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M8 for Studio work


RaymondH

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Hi all,

 

I was just wondering how well the M8 would work in the studio. Specifically, I was wondering about the following things:

 

Does the M8 integrate well with studio stobes and/or multiple Speedlights? I know Nikon/Canon have entire flash systems available to run multiple speedlights. I know it is unlikely that we can control flash groups from the back of the M8 like you can in the Nikon system, but is this kind of photography possible, and relatively easy? Are there examples of work in the Photo Forum of such work?

 

It has been said that 90mm is the best focal length for portraiture. However, with the crop factor on the M8, I assume that the 90mm would probably be too long. But the advantage of the 90mm would be the field flattening that you'd get, and that would be the same using this lens on any M camera, regardless of the crop factor. Does anyone have views on this? Are people using the M8 for studio work? What lenses are good for this?

 

Thanks for any info on this. I'm eying the M8 as a possible future camera, but I'd like to investigate how well it would work in different scenarios.

 

Raymond.

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Raymond;

 

I reported my experiences with this in a thread from a week ago; basically, in my novice view, it worked very well. I was surprised that I could use anything from a CV15 to a CV90 with ease.

 

I went to a Portrait Lighting workshop that was run by someone who knew what he was doing lighting wise; we used wireless transmitters; I had problems with one of them; other than that, it went very well.

 

Look for the thread; started by me (sorry, I'm not sure how to directly link in a thread)

 

JohnS.

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The M8 certainly doesn't seem to be designed as a studio camera, does it? The great strength of the Ms are their ability to be hauled around easily :)

 

Still, aside from the fact that it's a rangefinder and so subject to the limitations of a rangefinder, including some difficulty in framing precisely, yes, the M8 produces a really lovely file. Good light is good light, but the M8 rewards precise lighting and lower ISO shooting.

 

Sheer resolution is also perhaps under the bar as well these days for a typical studio camera, but it depends what you need to shoot for. The files uprez extremely well.

 

The M8 also works perfectly with PocketWizards and other strobe triggers, and so it's completely at home in the studio. But it has no PC-synch, so you need to work through the hotshoe.

 

Don't forget too that most M lenses don't focus very closely, and that longer lenses aren't really available either. Lots of things are possible, including macro, but they're not exactly easy to do ;)

 

But again, it depends on what you want to use it for...

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I've used my M8 with both Canon Speedlites and Alien Bees AB400/800 strobes using a wireless trigger with no problems. Definitely make sure you've got a UV/IR filter in front of your lens though, or you'll have some hardcore magenta coloring in some cases.

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Raymond;

 

I reported my experiences with this in a thread from a week ago; basically, in my novice view, it worked very well. I was surprised that I could use anything from a CV15 to a CV90 with ease.

 

I went to a Portrait Lighting workshop that was run by someone who knew what he was doing lighting wise; we used wireless transmitters; I had problems with one of them; other than that, it went very well.

 

Look for the thread; started by me (sorry, I'm not sure how to directly link in a thread)

 

JohnS.

The thread John refers to is here.

 

 

(John, to add a link to a thread go to the thread, highlight the whole address in your browser's address bar, press Ctrl+C (Command+C on a Mac) to copy the address, return to the thread you want to place the link in, click the globe and paperclip icon at the top of the reply box, when the pop-up box pops up press Ctrl+V (Command+V on a Mac) to paste the address, and click OK to close the pop-up box. If you want to add the link behind a word or title of your choosing as I've done above with "here", then before you click the globe and paperclip icon, type the word or title and highlight it.)

 

Pete.

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I've used the M8 in a studio with Alien Bees lights and PocketWizards; the combination is very pleasant to use and produced results I was very pleased with. Lens sharpness is better than with my Nikons on film, though the M8 file doesn't have the resolution of Delta 100 in my Mamiya RZ67II.

 

Rangefinder focusing can be an issue if you keep the studio dark and use dim-ish bulbs in your modelling lights, so consider springing for bright modelling light bulbs.

 

I didn't use the M8 on a tripod, so if you're used to shooting on sticks in the studio my experience may not be your best guide.

 

Here are two samples of my results; click the photos to go to flickr and see larger sizes:

 

2270202629_6f48f0db5c.jpg

 

2270200201_39e4231614.jpg

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Hi,

 

I shoot fashion and beauty work. I also happen to like the M8 A LOT so I choose to shoot with it when appropriate. The M8 works just fine with pocketwizards and Profoto powerpacks, both in studio and on location.

 

.a

 

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Hi,

 

I shoot fashion and beauty work. I also happen to like the M8 A LOT so I choose to shoot with it when appropriate. The M8 works just fine with pocketwizards and Profoto powerpacks, both in studio and on location.

 

.a

 

 

Fabulous!! Are you on 'MM' by any chance?

 

 

@ OP -

 

I use a couple of Elinchrome lights with cheap radio triggers ($99/ea) and those work just great.

 

m

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The M8 is fine for studio work although its pixel count might be considered a bit low by contemporary standards.

 

Definitely plan to use a wireless trigger with any storbe system you elect to use. (There is no convenient way to connect a strobe cable to the camera anyway.)

 

I find a 75mm lens to be perfect for studio usage. Especially when photographing a couple. The 90 puts me too far from the subject, in my opinion. Leica currently has two terriffic 75mm options with CV also sellling a creditable optic. An added plus: close up performance of the 75mm Summicron is without parallel (in a Leica M-compatible lens.)

 

Feel free to experiment. While its primary venue is still otherwise, the M8 can hold its own in the studio given reasonable care and patience by the photographer.

 

-g

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