Bad news here again....!!!

[leolaksi]

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Yes, of course. It's taken at the tea lounge of the old part of the Oriental Hotel. This picture used to be part of my Bangkok book project, which you can look at as a flickr slide show by clicking on the URL below my signature. I live in Bangkok, but won't be back there until May.

 

On the G1, I understand that it is an exciting and ground-breaking camera but, as my favourite focal lengths are 21, 28 and 40mm, I'm not that interested in it for using Leica lenses.

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Bangkok Noir©: Book Project - a set on Flickr

 

I agree re the G1 and Leica lenses. I am partial to 21, 28 and 35mm focal lengths. Afraid the G1 doesn't fit the bill for the wide angle crowd.

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[wlaidlaw]

I have a GX200 as a back up. It is a good camera; nice size and good lens range at 24 to 75mm. The EVF is very useful in bright sunlight, even though it is mediocre quality. The JPEG's are much better than the GX100 and when you convert from RAW in ACR5.3 (no C1 profiles as yet), the results are remarkably good. If you go GX200, the clamshell lenshood is a must (it is an extra). I will probably get an MFT camera and adapter but I am going to wait for either the G1HD (HD movie clips) to come out or for Olympus to bring out an MFT with higher build quality than the G1.

 

Wilson

[Mauribix]

I would consider the d-lux4/LX3 as for compact cameras. Larger sensor, F2 wide angle lens, good ISO performances, and compact.

Otherway, the G1 is a good solution IMHO,(just not that small BTW) but in that case I'd invite you to wait few weeks for the PMA, it looks as if Olympus is going to show its first micro 4/3 camera, and it should be smaller than the G1.

 

Ciao!

[RobertW]

In that order...if you are looking for compact as you mentioned in your post.

A G1 in my view can only be considered a compact if you are comparing it to an SLR.

 

I've had the GX200 and its a great outdoor camera at the lowest ISO setting. Noise creeps in at 100 and is noticeable in low light conditions at 200. Its got great controls with everything at your fingertips without having to dig into the menus much. But the noise is somewhat bothersome unless your shooting B&W in which case its a non-issue.

 

Tested the G10 and it handles very well, but its bulky for a compact and the noise albeit better than the GX200 (i.e. less noise in the G10), still cannot compare with the LX-3 results. However, you get a much better zoom range.

 

But given that you're using an M8, I really don't think the zoom is a big selling point for you.

 

I picked up the LX-3 (or you can pay for the DLux4) and its got low noise up to and including ISO 400. Its really is a compact versus the G10 or G1. I think its better than the GX200 (picture quality wise for low light) and is break even on the outdoor shots.

 

Shooting in RAW you'll need to use the bundled software Silkypix, which isn't bad for converting the files to TIFF or Jpeg. If you spring for the DLux4, they bundle it with Capture One.

 

Best

Rob

[Olsen]

I would not recommend no other camera than a Leica M8 if you already have a range of M-lenses. And only M8s that have been to the factory for fixing this problem has a real value.

 

But all that aside...

 

I am more curious to know:

 

1

Was this the first time you had a line problem with this particular camera? What I am interested to know is if it is likely that this problem might occur over and over again or if it is solved once and for all when sent in.

 

2

As far as I can observe, none of the M8.2 buyers have been plagued by this line problem. Does that mean that Leica (Kodak) has solved the problem?

[wlaidlaw]

There are times, when even if I mount my smallest lens (the CV 35/2.5 Skopar Classic), an M8 is too big. When I lost my GX100 to one of my offspring (funny - I seem to lose quite a lot of cameras that way), I thought hard as to whether to get a GX200 or LX3/D-Lux4. In the end, it was the lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder on the LX/D-Lux that swayed me in the direction of the GX200. I agree that the sensor is still disappointing noisy and I personally think they would have been better looking to decrease noise than to increase the already adequate pixel count from 10 to 12MP. However there are times in bright sunlight, when an LCD just does not work and you need a VF.

 

Wilson

[Shootist]

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1

Was this the first time you had a line problem with this particular camera? What I am interested to know is if it is likely that this problem might occur over and over again or if it is solved once and for all when sent in.

 

 

I have 2 M8's. Both have had a problem with a line in the sensor. First one that showed this was a BRAND NEW camera that I received from Leica USA as a replacement for one they could NOT fix the rangefinder on.

After I got that one back I have not seen a line yet but that camera is only 6 months old (and has been to Leica NJ service twice).

My other M8 developed a line just before Christmas and I first noticed it in the beginning of January. That camera was 1 year 6 months old when the line developed. I sent it to NJ on 1/12/09. I was told by Leica NJ the camera shipped out today.

[Mauribix]

I thought hard as to whether to get a GX200 or LX3/D-Lux4. In the end, it was the lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder on the LX/D-Lux that swayed me in the direction of the GX200.

 

Wilson, the hot shoe of the D-lux4/LX3 actually allows you to use an external VF, I'm sure that was one of the best "innovations" that the new camera bought with itself.

[caparobertsan]

I would not recommend no other camera than a Leica M8 if you already have a range of M-lenses. And only M8s that have been to the factory for fixing this problem has a real value.

 

But all that aside...

 

I am more curious to know:

 

1

Was this the first time you had a line problem with this particular camera? What I am interested to know is if it is likely that this problem might occur over and over again or if it is solved once and for all when sent in.

 

2

As far as I can observe, none of the M8.2 buyers have been plagued by this line problem. Does that mean that Leica (Kodak) has solved the problem?

 

>>>>> I had problem with my First M8 with line on similar spot, right hand side of image. And I got new one. This one had close focus problem so send it to germany. They replaced CCD, main PCB, adjusted v/f. I did not use camera for a while and couple od days ago I just picked it up tested it with high iso-- and I saw the line....

[caparobertsan]

Thanks everyone for your sympathy! Ok I will have to send it in again,,,,,,,

I hate to send in because at this time focus is 99% goo at close distance(0.7meter). I have to mention again because they will not check everything. changing ccd means focus will shift. Because every CCD is slightly mounted high of low.

 

 

Sorry but I hate 4/3,,,,, crop factor is too large 50 is 100 28 is 56. But where Can I get adopter for M lenses and other lenses? ebay?

 

I wish Canon will make M mount body,,,,,, Canon 7D! of course full size or Cosina/Zeiss ikon! Then Leica have to get their act toghether more seriously. Cost of M8.2 is joke! I do`nt mind M8.2 but cost is over 10000 in Australia. My M8 was 4500! I could buy 2 x M8!

 

Ok Gx200 is out. Canon G10, too big, I think. Sigma Dp-1 or 2? Dp-1 is slow to use, yes?

Is Gr-II image sensor same as Gx-200? D-lux4,,,,,,, another Leica,,,,,,I think about repair,,

[flkin]

Another alternative compact camera could be the Fujifilm F200EXR (with the new Super CCD EXR chip). On paper it certain looks to be one of the best for this year 2009. The low light abilities and expanded DR should be interesting given Fujifilm's history of making damm good low light compacts.

 

The only thing I see that could hold it back as a temporary replacement for the M8 is the max aperture of the Fujinon lens at f3.3-5.1 and perhaps the max video size of only 640x480.

 

Does anyone have one here?

[wlaidlaw]

Wilson, the hot shoe of the D-lux4/LX3 actually allows you to use an external VF, I'm sure that was one of the best "innovations" that the new camera bought with itself.

 

Maurizio,

 

I just knew someone would pull me up on this ;-}}

 

However, IMHO a fixed optical VF on a zoom camera is about as much use a bicycle to a fish.

 

You could fit one of these if you were brave.

 

Wilson

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[ho_co]

Yeah, but it really is cute with the clip-on finder and the grip.

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[vanhulsenbeek]

.......................

As far as I can observe, none of the M8.2 buyers have been plagued by this line problem. Does that mean that Leica (Kodak) has solved the problem?...............

 

How long is the M8.2 on the market? My M8c developed the problem after 16 months.

New sensor put in together with M8u upgrade.

[Isabelle Lenatio]

Is the viewfinder one with framelines in it?..... how do you use it with different focal lengths?

[caparobertsan]

Yeah, but it really is cute with the clip-on finder and the grip.

mmmmmmmmmmmm! This picture make me wanna buy D-lux4,,,, But I want German built camera,,,,,,, Not Made in Japan- even Japanese makes great products.

[caparobertsan]

Another alternative compact camera could be the Fujifilm F200EXR (with the new Super CCD EXR chip). On paper it certain looks to be one of the best for this year 2009. The low light abilities and expanded DR should be interesting given Fujifilm's history of making damm good low light compacts.

 

The only thing I see that could hold it back as a temporary replacement for the M8 is the max aperture of the Fujinon lens at f3.3-5.1 and perhaps the max video size of only 640x480.

 

Does anyone have one here?

 

Okay, Fujifilm makes great digital camera and CCD is better than Kodak! And I have F30 compact. And noise very low and it is nice noise like film grain. 1600asa is totally usable.

But it lucks pro look and pro feel. (well I am not pro---I want nice feel ). So it is not suitable for me.

[rosuna]

Yesterday, I was just playing with My M8 using ASA 1250-2500. It was not bad if it was exposed properly. I was surprised with result.

BUT.... I was looking the files carefully I saw this line again!!! And dead pixel on the same line.

So I contacted Leica they told me I need to send it Germany. ( I found out People IN Japan can take their M8 to service centre in Japan.) I am in Australia and agent deals with Germany only- So I will need to send my camera in. Really I do`nt use those iso speed but actually line and dead pixel is there even with asa160. Just hard to see.

I can use my camera normally but knowing there is a line and dead pixel(s), make me not want to use my M8.

 

Would you continue to use it or send in ASAP?

 

I had the same problem: a blue spot that appears at ISO 640-1250-2500, right hand side of the image, and a blue vertical line from it, to the bottom of the image. I have just sent it to Solms. This camera was a replacement (received March 2007) of a defective M8 originally bought in November 2006. The problem appeared after 20 months or so of use. I don't know if it is a sensor or processor problem. I am now waiting.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[petermcwerner]

On the G1, I understand that it is an exciting and ground-breaking camera but, as my favourite focal lengths are 21, 28 and 40mm, I'm not that interested in it for using Leica lenses.

Perhaps you should try the Zenitar 16mm/2.8 lens on the G1.

 

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G1 - Zenitar 16mm - ISO=640

[wlaidlaw]

I use the same 16mm Zenitar on the M8 with an Elephoto M42 to Leica M adapter. It works surprisingly well, although due to the crop factor, as you can see from Peter's photos, it loses much of the fish-eye effect.

 

Wilson