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

Weird function lock position

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.

Similar Products Used:

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

Perfection, plain and simplistic. Ease of use.

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

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 .

Customer Service

One word to remember "Passport".

Similar Products Used:

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

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.

No built in motor.

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.

Customer Service

Efficient.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 1V Olympus OM2 Nikon F90 Minolta Dynax 7

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.

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

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!

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5, M6TTL, Nikon F4, Nikon FM2.