Quick M8 questions.

[blakley]

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I think the fairest statement is twofold:

 

1. There are known systemic issues, such as the IR sensitivity and lack of a functioning white balance. These all have workarounds, and under almost (but not quite) all circumstances, when these workarounds are used, the image quality produced by the camera compares favorably with the best digital SLRs.

 

2. With respect to non-systemic issues, there are two classes:

 

2a. Intermittent issues believed to be related to firmware, including green banding, zebra stripes, and jumping menus. The best bet is that these will be fixed at some point in the future via a firmware update, and in any case they occur rarely and should be classed as an annoyance.

 

2b. Serious intermittent issues, including patterned noise, centerfolding, sudden death, etc... These issues simply require replacement of the camera. From the anecdotal evidence it appears that these issues occur more commonly with the M8 than with (for example) the Canon 5D and some other relatively trouble-free cameras, but less commonly than with the Nikon D70 (BLOGD etc...) and other more problematic DSLRs.

 

On balance my opinion is that the M8 - while imperfect - more than justifies its quirkiness.

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[KM-25]

What problems?

There are a few glitches remaining indeed.

Zebra stripes on autoreview

Uncertain scrolling

Whitebalance.

 

These are being worked on and ignored by most users right now - It is not that bad....

 

Those are the only problems I am having as well. I have had mine for nearly two months now, about 4,200 frames. The magazines I shot for are printing now and the images look great.

 

But......lets have respect for those who do have problems...

[Dolce]

So much so that if in 3 weeks time the M8 is in fact $5200 USD in stores, that someone will buy my untouched (If I buy it [to avoid the price hikes] and my job doesn't pay out what I expect) M8 BNIB for the low price of what I pay for it, which should be in and around $4700 USD with taxes in.

 

Also, hows the warranty, is it international?

I know once you regester the camer in your name, bets are off for someone else right?

 

Adam

 

P.S. I think I'm gonna do it..

[asfeir]

I think the fairest statement is twofold:

 

1. There are known systemic issues, such as the IR sensitivity and lack of a functioning white balance. These all have workarounds, and under almost (but not quite) all circumstances, when these workarounds are used, the image quality produced by the camera compares favorably with the best digital SLRs.

 

2. With respect to non-systemic issues, there are two classes:

 

2a. Intermittent issues believed to be related to firmware, including green banding, zebra stripes, and jumping menus. The best bet is that these will be fixed at some point in the future via a firmware update, and in any case they occur rarely and should be classed as an annoyance.

 

2b. Serious intermittent issues, including patterned noise, centerfolding, sudden death, etc... These issues simply require replacement of the camera. From the anecdotal evidence it appears that these issues occur more commonly with the M8 than with (for example) the Canon 5D and some other relatively trouble-free cameras, but less commonly than with the Nikon D70 (BLOGD etc...) and other more problematic DSLRs.

 

On balance my opinion is that the M8 - while imperfect - more than justifies its quirkiness.

 

I fully agree with the above.

 

I would add that the SDS (sudden death) WAS a systemic issue for much of last winter and spring. It does look now that the faulty part has been located and new series, as well as fixed cameras, do not have to fear this Sword of Damocles always wondering when will the camera die!

 

The other bad systemic issue that was also resolved is banding. As for IR sensitivity and anti aliasing filter, one cannot have his cake and eat it, if you want top results with best lenses, you have to live with it. And you can live very well!

 

I have been comparing lately some drum scanned film shots taken with Rolleiflex and Hasselblad with shots taken with M8. They do not come close in any measure of quality (sharpness, dynamic range, contrast, etc...)

[Dolce]

Alright, with that said. Would someone mind posting up the typical mild IR wonkey shot. As well would someone mind posting up a REALLY EXTREME IR gone wrong shot.

 

And if anyone is REALLY nice, could I get a wonkey IR gone wrong shot sent to me as a DNG, or maybe someone could upload a DNG, and then let me know the webaddress to download it form.

 

That might be a bit much to ask, but if you guys have time to do such that would be great!

 

Thanks again for all the help and time,

Adam

[jaapv]

Adam, don't worry about IR, it is a non-issue by now. Just put the filter on your (coded) lens and forget about it, or even shoot without filter and forget about it, as some do.

 

This one shows IR contamination; it is not just purple fabrics:

 

 

 

 

 

Or put an IR pass filter on and do some really nice IR photography

 

Summaron 3.5/3.5cm IR pass filter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or even an UV pass filter and go UV photographer

 

Summarit 1.5/50, UV pass::

 

[gdi]

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So much so that if in 3 weeks time the M8 is in fact $5200 USD in stores, that someone will buy my untouched (If I buy it [to avoid the price hikes] and my job doesn't pay out what I expect) M8 BNIB for the low price of what I pay for it, which should be in and around $4700 USD with taxes in.

 

Also, hows the warranty, is it international?

I know once you regester the camer in your name, bets are off for someone else right?

 

Adam

 

P.S. I think I'm gonna do it..

 

I wouldn't count on it - the warranty is not transferable and the number of people willing to risk paying 4700 for this camera w/o it may be fairly small.

[Dolce]

Jaapv

 

Those photos look great, the first one you posted... I love the colors, where is it suffering?

 

Does anyone have a shot where the M8 actually suffers (with current sensor problems)..

 

Thanks again guys,

Adam

 

P.S. I was thinking I buy the camera, and don't open or regester it, and in 3 weeks time I will know if my job pans out, if does, I keep... If not I sell for the price I paid for it, and someone walks away with something a few hundred cheaper... They regester the camera in 3 weeks, and thats that.. Will work or not?

[brivadois]

Yes, still the same problem with M8+ Summicron 35.

It happens sometimes, and whatever software I use : ACR 4.1, Capture 3 or 4, Bibble,...

It's the only issue I get with my M8. Except that, every thing is perfect !

 

Just a little word: the pictures and the gallery of Jaap are great !

 

François

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