JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 23, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think it would be interesting to know which one of you here (apart Guy Mancuso, whom I follow the posts too, hi, Mr. Mancuso) uses his M8 for professional work. After seven years itch (in fact, 2 year itch with my M7 and film photography), and as I am entering more professional activity, I decided to go digital for some of my assignments. To me it's a way to propose cheaper service than film to clients who wish to have Leica quality at a lower price (non-film works). I pondered Nikon, but found it ridiculous to buy a body and lenses, when I have all I need in Leica (and 6*6 gear). So I had the luck to find an official Leica dealer proposing an M8 brand new (late series) at a bargain and decided to plunge. Now, back to my question : which one of you uses his M8 for regular day to day pro work ? Thanks to all. Johan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Hi JHAG, Take a look here New Thread - M 8 for professional use. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Riccis Posted January 23, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 23, 2008 I do... Jamie Roberts also uses the M8 professionally. Cheers, Riccis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted January 23, 2008 Thank you, Riccis. Satisfyingly, I suppose… ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
psss Posted January 23, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 23, 2008 i have been using the m8 for everything since i got it....tethered and not....more untethered (usb is just too slow...) but i have had no problems, more in focus shots then with all my canons, hass, mamiyas....i am very happy...if you are used to RF, why NOT use it for work? of course i don't shoot sports, but for my line of work it is simply amazing.....just got rid of my mamiyaRZ/645 P30 kit.....the m8 easily handles the same jobs....people do look at me funny, but leica still has an aura....shooting with a 5D would be more of an "image problem"..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eikonphoto Posted January 23, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 23, 2008 Me too. I would say I use it in conjunction with a D3 etc. I know I could not do as good a job without a combination of tools. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted January 23, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2008 I do. See my recent thread on M8 conversion to b&w. All depends on what kind of shooting on does. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted January 23, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since I've had my M8, 98% of my professional work has been done with it. Pre-digital I used film M's for most of my work, but in 2003 I switched to a Nikon DSLR system for pro work (I bought it coincidentally two weeks before the first time a client specifically asked me if I could shoot the job digitally...) and shot most of my personal work with my M6. I occassionally use the Nikon now--the "system" now consists of a single body, a zoom and a flash, but it mostly sits in its bag in the closet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottv Posted January 23, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 23, 2008 Yep, very versatile. Lifestyle, food, landscape... But I'm not sure I understand why you see it as a cheaper option than film... considering picture processing, burning, archiving etc. Cheers Johan Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccis Posted January 23, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 23, 2008 Thank you, Riccis.Satisfyingly, I suppose… ? Other than the quirks we all know, I love it (the only thing that I will never love is the shutter noise)... The most important thing when using any gear professionally is to have plenty of backup (I will be purchasing my 4th M8 next month and shoot with all of them on my wedding assignments)... Of course, the M7 still gets a great workout as well. BTW, my clients and magazine editors all love the end results, to me their opinion is the only one that counts... Regards, Riccis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted January 23, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 23, 2008 I use the 2 M8s + a range of lenses from 16 CV through to Apo-Telyt for documentary, events, portraits and performance work. I combine with 5D and zooms (16-35 / 28-70 / 70-200 + 85 f1.2). The M8 with a 21 or 28 + the 5D with the 85 are an almost perfect combination for 90% of the work that I do. 80% of the images at the link here (Road to Davos 2008) were made with this combination... I used the Canon 16-35 + the 70-200 for a couple where it made sense to use the SLR for autofocus or long reach. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 23, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 23, 2008 JF, I am in agreement with Scott. When I read your post, I immediately thought that the post-processing work involved would make it difficult for me to quote a lower price for digital work. For examaple, in December I did a shoot of 1,000 pix for a dance company. I chose about 150 to deliver to the client. The post-processing work took me 4-5 hours over a 3-day period. I use the M8 exclusively and work professionally throughout the year. Ignoring the time it takes to deliver product using film, I would have said that using film is easier on the pro -- with the exception that in digital you can verify that you got the shot. To the point I believe you are asking, yes, this camera suits my professional purposes perfectly. My single problem is that I have only one M8 body and therefore no backup for a digital shoot. I have complete confidence in the M8 system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #12 Posted January 23, 2008 Yep, very versatile. Lifestyle, food, landscape... But I'm not sure I understand why you see it as a cheaper option than film... considering picture processing, burning, archiving etc. Cheers Johan Scott You're right, Scott, factoring all these, difference is not that important. It's just that I scan my own films (labs scan are horrible jpg or very expensive RAWs — around 10 euros each, this side of the pond). And scanning takes a lot of time — even if my kind of shooting (mostly art collections or designers creations, until now) are less demanding regarding post-process than portraits or, of course, fashion. Warm regards Johan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted January 23, 2008 JF, I am in agreement with Scott. When I read your post, I immediately thought that the post-processing work involved would make it difficult for me to quote a lower price for digital work. For examaple, in December I did a shoot of 1,000 pix for a dance company. I chose about 150 to deliver to the client. The post-processing work took me 4-5 hours over a 3-day period. I use the M8 exclusively and work professionally throughout the year. Ignoring the time it takes to deliver product using film, I would have said that using film is easier on the pro -- with the exception that in digital you can verify that you got the shot. To the point I believe you are asking, yes, this camera suits my professional purposes perfectly. My single problem is that I have only one M8 body and therefore no backup for a digital shoot. I have complete confidence in the M8 system. Bill, I understand perfectly what you say, still ifI had 1000 shots on film in front of me, processing 150 (meaning scans, occasional crops, minimal balance/tones/contrast work, etc.) would take me much more than the time it took you… Scanning only, for instance… That said, I understand the necessity of a back-up body. Well, let's see first how this one performs, then we'll think of a backup;) Thanks a lot for all these candid replies, I knew this would be interesting on this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #14 Posted January 23, 2008 I do. See my recent thread on M8 conversion to b&w. All depends on what kind of shooting on does. Interesting and nice series, Charles. Obviously, b/w conversion is a very consistent choice, here, true to your subject. You may hear the noise of the stitching/sewing machines and surprising laughters. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vieri Posted January 23, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 23, 2008 I do, together with my Nikon gear. I wasn't very confident at first, reliability issues and all, so I got 2 M8s just in case (well, am kidding of course, I also had 2 D2x, now only a D300 waiting for the D3 to appear here in Turkey...) but the results, when I don't need fast AF or long lenses, are just great. Am processing just now a shoot I did JUST with the M8s, and am very happy with what I am seeing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sprow Posted January 23, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 23, 2008 I guess I'm a "semi-pro", meaning I often (but not full time) take photos for aid agencies in difficult areas (e.g. Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Aceh, Indonesia. I use my one M8 most of the time, but also travel with an M7 and a bunch of film. When the "Digital M" reaches the level of reliability of my Nikon D3 (used mainly in the US for sports photography) I'll just take a couple of M's. Great camera, the files are beautiful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted January 23, 2008 Share #17 Posted January 23, 2008 Well I have been doing it all M8 for the past year or so and with results that clients love. I had my issues no doubt with SDS which is very rare now. But i have been really pleased and and i am very new to the M system and had the DMR before this. Recently though i did buy a 5d and a 100 macro , 200 2.8 and I just borrowed Jacks 90 TSE for a studio shoot but have yet to use the 100mm macro at all. Honestly the 5D does nothing for me as far as file but gets the job done. I reach for the M8 all the time except on the last job I used both , runway stuff and the 5d and the 200 did a nice job. The camera is very good and all it just really does nothing for me personally. I would like to say no magic but i know the 5d folks will jump down my throat. If i shot sports and all that stuff than i would have no choice but to use a AF system but I'm a old dog and still like doing everything myself. Been seriously thinking of selling the 5D though and switch to Nikon for when I need a DSLR. Let's see what canon will announce tomorrow for PMA and make a decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted January 23, 2008 Share #18 Posted January 23, 2008 I teach digital photography at summer schools and the M8 is a wonderful teaching tool, as you can demonstrate so many things with it, due to the more mechanical, non automated controls. Most of the students I teach, have initially little to no concept of depth of focus and the Noctilux certainly opened their eyes to its uses and limitations. I used the tethered facility all the time for demonstration purposes, so I hope this new method will work on Leopard or Leica will get their finger out and update Leica Digital Capture. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 23, 2008 Share #19 Posted January 23, 2008 Guy, your equipment churn is mind-blowing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #20 Posted January 23, 2008 Guy, your equipment churn is mind-blowing! "churn" ? You mean maelchurn… er… maelstorm… er… maelstrom… I knew Mr. Mancuso would visit this thread. Anyway, many replies, and really interesting… for those who suspect Leica to be now a company for wealthy retirees in Florida and Côte d'Azur, shooting for tee-time only… (read this pleasant opinion recently on another forum mostly dedicated to rangefinders, what's its name again… er… )… still some guys at work around here… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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