pgk Posted June 18, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) This forum can often be somewhat perverse in its appreciation of the M8 and the enormous task faced by a relatively small company like Leica in bringing such an instrument to market. I thought that I'd simply start a thread listing the attributes which prompted me to want to own and use this camera. Its not exhaustive and I'd welcome other people's comments regarding their decision making process or even post purchase findings. 1. Lenses - superb, fast, small, built to last, ergonomically effective and a real pleasure to use. I've used M lenses off and on for 30 years and still regard them as the epitomy of lenses, both optically and structurally. Standard 'normal' and 'wide' lenses which use E39 filters have to say something about compactness. 2. Precise, user designated focusing. Total control over the precise location of the centre of depth of field, either by rangefinder or by pre-set. The pure mechanical, manual focusing promotes a more considered decision making process when selecting the precise point of focus and an appreciation of the envisaged effect of apertures which suits my personal way of shooting. 3. Simplicity, Focus, aperture, shutter duration - enough said. (As far as I personally am concerned, half the menu options could be dumped along with Jpeg file options - the M8 absolutely begs to use RAW - having used the M8 for a reasonable time I'd suggest that Leica could actually offer various 'firmware' options allowing for minimalist and full menus if this was technically feasible). 4. Build quality which inspires confidence, yes I know there have been some problems and that these have been widely aired - but both major Japanese manufacturers have had problems with their cameras too - so for a smaller company to not have some would actually be less than realistic given that producing cameras and selling them requires difficult time frames to be met. After nearly 2 years I am far from disappointed with my M8. It delivers just what I anticipated it would - high quality 10MPixel image files (subject to user error that is) which fulfill the requirements for which they were taken - and I find myself drawn more and more to carrying my M8 and 3 lenses (24/35/50 - the excess are going) with me and leaving my excellent but bulky Canons behind (when the M8's files are large enough anyway) whenever possible. (I do find comparisons to be rather tedious, the M8 is what it is and either fulfills a required role or doesn't). Perhaps I should add one thing, IMHO the M8 is a 'photographer's camera' in much the same way that some cars are 'driver's cars', which might explain much of the perceived 'defenciveness' commented on in the forum. Which this is not necessarily because the M8 a Leica ('though this clearly helps), but because its a camera which demands that the user is in control - like some cars its unforgiving if not driven by a user who understands it and the way it needs to be operated. And as a parting shot I'd suggest that this forum is actually extremely informative, generally quite couteous and actually suffers from a relatively low level of bickering. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 Hi pgk, Take a look here M8 - attributes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
delander † Posted June 18, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 18, 2009 It is just a beautiful and unique camera which is inspiring to use. The lenses add the icing on the cake. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 18, 2009 Share #3 Posted June 18, 2009 A fair summary imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted June 18, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 18, 2009 Jupp, that sunds about right. -Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 18, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 18, 2009 A very good summary of a superb precision compact digital camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted June 18, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 18, 2009 I fully agree. (And I just love the term 'User designated focussing') Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted June 18, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Agree, and your points could be made for any of the M series cameras. To me I have what my earlier Ms provided, but now I've got a digital file and instant feedback. That's just about perfect for me. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted June 18, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 18, 2009 My reasons for owning an M8: 1) Image quality. Although 10mpx limits (depending on the subject) the ultimate size the image can be enlarged to, the actual image an M8 can produce in terms of sharpness, tonality and subtlety using low ISO is easily (and in my experience often) mistaken for medium format and is at least as good as and arguably better than any of its 35mm competition. For books or A3 +/- prints the image quality can be entrancing. Stephen Shore makes some interesting observations about large prints v. smaller prints here 2) Camera weight, size and discreetness. There is a long photographic tradition of fláneurs, wandering urban photographers who spend hours a day, day after day, wandering through neighborhoods rich and poor in search of interesting images. There is no camera system that I'm aware of that is as discrete and light weight as the M8 system that can still deliver top image quality. It is for the above reasons that I sold my 1ds II and full set of L lenses and now own several M8s and 8.2s. Of course its not the perfect camera and other cameras top it in high ISO use, tele-lenses and macro. Horses for courses. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 18, 2009 Paul, thank you for starting this. It's a great antidote to the negativity that is displayed around here on a regular basis. I agree with Doug too - your points for the most part apply equally to any M (and some Barnack) cameras. It is that je ne sais quoi that makes Leica unique. As an aside I used to work for a successful company that realised it's strength came from it's unique culture. It set out to analyse that culture - distill and codify it. I, along with many others, pointed out that to do so was a bad thing - by trying to regiment the factors that contributed to a strong culture the company would at best change, and at worst kill that which had made it strong. It didn't take long before that view prevailed and the realisation was simple - to maintain a strong culture, employ like minded people and give them the tools to do the job. My point is that Leica is a lot like that. It is the sum of the parts that brings us all here, but it is the people that make it work. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfspencer Posted June 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 18, 2009 My reasons for owning an M8: 1) Image quality. 2) Camera weight, size and discreetness. Eric +1 to what Eric says. 1) Last week I was visiting my granddaughters. I spent my whole time taking "snapshots" but they were really good "snapshots" because the image quality was so good. 2) I've got a Canon 50D and a bag full of "L" lenses. I need a cart to carry the camera bag. I can carry my Leica M8 and four lenses in the little Billingham bag. What a difference! And when I pull the camera out nobody pays any attention to it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted June 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted June 18, 2009 Paul, I like the comparison to "drivers' cars". Good short summary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iansky Posted June 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted June 18, 2009 Paul, I agree with everything you say. After using M's for years when working as a PJ and then switching to DSLR's ending up with the Canon full frames, I suddenly realised that I was missing the days of "thinking photography" when I would consider DOF using the lens scale, set aperture manually and decide on where "I" would focus the camera. Add to this the compact size and solid build (my Canon gear was big and heavy) I realized that now with the M8 I can have the camera and lens over my shoulder under a jacket with a spare lens in each pocket and still not be conscious of weight/size. It has made me think more about my images and given me a new lease of photographic life where I do the work rather than let the camera drive my thoughts. Great camera / great lenses = great images if used with thought and patience. Some of my images are here: www.Ianskyphotosite.blogspot.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
george + Posted June 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 18, 2009 Yes. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted June 19, 2009 Share #14 Posted June 19, 2009 So good to hear from people who use the camera rather than carp about it. Check Eric Perlberg's website - especially Dérive. A pleasure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycm Posted June 19, 2009 Share #15 Posted June 19, 2009 Well put.. you said it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted June 19, 2009 Share #16 Posted June 19, 2009 Sounds about right to me. I simply ADORE my M8.2 and never leave home without it I agree with everything you have said! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savarin Posted June 20, 2009 Share #17 Posted June 20, 2009 I was inspired by the devotion all of you have to this tool that I ordered a M8.2 yesterday.:)Thanks. I look forward to not carrying 4 L's anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted June 20, 2009 Share #18 Posted June 20, 2009 I do hope you enjoy using it. I sure do. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted June 20, 2009 Share #19 Posted June 20, 2009 I do hope you enjoy using it. I sure do. Jeff I have read the above with great interest and agree with all of the positive points listed. I am passionate about Leica and the M8 has already in two weeks of ownership given me a lot of pleasure. I do NOT fully know how to exploit its capabilities yet as the manual does not address this................There is no text available to help me except the search function on this forum plus Google, but that I guess is a positive as it brings out the hunter in us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 20, 2009 Share #20 Posted June 20, 2009 I was inspired by the devotion all of you have to this tool that I ordered a M8.2 yesterday.:)Thanks. I look forward to not carrying 4 L's anymore. I'm sure you'll be delighted with it, just allow yourself some time to get used to it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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