Leica Quality

[richard_john_edwards]

<p>Thanks for your responses, it seems that the general concensus is that the higher end cameras will make a difference, Still not sure though if you can pick the camera qualities after an image has been procesed. I guess thats what the main question was about, can you really see the beinifits of the top end 35mm format camers and seewhat qualities each bring after processing. Sorry of a bit vague, sometimes i struggle to articulate my self properly :) And HAPPY NEW YEAR all. 2012 and its a wonderfull Day.</p>

[blakley]

There are lots of excellent cameras out there these days, but, as usual, fewer excellent lenses. The M9 lets me use what I consider to be the very best 35mm-format lenses made. It's also small and light, and I can handhold it without motion blur at much slower shutter speeds than any DSLR or mirrorless digital I've used. Since I like photographing when it's ridiculously dark, this matters to me. I've not been able to get shots like this one with other cameras I've tried:

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<a href=" title="L1004462 by blakley, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6121/5993247894_8833e3e819.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="L1004462"></a>

[jason]

<p>My experience limited to short use of M8. The pix were nice not great, the use of 90mm at max. aperture f2.0, 50% out of focus. Sure I don't know how to focus, using Leica-M since the early '60's..The images were really poor once I set the ISO upwards. Leica M9 images shot at and above 1200 ISO look horrible.<br>

I still use film but digital is from small point and shoots. Last lot printed included images from film cameras, (hi-rez. scans), and the P/S. Sharpest and clearest were from P/S! Size was 8'x11'.<br>

One thing not mentioned, but available either in camera or in lens is "anti-shake". It makes huge differences! DSLR also have an adjustment control for front or back focus. Leica requires return to Leica.<br>

One uses Leica because of compact size, superb lenses and the rangefinder view. Many here wish to prove that all that money spent was spent wisely! Sadly tests other than Puts, Rockwell and Huff show that the Leica M8 and M9 are nowhere close to the top. DxO is one such test. It is better to buy a low end DSLR that gives better IQ. When a newer, better model is released, your possible loss would be less.<br>

The Kodak sensor is special. No other sensor gives these wonderful colors and hues. Use a primitive Kodak with Kodak sensor. Yes, I occasionally get the dreaded magenta but sharpness simply stunning. ISO is 100!</p>

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[john_brewton]

<p>The one thing I've discovered recently about my old M8 files versus my D700 files is the Leica files can be cropped more and still produce a very good image whereas the Nikon doesn't do as well with the image falling apart when printing large. Frankly I expected better from FF.</p>