How are M8 sales lately?

[albertwang]

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How well has the M8 done in the market? Has it meet with resounding demand? Just wondering whether there will be any future models in the pipeline

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[pascal_meheut]

Quite good according to my reseller.

[earleygallery]

I saw my first M8 in the flesh this week! I was at a gallery opening and there were a few press photographers there, I spotted immediately that one was using a Leica, and it was the M8 of course!

 

The other photographers were asking him about it, and I joined in the chat. He also uses Nikon DSLRs but bought the Leica exactly for the type of event he was covering and said that he much prefers the size AND speed of the Leica - he was finding the rangefinder quicker to focus than the autofocus Nikons.

 

Looking at the reaction of the other photographers I'd say there will be quite a few others converting to Leica.

[Riley]

i think M8 and D Lux3 are selling like hot cakes

not that i would know

but you dont see either on ebay,

there was just 1 M8 before the recall or whatever it was

 

i imagine prices are closely hooked to demand

that might be an indicator

[jrc]

<snip> [He] bought the Leica exactly for the type of event he was covering and said that he much prefers the size AND speed of the Leica - he was finding the rangefinder quicker to focus than the autofocus Nikons.

 

I've worked reasonably hard on my rangefinder focusing, with an M7, R-D1 and M8, and I have to say that I'm nowhere near as fast as the D2x autofocus. Of course, I'm not a pro -- but I really have a hard time figuring out how you could focus much faster than the D2x. As a comparison, I would say that the autofocus on the D2x is quicker than the sound of the M8's shutter-firing-and-recock sound. There's no way I personally will ever be able to match that, and I really doubt that few people could. Not that that takes away from the M8. I carry it around, like I don't carry the D2x, which is more of a "I'm going out with the tripod and take some photos" kind of camera.

 

I read a tip somewhere -- here, I think -- that suggests that after every shot sequence, you return the focus to infinity, so that when you begin the next sequence, you always know where the focus ring is at and you turn it always in the same direction. I'm trying to do that (though I forget sometimes) and that does seem to speed things up.

 

JC

[elviskennedy]

Yes, I tire of hearing from so-called pros who claim to focus rangefinders faster than cameras like the D2X. The D2X is all but immediate when focusing. It will focus and shoot as you press the shutter button, A human simply can't match that speed. If you want to wear a Leica around your neck because you think it looks cool or makes you look professional, fine. But don't make up stuff to justify it.

 

If you have it because you enjoy using it and you like the results just say so. There is no crime in that.

[elviskennedy]

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But to answer the original question, the M8 is obviously selling quickly as dealers can't seem to keep them in stock, but since it is rare that a dealer gets them from Leica there are not that many being sold. So overall I expect that from a strictly financial standpoint it's been a disappointment. Mostly due to the problems early on and the side effect of the factory handling repairs instead of producing new units.

 

Hopefully the factory will be up to full speed on new units soon.

[fotografr]

Try to find one on a dealer's shelf. That's a pretty good indicator. I have heard the factory is only able to produce 50 M8 cameras per day and they are selling as fast as they are being made. Perhaps when the backlog of malfunctioning cameras is taken care of, they will be able to step up the production.

[wilfredo]

If people have to get on waiting list to purchase the M8, that is a good indicator that sales remain high.

 

I love my M8 but it is no where near as fast to focus as my Canon 5D, nevertheless, it is so much more convenient for daily use for its size and weight. It just can't be beat. I can't remember when I have enjoyed a camera so much. I've become a total convert!

 

Cheers,

Wilfredo+

[4season]

By Leica standards, the M8 appears to be a hit.

 

I've worked reasonably hard on my rangefinder focusing, with an M7, R-D1 and M8, and I have to say that I'm nowhere near as fast as the D2x autofocus.

 

I would much prefer a slightly out of focus, but precisely-timed photo, than a precisely-focused photo of the "Moment After The Decisive Moment"!

 

The way to outshoot any autofocus is very easy: You PREfocus the lens, and rely on the distance scale and depth of field indicators more than anything else. You only use the rangefinder for more precise focusing if you have time for a second shot. This approach works less well with telephoto lenses and anything at f/1

[Riley]

Yes, I tire of hearing from so-called pros who claim to focus rangefinders faster than cameras like the D2X. The D2X is all but immediate when focusing. It will focus and shoot as you press the shutter button, A human simply can't match that speed. If you want to wear a Leica around your neck because you think it looks cool or makes you look professional, fine. But don't make up stuff to justify it.

 

If you have it because you enjoy using it and you like the results just say so. There is no crime in that.

 

when really there is on occasion some doubt about the accuracy of AF, and there are particular instances when AF just wont do the job like the attached image by Cartier which you may know, and where the man himself is not in focus, the sharpest focus being on the inhabitants at the doorway. What these pro photographers tried to instruct was that with a rangefinder, you often see more than the field of view of the lens, to do this with an slr you would have to zoom the lens, which no doubt takes a little time, yes ? ;_)

 

tsk...

 

machines are fine for routine tasks, but people are your audience, and they dont think like machines

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[jonoslack]

Yes, I tire of hearing from so-called pros who claim to focus rangefinders faster than cameras like the D2X. The D2X is all but immediate when focusing. It will focus and shoot as you press the shutter button, A human simply can't match that speed. If you want to wear a Leica around your neck because you think it looks cool or makes you look professional, fine. But don't make up stuff to justify it.

 

If you have it because you enjoy using it and you like the results just say so. There is no crime in that.

 

Hi Elvis

I quite agree with you - but - and it's a big but, the D2x focuses on what you want to focus on (and tracks it too, quite excellently); if you're shooting sports, then it's a no brainer - but in the kind of situations you would use the Leica (a show preview for instance) the autofocus on any camera is a dangerous weapon - it KNOWS what to focus on, and it's where there is most contrast - not necessarily where you want the focus.

 

No slur on autofocus (and especially the D2x) - it was a real revelation to me to see how big the autofocus sensors really are on cameras like the D2x - and therefore no surprise that it makes a different decision from you (notice I don't say wrong).

 

I'm new to rangefinders, and I'm pretty poor at focusing - but I do love the fact that one doesn't have to fiddle about with focusing points, and to check that the camera has the same idea about what's important as I do.

 

So, maybe 'faster' is not quite the right word, but the control you have can make shooting faster.

[mat_mcdermott]

Yes, I tire of hearing from so-called pros who claim to focus rangefinders faster than cameras like the D2X. The D2X is all but immediate when focusing. It will focus and shoot as you press the shutter button, A human simply can't match that speed. If you want to wear a Leica around your neck because you think it looks cool or makes you look professional, fine. But don't make up stuff to justify it.

 

If you have it because you enjoy using it and you like the results just say so. There is no crime in that.

 

The D2x may focus more quickly in absolute terms, but the thing that sold me on rangefinder focusing is that I know exactly where I'm putting the focus. With autofocus I may be able to focus on something quickly, but I never quite know where the exact point of focus is. Since I prefer to shoot with shallow depth of field in most circumstances, I need to know this. I've used both rangefinders and autofocus SLRs for many years and in my experience I've missed more shots because of focus issues with the SLRs than my M, even in fast moving situations.

[elviskennedy]

The D2X has 11 auto focus points in the viewfinder. One of the 11 will surely cover what the photographer wants the focus on. A simple and quick flick of the thumb will select such a focus point and you're done.

 

Or you can do what I do which is to disengage the shutter button from focus. Point the center of the camera at your object, focus with the thumb focus button, re-compose and shoot.

 

Either way is vastly quicker than manual. But again, I love the Leicas for other reasons. There is no validity in claiming that the Leica is faster than the D2X at focusing, especially as a justification for having the Leica.

 

I use the D2X and consider the quality it outputs, for my purposes, better than 35mm film and as good as medium format film. I also use the M8 and here is what I like about it; it's a small and lightweight camera that outputs images on par with the D2X.

[sdai]

The D2x may focus more quickly in absolute terms, but the thing that sold me on rangefinder focusing is that I know exactly where I'm putting the focus. .

 

There're 11 AF points in the D2X, you don't know how to switch from one to another with the joypad or simply program the group focus points?

 

Sorry, but what James heard from the "Pro" fondling with his M8 was completely BS IMO ... hang on a sec, I forgot that many RF shooter never cared whether their photos are in focus nor not.

[mat_mcdermott]

I'm perfectly well aware how to set autofocus points and can change them quickly, but I prefer seeing the split image align as focus confirmation. I won't argue that this is any faster that autofocus, but for my needs rangefinder focusing provides a better user experience. And I agree that the other advantages of an M in comparison to an autofocus SLR are more important than which one you can focus more quickly.

[jrc]

I didn't mean to start an argument about focusing; just to observe that I'm somewhat skeptical of *some* of the strengths claimed for the M8. I really do love the camera -- it's small, handy, has great fast glass and viewfinder, and terrific files.

 

To go back to the original question, I'm also just a teensy bit skeptical about sales. The cameras sell out quickly, when they come into stock -- but it's apparent that there are no longer waiting lists at places like B&H. If you keep your eyes open (and there's usually an alert posted on this forum) you've got a decent chance of calling in an order when a shipment arrives, and getting a camera. Originally, people were predicting sold-out waiting lists until the summer.

 

However, that doesn't mean that there might not be "ad hoc" waiting lists -- people who consider themselves waiting (partly to see what the fixed cameras are like) but who are reluctant, given past problems, and the odd distribution patterns, to actually plunk $1,000 on the dealer's counter-top. If the present pattern persists -- an "in-stock" note at B&H, followed by a sell-out within minutes, then I think Leica can't be anything but happy. But if the minutes turn into hours, and then days, before, say, the summer...then maybe not so happy.

 

One thing that must hearten the Leica people is that a number of us have confessed to having bought a second camera. I'm thinking about it myself; and a couple more batteries. I'm also thinking about starting a thread here in which I would encourage people to bitch & moan about not getting the two free filters. I need two 60s, and I can't find a place to buy them, so I signed up to get them free from Leica. So if Leica doesn't wanrt to endure a lot of public whining, I would suggest that they put them in a box and send them to me immediately. And screw everybody else. 8-)

 

JC

[cam2000]

I work with two D2X and love my cameras...... they paid for themselves..... but I was looking for a camera that was, smaller, lighter, with excellent resolution, super sharp optics, something you can trust the focus in dim lighting! Well I have been following all these posts on this forum since the introduction of the M8..... and even after reading the despair of some misfortunate ones..... I still wanted to try out the M8!! My Leica rep in Montreal lent me his personal M8 for a week ........ I was hooked and mine will arrive next week! I will still be working with my D2X but I will be composing differently with the range-finder view... and I am sure I will put it to workfor good use because the sharpness is none equal! This shot was taken this morning and if you look closely...... it is not dust marks but snow crystals.... Aspheric Summicron 35 mm F2 ...... I think Leica will do fine with this camera... to word of mouth and the seeing results will get new followers.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[pemayeux]

I suppose I'm doing my part to help sales. Mine showed up a couple of hours ago. Black, firmware 1.09. Thanks, Ken Hansen.

 

I can't wait to get a full charge on the battery and get out and do some shooting. It really does come close to the feel of my MP. The shutter sounds more like the one on my view camera rather than the MP but other than that I think I'm going to enjoy it.

 

My next step is going to be getting a wider lens to make up for the crop factor. I've got my 35'lux mounted and I'm thinking I'd like the new 28 elmarit to get me back to an effective 35 mm coverage. I just hate that I've got to learn a new work flow - namely C1 to photoshop CS2. Oh well, it's supposed to be icy again this weekend. Cheers Paul.

[sdai]

My Leica rep in Montreal lent me his personal M8 for a week ........ I was hooked and mine will arrive next week!

 

The situation in Canada must be a lot better than that in the US ... waiting lists numbers are normally vastly exaggerated by dealers in order to fuel sales. Fact is ... we're reading folks getting them in a fairly short amount of time either by calling around, or just watching B&H.

 

I've told my dealer to hold my order till a relatively final version is delivered ... I simply don't want to waste my time on "testing", "working around" and risking for a potential recall in the future even by the slightest chance, and I'm not in desperate need of an additional camera.