Leica M9 Review

Photographers who shoot with cameras in the M-series have been patiently waiting for the release of the Leica M9 camera.

It is Leica’s first digital rangefinder to be equipped with a full-frame sensor, which enables lenses to be utilized at the focal length that is most appropriate for them when mounted.

Digitally speaking, the Leica M9 builds on the M8 and M8.2 models that have been issued over the previous five years, and in many areas, it isn’t too far distant from those models. Even though it continues a line well into its fifth decade, the Leica M9 continues.

However, Leica has now conquered the challenge of incorporating a bigger sensor into a body that is the same size as it was in the past, and the company claims to have solved the problems connected with doing so. But, although it sounds remarkable, can something so little genuinely offer photographs on par with those produced by the top DSLR cameras?

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Leica M9-P 18MP Full-Frame Digital Rangefinder Camera (Silver Chrome)

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:08 am

Leica M9 Build Quality

The M9 lives up to Leica’s reputation not just for the superior quality of its lenses but also for the exceptional durability of its cameras, and it does it without fail.

The rangefinder housing is constructed from a die-cast magnesium alloy, while the top and bottom plates are brass. Therefore, the entire bottom plate must be removed to access the digital camera’s battery and memory card. While this may be a bit cumbersome, it does provide the camera with a far higher level of security than would be provided by a simple plastic door.

Even the robust spring that detaches the rangefinder’s battery from its housing is intended and constructed to last a long time and provide many reliable services.

The Leica M9 maintains the theme established by the M-series cameras and deviates from the design of the M8 by only a little. On the top plate of the camera, the battery display and shot indication have been removed, while the only change on the rear scale is the addition of an ISO button in place of the Protect control seen on the M8.

Leica M9 Performance

The Leica M9, which has a full-frame sensor, performs admirably compared to the Sony Alpha 900 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It has noise levels comparable to both cameras while shooting at lower sensitivities. But the results suggest that it has difficulty doing so when the level of sensitivity increases.

The dynamic range is almost the same, with good results on low sensitivities and a worse performance further up. The results are outstanding when the sensitivity is low. It should come as no surprise that the Nikon D700 outperforms the Leica M9 in terms of dynamic range and noise reduction; nonetheless, this is still an impressive result for such a small camera. The Nikon D700 has a sensor that has a lower population density.

Leica M9 Image Quality

Because the Leica M9 does not have an anti-aliasing filter and instead relies on software anti-aliasing, its JPEGs can be fairly crisp in certain areas while remaining relatively soft in others. Unfortunately, this causes the printed output to be a little more challenging to evaluate.

The ISO 80 photos (Pull 80) are highly crisp in certain parts, but there is a touch of softness around high-contrast regions, which leads us to deem them valuable even if they are not ideal at a relatively big 24×36 inches. However, when printed at 20×30 inches, the components look their best overall. Again, the contrast is excellent, and it seems as though the darker sections have been filled in.

The ISO 160 photographs are usable at 24 by 36 inches, but the red tones are lacking, so we choose the 20 by 30-inch prints.

Photos taken with ISO 200 also look excellent when printed at 20×30 inches.

Photographs taken at an ISO of 400 appear to be of higher quality when printed at 16 by 20 inches, with only a sprinkling of chroma noise in the shadows that is scarcely discernible at this print size.

Images captured at ISO 800 offer extremely amicable resolution when viewed at 16×20 inches, notwithstanding somewhat hazy reds. In general, though, we’d say that the photographs are rather lovely.

The ISO 1,600 photographs are extremely decent when seen at 13×19. However, there is some chroma noise noticeable in the shadows. However, if we were to keep a safe distance, we would still consider it a success. When printing at 11×14, chroma noise tends to be less of an issue.

The Leica M9’s maximum ISO setting produces good shots at 11×14, but chroma noise turns shadows into a bluish-purple haze, so we’ll call it 8×10. ISO 2,500 is the lowest level that produces viable images.

Leica M9 Specs

TypeThey enclosed an all-metal body of highly stable magnesium alloy for professional use over many years—black synthetic leather coating. The e-top panel and bottom cover are milled from solid brass and silver or black chromium plated—available in Steel grey (10705) or Black (10704).
Body material• 6-bit lens coding system (detection can be disabled)
• Reduction of edge shadowing
• Identification of lens (re-ordered in JPEG EXIF / DNG)
• Auto slow-sync function in aperture priority mode
Sensor *• 36 x 24 mm CCD sensor (by Kodak)
• 18 million effective pixels
• 18.5 million total pixels
• 6.8 x 6.8 µm pixel pitch
• RGB Color Filter Array
• Offset microlenses near frame corners
• No anti-alias filter (low pass filter)
• No FOV crop (same size as 35 mm negative)
Image sizes *• 5212 x 3472 (18 MP)
• 3840 x 2592 (10 MP)
• 2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP)
• 1728 x 1152 (2 MP)
• 1280 x 846 (1 MP)
File formats• DNG (RAW) 14-bit uncompressed (36 MB) * / 8-bit compressed (18 MB)
• JPEG (Fine / Basic)
• DNG + JPEG
Lens mount• Leica M bayonet
• Identification of 6-bit coded lenses
• Manual selection of lens type / focal length (internal database) *
Lens system• Current 6-bit coded Leica M lenses of 16 – 135 mm focal length *
Lens coding• 6-bit lens coding system (detection can be disabled)
• Reduction of edge shadowing
• Identification of lens (re-ordered in JPEG EXIF / DNG)
• Auto slow-sync function in aperture priority mode
Incompatible lenses• Manual focus via the lens ring
• Superimposed focusing system via viewfinder
Focusing• No. Of exposures: 3, 5 or 7
• Sequence: 0/+/- or -/0/+
• EV increments: 0.5 to 2.0 EV
Exposure modes• Center-biased TTL exposure metering with preset aperture
• Light reflected from white and grey pattern * in center of blade slot shutter
• Silicon photodiode with collection lens
• Range: 0 to 20 EV
Exposure compen.• +/- 3.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
• SET menu / Rear dial / Rear dial with half-press *
Exposure bracketing *Using a low-noise integral motor, optionally after releasing the shutter release button
Sensitivity *• AUTO ISO
• PULL 80
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 250
• ISO 320
• ISO 400
• ISO 500
• ISO 640
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
• ISO 1250
• ISO 1600
• ISO 2000
• ISO 2500
Auto ISO *• Slowest speed (Lens dependent or 1/8 – 1/125 sec)
• Max ISO (any ISO)
ShutterMicroprocessor-controlled low-noise metal blade slot shutter with vertical action
They enclosed an all-metal body of highly stable magnesium alloy for professional use over many years—black synthetic leather coating. The e-top top panel and bottom cover are milled from solid brass and silver or black chromium plated—available in Steel grey (10705) or Black (10704).Shutter cockin
Shutter speed• Manual focus via the lens ring
• Superimposed focusing system via the viewfinder
Shutter dial• “Wrong way” shutter dial (same as M6 TTL / M7)
• Auto shutter speed position
• Bulb position
• 4 to 1/4000 sec in 1/2 EV steps
• 1/180 sec indicated as flash sync
Shutter release button• Sharpening (5): Off, Low, Standard, Medium, High, High
• Saturation (7): Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium High, High, B&W, Vintage *
• Contrast (5): Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium High, High
ApertureSelected on lens
White balance• Auto
• Six presets
    o Tungsten
    o Fluorescent 1
    o Fluorescent 2
    o Daylight
    o Flash
    o Cloudy
    o Shadow
• Manual preset
• Kelvin color temperature (2000 – 13100 K)
• Preset white balance (immediate or from photo)
Color space *• sRGB
• Adobe RGB
Image parameters• In aperture priority mode, steplessly adjustable f om 32 to 1/4000 sec
• Manually selectable from 4 to 1/4000 sec in 1/2 EV steps
• Bulb
User profilesFour available *
Viewfinder type• Large bright-line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation
• Viewfinder optics with reduced sensitivity to scattered light and optimum visibility of the bright-line frame in all lighting situations
Viewfinder specification• Eyepiece matched to -0.5dpt, correction lenses form -3 to +3dpt available
• Enlargement: 0.68x for all lenses
Viewfinder bright-line frames *• Automatically matched for the lens used
    o 35 and 135 mm
    o 28 and 90 mm
    o 50 and 75 mm
• Automatic parallax correction
Size basis range finder• Three-position soft-touch button
    1. Initiate metering
    2. Lock-metered exposure
    3. Shutter release
• Advance modes *
    o Standard
    o Soft
    o Discreet
    o Discreet & Soft
Viewfinder information• Single picture (one shutter button depression, one picture)
• Continuous (2 frames per second up to 8 frames *)
• Self-timer (Off *, 2 or 12-second delay)
LCD monitor• 2.5″ TFT LCD
• 230,000 pixel TFT
Flash control• Leica M-TTL flash compatible
• Short calibration pre-flash immediately before main exposure
• Connection: M-TTL guide number control with pre-flash
• Flash sync: 1/180 sec *
• Manual: Bulb to 1/180 sec *
• Auto slow sync: 1/focal length in seconds (only 6-bit coded lenses)
• Choice of long flash sync times up to 1/8 sec for baFlashd Flash in aperture priority mode
• Sync: 1st or 2nd shutter point (front / rear sync)
• Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Shooting modes• Select folder
• Create a new folder
• Reset folder number
Folder management *• Select folder
• Create new folder
• Reset folder number
Play functionsThey enclosed an all-metal body of highly stable magnesium alloy for professional use over many years—black synthetic leather coating. The e-top panel and bottom cover are milled from solid brass and silver or black chromium plated—available in Steel grey (10705) or Black (10704).
Delete function• Single image
• All images
Protect / Unprotect function• Single image
• All images
Set quick access menu *• White Balance
• Compression
• Resolution
• Exposure compensation
• Exposure bracketing
• User profile
Languages• English
• German
• French
• Spanish
• Italian
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Russian *
Storage• Secure Digital / Secure Digital HC
• FAT / FAT32
Connectivity• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (Mini-B connecto r)
• PTP / Mass storage *
Provided software• Adobe Lightroom 2 *
• Leica Digital Capture
Power• Lithium-Ion battery pack (3.7 V, 1900 mAh)
• Compact charger *
Dimensions139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
Weight (inc. battery) *589 g (1.3 lb)

Leica M9 Final Verdict

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Leica M9-P 18MP Full-Frame Digital Rangefinder Camera (Silver Chrome)

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:08 am

The Leica M9 performs quite well and can keep huge file sizes even when the ISO is increased. However, when comparing, remember that the ISO does not reach nearly as high as on other available full-fra e cameras.

After testing hundreds of digital cameras, we concluded that examining the photographs captured by a camera’s LCD screen can only tell you so much about the quality of the images it captures. In the end, there is no replacement for printing many photos and carefully scrutinizing each one of them. Final Verdict

It is easy to understand why Leica is so confident in referring to the M9 as an “investment for life,” given the superior build quality of the camera. It is the next natural evolution for existing M-mount users, whether from analog M-series bodies or the M8/ 8.2; its resolution is unrivaled for such a compact body.

When coupled with high-quality lenses, which is often expected from a Leica product, it can produce spectacular photographs. The photos have great detail, a sharpness that extends into the corners and borders of the frame, and lovely qualities when they are out of focus. As a result, it can produce photographs at a rate equivalent to those produced by a professional DSLR, but doing so comes at a cost.

Even while it can produce outstanding photographs, it does not imply that it always does, and the performance of the auto white balance tops a tiny list of complaints about the product.

Leica M9 FAQs

Why is Leica M9 special?

Both the Leica M9’s one-of-a-kind CCD sensor and the fact that it was the world’s first full-frame digital rangefinder camera make it a truly remarkable piece of photography equipment.

Does Leica still service M9?

Leica continues to support the M9, but some components may no longer be produced due to the camera’s advanced age.

What year did Leica M9 come out?

2009 saw the introduction of the Leica M9 to the market.

How much does it cost to fix a Leica M9 sensor?

Fixing a Leica M9 sensor can be pricey due to the camera’s advanced age and the restricted availability of replacement components. In addition, the cost of repairing the sensor can vary depending on the nature of the problem.

Why is the M the best?

The one-of-a-kind sensor and timeless appearance of the Leica M9 make it one of the most highly regarded digital rangefinder cameras currently available.

What is so special about Leica M?

The adjustable focus, small size, and high-quality optics that come standard on Leica M cameras have made the brand famous.

How many Leica M9s were made?

A total of approximately 35,000 Leica M9 cameras were manufactured, according to estimates.

Is the Leica M9 full-frame?

The Leica M9 is a full-frame digital camera.

Is Leica M9 mirrorless?

It’s important to note that the Leica M9 is not a mirrorless camera but a digital rangefinder.

Is Leica M9 a film camera?

The Leica M9 is a digital camera rather than a film camera, but its design is based on that of Leica’s traditional rangefinder cameras for the film.

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