EATING CROW

For the last 5 months I have repeatedly stated I will not buy a Leica M9 because it is too expensive, firmware needs work, reliability concerns, no weather sealing, etc. I was pretty high on the M8 around 5-6 months ago, so why the change of heart? During the September trip to Alaska the Leica M8 there were some times the when the viewfinder fogged, when it was raining it was a mad scramble to keep the M8 dry, there were a few SDHC card hiccups and a couple other minor annoyances - which frankly, I cannot remember anymore. The experience really shook my confidence in the digital Leica M system.

As a landscape camera the Leica M8 earned a “B” on the trip. The weather was too wet and the M8 was somewhat out of its comfort zone. As an “easy to carry camera” for candids, indoor pix and casual pictures when the Canon 1Ds Mark III was too much hassle, the Leica M8 and Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH easily earned an “A”. As a camera system for candids and intimate settings, I really like the M system.

Based on image count, the Canon 1Ds Mark III saw more use during the Alaska trip, and on the whole I am happier with its file quality compared to the Leica M8’s. The 1Ds3 also did plenty of telephoto work in the 100-200mm range which the Leica M cannot do (easily). There was some wide angle shots as well, and I am not very fond of using wide angle lenses on a rangefinder due to the need of an external viewfinder. As an all-around system the 1Ds Mark III excelled and deserves a B+ / A-. For intimate, close-quarters shooting - I do not like the 1Ds Mark III. It is too big, intimidates people and easily draws a crowd.

When we returned from the trip, something had changed and I was ready to sell the M system along with the medium format gear as well. I felt the M gear was a niche system and the 1Ds Mark III with the right lenses could assume the M8’s role. The new Zeiss ZE lenses started shipping, so M and medium format equipment were sold to fund the ZE and a couple L lenses.

PRIMES, PRIMES, PRIMES, PRIMES....

Currently I have five ZE lenses - 18/3.5, 21/2.8, 28/2, 50/2 and 100/2. As the Zeiss lenses streamed in, I felt increasingly confident that selling the Leica M8 was the right decision. In addition to the ZE lenses, the 85L, 135L and 90 TS-E were added as well. With that kit the possibilities seemed endless and all the lenses performed well on the 1Ds Mark III. I tried replicating the Leica M8 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH combo with a Canon 85L, 50L F1.0 (borrowed from a friend), and a couple of the ZE’s. Thus far I feel the Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH has superior image quality, but that is not the deal breaker perse. The bigger issues are just that - the 1Ds Mark III’s size.

When I bring the 1Ds3, the Mrs’ give me “that look”. The 1Ds Mark III draws attention, people notice the camera and capturing a natural moment is difficult. Also, our time tends to be more about camera - making sure it is not left unattended and schlepping the large, somewhat heavy bag from point A to point B to point C. In contrast, I could “palm” the M8 with the neck strap around my wrist for security. It was small enough, digicam looking enough that most people just go on about their business. It is easier to blend into a crowd with a M than the 1Ds.

THE LEICA 50mm SUMMILUX-M ASPH

I love the lens! Perfectly sharp and CA free at F1.4 - and a good fingerprint as well. As a walk-around, snapshot, candid lens - it is my first choice. I have tried to find the “right” 50mm for the Canon 1Ds’ over the years, but none have lasted. For a compact system, the M is still my favorite system for candid pictures. The small size of a M body combined with the 50 Lux’s performance is a winning combination. It is small enough to not be a burden, and without sacrificing image quality.

ProPhoto Supply in Portland, OR called last week and said the M9 was ready to be shipped. My brain was screaming “NO”, but somehow that “NO” was verbalized as 16 digits, an expiration date and a 3-digit security code. Pandora’s boxed has been opened. The M9 arrived a couple days ago and thus far has been great. The M9 is like a really nice M8. There are some evolutionary changes, but more or less it is an updated M8. The biggest improvement is the pixel count - now there is plenty of real estate for cropping. ISO does seems moderately improved as well. I will write more on the M9 later.

So the first pictures are in line with the “hell freezing over” them. With some a luck a new 50mm Summilux ASPH will be here within the next month or so. In a truly boneheaded move, I sold the 50mm Summilux-ASPH last year. Dumb, dumb, dumb...