DaveB Posted June 4, 2011 Share #21 Posted June 4, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Although not everyone may consider it an advantage, the IR sensitivity of the M8 allows for hand-held infrared photography. I can't think of another high end camera that can do that unmodified. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Hi DaveB, Take a look here Is a 5 year old M8 still a viable choice?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Cyril Jayant Posted June 5, 2011 Share #22 Posted June 5, 2011 Thanks again, yes i will check thoroughly, unfortunately private = no warranty http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/images/smilies/frown.gif I bought mine which was moderately good for £1700, but just after three days of buying I faced the shutter failure. But luckily for me I bought it from a well-known dealer with a warranty and it saved me lot frustrations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted June 6, 2011 Share #23 Posted June 6, 2011 Boss, I believe you forgot one more reason, namely the 1.33 crop actually improves the rendition of your lenses because it leaves out the outer zones that are generally weaker than center. So make it 17.5 reasons... Cheers Bruno Try saying that in the M9 forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 6, 2011 Share #24 Posted June 6, 2011 Not a problem We can always crop down to our little brother's size Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted June 6, 2011 Share #25 Posted June 6, 2011 Ironic, I just wrote an article just a week or two ago - "Is the M8 Still a Good Choice?". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steinzeug Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share #26 Posted June 6, 2011 Hi! Yes a nice article and makes some important points, and the M8 does take great photos and is a rangefinder (with all what that entails regarding photographic approach and pleasure). However you didn´t mention the expense of repairing one should something go wrong (and according to the forum, and as much as i wished they didn´t, things do) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted June 6, 2011 Share #27 Posted June 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi! Yes a nice article and makes some important points, and the M8 does take great photos and is a rangefinder (with all what that entails regarding photographic approach and pleasure). However you didn´t mention the expense of repairing one should something go wrong (and according to the forum, and as much as i wished they didn´t, things do) Well, like anything complicated, things can break - and if it's no longer under warranty, could get expensive. But then, that's like driving a Ferrari and complaining about the gas mileage. I'd have mentioned it, but my M8 has been solid for 2.5 years now (and I got it used after the original owner had it likely since launch)... So don't have much experience with it... Thankfully. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikP Posted June 7, 2011 Share #28 Posted June 7, 2011 Is buying a 4-5 year old M8 still a viable choice?and are 7000 accuations a lot? Yes - if the M8 supports your way of photografy. When I compare with more than 20 000 frames from my D700 with a few thousand pics with a used M8 I bought - the output are comparable except for low light. But for me - I find that I bring the DSLR or the Rangfinder to different events. They complement each other nicely. The files are fine if you are comfortable with less of a "speed machine" and like the core values of Leica! And No - 7000 must be considered as low. The faster you run the shutter to end of life - the more picture you will have on your hard drives. The camera is well worth a shutter replacement if needed an this gives a renewed Leica factory garantie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted June 7, 2011 Share #29 Posted June 7, 2011 Not a problem We can always crop down to our little brother's size Older brother, Jaap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcuthbert Posted June 12, 2011 Share #30 Posted June 12, 2011 Still very viable. I still shoot stories on my M8 that are published by the likes of the BBC/Times and Guardian. In fact I'd hedge a bet and say that most wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between the M8 and M9. With the advancement of software like LR and Nik Software's offering, even the dreaded noise issue is slowly being handled. Shooting at 1200 use to be scary but now it's actually decent. I've still yet to feel the need to upgrade to the M9, which is good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted June 27, 2011 Share #31 Posted June 27, 2011 Best camera ever and I don't regret buying it at all. After a calibration, this became the best camera I have ever used. Agree..! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted June 27, 2011 Share #32 Posted June 27, 2011 +1 except my M2 is still and will always be "better", not that I use it much, but that is/was a work of art Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikP Posted June 27, 2011 Share #33 Posted June 27, 2011 Still very viable. I still shoot stories on my M8 that are published by the likes of the BBC/Times and Guardian. In fact I'd hedge a bet and say that most wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between the M8 and M9. With the advancement of software like LR and Nik Software's offering, even the dreaded noise issue is slowly being handled. Shooting at 1200 use to be scary but now it's actually decent. I've still yet to feel the need to upgrade to the M9, which is good I agree - also the new firmware for this "old product" must be considered as an comittment from Leica. The camera got quicker to handle and added compability to a new lens. It seems to me that this old product will be around for a long time still Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricardsonwilliams Posted August 10, 2011 Share #34 Posted August 10, 2011 I just downgrade from M9 + 50/2 cron to M8 + 35mm f/1.4 SUMMILUX ASPH 6BIT brand new, my M8 have only 5.470 shots I think is not use much, so for me worth because I want fast lens, and Leica still give firmware updates, also the new LR3 have do a amazing job in NR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 13, 2011 Share #35 Posted August 13, 2011 A (D)SLR has the mirror mechanism which the rangefinder camera obviously don't have. Plus the leverages governing the lenses aperture and the autofocus motor. As Henry Ford used to say, all that is not there can't break. Hence my assumption of greater reliability on a theoretical basis. Cheers Bruno That's largely irrelevant, Canon DSLRs don't go out of adjustment in the same way that Leica RFs do and whereas M9 owners go on about the benefit of the extended warranty that comes with an M9P upgrade I can't imagine Canon DSLR owners ever being concerned about warranty periods. My Canon shutter is rated at 150,000 actuations Leica won't tell you how long the M8/9 shutter is supposed to last. I think that's one of the issues with Leica charging so much for an M9. I know I can buy an Miii or an MP and expect my grandkids to be using it 100 years from now if they want to get into ancient plastic tape storage photography. I am equally sure that if the sensor goes on my M8 in 10 years time I will need to throw it away as Leica will no longer have the spares. Oh yeah... the M8 is great and the only sensible purchase unless you are independantly wealthy or can write an M9 off against tax. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted August 13, 2011 Share #36 Posted August 13, 2011 That's largely irrelevant, Canon DSLRs don't go out of adjustment in the same way that Leica RFs do and whereas M9 owners go on about the benefit of the extended warranty that comes with an M9P upgrade I can't imagine Canon DSLR owners ever being concerned about warranty periods. My Canon shutter is rated at 150,000 actuations Leica won't tell you how long the M8/9 shutter is supposed to last. I think that's one of the issues with Leica charging so much for an M9. I know I can buy an Miii or an MP and expect my grandkids to be using it 100 years from now if they want to get into ancient plastic tape storage photography. I am equally sure that if the sensor goes on my M8 in 10 years time I will need to throw it away as Leica will no longer have the spares. Oh yeah... the M8 is great and the only sensible purchase unless you are independantly wealthy or can write an M9 off against tax. I had totally a different experience with Nikon and I hurried to get rid of it to savor again the taste of my youth with a rangefinder camera. To each his one... Honestly speaking I can't tell now if Leica will still have the spares for my M8 in 10 years. First because I'm not Leica, second because for financial reasons I didn't renew the crystal ball subscription so I can't tell the future anymore. And frankly speaking I don't care that much about. First because I got myself an M3 too, second because keeping the current hysterical pace in 10 years we might already see the M12 and the M8 might have become just an expensive paperweigth. God only knows what format will be in use in 10 years, what the sensors' resolution will be, what standards we'll have. I don't know if in 10 years SD cards will still be sold and if they'll be read anymore by PCs. Try reading a floppy disk or a MO disk on today's PCs, you'll know sooner what I mean... My M3 still works like a charm and film got benefit from advancements, so today's film are way superior to films of the '50s but they still fully compatible with the M3! So all considered, yes, I insist the M8 is still a viable choice. And the most reliable and affordable way to enter Leica digital rangefinder territory without taking a mortgage to buy doomed gear... Cheers, Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted September 2, 2011 Share #37 Posted September 2, 2011 If the question: "Is a 5 year old M8 still a viable choice?" has substance, what about the question: "Is a 79 year old lens still a viable choice?" See here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/1819535-post424.html To answer: "Yes, absolutely!" I still use my M8.2 next to the M9. There are absolutely no reservations, to still use the M8.2. I bought mine second hand, nice looking and have used it ever since on a daily basis (now about 1 1/2 years without any issues). If this camera should give any trouble, I would likely go through the troubles and have Leica repair it, if possible, even if economical not reasonable. It just is a camera, that grows on you. The same goes for the 79 year old lens. It is new to me, but I love it already. It is important, to learn about the limitations of these "older tech devices" and use them accordingly. Both have their strengths over recent Leica products btw - the M8.2 is sharper than than the M9 and the 1932 Hektor draws an image character, no current Leica lens can give you. There is nothing like the real thing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted September 2, 2011 Share #38 Posted September 2, 2011 I don't know if in 10 years SD cards will still be sold and if they'll be read anymore by PCs. Try reading a floppy disk or a MO disk on today's PCs, you'll know sooner what I mean... Cheers, Bruno I use a USB Floppy drive on my "modern" computers, works just fine. Most card readers support the ancient card formats as well. Anybody have an Iomega "CliK" disk that they need read? Have two readers that work fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted September 2, 2011 Share #39 Posted September 2, 2011 Is buying a 4-5 year old M8 still a viable choice?and are 7000 accuations a lot? Well, that depends. If you are a big fan of rangefinders, you want digital, and you cannot / don't want to afford a M9, then it is the best option. However, it is 5 years old with a sensor to match. The sensor is decent up to about ISO 640. So viable? That depends on what you think a camera in 2011 should offer and your expectations. If you are expecting modern CMOS ISO figures...you will be disappointed. If you'll use your digital M within its limits because you just prefer rangefinders, you'll find that it is still a viable choice. 7,000 accuations is nothing. That's only 194 days of shooting 36 exposures a day. I'm sure there are pros out there that may shoot 7,000 in a month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted September 2, 2011 Share #40 Posted September 2, 2011 Is buying a 4-5 year old M8 still a viable choice?and are 7000 accuations a lot? Unfortunately it is not a viable choice. My M8 ( now upgraded) took fantastic pictures when new, but now ? Well they are absolute rubbish !! Can't get a keeper out of the thing !! It must be the camera mustn't it ? I'm absolutely convinced that if I shell out for an M9 my keepers rate will shoot back up again and every shot, well every other, will be fantastic again. After all I have the lenses I used when I first got the M8 so they must be OK ? Or perhaps I should sell all of those as well to be sure it's not them that are ruining my inspirational work from being fantastic ? Deep down I know a Noctilux would be the answer really so I should sell all the rest to get one. There you are, not viable at all, you really need an M9 and a Noctilux or if you can wait a Nikon D4 because I hear all the D3's out there just aren't taking the shots they were and the owners can't wait to sell the rubbish they have become and get the D4 because that is obviously the answer to that problem. 7,000 a lot ? Over a weekend yes, over 4/5 years just not trying !! Get that continuous mode on and get that machine gun going you know more is better. Of course you will need to buy Photo Mechanic to sort the 1 in 100 that are worthwhile even looking at. Do I think a gear change will radically improve my work NO ! Do I think an M8 takes great photographs, Oh yes ! (still) 7,000 probably what I would expect of a careful/considerate shooter over 5 years. Who posted that rubbish over the top ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.