Leica R9 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

freeprot
( Intermediate)

Review Date
June 9, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5,
5 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $2000.00

Summary:

I've been using R8 for five years now and had nothing to complain about. Finally, after looking through lots of reviews, I changed to R9. To be honest, I cannot say which one is better. Just that in my condition, R9 suits me better. First, 100g lighters does make a lot of difference, especially after R9 moved the weight to the lower part of the camera. Also, the back light for the LCD helps a lot under low light photography. As for the function lock, I found it rather annoying, having to change my grip every time I need to switch to a differet mode. Over all, R9 is just simply great and easy to use. The fullness of the grip and balanced weight of the body makes photographing comfortable and interesting.

Strengths:

Lighter weight than R8, back light LCD, additional screen showing film number.

Weaknesses:

Weird function lock position

Similar Products Used:

R8, Canon 1D, Contax G2(Range Finder...)

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Rating
Reviewed by:

aytonkohn
( Professional)

Review Date
May 6, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $2100.00

Summary:

Having searched for countless years, perfection in finally at hand. I have travel many roads and spent many dollars on Canon and Nikon. Only now, after shooting abroad 20 rolls, I understand why the R9 is in a class above all. Leica has brought me back to my roots of what photography was meant to be. My only advise is to try, than you'll understand why .

Strengths:

Perfection, plain and simplistic. Ease of use.

Weaknesses:

Price, but as said before by many, once you see your results you'll forget and enjoy the R9's brilliance.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon's F4, F5's. Canon's D10, D20. Eos 1n, Mamiyas, ect.

Customer Service:

One word to remember "Passport".

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Mike.Palmer
( Expert)

Review Date
November 19, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid: $2800.00 from Ffordes Photographic

Summary:

The R9 may be reviled by many but I'll bet they never picked one up. I dumped both an EOS 1V and 10D to buy an R9 and have not have the slightest regret. I have started to enjoy my photography again. I think about pictures before I take them and I would rather miss a photograph than capture one out of focus because the AF missed or back focused.

Strengths:

Excellent ergonomics, you truly can change every setting with the camera at your eye. It just oozes quality and refinement and is a total joy to use.

Weaknesses:

No built in motor.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 1V Olympus OM2 Nikon F90 Minolta Dynax 7

Customer Service:

Efficient.

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Rating
Reviewed by: 52Bassman
(Expert)

Review Date
March 30, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
35 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $1795.00 from Kb camera

Summary:

This is a more than capable camera in terms of features and ability. However it will showcase your talents or shortcommings. Because essentially it is a manual camera. I sold off all of my Nikon stuff to get into the R system(I already have an M system) and I know I have made the right choice for how I work. The F5 I had was great if you needed the speed but looking back I did not need the speedy F5. Instead with the M6TTL and now the R9 I am getting super results because I have slowed down and started thinking again about the shot. Unless your after the speedy sports or action photos give the R series a shot, you;ll be glad you did. The lenses are also definately a slice above the best Nikkors I had. They're expensive, but when you see the results you forget about the price!

Strengths:

Build quality, ergonomics, and the ability to provide a sturdy mount for the fantastic R lenses. Motor winder is removeable, bright focusing screen, conveniant mirror lock up, flash meter is built in.

Weaknesses:

I'm thinking............

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5, M6TTL, Nikon F4, Nikon FM2.

Customer Service:

None needed.

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