Strange Brew and firmware version 1.10

[Riley]

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I remember when Wilfredo was horrified about using IRcut filters on M8

I remember when he took the time to think about that position, and order an M8

He speaks for himself as to his level of happiness at that decision

[rwfreund]

The M8has sensitized me to the IR issue, so I am going to order a 77mm ir cut and do some experiments with the D200.

I have been trubled with what I had thought was some pretty severe chromatic aberation and fringing in thecorners. I saw a similiar appearance in the corners of some of my M8 cum chron 35 frames which seem to have disappeared almost completely once the ir cut filter ws installed.

I bet (the cost of a 77mm ir cut, which I will pre-pay to b&h) that some of this is simply residual ir sensitivity.

I will report back as soon as I have the results

-bob

[billh]

 

Another problem with the M8 and Firmware version 1.10 seems to be that a number of fine lenses cannot be equipped with 6-bit coding, including the 35/1.4 non-asph and the 35/1.4 aspherical, and that these lenses can in reality not be used with the M8 when firmware 1.10 is released and installed, since the camera cannot get information that these lenses and their IR/UV filters are used.

 

The only coded lens I have is the 28 f2.8ASPH - what will happen if I install 1.10 and try to use coded lenses on my M8? (I always use IR filters).

 

Bill

[robsteve]

The only coded lens I have is the 28 f2.8ASPH - what will happen if I install 1.10 and try to use coded lenses on my M8? (I always use IR filters).

 

Bill

 

The IR filter corrections are only applied to coded lenses. If you use IR filters on uncoded lenses, you will need to correct the vignetting in post processing rather than have the M8 do it.

 

There is also a question whether the color profile of the camera will be different with or without the filter. In other words, if the UV-IR filter is enabled in the M8 menu, will it make color corrections as well as vignette corrections.

[chuckpjones]

Hello Chuck,

 

so you decided to join the Leica forum. How do you find the M8 to work with? I see that you enjoy the simplicity of it as much as I do. The 5D just had too many buttons and settings for my taste, plus it was too large for me. I presume you use the M8 for street photography in Mexico, for the most part?

 

Carsten, I really love the M8 as a camera to work with me, not against me. The Canon 5D is a great camera, no question about that, and is able to make some great images as well. It just isn't for me. Too big, too complicated, too many buttons & dials to pay attention to for my shooting style. And yes, too big both physically and in the attention it draws from some of my subjects. The M8 isn't perfect either, but it is by far the best camera I have found for my style of shooting almost anything. It's also built like a tank, thank God, as mine has already taken a lot of abuse spread across almost 20,000 frames so far. I shoot mostly people, everything from Mexico streets at night to hot Salsa clubs, and even shot a whole wedding with it so far. Everything I seem to throw at it, it comes up smelling like a rose. I am even learning to love the color purple again.

 

I agree with all the faults, and also hope fixes are in the works to correct them, but guys I am to the point with this camera now that I simply couldn't live without one. So I am now in the process of selling all of my "R" system, to purchase a second M8 body. Those of you who know me realize this alone is one heck of a statement of confidence in this new little Leica.

 

Warmest Regards,

Chuck Jones

[woodyspedden]

Guys, stop thinking for just a second. One small moment in time. Good. Now, go back just a few posts back, and LOOK at the images posted by Wilfredo. Wait, just LOOK at them. Don't think about them, FEEL them. He is absolutely correct, it is all about the image, those beautiful images my friends, the M8 is certainly not about technological advancement. It is all about making beautiful images, in the hand of he who is able to master the best. He who understands that great images come from the chaos, not from the best planning or the best technology in the world.

 

Entertainers reflect back to the audience what their audience wants to see. Artists reflect back to the world their own vision of it. Take it, or leave it. The M8 is an Artists tool. Just as it is. It needs no defense, as a tool it is perfect as it is, warts and all. Nothing is perfect. Aproach the M8 as the glass half empty, and yes, you will find every flaw you can imagine. Every limitation. It is a 1930's design, remember? But use this tool as the Artist's paintbrush, and magic happens. See it as the glass half full, work around it's small limitations, forget all about filters, autofocus, etc, etc, etd, and what you are left with is nothing short of pure magic. The glass half full. The only camera in the world that will do what this one does. Nothing else matters save for the final image. It either works, or it doesn't work. The images speak for themselves. It is either your tool, or buy a Nikon. Or a Canon 5D. Or whatever turns your crank. But move on and make beautiful images guys, for life it is very short indeed. Far too short to get stuck trying to decide if your tool is up to the task, when the real question is are you up to the task of expressing your own unique vision of the world whatever tool happens to land in your hands?

 

I am using the M8 with my favorite Leica M lens, a 47 year old 21mm f3.5. I have many other options, but find that this old standard still gives me more than all of it's high tech newer counterparts do. Oh, and it doesn't even work in Aperture Priority mode. Only manual. The metering doesn't work correctly as the rear lens element sticks in way too far for the meter to read accurately. Heaven, pure heaven. Put the puppy on full manual, whatever your other choices, and just go out and shoot. Your own images will tell you the whole Leica M story.

 

Warmest Regards,

Chuck Jones

Chuck Jones Photography

 

Chuck

 

How beautifully said! I won't attempt to add to your thoughts but would like to add a few things yet unsaid by all.

 

I am 70 years old and photography is about the rest of my life. I have no time to wait for the perfect tool (if anyone could even figure out what that is) and I want to make unique fine art landscapes NOW! I have been on two major field trips with my M8, purchased in early November, and I just can't say enough about the files. I print at 22 x 34 inches and the detail is simply stunning and this is with very little sharpening. (Default in C1). I am including a sample here which some of you have seen before.

 

The benefits of the M8 to me are primarily size and simplicity. 70 years old and six back surgeries have not left me in a position to backpack 35 pound kits. I have sold my Nikons, my 1DsMkII and am even considering selling my precious DMR/R9 although I will probably keep that for special purpose macro stuff. I found I had all this great glass but wasn't taking it into the field because I simply could not lug it all around. I now have a very small Thinktank back pack into which I put two M8s, 21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and sometimes a 50mm for 90% of my landscape stuff. I may yet decide to simply get both Tri-Elmars, one for each body, and go into the field with only those lenses. After all, 99 % of my stuff is shot at small f stops from a tripod anyway so f4 is not an issue for me. So for me, the M8 is the practical realization of a tool which allows me to do what I love without compromise. Your mileage and needs may vary of course.

 

Woody

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[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Guys, stop thinking for just a second. One small moment in time. Good. Now, go back just a few posts back, and LOOK at the images posted by Wilfredo. Wait, just LOOK at them. Don't think about them, FEEL them. He is absolutely correct, it is all about the image, those beautiful images my friends, the M8 is certainly not about technological advancement. It is all about making beautiful images, in the hand of he who is able to master the best. He who understands that great images come from the chaos, not from the best planning or the best technology in the world.

 

Entertainers reflect back to the audience what their audience wants to see. Artists reflect back to the world their own vision of it. Take it, or leave it. The M8 is an Artists tool. Just as it is. It needs no defense, as a tool it is perfect as it is, warts and all. Nothing is perfect. Aproach the M8 as the glass half empty, and yes, you will find every flaw you can imagine. Every limitation. It is a 1930's design, remember? But use this tool as the Artist's paintbrush, and magic happens. See it as the glass half full, work around it's small limitations, forget all about filters, autofocus, etc, etc, etd, and what you are left with is nothing short of pure magic. The glass half full. The only camera in the world that will do what this one does. Nothing else matters save for the final image. It either works, or it doesn't work. The images speak for themselves. It is either your tool, or buy a Nikon. Or a Canon 5D. Or whatever turns your crank. But move on and make beautiful images guys, for life it is very short indeed. Far too short to get stuck trying to decide if your tool is up to the task, when the real question is are you up to the task of expressing your own unique vision of the world whatever tool happens to land in your hands?

 

I am using the M8 with my favorite Leica M lens, a 47 year old 21mm f3.5. I have many other options, but find that this old standard still gives me more than all of it's high tech newer counterparts do. Oh, and it doesn't even work in Aperture Priority mode. Only manual. The metering doesn't work correctly as the rear lens element sticks in way too far for the meter to read accurately. Heaven, pure heaven. Put the puppy on full manual, whatever your other choices, and just go out and shoot. Your own images will tell you the whole Leica M story.

 

Warmest Regards,

Chuck Jones

Chuck Jones Photography

 

 

Always good to see a dear friend post his thoughts. I know how Chuck feels about the M8 becuase we e-mail each other every day and i do agree with him on many things and i always say it is all about the final image. We both work for paying clients like many of us do and they could care less how you got there just that you produce outstanding images and can deliver them. Too me the M8 does that and that is the bottom line. That quote below my name is not there just for fun but that is the goal

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Chuck

 

How beautifully said! I won't attempt to add to your thoughts but would like to add a few things yet unsaid by all.

 

I am 70 years old and photography is about the rest of my life. I have no time to wait for the perfect tool (if anyone could even figure out what that is) and I want to make unique fine art landscapes NOW! I have been on two major field trips with my M8, purchased in early November, and I just can't say enough about the files. I print at 22 x 34 inches and the detail is simply stunning and this is with very little sharpening. (Default in C1). I am including a sample here which some of you have seen before.

 

The benefits of the M8 to me are primarily size and simplicity. 70 years old and six back surgeries have not left me in a position to backpack 35 pound kits. I have sold my Nikons, my 1DsMkII and am even considering selling my precious DMR/R9 although I will probably keep that for special purpose macro stuff. I found I had all this great glass but wasn't taking it into the field because I simply could not lug it all around. I now have a very small Thinktank back pack into which I put two M8s, 21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and sometimes a 50mm for 90% of my landscape stuff. I may yet decide to simply get both Tri-Elmars, one for each body, and go into the field with only those lenses. After all, 99 % of my stuff is shot at small f stops from a tripod anyway so f4 is not an issue for me. So for me, the M8 is the practical realization of a tool which allows me to do what I love without compromise. Your mileage and needs may vary of course.

 

Woody

 

 

I just love this guy at 70 years old and still has the enthusiasm of a 25 year old and is out there making beautiful images and having fun . At 20 years your junior Woody your my hero and i hope when I grow i have that same love for it. Guy