jlancasterd Posted April 28, 2007 Share #1 Posted April 28, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've now had my M8 about 2 weeks and have taken 300+ photos with it. I am loving the lightness and portability, but have definitely come to the conclusion that it is a camera best used with lenses of less than 50mm focal length. If I need to take photos with anything longer than 50mm I will be taking my R8+DMR along, despite the disadvantage of its bulk and weight. This leads me to wonder if there might not be a market for a complementary long-focus version of the M8 - for use in the same way that the M3 complemented the M2. This would have a viewfinder with the magnification adjusted to make it suitable for use with lenses up to 135mm - possibly having frames for 50, 75, 90 and 135mm. it would, of course, still be possible to use it with short lenses by employing accessory viewfinders. I'm sure that this would result in additional sales for Leica, as I would certainly find it much easier to justify a back-up M8 body if it offered additional flexibility. What do forum members think - and how would this variant it be designated (M8-2, M8L, M9...)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2007 Posted April 28, 2007 Hi jlancasterd, Take a look here Long-focus M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tashley Posted April 28, 2007 Share #2 Posted April 28, 2007 John, have you tried the 1.25X magnifier? I use it on 35mm upwards to aid focus and it is amazingly useful. No problem at all with 90mm lenses, pretty much all shots perfectly well focussed. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted April 28, 2007 Share #3 Posted April 28, 2007 can you show an example of the 1.25x Tim ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted April 28, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted April 28, 2007 John, have you tried the 1.25X magnifier? I use it on 35mm upwards to aid focus and it is amazingly useful. No problem at all with 90mm lenses, pretty much all shots perfectly well focussed. Hi Tim I haven't tried the 1.25X magnifier - although I can see that it would make work with 50, 75 and 90mm lenses easier on the current M8. However, it still doesn't make it possible to use a 135 - which would be the great advantage of an M8 with a higher magnification viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted April 28, 2007 Share #5 Posted April 28, 2007 Hi Tim I haven't tried the 1.25X magnifier - although I can see that it would make work with 50, 75 and 90mm lenses easier on the current M8. However, it still doesn't make it possible to use a 135 - which would be the great advantage of an M8 with a higher magnification viewfinder. Leica specifically states that the longest lens you can use is a 90mm, which is why that's the longest framelines they offer, but a number of people have posted great (and sharp) shots with the 135 taken using the magnifier. Having said that, the entire system is designed for another type of photography. I am sure also that I've seen some shots taken with an older and longer lens. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted April 28, 2007 Share #6 Posted April 28, 2007 can you show an example of the 1.25x Tim ? There's a series of images of it at http://www.leica-camera.co.uk/photography/m_system/accessories/viewfinder_accessories/2211.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradreiman Posted April 28, 2007 Share #7 Posted April 28, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) i use the 1.25 mag for lenses 50mm and up. its perfect for this.....b quick example of the 135/2.8, with goggles and 1.25 mag the view is huge.... 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/22727-long-focus-m8/?do=findComment&comment=241067'>More sharing options...
doubice Posted April 28, 2007 Share #8 Posted April 28, 2007 John, I agree that Leica should offer other finder magnification options for the M8, like they used to on the M7 and MP. If it would have to be ordered 'a la carte', so be it. There is however, a 135mm lens that you can use - a 2.8/135mm Elmarit. This lens has built-in 'goggles', which magnify the finder image as well as your frame lines 1.5x, so that your M8's 90mm finder frame will provide correct angle of view (simple math - 90mm x 1.5 = 135mm). By magnifying the viewfinder image, the goggles efectively turn the finder into one with 1.02x magnification and increase its focusing accuracy. Unfortunately the lens is quite large and heavy, but is available quite cheaply on the used (read eBay) market. There were two versions of the lens, the better one is the latest one, with a 55mm filter thread, one-piece extendable lens hood and a finely ribbed focusing mount. This later version uses the same optical formula as the 135mm Elmarit-R for the Leicaflex and R series. All the best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted April 28, 2007 Share #9 Posted April 28, 2007 I have no problem focusing 50, 75 or 90 mm lenses without using the 1.25x magnifier. The magnifier does help but it isn't that hard if your view/rangefinder is properly adjusted for both focus and verticle alignment and if you need a diopter having the proper one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlenz Posted April 29, 2007 Share #10 Posted April 29, 2007 This leads me to wonder if there might not be a market for a complementary long-focus version of the M8 - for use in the same way that the M3 complemented the M2. This would have a viewfinder with the magnification adjusted to make it suitable for use with lenses up to 135mm - possibly having frames for 50, 75, 90 and 135mm. it would, of course, still be possible to use it with short lenses by employing accessory viewfinders. ? Rangefinder cameras work best with wide-angle lenses, SLRs from ~80mm on up. Nevertheless one can use the M8 with the VF magnifiers as has been suggested so in effect extending the FL range. By chimping one can check the composition; very useful with non-supported 135mm lenses. I found the old 135 Tele-Elmar quite handy at the Grand Canyon used this way, but focus was on infinity. For day-to-day shooting SLRs are the way to go; today I used a 70-200 and 105 macro lens with my dSLR in conjunction with the M8, which got the WA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted April 30, 2007 Share #11 Posted April 30, 2007 i use the 1.25 mag for lenses 50mm and up. its perfect for this.....bquick example of the 135/2.8, with goggles and 1.25 mag the view is huge.... Bradley--Are these lines something you are already aware of? 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/22727-long-focus-m8/?do=findComment&comment=242427'>More sharing options...
yoMammabot Posted April 30, 2007 Share #12 Posted April 30, 2007 Good eye Brent... This could change the direction of this thread dramatically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradreiman Posted May 1, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 1, 2007 hi brent-yes, i was waiting for someone to mention this. these lines only exist on that jpeg after post processing. i noticed them after i posted it. i can't find the lines in the dng or anywhere else thankfully...b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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