M8 and other new stuff at the Photokina 2006

[richard_s.]

Leica has a big booth at the Photokina and one could handle a lot of

exotic and expensive gear. The M8 received the most interest of the

visitors and they had many of them (M8 and visitors).<br>

Some observations:<br>

<br>

The M8 has low noise, comparable to an M7 but with a different sound,

faster more metallic. <a

href="http://www.dpreview.com/articles/LeicaM8/Samples/Audio/m7-then-m8.mp3">The

comparisson at dpreview.com (MP3, 68 KB) </a> gives a

good impression how it sounds<br>

<br>

I happen to be there when an Australian visitor compared vignetting of

the 15mm Voigtländer on Leica M8 and his Epson R1-D.<br>

Comparing the results of the 15mm on the back LCD of the M8 and the

R1-D, the visitor concluded, that the picture taken with the M8 showed

significant less vignetting.<br>

<br>

The M8 has an external meter in addition to its internal TTL metering.

It was explained to me that it is used to calculate the amount of

vignetting and approximate aperture (+- 1 stop), for compensation

purposes. With bar coded lenses the M8 will be able to differentiate

between artificial vignetting and natural light fall off.<br>

<br>

Hologon doesn´t fit, but the Super-Angulons and the Visoflex

will fit the M8 ;-)<br>

<br>

My impression is, the Leica M8 will be a big success.<br>

<br>

<br>

Leicas new super wide angle Tri-Elmar is a very compact lens. The demo

photos, taken with M8 and Tri-Elmar at 16mm, were tack sharp right into

the corner (in Photoshop at 100% magnification).<br>

<br>

The new super wide angle external view finder is huge! <br>

The view thought this viewfinder is excellent!<br>

<br>

The new 28mm 2.8 Elmarit is a cute little lens, same solid design, fit

an finish as the new 35mm 2.0 Summicron.<br>

<br>

I´ve also visited Zeiss more in this <a

href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00IGiG">message.<br>

[steve_levine]

Too bad it is so un-realistically priced (at around double it's value)IMHO.

[john_a.]

Steve, that makes sense. Why not sell the M8 for less than an M7...jeeze.

[al_kaplan1]

It would be nice to be able to use my Visoflex II-s on it for macro work. That would eliminate any temptation to get a DSLR. The 65/3.5 Elmar is still a great lens and the chimney finder on the Visoflex is great on a copy stand or when using a microscope.

[regit_young1]

Is vignetting correction done pre-capture or post-capture, how does the Jpegs compared to the RAWs of the same scene? Also, if a coded lens is not in the database of the processing algorithm, say a Canon 50/0.9 coded to a read as a Noctilux, how would the picture turn out to be?

[blakley]

The M8 will sell out its entire first production run before the first copy ships. In classical economic terms, this means it's priced <i>below</i> its value.

[daveg]

Vignetting correction is applied during compression (jpeg, etc). It does not affect RAW image. So if you save RAW, you can tinker to your hearts delight in PS, no matter what lens you use. :)

 

I see a used M8 in my future, about the time the M9 is released a few years from now...

[cabophoto]

Al,

 

you can use a Visoflex on the M8. I tried with a Visoflex III and it works fine. Don't have access to a Visoflex II, though.

 

Carsten

 

http://www.cabophoto.com/

[james_elwing]

should be able to use a viso II with a viso III prism. Would have to mark the ground glass with the M8 sensor image size? No??

[arthuryeo]

>The M8 will sell out its entire first production run before the first copy ships. In classical economic terms, this means it's priced below its value.

 

 

And, where did you get that information from? Internet? :)

[harvey_edelstein1]

Over the weekend I got a chance to compare the Nikon d200 and the Canon 5d side by side. I was suprised that the FF Canon 5D was relatively the same size and weight as the Nikon dispite it have a 50 percent larger sensor.

 

If you get a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f4 IS USM L lens it will set you back about $4,000. You will have a 3.5 pound FF outfit with a magnesium body that can take great noise free iso 1600 photos. The Leica M8 is all electronics now also, so will it be more reliable and produce better pictures than the Canon 5D. I am not so sure that the resolution of these cameras sensors will show the Leica lenses superiority like film does.

[jake_tauber]

"The Leica M8 is all electronics now also, so will it be more reliable and produce better pictures than the Canon 5D."

 

And you know that, how...?

[harvey_edelstein1]

Jake are all digital cameras electronic or not, even the all metal shutter in the M8 is electronically timed. Are digital sensors and lcd screens mechanical? I asked if it will be able to outperform the lower priced well made Canon 5d. Do you care, want to know, or just being borish. Maybe you didn't understand my last post, I suggest you reread it.

[blakley]

Arthur, a careful reading of my post will reveal that I am making the claim (that Leica has already sold its 2006 production run) myself, with no appeal to other sources - though I have of course read Internet predictions, and I've also spoken with Leica dealers in 3 different cities who have placed orders for M8s and have discussed supply with their Leica representatives. You can therefore treat this as my very own personal prediction, and as an added bonus, you can even quote me on the prediction if you need an authority to cite in the future.

[jake_tauber]

Harvey,

 

Sorry, I guess I did misread your statement :( But, I would suggest your agressive response is boorish.

 

Why not plunk down $25 for a photo.net subscription and we'll call it even. :)

[stephen_w.]

I misread it too, maybe it has somthing to do with the missing question mark.