agf Posted January 21, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted January 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Interesting new comments by M. Reichmann: Â http://www.luminous-landscape.com/locations/m8-marrakech.shtml Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 21, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted January 21, 2007 He's mainly bitching about the power switch which, as we know, is fixed in new production and is said to be improved when the camera goes back for update. So his "I've passed my comments on to Leica" is likely to be met with a stiffled yawn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billh Posted January 21, 2007 Share #3  Posted January 21, 2007 Thanks. That was interesting. I have the same trouble with the on/off switch, and I have used that camera exclusively since it arrived in November except for one soccer game, and today outside in the snow (that is the other issue from my perspective - it can’t get wet). It is light weight, fast and easy to use (I would rather be able to change the ISO without having to go into a menu screen), and the image quality is excellent. Plus it is a Leica M, and I have always loved using them.  Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reichmann Posted January 21, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted January 21, 2007 He's mainly bitching about the power switch which, as we know, is fixed in new production and is said to be improved when the camera goes back for update. So his "I've passed my comments on to Leica" is likely to be met with a stiffled yawn. Â My M8 is "New production". The problem is the same with it as with the early serial number camera that I first tested, and also another belonging to a colleague which is a thousand numbers more recent than mine. Â Nothing significant has changed. The factory has "tweeked" the detents, but it's still a poor design, in my opinion. Â I am hoping that the use of the grip will improve matters. I expect to receive one for testing this week. Â Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted January 22, 2007 Share #5 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Hi Michael, Â I think the grip actually might make a big difference because of the way it will reposition of your hand. Â Cheers, Â Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted January 22, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted January 22, 2007 I'm still waiting for my M8, so no comment on the power switch. Â As for the rest of the article, I'm surprised a seasoned photographer-reviewer did not shoot from his hip or chest to avoid the locals' almost aggressive camera hatred. I did not get the feeling this rejection had a religious base, since people at first looked outraged, but most of them immediately asked for money in exchange for their picture. Plus I've been to other muslim countries and had no problem if I asked people politely before taking their portrait, like Turkey. Â Marrakech is a great place for a photographer, but a telephoto lens is highly recommended in order to get the best possible shots of the locals. This kind of annoys me, since I am of the walk-up-close-with-a-28mm-lens-and-shoot type. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canlogic Posted January 22, 2007 Share #7 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I also use the softy release button on mine which helps keep your finger away from the switch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted January 22, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Thanks, Michael, for an interesting, detailed and over all positive review. Â Now, if my eagerly-awaited M8 would just find its way to me ... Â Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted January 22, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Wondering why all the shots have been cropped to square? Doesn't really show off the M8s abilities IMHO, particuarly the wide lenses. Â I photographed in Marakesh and Morocco a few years back and encounterd many of the same problems with shooting people. I was using a Mamiya 6 and Rolleiflex TLR though, and the Mamiya was great for more classical compositions sans people, and the Rollei for putting people at ease (or not noticing at all). Seems like you might have been better off with a medium format on this trip. The pics look like you really didn't connect - everythings kind of in passing. But one doesn't always - sometimes trips are just trips. And maybe it's just the edit...Loved your Namibia pics - makes me want to go. Â The off switch is a big deal though - the ethos of the Leica is about it's readiness and "stealth." It should have been a simple on/off switch with heavy detents. How often do pros use a self timer? And nobody, as far as I know, missed it on the M6/7. Yeah, Leica should have been listening to real shooters.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Brittenson Posted January 22, 2007 Share #10 Â Posted January 22, 2007 I am hoping that the use of the grip will improve matters. I expect to receive one for testing this week. Looking forward to your report! Been thinking of getting either the grip or a Luigi half case with padding in the right places. Not sure which way to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted January 22, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted January 22, 2007 I believe the grip will help a lot. I use the grip and seldom encounter problems with the switch being out of position. Although, I agree the switch could be much better. The grip would also be excellent for one handed shooting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilliamsphotography Posted January 22, 2007 Share #12 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Here's a question. I haven't had any issue with the on/off switch. It is extremely firm and takes a deliberate and conscience effort to move it. Yet the camera is a early model and hasn't been returned as of yet for the fixes. What's up with that ? (not that I'm complaining : -) Â Would this indicate a variable in quality control? What is the fix Leica does to the on/off switch that was mentioned? ... because I don't want mine touched when I send it in ... it ain't broke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted January 22, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Here's a question. I haven't had any issue with the on/off switch. It is extremely firm and takes a deliberate and conscience effort to move it. Yet the camera is a early model and hasn't been returned as of yet for the fixes. What's up with that ? (not that I'm complaining : -)Â Would this indicate a variable in quality control? What is the fix Leica does to the on/off switch that was mentioned? ... because I don't want mine touched when I send it in ... it ain't broke. Â Hi Marc, Â It may just relate to the fact that we all hold and use the camera a bit differently. Â Cheers, Â Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Brittenson Posted January 22, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Here's a question. I haven't had any issue with the on/off switch. It is extremely firm and takes a deliberate and conscience effort to move it. I don't know if this is the supposed issue with it or not, but to me the firmness is the problem. Once it releases from the off position it goes all the way to the self timer. Just holding the camera and using one finger it's somewhat difficult to simply turn it on (move the lever one position). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sps Posted January 22, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Michael, Â Are you shooting DNG or JPEG Fine? Â I am thinking about using JPEG for most shots b/c I seem ham-fisted in PhotoShop & C1. Frankly, after 10 minutes of work on a DNG today, I still could not best the JPG created by the camera. Â Thanks, Savvas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry Posted January 22, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted January 22, 2007 It's pretty clear from this thread that the resistance between detents on the power switch isn't consistent from one camera to the next. I have no complaints about the action of the switch on my camera, but maybe Leica needs to bring its manufacturing standards in compliance with its design specifications. Â Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reichmann Posted January 22, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted January 22, 2007 Wondering why all the shots have been cropped to square? Doesn't really show off the M8s abilities IMHO, particuarly the wide lenses. Â The point is that these are photographs which have been cropped to most appropriately represent the subject, and my impression of it, not to show some technical attribute of the camera. Â As for JPG vs raw, I almost never shoot JPG. This article on my site http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/u-raw-files.shtml from a few years ago explains why not. Â Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Sievers Posted January 22, 2007 Share #18  Posted January 22, 2007 "People in Morroco do not like being photographed." Bruno Barbey Magnum  This type of street shooting requires a palmable camera like the Ricoh GRD. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted January 22, 2007 Share #19 Â Posted January 22, 2007 I don't have any power button issues, although i do use the grip always Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted January 22, 2007 Share #20 Â Posted January 22, 2007 M. Reichman wrote in his article: "In my initial M8 review I commented that I found the camera's power switch, which surrounds the shutter release, to be too easily moved by accident. It has four positions; OFF, SINGLE FRAME, CONTINUOUS, and SELF TIMER. A small protrusion on the leading edge is what rotates the dial to one of these four positions. In casual use and testing I found that it would end up in the wrong position from time to time. Normal handling of the camera, even when it is around ones neck or over ones shoulder is enough to occasionally move it off the intended position." Â I haven't had any of these issues with the power switch, in fact I find it easier to use than the switch on the M7. Perhaps, as someone already suggested, it may be a quality control issue. If you haven't taken a look at the Reichman article please do, you will love the photography. Â Cheers, Wilfredo+ Benitez-Rivera Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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