Jump to content
🇩🇪 Neu: Leica SL3 Reporter ×
🇺🇸🇬🇧 New: Leica SL3 Reporter ×

M8 works Space Shuttle Atlantis Roll-Out

girphoto

By girphoto
in Digital Forum

Recommended Posts

mwilliamsphotography

mwilliamsphotography

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Honestly, I'm not really sure what makes these "Leica" shots. Seems there's a lot of justifications going on out there.

 

At this point, that may be true, but some positive input concerning the M8 from other than this forum's pool of usual M8 supporters is a nice counterpoint to the frequently reported bad news.

 

To my eye they look the same as anything taken with any digital camera. Fine shots really but nothing extraordinary (other than the access). He probably would have been better off with a Canon full frame with a 14mm and a long zoom.

 

This is assuming he has that specific gear or even wants it and wants to carry it. It also assumes that evaluating the image quality via compressed web uploads is the criteria, when the web is just the great equalizer. We all have take the shooters word for it ... or see examples presented like the M8 verses 1DsMKII comparison.

 

"I'd rather see the candid shots of crew in a sensitive moment shot at 1.4 under mixed light - the type of shots the Leica was made for".

 

Valid only if anyone was allowed to get that close and that's the photos he wanted to take. I'd rather see candid photos of Jessica Simpson taking a bath in mixed light, or any light, if we're compiling a "wish list" : -)

 

" I get the feeling there's some of people out there that are convincing themselves the Leica is magically giving them better shots than before. Sorry, but it's about the photographer and not the camera."

 

The old saw dragged out for the umpty-millionth time.

 

"In fact, if one isn't used to the ways of a rangefinder, it can give much more ordinary shots than usual (because of lack of depth perception, lack of long or super wide lenses, no close up, lots of focusing/reframing to do, etc). Yes, it's nice to not carry around so much gear, but sometimes certain gear works best in certain situations.

 

Opinion stated as "in fact" again ... making the assumption that these type shots can't be taken with a rangefinder, which the photos themselves act as counterpoint.

 

Point, counter-point presented above. Just an opinion.

Link to post
Share on other sites
girphoto

girphoto

Posted
  • Author
Posted

In Fact, I do work with Canon Cameras, and do have every lens from 14mm to 500mmf4.

I have three EOSiDMark II's, 5D's and abouyt 15 other Digital's from D30"s to 5 20D's that go out for Remotes. I also have had a Canon 60D converted to B&W Infer-red.

But the above is not the question or the point of this posting, I am not comparing the M 8 to Canon.

I used the M 8 with three different lenses, because of all of the postings in this forum that ask about a cv 15mm in the real world (NOT at 1.4 )

That ask about the new 28 F2.8 in the real world (not at 1.4)

and that ask about the 90mm's (in the real world)

One might say that shooting at NASA is not the real world but it is only a subject with different lighting and it was the assignment of the day.

I did not intend to do anything but give the reader a chance to see the M 8 (AND ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED BY GERMANY) a chance to see waht it can do.

The M sysytem is not for everyone, working for a World Wide Wire Service and various national newspapers and magazines I have always had a M film camera in my bag. (I happen to love the M system)

Again, I thank Sean Reid for the help in selecting a new 50mm (OLD one met with an accident (and that is way there are no images at 1.4) muy current leica lenses just did not cover that range.

And to any new M users, Thaey should not think that if they are not going to shoot at 1.4 or 1.5 thay should not use a leica.

I think that it is a great system, but not for everyone.

Just my thoughts.

Gary

Gary I. Rothstein, Photography

Link to post
Share on other sites
biglouis

biglouis

Posted
Posted

Charles beat me to it:

 

[disenting voice]

 

They are unique pictures but we can all see the noise in the first three b/w photographs?

 

Or am I imaging it?

 

I appreciate these first three are shot at iso 1250. It would be interesting to see a comparison at similar iso with other top end cameras.

 

Not trying to sing out of tune with the choir intoning the excellence of the M8 but it clearly has its limits if these pictures are representative.

 

[end disenting voice]

Link to post
Share on other sites
girphoto

girphoto

Posted
  • Author
Posted
These are definitely great shots, but I do NOT see the Leica difference here - SORRY!

 

These could have been taken with many of the digital DSLR systems today as well!

 

Peter

 

That is right Peter, Almost any image can be taken with almost any DSLR and an M 8 (except for maybe fast action sports?) but I think you are all missing the point of the Thread.

It was setup for thoes who have been reading the various threds and have had many questios abut using or buying an M 8 and using it with different lenses. Not to show a subject and say that they can only be made withan M 8. But to say that you CAN USE an M 8 if you wish to make these images or any images.

 

One thing has come out of the thread is a good discussion from readers who normally do not post.

AND thanks to all again with the nice words about the images.

As far as the B&W go with the noise in them, When I get a chance to send the camera to Germany for upgrading and new firmware, this should no long become a problem.

 

Q.- What is the Leica difference? are Leica's only used in looooow light with fast lenses. Am I in violation of the Leica contract, using it for ever day assignments.

I used my D2 during Katrina (until it was stolen) and it made fine images including the cover of the Economist Magazine.

 

Gary

Gary I. Rothstein, Photography

Link to post
Share on other sites
adan

adan

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

'These are definitely great shots, but I do NOT see the Leica difference here - SORRY!

These could have been taken with many of the digital DSLR systems today as well!"

 

yes - and so?

 

Actually, I CAN see a rangefinder difference in the indoors shot - the corners are actually sharp with a super-wide lens - NOT something Canons can pull off @ f/4.5. (cf. recent thread on C/V Heliar 15mm)

 

But leaving that aside, Peter: can you show me ANY picture that actually shows a "Leica difference"? I'm not sure what it is supposed to look like. SORRY!

 

I don't expect pictures from my Leicas to be magically distinct from those produced by a decent SLR. I just expect to get equivalent results from a much smaller package - without the viewfinder going black at the critical moment - without the camera hiding my (trustworthy) face - and with nice crisp manual focus indication.

 

I don't reserve those advantages for "special situations" - I like them so much I want to enjoy them while making all kinds of pictures, even very mundane ones. (I even use my M8 and 50 Summilux ASPH as a high-grade "scanner" to make copy images at work - why pay for an additional SLR when the M8 is perfectly capable?)

 

For me - the "special purpose" camera is the SLR. To be put up with for those rare occasions when I need longer than 135mm (now 180, with the M8) or framing tighter than a magazine cover. Which are rare enough that I sold my last SLR 3 years ago and have never missed it.

 

Here's the only Leica difference that matters to me. The tiny kit on the left covers "20mm" to "120mm". Why should I lug around the package(s) at right to only cover 20mm-100mm (or just "20mm")....with fuzzy corners at the wide end, to boot?

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites
MP3

MP3

Posted
Posted

Hi Andy

 

Your opinion never stop amaze me =)

 

And I'm very interested to know how you come up with your personalised silver M8 - the grey dot and the M8 lettering - it just looks like a platinum version... !

 

Cheers

Matthew

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hans Roggen

Hans Roggen

Posted
Posted
Hi Andy

 

Your opinion never stop amaze me =)

 

And I'm very interested to know how you come up with your personalised silver M8 - the grey dot and the M8 lettering - it just looks like a platinum version... !

 

Cheers

Matthew

 

That grey dot looks like a round grey sticker that covers the red dot.

 

 

Hans

Link to post
Share on other sites
larry

larry

Posted
Posted
For me - the "special purpose" camera is the SLR. To be put up with for those rare occasions when I need longer than 135mm (now 180, with the M8) or framing tighter than a magazine cover. Which are rare enough that I sold my last SLR 3 years ago and have never missed it.

 

Andy,

 

Exactly! I use my DSLR for close-ups, longer telephoto reach and when I need a higher frame rate -- that's 10 percent of what I shoot. Other than that, it's good for unwanted and unneeded exercise.

 

Larry

Link to post
Share on other sites
adan

adan

Posted
Posted
That grey dot looks like a round grey sticker that covers the red dot.

 

 

Hans

 

Hand-trimmed duct tape, actually - but close enough!

 

I have nothing against the red dot, per se, but just prefer the cleaner, more industrial look of an M2 or M4 or MP.

 

Interesting that in 2 months with a "chrome" camera, it's been "noticed" a dozen or so times - "Nice Leica!" (twice), "Still shooting film, eh?", "Is that from the 1960s", "Where did you GET THAT!? Mine's backordered til MARCH!", etc.

 

Whereas in 5 years with black bodies, they got comments about twice. Chrome certainly seems to grab more attention - not that I care one way or the other most of the time: it's just a tool.

Link to post
Share on other sites
girphoto

girphoto

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Thank goodness that NSA, etc do not prohibit NASA employees from taking and freely distributing Shuttle/Rocket images.

 

Always nice to see spacecraft images! Thanks!

 

Just for the record, I am not a NASA employee, I work for the european pressphoto agency, wire service and we are part of the NASA pool photographers made up of AP, Retures, epa (see above), Orlando Sentinal & Florida Today news papers.

In a different thread, I posted images taken with a new 50mm Nokton 1.5 of the Delta II rocket with the THEMIS payload on board just if you are interested).

Thnaks and enjoy the images

Gary

Gary I. Rothstein, Photography

Link to post
Share on other sites
chaimemet

chaimemet

Posted
Posted

i've got to send this page link to my wife's otologist who has privledges at the cape for remote photography. His father worked as a space engineer. We vacationed at Satellite Beach and were able to view an Atlas launch. The north part of the cape is an incredible beach a national treasure. He will be really jealous when he views these visions. I am still pondering the M8 purchase.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...