Brian Bower M8/8.2 book arrived today

[nzav]

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jimleicam3, I don't know of a good all around Leica book. Brian's book is okay if you want an overview but it isn't going to tell you anything that you can't find on this forum.

 

There is a book that may be out of print called "Leica Manual - The Comlete Book of 35mm Photography" published by Morgan & Morgan (the same publisher of Ansel Adams' book series). It was first published in 1935, and the latest copy I have is the 15th edition published in 1973. It may be out of print and require some hunting, but the results are worth the effort.

 

The book covers most aspects of 35mm photography and leans heavily on Leica cameras and lenses. It was written way before digital so you certainly won't find any mention of the M8, but you did say "I don't know of a good all around Leica book." This is a good all round book on photography, but from a mostly Leica point of reference. It even includes a section on Ansel Adams' Zone System for 35mm (as applied to film of course). Dismissing the book because it predates digital would be a mistake. Photography and photographic techniques such as lighting, composition, exposure, focal lengths and optics, are all just as valid now as they were in the last century!

 

The Leica Manual has a number of well-known contributors and is a collaborative work over 500 pages long - not a quick read, but packed with info that you can use for any photography.

[johnbuckley]

Wow. Tough crowd. For some here, Ansel Adams (originally written as "Anselm Adams") isn't a very good photographer, though his book on "The Negative" is supposed to be helpful to readers of the M8 Forum ;-)

 

Bowers' books are not going to be used in graduate-level photography schools. They are nicely illustrated and thought-through versions of the owners manual one gets with the M8. I appreciate them, and him, because I am sufficiently a Leica fetishist that I actually enjoy spending time reading about Leica, and Leica M's, and Leica M8s. It's for this reason that I enjoy reading LFI, even though not everything printed in it is useful to me. It's, ahem, one of the reasons I enjoy this forum...

 

The readers of the M8 Forum are likely not to learn anything new from Mr. Bowers' book. And yet I'm glad he published it, and glad to have supported the effort as a purchaser and reader. In fact, there aren't any books dedicated to Leica M's I wouldn't buy -- which gives you a sense of my level of fetishism ;-)

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[Nicoleica]

Wow. Tough crowd. For some here, Ansel Adams (originally written as "Anselm Adams") isn't a very good photographer, though his book on "The Negative" is supposed to be helpful to readers of the M8 Forum ;-)

 

Bowers' books are not going to be used in graduate-level photography schools. They are nicely illustrated and thought-through versions of the owners manual one gets with the M8. I appreciate them, and him, because I am sufficiently a Leica fetishist that I actually enjoy spending time reading about Leica, and Leica M's, and Leica M8s. It's for this reason that I enjoy reading LFI, even though not everything printed in it is useful to me. It's, ahem, one of the reasons I enjoy this forum...

 

The readers of the M8 Forum are likely not to learn anything new from Mr. Bowers' book. And yet I'm glad he published it, and glad to have supported the effort as a purchaser and reader. In fact, there aren't any books dedicated to Leica M's I wouldn't buy -- which gives you a sense of my level of fetishism ;-)

 

Well said sir!

[beamon]

Bowers' books are not going to be used in graduate-level photography schools.

Yes, and Brian's books have never been proper fodder for knowledgable Leica enthusiasts, but as has been said, that's fine. Anything that contributes to the interest will find a welcome on someone's table, therefore are useful.

[dcoombs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by biglouis

What is it about the M8 which is complex that it requires a book?

 

I was thinking exactly the same.

 

While I agree with both of you, I read in a recent thread a forum member going on at some length about how difficult it is to use the M8. Can't remember his name at the moment, but he was adament!

 

Sorry, a little late to this thread.

Doug

[wda]

There is a book that may be out of print called "Leica Manual - The Comlete Book of 35mm Photography" published by Morgan & Morgan (the same publisher of Ansel Adams' book series). It was first published in 1935, and the latest copy I have is the 15th edition published in 1973. It may be out of print and require some hunting, but the results are worth the effort.

 

The book covers most aspects of 35mm photography and leans heavily on Leica cameras and lenses. It was written way before digital so you certainly won't find any mention of the M8, but you did say "I don't know of a good all around Leica book." This is a good all round book on photography, but from a mostly Leica point of reference. It even includes a section on Ansel Adams' Zone System for 35mm (as applied to film of course). Dismissing the book because it predates digital would be a mistake. Photography and photographic techniques such as lighting, composition, exposure, focal lengths and optics, are all just as valid now as they were in the last century!

 

The Leica Manual has a number of well-known contributors and is a collaborative work over 500 pages long - not a quick read, but packed with info that you can use for any photography.

I endorse the recommendation for Willard D. Morgan's book and enjoy the multiple contributions from other specialist photographers. My copy is the 14th bought in 1967 and I still take it off my bookshelves.

 

Another old book worth mentioning is 'The Leica Book' by Theo Kisselbach. Mine is a first edition bought in 1967. A slightly slimmer book but packed with readable facts, experiences and ideas. I often delve in for a nostalgic read.

 

I still await Brian Bower's new book but I continue to enjoy re-reading his Leica Lens book and expect his new one will follow a similar pattern. Perhaps we expect too much and need to be realistic. I believe a future book should incorporate a blend of contributions from proven specialists, several of whom populate these columns.

[brill64]

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If the Bower M8 book is anything like his previous M book it must be virtually useless and, if the photography is of the same type, it must be trite and picture postcard-ish.

 

The best books on "manual" photography are, still, Anselm Adams quartet of books, particularly The Negative and 'The Print. Osterloh's book on M-photography was generally useful, although not something essential.

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

Bangkok Hysteria©: Book Project

 

btw..did you find your sensor cleaning swabs and alchohol in bkk, mitch? top floor of MBK has a couple of well-stocked photographic suppliers, i was there last week. they seem to have all the important stuff

[Guest malland]

btw..did you find your sensor cleaning swabs and alchohol in bkk, mitch? top floor of MBK has a couple of well-stocked photographic suppliers, i was there last week. they seem to have all the important stuff

It turns out that FotoFile at MBK does it for free. See post #11 in the following thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/86441-sensor-cleaning-solutions-swabs-bangkok.html

 

—Mitch/Bangkok

Bangkok Hysteria©: Book Project

[nzav]

Thanks for the heads up - found a copy for £10, but owing to its size and weight (over 500 pp), the seller added an extra £1!

 

Looking forward to it.

 

I need a new Leica book as I sold my "Leica M Advanced Photo School" a few weeks ago - heard they were going for silly money, so got my bookseller friend to put it on Amazon. It cost me £25 a couple of years ago but has just sold for a staggering £125 ($194)!

 

You're quite welcome. I wish the Leica Manual was brought up to date, but even my 15th edition (I had several of the previous editions as well) is a great reference.

 

I had a library of Leica-related books at one time; it is down to only a few now, and the one most likely to remain is the Leica Manual because it is much more than just a book on Leica.

 

I am sure you will find the information in it useful for improving your photography (not that I am implying it needs improvement!!!).

[dkCambridgeshire]

If BB's effort is not as technical or as "new knowledge" as some had hoped then maybe there is an opportunity for someone from this forum to consider writing and illustrating something more groundbreaking themselves. There must be several members with the experience and knowledge to do this and maybe even self-publish the book. There seems to be a ready market for such a publication.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[ptarmigan]

If BB's effort is not as technical or as "new knowledge" as some had hoped then maybe there is an opportunity for someone from this forum to consider writing and illustrating something more groundbreaking themselves. There must be several members with the experience and knowledge to do this and maybe even self-publish the book. There seems to be a ready market for such a publication.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

 

Good point. I for one am very new to this - I pick up my M8 shortly. Only have very limited experience with an M6/50mm Elmar previously though I've been shooting for 30+ years so hopefully this BB book will be useful to me as I've just ordered it.

[4X5B&W]

Looked at in a store yesterday, sorta reminded me of his other Leica books......an excellent collection a photos of aircraft, taking off and landing

[Marty]

Aircraft? I counted only about 6, in a ~200 page book with pictures on almost every page.

 

I would say it is a most excellent book for those new to the digital M. It is a mostly complete and up to date overview of RF, lenses and accessories. And in the bibliography it includes other references like Osterloh and this forum, for those who are ready for more info.

[gDallasK]

Thanks for the heads up - found a copy for £10, but owing to its size and weight (over 500 pp), the seller added an extra £1!

 

Looking forward to it.

 

I need a new Leica book as I sold my "Leica M Advanced Photo School" a few weeks ago - heard they were going for silly money, so got my bookseller friend to put it on Amazon. It cost me £25 a couple of years ago but has just sold for a staggering £125 ($194)!

 

I also have a copy which, if my memory serves me, I bought for £25 too just a year or so ago. Browsing Amazon this evening, there are only a couple of US market sellers offering the book, and they are asking £198 and £202!

 

Osterloh's book is good - and has more technical content than Bower's book (which I also enjoyed) - but there is no way it contains any insights worth a £200 entry price.

 

Anyway, I'm going to hang on to mine a while longer. Maybe I'll soon be able to sell it for enough to finance a new Noctilux.

[markgay]

There is a type of camera-system book that provides little new information but reads a bit like a Boys' Own Annual. Reading and re-reading is a bit like meeting an old acquaintance again.

 

Others are so gushing that they get a bit tiresome, like Moose Peterson's books on Nikon Lenses.. and another great lens, and another great lens... each successive release the best ever.

 

I'm awaiting delivery of Bower's book but I don't set my expectations too high. After 25 years in newspapers and television I know what gets published these days - as I'm sure many readers/viewers do, too.

 

In depth analysis is out. Products cater to the short attention span because marketing people can't conceptualize anything bigger.

 

But people are starting to replace reference books and newspapers with their own sources of information - and this forum is a great example.

 

Mark

[dkCambridgeshire]

BB's book arrived this morning and I've just had a browse through it. Initial impression is that it is a very good introduction to the Digital M system and the excellent photographs illustrate very well the capabilities of the cameras and lenses. My only criticism is that the book falls a bit short regarding close-up photography i.e. the potential with the Visoflex and bellows and lenses other than the 65mm Elmar. The potential with e.g. Photar lenses and stacking software is one avenue that could have been illustrated or hinted at to show just how much macro photography has advanced since the introduction of digital technology ... especially as the book is primarily concerned with digital M.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[mhoersch]

Bowers' books are not going to be used in graduate-level photography schools. They are nicely illustrated and thought-through versions of the owners manual one gets with the M8. I appreciate them, and him, because I am sufficiently a Leica fetishist that I actually enjoy spending time reading about Leica, and Leica M's, and Leica M8s. It's for this reason that I enjoy reading LFI, even though not everything printed in it is useful to me. It's, ahem, one of the reasons I enjoy this forum...

 

The readers of the M8 Forum are likely not to learn anything new from Mr. Bowers' book. And yet I'm glad he published it, and glad to have supported the effort as a purchaser and reader. In fact, there aren't any books dedicated to Leica M's I wouldn't buy -- which gives you a sense of my level of fetishism ;-)

 

I got my copy of Bower's Book today and would agree with John's statement - in general.

 

But when I pick a random page I read something like this: 'The small lever below the shutter speed dial switches the camera on/off...' (p.15). Or about discreet mode '...the sound of the shutter closing can be muffled under a coat or prevented until a suitable opportunity occurs. Be aware, however, that when [Discreet] is enabled, you cannot take more pictures until the shutter is closed.' (p. 33)

 

Statements like these make me wonder less about what kind of reader this book was written for but more about what kind of author can come up with such profound sentences.

[andybarton]

Are you not being a bit hard on Brian here, guys?

 

So what if he's really back to basics?

 

OK, so an M8 isn't a duty-free shop impulse buy for most people, but to many, it will be their first rangefinder, and I can't think of any other camera that has a "Discrete Mode"

 

Give the man a break - but if you could do better, you know what you have to do!

[gwelland]

I agree with Andy - the book is a great addition for new M8 users who aren't hanging around here asking questions about the Leica product range and want a single source for all aspects of the M8 and lens system. The target audience is most certainly not most of the participants here who probably aren't going to find anything new after using the camera for a while.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I'm glad I bought it.

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[Guest]

I have just had the apportunity to read Brian Bowers new book.While I can understand some of the negative comments I do not think the book is aimed the more advanced M8 photographer.The target audience is probably the newcomer or less experianced owner / prospective owner of a Leica Digital rangefinder camera.Much of the information is available in Leica literature but in this book the owner has this literature in a complete package.I have used Leica M cameras for many years and enjoy using them.I enjoyed reading the book .I believe that approx 30,000 M8 cameras have been produced .Many of these cameras will be used by people who are new to rangefinder cameras and digital capture.This book will be valuable reading for many of them, as a good source of information which will enhance their pleasure of using the camera.Many of the experianced photographers on this forum ( and their are some seriously talented people contributing ) will gain little if anything from reading this book.The target audiance for this book is "not" these people.

Brian