Guest localplayer Posted July 27, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 27, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) just wondering if i should leave the leica home when going to sports events--seem too slow and difficult to work with compared to the nikon and canon cameras (which is why canon advertises so much in sports magazines). can leica's really compete when it comes to sport competitions? my guess is not. keep looking for someone to prove me wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 Hi Guest localplayer, Take a look here can leica m8's really work as sports cams?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Rona!d Posted July 27, 2007 Share #2 Posted July 27, 2007 The basic problem is not the missing AF, it´s the focal length. Most sports-events need telelenses so you are forced to work with the Visoflex (which is not everbodys darling). But there are some sports you don´t need 200+ mm, in these cases an M8 can do very fine. I used it at the Nürburgring with Viso + 135mm, 16/18/21mm, 35mm last year. a lot of these shots made with an M8 preproduction model: Nuerburgring Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted July 27, 2007 Share #3 Posted July 27, 2007 A wonderful slide show and a "must see" , IMO. Azzo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted July 27, 2007 Share #4 Posted July 27, 2007 Bob, As Ron says it depends what sports you are shooting and what your level of access will be, you will need to get in close. Whilst I have no experience whatever with the M8 I did for some years use a IIIc for motor sports shots, many of which were published. I have to say that a rangefinder was not the ideal tool for that job (neither were the Speed Graphic or the Rolleiflex that I used, out of perversity, at the same time). The viewfinder was useless, so I fashioned a wire frame finder, or sometimes I just guessed; being limited to an 18cm lens also had it's drawbacks too. What type of shots are you after? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 27, 2007 Share #5 Posted July 27, 2007 thks stuff like this..otherwise back to the canon. the m8 seems very limited. i can get access to most events Images removed. Read the Forum Rules: Only Leica-made images (body, lens or both) allowed. Thanks. Allan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
total_recall Posted July 27, 2007 Share #6 Posted July 27, 2007 forget it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 27, 2007 Share #7 Posted July 27, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) kinda of figured. the first shot was at 70mm on a canon so its not just the need for a long lens--it is the reaction time. anyway, probably sell mine off as i get board taking pictures of people on the street.....thanks for the response Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted July 27, 2007 Share #8 Posted July 27, 2007 Of Course it's not a "sports camera" . What a ridiculous idea - get an AF SLR - I have and its great for that Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 27, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 27, 2007 keith actually have 2 mk3's, but was wondering if someone one was going to show me stuff that that could stand up to them.....anyway, the leica is cute though:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona!d Posted July 27, 2007 Share #10 Posted July 27, 2007 Leica-Users might be a little masochistic, you were wating for proofs? Honestly i would recommend two MkIII plus all that "white stuff" which i use for my job too. BUT if i would own the fastfocussing unit with the Telyt 400, i would try it on serious sports subjects and know i would NOT fail after some practise. But that said without the "pressure" of success. When i see all the good car-racing-shots made by the famous german racing circuit photographer Weidmann with SLOW and OLD gear decades ago, i know that it´s possible. The todays MkIII´s don´t need that much knowhow than the old cameras for beeing successful. What i MISS with 10 frames per second cameras is to push the trigger for just one or two shots in the perfect moment. Poor boys are having "VIDEOFILMS" when they come back home and feed their computers - not my style of photography, even with the Canons. I use my EOS like the Leicas, selected shooting. Got a nice cover in a sports-mag that way three weeks ago. They had the choice of 5 possible cover-shots made within 20 minutes, they used the "rest" for the editorial. Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 27, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 27, 2007 Ron I tend to shoot single shot for most stuff too as i find running off 10 fps doesn't guarantee a focused and perfectly timed shot. With baseball, getting the shot right as the ball comes off the bat or in football as the receiver stretches for the ball sometimes gets lost in between the bursts---so getting your single shot timing down can yield better results. the canon's (especially the 1D familiy) have a great 'reaction' time. I would think one could get 'used' to the leica quirks and achieve the same timing. Focusing is another issue. exposure is easy since most of us shoot manual when we are under 'pressure' to deliver. I can see where an M8 might work for sidelines work or wider shots--but switching between a long lense'd canon and an M8 between plays most likely would be asking for trouble. anyway, shortly we will have high framed high-res video cames that will obsolete all still sports photographers.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted July 27, 2007 Share #12 Posted July 27, 2007 Leica-Users might be a little masochistic, you were wating for proofs?Honestly i would recommend two MkIII plus all that "white stuff" which i use for my job too. BUT if i would own the fastfocussing unit with the Telyt 400, i would try it on serious sports subjects and know i would NOT fail after some practise. But that said without the "pressure" of success. When i see all the good car-racing-shots made by the famous german racing circuit photographer Weidmann with SLOW and OLD gear decades ago, i know that it´s possible. The todays MkIII´s don´t need that much knowhow than the old cameras for beeing successful. What i MISS with 10 frames per second cameras is to push the trigger for just one or two shots in the perfect moment. Poor boys are having "VIDEOFILMS" when they come back home and feed their computers - not my style of photography, even with the Canons. I use my EOS like the Leicas, selected shoting. Got a nice cover in a sports-mag that way three weeks ago. They had the choice of 5 possible cover-shots made within 20 minutes, they used the "rest" for the editorial. Ron Good advice from Ron; Louis Klemantaski Klemantaski Collection - Historic Motor Sports Photography seemed to manage OK with a fairly basic set up. Also, check out the forthcoming book "by" Phil Hill, titled, iirc Inside Tracks(?) due out pretty soon, I guess. Unless you are "of independent means" forget the M system for action sports. photography. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Posted July 28, 2007 Share #13 Posted July 28, 2007 I agree wih the fact that the m8 cant do everything, but in some cases as illustrated here, it works fine, the rangefinder permits to anticipate the shot, easy control of DOF . More examples at this address Vintage cars Hill race Thanks for looking Gerard 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! Quote 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/29741-can-leica-m8s-really-work-as-sports-cams/?do=findComment&comment=315571'>More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 28, 2007 Share #14 Posted July 28, 2007 these illustrate the issue--they don't have the snap that a good canon/nikon set-up can deliver--also small things like shooting for wheel motion while obtaining a sharp car/motorcycle body are lacking. i think in the "old days" the leica's caught lots of the general environmental sport shots while the slr's caught the action shots. anyway, mine goes up for sale and will replace with another canon...thanks all for helping with my decision Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted July 28, 2007 Share #15 Posted July 28, 2007 these illustrate the issue--they don't have the snap that a good canon/nikon set-up can deliver--also small things like shooting for wheel motion while obtaining a sharp car/motorcycle body are lacking. i think in the "old days" the leica's caught lots of the general environmental sport shots while the slr's caught the action shots. anyway, mine goes up for sale and will replace with another canon...thanks all for helping with my decision I wouldn't put these last images in the top rank of what M's can do in a sporting venue. I don't think you would either, honestly. I've shot equestrian, cars (by the ton), trains, bikes, boats, planes, just about everything on wheels and I can assure you I'm as likely to get a good shot with the light and responsive M every bit as soon as someone with a clunking, heavyweght Mark whatever with three pounds of poorly balancing glass on its nozzle. Suit yourself. Sell everything. Make someone else happy. C'est la vie. Thanks. Allan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted July 28, 2007 Share #16 Posted July 28, 2007 even with a Viso, telephotos with the M8 are at a disadvantage for doing action photography, particularly given some of the fine telephotos available to DSLRs, some of which have outstanding image stabilization still for some kinds of action photography, I think a rangefinder offers an advantage consider these samples posted here by bradreiman some time ago http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/sports-leisure-time/18393-not-my-first-rodeo.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/sports-leisure-time/19253-2-more-rodeo-shots.html being able to see what is coming into the frame is a huge advantage in doing action photography & it is a significant advantage having sharp, fast glass in many sporting venues of course such work demands a good deal of skill on the part of the photographer, but the rewards are significant I think an M8 an excellent camera to bring along with a DSLR to sporting events ...for some kinds of sporting circumstances, it will be the superior tool Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest localplayer Posted July 29, 2007 Share #17 Posted July 29, 2007 artichoke...cool, finally an action sport pics that scores. real nice. some of the other folks web-site show lots of sports sites, but almost no action--so they use the leica as more of a reportage of static events. but these show action well in what appears to be tough light. thks for sharing Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmogi10 Posted July 29, 2007 Share #18 Posted July 29, 2007 does this mean you're going to keep it? Did you buy the M8 with action sports in mind? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 29, 2007 Share #19 Posted July 29, 2007 Why not just use the right tool for the job? Why try to make a hammer into a screw-driver? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrutalImage Posted July 29, 2007 Share #20 Posted July 29, 2007 lovely shots. well composed. strong images. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.