Switch from M9 to OMD - Am I Stupid?

[robert blu]

I do not own an m9 (was very near to buy one) or an om-d (just waiting for the photokina). One more thing to consider is that if unfortunately during your journey something should go wrong with the m9 the chances to have it repaired in a short time are not many. With a couple of om-d you'll have at least a backup camera, just in case. And I guess with a 25/1,4 + 45/2 you'll get real good results. Just my opinion...
robert

[Matt Fidler]

Plenty of options here for you and i'm now gonna chip in with my sixpence worth of advice....Keep the M9 and just get out there and shoot. It's built like a tank, You'll be fine.

[Roger Hicks]

Stupid? No. Would I do it? No. Are apples better than oranges?

Cheers,

R.

[rodt16s]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Are apples better than oranges?

I guess if you are making Cider then definitely...

[djonesii]

I sold off my RD-1 to fund the OMD.

Had very little to do with the cash value or the sensors or IQ, or any of that other stuff .....

I know this is RFF, and I know what a coupled rangefinder is! IF you need/want/love that method of shooting, there is but one way to get it, and that is a CRF. ( period, full stop, etc...)

Just for me, I made the decision, for my shooting habits, a D300 was too big, and a CRF was just too much work to get the image. Thus and OMD.

A range finder camera is a personal thing, you bond or you don't, with an Voigtlander R, an M6, and an RD-1 over several years, I gave it a go, and while the RD-1 IQ and feel grabbed me, int the end, the range finder did not.

Shoot what you like best! Price be damned, you live once.

Dave

[OurManInTangier]

I'm also very intrigued by the OM-D and would like to get my hands on one for a few days to give it a real try out, but losing my M9 to fund it...no, I'm not sure about that. Having made that personal statement it does sound rather like you have a large financial issue with owning the M9, based upon it hindering you in your photography or at least in your travel photography. As such what you propose makes a great deal of sense to me. You'll have a kit that you can get great images with, the versatility of a 24-100mm zoom plus two good primes and another body to rely on if the other failed...or simply if you wish to use two bodies at the same time.

Once you return the M10 may well be on sale or very much on the horizon which means M9 bodies will no doubt be widely available and probably a much cheaper option than when you initially purchased your current one, leaving you with the choice to stick or twist.

My advice would be to simply do what allows you to capture what must surely be an incredible trip. Digi M users can get enough stick from film M users at times but to come on RFF and suggest you'll dump the system for M4/3s was always going to shake the nest a little. We all have our vested interests, passions and blind spots so its truly down to you but you've certainly had some good advice and alternative options.

Good luck with the decision and enjoy yourself, it will be an amazing time.

Originally Posted by MattFidler

Plenty of options here for you and i'm now gonna chip in with my sixpence worth of advice....Keep the M9 and just get out there and shoot. It's built like a tank, You'll be fine.

Good to see another Ipswich based photographer on RFF, I'm rarely in town but I'll keep an eye out for another Leica user when I'm in.

[timo73]

Thanks for all your comments, thoughts and advice.

I'm going to try and sell some other kit, a few bits and bobs here and there and see if I can't stump up the money without selling the M9....yet. AT least that way I can ensure the OMd does what I want and need on a long term basis before deciding whether I ploughed too much of my budget into the M9.

Thanks again everyone

[jazzwave]

I vote for M8 and OMD/X-E1 plus M lens that can be used for both cameras.


Bring analog camera (film) also good, you always get different experience with analog camera. I prefer with AF ; Contax T3 (small and good result).


Good luck for your choose and trip, and don't forget to share photos with us.


~ron~

[Archiver]

This is my M9 travel story: In 2009 I began to plan a lifetime dream of going to Japan. Naturally, the question of what cameras to take with me was foremost in my mind, and the M9 had just been announced. Until then, my only rangefinder was a Zeiss Ikon. I usually shot with a 5D Mark II and swag of L-lenses, but the thought of lugging the Canon rig around Japan put a shudder through me. So after much thought, and that gutwrenching moment of committing more money to a single camera body than many people put into a car, I got a black M9.

For two months solid I shot with it every day to learn its quirks and limitations. I found it profoundly different from shooting with the Ikon, but I still loved it. I went to Japan with the M9 as my primary camera and the Ricoh GRD III and Canon S90 as complementary/backup, and returned with some of the best photos I had ever taken in my life.


M9 - Yasakuni Shrine by Archiver, on Flickr

On the trip, I discovered a few more limitations of the M9 that only became apparent during travel.

One, I was paranoid about getting water on it. One day it absolutely poured in Tokyo and I hardly took a photo, so there was a big chunk of the day missing. My friend and I looked like we had fallen off a boat, we were so wet. I wished for a weathersealed camera like a Nikon D700 and 24-70 on that day, believe it or not.


Nara 3 by Archiver, on Flickr

Two: as small as the M9 is, it's not as light as it could be. At night I would ditch my shoulder bag, put the Voigtlander 35/1.4 on the M9 and sling it over my shoulder, but even then it was a bit niggly.


M9 + CV35/1.4 - Shimbashi by Archiver, on Flickr

Three: after I got back, I found that I had hardly taken any video of Japan. Over the years I've become increasingly fond of video for personal documentation, and as wonderful as my M9 photos were, I really missed having video. The Canon S90 did pretty well for video, but it meant putting down the M9 and pulling out another camera, which was sufficiently disconnecting that I just didn't do it.

Enter the OM-D. The Oly solves the three problems I had with the M9. It's much smaller and lighter, it's weathersealed, and its video mode is good enough for me to use it as a B-cam along with the 5D Mark II for work. I've just picked up the Pana 12-35 and I can see this being a serious traveling powerhouse combination.

The only problem I have with the OM-D is that the image quality is nowhere near the M9. Sure, it shoots much better high ISO images, but at low ISO there is simply no comparison. The M9's images are just so much richer, fuller, more detailed and deep.


M9 - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by Archiver, on Flickr

Ultimately, losing that image quality is the price you will pay for gaining a much smaller, lighter, cheaper and more versatile camera. The OM-D is no slouch when it comes to IQ, but it's no M9. If I was going to do Japan again and had to choose between the M9 and the OM-D plus weathersealed lenses, I would have to think very, very hard, and probably still go with the M9. Just how important is the M9's image quality to you, and is the OM-D an acceptable substitute?

[nakedcellist]

I understand completely. I had an M9 and it got stolen. I am waiting for the insurance to pay out. Meanwhile, I just got an OM-D (as in: an hour ago) and my first impression is: I love it! I do miss the iq of the M9, and especially using the lovely summilux 50 as a 50. At the moment I am not sure if I would be willing to walk around with a 5500 euro camera, although I would consider an ME now.

[Nicolai]

How did this turn out for you timo73? Anything changed or are you still trying to sell off some other gear?

Just a bit curious.

[CK Dexter Haven]

I'm not a fan of the M9 and wouldn't want the OMD under any circumstances.
That said, i would do one of two things on a trip of this magnitude:
1) get a Bessa to use film with those lenses, as a backup; or
2) get something like a Fuji X100 to use as a backup and/or if you want AF and a more casual shooting experience at some points during the trip.

Unless, of course, you have an 'f8 and smaller' aesthetic, and the m4/3 sensor size isn't going to be an impact on the kind of images you want.

[blimey]

here is my take. i've used the M8u and 35mm lux for all my travels in the past 2 years. i've taken the workhorse to hawaii, singapore, sydney, aruba, montreal, around the u.s.
What I hate is only 1 thing: Taking a picture where you want to be a part of is difficult. I have to zone focus or set the rangefinder accordingly with a small trip pod, and use the timer. forget asking someone to take a picture of you.

here comes the OMD with 75mm lens. it is digital, af and fits well with traveling. i can get a smaller lens but not now. it is rugged so i am not so worried with taking it to the beach or dusty environment. what i hate, auto focus. i swear i can focus way faster with my m8u. but now, i can take it at night. low light capabilities is quite good coming from using just the m8u for the past 2 years.

[Lss]

Originally Posted by blimey

What I hate is only 1 thing: Taking a picture where you want to be a part of is difficult. I have to zone focus or set the rangefinder accordingly with a small trip pod, and use the timer. forget asking someone to take a picture of you.

The same applies really, just zone focus and hand the camera over. You may experience cut limbs from time to time, since some people don't understand the frame lines even if you try to explain. Sometimes you will even run into people who know how to use a rangefinder or are interested enough to learn it on the spot.

[Eric T]

I like to travel with a Fuji X-Pro1 and fast primes and an m43rds camera with good quality zooms (Panasonic 7-14mm, PanaLeica 43rds 14-150mm, and Panasonic 100-300mm).
If I need to travel lighter, I leave the Panasonic 100-300 and Fuji 60mm at home.
I have an M8 but just don't use it anymore. I also have a Canon 5D Mark II and lenses but that setup is just too heavy to lug around. I need to sell the Leica and Canon.

[Tom Diaz]

Think hard about a Ricoh GXR-M. You can get one for about US$1200 including the electronic viewfinder.

Then you have a very high-quality backup body that is well optimized for M lenses like the ones you have.

Don't get me wrong--I would not sell an M9 to get a Ricoh, but if you could manage it then you would have the M9 (which I consider still the greatest) with an exceptional backup body that is much cheaper than any Leica.

You are not crazy to worry about your main camera failing on a long trip--that happens to all of us all the time. However, chances are it won't happen and you'll happily use the M9 the whole time.

If you like having a second body around your neck with a different lens, so you don't have to do a quick lens change, you're like me. However, that is not the main reason I want a second body on a long trip.

Tom

[Timmy P]

I normally take away a good DSLR for most trips, but it's size and price have been killing it for me recently. I think an OM-D would be an awesome camera. I read this blog and will likely take my OM-D away with me next time. Seems to deliver excellent quality.

http://www.eidolonfilms.com/2012/10/...travel-camera/

I don't think a second OM-D is needed though, just take an analog camera along with you. Unless you're going super remote places I think you could find another one in the countries you go to. I think selling the M is a good idea, because when you think about it, if you wanted to re-buy it later you would probably lose little, or maybe even make some money. I bought a M8 for $4k, sold it for $3.8k, and if I bought one now I'd have even more cash haha. And it would free up even more cash for the trip itself. Seems like a win-win to me.

My two cents, hope it helps!

[Teuthida]

One camera, one lens. Simplifies everything.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by Teuthida

One camera, one lens. Simplifies everything.

Until it breaks.

Cheers,

R.

[retow]

I would not let the M9 go for a OMD but buy a NEX 5N with m-adapter or GXR M as a spare tire type of back up to the M for the trip and to ad versatility.

[timo73]

Originally Posted by Nicolai

How did this turn out for you timo73? Anything changed or are you still trying to sell off some other gear?

Just a bit curious.

Hi Nicolai,

Sorry for such a delayed reply, been away for a few weeks.

I ended up keeping the M9, selling some other bits and pieces (not all photographic ) and buying an OMD, plus a few lenses. Trouble is, I'm now wondering whether its worth keeping the M9 as the OM is an awesome little camera and easily beyond my skills as a snapper.

I'll wait for all the furore and interest in the new 'M' to settle down and perhaps sell the M9 then....but then I'm as fickle as the next person when it comes to GAS and who knows, perhaps I'll keep it


Archiver - Some amazing pictures posted, thank you

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Until it breaks.

That's when you buy another ...?

G

[Nicolai]

Originally Posted by timo73

Hi Nicolai,

Sorry for such a delayed reply, been away for a few weeks.

I ended up keeping the M9, selling some other bits and pieces (not all photographic ) and buying an OMD, plus a few lenses. Trouble is, I'm now wondering whether its worth keeping the M9 as the OM is an awesome little camera and easily beyond my skills as a snapper.

I'll wait for all the furore and interest in the new 'M' to settle down and perhaps sell the M9 then....but then I'm as fickle as the next person when it comes to GAS and who knows, perhaps I'll keep it


Archiver - Some amazing pictures posted, thank you

Good to hear that you like the OM-D!

I have an M8 and really wanted to buy a OM-D, but I ended up with a Nikon D7000.