chadhuntphotography.com Posted August 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) any advice would be welcome..... -chad http://www.chadhuntphotography.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 24, 2007 Posted August 24, 2007 Hi chadhuntphotography.com, Take a look here about to buy a leica m8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shootist Posted August 24, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 24, 2007 Buy IT. What other advice would you like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sisoje Posted August 24, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 24, 2007 Chad, you are one kick a** shooter. I love your Afgan pictures. You don't need any advice. M8 will be another great tool for you. Greetings from T.O. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted August 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 24, 2007 any advice would be welcome..... -chad chad hunt photography Marry for love, not money. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAAFL). Bach not Mozart. Very late, very loud. If at first you don't succeed, cheat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted August 24, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 24, 2007 Chad, Your work is superb and the M8 will certainly fit your style of photography. Your question though is very open ended. If you do not already own Leica, I would buy the WATE or either the 24 28 or 35 lens seeing the work you do. Keep it up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted August 24, 2007 Share #6 Posted August 24, 2007 On a more serious note... Given what you're shooting, the M8 has the big advantages of compact size, unobtrusiveness and high file quality. I'd consider, though, that it's not time-proven in terms of being bomb-proof (hopefully not literally!) in its construction – most M series cameras are considered such, but this has all the electronic components to consier – and weather-sealed. Those might be factors of more concern to you than to most of us. Plus there have been teething problems with this camera: see the forum for more. I love it. I think it would suit what you're doing admirably well. But the robustness questions may be an issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted August 24, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) What are your specific concerns and/or questions? My observations so far: I've had mine for about six months and have found it to be everything I expected in terms of Leica simplicity. The meter seems to be a little more center weighted than a film M but with the LCD you can easily check if you're in doubt...the files are amazingly resilient to pushing or pulling exposure though. Underexposing ISO 640 by a stop yields better results than shooting ISO 1250, and the same can be said for underexposining 1250 to get 2500. I'd immediately spring for a second battery as if you're shooting all day you will run down a new charge. The camera is more rain resitant than you might think considering it's not exactly weather-sealed. All the whinging about the shutter noise being louder than a film M is true though entirely inconsequential in all but the quietest shooting conditions. No one who isn't a Leicaphile will think you're shooting with a digital camera...which is neither here nor there in terms of taking pictures but is sort of amusing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted August 24, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 24, 2007 Chad, as a matter of interest, what are you using at the moment, and why are you considering changing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted August 24, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 24, 2007 Chad--what everyone else has said is right: you'll love the M8 for inconspicuous and truly portable coverage. I'm also always surprised when it takes the place of larger cameras as well. Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philinflash Posted August 24, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 24, 2007 any advice would be welcome..... Chad, I would advise you to buy my Hasselblad equipment but after a few days you might discover how self-serving that advice had been and sue me. I am afraid I would have no defense. Otherwise, it is obvious you are a quality shooter and the M8 would suit your style incredibly well. Buy as few lenses as possible; one long one short ought to do it. Use the left over money for a Kelvar body armour suit. Good luck, Philip Kozloff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATB Posted August 24, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 24, 2007 I don't have any advice for you as I don't have an M8. I'd just like to say you make some great photographs! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted August 24, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 24, 2007 All I can say is that you are using your 4200euro wisely! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttriolo Posted August 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 25, 2007 It is a very unassuming camera especially to those not familiar with the name Leica. Most folks won't realize just what you have in your hands which is what I like most about it. I just returned from a family reunion at the beach for several days. Not one person made any mention of the camera, assuming it was just another variation of the several point & shoot cameras there. It is a great camera to get past the initial intimidation factor generally associated with DSLRs. For your type of photography, I would think the M8 a marriage made in heaven. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwf Posted August 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted August 25, 2007 Imho, two lenses are (more than) enough to start, then see what you need/want. This is up to you, of course, but one pair to consider, taking into account the crop factor (1.33) on the M8 would be a 28mm and a 75mm. Within those there is choice: new and old, faster and smaller, easy to find and hard to find, and even Leica and non-Leica. The 28mm would, I think it is now generally agreed at least around here, need a (Leica) UV/IR cut filter. And a spare battery seems prudent. There is also the choice between black and silver (or one of each). All in all, good things to decide upon and you cannot cannot make a mistake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSee Posted August 25, 2007 Share #15 Posted August 25, 2007 Subtle, to follow a URI to your website with so open-ended a query, here. Nice work you've done, but I wonder if the RF system will meet your needs near term. As others have posted, the M8 and a few(3-4) lenses would get you going. Over time--not /that/ long really--you will have the pre-visualization of a certain lens well in hand/touch with your subject. From what I've seen, the WATE is too wide... a 24/5 and 75(and if youcan find a summilux) could satisfy. Buying two bodies now would be good... and batteries too:) hth+rgds, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted August 25, 2007 Share #16 Posted August 25, 2007 I think you made a wise decision after looking at your excellent portfolio, I suspect you will love the M8 ...I think you will put this fine little camera to the purpose for which it was designed it is hard to give you advice now (other than to consider seriously some of the older Leica lens designs available used as you can save a good deal of $$$, but to splurge on a new Leica for WA greater than 35 mm focal length as coding does make a difference for these) but folks here are very friendly & knowledgeable the search function of this forum is excellent, btw and many of the questions that present themselves have likely already been discussed, ad nauseum post some winners in the Photo Forums when you get them be careful in the field Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff Posted August 25, 2007 Share #17 Posted August 25, 2007 any advice would be welcome... My advice is not to buy on price alone but on after sales dealer support. Especially when purchasing such a costly and precision instrument, that one’s professional livelihood will be dependent upon. Make sure you are buying from an Authorized Leica Dealer. Normally, there is a nominal price difference between Authorized Leica Dealers. However, the M8 had a recent price increase from $4795.ºº to $4995 list. If you shop around you may still find one at the original price. My understanding is that you are based out of New York City where there are a number of dedicated Leica boutique shops which operate out of office building suites. They are small, personable custom shops that facilitate long term, first name basis professional relationships. Acquire a printed copy of the dealer’s return policy and read it thoroughly beforehand and then buy the M8 in person. Request that the dealer have a spare fully charge battery on hand so that you can check out the basic working functions of the camera before you leave the shop. Also, pay by credit card, never cash. This will provide some fallback protection if both the camera and dealer fail on you. Unfortunately, my best laid plains failed me on my original Leica M8 purchases. The intention was to acquire two cameras and therefore provide a fallback in the event of having to to send one out for service. In my case, both M8s were functionally faulty out-of-the-box and the dealer refused return on both citing a fictitious Leica policy. Since the shop was an Authorized Leica Dealer I was able to make a formal complaint directly with Leica who resolved the matter under warranty to my satisfaction. Strangely enough, I now deal with a online Authorized Leica Dealer, Popflash, who have more than proven themselves with pre and after sales support and rapid return and exchange on product. Geoff myspace.com/geoffotos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted August 25, 2007 Share #18 Posted August 25, 2007 On a more serious note... Given what you're shooting, the M8 has the big advantages of compact size, unobtrusiveness and high file quality. I'd consider, though, that it's not time-proven in terms of being bomb-proof (hopefully not literally!) in its construction – most M series cameras are considered such, but this has all the electronic components to consier – and weather-sealed. Those might be factors of more concern to you than to most of us. Plus there have been teething problems with this camera: see the forum for more. I love it. I think it would suit what you're doing admirably well. But the robustness questions may be an issue. Having posted this comment, I'm now intrigued to know if anyone has any views on the weather-proofness of the M8. I took mine out in a bit of a gale with flying sand yesterday so the question is becoming of interest. Can anyone who's really put the M8 to the test comment? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted August 25, 2007 Share #19 Posted August 25, 2007 At least two people have posted about using the M8 in pouring rain. One had no problems, and the other had to let it dry out after functions ceased, after some time in the rain. When dry, it worked again. Someone else took one to the Namibian desert, took great care of it, and had no trouble, but some sand did get into the lenses. The sand is meant to be very fine there. My conclusion based on what I have read is that it is well built, and there will be no problems in normal use, including a trip to the beach and a little rain, but in very hardcore conditions, you would want to take extraordinary measures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted August 25, 2007 Share #20 Posted August 25, 2007 Having posted this comment, I'm now intrigued to know if anyone has any views on the weather-proofness of the M8. I took mine out in a bit of a gale with flying sand yesterday so the question is becoming of interest. Can anyone who's really put the M8 to the test comment? I've been shooting a project in Oaxaca for the past week where it's rained at least part of every day and been quite muddy much of the time. There have been times when I've had to be out shooting in it and I haven't experienced any problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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