Leica M9, Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron (image shot with M8)
Leica M9 Rangefinder Review by Carl Garrard:
Leica M9 Rangefinder Review: Since I’ve decided to switch to a rangefinder as my main camera system, life has been simpler. My creativity along with my passion for photography, seem in full swing again. Sometimes I reflect with a heavy heart when I realize that I almost lost both of those vital components that make photography so special to me. All of my life I’ve understood the value of a less is more philosophy, but as I get into more mature years I realize the rewards of living your life that way. Since publishing my M8 article I’ve been active. I’ve been making new contacts, having discussions with other passionate like-minded photographers, planning more, and looking forward to my next photo outings. I continue to hone my technique using a rangefinder camera. For those of you who are considering getting into rangefinders with a limited budget, this article will serve as a practical point of view when comparing the Leica M9 with the Leica M8. In a way, this is really a part II to my M8 article. This is my fourth rangefinder article here, and likely won’t be the last.
Leica M9 Best Current Price
Leica M9 Rangefinder Review (Diary Part II)- The Investment
So here you are reading about the M9, likely you either own one or may be window shopping. After all, the price of admission into digital rangefinders is a financial commitment for most individuals. Currently, the M8/M-E/M9/M240 (in that order) are your most affordable options. To go from the M8, you will about double your investment in a body, even with an M-E. No matter how you slice it, the price of admission for a camera body alone is a larger investment of capital than most camera systems initially. Good news, it won’t depreciate in value all that much, if at all. In some cases, you can even profit from your gear if you decide to sell it. In this world, you get what you pay for. Even if you decided to choose Voigtlander or Zeiss glass for your Leica rangefinder, you’ll get a great return on your money. I want to thank Leica Miami for the ability to use the M9 for this review, and I sincerely hope they and their families are recovering well from Hurricane Irma. Most of the images in this review were made using the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron, and Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton.
Any Leica Rangefinder is an investment, there’s simply no getting around it. Even an older M9 will run you $2,800-$4,000 USD. But remember, a good investment isn’t a bad thing.
The next Tamarkin Rare Camera Auction will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2017. You can download the auction catalog here. The online bidding portal will open in the next few weeks.
Leica is rumored to have a new product(s) announcement in October. This makes sense – right on time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. This is what I expect:
