In this video John Ricard explains the advantages of a Leica M9 camera (see also this blog post):
Via PetaPixel
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46 Comments
I agree in parts in what he said, Leica really is a more into the meaning of a pure photographic camera but a Nikon also has Easy ISO access, it has really good fixed manual focus lens, shutter dial and aperture also in one hand, FX cameras are as resistant as leica cameras, has short cuts for White balance and you can configure your camera to operate as simple as a leica is. Dial shutter speed in a D700 or a D7000 its really easy, also aperture when using AF lens and even with old manual focus lens is pretty comfortable to shot with. I agree that today any DSLR has way to many features and most people don’t use half of the features provided by a D3s for example, but in terms of image quality can overpass a leica M9 especially in higher ISO which is a good and important thing.
I don’t thing a LEICA M9 worth the price, its a much simpler camera and worth the same as a D3s with a AF 85mm 1.4D and a 50mm 1.2 Manual Focus lens.
About the limitations question about the M9 is a good thing and I feel that when I am shutting with a fully manual medium format with a analog spot meter in my neck. But when you are out there shooting with a camera in your hand doesn’t mean anything, a photographer need focus and concentration in what he is doing and camera functions should not be a step in the way.
Even leica lens are overpriced but no doubt they are all better than any nikkor but just don’t woth the price. Today leica is more into the luxury market instead of photographic market.
He’s trying to justify his 7K! LOL! Love rangefinders, but I’ll wait for M10 or even M12. By then the camera will have all of the focus, dust, sensor issues fixed.
“…no doubt they are all better than any nikkor…”
Old wive’s tale…to some extent. I have been listening to this one for years. A little sanity about Leica vs. Nikon (or Canon) lenses:
It is true to say that Leica lenses — as an entire lens line — are better than anyone else. There is more quality control and consistency both in individual glass and across the entire range. I can’t recall Leica ever making a “bad” lens, and neither do they make “consumer” grade glass.
That said, both Nikon and Canon have, on many occasions, made individual lens models over the years that were at least as good, or better, as anything equivalent from Leica.
And at the end of day, well made glass from any of these manufacturers is going to out-resolve the capabilities of most photographers…and the capability of most folks to tell the difference between which camera or lens took which picture.
The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.4, for instance, is arguably a better lens than the Summilux 24mm. I owned both at one point but ended up selling my Lux 24mm. On the one hand it’s also a matter of preference between planar or spherical focal plane. Some may argue that the latter, which is the Lux 24mm, gives you an advantage at “real world” photos, but unless you are shooting plural subjects each of which equal distance to you, I didn’t see it as a meaningful “advantage.” On the other hand, and this is what it came down to for me, the need to use a finder for precise framing (at least on a 0.7 or higher range finder) is just a pain for me.
Another thing…
Changing ISO on the D7000 is much easier than it is on the M9. If I am shooting aperture priority, which I most often do because I find it gives me the fastest control over everything, I can change the ISO in an instant with the thumb dial on the back of the camera…without having to take the camera from my eye. And I can see that ISO in the viewfinder.
Try that with the M9.
Set aperture, set shutter speed, set auto iso; problem solved.
I understand what you’re saying John but the way you explained it is terrible.
” I can take some great shots of people looking into my camera. People that are posing for me, at 3, 4 or 5 feet away from me, this camera is fantastic at that.”
I do the same thing with my D3.
There are plenty of buttons and controls on my D3 that I don’t use a great deal, plenty of functions I set up once when I first bought it and haven’t needed to adjust again…they don’t get in my way or stop me from taking images.
The only thing stopping you from taking images with a dslr in the same way as a M9 is you. I use my dslr in exactly the same way as I used my first film camera when I was at school, yes it’s got extra this and that, but when I’m looking through the viewfinder it’s exactly the same.
“the focus factor” is inside the photographer not the camera.
A M9 only worth 3k maybe less! 7k is just out of reality! They are crazy by asking 5k for a M7 when a F6 coust 2,5k. I would pay 2,5k maximum on a M7 but I am really happy with my 400USD Fm3A !
You’re ridiculous, and clearly you want one very badly and are just trying to convince yourself that you don’t, otherwise you wouldn’t be making multiple comments about the same tired subject. Nobody else cares what you’d pay for it.
Wow, that was a complete waste of my time. I get the notion but c’mon there are better arguments for using an M9 than access to controls. I can change ISO, shutter and aperture effortlessly on almost any modern high-end DSLR and likely faster then an aperture ring on the lens or shutter wheel on the top of the camera. Finger and thumb jog wheels are wicked fast, basically instantaneous input.
And the whole iPhone example? What the hell was that all about?
“And the whole iPhone example? What the hell was that all about?”
It was about how he have to justify him self to expend 7k in a really fast cameras as he judge a M9 and how great it is just to be a simple camera, this guy don’t know what he was saying.
I don’t know how he use his camera but seems to have a lot trouble using DSLR to post that the portrait in his blog woundn’t be possible with a D3s. He thinks that the M9 is also a invisible camera.
It’s ok if you can’t afford one haha I usually find that people who are ranting are the people who are actually jealous enough to rant. With the “Price rants” you better learn more about marketing before you blurt out useless explanations justifying why you cant afford an M9.
Your happy with your 400USD Fm3A then good for you, its not a perfect camera either but it seems that you really like it. Same goes for this guy, he loves his M9 so leave him be. I guess your too immature to see that there’s a bond built between the photographer and his camera.
HU..? Please tell me this is not a “M is better” kind of video, M is different, and it happen to fit how I like to do things, but for the life of me I can not argue its “better” than really anything.
Nothing against Leicas here. I own two of them (an early M and a D-Lux 5, which is a phenomenal ‘P&S’). But all these cameras are tools, like any other.
It’s like saying a crescent wrench is “better” than a pair of pliers. “Huh? What?” Different tools for different jobs/applications.
The Leica M definitely offers a slight advantage for street photography and “unsolicited” portraits. People see a D3 or an EOS 1D and either turn the other way or run for cover. Kind of funny, actually. The Leica M abrogates that problem, to a degree.
On the other hand, set up your DSLR controls for street/portrait photography before you begin shooting, and use a Black Rapid strap. You can whip that beast around and squeeze off a few shots before your subject has time to yell, “Duck…it’s a giant Canikon!”
I live in LA; on a sunny weekend if you walk around 90210 (especially Rodeo) with a D3 of the Canon equivalent, especially if you mount a 70-200, you’re automatically a paparazzi (which, generally speaking, is not a good thing). If you walk around with a smaller DSLR, you’re a tourist. If you walk around with a point-n-shoot, you’re a cheap tourist. If you walk around with a Leica M9, you’re either a Russian tourist or a Chinese tourist, if you walk around with an Hermes M7, you’re a local . . .
Okay maybe a tad stereotyping, but there is some truth to that . . .
One of the funniest generalizations ever. I do feel the M9 is curiously priced and not terribly useful for me when shooting dark clubs. For that reason I’m opting for an M6.
WOW
very very funny! so.. i have a Leica M9 (whit also old russian lens), but i am a journalist, reporter and (sorry) a photographer, in your opinion what camera should I take pictures in los angeles? a Leica M6? Makina Plaubel a 67? please! (I did well not to be prepared for a trip to Los Angeles!)
p.s. a hermes please NO! oh my god … and sorry .. my english is horrible!
LOL David, I was on rodeo without a camera Friday and you are soooo right. Actually these days the paps have the new fashion of handle mount flash on the left side of the camera, not sure when they started worrying about light quality.
Bo
Anyone notice that he’s actually having a Zeiss on the M9 … :s
hehe, the leica lenses a the secret of leica photos, not the body!
with a zeiss lens its boring!
A Zeiss lens is arguably more interesting than a Leica lens. It’s a matter of personal taste.
By the way, neither of them are going to make your shots any less boring.
and world lols at him
To some extend I could agree the reasons why he chooses an M9 over a D7000.
As for me I choose a Leica X1 over other compacts (Sigma Dp*, Fuji X100) or small DSLR’s. It’s sufficient to me and has good ergonomics for taking pictures. It’s just that, nothing more. And it has a good lens.
longwinded
you buy an M9 cause you can take the same great photos as with other changeable lens cameras without having to carry a suitcase full of equipment.
A FM3A with a wide-angle, normal and tele would occupy about the same space.
. What leica is amizing is how quite it is, shutter is very silent, also the lens are bit smaller than SLR fixed focal length and a bit superior in performance, leica wide angle are quite amazing and compact
Yes, if Nikon, or someone, made a digital FM3A about same size, with a full frame sensor, optimised for MF lenses, and the same level of “features” as the M9; Leica would have some interesting competition.
Perhaps AF lenses could be accommodated by adding an accessory where the MD-12 went.
Yes!
There is no perfect camers at all in the world.
To me, expensive camera is the “Better” camera.
That’s my definition of a “Better” camera.
Completely subjective matters….
I can find tons of great pictures taken with holga though.
What a blowhard.
i like the cams, but that explanation is biased to hell.
every semi-professional or manual cam can give you that manual “me control everything easy” touch.
What draws me towards Leicas and smaller cameras are the size and IQ. I don’t own a large DSLR, but by some standards a D300 is quite large. It suits my needs very well, but I hate walking around town with it. Especially where there normally are very few tourists. I also prefer a smaller camera for social happenings. People tend to look away from a DSLR. Not that I take many photos of people (1%) but when I do I like it to be unnoticed. I don’ t own any of the current Leicas, but my LX5 and GF1 are a great companions to my DSLR.
I like the advantage of AF, but really hate how big the lenses are getting. I don’t want AF-S or VR if it makes the lenses bigger. Maybe I’ll have to wait and see if Nikon will ever come up with a rangefinderstyle camera again with a DX-sized sensor. The latest lens patent rumor are looking good.
is he biased or trying to justify what he spent?
I don’t think he’s biased, he’s obviously shot with plenty of the standard DSLRs… and he said he wasn’t getting rid of them anytime soon.
Get an M6 (cheaper than an M9!) and shoot some street photos, and you might understand some of what he’s going on about.
There are a lot of crappy functions on DSLR’s that no one needs…. but marketing departments find it easier to sell more camera’s if they can keep using lists of new “features” that makes everyone feel like they must upgrade.
I love my Nikons, too. And as a long-time Leica shooter, I think I understand what he is trying to say, but he’s not really getting his point across.
I think of my Nikon as a high performance touring car. My Leica is an old motorcycle. The first does pretty much everything and is very practical. But there’s something about the experience of the second that feels pretty darn good.
This dialogue of Leica versus Brand X has been going on for at least 40 years of so. It went nowhere then and it goes nowhere today.
No doubt the issue behind all this is the fact that a Leica camera (film or digital) is quite a bit more expensive than other cameras on the market (and it’s always been that way.) And people will understandably question the validity of the “value” of that sort of pricing in respect to the other products. But which product has value to you and which product works for you is the only thing that matters, despite the price tag. And there’s no reason to even attempt to validate your choice in respect to what others might think. Get something you’re comfortable with (price and function) and then use it. End of story.
Unfortunately this sort of ‘debate’ gets unbearably repetitive. And it’s everywhere, not just with cameras. It’s the same with cars, audio equipment, computers, food, clothing, etc..
The best camera is the one you can pay for and use it. I have a used Nikon D300 and some cheap lenses and I can enjoy making photos with it. For me it better than Leica M9 which I never have the money to pay for it. This video is nothing else than to exhibit your financial capacity to pay for +7K$ stuff.
Regards
This a plea for a traditional camera -analog or digital.
Nothing wrong with it but it also applies to my 50 year old werraas…
Lol @ J.K. Rowling writing about the same character is the same as a M9! Sheesh.
So he shot a bunch of experienced hip-hop artists at f/22 in a studio… must have been difficult because his clients have never been in front of a camera before, right? lol I wouldn’t be surprised if he did the shots for free because his shots aren’t very creative to begin with. Just imagine his shots with ordinary people instead and you’ll see what I mean.
Plus who compares a multi-thousand-$ M9 to an entry level D7000? And he kept contradicting himself when he kept going on about the shots the M9 can’t do as compared to the D7000 but didn’t say you can’t do them with a D7000 LOL! Credibility becomes an issue when people make statements like these.
Like what everyone else here has said, there are better reasons to go for a M9. But one thing’s for sure… John Ricard is a big talking idiot.
The guy enjoy’s his M9…. give him a break.
Ditto.
People who complain and rant are just envious. Those are people who can’t afford one, and are too lazy to work for one, all they know is to rant and talk trash. They just rant away on how their cameras are “better”, it’s for them to feel good about themselves. I pity you people.
Leicas are bought with the heart and not the mind. People who compare Leicas with Nikon or Canon are just stupid. First the M system cameras are rangefinders and not dSLRs get your facts right. At least this guy uses his M9, unlike other “rich” people.
Spot on!
Only I have to settle for M4p, the M9 is a ‘bit’ over budget right now and the coming 25 years…. ;-D
I like this guy, he’s funny …
Oh go shoot a football match, then tell me M9 is better than anything else. Like someone said earlier, different tools for different jobs.
And please don’t tell me you like a camera because it has less functions and less buttons, what are you, too good to ignore things you don’t need?
He just talks about limitations.. I dont understand what he´s talking about.. All you need is ISO, shutterspeed, and aperture. Thats the simple facts of photography. And if you shoot in Raw- you dont need to adjust the white balance either..
I´ve actually gone back to shooting b&w film with my Nikon Fm2 and my Smena 35, but the smena gets used alot more. I love the simplicity, but still, it has everything you need, aperture, focus and shutter speed.
Cant believe that people are so obsessed with all these features that WONT give you better images.. But I guess it takes maaaany years before you really understand what photography is about.
Weird logic and justification why the M9 is better than any other camera. If I have a manual lens on the D7000 and shoot in aperture priority mode, I have better control over ALL setting than the Leica because I can change the ISO with my thumb, and since the ISO setting is in the display, I don’t even have to take my eye off the subject.
He should have simply said:
“Because the M9 is so small, you have it with you all the time and make pictures no other camera can take.”
I actually thought this was a pretty fair review. I get the fact that you can just ignore all the stuff on a DSLR that you don’t want/need but I agree that there’s something to be said for not having them in the first place. Either that makes sense to you or it doesn’t. No absolute right or wrong.
He also makes a very good point about the benefits of focusing on one aspect of photography and the fact that there are a lifetime of photographs to be taken in just one area of the craft/art. Look at the acknowledged ‘greats’ in photographic history and you’ll find they generally specialised in one area. Nobody thinks any less of them because they ‘only’ shot great portraits or street photographs but didn’t shoot sports or landscapes. Yet the ‘modern’ photographer doesn’t seem to feel comfortable going out to shoot unless he/she has a range of lenses from super wide to super telephoto, has a camera that can shoot in bright sunlight or near darkness and can shoot macro one minute and frame filling image of the moon the next. Nothing wrong with that – it’s all about personal choice. But it is a legitimate comment to say that such an approach probably produces more mediocre images than one that is more focused. He clearly says that there is a place for modern DSLRs and that they can do things a Leica never could. On the other hand, he argues that IN HIS OPINION, the M9 allows him to create images he would not get with that same DSLR. And I don’t know why the comments keep coming up about reviewers having to justify why they’ve spent $7k on a camera. First, I doubt anybody had a gun to their head when they put the cash down to buy the camera. Second, if they don’t really like the M9, they could just sell it for what they paid rather than go through a bizarre charade of using the internet to ‘justify’ their purchase. This guy clearly likes his Leica and uses it so good luck to him. My only criticism would be that the title of the video is misleading as I don’t think he really is arguing why the M9 is a ‘better’ camera.
And, no. I don’t own an M9….
Why not compare it to a D3 instead of a D7000?
Guy is a clown.