ottocrat Posted March 26, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 26, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) My Leica bling collection is complete! I will be honest. I derive enormous pleasure from owning and using such a beautiful camera. I'm not sure I take better photos with it, I'm not even sure it's as practical as my DSLR, but I enjoy using it so much and it does my soul good to think that I've invested in a quality instrument carefully crafted by people in lab overalls in a Mittelstand company in a small town in Mitteleuropa. I love the simplicity of the M8, its minimal design is one of its appeals. Perhaps it's odd then that I've also got a big kick out of sourcing and obtaining a few accessories. From the exquisitely milled soft release button to the Thumbs Up, the Billingham bag and now the Luigi case, they each add to the camera's ergonomics and aesthetics in some way. I love the fact that there are these gifted artisans working to enhance my experience as a Leica user. I romantically like to believe that these beautiful objects are a statement against our consumerist, disposable culture. I don't consider myself rich (though compared to most of the world's population of course I am) but I'm happy to spend more and buy less but better. A camera is a tool, and a means to an end, the end being the best images you can take. But if it was just that, I couldn't justify the outlay for an M8. It's more than that, isn't it? Anyone else care to share their thoughts on the things that enhance their experience as M8 users? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 Hi ottocrat, Take a look here Pimp My Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
backwater Posted March 26, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 26, 2010 I am in total agreement. I just wish I could afford the Luigi case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted March 26, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 26, 2010 I am in total agreement. I just wish I could afford the Luigi case. When you can't afford fine clothes, go naked! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redridge Posted March 26, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 26, 2010 I have the Luigi grip case.... I just bought a Leica grip, gordy's wrist strap and thumbs up..... I love it naked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted March 27, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 27, 2010 One the thing that enhances my experience as an M8 user is laughing my socks off at threads like this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesk8752 Posted March 27, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 27, 2010 One the thing that enhances my experience as an M8 user is laughing my socks off at threads like this one. People own Leicas for many reasons - who is to say that any of them is "wrong" or "unworthy"? That said, laugh away, that's your privilege. For myself, I find pleasure in using any finely-crafted tool. Sure, a cheap P&S will get the shot, but using a Leica is so much nicer. Regards, Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocrat Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted March 27, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) One the thing that enhances my experience as an M8 user is laughing my socks off at threads like this one. Heheh, you're not my wife are you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted March 29, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 29, 2010 When people like to collect things, be it cameras or trading cards, the prices can skyrocket. That's great for the collectors, but not so good for ordinary people who just want to buy/use them. I remember when some people were paying astronomical prices for Pokemon cards, and sports cards. I never could understand it, but everyone enjoyed it, so why not? It's good for Leica, but bad for users, that the gear they make is worth so much as a collector's item. It makes it difficult for ordinary users to afford it. (But having said that, there's a good reason why Leica gear is looked upon so favorably by both users and collectors!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted March 29, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 29, 2010 When people like to collect things, be it cameras or trading cards, the prices can skyrocket. That's great for the collectors, but not so good for ordinary people who just want to buy/use them. I remember when some people were paying astronomical prices for Pokemon cards, and sports cards. I never could understand it, but everyone enjoyed it, so why not? It's good for Leica, but bad for users, that the gear they make is worth so much as a collector's item. It makes it difficult for ordinary users to afford it. (But having said that, there's a good reason why Leica gear is looked upon so favorably by both users and collectors!) Agree totally... I gave up collecting Pollock's when they went over $100 million... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 29, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 29, 2010 Anyone else care to share their thoughts on the things that enhance their experience as M8 users? Dude, pass me the bong... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocrat Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted March 29, 2010 Wait, I do actually use the thing too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted March 29, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 29, 2010 Dude, pass me the bong... A bit strong - Us Brit's usually just have a nice pot of tea old chap. I like your mods ottocrat I just can't get a proper grip in holding my M8 and still not sure on whether to get a Leica grip or a thumbs-up. Next time in London I'll try the official Leica grip and go from there I think. No such problems with my old M2 on the other hand that seems to fit the hand like a nice well worn glove. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocrat Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks cidereye, and while we're on the subject of beverages, sincere condolences re last week's shocking hike in cider tax! Hope it doesn't negatively impact your grip fund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted March 29, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks cidereye, and while we're on the subject of beverages, sincere condolences re last week's shocking hike in cider tax! Hope it doesn't negatively impact your grip fund. Well looks like correspondence from myself and a few others has persuaded Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans to back The Wurzels "I am a Cider Drinker" to get to No1 in the charts (all money going to Sport Relief) - seems to be doing quite well too. Cider Protest Not talking about crass/mass tripe like Magners, Blackthorn etc here but helping a craft industry mainly run by one, two man outfits producing a might fine traditional drink and many now face financial ruin. As regards a grip no, the wife will see to stopping that after recent purchases. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted March 31, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 31, 2010 The video is being shot this weekend. Cheddar Valley @ Tuckers Grave; there's no substitute. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted March 31, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 31, 2010 The video is being shot this weekend. Cheddar Valley @ Tuckers Grave; there's no substitute. Ooh er, another cider aficionado. You know, I've not been there for years and I hear the landlord has left/been replaced now. It's right by their studios where The Stranglers recorded most of their later albums as you are probably well aware. Another cracking cider venue is The Blue Flame near Nailsea (Landlord Mick is a miserable Lancastrian though, turns the milk sour!) or CAMRA national cider pub of 2009 The Orchard in Bristol. Did you realise though that Thatchers Cheddar Valley is only Thatchers Traditional with an added dye? I know this because I know a few guy's that work there, does change the flavour of the cider slightly though. Anyway, we should really be talking about M8 mods so sorry to also add to taking the thread slightly OT. Anybody else tried *both* the official Leica M8 grip and the ThumbsUp and have a view in comparing both? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocrat Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share #17 Posted March 31, 2010 God I really want some cider now! Off to Normandy tomorrow, lots of pimped M8 photography and reasonably-tax-free cider ahoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted March 31, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 31, 2010 Ooh er, another cider aficionado. You know, I've not been there for years and I hear the landlord has left/been replaced now. It's right by their studios where The Stranglers recorded most of their later albums as you are probably well aware. Stranglers are still around, as is the landlord. They tried to sell up a few months back, but no biters (thankfully). I have a big celebration there this weekend; will most likely get snowed in! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StenSture Posted December 17, 2010 Share #19 Posted December 17, 2010 That Luigi-case was not to bad at all. That Thubs-up contraption. Doesn't it get in the way when putting the camera in the bag? Seemes nice, though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted December 17, 2010 Share #20 Posted December 17, 2010 I'll play. I also love shooting with my M8, yet derive a distinct, i.e. separate pleasure from customizing it. I have posted this before, but here it is again, my M8 chrome, black dot, custom Luigi strap with no length adjustment, i.e. minimalist, black chrome base, and my chrome 35 Lux ASPH. Not visible: I partly dismantled the camera according to directions given by Mark Norton and Walt, to adjust the resistance of the various stages of my shutter. I also had the upgrade performed, with frames, sapphire glass and quiet shutter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.