Joining the M8 gang

[arthury]

Hi guys,

I can't keep the money in the pocket anymore ... there you go, Solms.
Anyway, called a few local dealers and reserved one this morning and picked it up during lunch.

Have a few questions for you who are more experienced:

1. Sharpness is not consistent: on the wider lenses, they are crisp but using my 90mm Summicron Asph at f2, it was quite soft. May be the indoor lighting condition was too dim.
2. Magenta is certainly there when in AWB. Will this go away with IR filters?
3. How can you tell if this camera came from the 2nd batch or 1st batch? It's firmware is 1.09.
4. Weight: this is the lightest Leica-M body I've ever held. Is this your experience, too?

[guy_mancuso]

Arthur probably was not your focus but shutter speed and the three step release. i have had this issue when i first got mine is i am very used to a electronic release from the DMR and Canon's the M8 has a 3 step mechnical shutter that you have to be careful with i keep punching mine down instead of squeezing it down. The release you can feel on the way down and it seems going from beginning to end causes my issues instead the half way approch. keep a eye on this. i am finally getting this down and i am retraining myself after many years of a electronic release.

IR filters will cut out the magenta no question

If you bought from a store it is brand new from Solms with 1.09 it was made after the fix was needed and the ones after November 27th were corrected in the plant

Weight , well just i will just let my back talk too you. LOL

Good luck and have fun

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by arthury

Hi guys,

I can't keep the money in the pocket anymore ... there you go, Solms.
Anyway, called a few local dealers and reserved one this morning and picked it up during lunch.

Have a few questions for you who are more experienced:

1. Sharpness is not consistent: on the wider lenses, they are crisp but using my 90mm Summicron Asph at f2, it was quite soft. May be the indoor lighting condition was too dim.
2. Magenta is certainly there when in AWB. Will this go away with IR filters?
3. How can you tell if this camera came from the 2nd batch or 1st batch? It's firmware is 1.09.
4. Weight: this is the lightest Leica-M body I've ever held. Is this your experience, too?

1. The camera's resolution doesn't vary from lens to lens but the lens itself and many other factors can be involved.

2. Yes

3. It's probably from the new batch but there may still be some of the "generation one" cameras out there even though they were all supposed to have been sent from dealers back to Leica. Ask your dealer to confirm.

4. I'd have to look back at my own article but I believe the weight is the same as an M6 TTL.

Cheers, Enjoy

[arthury]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

If you bought from a store it is brand new from Solms with 1.09 it was made after the fix was needed and the ones after November 27th were corrected in the plant

What did they fix in the hardware? Any ideas?

[arthury]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

3. It's probably from the new batch but there may still be some of the "generation one" cameras out there even though they were all supposed to have been sent from dealers back to Leica. Ask your dealer to confirm.

My dealer said it was 2nd batch but I have no way to verify. Does anyone know if there's a range of serial # for 1st batch?

[khanosu]

Look for a pamphlet inviting you to register for two free IR cut filters. If this pamphlet is in the box (should be in the same pocket as the manual in the box) then you have a new version with the hardware fix from the factory. The hardware fix takes care of the first generation of horizontal banding as well as the green blobs.

Furrukh

[mike prevette]

Arthur,

I'm in seattle and got my camera around thanksgiving, Other than that I don't know of anyones else in Washington that has one. Who did you get it from (just curious)?

_mike

[4season]

Regarding the softness with telephoto lenses, there are a few factors here: The M8's is a relatively low-magnification finder and is going to be weakest with long lenses. You might want to consider the 1.25x magnifier. Next, if you're viewing at 100%, stop and think just how big an enlargement that really is! You are going to see the effects of slight misfocusing and camera shake more than you've ever seen it before.

[guy_mancuso]

Originally Posted by arthury

What did they fix in the hardware? Any ideas?

Yes it was a assembly board that a circuit was not properly installed. This was the reason for the streaking and blobs. At least that is my understanding of the fix. I have two 1.09 camera's on fixed and one new and the streaking is gone on my copies

[wparsonsgisnet]

I echo the magnifier suggestion.
I've been used to .72 M's and this viewfinder feels wider than it really is. I use the magnifier with everything except the 24mm.
The magnifier also comes with a beautiful, small leather case that snaps onto the shoulder strap. These guys can make some really handsome things.

[arthury]

Originally Posted by khanosu

Look for a pamphlet inviting you to register for two free IR cut filters. If this pamphlet is in the box (should be in the same pocket as the manual in the box) then you have a new version with the hardware fix from the factory. The hardware fix takes care of the first generation of horizontal banding as well as the green blobs.

Furrukh

Yes, I have that pamphlet and have registered the camera and ordered the 2 IR filters. Thanks for the tip, Furrukh!

[arthury]

Originally Posted by mike prevette

Arthur,

I'm in seattle and got my camera around thanksgiving, Other than that I don't know of anyones else in Washington that has one. Who did you get it from (just curious)?

_mike

I called around and I thot there was a rumor that Kenmore has it and so I called Kenmore. They had one and I bought it from them. The staffs were very friendly, unlike Glazers.

[arthury]

Originally Posted by 4season

Regarding the softness with telephoto lenses, there are a few factors here: The M8's is a relatively low-magnification finder and is going to be weakest with long lenses. You might want to consider the 1.25x magnifier. Next, if you're viewing at 100%, stop and think just how big an enlargement that really is! You are going to see the effects of slight misfocusing and camera shake more than you've ever seen it before.

Good point, Jeff & Bill. I'll consider the magnifier.

[arthury]

Here's one early sample which I was kinda successful in removing the magenta cast by playing with the Hues adjustments in PS/CS2, athought I was somewhat vulnerable to vibrations/handshakes at f/2.

http://www.leica-camera-user.com/peo...t-m8-post.html

[mike prevette]

Originally Posted by arthury

I called around and I thot there was a rumor that Kenmore has it and so I called Kenmore. They had one and I bought it from them. The staffs were very friendly, unlike Glazers.

Ha, I had the exact same experiance, and ended up purchassing from Kenmore. They are great, and whats funny is I don't think Glaziers has sold a single M8 yet.

_mike

[Scott Gregory]

Just received an M8 today. I got it from Tamarkin's who sent it out to me by UPS. I dealt with Eric Bohman a great fellow to deal with who I've known through the LHSA. Anyway charged the battery, put in a Lexar 133 SD card and took a couple of shots tonight after saying a prayer over the camera before I fired it up. It's firmward 1.09 and the dealer just received a shipment Monday of this week. I remember getting an M6 and MP in the past and just inserting film and going out shooting and not worrying about the camera at all. Well I hope that feeling comes back to me soon!!!

Scott

[arthury]

Scott,

Congrats! I know how you feel about it. I have been using a Nikon D2X and it has spoiled me in terms of the hi-tech automation. Anyway, I think the M8 really made the Leica lenses shine and it would have made them shine even more if the issues are quickly ironed out.

[doug_m]

Glazer's in Seattle has given me excellent Leica M sales and service for years. I have heard good things about Kenmore Camera but I'm very loyal to Glazer's because they have treated me so well. They have also sold more than one M8. I bought mine there on Nov 7.

[Scott Gregory]

Originally Posted by arthury

Scott,

Congrats! I know how you feel about it. I have been using a Nikon D2X and it has spoiled me in terms of the hi-tech automation. Anyway, I think the M8 really made the Leica lenses shine and it would have made them shine even more if the issues are quickly ironed out.

Arthury:

I too have been using a D2X which has spoiled me as well. But I had a number of nice Leica lenses sitting there not getting much use and decided to take the plunge. I'm glad I did but I won't be getting rid of the Nikon that's for sure! I'm really looking forward to getting out this weekend and shooting with the M8 to see what it is capable of. By seeing results from other members on this forum and especially the pictures that David Adamson was blowing up at his studio in Washington DC I hoping for good things!

Scott

[tjphoto]

I'm in Portland, and i've been calling all over the region with no luck scoring. Anybody have a line on an M?
Thanks,
Tim
Tim Jones Photography