over the M8 include a new info panel showing battery life in percentage terms, as well as the capacity remaining (in MB and frames) of the SD card and a far easier selection of EV compensation. Indeed, there are three different methods to adjust exposure compensation, two of which are visible in the viewfinder! An exposure bracketing option has been added too, and while less attractive to the street photographer, those who may be inclined to use it for landscapes (and why not) will find the M9 the most versatile M-series to date. Heck, the Leica M9 is the most convincing of its kind yet.
Hot Specs
The Leica M9 has a full-frame (24x36mm) 35mm format 18-megapixel Kodak-made CCD. Sensor gain runs from ISO80-2500. Measuring 139x37x80mm, the M9 maintains the size of the previous iteration and weighs 585 grams with the battery. The top and bottom plates are made from brass, while the body is magnesium alloy. The price for the body is £4950 (inc VAT), £4213 ex VAT
Contact
Leica, www.leica-camera.com
Affiliate sales; from time to time second-hand retailer MPB have the Leica M9 in stock. Check here for details.
From the original Leica Press Release:
Leica Camera AG today announces the world’s first digital rangefinder camera with a full-frame 24 x 36mm sensor. As the world’s smallest full-frame system camera, the LEICA M9 continues the long heritage of the Leica rangefinder system, and unites more than 50 years of continuous technical improvements to the M System with cutting-edge digital technology.
The successful combination of a high-resolution image sensor, the superior performance of Leica M lenses and sophisticated processing ensures the best imaging results, making the camera perfect for all fields of photography from reportage and ‘available light’ to the capture of discreet, spontaneous images.
The 18 megapixel image sensor, specifically designed and developed for the M9, enables capture of the full 35-mm film format without any compromise. All M lenses mounted on the LEICA M9 therefore offer the same focal length as originally intended, and the enormous potential performance of the current M lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16 to 135mm, is now fully exploited in an M digital camera for the very first time.
Furthermore, the M9 sensor features a newly developed glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression of the infrared portion of the light spectrum, avoiding the need to mount special UV/IR filters.
Leica has listened to photographers’ requests for quick access to essential features on the M9. One example is the new ISO adjustment button, which simply requires the user to hold down the ISO button whilst turning the dial to select the required setting – rather than having to access it via a menu. In addition, all other functions important for everyday photography are accessible by pressing the set button.
At just 139 × 37 × 80mm, the LEICA M9 maintains the compact size of the LEICA M8, despite the considerably larger sensor. The robust, one-piece, full metal housing, made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, combined with a solid brass top and bottom plate, provide perfect protection for the camera in all photographic situations. For photographers, this all adds up to absolute reliability over decades of use.
The LEICA M9 is available in two different styles: a standard black with ‘vulkanit’ finish, and for the first time, a version in steel-grey with classic leatherette finish.
M9 Sensor
The CCD, specially developed by Kodak for the LEICA M9, has been optimised to exploit the particular qualities of the Leica M lens system. As a result, the LEICA M9 achieves the highest resolution values, which in turn guarantee outstanding image quality.
The M9 sensor employs further advanced and meticulously-designed micro lenses with a low refractive index. The micro lenses at the sensor edges are laterally displaced towards the image centre to match the characteristics of M lenses precisely. This optimised micro lens design captures and concentrates even the most oblique rays on the sensor, and reliably prevents image brightness fall-off at the edges and corners of the image. As a result, all existing Leica M lenses maintain their full performance when used for digital photography.
A moiré filter has not been integrated, allowing full exploitation of the superb resolution of Leica M lenses. Any moiré patterns occurring are eliminated in the camera’s signal processing software. The optimised signal–noise ratio reduces the need for digital post-processing, and results in high-contrast, high-resolution exposures with natural colour rendition from corner to corner.
Lenses
Performance criteria, such as the individual coating of each element, have long been a Leica standard. For the first time, the immense performance potential of the M lenses is fully maintained and can be exploited for digital photography. In line with Leica’s commitment to system compatibility, almost all Leica M lenses built since 1954 can still be used on the new M9, as a result of their mechanical and optical precision.
The M9 sensor demands a particularly high spatial resolution, as offered by the latest M lenses. Their high resolution and efficient correction of optical aberrations make them all the more suitable for digital use. Current M lenses are supplied with a 6-bit code on the bayonet mount that is scanned optically by the M9. Using this coding, the M9 can compensate for any vignetting effects, if required. In addition, the lens type is recorded in the EXIF data and, when using the latest flash units such as the LEICA SF 58, automatically adjusts the reflector to match the focal length of the lens attached.
The viewfinder / rangefinder system
The Leica viewfinder / rangefinder system sets the LEICA M9 apart from SLR and compact digital cameras and makes it particularly suitable for reportage, ‘available light’ and discreet portraiture. Photographers become part of the action and frame their subject in the viewfinder, while still being able to see the full scene outside the viewfinder frame. The decisive moment can be anticipated and captured at precisely the right instant, resulting in particularly authentic images.
The clear view of the subject remains during the full exposure and, even in the most adverse lighting conditions, the bright, high-contrast viewfinder guarantees extremely fast and precise focusing. The minimal delay between shutter release and capturing the shot, together with the viewfinder / rangefinder system, positions Leica M cameras amongst the fastest in the world.
Shutter
The LEICA M9 features a new, microprocessor-controlled, particularly silent, metal-leaf, focal-plane shutter that enables shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 seconds. This means that the photographer still has complete creative freedom by using selective focus at maximum apertures, even in bright situations. The short flash synchronisation speed of 1/180 seconds enables daylight flash exposures with selective focus.
Together with its compact form, the camera’s almost silent shutter is another enormous advantage for discreet and unobtrusive photography. Photographers can also select the appropriate moment for re-cocking the shutter. When longer exposure times requiring an extremely steady camera stance are essential, a slight pressure on the shutter release button in ‘soft release’ mode is sufficient.
Intuitive handling
The M9 offers a simple, clearly laid-out and intuitive menu system that concentrates purely on the essentials; eliminating any multifunction buttons or complex menu hierarchies. The key control is an intuitive four-way switch and dial combination that enables fast menu navigation. Pressing the set button calls up the capture menu on the 2.5″ monitor, and the most commonly-used functions are quickly and easily set in the menu: sensor sensitivity, exposure correction, white balance, image-data compression and resolution. Furthermore, favourite profiles can be named and saved for quick and easy access.
Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 for wide-open apertures on bright days to ISO 2500. Very low-noise and finely detailed images are achieved throughout the sensitivity range, even at the highest settings, while the low noise characteristics, low-vibration shutter and fast lenses make the M9 the perfect camera for ‘available light’ photography.
Innovative flash technology
The LEICA M9’s M-TTL flash technology enables both precise and creative control over flash and mixed lighting effects. Prior to the actual exposure, a measuring flash is emitted that is metered through the lens. The flash power is then precisely determined according to the natural lighting situation. Due to the precise and delicate level of flash illumination, the natural lighting mood is maintained. In combination with aperture priority exposure mode, the auto-slow sync function ensures a particularly subtle lighting of the subject.
Tonal value histogram
The LEICA M9 offers an RGB tonal value histogram, which can be displayed at any time for image assessment, and is available in conjunction with automatic image review. A clipping warning indicating any overexposure of the image is also included. These two quality control tools are updated during zooming, allowing the quality of even the finest image details to be assessed.
Digital workflow
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, is available as an online download for all LEICA M9 customers. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a vast range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images, whether in JPEG or DNG format. If the images are saved as raw data in Adobe Digital Negative Format (DNG), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom guarantees direct and high-quality image processing with maximum image quality. The 14-bit-per-channel colour information captured by the image sensor is maintained throughout the processing workflow until the final presentation, and ensures that the most delicate tonal differences are preserved.
Build quality and materials
Experienced Leica technicians in Germany are responsible for the assembly and calibration of the M9 camera bodies, as well as the precise testing of all mechanical and electrical components. In addition to the solid brass top and base plate and magnesium alloy body, several other structural features of the camera will ensure a long and reliable working life. The rechargeable battery and SD card slot are protected from dust and moisture under the base plate, while the locking mechanism prevents unintentional opening and the possible loss of the battery and SD card, even under the hardest reportage conditions.
Sensor cleaning
The LEICA M9 offers a special function for manual sensor cleaning: selecting the appropriate item from the menu and pressing the shutter release locks the shutter open to allow access to the sensor for cleaning purposes. Thanks to the short register of Leica M cameras, the sensor is easier to access than in a DSLR camera, where the sensor is located behind the mirror box and shutter assembly.
Pricing and availability
