First off, it has awesome files -- in fact the best I've ever seen in a single-capture camera apart from the IR leaking.
So what were my issues? I had a few of them.
Lens-mounted IR filters combined with the well above average cost of a complete system that requires that kind of patchwork fix. IMO Leica should do the right thing and fix the sensor's IR cut filter design -- having to use filters on their lenses is a joke and I find this "solution" by Leica kind of insulting. Yet to be fair, I did not notice significant problems when shooting filter-less landscapes under daylight, so I could probably let this slide if given a good reason to -- but it wasn't going to be a landscape camera and for me, the cost was over my threshold of pain for a good reason.
The other issue is really a personal one -- and I know all of you long-time M users are going to scream blasphemy
Simply stated, the M8 was going to be my street camera. And I have grown accustomed to Canon's excellent autofocus and superb metering -- and multi-segment evaluative metering is just a lot better than center-weighted when you are working fast. Plus I can carry two full-frame 5D bodies with a 28 on one and an 85 on another and a 50in the bag and the total weight is about the same as a pair of M8's and 3 M lenses would be. With the Canon's set up the way I like them, I just grab a body, press the AF button under my thumb focusing on what I want in focus, compose and shoot -- and get it all done in about half the time it takes me to complete that with the M.
No the files are not as awesome as the M8's, but they are still very good and I get more keepers. And coupled with the flakey filter solution and cost, the Canons just make more sense for me.
Hope you guys don't banish me from the kingdom.... Cheers,
Jack