1 week and 1000 frames later...

[jklotz]

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I've now had my M8 for 1 week, and taken just at 1000 frames. A few obserations:

 

1) I seem to carry this thing everwhere. I'm taking more pictures now - I've got a 5D, a G7 and some medium and large format gear, but for some reason, I grab this camera when I walk out the door. Partly because it is still new, but mainly because it is so small, unobtrusive and effortless to carry around. The G7 is small, but I'm just not "connected" to it the way I am with the M8.

 

2) The image quality is just amazing! I know spec wise, it's not the fastest car on the track, but something about these images just make me want to print everything I shoot. I suspect it has a lot to do with the lenses, no mirror, primes, etc., but the images evoke more emotion from a print (to me anyway..) than my large format gear. Printing at 13" x 19" (super is just stunning!

 

3) I've had a few problems - one shot with some back lighting produced the green bar across part of the frame. Charger was defective out of the box (Tony at popflash overnighted me a good one, thanks Tony!). USB port causes lightroom to crash when I try to download directly from the camera (card reader works fine, but irritating when I just want to download 2 shots). Frame lines don't match up to the shots I'm taking. Focusing with my 50 can be a challange - (I know, get the 1.25 magnifier... it's on the short list) Boot up time is slow compared to the 5D. And the worst - Leica charged me a lot of money, however, since I want to print almost everything I get with this little gem, Epson is making out like a bandit ; )

 

4) I really like RF's. I have to think before I press the shutter. Consequently my throw away ratio is lower than, for instance, the 5D. Yet I take more pictures.

 

5) I love the feel of the metal lenses. Reminds me of the Contax 645 with the Ziess glass, solid clicks for apature settings (minus the need to see the chiropractor after a day of shooting). Makes my L glass feel like a toy.

 

6) I feel invigerated with my photography now. It's like I can carry little more than a G7, but if I see something and get it, the quality is there in the print (so many times, I've seen a great shot, and either not had a camera, or taken it with a "lesser" camera and been so disapointed when I got home.)

 

7) quirky as it is, by day 2, I had no doubt I'd made the right choice

 

8) Sean Reid's website has been a tremendous resource and learning tool.

 

So there you have it. I'm a happy camper.

 

Oh, one question if you are still reading: I couln't afford any Leica glass, so I bought 3 CV lenses. I am so impressed with these little things - they are just amazing! Why would anybody spend 10 times what I paid to buy Leica glass? Are they that much better? Do they hold up longer or have higher resale value? I am sure I am missing something, so please help me further my education and explain.

[robertwright]

..spend the money you saved on lenses on ink and paper...

 

I suspect the cv lenses on a full frame would not equal the leica lenses, but in the world of 1.3x, they get a leg up. Our benefit. Maybe this is the best reason for Leica to make a full frame digital, to really show their advantage...

 

my cv12 and 15 are great.

[bradreiman]

glad you like it-regarding the cv lenses, I have three myself. the leica lenses are, to me, much better. they do hold up better, they do retain their value betterand to mee they just feel a little better. i love my cv 15 but it feels like a little toy lens. my cv 21 f4 feels like a toy also compared to my elmarit 28/2.8 and the nokton 35 1.2 has completely fallen apart and needs to be serviced. the nokton feels a little smoother in the focus action than the others but doesn't compare to say my noctilux focus which is like silk...brad

[JWW]

James,

 

I too enjoy my M8, even 9 months after I received it. Ended up buying a lot more lenses than when I was shooting my MP on film. Maybe it's the instant gratification of seeing the results. I too have a huge volume of Epson 13x19 prints that get a lot of comments from house guests.

 

On the question of lenses, I know it's easy to rationalize anything, but I figure that on the used Leica lenses I bought I have not lost any resale value (if fact many have gained in value) and even on the new lenses I purchased I have not lost much value and probably will gain it back in a few years with resale prices always going up (such as the Noctilux!). So in effect the real cost to me is the cash sunk into the lens inventory.

 

Jan

[etrigan63]

I recently got to fondle the Summarit line at a Leica Demo Day at our local dealer. Even these "bargain basement" Leicas are leaps and bounds construction-wise over my CV lenses. Would I swap them? No. The CV lenses are gems themselves at a price point that can't be beat with the power to outresolve any Canon or Nikon glass.

 

I am hoping that Mr. Kobayashi sees fit to release a 50mm Nokton f/1.0 in M-mount.

[robertwright]

I recently got to fondle the Summarit line at a Leica Demo Day at our local dealer. Even these "bargain basement" Leicas are leaps and bounds construction-wise over my CV lenses. Would I swap them? No. The CV lenses are gems themselves at a price point that can't be beat with the power to outresolve any Canon or Nikon glass.

 

I am hoping that Mr. Kobayashi sees fit to release a 50mm Nokton f/1.0 in M-mount.

 

are you listening mr K-!! 50mm "noktilucks" f1.0 in either ltm or M, I don't care! I'd give a thousand easily! (I bet it would have no focus shift too:0)

 

but to the op, there is a difference in the Leica lenses, I have zeiss, voigtlander, and I prefer the Leica handling, that is one big thing, the feel is better. ergonomics.

[GarethC]

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James

 

Glad you're liking it, your obserations were similar to mine when I first got my M8.I honestly didn't believe that it got any better as the CV lenses really are exceptional value for money and the CV 15 and (so I have read) the CV 12 are unrivalled. There's always the WATE but then you'd have to sell everyhting to buy it:)

 

That said, I have just bought, relatively recently a Summicron 35/2 ASPH and 21/2.8 and they really do take the CV line apart. That is not to criticize CV lenses, it's just that Leica set the bar high with their glass.

 

Try it for yourself, actually, don't, it can only get worse............