M8 in perspective

[jonoslack]

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doug

it was a rant.....bloody M8 aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, miss it already

andy:)

Ah Now - if you'd put it like that in the first place I think you'd have got some sympathy.

I'm sorry your's has failed, but personally, like Eoin, the only problem I recognise is the AWB. As for the noise (volume), it's a pity, but in my experience, it's more in the ears of the photographer than an SLR, and less in the ears of the victim.

[macusque]

As for the noise (volume), it's a pity, but in my experience, it's more in the ears of the photographer than an SLR, and less in the ears of the victim.

 

I like this description

[ptruman]

Yes, it's just a chunk of metal with an expensive blob of glass on the front. But its a nice shaped chunk of metal that I can carry around with me. A DSLR is a bigger chunk of metal and plastic with a slightly less expensive blob of glass. But its bigger and heavier to carry around.

I can make rubbish images from each of the cameras I have ever owned, but I like those from my M8. I also like them from my Canon and my Rolleiflex and my 5x4 and my Sony and my phone, but I like them more from the Leica. That's all there is to it.

[stunsworth]

Man!.....I am real surprised with this ' never needed any other camera syndrome'...why the defense..just speaking from the heart,,,,chill out gents!

 

No defence Andy, the same thing happened with my film SLRs when I bought my first M. I went about 3 years without using an SLR. Never missed them.

 

I'm not quite sure how you can judge whether anyone else does or doesn't need any other camera, I would have thought that was up to the individual.

 

If the M8 doesn't float your boat for whatever reason, that's ok, it's allowed.

[stunsworth]

I can make rubbish images from each of the cameras I have ever owned...

 

I not only can, but do <grin>

[stunsworth]

I really don't understand why people who used to shoot with DSLRs suddenly state that they don't need any other camera than the M8...

 

Marco, I don't think this is any different that in the days before digital, it depends on an individual photographer's preferences. Some people, and I include myself in this number, prefer rangefinders over SLRs for a range of reasons. Until recently if you wanted to shoot digitally and use a rangefinder the only possibility was an Epson RD-1. Now there's the M8. I confess that 99% if what I shoot can be done with a rangefinder, hence the attraction of the M8.

 

Image quality and sharpness should always play second fiddle to composition IMHO, but I'm currently looking at an A2 print I made today of an photograph I shot in Dungeness earlier this year using the M8 and technically it's outstanding.

[Guest stnami]

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Andy if your pet goanna dies ,that's sad but a camera.......... scheerschk!!!!!!!!!!!

[jsjxyz]

Since I have M8 for merely more than 1 month, I utilize ( and having a lot of FUN) more time of my Nocti, 75 lux and 35 cron, compare to all these years with my M6TTL.

 

Try it for 1 week, you will feel that it is worth to own.

 

Jerry

[Guest Olof]

The only perspective I gather from this thread is you have a lemon of a camera, either send it back for replacement or refund.

 

The camera rarely makes any image better, it's more to the degree of influence that the photographer brings to bare on the image that makes it better or worse.

 

I have with one exception AWB, none of the issues you describe. Obviously my perspective is at odds with yours. Sorry to hear your troubles.

 

same here...

[andym911]

the camera started to show some malfunction over the last 2 weeks.Would just hang up in the middle of shooting (total of 4 times).Even switching it off the last image taken would still be visible on the LCD.

So battery out and all was well, until yesterday when I simply could not wake it up.Before trying any remedies I thought to send it off.

I do apologise for my rant earlier...I was real pXXXed

 

 

andy

[Eoin]

If the camera functioned correctly until the past 2 weeks, I'd suggest you (perhaps you've done this already) format the memory card externally then again within the camera or replace the card with another you know works flawlessly and see if the issue is SD card related.

 

Just a thought.!

[macusque]

Marco, I don't think this is any different that in the days before digital, it depends on an individual photographer's preferences. Some people, and I include myself in this number, prefer rangefinders over SLRs for a range of reasons. Until recently if you wanted to shoot digitally and use a rangefinder the only possibility was an Epson RD-1. Now there's the M8. I confess that 99% if what I shoot can be done with a rangefinder, hence the attraction of the M8.

 

Steve, I understand your point.

If you are a rangefinder guy it makes perfect sense.

 

I was only under the impression that some people got "M8 desease"... you know, just like when you fall in love and all about her is nothing short of marvellous.

[chris_tribble]

Oh well - it's a cold bank holiday in Cheshire too - so a moment to chip in.

 

How do I evaluate the M8 after 5 months of experience? It's great, but it's not the only tool I'll ever use.

 

Example, I've got a documentary shoot coming up of a jazz trio in the Glasgow Jazz Festival (Tord Gustavsen). I'll be working close during sound check / rehearsal + at a distance - mainly from wings / backstage - during the concert. I'll take the M8 + 28 / 50 / 75 along with a 5D + 85 1.2 and a 70-200 + x2 extender. I know that each set up will give me images of comparable quality + I have all the benefits of working with two bodies and being able to switch from discrete + highly mobile, to tripod based.

 

I've got a documentary project coming up that will take me to Latvia, Poland and Czech Republic. I'm travelling on public transport and will want to be as light as possible. I'll do the whole thing with 2 M8s + a range of lenses from 15 CV through to 135 Apo (assuming it gets back from Solms in time. I'll carry this in one Domke satchel. I'll have a table-top tripod in the backpack with the laptop.

 

Isn't it wonderful that we now have real choices? That's my perspective...

[David Wogan]

I do wish my D200 had the M8 sensor and my Nikon lenses had the quality of my 28 Summicron, 50 Asph or 90 Apo, particularly wide open.

But image quality isn't the only bread and butter.

 

If you use the old Nikon manual lenses then you will find (as I did) that they are the equal and on some occasions marginally better than the Leica variety.

 

My twenty year old Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI-S has better edge sharpness and better overall contrast than my new 50mm Summicron.

[macusque]

David, aren't the 50/1.4 AI-S and AF 50/1.4D optically the same ?

 

I just got a mint AF 50/1.4D which is great from f/2.8 and quite good at f/2, but at f/1.4, while details are there, it lacks contast and there's CA plus sort of diffusion around bright edges.

 

My Summilux 50/1.4 Asph simply kills it at f/1.4 and also at f/2.

 

Same for the 28 Summicron and an old 28/2 AI, not even close at wider apertures.

 

But if the old 50/1.4 AI-S is better than the Summicron, well... I'd get it in a heartbeat!

[Olsen]

I think that Andym911 has put M8 well in perspective. He is summing up what must be better on a future M9.

 

The WB is usually spot on, but a few shots are far off. No big deal. It can all be sorted out in RAW.

 

The noice on high ISO is bad. This is an area that M9 must perform much better. It is no use to compare to film. Many (D5, 1Ds II, D1 III etc. etc.) cameras, some considderable cheaper than an M8 produces nice and clean files all the way up to 1600ISO - and beond (1D III). This is an area where more and more digital cameras performs much better than film.

 

I have always been a 100ASA guy. Well, 160ASA when the Porta series reached the market. I think that only the best can do for this tiny little 24 x 36 mm negative. When buying my 1Ds II a few years back I have stared to explore how far it is possible to push it, and have started photographing under light conditions that before was unthinkable.

 

High ISO photography with a modern digital camera is something you should all explore. Just fantastic!

 

Mine M8 has performed flawlessly now for two months. It is the Big Freeze I am scared of. Small ones occure now and then even on my 1Ds II. No big deal if the camera will work after having the battery removed and put in again. Leica must solve this reliability thing now!

 

The viewfinder of my M8 is certainly better than on my Zeiss Ikon. Which is off at infitity. My Noctilux is sent to Solms for adjustment and will not be back before in August, was backfocusing while all other lenses I have are just fine.

 

This viewfinder-thing; It can never be perfect as long as it is mechanical. Leica should take the giant step and make a 'digital viewfinder' or a 'solid state viewfinder'. This mechanical thing is a thing of the past. Although some few report that their M8 viewfinder is off, it is what can be expected. Even from a high quality producer like Leica.

 

Further; I think it is important to mention that Leica is a dedicated supplier. - I am not at all sure that Epson is dedicated to it's RD-1 as Leica is to it's M8. The Leica organisation follows up what is happening. This is very important.

[David Wogan]

David, aren't the 50/1.4 AI-S and AF 50/1.4D optically the same ?

 

I have no idea, as I do not have and will never buy any Nikon AF lenses. I did a group test, just for my own illumination last week featuring amongst others, the Summicron and Nikon F1.4 (non-AI). I can let you have the layered PSD file if you want it.

[tom0511]

I once had a Canon 1D, bought a 24-70. The first one had mechinical problems and was exchanged, the second 24-70 did frontfocus.

I then shot Nikon for some time, after all the hype I added a 5d+24-105. The combo vignettes at 24 mm even at f8.0, exposure metering and white belance, in my personal experience not any better than the M8.

Then the D200, new camera but the battery was defect so it was empty after one night.

I dont see how the M8 reliability is any worse than other digital cameras.

Sad though , that the reliability seems not to be any better.

Cheers, Tom

[geoffreyg]

OK, OK, the M8 is a bit touchy. Yes, the WB isn't quite on all the time and sometimes the last image gets lost a bit in cyber-space....all true. And like Andy, I pick up the Canon 20D, and for quick documenting, its fine, fast and able. For high ISO, or quick shoot and zoom (documenting student art work, for example), it does a great job, better than the M8.

 

But then shoot serious photography with the M8, and the images - the quality - are just a whole notch further up the ladder. They are worth looking at and you just keep seeing more in them - whereas with the Canon, I just start seeing what isn't there, and wish it was.

 

How nice to have the quality in such a small, handy, and yes, sensitive, package. Do we wish for more? Absolutely. But I for one am glad to have what there is, and consider myself very lucky.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[andym911]

Geoffrey

 

you put it better than I did, on both the negatives and the positives of the M8.

I also take great pleasure from it but also grab my Canon stuff where appropriate.

I will be getting it back soon though, an am sure it will be fine..... and can't wait!

 

regards

andy