ulrich_messmer Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Hi, two or three quick questions for those of you who are buying an M8: 1. Does it matter to you whether you can still flat-pack it and slip it into a jacket pocket or not? (as a go-everywhere camera) 2. If so, what lens are you going to use in this configuration, now that the collapsible 50s are out of the question? (seems like the Summicron-C would be a good candidate, but what about the accuracy of the 35mm frame lines in the M8?) Thanks, Ulf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r._fulton_jr. Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 I don't know Ulf. I've never considered the M Leica to be much of a 'pocket camera'. The M8 is a bit thicker so it's less of a pocket camera. I think it works better on the shoulder with a jacket over it, if you're trying for a low profile. At worse somebody'll think you're packing heat (carrying a gun). The new 28mm f2.8 is very small but certainly no pancake or collapsible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulrik Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 BTW, maybe slightly off-topic, but it is no problem to use the current collapsible Elmar-M 2,8/50 on the M8 and to retract it fully into the camera body. At least the M8 that I had in my hands survived this and the Leica representatives at the demo stand in Leverkusen (during the DAV-Alpintag) where I was confirmed that and allowed me to do it. There were rumors it would not work. Ulrik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 I'd say that the new 28/2.8 is smaller than a collapsed Summicron 50/2.0. I'm sure you can even use an Elmar, you just would need a small ring of tape to keep from collapsing it too deeply. But even a Barnack screwmount camera is really only a "pocket" camera in a great coat. It's really too big for any normal suit jacket pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frederick_muller Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 M's aren't pocket cameras. An Olympus XA is a pocket camera. Even if you can get an M into a pocket, feel how heavy it is! It's heavier than some SLRs for gosh sakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulrich_messmer Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Admittedly this flat pack concept may be pushing the M too far... and yes, there's the weight as well. It's just that occasionally I like packing just a flat brick. Ulrik: interesting that you could collapse the Elmar-M alright, the manual says "Lenses with retractable tubes can only be used with their tubes extended, i.e. their tubes must never be retracted into the Leica M8". They then quote the MEM 90 as the only example for an exception from this rule. Maybe there were some variations in the mounts of the Elmar-M 50 over the years that prevented them from adding it as another exception? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 An M is a pocket camera in as much as you don't need to carry a bag for it. The M body will fit in a shirt breast pocket, or in a suit jacket pocket, or even in a trouser pocket (packing real heat !). The same is true for many of the lenses- 90mm Elmarit M in a shirt pocket, no problem. With lens fitted it takes an anorak pocket to accomodate it, that's how I travel. Try it and prove it to yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian bastin Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Collapsing a lens acts as a pump so maybe it just inevitably puts dust on the sensor. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furcafe Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Depends on how big you are. There's no way I can fit an M body in any of my shirt pockets & though 1 may fit in a regular suit jacket or pants pocket (if I'm wearing cargo pants or something), the weight alone would make it very awkward & uncomfortable to walk around with. ------------- "The M body will fit in a shirt breast pocket, or in a suit jacket pocket, or even in a trouser pocket (packing real heat !). The same is true for many of the lenses- 90mm Elmarit M in a shirt pocket, no problem." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 There's a cheap solution to your problem Christopher - Walmart now sell shirts with 16" collar size. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulrich_messmer Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 An M7 with collapsed Red Scale Elmar fits into the pocket of a 15.5" shirt. For an M8 with its extra 3mm I'd go for 16" though. It also fits into the jacket size of most suits of a matching size. What I'd really like is the new Anastigmat for the '0' replica, collapsible into any of the current Ms... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 You could always put your M8 in the pocket where your money used to be. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommy_baker Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 LOLOL. thats a good line kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay_patel Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 "An M is a pocket camera in as much as you don't need to carry a bag for it. The M body will fit in a shirt breast pocket, or in a suit jacket pocket, or even in a trouser pocket (packing real heat !). The same is true for many of the lenses- 90mm Elmarit M in a shirt pocket, no problem." Don't be too disappointed if you don't make the cover of GQ :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 well, yea, if you're used to droppy drawers and ripped out pockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 C'mon ... what do you think Spiderman is carrying in his drawers ? A Canon 1Ds ?? Guys, that's an M7 he's packing, 'cos he needs auto-exposure in the heat of the moment. :-) And here's a little known fact - the only camera Jack Nicholson will allow to take a candid portrait of him is a Leica M. And he's a Joker ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 A Brit w/ a sense of humor! Groovey. Hey, Gary, why then did I stand in front of Mr Nicholson not 5 feet away and snap a repertoire of snaps w/ my F3 and he was cool with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Noticed the 'zoom' in your pocket ?? Frankly, I've no idea Paul, but you ruined my portrait session with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 "The M body will fit in a shirt breast pocket, or in a suit jacket pocket, or even in a trouser pocket (packing real heat !)." Only just, but if you value your trousers you won't actually put an M in there! The XA, the Minolta TC-1, the Natura. Those are pocket cameras. And then there's the Minox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 "The XA, the Minolta TC-1, the Natura. Those are pocket cameras. And then there's the Minox." ... but these are all compromises. I owned an XA, and the lens isn't good enough. I still own a Rollei 35S, but there's no rangefinder ..... etc, etc. The Leica M's have no compromises, limited only by 35mm film, AND their portablity is a major convenience feature. I've had many shirts made with extra large pockets to accomodate my M's with winder and 90mm lenses with metal hoods fitted. They are not the height of fashion I admit, but very practical for the modern man on the move. Instead of changing film, they allow me to just reach for another body and keep shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 But the M, despite being a smaller camera in size than an SLR, is nowhere near a pocket camera. Unless, of course, one has "had many shirts made with extra large pockets to accomodate my M's with winder and 90mm lenses with metal hoods fitted." O course, one would be forced to admit that "They are not the height of fashion I admit, but very practical for the modern man on the move." Additionally one could argue that given enough material and a team of expert tailors, any camera could become a pocket camera. I can just imagine trying to explain to the nice people on the street that no, I'm not happy to see them, it's just my 300mm lens on my SLR camera that I had fitted into an extra front pocket on my trousers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 You'll see on my web site that I've been marketing the 3 and 4 pocket varieties in S/M/L & XXL for a while. There a steady demand for the Sniper 3 and the 4 pocket Maxus designs. Khaki is the most popular colour, but I've had requests for many colours. Purple has recently become quite popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Are they similar to a photographer's vest? I couldn't find the shirt link on your site. I hope you don't mind the gentle ribbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now