Jump to content

New M 8 Owner

allans

By allans
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

 Share

Recommended Posts

allans

allans

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello Everyonne, New to Forum and new to Leica. I'm a dslr/slr guy, but have caught the Leica bug. Just ordered a new M 8 and all four Summarit lense from BH. They are due Friday AM. I hope this is a wise way to start, I just can't justify going for the 8.2 and faster lenses now. Just a hobby. I thank you all for what I've learned on this site so far, hope I can contribute some in the future. Allan.

Link to post
Share on other sites
farnz

farnz

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the forum, Allan, and congratulations on making the leap!

 

Since you are changing from DSLR to DRF I have one word for you in addition to all the excellent wisdoms you will doubtless receive here: Patience. :D

 

I hope you gain all the enjoyment from your new Leica gear that you hope to.

 

Pete.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Red Dot

Red Dot

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Welcome Allan,

I'm a newbie too. Like you I also come from a dslr/slr and Blad background. I've had my 8.2 with a 28 on it for a little over a month now. It has been a real joy. The bottom line, the camera works, it just makes you think a little bit more. Dude, it sure is a lot more fun having to focus again. The camera is so sweet you'll have no issue with shooting a lot like recommend by others. Enjoy, your new kit is going to blow you away...

 

Cheers

George C

Link to post
Share on other sites
icqcq

icqcq

Posted
Posted

Allan:

 

I'm new to the forum, and to the M8; I've been shooting an M6ttl for about ten years, except that a Ca**n managed to get between me and my natural way of shooting for the last year & a half, but the M8 puts an end to that.

 

One of the beauties of the rangefinder is the simplicity: focus, aperture, shutter speed. And the responsibilities are split between the two hands, so it's easy to multitask; without the clutter, it's easier to concentrate. That's a strong attraction for me.

 

You're jumping in deep, with four lenses; my suggestion is to learn them in turn: shoot each lens exclusively for a week or so, regardless of the situation, and then start mixing and matching appropriate to what's happening in front of you. The 28 lives on my M6, and I sub in the 90 or 15 when needed, but those are three rather distinct perspectives, so there's no confusion for me on which lens when. That's another of the pleasures: composing with the lens that's on the camera, no zoom, refraining from switching lenses every five minutes.

 

Learning to work within the constraints of the rangefinder is one of its pleasures. Some become frustrated by those constraints, but I find the modern SLRs and their buttons and switches and menus and levels and layers of options to distract from the task at hand.

 

Our minds are entirely capable of handling those tasks necessary to a technically-accurate image, while simultaneously composing the image. The M-series complements us both as technicians and as composers.

 

Enjoy your new tools!

 

icqcq

Link to post
Share on other sites
salobaas

salobaas

Posted
Posted

But make sure you have the UVIR filters on the lenses to avoid disapppointment with colors when shooting indoors. This happened to me. Got the camera after xmas but still waiting for the free filters. Ladies seem to love black but they are now all purple. ;) Converting the shots to b/w saved the day :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
humankapital

humankapital

Posted
Posted

Welcome Allan,

speaking of myself, I can confirm that patience is a very important thing, especially when one is used to DSLRs with all their features and automatic 'aids'. I'm also a RF newbie and M8 owner since three weeks. After the first week I thought about giving it back (or smashing it), but now I feel that there could possibly grow a close friendship... But I'm not sure yet, time will show... :)

 

Johannes

Link to post
Share on other sites
vdb

vdb

Posted
Posted

Welcome Allan.

I recently bought an M8 as well. Although I have been a Leica RF film user all my life, I virtually gave up photography the past 3 years due to frustration with DSLRs. The m8 has renewed my interest in photography quite intensely.

You will find that you move about more with a RF camera, and the M8 allows you to get closer to subjects---so no need for super long lenses for the most part.

Overall, the M8 is a fundamentally intuitive camera that truly frees you to shoot in the moment. You will appreciate this with a bit of time as all have suggested. Enjoy!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Boxer 53

Boxer 53

Posted
Posted
Hello Everyonne, New to Forum and new to Leica. I'm a dslr/slr guy, but have caught the Leica bug. Just ordered a new M 8 and all four Summarit lense from BH. They are due Friday AM. I hope this is a wise way to start, I just can't justify going for the 8.2 and faster lenses now. Just a hobby. I thank you all for what I've learned on this site so far, hope I can contribute some in the future. Allan.

 

Hi Allan,

 

I too am a new Leica user, having just bought an M8.2 with 35 & 50mm Summilux lenses. And like you, I was a total DSLR guy.

 

As a rank amateur, I have been thrilled at the quality of the images I have created - a testament to the camera, not me. I have also found the sheer simplicity of the menu and picture parameters an absolute joy, so much easier than the embedded sub-menus in sub-menus I was used to. I feel as I control the image, often using exposure compensation, metering in a dark subject area, then shooting in a light subject area etc, etc. With my DSLR I often felt I was plotting "a computer controlled firing solution" which I found distracting. The imagery on my Canon 40D also seemed to have a plastic feel whereas my M8.2 images seem to have a soft, realistic color rendition that is very, very nice while still being in very sharp focus.

 

My UV/IR lenses came in18 days from Germany (quite fast during the Christmas season). Order these quickly as the magenta issue is quite profound and these lenses also seem to enhance (by my light) overall image quality.

 

Good luck with your new M8. I'm confident you will enjoy it.

 

Max Bowers

Link to post
Share on other sites
Steve Ash

Steve Ash

Posted
Posted

Congrats for your decision for the M8. I think all summarits are well worth the money especially with the current rebates. Nevertheless, do you really need all four? The alternative could be to go for one summarit, i.e. 75, and choose one faster lense i.e. summicron 28 or summilux or summicron 35 to have more flexibility for available light situations. Just think about it.

My 2c's

Steve

Link to post
Share on other sites
allans

allans

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well Everyone, I am overwelmed and thankful for all your responses. Being totally new here I really did not expect so many good wishes and so much sound advice . One of the main reasons I chose the Leica is it's simplicity. Honestly, all the gizmos on the DSLR's seem to challange your IQ more than your since of adventure and creativity. Most of my experience is with film, so the Leica seems much more suited to me. I just celebrated my 67th birthday, so brain power is becoming short in supply. This whole new challenge will be fun. Thank You All. Allan

Link to post
Share on other sites
pem

pem

Posted
Posted

Dear all,

 

I am also like Allan, coming from the SLR world, but with some experience with Hasselblad and Minox.

I am happy because I have just ordered a M8 and a Summarit 35mm. I will keep you informed, and thank you for your precious help.

 

cheers,

Pierre-Etienne

Link to post
Share on other sites
stunsworth

stunsworth

Posted
Posted

Allan, I tend to agree with Steve that it may be better to order a Summicron - 28 or 35 according to your preference - and a 50, 75 or 90 Summarit. My personal choice would be a 28mm Summicron and a 50mm Summarit.

 

However, what ever you buy you'll have an excellent camera and lenses. Don't forget the IR/UV cut filters though. As you are probably aware they are not the same as a standard UV filter, and I wouldn't dream of doing colour work without them.

Link to post
Share on other sites
rob_w

rob_w

Posted
Posted

Hi Allan

 

Congratulations! There is an elegant simplicity to your choice of the four Summarit lenses which I really enjoyed -- goes with the whole craving for clarity of purpose which you expressed and I also share. An essential part of the 'M' experience.

 

I meant to mention to you that photo.net did a review of the M8 and Four Summarits in a recent article:

 

Leica M8 and Summarit-M Lenses Review - photo.net

 

If you have not seen the article you will enjoy reading it!

 

Post some pictures when you have a few to hand.

 

Best regards

 

Robert

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...