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Two Weddings And One Less Hat Right Now


sean_reid

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If I might take my reviewer hat off for a moment and just speak as a photographer...

 

I've just spent several hours finishing up the conversions for a wedding shoot done all with M8s and then starting the conversions for a wedding shoot done mostly with the M9. And I've just been sitting here looking at the converted files (C1) and I must say again that I really love these cameras and I love the pictures that they help me to make. For me, at this point in my life, no cameras are more satisfying to work with than the Leica DRFs (M8.2 or M9). Details and differences aside, I'm actually quite happy to work with either one. In fact I hope the M8 and M9 forums merge back together because these cameras have a lot in common and so too might the people who use either.

 

I'm finding it great to get away, for awhile, from the testing and timing and comparisons and technical pixel peeping (which must be done in a thorough review) to instead just enjoy the pictures these cameras make. They are really my cup of tea. I like them when they're in my hands and at my eye and I like what comes from them. They are special.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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I agree Sean. When my son was born over seven months ago I was like "it's only film for me, blah, blah..." Well about 5000 images later with the M8 I'm definitely eating that sentiment. Yes, I've shot a bit of film, but the pictures with the M8 are so good I just keep going with it. Hopefully I'll have an M9 in hand next week before we leave for a trip to Europe.

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A little off topic: Although I sold my M8 to pay for the M9, I actually find it strange that Leica totally discontinued the M8 and left the users in the dark. Other brands have both FF and crop sensors. When the M9 is 5500€, wouldn't it be possible for Leica to produce a M8.3 (where the UV/IR issue is solved) for 4000€? I actually think they could have sold more lenses that way, and lowered the threshold into the Leica system.

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Do you use both cameras at the same time, well you know what I mean, consecutively? :o

Is it easy to adjust to full frame and then go back to 1.33, or is this a mental readjustment, hiccup? I understand that you think they are compatible image quality wise it is the practicalities of using both together that I want to try and understand.

I know you are a busy man but would appreciate your input on this compatibility issue (or non-issue)

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Do you use both cameras at the same time, well you know what I mean, consecutively? :o

Is it easy to adjust to full frame and then go back to 1.33, or is this a mental readjustment, hiccup? I understand that you think they are compatible image quality wise it is the practicalities of using both together that I want to try and understand.

I know you are a busy man but would appreciate your input on this compatibility issue (or non-issue)

 

The crop factor isn't an issue at all. I look through the frame lines in either one and that tells me where I'm at. The biggest hassle, of course, is that one needs filters and one doesn't need them (as much). So I need to set aside certain lenses that I'll be using on the M8.2 and make sure they are filtered. Swapping a given lens from one to another would be a pain during a wedding (filter off, store it safely, get it out, filter on, etc.) so I don't do that. In the bag (and one each body) are the lenses for the M9 that day and others for the M8.2 that day.

 

Other than the filters I've had no real hassles shooting both though, for obvious reasons, it is mainly the M9 that gets used right now.

 

Also, its only been about three weeks with the M9 so all of this combining bodies stuff is still new to me.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Sean- Nice of you to share your views. I agree with you I love these cameras, both my M8, M8.2 & am already blown away with what I've seen from my M9 so far. First day out shooting I found myself messing around with screwing filters on and off. I pretty much made up my mind do to do as you've done and work with a particular lens / lenses for the M8 and another set for the M9 on any given day.

 

I saw on the Leica Q&A that they recommend no UV/IR filters on lenses wider than 35mm. Can one therefore assume that it should make no difference whether UV/IR filters are on or off above 35mm?

 

I've never had an issue with the M8 crop factor, however I must say it's great to to see each lens render its native FOV with the M9.

 

A little off topic: Although I sold my M8 to pay for the M9, I actually find it strange that Leica totally discontinued the M8 and left the users in the dark. Other brands have both FF and crop sensors. When the M9 is 5500€, wouldn't it be possible for Leica to produce a M8.3 (where the UV/IR issue is solved) for 4000€? I actually think they could have sold more lenses that way, and lowered the threshold into the Leica system.

 

Insofar as Leica no longer producing the M8, I can fully understand their decision to move on and focus on producing the M9, which is the evolution from the M8; newer technology etc. As long as they keep supporting and backing up the M8 (as they still continue do with every other discontinued model) I can't see why it should be an issue, especially given that relatively speaking there's not a huge price difference between the two.

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If I might take my reviewer hat off for a moment and just speak as a photographer...

 

I've just spent several hours finishing up the conversions for a wedding shoot done all with M8s and then starting the conversions for a wedding shoot done mostly with the M9. And I've just been sitting here looking at the converted files (C1) and I must say again that I really love these cameras and I love the pictures that they help me to make. For me, at this point in my life, no cameras are more satisfying to work with than the Leica DRFs (M8.2 or M9). Details and differences aside, I'm actually quite happy to work with either one. In fact I hope the M8 and M9 forums merge back together because these cameras have a lot in common and so too might the people who use either.

 

I'm finding it great to get away, for awhile, from the testing and timing and comparisons and technical pixel peeping (which must be done in a thorough review) to instead just enjoy the pictures these cameras make. They are really my cup of tea. I like them when they're in my hands and at my eye and I like what comes from them. They are special.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Sean,

 

Which lens are you using on each body?

 

Thanks for info.

 

Eric

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If I might take my reviewer hat off for a moment and just speak as a photographer...

 

I've just spent several hours finishing up the conversions for a wedding shoot done all with M8s and then starting the conversions for a wedding shoot done mostly with the M9. And I've just been sitting here looking at the converted files (C1) and I must say again that I really love these cameras and I love the pictures that they help me to make. For me, at this point in my life, no cameras are more satisfying to work with than the Leica DRFs (M8.2 or M9). Details and differences aside, I'm actually quite happy to work with either one. In fact I hope the M8 and M9 forums merge back together because these cameras have a lot in common and so too might the people who use either.

 

I'm finding it great to get away, for awhile, from the testing and timing and comparisons and technical pixel peeping (which must be done in a thorough review) to instead just enjoy the pictures these cameras make. They are really my cup of tea. I like them when they're in my hands and at my eye and I like what comes from them. They are special.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

...agree, agree...i'm waiting for my 9 and leaning toward keeping the m8.2 as well though i use a 5d11 now for a wedding cause i was not comfortable with the results of using the m8 with the sf 24 flash...is the new flash (the 58) easier to work with since it has the bounce feature?

 

mike

mikecettadotcom

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...agree, agree...i'm waiting for my 9 and leaning toward keeping the m8.2 as well though i use a 5d11 now for a wedding cause i was not comfortable with the results of using the m8 with the sf 24 flash...is the new flash (the 58) easier to work with since it has the bounce feature?

 

mike

mikecettadotcom

 

Hi Mike,

 

Night and day. See my notes on the SF 58 in the review of the M9. Off camera with a Nikon cord it's the real deal.

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Sean , Just a thought on working with both M8 & M9 , can you use the M9 WITH a Filter , does it make a "negative" difference to the look of the image.

 

PS enjoy your reviews

 

Yes, the filters will remove the rest of the M9's sensitivity to IR. But with lenses less than 75 mm (my current estimate), one needs some way to correct for the extra cyan drift. Corner fix is one option.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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I saw on the Leica Q&A that they recommend no UV/IR filters on lenses wider than 35mm. Can one therefore assume that it should make no difference whether UV/IR filters are on or off above 35mm?

 

As I've discussed with Leica, I think that number should be about 75 mm. Wider than 75 mm cyan drift correction may well be needed if external filters are used. I think 35 mm is way too low.

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Sean,

 

Which lens are you using on each body?

 

Thanks for info.

 

Eric

 

At the last wedding:

 

M9 - 28 and 35 (50 in the bag but never used) - all with no filters

 

M8.2 - 24 (25) and 28 with filters (backup but not used, that I can remember, on the last shoot)

 

I work pretty close. <G>

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Thank you for taking off your reviewer's hat and speaking as a photographer. It's wonderful to hear somebody say they enjoy using Leica DRFs. I was deliriously happy when I got my M8s and I'll be even happier when I get my M9. It's just like coming home again.

 

Tina

 

Tina Manley

 

Thanks Tina. BTW, I noticed that you subscribed recently and I hope you're enjoying the site.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Sean, thanks for the post.

 

I have a question relating to the buffer during your wedding shoot. I shoot a lot of dance and regularly fill the buffer on the M8 (those guys WILL keep moving).

 

Did you encounter a full buffer very often? From the specs I see that it will only hold 5 shots before forcing 2-second waits.

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Sean, thanks for the post.

 

I have a question relating to the buffer during your wedding shoot. I shoot a lot of dance and regularly fill the buffer on the M8 (those guys WILL keep moving).

 

Did you encounter a full buffer very often? From the specs I see that it will only hold 5 shots before forcing 2-second waits.

 

No, its not that bad, see my numbers in the review. 7 Frames at ISO 160.

 

No, I never had buffer problems during the shoot but I don't use continuous ever and my pictures tend not to come in close succession. I never noticed the buffer limits at all.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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