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Sean Reid's positive/ constructive review


Guest stnami

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I think that Internet forums are so important for a vast product like the DMR or M8 that Leica should have a proper strategy and have a way to reward professionals that participate in them; but I don't know how since the best thing about them is that they are not influenced and can say what they want.

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The reflex system is so vast and just covers everything, I wish that the rangefinder-digital would try to cover more ground. It could be mistaken by a "Harley-Davidson" type of product or even a "Bauhaus" type instead of just trying to be the best tool posible. (over simplifying to try to get a point across)

 

I actually think the ground RF covers is just what it should. The nature of an RF camera is naturally suited to the wide-angle through mild-telephoto range where the majority of photography has been done. I think it's better for a screwdriver to be a good screwdriver than for it to also try to be a hammer and a saw. SLRs are more versatile but they don't, in my opinion, work as well as an RF within the areas that are the RF's strengths.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Guest guy_mancuso

LOL, it would be nice to get one as a loaner and thanks for that .

 

Gero that is one good thing is I can say what i want and not hold back, of course i see a whole heck of a lot of good with leica and there systems. Not many companies can put out a first product and be good at it, leica is one of those exceptions

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I think you'd find they are severely constrained on space between the top cover and the top of the viewfinder.

 

In the shop in Solms, there's a dismantled M7 and there's a tiny circuit board in that camera on top of the viewfinder - thinner than a typical LCD "sandwich". The Circular LCD is probably all they can fit in without raising the height of the top cover.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing an M8 at Photokina - 5 days to go - to decide for myself whether this is nothing to worry about or a real concern. With deposits paid for two of them, I'm in up to "here"....

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<snip>

One problem with the big LCD screen on the back is what when you're shooting in low light, and trying to be a tad discreet, the big screen lights up and ***there you are.*** It also doesn't help a lot with night vision. Especially when you're trying to use your night vision to hide from the concert security thugs who saw the LCD light up and are coming to crush your skull. 8-)

<snip>

I wonder if it's possible to modify the screen brightness according to the ambient illumination. The information is available for the LED display but may not be available to the LCD controller. That would certainly help with the discreetness and night vision. Also the night vision may be helped if there was an option to view the display as a monochrome red. (ie. a monochrome rendering displayed as low intensity red.) Although I guess you'd lose up to 2/3 of the resolution.

 

At some functions it's very discourteous to disturb or detract the vision of others near you, apart from not being discreet. In the past I've used ND foils to help with that.

 

Bob.

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LOL, it would be nice to get one as a loaner and thanks for that .

 

Gero that is one good thing is I can say what i want and not hold back, of course i see a whole heck of a lot of good with leica and there systems. Not many companies can put out a first product and be good at it, leica is one of those exceptions

 

That's a primary reason why I run a subscription site rather than one paid for by advertisers. I can be honest and not have to worry about stepping on an advertiser's toes.

 

Guy, you certainly did do a lot to bring the excellences of the DMR to people's attention.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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I think you'd find they are severely constrained on space between the top cover and the top of the viewfinder.

 

In the shop in Solms, there's a dismantled M7 and there's a tiny circuit board in that camera on top of the viewfinder - thinner than a typical LCD "sandwich". The Circular LCD is probably all they can fit in without raising the height of the top cover.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing an M8 at Photokina - 5 days to go - to decide for myself whether this is nothing to worry about or a real concern. With deposits paid for two of them, I'm in up to "here"....

 

Hi Mark,

 

That's an interesting point about the space issues. That said, however, a monochrome LCD with more information could have gone somewhere. *But* I'll go out on a limb and suggest that while you may find the EV/ISO controls to be less than perfect (when you get your cameras), the other strengths of the camera will probably outweigh that aspect for you. I've used two M8s and the digital controls design certainly has not dissuaded me from getting one.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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LOL Not many companies can put out a first product and be good at it, leica is one of those exceptions

 

By bringing together the vast history in optics of Leica R & M with the digital tecnology; Leica and us users have room for fun and creativity.

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I actually think the ground RF covers is just what it should. The nature of an RF camera is naturally suited to the wide-angle through mild-telephoto range where the majority of photography has been done. I think it's better for a screwdriver to be a good screwdriver than for it to also try to be a hammer and a saw. SLRs are more versatile but they don't, in my opinion, work as well as an RF within the areas that are the RF's strengths.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

It's just that RF's being smaller; are tempting to just put them on your bag "a la pocket knife". The M8, being digital, makes it even more.

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I wonder if it's possible to modify the screen brightness according to the ambient illumination. The information is available for the LED display but may not be available to the LCD controller. That would certainly help with the discreetness and night vision. Also the night vision may be helped if there was an option to view the display as a monochrome red. (ie. a monochrome rendering displayed as low intensity red.) Although I guess you'd lose up to 2/3 of the resolution.

 

At some functions it's very discourteous to disturb or detract the vision of others near you, apart from not being discreet. In the past I've used ND foils to help with that.

 

Bob.

 

There is plenty of room to scotch or black tape an ND or red gel filter or sheet of plastic above the display too!! I do not see an accessory screen protector listed? Is there a provsion for a Hoodman, etc. to be attached?

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Excuse the possibly very dumb question, but i've looked through the control options, and i can't see whether it's possible to switch off the screen entirely during operation?

 

upd:

hmmm - was pretty dumb i just realized: the option to disable 'Auto Review' should have the same 'off' effect, i guess(?)

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Excuse the possibly very dumb question, but i've looked through the control options, and i can't see whether it's possible to switch off the screen entirely during operation?

 

upd:

hmmm - was pretty dumb i just realized: the option to disable 'Auto Review' should have the same 'off' effect, i guess(?)

 

Exactly, if "auto review" is off then the screen won't come on unless asked to.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Partly, it's down to a certain German reserve; the formality and politeness in Germany is great to experience but when it comes to telling it the way it is, I'm concerned that Leica need a good shake (and, as you may have gathered, that's what I do, even at the risk of getting up people's noses).

 

 

My point of view: without this German formality and politeness there would never have been an M8...

 

 

Eddie

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BTW, in case this is of interest, I've just sent my lens testing plans to Zeiss so that we can start scheduling review lenses. Here's what I have planned for the coming months:

 

Zeiss 18/4.0, Zeiss 21/2.8, Zeiss 21/4.5, Leica 21/2.8, Leica 16-18-21 Tri Elmar (all on M8)

 

Zeiss 25, Leica 24/2.8 on M8

 

Zeiss 28/2.8, Leica 28/2.8, Leica 28/2.0, CV 28/1.9 on M8

 

Zeiss 35/2.0, Leica 35/1.4, Leica 35/2.0, CV 35/2.5, CV 35/1.7 on M8

 

Zeiss 50/2.0, Zeiss 50/1.5, Leica 50/1.4, CV 50/1.5 on M8

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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