M8 OR film m plus x1

[bcwright03]

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I am absolutely going to purchase a n M one way or another. I am thinking either the m8 alone or the m6 along with a compact digicam, possibly the x1. If I get the m8 i probably wont have the money for the x1, but I will if i get the m6.

so

Is the m8 really worth it?:confused:

 

I've also never owned a rangefinder before.

[momo77]

Is the m8 really worth it?:confused:

Yes, every penny...buy it with a cheap (relatively speaking..) Voigtlander lens and start to explore the rangefinder world. You'll have time for the finest Leica glass, and If you'll decide to resell your M8 in a year or two you won't loose much money.

Just my opinion of course...I sold my panasonic GF1 (a lovely camera) for a used M8, no regrets, just fun and superb quality results.

[andybarton]

Why do you want a rangefinder? And why do you want a digital p&s to go with it if you buy a film one?

[bcwright03]

Why do you want a rangefinder? And why do you want a digital p&s to go with it if you buy a film one?

 

I want a rangefinder because I like manual controls as opposed to my bells and whistles d90. Either way, getting the m6 or m8, I would want a point and shoot just so I could have a camera with me when a large camera isn't ideal. So really just for social things.

[andybarton]

I'm not trying to put you off, but you could buy an old Canon AE1, or something similar, and get the manual controls that you seek.

 

Using a rangefinder is fundamentally different from using an SLR.

 

If you buy an M8, you will still need to buy that P&S to carry in your pocket. So, if you can't buy both digital cameras, an M6 and and X1 is your only choice.

[NZDavid]

Or you could buy an M2 to 7 and a DLux.

 

Definitely a good idea to try out a rangefinder first to see if you like it.

[trs]

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I want a rangefinder because I like manual controls as opposed to my bells and whistles d90. Either way, getting the m6 or m8, I would want a point and shoot just so I could have a camera with me when a large camera isn't ideal. So really just for social things.

 

If you buy and M8, you don't really need a X1. You may want, but no need. M8 with a small lens is pretty close to X1. Besides, price wise, M6+X1 = M8 (used) or M8 may even be cheaper.

[deirdre]

I'm seeing M8s for not much more than a new X1. Granted, the M8.2 is more than that, but I can't see an M6 + X1 being anywhere near an M8 in price (if you're talking a used M8).

[Guest malland]

I want a rangefinder because I like manual controls as opposed to my bells and whistles d90. Either way, getting the m6 or m8, I would want a point and shoot just so I could have a camera with me when a large camera isn't ideal. So really just for social things.

Not sure why you would want both the M6 and the M8. I have an M6 but haven't used it for over four years, since I went digital.

 

The other issue is using several different digital cameras. With film cameras, shooting with, say, a Leica-M and a Rolleiflex, was no problem because the controls were so similar: aperture, shutter speed and focus; with digital cameras controls can be so different from one camera to another that it can be confusing when you shift cameras.

 

—Mitch/Paris

Paris au rhythme de Basquiat

[Aviator]

I have no problem shooting wit different digital cameras.

 

Currently using leica-M, Olympus µFT and EOS-System.

[ezc203]

I can't say enough about the M8, it is an amazing camera. Even with the M9 out, the M8 can definitely still hold its own.

 

So I'd say get the M8, a 28mm and a 50mm lens. If you're looking to save some cash, Zeiss are a great way to go. (Actually, Zeiss lenses are a great way to go regardless of cash concerns)

 

M8 - ~$2500

28mm Biogon f2.8 - ~$900

50mm Sonnar f1.5 - ~$1100

 

That's my recommendation.

[Megg]

They are all different toys!

M8 gives you RF in digital convenience,

M6 gives your the traditional film experience,

P&S for your daily everything...

 

They are not replacing each other! Strongly suggest to go M6 for RF101 course.. work the way up and you will find the goods and bads about RF.

 

Said enough, I use M8 and DSLR these days. That will covers almost every types of photography I needed.. of course, I betrayed from film for long time. But shooting film has its own kind of experience and skills...

 

Goodluck!

[PasMichiel]

If you buy and M8, you don't really need a X1. You may want, but no need. M8 with a small lens is pretty close to X1. Besides, price wise, M6+X1 = M8 (used) or M8 may even be cheaper.

 

Indeed. X1 has a crop of 1.5 (so the 24mm lens is 36mm) and the M8 has a 1.33 crop (so the 28mm is 37mm) but the 28 is cheaper than the 24mm

[PasMichiel]

Not sure why you would want both the M6 and the M8. I have an M6 but haven't used it for over four years, since I went digital.

 

The other issue is using several different digital cameras. With film cameras, shooting with, say, a Leica-M and a Rolleiflex, was no problem because the controls were so similar: aperture, shutter speed and focus; with digital cameras controls can be so different from one camera to another that it can be confusing when you shift cameras.

 

—Mitch/Paris

Paris au rhythme de Basquiat

 

 

I do think if you don't have full frame digital you don't use film and digital together. If you change lenses from digital to analog you not only change the way digital is different but the lenses are different too. I think M9 and M6 or 7 combi is great, the M8 and M6 of 7 not.

 

When I bought the M8, I didn't use my M6 anymore. I changed the lenses I bring with me. I had a 35 50 and a 90 with me using my M6. With the M8 I bring the 15 (voigt) 28 and 75 and sometimes the 50.

[ramosa]

in my eyes, the critical question is whether you want digital cameras or film cameras. while i love photos from film, i know that i would dread the processing and scanning. so, for me, to have an M is to have either the M8 or M9. (i have the M8.) i thinking addressing the digital-film question will help you chose between your two "options."

[luigi bertolotti]

Welcome to the forum !!! As you see, lot of different advices in our community... ;

so another from me : if you are definitely sure about digital, go for M8 definitely: M6, in this case, should be a nostalgic film camera you'll end to use rarely: in this case (given that having a film M is anyway very satisfying), wait the time it needs and search for a very classic one : M3 or M2.

And with the M8, I agree that X1 is someway a unuseful plus... as a "carry-always", take a compact P&S, so better if it is a Panasonic with Leica branded zoom...

[stephen.w]

I went through your dillema, and ended up going for the M6 and X1. As others have said, the M8 can produce jawdropping files, but I didn't have the stomach for spending that amount of money on someone else's 4 year-old digicam, especially with the all the reliability issues I read about and the waiting times for getting them fixed.

 

I love the M6 (which I have mostly been using with a Zeiss 35mm Biogon f2 lens) but am getting increasingly frustrated with the X1. The autofocus is slow and the manual focusing scale is rudimentary and frustrating. Supposedly, a firmware update is on the way which will at least address the latter problem. If you're happy to live with camera with a fixed 35mm effective field of view, the X1 could be the camera for you. Alternatively, you could wait for the Fuji X100 which looks great and is supposed to be available at the beginning of next year.

[earleygallery]

Buy a lllf and 5cm 3.5 Elmar.

 

As small as the digicam so you can take it everywhere, it's a rangefinder, it takes film, it's fully manual.

[fotografr]

Get the M8. Brilliant camera. I use my M6 about once a year.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[msbel]

Have all 3.

 

Ranked in how much I use them now;

 

1 - X1 no contest. Fixed 24 (35) and low light that crushes the M8

2 - M8 - I will often put the X1 and the M8 with a 50 lux or 75 cron in the same bag.

3 - M6 - I will always have this. Maybe 6 rolls a year.

 

Huh. Best IQ interestingly are in reverse for me. Scanning M6 b&w negs into high res are stunning, and makes the other two look sterile. M8 + Leica glass just resolves better than the X1. And the X1 still does so much right, and I can tuck it away all the time.

 

Looks like convenience has eked out my want of the ultimate IQ and flexibility.

 

(wow) Never thought I would do that. Kind of sad for me.

 

 

So... you may want the M8 b/c you can use other lenses and learn how to shoot a RF at different focal lengths. Pair it with a used 35 IV Summicron and the latest 50 2.0 Summicron, and go have fun. Both lenses will not totally break the bank, and may be all you need for some time.