The Adolescence of Leica Digital – Leica M9
The last Kodak train made its way to the station, carrying with it the CCD of the M9. It was a sad day when the last Kodak train took away the CCD of the M9. But it couldn’t be kept, nor could it be saved. Leica has entered the exciting, mature CMOS era! Youth will eventually say goodbye, but it’s a bittersweet moment. Farewell, youth! As you slowly fade away, your pure happiness stings memories.
Remembering the Leica M9
In 2009, Leica released the M9, and it was a game-changer! Just think of all the people who dream of having one! The world’s first full-frame rangefinder digital camera! Just imagine holding such a camera, like Henri Cartier-Bresson, wandering the streets. How many fantasies could it evoke?
Just how many people only discovered this amazing brand thanks to the incredible Leica M9? At that time, it was the most impressive 135 full-frame digital camera on the market. Just one look at you with this camera around your neck and you’d be the center of attention wherever you went!
How many people have tried different settings in Photoshop, trying to get their Canon or Sony colors to match Leica? They usually end up failing, not because of Photoshop, but because they’re impatient.
Classic Elements of the Leica M9
The viewfinder frame of the M9 is physically lit, just like the film M cameras. Film users will feel comfortable looking at the front face of the M9, while the bald front face of the M240 and M10 may feel a bit awkward. In addition, the M-E and M240, which were introduced after the Leica M9, lack the preview lever, making them look less classic in appearance. Therefore, when looking back at the M9, its classic elements appear more dazzling. Nowadays, the M10 also lacks the light window, and Leica designers realized this. If we continue to simplify it like this, can we still call it a Leica? Therefore, Leica M10 quickly introduced the most classic rewind knob of the M3, making it into an ISO dial. In order to maintain its classic elements, it can be said that they put in a lot of effort.
Leica users are interesting. On one hand, they say that Leica is becoming less and less classic, but on the other hand, they look forward to seeing what new products Leica will release slowly. This shows that Leica M has always had some kind of tacit understanding with its users, which can only be explained by mysticism. But in any case, it is now a consensus that there is no light window after the M9. From today on, the Leica M9 is officially classified as a classic camera!
M8 and M9
APS-H and full-frame are the differences in film size, but in terms of operation, the M8 and M9 are basically the same. Once you get used to the M8 and M9, it might feel a bit strange to switch to the M240 and M10 in terms of settings. The menus on the M8 and M9 are pretty simple, which makes them seem easier to use.
The Color of the M9
I think film is better than digital. It has more character. No matter what data you use to prove the high pixels and accurate colors of digital, it can never replace the premium texture of film. I think it’s fair to say that the color of the Leica M9 is pretty close to film. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that’s the biggest compliment you can pay the M9.
CCD vs. CMOS
The CCD from Kodak gives the Leica M9 a special texture, of course, when paired with Leica lenses. Many people switched from CCD to CMOS, but still missed the color and texture of the M9. The solid blue, the pure red, and the greenish tone throughout the photo—they always give you some unexpected surprises. That’s the characteristic of film, right?
Don’t get me wrong, the CCD of the M9 is an amazing piece of technology. Some people can even process a CMOS photo to have a CCD-like texture, it just takes some time. And the color of Leica’s CMOS is also not to be underestimated. It is not something other brands can easily catch up with.
Raw Dynamic Range
The good news is that underexposure of up to 4 stops can be salvaged, while overexposure can be recovered up to 3 stops. This is truly amazing! It’s incredible how well it retains highlights, especially when compared to other cameras. Many people have been blown away by this feature, and they’re saying that highlights can’t be recovered as well in CMOS cameras.
Conclusion
I’m not here to judge other people’s opinions about the Leica M9. Everyone’s entitled to their own! For me, it will always be a camera that inspires admiration! It was then, it is now, and it will be again! Because I’ve never denied those whimsical thoughts from my youth!
For the previous generation, owning an M3 was a truly happy thing! For those who were interested in Leica ten years ago, owning an M9 was an absolute dream come true! I’m not trying to persuade you to buy a Leica M9. I’m just sharing my love for this amazing camera! Maybe you’re thinking about the M11 or M10? Well, my song might not be in your dreams, but it’s definitely worth a listen!
