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My new M8u

LeicaTobin

By LeicaTobin
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

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LeicaTobin

LeicaTobin

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What really brought me to Leica was Riccis.

 

I love Riccis style and his approach. His approach to shooting weddings are that he is a guest with a camera with lots of access. I love his style and approach.

 

After reading about him I got into Robert Frank and wanted a camera that I would more likely take with me everywhere I go. I started reading forums and what to look for in buying a used M8. Then one day while checking this great camera shop online in Montreal there was a used M8 with the upgraded shutter, frame-lines and screen all for a great price.

 

The feel, build quality, the easy of use. I find myself thinking more about the photograph and trying to anticipate the shot. I also love not seeing any blackout when I click the shutter. I simply know what I got when I shoot. Now the focusing is something that you need to get use to but I find myself having so much fun using this camera. Its just a matter of practice. I love that I am now getting into zone focusing. I noticed on all of my new Nikon prime lens the 24mm 1.4 G and 50mm 1.4 G the is no DOF scale. The camera is doing all the work. I am digging thinking about the camera in a way mechanical way. I also love the idea of shooting from the hip.

 

Just last night I was with friends over at their house and I had the M8 and was taking pictures and no one seemed to really care or notice that I was taking pictures. If I had my D700 out I think I would have been told to stop ahhaha There is a real fluidness to using the Leica. Now, will I sell my Nikon bag? No, it is my wedding and paid gigs tool. The leica is my camera, for my pictures that I take for me. Its just a different tool. I printed the above picture today at my local lab and really dug the look.

 

I am still getting use to it but I am having a type of fun that really reminds me of when I first got the photography bug.

 

Thank you everyone for your posts and your love for M photography. It really helped me.

 

Cheers,

 

Tobin

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photophile

photophile

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Riccis does exploit the special character offered by m style shooting - and does so beautifully. Your image shows you have a good eye. Welcome to the m world. enjoy yiour new toy/tool. Best. Coos ps.. I'd be inclined to take a bit more off the top, reduce the eye draw from the window by doing so, and thus bring the focus more on your subject. It will greatly enhance an already strong image. Most images are posted on the photo section where, if you wish, people will offer ( usuually useful) critique

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Riccis

Riccis

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Tobin:

 

You are too kind for the nice words, thank you very much... I've said this plenty of times before but the best compliment I can get is to be able to inspire others and I am humbled my work moved you to try the wonderful world of shooting with rangefinders... Welcome! :)

 

There are amazing photographers on this forum, so please don't hesitate to post any questions and head over to the People forum for nonstop inspiration (this is what I do all the time).

 

While my schedule is crazy and can't always answer all emails right away, I always get back to anyone that contacts me with questions, please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything you want to know from me.

 

Photophile - Thank you very much for your comments and the already great advice given to Tobin.

 

Cheers,

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mhoersch

mhoersch

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Tobin,

 

congrats for your purchase. I think you got the best digital M there is, at the moment. (I've got two of these myself.) And the way you describe your experience sounds very familiar.

 

Enjoy, have fun, and make many more pictures like the one you posted!

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buzzwordy

buzzwordy

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Hello there,

I am new in this forum. I am using Nikon system at the moment but have been thinking to move to Leica for a while.

Tobin, I am interested in buying an used M8 and wonder if you can share from which store in Montreal that you bought your M8?

 

Thanks

hazel

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Islandmike

Islandmike

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Tobin

 

Thanks for introducing me to Riccis website. His work is awesome.

 

I hope you'll enjoy your new M8.u as much as I'm enjoying my M8 bought late last year. It gets its first wedding duty tomorrow - wonder how many times I'll use it instead of the Nikon!

 

Cheers

 

Mike

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Islandmike

Islandmike

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Thanks for the blog site, Tobin - I will check it out thoroughly.

 

I bought the M8 new with 35/2.5 Summarit and added a 50/1.5 CV Nokton bought off e-bay. In fact the 50mm is probably the most useful lens for me much of the time, as it's great for indoor candid portraits.

 

With only an occasional need for something wider, as I have an ultra wide zoom with DSLR kit, I bought a new CV 21/4 Skopar, which is a fine lens - I don't use an external viewfinder, just get in tight with the full vf area of the M8 and know I have a little extra to what I see.

 

Of the three, the Summarit is noticeably superior (at 4x the price it should be) and gives that indefinable combination of colour rendition and contrast that only German lenses can.

 

I tend to use the viewfinder only as a rough guide with any lens - after shooting various angles of view for around 45 years, I think I already have a fair idea of what will be in the picture before I point the camera - I suppose I have a viewfinder imprinted in my brain.

 

The M8 was brilliant for shooting a bridal party in the hairdressers and for some of the available light shots in the Church - less good for some some active work outdoors, where a zoom lens is still helpful.

 

Cheers

 

Mike

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BshopB

BshopB

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Tobin --

 

Your post sums up my reasons for having just picked up an M8.2. Now I will have a camera that I can take with me everywhere I go and I will no longer miss opportunities as they present themselves. Having spent a lot of time on Riccis', Chris Weeks and a few other sites for inspiration, I can only say I look forward to using my M8.2.

 

Best regards -- Bishop

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Jeff S

Jeff S

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FWIW, I prefer using one of my M8u's to the M9.

 

Mark, you've probably explained this elsewhere, but would you mind briefly elaborating (or pointing me to a link)? I wonder if this is a temporary state, awaiting firmware fixes, or something more ingrained.

 

Jeff

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marknorton

marknorton

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Jeff

 

I like the M9 IQ but the issue I have with it is not knowing whether it is ready to shoot. You cannot tell looking at the camera whether it is sleeping or active and I've missed a number of shots while the camera wakes from its slumbers.

 

It's down to the deleted top panel LCD. The M8 LCD was hardly a masterpiece but at least it allows you to confirm the camera is awake. Leica could have enhanced it to provide more information in a more readable form in the M9 where pointless cost cutting saw it dispensed with.

 

Then there's the return to plastic LCD cover which adds a bloom to the images compared to the sapphire glass.

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k-hawinkler

k-hawinkler

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Mark,

 

I have developed the habit of switching the M9 camera off when temporarily done and back on for the next shot.

Seems to work for me. I wonder though how long the switch will last.

 

Best regards, K-H.

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jaapv

jaapv

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Mark, I see what you mean, but I cannot say that I ever found the time to check the top LCD when the situation was so dynamic that a shot could be lost. I have a habit of tapping the shutterbutton before bringing the camera up. It is digital, the occasional shot of my feet does not matter ;)

0.7 startup time is faster than getting the camera to my eye and focussing, so by the time I want to shoot the camera is wide awake. Works for the M8 as well as the M9.

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Jeff S

Jeff S

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Jeff

 

I like the M9 IQ but the issue I have with it is not knowing whether it is ready to shoot. You cannot tell looking at the camera whether it is sleeping or active and I've missed a number of shots while the camera wakes from its slumbers.

 

It's down to the deleted top panel LCD. The M8 LCD was hardly a masterpiece but at least it allows you to confirm the camera is awake. Leica could have enhanced it to provide more information in a more readable form in the M9 where pointless cost cutting saw it dispensed with.

 

Then there's the return to plastic LCD cover which adds a bloom to the images compared to the sapphire glass.

 

Thanks for the explanation, Mark.

 

I own the M8.2 and, like Jaap, tap the shutter if I recognize the need to shoot quickly. Of course, if battery drain isn't an issue, the auto power function can be adjusted for longer times.

 

If I eventually transition to, or add, a full frame digital M, the decision will be largely based on IQ. However, I too would miss the LCD and the sapphire screen. Maybe a 9.2 or M9u eventually?

 

Jeff

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