I would like to buy another camera BUT

[Shootist]

Well this post is about the M8. So MODS please don't move it.

I have been a Leica M8 user since January of 2007 and had Leica M film cameras before and since getting a M8.

Recently I've been looking (thinking about) getting something in the P&S range of cameras that I can carry with me when it just isn't convenient to carry the M8. Problem is they just aren't a Leica M. Yes I know the D-Lux 4 is a good camera for what it is and I've been thinking and looking at the Olympus Pen. But the image quality just doesn't match the M8.
Not only that but these types of cameras just have to many menus, option, dials and buttons.
I like turning the focusing and aperture rings and looking through a viewfinder. I don't like trying to remember which dial does what and when depending on what shooting mode you are in.

Since getting a M8 I really have no desire for any other camera but it would be nice to have something that I can just tuck into a pocket and go.

[scaryink]

Compact film cameras are a wonderful way to go. They are inexpensive, highly reliable and have tremendous image quality. I use a Yashica T4 rf as my go anywhere p&S. The image quality is stunning and its only automatic.

I have a Nikon 28Ti rf which is a great camera, but has become a bit unreliable. The Konica Hexar AF is another fabulous kit. There are no compact digital cameras that I have seen that are the equal of the compact film cameras. It really isnt a pain to have processed if you dont want to do it yourself and most all processors will digitize the film for you if you arent to picky about the scans.

For me, it really is a great combination.

[LeicaMSeattle]

I bought my wife a D-LUX3 and I borrow it at times to do macro shots. She's not an experienced photographer but is able to make some pretty nice images with it. The D-LUX4 should be an even better choice as a supplement to the M8.

[earleygallery]

My 'carry everywhere' camera is a Clux2 (Panasonic equivalent). Quality at low ISO is fine up to A4 and its small enough to fit in the pocket of a pair of jeans. I carry it if I'm not intending to take photos (for the unexpected) or for parties etc.

A small film camera like a Minox or Olympus XA is another route.

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by scaryink

Compact film cameras are a wonderful way to go.

I have a Leica CL with 40mm Cron but I'm just not into film like I use to be and although the Cl is smaller then a M it's not small enough to be in a cargo pants or shorts leg pocket and not be a bother.

[lars_bergquist]

The problem with digital compacts is than none of them has a decent finder -- or even ANY finder. In order to rapidly and reliably compose a picture offhand, and not just aim the camera in the general direction, it has to have what I call an 'eye contact finder'. A hundred years ago, cameras came generally came with either a matte screen, which required a 'stand', black cloth and all, or a 'brilliant' finder which was a tiny belly-level thing which you did not see much in ("Aunt Agatha, wave your hand please so I can see where you are"). When around the First World War optical direct finders of the reverse Galilean type came in, as on the Leica I, they were a great leap forward. For the first time with a hand camera, you could aim the camera as intuitively as you aimed a finger, and see what you got.

And now three generations later we have re-invented holding the camera before you on your outstretched arms while trying to get the aim, just like with the Newton finders of the 13x18cm plate press cameras of Edwardian vintage. That's progress! Back to the Neolithic! But finderless cameras are cheaper to manufacture of course, and they do fit into a jeans pocket. Taking pictures? A secondary consideration.

The old man from the Age of the Brilliant Finder

[BerndReini]

I really understand your dilemma. I bought a DLux4 for that reason, but when I really think about it, there is no reason to not just put a neck strap and a cheap replaceable lens on your M8 and carry that everywhere you go. I'm always worried about loosing my M8, breaking it, or for it to get stolen, but honestly, these point and shoots are not cheap either. They're not small enough to put in your pocket, and the definitely don't give you the image quality of an M8 with an old used summicron on it. Think about it. When that one great photograph comes along, you'll wish you had your M8 with you anyway. Or an M6 with some film in it.

[giordano]

I recently bought a used Ricoh GX100 for the times when the M8 is too big. The manual controls aren't bad and there's a little shoe-mount EVF which is a great deal better than trying to hold the camera at the right distance for my varifocal spectacles. Since the lens can zoom to set focal lengths (e.g. 24, 28, 35 EFOV) you can even use ordinary external finders.

Results are not up to the standard of a good DSLR but are infinitely better than the little Pentax P&S I had before and good enough to post on my website (only two so far, in among shots from other cameras at jn : photos : Odds and Ends).

And as others have said there are some small film cameras with good lenses. I have a Rollei 35 (a couple of pix among the M8 shots at jn : photos : Josh and the Dinosaurs)

[RobertW]

Ricoh GX200 is my daylight camera when I don't want to carry around the M8 kit. Great outdoor camera, don't try to take any low light pictures (restaurant lighting) at ISO higher than 100, too much noise.

Just picked up the Sigma DP2 with its optical viewfinder.
It has a 41mm effective focal length and doesn't disappoint.
Amazing pictures up to ISO 800. Incredible detail and bokeh.
Uses contrast focusing which can be hit and miss in low light, but also has manual focus...

Best
Rob

[malland]

Since getting the M8 in January I haven't shot even one frame with the GRD2. Although others are likely to feel differently, to me, the idea of having a camera that I'll always have with me is not that compelling these days because I have to be in a "shooting mode" to take pictures, which means having a camera in my right hand with the strap around my wrist: unless I've gone into this mode I'm not likely to take pictures.

Of all the pictures that I've taken there's only this one that I took because the GRD2 was on my belt: I arrived at the address for a business meeting in Paris a half an hour early and walked around the block a few times and took out my camera when I saw this scene. But this has happened to me only once — otherwise I just don't "see" pictures unless I'm in shooting mode. For that the M8 is small enough to carry in a small shoulder back with two it three lenses. Also, I must confess that I don't really like using more than one digital camera unless I have to because of the confusion of dealing with the different types of controls, which is not as simple as changing back and forth, for example, between film cameras like a Leica-M and and a Rolleiiflex. At this stage I would use the GRD2 only if I wanted the huge DOF of the small sensor, as I prefer to deal with the more robust files of the M8, which give me more scope in post-processing.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Bangkok Hysteria©: Book Project

[chris_p]

All things are relative. Compared to a D3 or an EOS 1 the M8 is a 'carry anywhere' camera.
I have tried most of the small format digital cameras. As already mentioned, LCD finders are useless in bright sunshine and accessory finders on zoom compacts add weight and bulk but little accuracy. Results are fine at low ISO but deteriorate rapidly as speed rises, particularly in colour. The effect in B & W can be appealing but is not comparable to the M8. I still have a GR1 but, great little camera though it is, can never raise the enthusiasm to process the film.
If the point of always carrying a camera is not to miss that 'once in a lifetime' shot it also helps if the image meets the quality requirements of recognised picture libraries. Those from small format digital cameras do not.
Put an Elmarit-M 28 on your M8, learn how it frames at various distances and, with aperture priority automatic set and focus fixed, just 'point and shoot'.

[Iansky]

I am, like many others on this forum - since getting my M8.2 in May I have not shot images with any other camera - I have also found that I am shooting a lot more "people" pictures since having the M8 - I hardly ever shot people pictures with my full frame DSLR as it was too conspicuous.

I do carry a Sigma DP1 as my back up as it is small and produces amazing images - I can personally live with the slower Raw write times and crap LCD as the images are equivalent to many current DSLR's.

Here are a couple of my images to show quality of the image/lens.

[gfspencer]

Nice looking images, lansky! I really like the looks of the Sigma camera.

I carry a Panasonic Lumix ?????. (Can't remember the exact number. It's not close by as I write this.) It's the equivalent of one of the small Leica point and shoot cameras. Because of it's small size it is a great camera to carry on trips and the images are very good.

I just bought a Canon D10. It's a funny looking little camera. I bought it because it's waterproof to 33 feet and I plan to use it snorkeling. I didn't think the M8 would make a good snorkeling camera.

[Nicoleica]

I use a D-Lux4 as my 'carry everywhere' camera. In it's leather case it fits nicely into my handbag, and I think that it gives very pleasing results.

[a.cheng]

I bought a dlux3 first back in 2007 then a m8 recently. The reason, apart from the RF's 'old-time' photo-shooting enjoyment, is that the more I used the compact the more I hated to stretch my arms and tilt my head at the same time for framing (I am wearing varifocal). Not to mention under sunlight that I thought I was a blind man. I was hoping the Olympus EP1 would come with a build-in VF but certainly I am disappointed. I have considered Ricoh GX1 and 2. When the EVF is mounted, shape and size wise it's not a pocket one anymore.

Looks like I still have to stretch my arms (and feel blind) when not carrying a M8.

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by Shootist

....Since getting a M8 I really have no desire for any other camera but it would be nice to have something that I can just tuck into a pocket and go.

Ed - I know I'm in a minority here, but I don't think special pictures will be made if you set out without the chosen tool of your trade but with a lesser tool instead. For me, photography is reserved as an activity which requires intent, so I know when I am going to make pictures, and when I'm not I don't carry a camera and enjoy allowing my eyes to graze. There again, I don't use a camera for photographing family, friends, and vista memories etc.; and yes maybe I should get out more.

If being without a camera is too much to bear when your photography intentions are lessened, how about compromising a tiny bit [ many will argue it isn't a compromise at all] and take your M8 with one diminutive CV Colour Skopar 28 or 35 mm lens. And if you only need to make pictures with no technical demands - use a cellphone.

............... Chris

[ljclark]

I got a Ricoh GX-100 after giving up on a Panasonic LX-2. I just couldn't get into the arms-out method of photography.

Working with the GX-100 is like working with a real camera. You can set up the menus so it really seems to act like something a real photographer would use. The EVF is not perfect, but way better than arms-out. It also tilts up, so you can kinda hunker down into the camera when you want. You can set the camera so it step-zooms to 35mm equivalent focal lengths. This may sound like an "Oh well" feature, but when you are street shooting, you can tap the rocker switch to one end of the zoom range, then tap it up or down to the focal length you want, and when you raise the camera, it is ready to go with your selected focal length. As a shooter of some years, you might appreciate this. Bottom line is that the GX-100 (and 200) was designed by photographers.

Noise? Gawdawful. No way to skirt that issue. But it is generally fine at ISO 100 (where a lot of us shot film in the old days). That said, it takes nice B&Ws.

Discussion and examples of B&W at ISO 400 and 1600.

Then, just for kicks, I shot a couple of marches in DC with just the GX-100. It was interesting just blending in with the crowds.

If I could get just one wish from Ricoh, it would be a GX-60...Same user features as the GX-200, but with a 6MP sensor for a little less noise.

[harrisfoto]

How about a Panasonic Lumix G1. Anyone using M or R lenses on one of these?
Cameraquest has MICRO 4/3 System Adapters, to adapt Voigtlander, and Leica M Lens for $149 for Micro 4/3 cameras like the Panasonic G1.
Link at: Adapters: Micro 4/3

[wlaidlaw]

Another vote for the Ricoh GX200. It has a perfectly usable, demountable EVF - if not a great one. Only beefs are noise at higher ISO and lack of Mac/DNG conversion software. I have made a formal approach to Ricoh via the secretary of the Ricoh forum to either provide Mac software or at least give us some icc profiles so we can get good and consistent conversion in C1 etc. ACR converts not too badly but is not exactly big batch friendly. The ergonomics are excellent. They took notice of any criticisms of the controls on GX100 and sorted them - well done! The AF is also much improved from the GX100 and the built in electronic level is a nice feature. With the EVF off, the GX200 becomes shirt pocket size. The optional extra of the clamshell lens cap is an essential.

Wilson

[ljclark]

Originally Posted by harrisfoto

How about a Panasonic Lumix G1. Anyone using M or R lenses on one of these?
Cameraquest has MICRO 4/3 System Adapters, to adapt Voigtlander, and Leica M Lens for $149 for Micro 4/3 cameras like the Panasonic G1.
Link at: Adapters: Micro 4/3

Some have reported rather dodgy results with M lenses less than 50mm -- which kinda defeats the purpose. If you want to use a G1, get a G1 lens.