After some lusting, and justifying to myself...

[Adam_Shaw]

My way to a digital M started with a dissatisfaction with the picture making process with my DSLR.

I was a long time SLR user, with occasional forays into other formats.

Starting off with collecting cameras in my teens I had my hands on a lot of, today, interesting cameras that then were really little more than junk.

A couple of cameras though, persisted, a Leica IIIf (if memory serves) and an R4.

Both of these stayed around until they were sadly stolen (my own stupid fault leaving a laptop bag in the backseat of the car, which also happened to be containing both cameras at the time)

The insurance money from these got me only my second digital camera, a Leica Digilux Zoom (a rebadged Fuji item) with 1.3MP but which did make some nice images, one or two of which still do regular service as my wallpaper today. Indeed, I still have this camera, slightly battered but still working.

After this, and with various detours I was more or less invested in Canon AF, with a 30D and 10D as well as some nice lenses.

What I found though was I was taking out the SLR less and less.

I had a Sigma DP1 which was a very interesting camera, but slightly odd... it really felt like I was missing a viewfinder, composing on an LCD at arms length didn't feel right, but the form factor was nice.

Enter the sneak peeks of the Fuji X100 a while ago... it was an "I want" moment, at which I started to save.

Here in Germany supply was something of an issue and I saw prices being pushed up as usual.

Then, in a local dealer, I saw an M8, for a not unreasonable price.

This started me thinking, planning, and researching, a lot of which was done here.

With the savings I had already made, and the sale of some of the Canon kit I was in a position to cover the M8.

Then I started to read all the reviews, finding myself looking more often than not at reviews of the M9, and comparative reviews.

This is where the man logic kicked in, telling myself the warranty and passport etc. made sense.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I picked up an ex - demo M9 at Red Dot in London (very nice people, and to be recommended based on my experience) with a 50mm Elmar 2.8.

I got the camera just before going on my holidays, and had a chance to take a few pictures in Northern and Mid-Italy.

I am still learning, but very much enjoying the experience.

Attached is my so far favourite shot, and I will post up a few more.

Constructive criticism is most welcome.

[Ben Z]

M9 is a great travel camera, and Italy is a great travel country. Enjoy.

[animefx]

Congratulations on your m9! I'm waiting for an m8 to come in the mail and I'm pretty excited about that.

Originally Posted by Adam_Shaw

My way to a digital M started with a dissatisfaction with the picture making process with my DSLR.

I was a long time SLR user, with occasional forays into other formats.

Starting off with collecting cameras in my teens I had my hands on a lot of, today, interesting cameras that then were really little more than junk.

A couple of cameras though, persisted, a Leica IIIf (if memory serves) and an R4.

Both of these stayed around until they were sadly stolen (my own stupid fault leaving a laptop bag in the backseat of the car, which also happened to be containing both cameras at the time)

The insurance money from these got me only my second digital camera, a Leica Digilux Zoom (a rebadged Fuji item) with 1.3MP but which did make some nice images, one or two of which still do regular service as my wallpaper today. Indeed, I still have this camera, slightly battered but still working.

After this, and with various detours I was more or less invested in Canon AF, with a 30D and 10D as well as some nice lenses.

What I found though was I was taking out the SLR less and less.

I had a Sigma DP1 which was a very interesting camera, but slightly odd... it really felt like I was missing a viewfinder, composing on an LCD at arms length didn't feel right, but the form factor was nice.

Enter the sneak peeks of the Fuji X100 a while ago... it was an "I want" moment, at which I started to save.

Here in Germany supply was something of an issue and I saw prices being pushed up as usual.

Then, in a local dealer, I saw an M8, for a not unreasonable price.

This started me thinking, planning, and researching, a lot of which was done here.

With the savings I had already made, and the sale of some of the Canon kit I was in a position to cover the M8.

Then I started to read all the reviews, finding myself looking more often than not at reviews of the M9, and comparative reviews.

This is where the man logic kicked in, telling myself the warranty and passport etc. made sense.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I picked up an ex - demo M9 at Red Dot in London (very nice people, and to be recommended based on my experience) with a 50mm Elmar 2.8.

I got the camera just before going on my holidays, and had a chance to take a few pictures in Northern and Mid-Italy.

I am still learning, but very much enjoying the experience.

Attached is my so far favourite shot, and I will post up a few more.

Constructive criticism is most welcome.

[ramosa]

Congrats on the M9 ... and, to the subsequent poster, the M8. Great cameras ...

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by Ben Z

M9 is a great travel camera, and Italy is a great travel country. Enjoy.

Provided you don't drive...

Italians are easily the worst drivers I have EVER encountered, including India, Malta, Bulgaria, Mexico, Greece, China...

Cheers,

R.

[Adrian Nasti]

I have been a long time M6 user and was deliberating over an M8 for some time, reluctant to go ahead given the problems experienced (of some) with the camera. I bit the bullet and now regret not doing it sooner.