M8 in the flesh at last!

[stephen_w.]

Imagine what it would've cost before the Euro started kicking our (USD) since '93 when it took ~82 cents to buy a Euro to $1.28 now.

 

M7 were what, $2300-$2500. 50/2 were $900?

[stephen_w.]

Of course, I meant 2003, not '93. Europe (Ex UK, Spain, in particular) was cheap for me then, not anymore.

[oceanphysics]

Ill grant this: it's closer to being worth 5 grand than their film cameras are to being worth what they sell for nowadays.

[terry_rory]

I consider my M6 TTL was worth every penny of what I received for it yesterday :-)

[bashir_lunat]

Hello, hold your breath! Everytime when Leica introduces a new camera the "war" is crtain! Whilst I enjoy reading very informative arguments and counter arguments from both sides, I sometime feel like saying please keep control and try not to bash anyone personally. Lets welcome the newcomer in shape of M8 and let it prove to all would-be owners its true capabilities. I use both systems so cant be for one or the other. Horses for courses! I am awaiting an affordable Digital module for R8 if one comes across.Take care all.

[yang_wen]

Emir: What improvement does the Leica M film body offer over competitor rangefinders such as the Bessa? It is all about build and craftsman ship..

[rj]

From the looks of things, it seems Leica did an exceptional job. I'm all over this thing, it has exactly what I wanted and I can see one sitting next to my m3 in my Domke bag. I wonder if I will get used to not taking the bottom off after 36 shots.

[tom5]

I just came home from work today and found an envelope from Tamarkin Camera marked

on the outside "The New Leica M8 Digital Camera". Inside is a nice brochure with no

pictures but asking for preorders and offering free shipping, as I remember.

 

I'd be right in there with an order IF money was no object. When I win the Florida Lottery

either Wednesday or next Saturday - the lottery officials couldn't promise a win - then I'll

fly up to New York, buy a couple of new lenses, and place a deposit on the M8. If I don't

win -but can't imagine such a thing happening - then I'll take my trusty M6 out for it's

weekly run.

[r s]

And on RFF there are now pictures of the menuscreen showing the ISO setting, etc: <a href="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=28222">RFF thread</a href>

[will_woodford1]

You don't really need to speak French to understand this, but since I do I'll give an

abridged translation:

 

- Camera has a vertical shutter with a stripe, no dot.

- There's no film wind lever

- There's a screen and controls on the back

- Here's what it sounds like

 

Blah blah blah.

 

Looks nice, shutter sound is not atrocious but certainly doesn't have the pleasing thunk of

the M6 (I have M6 TTL).

 

My lens "collection" consists of a 50 Summicron bought new a few years ago and a 35 f3.5

and 90 f4 that I got from Paul N on this forum (nice lenses, by the way, I use the 35

regularly, rarely touch the 90).

 

Best bang for my digital dollar is still the new rebel XTi, but I'm not buying anything but

film and D76 these days, I can shoot and develop a lot of pictures before I cross the

$1.2-1.5k a new SLR outfit would set me back.

[yang_wen]

And to think.. a while back people were bashing Leica because Huw can "produce" a digital M that Leica wasn't able to... :)

[harvey_edelstein1]

In view of the large price increase on the M7 not so long ago comparing its price to the $5k M8 pricetag leave my budget little comfort. Lets also observe that the Nikon F6 is very quiet in quiet mode and very well made and sells for less than $2k.

 

There is now an alternative to either slr or rf and that is live/direct view digitals. One sensor takes the picture and another sensor is used to view the scene and is not cutoff by the mirror movement. It seems promissing we will see.

 

Also, in my opinion Leica mechanical perfection of the wind and rewind of film transport gears and other things that reasonably increased the price of Leicas should not apply to the same degree in the digital age. M7 itself has had its share of electronic problems, who can safely predict the record of repair for the M8. Many digital cameras are quite compact and getting one that has a queit shutter is easy. These last few points sold Leica to me in the 1970's when these benefits were the source of pride for having a Leica. Used digital cameras no matter how high end have a steep depreciation curve and this is not something Leica collectors are used to in the past.

[goulven]

Michael translated well what the man said. Just forgot to add what he says while trying to winding the "non existent wind-on lever" : "...the thumb is getting bored..."

Maybe not that important after all. The camera looks great, anyway. I'll be waiting to see some photos made with it.

[steve_huff1]

LUCAS

 

I do find digital files plasticky, but there have been exceptions. Notably the Epson Rd1 -

found the quality very filmlike. The Nikons, Canons, etc are very plasticky for my tastes.

 

Im hoping the M8 will be more like the Rd1, but even still, I won't buy one for a while.

[joshua_dollins]

Its not all about megapixels (although the m8 is on the high end of this also) and you know its a leica-the styling and quality. The lenses. And it does have some features (1.3crop) that set it apart from the rest. As stated the pricing is reasonable (for a leica) personally if I buy one I'll have to wait some time till it hits 1k for instance that I can afford.

[lb-]

cool. hey isn't the RD-1 the same chip as the D70? or is it all about the subtle processing differences?

 

I never used the RD-1 so I don't know anything about it.

 

I bet it's much nicer to hold than a d70 though.

[blowingsky]

So here's a question: If the M8 closes most of the gap on film resolution, in other words, if a printed M8-captured digital image shows little difference from 35mm film prints, must we continue to subscribe to further digital technology advances? Can Leica settle in and once again resume ignoring galloping advances in the rest of the camera field? Or do we now hope to aspire to an MF film resolution? Or is this enough forever?

[kevin m.]

The gap in resolution was closed years ago. It's the gap in dynamic range and other, less

tangible factors that haven't been realized yet.

 

Megapixels are overrated. ;-)

[dan flanders]

"The burning question is: Will M8 buyers cover the red Leica dot with black tape?" <p> No, most of us will black it out with a Sharpie!

[dennis_couvillion]

"No, most of us will black it out with a Sharpie!"

 

Dan:

 

A few years ago, before the introduction of the (dotless) MP some people agonized over the red dot on the M6 and M7 and searched for ways to hide or change it. It was funny to see the M8 with the red dot and my first thought was "You call this an improvement?!" ;>)

[arie_h]

I am sorry for asking this question here but will I be able to use my current M lenses: 35, 50 and 90 on the M8?

 

Thanks

[ray .]

Looks verrrrrrrrrrry tempting..

 

sweet.

[stephen_w.]

IMHO, yes. Just count on the (1.33?) magnification until modificstion to the 3X2 ratio full frame. There are new Leica lenses on the horizon.

[Rob F.]

Arie, Leica hasn't announced yet which framelines the M8 will have, but most of us seem willing to assume it will have, as a minimum, 28, 35, 50, 75, and 90mm frames. So you should be able to use your lenses.

[stephen_w.]

Lens equivalent, that is. What about the new M8 lenses? A prothepherization of new Leica lenses?