Thinking of giving up Digilux-3 for M8

[atatexan]

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My first Leica, a IIIG at age 12, set me on the Leica path. Favorite was an ultrarare M2R with a 35mm Sumicron and 90mm Tele-Elmarit. Camera was stolen. Went through an R3, R4 and later the Digilux-3. This thing is so complex but digital is nice.

 

If I were to go to an M8, which older M-lenses would somewhat duplicate the 35mm and 90mm? Any advantages to M8.4 over 8.2 or a straight M8? Trying to consider this carefully before taking the leap. I crave the ease of operation, don't mind using a light meter, and superiority of the Leica lenses and M-series cameras but have NO familiarity with their digital brethren.

 

Thanks in advance

[enboe]

Try a rental and see if you like the M8.

 

1.33x crop factor means you'll want a 28 and a 75 to best reproduce the 35/90 combo you mention.

 

Plan on picking up CaptureOne, Photoshop, Photoshop LE, or Lightroom to process the RAW files. Think of this as darkroom equipment.

 

Eric

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[jaapv]

The Digilux3 is not the most fortunate introduction to Leica digital, I fear....

[atatexan]

Thank you all for the comments. OK, so a 28MM and 75mm get the equivalent lenses. Do any M (non-digital) lenses work with the M8?

 

Where does one rent one of these cameras and lenses?

[jaapv]

With very few exceptions all Leica lenses since 1927 will work on a digital M plus a slew of Zeiss and Voigtlanders ones. Plus nearly all Leica Thread mount lenses.

Thread mount lenses require an adapter (cheap and widely available).

[Jeff S]

I don't think this popular site still rents the M8. You might want to call. You can still rent M lenses or other M cameras.

 

The M8.4 you reference doesn't exist….last model was the M8.2, which primarily offered 3 distinctions from a stock M8….quieter shutter (but with limitation to 1/4000 speed rather than 1/8000); sapphire screen; and frame lines optimized for 2m (instead of .7m). These upgrades were offered separately for the M8, so you can find used versions with some or all. [The M8.2 had some other differences from an upgraded M8…finish, covering, black dot on black camera, etc].

 

At a minimum, you should read this FAQ. And there are myriad threads available on the forum discussing the camera that you can easily find using the search box at top.

 

If you buy a used camera from a reputable dealer with some form of warranty, you should be able to try the camera and not lose too much if you later decide to sell.

 

Jeff