Guest guy_mancuso Posted April 6, 2007 Share #21 Posted April 6, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) M8 Junkie, just feed me glass Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 6, 2007 Posted April 6, 2007 Hi Guest guy_mancuso, Take a look here M8 Verdict. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
yoMammabot Posted April 6, 2007 Share #22 Posted April 6, 2007 My first M8 Died after 2 weeks. My Authorized dealer was able to track down a replacement very quickly during the height of unavailability so that I could have the M8 for my wedding and honeymoon. (applauds to mark and the manager at Glazers in Seattle) The second M8 is fantastic and completely trouble free. It handled the sand, salt, helicopters, and in-laws phenomenally. All I need now is to have my 28 and 50 6 bit encoded and my Leica filters and I'll be set for a very long time. I personally really trust this camera and absolutely feel safe to travel again and use this little wonder to record the experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogberry Posted April 6, 2007 Share #23 Posted April 6, 2007 I echo what an earlier poster said about the naysayers seeming to be mostly non-owners/non-users. I waited a little and finally purchased my M8 in March. What do I think? To paraphrase a certain celebrity who does appearances for a well-known lobbying organization - " ... from my cold, dead fingers". The camera is a joy to use and the images it makes are simply stunning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted April 6, 2007 Share #24 Posted April 6, 2007 Not too many grumpy replies here. I'll join the club - I'm still in love with mine after 5 months - just bought a second body - sold all my Nikon slr gear (just kept an Olympus 4/3 setup for macro). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwalker Posted April 6, 2007 Share #25 Posted April 6, 2007 I'd like to add to this, although by now it's certainly obvious that people really like this camera and I'm not going to add much new to that. I do have a few additional observations, though. I am not a professional shooter, but I am a person for whom image making is an everyday part of life. My cameras have always accompanied me everywhere, every day, and rangefinders have proven to be the chosen tool for me. I love my M6 and still love using film, but the more I use and learn the M8's particular characteristics the more I love it. I'm as frustrated as everyone else with the little problems. So far, for me, they have been little firmware glitches that I trust will be solved with the next update. The image quality really is something, particularly when you consider you're carrying such a small, unobtrusive camera if, like me, you use the smaller/lighter lenses like the 50 and 35 Summicrons. The digital files are amazingly resolute. To be truthful, I have yet to get files that feel quite like the film images from my M6. The crop factor of the M8 has something to do with that, I guess. I like the occasional 'dreamy' quality of depth of field I get with my M6 and a good film and don't quite see it the same way on the M8's digital files, but somewhere along the way it occurred to me that the M8 is a different tool and that I need not retire my M6. I can use them together, and I do. The beauty is using these fine lenses on both, and feeling as if you essentially have the same sort of simple operation for both. I shoot the M8 similarly to the way I shoot the M6 -- I don't review every shot every time I take it. I shoot a session or over a few days rarely look at the LCD monitor unless I'm chaning ISO. The shooting style of both cameras feels very similar to me, except for the need to expose film differently than digital. Shooting RAW is, in my opinion, an essential approach for making the most of this camera. Like any other digital RAW files they look a little lifeless at first and then begin to emerge with the basic processing. It's expensive, there's no doubt. There are, in my opinion, as good or better images to be had from less expensive digital SLRs with the right lenses (and for less investment), but for someone who appreciates and enjoys the benefits of a rangefinder camera it is worth every penny. Especially if you have Leica M lenses on hand. It would be hard to match their quality with even the most expensive of the Nikkor or Canon pro glass, and trying would edge the cost up into a similar range as Leica. Sorry for my long contribution, I just wanted to say a few things I didn't feel had been said already. In the end, I definitely buy into the Leica brand myth. My professional photographer friends make fun of me about 'wasting money just for the red dot', but there's so much more to it than that. Few brands in any category are as historically important and rich with meaning as Leica. Few products are as well crafted and long lasting, and granted the M8 is digital and we'll see in a few years how it stands up, for now I don't think it can be compared to any other digital camera for its feel in the hands and quality of build. If, like me, a camera is a part of your life every day, this is certainly a great companion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted April 6, 2007 Share #26 Posted April 6, 2007 The succinct verdict: The M8 is one of the best and most fun cameras I have ever used. It gets the shot that others don't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted April 6, 2007 Share #27 Posted April 6, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm hooked... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LichMD Posted April 6, 2007 Share #28 Posted April 6, 2007 Bill, Most definitely: a 28 Summicron. ERL: Love your invention. Really cool. Pierre: very amusing. I totally understand. GastroDoc (tummydoc) your faith seems to be rewarded. Sirvine and Larry: I had an M6 for years (35 Lux and 90 Elmarit). So transition is no problem. (In fact, currently I'm using a Digilux 2 and an LX-1 with a 28mm Voigtlander finder I attached using Voigtlander's accessory holder --Fits perfectly between the flash and mode wheel.) Timeswan: I used to have Contax optics then switched to Leitz. I've been seduced ever since. LichMD: Glad you're liking the kit! Very encouraging. In particular I'm looking forward to the Noct acting like a mild tele or an enhanced normal. Peter, the Nocti is a very special lens, with interesting characteristics. I haven't decided yet if it really takes the place of a 50/1.4 or 50/1.5. But I've loved the majority of shots I've taken with it and most of the problems have been self induced. The 28/2.0 is really a great lens and also worth significant usage. I bought first one and about 4 weeks later the other so that I could get a clear feel for each individually. Though I'm beginning to wonder if I need something a little longer.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted April 7, 2007 Share #29 Posted April 7, 2007 I don't want to be the miserable 'glass half-full' curmudgeon but the M8 is just a camera. It's true that the image quality is very fine and it's great to be able to shoot digitally with my M lenses (and have the benefit of the fast quality glass in a small lightweight package) but I'm much more interested in locations, subjects and light. If I didn't have the M8 (or it didn't exist) I'd happily find something else to shoot with - simple as that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted April 7, 2007 Author Share #30 Posted April 7, 2007 Jeff, If your want pure resolution and detail I'd agree that the 50mm Summilux is probably the way to go (and I haven't ruled out the possibility of including that in my 'kit' as well) but I've never been a big fan of the 'normal' angle. Since this focal length on the M8 will be like having a 65mm equiv. lens with its slightly enhanced telephoto and with its more dreamlike ability to draw (as Sean Reid likes to say) a more three dimensional image (from the jaw dropping samples I'd seen take with the M8) the Nocti is a lens I would be happy exploring the rest of my life. And let the 28mm Summi (or possibly the 24mm even) do the work of, as Denis Laney put it, a slightly extended normal angle lens which was the way I used the 35mm summilux all the years I owned the M6 with totally stunning results like this one. Regards, Peter Airshow Downpour on Cape Cod, USA 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/20756-m8-verdict/?do=findComment&comment=222258'>More sharing options...
Fotomiguel Posted April 7, 2007 Share #31 Posted April 7, 2007 My M8 verdict after 3 month is "How bigger you Print, much better" "A dream come true" M8 +50mmcron 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! crop100% Cheers Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! crop100% Cheers ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/20756-m8-verdict/?do=findComment&comment=222305'>More sharing options...
tashley Posted April 7, 2007 Share #32 Posted April 7, 2007 Peter, A sweeping generalisation would put it this way. The nay sayers are, in the main, non owners or non users who relish feeding rumours. The praisers generally are satisfied owners/users who have chosen wisely. The last part is important. The M8 is only a tool, as is any camera, and in the hands of a craftsman can do wonderous things. The M8 tool is a superb instrument that is very highly strung, like a high performance car. It's not for everyone, but if you can drive it, it's fantastic. Problems! Yes. To be expected of such a high born thoroughbred. They are being addressed but meanwhile very useable and an absolute dream to boot. OK. A lyrical answer to the question, but my technical version would have been too clinical. This is a camera to be enjoyed! Lyricism was invented to allow language to give nuance to truth -- and I think you just used it perfectly! Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted April 7, 2007 Share #33 Posted April 7, 2007 Oh, and the files are stunning. I made a 17"x22" print yesterday that knocked my socks off (just upsizing in CS2). Almost too sharp - might need to add some filter. The dynamic range and color is very good, esp if one exposes like one might for slide film. Charles, When that happens try adding some grain. You get to keep the sharpeness fo detail but not in an aggressive way adn teh grain helps the eye red the print, IMHO. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 7, 2007 Share #34 Posted April 7, 2007 Firstly I don't own an M8 but I've followed events since its release closely and I've used one and spoken to other users. I totally agree with Erl in that the camera is a tool, and IMO much more of a working photographers tool, by which I mean a camera to earn a living with and not to worry if it will still be worth X or still technically advanced enough in 5 years time. Its not one for the collectors. If you want a digital rangefinder camera then the only choices are the M8 or Epson RD1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Branch Posted April 7, 2007 Share #35 Posted April 7, 2007 Peter, Despite the early problems that necessitated a return to Solms and a somewhat delayed supply of IR absorbing filters - it is a great camera. Leica offered me my money back, I'm very pleased that I declined. With the IR filters it is not perfect but it is very very good. People buying one today with all the initial problems fixed and IR filters available will wonder what all the fuss is about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted April 7, 2007 Share #36 Posted April 7, 2007 It's essential to get a sense of proportion in that Moaners always shout - satisfied users just get on with it. I take Leica's view that the M8 has sold better than expectations. I wish I could afford one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted April 7, 2007 Share #37 Posted April 7, 2007 ...... adn teh grain helps the eye red the print.. Tim, Tim, Tim, - Time to come home and get re-grounded. You clearly are having too much fun travelling and photographing. There was no need for you to invent your own language; Pure Frontier Gibberish. ...............Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted April 7, 2007 Share #38 Posted April 7, 2007 The M8 is the best camera, by a far piece, that many of us have ever used. It's pure seduction how such amazing image quality comes from such a little package. Solms has wrought magic... Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotogo Posted April 7, 2007 Share #39 Posted April 7, 2007 My M8 came via Tony Rose through Hong Kong in February. I use it daily and have shot around 2500 exposures now. Finally I am making photos again that I love. What a joy to use my lenses again and this marvelous camera. Started with an M4, then an M6, and now, I find I am taking photos the way I wanted. The M8 provides options I only dreamed of before. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/20756-m8-verdict/?do=findComment&comment=222429'>More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted April 7, 2007 Share #40 Posted April 7, 2007 The verdict for me is that I've just ordered a second body. I'm keeping my Canon stuff, because it works too - but some of the images I can now get with the M8 I can only get with the discrete rangefinder (or with Leica glass). Examples below. The family group at ISO 320 (28mm f2). The factory scenes with the 28 and an old 50 lux ISO 640. I had the 5D with me and used that a lot too - with the 80 f1.2 L and the 16-35 L. They work so I use them, but if I could only have one body from now on it would be the Leica. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/20756-m8-verdict/?do=findComment&comment=222491'>More sharing options...
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