mtwo Posted July 15, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mine arrived yesterday. Initial impression is that Leica could use some ergonomic lessons from Nikon. Colors are somewhat disappointing, not bad, but not correct either. I knew about this and am about to order the filters. Transferring files from the camera is also not great. I was forced to use the MS wizard which I do not like. I suppose I should start a list of questions so I can ask them in some sort of coherent manner. Must say that even with the difference in shutter feel the camera is a pleasure to use. Small, light, convenient with a wonderful viewfinder. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2007 Posted July 15, 2007 Hi mtwo, Take a look here Another one of those new M8 posts. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted July 15, 2007 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2007 John, buy a card reader, it makes the whole process of transfering files easier. Welcome to the M8 world. I wouldn't be without mine. 6 months and 6500 frames since buying it, it's still the most enjoyable camera I've ever used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 15, 2007 Share #3 Posted July 15, 2007 Ergonomics? Leica created the ergonomics of 35mm photography in 1923, and most cameras that have erred from that norm (e.g. Contax RF, Nikon RF, Exakta) have been dogs to handle. The M8 has kept that layout and steered clear of the button jungles that decorate most other digital cameras, and this is one of its greatest virtues. The egregious old man from the Age of Grump Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptruman Posted July 15, 2007 Share #4 Posted July 15, 2007 Colours not great - I assume you're using auto white balance? Either continue and be prepared to change when editing or simply set the WB to a close match. Makes such a difference to the colours! I found the IR filters make quite a marked difference to the image quality, but also ensure you are using the latest firmware (v1.102) as this also makes quite a difference. If you're in the UK at present the light is so rubbish that all you will get are subdued, dull colours given the weather! The answer there is to move or go abroad. Do get a memory card reader rather than downloading from the camera. It's quicker and much more convenient using either Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac). Spend some time getting used to the feel and handling of the camera. It really works well and its design mean you do not have to constantly fiddle with settings like many other digital cameras. But it does take a bit of getting used to irrespective of whether you have used an M Leica before or come from another camera. The lack of autofocus, the range finder, the lens marks, etc. You will waste a few shots, but who cares as digital film is inexpensive? On the other hand, time... Be prepared to invest a little of this. As the pet food adverts would say, 95% of M8 users prefer it to any other dog food. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtwo Posted July 15, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted July 15, 2007 Well, Lars, I have owned or shot with the cameras you mention. The early Contax was not bad but then Leica had no rapid wind lever then either. The Nikon was not bad either although the S2 meter was not much to rave about. The Exacta was indeed a dog but it did let you look through the lens when not much else did. What I refer to is a button push and a dial nudge to change ISO, a two button push to format a card, button and dial to change WB and so on. Dipping into menus is time consuming, at least at first. I will agree that having brought down menu selections to a reasonable level is a great move. I also agree the camera is an absolute pleasure to use and does indeed continue the M tradition of focus and shoot without too much fiddling. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 15, 2007 Share #6 Posted July 15, 2007 What I refer to is a button push and a dial nudge to change ISO, a two button push to format a card, button and dial to change WB John, but the changing of ISO is only a quick double button press, dial and then touch to the release button, it takes no time at all. Formatting a card should be made a little tricky IMHO to prevent accidents, and as for WB, personally I leave it on auto and adjust during RAW conversion. I'm not saying the M8 is perfect - no camera is - but I do sometimes think the 'issues' get overstated (and I'm not specifically referring to your post). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtwo Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted July 16, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Have to amit that I am not yet that familiar with the beast. I know my D2x pretty well and it is one complex fellow. Heavy though, but I do really like it. I have used Leica on and off over 50+ years of picture making and you have to love the control even if you do screw it up from time to time. I am sure that most small changes, ISO, WB and so on will become second nature. Hope so, plan to use it a lot. So far can make both the .jpgs and .tifs look respectable in PSCS2, not wonderful, just respectable. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankg Posted July 16, 2007 Share #8 Posted July 16, 2007 ISO on a digital camera should be treated like aperture and shutter speed. You should be able to make changes without taking your eye from the finder in response to changing light. EV comp should be handled similarly with analogue controls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted July 16, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 16, 2007 If you're in the UK at present the light is so rubbish that all you will get are subdued, dull colours given the weather! The answer there is to move or go abroad. The weather in Southern California is nice and the sun shines (almost) every day. The colors you get are indeed vibrant but you can barely see the display of the M8 to just look at the images you just took.... . Take your pick! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante Posted July 16, 2007 Share #10 Posted July 16, 2007 95% of M8 owners would rather have an M8 than no digital M camera at all. But that doesn't mean that every M8 user must applaud Leica's approach to controls on the M8 or be insulted. The M8 is a clean-sheet design: the only thing that is carried over from any previous M is part of the viewfinder/rangefinder. Leica could have done anything that worked within the confines of M lenses (27.8mm flange distance, focused via optical RF, no aperture coupling, with 6-bit coding as the maximum lens-body communication). I think that Leica was in such financial straits when the M8 was put under development that it made the M8 simulate earlier Ms (whose forms actually did follow their function) out of fear of rejection rather than use control sets that are conventional to serious digital cameras (such as being to able set WB, ISO and EV comp without turning on the main screen and going through menus). Or maybe someone at Leica liked BMW's iDrive system? I think that the resulting design is more something that many M8 users put up with (given lens compatibility, small size and excellent image quality) than something that people would identify as their first choice design for a digital M camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted July 16, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 16, 2007 Well said Dante and i agree on many points. They could have kept the same physical look like they have but feature comforts of modern day digital could have been added like for instance the battery readout could have expanded to ISO/ EV settings just like the second LCD on most DSLR's. They can still do some things in firmware to make it more active for the user. We have submitted many feature comforts on the M8 that leica has seen from us. So we will have to see what comes about in the future on the M8 but if and when a M9 comes there needs to be some physical changes made also . One is dump the mechnical framelines and make them accurate electronic framelines that adjust for paralex also. Plus as few others. We keep the idea's and suggestions going Leica does listen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtwo Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted July 16, 2007 You realize, of course, that 87.79% of all statistics are made up on the spot. But..I have a gut feel that Dante is correct. A stat I did read is that 12 thousand M8s had been produced. This is rather mind blowing. Is that all? Leads one to believe what a niche marked these RF cameras really are. I grew up with them, right after I abandoned a box camera with zero controls. Then, that's all there were in the early 50s, at least that a kid could afford. Hope the word gets around. This RF system is a great way to make photos. I do not plan to get rid of my SLR system, too much invested and the results can be stunning but I think had Leica done any more engineering not many of us would have been able to afford the thing, not a lot can in any event. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted July 16, 2007 Share #13 Posted July 16, 2007 ISO on a digital camera should be treated like aperture and shutter speed. You should be able to make changes without taking your eye from the finder in response to changing light. EV comp should be handled similarly with analogue controls. Last year, I proposed firmware based changes to the ISO and EV controls (which would make it easier and faster to use them) and I think they will be implemented though I'm not sure when. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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