M8

[Johannes Knightworth]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have been contemplating purchasing a digital camera for some time now, an M8 would be a good choice taking into account that I am able to use lenses I already have.

 

Obviously I read through the fori here and it seems to me that the M8 is still "trying to get there" I realize that complaints are sort of condensed in forum like this one, and that in view of the total user base the actual complaints % is relatively small .... but is it ?

 

I am currently looking at a 5D and an M8, I know they are totally different from a concept point of view but this doesn't worry me all that much, I would actually prefer to get an M8 but have been led into a dillema by the different posts on this forum.

 

In the opinion of current M8 users is it wise to purchase one at this point in time, should I rather consider the 5D or should I wait for a while until Leica have sorted things out ... ?

 

This is an honest question without any intentions of stirring up a pro/con discussion, looking forward to your replies,

 

kindest regards,

 

Johannes

 

(Edit) I would purchase it with the Tri-elmar....

[Advertisement]

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

[losta]

I use both 5D and M8. I depends what you like to shoot, how you like to shoot. You say you have lenses you can use. Do you have an M film body? Which lenses? How about on the 5D do you have lenses for that, if not which lenses would you consider for the 5D? Also the new Tri-Elmar WATE is really hard to find. The old one may be easier to find. Which one are you considering?

[BillBrittain]

I am currently looking at a 5D and an M8, I know they are totally different from a concept point of view but this doesn't worry me all that much, I would actually prefer to get an M8 but have been led into a dillema by the different posts on this forum.

 

In my opinion, if you prefer the rangefinder concept then the M8 is a great choice. I have a D200 and two M8s, and so I admit that having the option of an SLR is nice. But if I can use the M8s, I will do so with enthusiasm.

 

I have had no trouble with my M8s. One of them has about 3000 shutter actuations, the other only has a couple hundred. I recently traded a D2x and an R-D1 for the second M8.

 

Yes, there have been problems reported by some on the internet, but you rarely hear from the contented users. I for one am happy, and will be even happier once I am able to get my hands on 486 filters for my lenses which do not yet have them.

[xrogers]

I am currently looking at a 5D and an M8, I know they are totally different from a concept point of view but this doesn't worry me all that much, I would actually prefer to get an M8 but have been led into a dillema by the different posts on this forum.

 

In the opinion of current M8 users is it wise to purchase one at this point in time, should I rather consider the 5D or should I wait for a while until Leica have sorted things out ... ?

 

I think your questions are reasonable and wise, and as an M8 owner since Novemeber (and a 5D owner from shortly after its introduction), I have to admit to having some worries about the camera. I carry a film M backup for travel and jobs.

 

That said, my worries are based on reading the experiences of others. My M8 experience has been trouble-free and enjoyable all around, in rain, snow and cold, in the US and Europe. Consistent, reliable operation for over 5000 exposures so far. The photo quality is nothing less than superb, and the speed and ease of operation is pure Leica M. My film backup camera hasn't been used for one frame.

 

Once I got my M8, my 5D got very lonely. I finally sold the 5D about two weeks ago, it was too good a camera to just sit on a shelf.

 

Based on my experience, I see no reason to wait, get an M8 as soon as you can find one. You'll love it.

 

Until later,

 

Clyde Rogers

[robertwright]

My first M8 died after 24 hours but the second one I have is fine, 3000 actuations later. I is with me every day, and I use it for all my assignment jobs. At first as you can expect, I was very leery of it, but in the month so far I have cocked up a few times, taken the bottom plate off w/o turning the camera off, mashed a lot of buttons in haste, run the battery down (but not completely, I have a spare) and generally treated it like I treat my canons, and it has been fine. My guess is that the firmware issues have caused many failures, and perhaps there have been some quality control issues with assembly, something I would expect from an assembly line and a new manufacture process.

 

I would say jump in, I had the same decision to make, and having used the 5D a considerable amount, it is no joy in comparision to the M8. I just makes me happy when I use it, something I could never say about a dslr. As a backup or for those times when you want/need what dslr's are good at, the 5D is all you could ever want, and perhaps too much if your output needs are small, a 30D might suffice, at half the cost. Dare I say it, a rebel xti is even smaller in the bag and boasts more mp than the 30D. It might be worth considering given the low price. Save the money for all that Leica glass you are going to want....

[Guest sirvine]

I bought the M8 and will use some Amex points for a Rebel XTI or some other soulless DLSR body to replace my trusty (but soulless) 300D.

[ken_tanaka]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Johannes: I am sure that many people face a similar choice. Since you've offered no guidance regarding the nature of your photography (i.e. type of subjects, avocational or vocational, etc.) reliable guidance on a choice is impossible. I assume that photography is a hobby for you, since a professional would be unlikely to ask such a question on a public venue.

 

As an owner of an M8, an M7, a 5D and several other cameras here is what I can offer.

 

* The M8 and 5D, or any d/slr, are not equivalent instruments. Image characteristics aside the dslr is a far more versatile and precise camera than the rangefinder. So if your budget requires that you rely on a single camera for a variety of photographic tasks (i.e. sports, portraits, macro, architectural, general happy snapping, etc.) the dslr would be a wiser, more practical choice. Yes, I know that there are a couple of vocational photographers here who have largely switched to the M8. But I would not recommend steering such a path unless you are quite certain that you can live within the rangefinder's formidable limitations.

 

* Aside from periodic firmware improvements I don't think that Leica will be substantively changing the M8's design any time soon. They made an emergency tweak following the first batch and I think that that's all we should expect. Nor will there probably be any significant price reduction in the foreseeable future.

 

* The majority of remaining significant M8 problems seem to be within its power management system. (Note that the majority of owners haven't experienced any significant problems.) I'd bet that Leica substantially swats these power issues with the mid-April 1.10 firmware update.

 

* The M8 has two remaining significant image issues: auto white balance and occasional cyan drift at the edges of images. The latter issue is the more annoying, as it's far more difficult (actually impossible) to repair. I hope the coming firmware update also swats these matters.

 

So where does this leave you? If you'll need to rely on a single camera for fulfilling professional or academic assignments get a dslr. It's a far more versatile camera design that you can task towards any assignment and offers you automation features that you can choose to use or eschew.

 

- If your heart is really set on the M8 I recommend waiting just a few more weeks to see what the 1.10 firmware really remedies. Regardless of the results you may decide to just go forward with the M8. But at least you will have a much more accurate assessment of the camera's true quirks required work-arounds. I doubt that Leica will be offering another firmware update for quite a while.

 

I don't mean to sound grim about the M8. I very much enjoy mine and have used it almost exclusively for the past month. But I encourage you to approach such a costly purchase from an informed, rational perspective.

 

Have fun with whatever you choose.

[Shootist]

Don't listen to the nay sayers.

Buy it, You'll love it.