Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all. I have owned a Canon 5D and a Ricoh GRD2 for a year or so now. Both great cameras, and the Canon takes amazingly sharp pictures (I am always astounded by the quality when I transfer them onto my computer). Lately though, I haven't used the Canon at all. If I ever go out on a night out I grab the Ricoh as it's so small and compact. And even when travelling I found the Ricoh to be the better partner so to speak. The quality is nowhere near that of the Canon, but I actually like the noise and odd colours sometimes created by the Ricoh. Gives the photo's character. I owned a D Lux 3 ages ago but sold that to buy the Ricoh. I've always loved the Leica M series but obviously they are expensive so have been out of my price range. Not only do I love the classic style, but the simplicity and no nonsense approach also appeals to me. I'm thinking about selling the Canon 5D and my 17-40mm L series Lens and picking up a used Leica M8 and 35/50mm lens. I reckon i'll get on fine but I just wondered what you guys think? I also like that the Leica is manual focus and that it requires a certain degree of skill to take good photo's. I kinda get annoyed by how accessible 'good photography' is to the masses these days - i'm probably just old and grouchy though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Ecar Posted February 1, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 1, 2010 I am also both a Canon DSLR (5DII and 40D) and a Ricoh (GX100) owner. I use the word "owner" instead of "user" on purpose, as these cameras haven't seen much use since I moved to digital M's. Actually, I was ashamed to realise that I sometimes have to find good "excuses" to use the otherwise great Canon cameras and L lenses that I have sitting on the shelves. To me, it's not the IQ that sets the Leica M system apart - quite the contrary in some instances, although this is the subject of countless, endless and heated debates - but rather the pure pleasure of working with a simple, yet highly-effective tool that requires more thinking before pressing the shutter button. I don't know if my photography has improved as a result of that - but I certainly enjoy it a lot more than before. Just one final word of caution: it can get seriously addictive:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailronin Posted February 1, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 1, 2010 You'll be happy with an M8. I have a Nikon D700 and love the high ISO and ease of use but the Leica M8 is what I take with me almost everywhere. The poor Nikon is feeling neglected as she hardly gets used unless I'm out for tele or macro specific shoots. Get an M8 and 35mm Summicron and you will be set for years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted February 1, 2010 Cheers guys - I thought you may say that! That's my problem too...I like the canon, but I don't really find it that rewarding to use. I like the fact that the Leica's require a bit of 'manual intervention' and interaction to create a photo. In fact I think I preferred using my old Pentax Super ME when I first discovered photography to my current 5D. I guess it's meant to be enjoyable, that's why we do it right? Are there any issues with buying a used M8 that I should be aware of - i've had a scan of the threads here but nothing popped out. thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
misha Posted February 1, 2010 Share #5 Posted February 1, 2010 Cheers guys - I thought you may say that! That's my problem too...I like the canon, but I don't really find it that rewarding to use. I like the fact that the Leica's require a bit of 'manual intervention' and interaction to create a photo. In fact I think I preferred using my old Pentax Super ME when I first discovered photography to my current 5D. I guess it's meant to be enjoyable, that's why we do it right? Are there any issues with buying a used M8 that I should be aware of - i've had a scan of the threads here but nothing popped out. thanks again. just keep in mind that if you are used to the 5d 17-40 combo, then you will want something wider than the 35/50 lenses. good luck misha PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISHA FRIEDMAN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted February 1, 2010 The M8 isn't full frame is it? The 17-40mm was pretty decent but produced a fair amount of barrel distortion at the edges. I was considering getting a 50mm lens for the Canon a while back as i found this distortion annoying. So would a 50mm on an M8 not be true 50mm? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 1, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 1, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) The M8 isn't full frame is it? The 17-40mm was pretty decent but produced a fair amount of barrel distortion at the edges. I was considering getting a 50mm lens for the Canon a while back as i found this distortion annoying. So would a 50mm on an M8 not be true 50mm? M8 has a 18x27 sensor - 1,33 crop vs. a Full Frame (24 x 36) : so, 50 is always a 50mm lens... , but onto M8 it covers the field of a 67mm lens onto a 24x36. 35mm "is" a 47, 28 a 37, 21 a 28, 90 a 120 etc... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted February 1, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 1, 2010 I just picked up an M8. I love it. Remember with film scanners and prints, you get "about" a 1.1x crop factor. Except on my Bogen Enlarger. I filed down the negative carrier to get the entire image. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmldds Posted February 1, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 1, 2010 Go for it! My used M8.2 is on the way, my Summilux 35 already arrived, the IR filters are on the way and so is a Summicron hood following advice from a fellow LFU... I just sold my Canon 5DMkII, 17-40 f/4 L, 35 f/1.4 L, MP65-E f/2.8 to help finance the new acquisition. I am still keeping my old trusty 1DsMkII for macro. I cannot wait for the arrival of the M!!! I am already looking for a Summicron 75... I may have to sell part of my gun collection!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldhrads Posted February 1, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 1, 2010 You should!! Like many others here I am a DSLR owner, I have always been an olympus fan and have an e500 and some of their high end lenses, in fact many of the high end lenses, I almost feel guilty:eek: letting them all sit quietly in the closet. I jumped to film M as an excuse to get to digital M, sounds odd I know, the film M is gone but my M8.2 is never far from my side. It takes me back to crafting photographs, not just seeing opportunities but really working to make a good photo. I love it. I had not had a rangefinder since I started photographing with my dad's old Kodak Retina IIIc. It's made me a better photographer and I'm happy for it. Good luck!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted February 1, 2010 Right - Canon now on ebay! I think I will have more fun shooting with an M8, I found it got a little stale with the 5D. I much preferred the Ricoh as an everyday tool. Also the size and bulk of the 5D with the lens made it a bit of an arse to carry around with you all day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissah Posted February 1, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 1, 2010 although this is a leica forum... yes buy the camera and re-discover what its like to think before you shoot. its a wonderful experience. best,melissa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted February 1, 2010 thanks for the opinions guys. One more thing - is the M8 dust sealed as the 5D is a bugger for constantly getting dust on the sensor - this obviously showed up on the photo's too. Considering they are a semi pro camera I found it stingy that it was never weather sealed or anything.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 1, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 1, 2010 I'd get a 28mm Elmarit or Summicron or a 35mm Summicron to start with. You won't miss your Canon... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted February 1, 2010 What sort of money are those lenses? Yes i'm sure the Canon will long be forgotten once the M8 rolls in Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 2, 2010 Share #16 Posted February 2, 2010 Prices for new lenses are about Elmarit 28/2.8: 2,000$ (btw, this is the first lens I bought for my M8) Cron 28/2.0: 4,000$ Cron 35/2. 0: 3,000$ - you may also want to consider the much cheaper (about 1,700$) and highly regarded Summarit 35/2.5. Used lenses are of course less expensive - ask a Leica dealer or check out prices on eBay. The most recent ones can sometimes be found in mint condition. If funds are tight, a relatively inexpensive way to start is to go for CV or Zeiss glass - as a general rule of thumb, CV lenses are about 1/5 the price of the "equivalent" Leica ones, and Zeiss are about 1/2. There is lots of info on the respective merits of these lenses on this forum - just do a search. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted February 2, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 2, 2010 thanks for the opinions guys. One more thing - is the M8 dust sealed as the 5D is a bugger for constantly getting dust on the sensor - this obviously showed up on the photo's too. Considering they are a semi pro camera I found it stingy that it was never weather sealed or anything.. It's usually the zoom lenses at fault. They huff and puff in and out dragging in the air and mixing it up in the mirror chamber then it settles on the sensor as the shutter opens and moves the air again. With the Leica it depends on how often you change lenses and if you change by holding the throat down not up like a cup to collect debris. The M8 is not as well sealed as the 5D but as stated it's not seeping in that way its the 5D lens sucking it in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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