Took the plunge and bought an M8

[atatexan]

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It is a joy to be back in Leica M-land again after 28 years away. Have been taking the M8 and f2.8 Elmarit 28mm everywhere. I am a little unclear how to set WB. If I am reading the manual correctly, it seems the camera does this automatically. However, it seems no to like fluorescent light much and does not correct for it. Exposure is perfect. Is this something fixed in Capture One?

[Guest JMF]

It is a joy to be back in Leica M-land again after 28 years away. Have been taking the M8 and f2.8 Elmarit 28mm everywhere. I am a little unclear how to set WB. If I am reading the manual correctly, it seems the camera does this automatically. However, it seems no to like fluorescent light much and does not correct for it. Exposure is perfect. Is this something fixed in Capture One?

 

Congrats on the M8 and 28 Elmarit combo !

There are quite a number of different fluo sources so test the WB setting that matches the location best, I'd say shoot DNG and then adjust the color temp to your liking in post !

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[peterjcb]

I have the same combination also and I purchased mine about a month ago. I've been shooting DSLR's and always wanted a Leica...this is my first.

I got a B&W UV/IR 38mm cut filter for the 28mm Elmarit... as the sensor on the M8 doesn't have an IR filter. While some say that not using a filter on the M8 actually enhances B&W photos, your color photos will be off without the IR filter.

Congrats and enjoy it!

[wda]

It is a joy to be back in Leica M-land again after 28 years away. Have been taking the M8 and f2.8 Elmarit 28mm everywhere. I am a little unclear how to set WB. If I am reading the manual correctly, it seems the camera does this automatically. However, it seems no to like fluorescent light much and does not correct for it. Exposure is perfect. Is this something fixed in Capture One?

Welcome to the forum!

AWB works quite well most of the time. However, if you seek perfect colour fidelity, do consider using a Pantone ColourChecker or similar quality grey card. In that way you can neutralize and remove any colour contamination in a scene.

 

Outdoors in bright sunny conditions, AWB is generally fine. In other situations I always take a reference shot of my grey card and correct the sequence of shots in Lightroom. It is easy and effective.

[LucisPictor]

Cogratulations!

 

The M8 is my only digital Leica as well. I have bought it late but have never regretted it.

[bocaburger]

First make sure your M8 has the last firmware. AWB was improved incrementally throughout the multiple series of updates. There is also a provision for setting a custom WB, which is especially useful for fluroescents, as they come in all color temperatures and tend to shift markedly after some time in use. One way involves capturing a test shot against a neutral background, or if you have a color meter you can set Kelvin temp. Or as someone said, if you shoot DNG (and the M8 and M9 jpegs leave a lot to be desired anyway) it's easy to fiddle with WB in the coversion software.

[atatexan]

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Thank you all. I will check my firmware with Leica US in the morning.

 

A UV filter is on its way from B&H. I had read about this IR problem before buying the M8.

 

It seems most image work happens on DNG, Capture One, or Lightbox(?).

 

I don't understand the color card and how to apply its readings.

 

Will be interested to try the UV filter. Outside photos of my cathedral in the afternoon sun beautiful. The fluorescent lights inside, however, totally messed up the colors.

 

Thank you all very much.

[Revdockj]

Congrats!

I've had my M8 for seven years and even though I have since acquired the M9, M9-P, and the M Monochrom, I still use my M8 all the time. It's my "carry everywhere" camera. Not one problem in seven years! I still love my files from the M8.

[Jeff S]

I don't understand the color card and how to apply its readings.

 

WhiBal card explanation here.

 

Or ColorChecker Passport.

 

Some prefer an Expodisc (search various threads).

 

Others prefer to set a color temp in the camera for typical scenes, e.g., daylight, indoor, etc, and do adjustments, to taste, in post.

 

Jeff

[lct]

You don't need an UV but an UV/IR filter.

[Loren]

You don't need an UV but an UV/IR filter.

 

Usually called a UV/IR Cut filter.

[lct]

Usually called "UV/IR" in Leica world.

[Symeon]

UV filters don't do much on the Kodak sensor of the M8, an IR will get you the right colours however, but it all depends on what your final product will be. If you are thinking B&W you don't need any filters at all, actually without an IR filter you will get more glow to your photos. As for WB the auto setting is pretty good, trust it, but as for fluorescent most digital cameras have trouble with it. Not all Leica lenses react the same to IR on the M8 and this has to do with the layers they carry. Some react smoothly, others are harsh. I presume you are using Leica glass on your M8.

 

regards.

[jdlaing]

Usually called "UV/IR" in Leica world.

 

UV/IR Cut

[lct]

"UV/IR"

[pgk]

However, it seems no to like fluorescent light much and does not correct for it.

Flourescent light sources can be troublesome for any camera, especially as they vary depending on the manufacturer and 'colour' designation - there are lots of different ones and they are all too often mixed up together. Your best option is to shoot RAW files and adjust afterwards in software, but even so you will probably get some colour deficences as the light from fluorescents has no 'colour temperature' as such, and they often have a discontinuous spectral output meaning that some colours simply aren't available. With care acceptable colours can usually be sorted out but fluorescents are to be avoided if possible as far as I am concerned.