Just bought a M9 - need help with accessories

[raid]

Originally Posted by JMQ

As many others have said, extra battery. You didn't ask, but i'd also recommending a screen protector as it scratches easily e.g. a Giotto.

This is the least expensive good choice fo a screen. I have it on the M8 and one on the M9.

[Rangefinderfreak]

Steve barnett`s email is barnet@globalnet.co.uk for the THUMBIE
It is superior to anything else. I even have it on my M4-P rapidwinder body, to ease of the tension of winding lever. Check batteries in Ebay: You can have 8 pcs for the price of one "leica" brand

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by JMQ

As many others have said, extra battery. You didn't ask, but i'd also recommending a screen protector as it scratches easily e.g. a Giotto.

+1

Absolutely, it's so much a part of the camera I'd forgotten I'd put one on! Giottos, ACMAXX and GGS are all good; I think mine is the Giottos.

[tele_player]

Yes, you can buy cheap batteries - but I still haven't heard of any non-Leica batteries which work 100% correctly (charging, displaying charge level, and actual shooting) on the M9. This should be mentioned when recommending the cheap batteries.

I don't like it, but it's reality.

-Robert

Originally Posted by Rangefinderfreak

Check batteries in Ebay: You can have 8 pcs for the price of one "leica" brand

[V-12]

Steve Barnett's 'Thumbie' is available on Ebay. But if you are thinking of the 'Thumb's Up' instead check out what can happen to an M9 hot shoe if leverage is applied.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-.../239839-a.html

[Alex Krasotkin]

Klaus, since Expodisk has different sizes (equal to filter size) what will the one suitable for M9? I doubt they have like 46mm size...

Originally Posted by icebear

Congrats to your new M9. In order for you to enjoy it right away a few tips:
+1 extra battery is a must, of course.
SD cards: I use Lexar Pro 16GB SDHC cards and never had issues and I never heard of anyone using a Lexar card in M9 who had problems.
Format in camera and A L W A Y S watch the red light indicating data being written to the card. NEVER turn off the camera during this period. Look into the appropriate section in the manual, follow the instruction and you will never loose a picture.

White balance: there are several options, white/ grey cards, profile cards etc. For me the easiest to use every time is the Expodisc. Any tool giving supposedly an even better result, is only better when it is used every time you shoot under different light conditions. The Expodisc comes with a small attachable strap. I wear it around my neck, the disc in my shirt pocket, always handy.
Press : Set, select manual WB, press Set again, hold Exposdisc in front of the lens and release the shutter in setting A, no focus but accurate exposure necessary.

For me an essential the "thumbs up" attachment and a Photoequip MD grip. I also use a selfmade "sling" a double finger loop that attaches to the strap eyelet. And of course since years I use a Tom A. Softrelease.

Bag depends on how much you want to carry. I carry too much.

Enjoy, get out and shoot and let's see some pictures.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by tohara

Nothing is essential but the following will add to the experience

Spare battery
Zhou half case
Thumbs up
Soft release
Gordy wrist strap . . .

. . . Domke f803 is a nice bag, a lot cheaper than billingham and far more discreet

Highlight: Or, as far as I am concerned, greatly detract from using the camera by covering it with useless junk. I'm not saying that you're wrong: just that your advice will not suit everyone.

Also, I can't quite see how a Domke is even slightly more discreet than a Billingham, let alone far more discreet.

Cheers,

R.

[hlockwood]

Originally Posted by ncc1701

Extra battery a must.
I use a Artisan & Artist Oskar bag

And a Thumbs Up grip! Greatly improves handling!

+1 on the Thumbs Up and the extra battery. Don't need the hot shoe.

Harry

[flash]

Avoid Sandisk cards. No issues with Lexar.
I love my Thumbie.
You don't need a bag until you get other lenses. Get a nice neck strap instead and your camera is always ready to go. When you buy your next lens you can then get a Hadley for your extra battery and cards.
I like Gordys straps. They wear in nicely.
I have two spare batteries plus four cheapies that are in a drawer. I moly take more than one battery when I'm working.

I've got half cases, soft releases, grips. They're all in drawers, except my RRS L plate and grip I use when I use a tripod.

Sometimes less is more.

Gordon

[Richard G]

Spare batteries are interesting. I have them for my Coolpix 4500 and the X100. I needed a second battery with the Coolpix for a wedding and didn't have one. Miraculously someone else at that wedding had a spare to lend me. I bought a second and have never really needed it. I can go days and days with the M9 without recharging: I'm an amateur and I have a day job. With the X100 my worry is that I will find myself with two relatively flat batteries, the one in the camera, and the spare which I falsely assume might have more charge. I have run the risk of being uanble to use either at short notice. With only one battery for the M9, I am much more in tune with the charge and I have never come close to running out when it would have been inconvenient. Yes, I will get another. But for six months I have managed fine.

[lencap]

Thanks to all for the replies - lots of great information. I've decided to "ease into" my M9. Lexar cards instead of Sandisk (although I've used Sandisk extensively in other gear). Unsure of LCD screen cover - a glass cover has the potential for fogging during cooler fall weather, and I'm also concerned with breakage.

For a case I appreciate the comments about "wearing" your camera so it gets used. I'll just go with something generic to avoid drawing unwanted attention to the camera - I have a small Tamrac bag that seems to hold the M9 without much drama. I may add the neoprene Leica "snuggie" for some extra protection. Just a single Summicron 50mm to start. I don't envision much street shooting so my second lens may be a 28 instead of a 35 when I'm ready.

I'll consider the various grip options, but for now I'll just shoot and see what my needs are as I gain more experience with the camera.

Thanks again to all - the help is much appreciated.

[ray*j*gun]

Originally Posted by raid

Yes, I got several SD cards too. B&H has a back-up charger for $35 shipped by Annsman. Bstteries, charger and SD cards are like film for a film camera.

Raid, I don't see that back up charger at B&H. Was that a recent purchase?

[peterm1]

I have a soft spot for this little bugger. I have the ladybug in red - it kind of complements the red Leica dot on my M8. When I bought my camera it came with the Leica grip. Now I find it hard to shoot without it.

http://www.matchtechnical.com/Pages/Beep.aspx

[EdwardKaraa]

IMHO, the glass covers are useless, especially the Schott glass whatever. I would use a glass cover if I wanted the best optical/viewing quality. It just happens that the LCD of the M9 is so crappy and unclear anyway, and the glass can break and the shards can scar the screen. I use only film cover. It doesn't break, protects from scratches, and can be removed without leaving glue on the screen.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by EdwardKaraa

IMHO, the glass covers are useless, especially the Schott glass whatever. I would use a glass cover if I wanted the best optical/viewing quality. It just happens that the LCD of the M9 is so crappy and unclear anyway, and the glass can break and the shards can scar the screen. I use only film cover. It doesn't break, protects from scratches, and can be removed without leaving glue on the screen.

I tried a couple of these film LCD protectors on my X2. They were damaged so easily I changed them out five times in one month. The Giottos LCD protector on my M9 has been on there since I bought the camera and doesn't have a scratch on it, the camera has been handled exactly the same as the X2. I fitted an ACMAXX to the X2 after that first month. Similarly, it has not a scratch on it in the ensuing two months.

For me, those film LCD protectors are simply a waste of time and money.

[EdwardKaraa]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

I tried a couple of these film LCD protectors on my X2. They were damaged so easily I changed them out five times in one month. The Giottos LCD protector on my M9 has been on there since I bought the camera and doesn't have a scratch on it, the camera has been handled exactly the same as the X2. I fitted an ACMAXX to the X2 after that first month. Similarly, it has not a scratch on it in the ensuing two months.

For me, those film LCD protectors are simply a waste of time and money.

I have to admit that I change the film cover every month, but I don't mind because they're cheap. What I dislike most about the glass cover is that it is elevated above the screen and the corners can get stuck on fabric and other stuff. I bought one acmaxx in the beginning, didn't like it, and when I wanted to remove it, it left a lot of glue on the screen frame. It was easily removed with a damp cloth but I didn't like the idea that much

Now if the M9 had a clip on hard screen, like with Nikon and Sony, I would certainly prefer that.

[ray*j*gun]

I agree Edward, my Nikon D90 has a great clip on screen cover......works perfectly and is very tough.

[kbg32]

I believe cases get in the way of a camera's "experience". Kind of a like a beautiful woman, why clothe her when the experience you're after is when she's naked.

[EdwardKaraa]

Originally Posted by kbg32

I believe cases get in the way of a camera's "experience". Kind of a like a beautiful woman, why clothe her when the experience you're after is when she's naked.

But the half case is like a half clothed woman, more sexy

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by EdwardKaraa

But the half case is like a half clothed woman, more sexy

Depends on whether it's fantasy or reality...

Cheers,

R.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by EdwardKaraa

I have to admit that I change the film cover every month, but I don't mind because they're cheap. What I dislike most about the glass cover is that it is elevated above the screen and the corners can get stuck on fabric and other stuff. I bought one acmaxx in the beginning, didn't like it, and when I wanted to remove it, it left a lot of glue on the screen frame. It was easily removed with a damp cloth but I didn't like the idea that much

Now if the M9 had a clip on hard screen, like with Nikon and Sony, I would certainly prefer that.

Since I use a half-case, the Giottos fits inside the edge of the leather and doesn't get caught on anything. Same for the ACMAXX on the X2.

That said, I have a GGS LCD cover on my Ricoh GXR and no half case for that camera. It doesn't get caught on anything either. Hm.

The Olympus E-1 came with their own replaceable protective cover. The one that came with mine (bought used in 2008) was badly scratched, so I replaced it. Not a mark on it since. I guess I'm careful enough when using these things that I don't tend to hit the LCD very often. I would prefer, however, if all the manufacturers just put a tough acrylic or gorilla glass LCD protector in place at the outset. That way we wouldn't have to worry about it at all.

[sevres_babylone]

Thumbs Up and extra battery.

[maggieo]

Originally Posted by raid

I bought my M9 two weeks ago. Get additional batteries and an additional charger. The rest is not important, I think. I would buy things slowly.

Originally Posted by kbg32

Agree with Raid. A couple of extra batteries and possibly an extra charger. Maybe an additional SD card as well.

Really, I think these are the only extras you need. Everything else is gravy or personal preference.

[flyalf]

Another one for Thumbie (it could have been even smaller) + extra battery. Also recommend the mini-min tripod with flexi legs (not the Gorillapod that is a waste of money) As for bag I prefer an even smaller alternative: Billingham Digital Hadley. Holds body, spare battery and 2 or 3 extra lenses, is rainproof (as opposed to most bags) , no velcro and as other Billinghams will outlast camera.

Best of luck with new M9, a truly great camera :-)