Olympus OMD 95% – Leica M9 5% - Page 2

RevBob · #11 August 31st, 2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBiles

I think that if I spend $8000 on a camera it would never leave my body. That's such a ridiculous amount to barely even use it. Why would anyone own both if they have an $8000 paperweight 95% of the time?

I pretty much agree, but would offer these reasons:
1.) You're a professional and can afford to carry one for those "magical" shots that you can only achieve with the M9.

2.) Many people fail to take

seriously and the M9 establishes you as a "Pro" in the eyes of those folks. This is a real issue for those who make their living as a photographer - perception matters in securing work.

3.) The sheer joy of owning a high quality piece of equipment - much as folks in our area own classic cars that they only use in the summer on sunny days. In the winter the car stays in storage.

Probably more reasons, but these are what occurred to me. As you say, if I owned one it would be glued to my hands.

oldcarrot · #12 August 31st, 2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBiles

I think that if I spend $8000 on a camera it would never leave my body. That's such a ridiculous amount to barely even use it. Why would anyone own both if they have an $8000 paperweight 95% of the time?

WHY? 'Cause they can

CUB · #13 August 31st, 2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevBob

I pretty much agree, but would offer these reasons:
1.) You're a professional and can afford to carry one for those "magical" shots that you can only achieve with the M9.

I can't think of many shots I can achieve with my M9-P that I cannot achieve with my D800.

Quote:

2.) Many people fail to take

seriously and the M9 establishes you as a "Pro" in the eyes of those folks. This is a real issue for those who make their living as a photographer - perception matters in securing work.

In my experience, it works completely the other way. My Nikon D3 and D800 and some big Nikkors are more likely to establish me as a "Pro" in clients' eyes. If I turn up with the M9-P and a couple of comparatively tiny Leica lenses, I am less likely to be taken seriously because very few clients have the faintest clue what it is. When I used to shoot weddings, I had a customer complain that I had shot her daughter's wedding with a cheap camera.

Quote:

3.) The sheer joy of owning a high quality piece of equipment - much as folks in our area own classic cars that they only use in the summer on sunny days. In the winter the car stays in storage.

There is some truth in that. Many Leica buyers are affluent people who don't have a clue how to use them. They are pieces of jewellery rather than working tools.

You can tell those who don't use their Leicas much - they are cosmetically in mint condition and the owners fret about the tiniest signs of use. My M9-P is relatively new but it is a workhorse and already has scratches, a dent or two and some brassing. My lenses are the same, except the glass is always pristine. You don't pay $$$ for a superlative Leica lens and then not take care of it. The glass is the only reason I shoot Leica.

Incidentally, I prefer black and white film to the M9-P.