What is the M8 for?

[sean_reid]

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Wasn't the Digilux (3) system meant to be that camera, Sean? Sure, it needs some refining, especially in size and work needs to be done on the sensor, but the basic concept is there.

 

Yes, I think so and, in fact, had a mention of the D3 in my post draft. In reality, though, it doesn't quite fill that role yet.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[marknorton]

I use the M8 alongside a D2x which gets the exposure correct most of the time providing I set the meter mode (spot, centre weighted, matrix) appropriately. With the M8, I find I make much more use of the AE lock and/or EV+/- or else meter manually off some other part of the image before recomposing.

 

In particular, I'm not comfortable with the metering pattern when shooting portrait and, left to its own devices, the camera tends to under-expose. I'd much prefer a centre-weighted area which has greater height to it, such as in the M6/M7 formed by the white spot on the shutter curtain. The white shutter blade may be convenient to manufacturer, like the Epson R-D1, but IMHO, the metering pattern is then compromised.

 

Bring back the White Spot, I say...

[chris_tribble]

Read all of this with interest and am reflecting on "what the M8 is for" following four very intensive days in Seville and Lisbon on a documentary shoot. I was working with 5D + 85 1.2L and 16-25 f2.8 L along side 2 M8 bodies + 28/35/50/75/135.

 

1/ they all fitted into a large Domke satchel

2/ the M8 excelled in quite spaces, intimate spaces, spaces where I could work a bit more slowly

3/ the 5D was essential when I needed to do some VERY quick work + wanted to use ultrawide flexibly...

4/ the M8 took the best low light shots (this surprised me but it's also comparing Leica primes to Canon (very good) zooms

 

What's the M8 for?

 

ANSWER 1 Portraits, context shoots, interiors, low lights - and the limitation for me is some really really fast stuff where good autofocus + rapid field of view change has its advantages.

 

ANSWER 2 - it allows a multi-body approach to real-time no second chance shooting without breaking your back.

 

ANSWER 3 - it's for shooting with subjects who are intimidated by big DSLRs. I can talk, shoot, keep people at their ease and get shots that do the job (IMHO + in my clients' opinions.

 

This makes the M8 pretty damn useful from where I stand.

 

...and BTW - I'm REALLY happy with the metering. Never had a problem with this, or the M6 / M7

 

Best

[Jamie Roberts]

I actually love the fact that what the M8 gives me, pretty much, is medium format digital characteristics in a steatlthy, small package.

 

It's just a fabulous camera, one I love more and more when I use alongside the DMR and 5d. It certainly holds its own, and--given more accurate framelines--could easily be used for architecture (those wide angle lenses are spectacular) and landscape photography.

 

I'm right in the middle, too, on where the camera should go.

 

I'd love some creature comforts from the 21st century that create better ease of use (even better menus, ISO shift, shutter speed in RF etc...)--none of which make it a Canon or Nikon beepfest

 

But of course I love the form factor; what Sean said about weather seals would be fabulous too. Maybe they'll make it so we can format cards with the bottom plate off, too Or get rid of the bottom plate (that would be ok, since it's the reverse of my M6 anyway, I constantly get one or the other wrong).

 

So in that sense really I don't just want an M7 with a sensor (though they could, please, add back in the flash synch!!).

 

I have no trouble with the current "spot-like" meter, though, even on AF. If I want a true sense of the light falling on a scene, and I can't fake it with a reflective spot, I'll pull out an incident meter anyway, thanks

[hankg]

I think those who adopt the M8 for areas of photography not normally associated with the M do so because they prefer the RF finder, ergonomics and simplicity of the M package. So I think it is essential that the M maintain it's character. Leica has the D and R lines to load up with varying degrees of sophisticated electronic features.

 

I think more accurate framing (without changing the finder experience) and analog controls on the body for ISO and EV compensation would be about all I can think of in the way of 'progress'. Well in addition to that, no one would complain if the shutter was quieter and if IR filters were no longer required on a future M. Of course the IQ of the sensor will increase with each iteration of the M but the rest should stay as close to the film M's as possible.

[dante]

The M8 is to other types of digital cameras as Tri-X is to other types of 35mm black and white film.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Well coming from a commercial shooter that works with the M8 in a variety of work, i think calling it a reporter camera is very limiting indeed. i use it for many different types of shooting and no one told me it was just a reporter camera.

[earleygallery]

For fitting into handmade cases.......

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/25280-luigi-case-silver-m8.html