johnastovall Posted November 9, 2007 Share #21 Posted November 9, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) We forgive so much for it is that obscure object of desire. It is a tool of the heart not the rational mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 Hi johnastovall, Take a look here Contemplating Forgiveness--Why Do We Accept the M8?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dfarkas Posted November 9, 2007 Share #22 Posted November 9, 2007 Other than needing a minor focus realignment, my M8 (had for 9 months) has been quirk-free. Or, at least, that's how I remember it. As was said earlier, I have far more quirks with the computers, software, and machines I use on a daily basis for work than I have ever had with the M8. For me, the M8 brings home quality I've only been able to get with my R9/DMR. At a fraction of the size for both the camera and the lenses, the M8 is an easier every-day camera to cart around. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted November 9, 2007 Share #23 Posted November 9, 2007 For me, it is the glass, the image quality, the fact that I do not have to be built like a body builder to carry all my equipment, and that it allows me to approach strangers without them ever changing their expression. Thank you, Arif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted November 9, 2007 Share #24 Posted November 9, 2007 I have had mine for 10 months now and have taken 20K photographs with it it hung up once, but that was due to a weak battery I get very infrequent venetian blinds on the LCD, but the photograph is perfect the quality of the files from the M8 are outstanding & like many here I find using a RF camera has transformed the way I think about photography it has been a great camera for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalippe Posted November 9, 2007 Share #25 Posted November 9, 2007 I am with those who say that the M8 has far more than a typical number of problems. I have two M8's, and both regularly exhibit the following problems: venetian blinds; wrong picture shown in LCD in auto-review; file numbers resetting to 0 even though I have chosen "continuous" numbering; scrolling issues; and camera lock-up requiring battery removal. My first M8 came with a battery charger that didn't work in the wall. I had to charge my batteries in my car for a month or two while NJ took their time getting me a new charger. Of the two new lenses I bought, one misfocused very badly out of the box (50mm Summilux). When I first purchased a second body, I had to push so hard to mount same Summilux on the new body that I thought I would break lens, body or both. I had to exchange that body to get one onto which I could put the Summilux. By comparison, I own 1 Canon EOS film body, 2 Canon EOS digital bodies, and on the order of 10 canon lenses. I've never experienced any malfunction of any kind, except a 50mm f/1.4 that lost the ability to reliably autofocus a few years after I bought it. Now for the punchline...I've hardly touched my 5D since I got my M8. I pretty much only use the 5D to photograph my 9 month old son crawling around at wide apertures...my manual focus skills are not up to the job with my son's recently aquired speed. Why? Because for me photography is a hobby, and at the end of the day using my M8 is a lot more fun than using my 5D. It is small and light, it encourages me to think harder about focus and DOF drawing me more into the picture making process, and the rangefinder encourages me to take a more satisfying type of photography, placing my subject in the context of its environment rather than picking it out of the ennvironment. The only glitch with the M8 that could really hamper my photography is the locking up and I haven't yet lost a shot from it. Another thing that I like about the M8 is that the files require no sharpening and really good digital sharpening is not a trivial task, at least for me. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted November 9, 2007 Share #26 Posted November 9, 2007 Even with all of the very occasional quirky behaviors, I haven't seen finer photos from any other camera I've owned. Yes, I've owned a Canon 1Ds Mark II with many fine L lenses. I also don't miss as many opportunities because my camera is always in my fannypack rather than in an inaccessible backpack. ....therefore I accept it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
george + Posted November 9, 2007 Share #27 Posted November 9, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why? First because it is a rangefinder and I could never learn to like those big SLR-s. Then, and maybe I should have put this first, it can take excellent pictures. So it has a few challenges. I never sent it back to Solms and it works just fine. Yes I had a few 32 second lockups - when I left the lens cap on. Then I had a few other lockups but I understand a bit about electronics and know that a CTL-ALT-DEL will often do wonders. Of course I come from a generation that was not afraid of facing challenges and had an engineering education which included thinking and fixing our own instruments. And I was probably lucky too - I have an optimistic outlook on life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted November 9, 2007 Share #28 Posted November 9, 2007 III. QUESTION: We wouldn’t accept a Nikon or Canon if it behaved this way. Why do we accept the M8, and even expand our systems with additional lenses and bodies? —HC simply because its the only game in town. the rangefinder concept has its unique advantages, and the M8 is the only camera that carries those into the digital age. For me the RD-1 didnt count because it was too compromised by sensor size, vignetting and apparent reliability. Sensor size also rules out a number of compact digicams that might otherwise make the grade (an optical finder, rangefinder focussing and a larger sensor would have made the Digisonic-2 an absolute dream). I await an 'M9' with a kind of morbid curiosity. Given all the feedback about the M8 I have the impression that Leica are concentrating on different FW priorities, so I am curies to see what they see as design priorities for an M9.... In the meantime I have more or less come to terms with my M8's shortcomings and enjoy it for its strengths Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2007 Share #29 Posted November 9, 2007 If this forum is an accurate gauge of problems, my experience has been better than many others. Ah- but it is not;) . Internetforums are frenzy-prone magnifiers..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 9, 2007 Share #30 Posted November 9, 2007 Ah- but it is not;) . Internetforums are frenzy-prone magnifiers..... Exactly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascal_meheut Posted November 9, 2007 Share #31 Posted November 9, 2007 Ah- but it is not;) . Internetforums are frenzy-prone magnifiers..... I could not say better. BTW, my M8 works fine, just some minor glitches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted November 9, 2007 Share #32 Posted November 9, 2007 Ah- but it is not;) . Internetforums are frenzy-prone magnifiers..... err yes, of criticism And of enthusiasm! goodness knows if it balances out in the end though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peggers Posted November 9, 2007 Share #33 Posted November 9, 2007 Why? Because... 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! 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/37611-contemplating-forgiveness-why-do-we-accept-the-m8/?do=findComment&comment=397728'>More sharing options...
mhoersch Posted November 9, 2007 Share #34 Posted November 9, 2007 Good point, Philip! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnapperJ Posted November 9, 2007 Share #35 Posted November 9, 2007 My requirments are: image quality small size camera weight and yes i will buy an M9 when it arrives:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted November 9, 2007 Share #36 Posted November 9, 2007 I. SITUATION: holiday; ca 1400 RAW exposures made with firmware 1.107 a. One file truncated and written to card at 2.05 MB b. Three black exposures, one at 32 sec, two at 1/8000 sec (camera at auto exposure) c. Two frames grossly overexposed, 2 sec and 6 sec respectively. where 1/90 to 1/125 would have been correct (camera at auto exposure) d. Occasional occurrence of red stripes/Venetian blinds display in review e. EXIF on one occasion shows (mis-)identification of uncoded lens f. Light arc on 39 frames g. Auto White Balance unpredictable h. In 23 cases, camera skipped a file number, though “Image Unique ID” was properly incremented i. Camera locked up perhaps half a dozen times, requiring battery removal and reinsertion to restore operation j. On two occasions, camera failed to wake from sleep when I pressed shutter release fully, causing missed shots II. MY REACTION: Generally pleased with the camera, delighted by image quality III. QUESTION: We wouldn’t accept a Nikon or Canon if it behaved this way. Why do we accept the M8, and even expand our systems with additional lenses and bodies? NOTE: I’m not interested in camera-bashing. And I’m aware that most of the above behaviors have already been documented on the forum, that workarounds have been suggested for many of them, and that firmware updates are expected to correct others. I’m simply asking: What is it about this camera system that lets us refer to these as “quirks,” while they would be unacceptable flaws in another line? —HC I wouldnt accept this particular camera. Send it in and get it repaired. Actually I have 2 M8s and so far they work pretty good. Yes, some M8s show problems...and so do other cameras from other brands (my brand new Nikon d200 could empty a battery in 20 hours even if it was switched off. The d200 had to be replaced. My brandnew Ricoh gr100 also had a problem - it was replaced. My canon 24-70/2.8 had to be sent in because of backfocus problems..... So - we accept the M8 because it is a good camera and because there is not better digital rangefinder. cheers, Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2007 Share #37 Posted November 9, 2007 My requirments are: image quality small size camera weight and yes i will buy an M9 when it arrives:) If you read the interview with Stephen Lee carefully, the implication is that the M9 will be positioned below the M8, with the M8 remaining the flagship model, much like the new crop of Summarits.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted November 9, 2007 Share #38 Posted November 9, 2007 I forgave a long time ago,....forgave the fact that I'd have to use UV/IR filters with the M8. Since then I have embraced the M8 in the full knowledge of it's strengths and weaknesses. It performs like any other electronic device, occasionally having a brain fart and requiring a reset of some kind. Other than that it works and I still enjoy using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmeltvanveelen Posted November 9, 2007 Share #39 Posted November 9, 2007 Myfirst M8 collapsed after 15 minutes. The electric system was blocked. Within two days I could change the camera for another one. That was in december 2006. Now I have taken a lot of pictures with my new one. No problems at all, afther introducing the IR filters. Only for this camera I can fall in love. The ergonomic capacities are very important. But the most impressive for me are the sharpness and the unsharpness of the objectives. 50 years ago I have taken pictures with the M3. Now is the M8 a dignified successor. Remmelt van Veelen: photography; color / Cibachrome landscapes and travelphotography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklotz Posted November 9, 2007 Share #40 Posted November 9, 2007 I just got my M8 3 days ago, so I'm not sure how legit my coments are, but I have to say, after 450 images, that there is something about what I'm getting out of this thing that really does it for me. It's difficult to put into words, but when I look at the prints compared to those of the 5D, they just "feel" so much better. I don't want to say it's more "film like", because it is not (IMHO), but they have more character. Simply put, they evoke more emotion when I look at them. Will I use it professionaly? Probably not. I have a Phase One P25 and a cambo wide ds for that. But for fine art, I think the 4 x 5 and the 5D are going to stay in the case for a while. Is it perfect? Hell no! It is a pain in the a**, UV filters, color shift, focusing problems, the long wait for JM adaptors, no built in diopter, frame lines that don't match the picture, alarmist threads in forums like this that make me think the thing will self implode the next time I cough, etc, etc. But for me, it is worth it without question. James ps - mine came with a defective charger. Tony at popflash overnighted another one to me. From all the woes I've heard so far, reaserching and finding the right dealer who will take care of you is as important of a decesion as which lens to buy. My 2 cents anyway... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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