[fotografz]

Hey Jack, good to see ya here, even with bad news ya old Canonphile : -)

While I have the M8 in my possession, I haven't paid a dime toward it yet (my dealer agreed to hold off until Leica sorted out the issues). But, it'll soon be decision time.

Here's my criteria: the camera has to produce files that are different looking than anything else I use ... It does that IMO. It's not a value judgment of file quality, for that I'll use my H2D39 which none of these 35mm sized cameras can ever hope to equal.

So, it's an aesthetic decision. The question is, how much inconvenience will I put up with for that look? Well, since I paid and arm and leg for the inconvenience of scanning film with an Imacon 949 just for that "look", I guess I'll put up with a lot and pay a lot for the privilege.

In addition, I use wide lenses and everything Canon makes below 50mm is sub-standard at best and horrifying at worst. I have tried the Zeiss C/Y and Leica R adapted lenses route ... but that redefines the term "inconvenience".

I also don't quite agree on the size/weight issue. I can place the M8 & M7, a SF-20, 4 filters, 6 lenses from 24/2.8 ASPH to 90/2AA (including the 75/1.4); a spare battery and batteries for the M& and SF20; and 10 rolls of film in a LowPro Omni Traveler. The equivalent Canon gear barely fits into a large roller bag. I've carried 2 Ms for weddings and done the same with the Canon ... my back and shoulder knows the difference after 8 straight hours of none stop wedding photography : -)

What I'm inclined to do is return the camera I have, and place an order for 2 M8s that are factory ready with all the fixes ... giving me 4 IR filters