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Living with an M7 and M8


ttriolo

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I have an M7 and an M8. While I love both cameras for their unique qualities and stellar performance, I have come to the realization that living with both a film-M and a digital-M can often be difficult. I'm referring to the need to constantly remove the IR filters from the lenses whenever I use the M7, and reverse the process when I need to go digital. Fortunately, I only have four lenses, but even with this small number, I find it a downright hassle to have to go through this every time I make the switch. Worse than that, is just having to remember to do it. A few times I did forget and ended up with some bad color shifts. I'd love to go all digital, but I still like to shoot film for certain subjects. Anyone else share this frustration? Got any advise on how to make living with both cameras easier?

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I know, this might not be the right solution for you, but since you asked, here is what I do. I do have exactly the same two bodies and I use the film M7 strictly for black and white photography say 99% of the time. I consider digital far more superior for color photography in my way workflow, which is hybrid for film photography (scan the film myself). To scan color film and then postprocess is way much more work then digital, at least for me.

Anyway, this way leaving the IR filters on the lenses don't bother me, because they do not effect B&W film.

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I know, this might not be the right solution for you, but since you asked, here is what I do. I do have exactly the same two bodies and I use the film M7 strictly for black and white photography say 99% of the time. I consider digital far more superior for color photography in my way workflow, which is hybrid for film photography (scan the film myself). To scan color film and then postprocess is way much more work then digital, at least for me.

Anyway, this way leaving the IR filters on the lenses don't bother me, because they do not effect B&W film.

 

Same here. I have 2 M6s and a M8. I use the M6s mainly for BW so I leave the filter on the lenses. When I shoot with color films on the M6s occasionally, then I remove the filter. As this does not happen often, it is not a big deal for me. I cannot use my 35mm Lux on the M8 due to its severe focus problem (back and shift), so it permanently stays on one of my M6s without the filter.

 

cheers

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I also have the same set up . I actually have 2 M7s. One is loaded w/ tmax 3200 for interiors and night , the other w/ tri x . The M8 is for color. This set up allows me to interchange w/o the need of removing filters.

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OK, I'm only half-joking.

 

If you find you use one or two focal lengths for 95% of your picture taking, then buy dedicated lenses in that focal length for each body. A 35+90 for the M7 and a 28+75 for the M8 cover 90% of what I shoot. I don't have to do the filter dance then.

 

Eric

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OK, I'm only half-joking.

 

If you find you use one or two focal lengths for 95% of your picture taking, then buy dedicated lenses in that focal length for each body. A 35+90 for the M7 and a 28+75 for the M8 cover 90% of what I shoot. I don't have to do the filter dance then.

 

Eric

 

precisely ! , but the 50 , 21, and 15 would need filters and then you are covered , although it is nice to use the 90 on the M8

 

 

cheers

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Got any advise on how to make living with both cameras easier?

 

Other than the multiple lens setup if shooting colour on both, or leaving the filters on and shooting B&W with the M7 it's a bit tough to recommend a workflow that'll solve your problem.

 

I shoot B&W with my M7 and the UV/IR actually improves the sharpness. Not so good with the colour vignettes with colour film alas.

 

The other 'solution' I've come across is the grim realization that I'll often go out with both the M7 & M8, shoot a load of shots with the M8 but nothing with the M7 :mad: Problem solved.

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I regularly take both cameras on a shoot. I leave the IR filters on as I shoot only B&W with the M7, but I also tend to leave certain lenses on my bodies. M7/0.85 finder - 75 lux or 90 (2.8 or 2.0) M7 0.72 finder - 35 lux or 50 lux, M8 - 28 cron are my standard kits. best...Peter

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The other 'solution' I've come across is the grim realization that I'll often go out with both the M7 & M8, shoot a load of shots with the M8 but nothing with the M7 :mad: Problem solved.

 

This unfortunately, is what happens to me as well. The problem is, that I want to justify holding onto the M7 and if I don't use it, perhaps I should sell it and put the cash towards another M8.

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I know, this might not be the right solution for you, but since you asked, here is what I do. I do have exactly the same two bodies and I use the film M7 strictly for black and white photography say 99% of the time. I consider digital far more superior for color photography in my way workflow, which is hybrid for film photography (scan the film myself). To scan color film and then postprocess is way much more work then digital, at least for me.

Anyway, this way leaving the IR filters on the lenses don't bother me, because they do not effect B&W film.

To answer Triolo, I work like Miklos.

I have 2 M8 : one M8 with a Lux 35mm and one M8 with a Lux 50 mm for the color, which stay on the two cameras.

I also have one M7 or one reflex R8 for b&w films.

It is true that it makes many equipment to take every time ,but I become used to this new situation.

Films in black and white are even superior to numerics according to me.

I find that in b&w, the digital technology is not still for the height. We can correct with software for b&w indeed , but

we have not this "grain" of the film who makes the beauty of the b&w. The contrast and black's nuance do not still exist in the digital.

 

In brief , the film has some"matter"and some consistency, not yet in the digital technology.:)

May be that's why Leica still continues to product M7 and MP in 2009, for the pleasure to photograph :)

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