The Prospect of a Used Market for M9s

<p>Anyone have an opinion on when (if ever) we're likely to find used M9's for sale at websites like Tamarkin, KEH, and B&H Photo? If you've seen them, what did they go for? $7000 is just a bit much for me. I was hoping that at some point Leica would put out the M10 (or whatever it turns out to be called) and some M9s would come available, but that doesn't seem to be happening. I'm uncomfortable buying something that expensive on eBay. Thanks.</p>

<p>At $4K Leica could sell a ton of M9's. Probably not in the cards. Used ones still seem to command high prices. Good luck! </p>

<p>It's a long term quest I think. I did the same thing with M8's and I have one now, but I didn't get one till the M9 came out.</p>

<p>They sell occasionally on the photo forums like getdpi and rangefinder forum. The cheapest I have seen was mid 5000 or so...<br>

I could be very wrong, but I would not hold your breath for the M10...they are still selling lots and lots of M9's, backordered on practically every lens they make, and struggling to get more equipment made...they are on a slower product cycle too. Personally I would not expect even an M9.2 (should there be a reason for one) for another year. </p>

<p>dpreview says the M8 was announced in Sept 2006 and the M9 in Sept 2009. They seem to be on 3 year intervals so here's a dollar that says the M10 will be announced in Sept 2012. Considering that most people with an M9 love it the only way you'll see a flood of used M9's is if they upgrade to the M10. Perhaps you should buy an M8 instead.</p>

<p>The M10 is going to depend on someone offering a better sensor to Leica. Kodak may come up with a new sensor cell design, the M8 and M9 use the same sensor cells, just more of them in the larger sensor on the M9. Or maybe someone else will offer Leica a full-frame sensor with offset micro-lenses.<br>

Leica won't change sensors for more megapixels, I'd expect that they would hold out for lower noise at high speeds.</p>

 

<p>While I cannot predict when the successor to the M9 will come out, I think it's reasonable to suppose that there are people working on it. Doesn't seem to me that Leica will sit still. However, the successor may not supplant the M9 -- the two may be sold together for some while or for a long while.</p>

<p>Although a US$4000 digital Leica is more affordable than a US$7000 one and by standard economic rules should sell more units, I bet plenty of people simply don't want to carry around a small device at either price.</p>

 

<p>Modern computer aided design and manufacturing has drastically allowed a manufacturer to reduce a product life cycle but the manufacturer must also factor into that life cycle the need for revenue/cash flow and does the current product provide that revenue/cash flow. When the revenue drops, a new product will certainly emerge but since the ability to tell the future is not assured, who knows.<br>

Me, I estimate/guess about 1-2 years when the market will be saturated for M9's, then a new M10, the M10 will be sold to those that must ride the leading edge of technology and be sacrificed upon it.-Dick</p>

<p>I got my M8 once the M9 came out and there were a few M8's on the market. And I agree that I'm probably not going to get an M9 at a substantially reduced price from a reputable dealer before the M10 arrives, whenever that is. </p>

<p><em>the M10 will be sold to those that must ride the leading edge of technology and be sacrificed upon it.-Dick</em><br>

Leica rangefinders on the leading edge of technology?? Leicaphiles who have to have everything Leica are still trying to come to terms with the mysterious death of Saint Kodachrome, and the advent of digital Leicas.<br>

I agree that a new sensor might herald a new model, or perhaps live view, or specific framing lines rather than pairs, but, while 18mp is fine, a larger megapixel count would also pull in the punters. </p>

 

<p>Most on this Forum know that I am a diehard Leica user/collector and I continue to mourn the reality of the demise of film. However, with the advent of digital comes the reality, IMHO at least, that you really don't need an M8/M9 or even M15 to take wonderful shots. My wife has been using a little Panasonic DMC-FX01, with Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-5.6/4.6-16B aspherical for app. 2 years now. It cost me $125 on Ebay (I bought three of them). I wish I could criticize the picture quality!</p><div></div>

<p>The combination of high quality and light weight is still pretty rare in digital. There are certainly film versions (Leica CL comes to mind). But in Digital, the M8's been my best alternative so far. The X1 might also be an option. But I haven't been wow'ed by the micro 4/3 cameras and the APS cameras are typically pretty heavy, especially with their full sized lenses. That's why I'd buy an M9 if I could afford one.</p>