In praise of the M8

[Symeon]

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Too much negative talk concerning the M8, probably coming from people who don't understand the camera. a) I hardly ever use IR filters and I hardly ever have those notorious magenta issues. Lr4.3 can get rid of 90% of the magenta cast on synthetics (if they exist) and that's about it. the ISO limit of 640 of the M8 is a fact but it doesn't bother me either. Using Tri-X on an M6 more than 20 years ago I had more grain than the noise I get from the M8. I also use a lot of Summiluxes, so 320 ISO can be my limit for most of the time. c) I also shoot Infrared sometimes, something I wouldn't be able to do with an M9. The bigger sensor of the M9 keeps the focal lengths right but files are too big to store and battery drains faster. I don't really see the point of upgrading from the 8 to the 9 and I prefer CCD sensors to CMOS. d) most of my pictures out of the M8 need no processing while M9 files need some sharpening. e) In my opinion Leica has produced only two models: the M3 for film and the M8 for digital 50 years later. All other numbers are improvisations on the main theme and Leica knows how to market pointless models in order to stay alive. The new M(240) is definitely a Japanese camera, and the Monochrom simply a fetish object for the rich who have little (or no) knowledge of computer software. If Barnack were around he would probably shudder to see what these new Leica businessmen are doing to his baby..

[Jeff S]

...I hardly ever use IR filters and I hardly ever have those notorious magenta issues. Lr4.3 can get rid of 90% of the magenta cast on synthetics (if they exist) and that's about it...

 

I've posted many times regarding my decision to stick with the M8.2 (2 of them) instead of the M9, for quite different reasons than you've mentioned, none relating to file size and battery use. I won't repeat here.

 

I strongly recommend using UV/IR filters. Various colors are affected, not just magenta. And even LR4.3, which I use, still doesn't make up for the various benefits of filter use.

 

What's the big deal using filters anyway? Put them on an forget them for most situations. Once you've shot with film, the process should be second nature, and that was when switching between different filters was routine.

 

I also disagree with your other points regarding the MM and new M, but I'll mostly leave that alone. Heck, they're just cameras; tools for tasks, and quite nice ones for many user needs. Barnack would probably be thrilled today that his asthma would still not limit his ability to use small Leica cameras (that can still use old Leica lenses!) and that produce large camera quality, let alone his amazement at various digital and film options.

 

Jeff

[lct]

...I hardly ever use IR filters and I hardly ever have those notorious magenta issues. Lr4.3 can get rid of 90% of the magenta cast on synthetics (if they exist) and that's about it...

No no IR-cut filters are mandatory on the M8. We've all tried to get rid of the IR-cut filters, to no avail. Listen to others' experience and you will take marvelous photos with your M8.

[SJP]

In my opinion Leica has produced only two models: the M3 for film and the M8 for digital 50 years later.

I disagree with a lot you say but this is pretty close to the mark. Thank you.

 

 

Still I think the M2 is better than the M3, obviously. Admittedly the M2 is a slightly tweaked version of the M3 but it is as good as it will ever get (note disagreement is welcome, I am just a humble slave of desire).