Leica M8 owners/users: some advice please...

[parigby]

Luigi,

 

My advice would be to wait a little while. At the moment there are some issues,but Leica is

slowly reating to these. If you really want the low down on the M8, official Leica users forum

is the place to go. Just about every aspect of the M8 has been discussed, discussed again,

and then some more.

 

philip

[paul hart]

Hi Luigi

 

<<...I'd be better off buying a digital M later on in time when ALL issues have been

resolved and may be a newer upgraded model will come out>>

 

If you're waiting for these two conditions to be met, you'll never take the plunge. I use

mine with a new 24" Mac running Lightroom (the full version) and it's good in every way.

 

The M8 is simple to operate; files are plenty big enough for my purposes; it has never let

me down; the crop factor is a reasonable compromise and adds a new dimension to some

lenses (the Noctilux on the M8 is wonderful).

 

So contra the previous opinion, my advice FWIW is go for it. You'll never look back.

[henry_chu2]

Luigi, I have had mine since the beginning of November. I may be one of the lucky majority and, other than the IR, banding, and ghosting problems, have had no issues. I did have an R-D1 for two years before the arrival of the M8. Although the Epson was trouble free, I do enjoy using the M8 more for two reasons--the familiar feel of the M body and the 1.33 vs 1.5 crop factor, giving me a wider look. I also use Macs both at home and at the office. I have had no problems downloading the files at all. The jpegs can be viewed in iPhoto. The DNG's can be developed in Adobe Bridge and opened in Photoshop. I find that I shoot five times more than I did with film. Two of my close friends also have an M8 with similar experiences.

[luigi v]

Well, I am not a big fan of digital photography, but I am considering buying an M8.

Main reason being (may be the only one really...) the chance to use my Leica M lenses on a digital body

that will allow me to photograph "more"...

I can consider the RD1/RD1s too but let's stick to the M8 for the time being...

My question goes mainly to M8 owners/users out there. The camera has been now around for a few

months, so some people have not probably used it enough to be able to give a fair opinion of its qualities

and "faults".

I would like to hear what this camera is really like, what's its ease of use like, its reliability (I heard some

horror stories as well as some geat praise of the camera), its computer (I use Mac OSX) compability issues

if any, the actual limitations(if any) of the 1.33 crop factor, and above all, am I going to get something that

will be giving me the same pleasure (and images warmth...) that I get from my M film cameras...?

in a word, and I know you are going to be really honest about this, is it something worth buying now or I'd

be better off buying a digital M later on in time when ALL issues have been resolved and may be a newer

upgraded model will come out...?

Thanks all in advance

Luigi

[luigi v]

I meant "some people HAVE PROBABLY USED IT enough to be able to give a fair opinion of its

qualities and "faults" and/or limitations...

sorry...

[peter_muller3]

Paul:

Could you expand on your comment about the Nocto being excellent on the M8? I am looking forward to using the M8 with my 75mm f/1.4 and my Nocto. Thanks.

[boris c umanso]

"am I going to get something that will be giving me the same pleasure (and images

warmth...) that I get from my M film cameras...?"

 

You might, you might not. Two things that I find offputting are that the "feel" of the

camera is strange without the wind on lever (on a film M your thumb tends to sit there all

the time), and that the shutter release is harder/stickier than on previous Ms. I'd probably

get used to the different feel, but not the harsher release which seems to have a real

impact on sharpness at low shutter speeds. Also, at 640 it's way noisier than a Canon at

800. Why not wait for Leica to resolve the issues

before shelling out? I think they brought this to the market too quickly.

[andyaitken]

I've also had no problems with my M8 (excepting a minor battery calibration thing that was easily solved). Sure, I wish it was exactly the same dimensions as, say, an M4 but I find the handling fine. It only took a couple of days to get used to the lack of a wind on lever and now I never even notice. I use mine with a Leicagoodies Sling and that works great for me. My biggest issue is that every time I take a vertical picture my nose leaves a greasy smudge on the LCD. I also hate the flush windows which also get easily smudged - what was wrong with the old recessed ones!?!?!?!? I'd also prefer a less slick leatherette. The finder is great, even with glasses on I can very nearly see the widest frame (24mm). However some of the framelines are a bit "loose" ie show more than you get on the sensor.

 

The image quality, especially in B&W, is amazing. With the new firmware you have less "grain" at ISO 1250 than with Tri-X at 400. Even 2500 is pretty good after using Noiseware on it.

 

Now, the crop factor... You have to re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about your lenses and it can be quite frustrating sorting it all out. I thought it would be simple, my 21 would be my M8 "28" and my 35 would be my M8 "50" but it's not that simple at all. In the end I think I've settled on 25mm and 40mm to replace 28mm and 50mm on film.

 

I like the way my 50mm's turn into short portrait lenses. I'm loving my new 67mm rigid Summicron.

 

No problems at all with SD cards and file formats.

 

Lastly, mine has "crashed" a couple of times where I have had to pop the battery out and in again to get it to work again but it's been fine since the new firmware. I hope.

 

Sure, you could wait 'til all the bugs are worked out, but it seems to me that everything is going to be solved through firmware anyway.

[john_brewton]

Ciao Luigi. I waited and waited some more and then decided it was now or never. Sure I'd prefer all the issues to be solved, but then, I'd be missing out on what I assume to be a great experience using my M glass. Mine is on order - they keep saying "any week now" every week but at some point it will arrive. Leica cannot keep up with the demand. They must be doing something right.

Buona fortuna.

[paul hart]

Peter:<p>First, it becomes effectively 66mm lens which is good for portraits. While this is

of course true of every 50mm on the M8, not all can be used at f1...<p>Second, while it's

a real challenge to focus, I've learnt to take multiple shots with slight focus adjustments so

I normally nail it at least once! I use it with the 1.25 magnifier. I didn't like this accessory

on my film Ms because it seemed to reduce the contrast in the viewfinder more than was

acceptable. It doesn't do that with the M8, not sure why.<p>Finally, others have pointed

out the excellent black & white capacity of the M8 and speculated that this might be a

result of the thin IR filter. Whatever, the less contrasty rendition of the Noctilux creates

images that reach parts (for me anyway) that other lenses don't. This was taken at

1250ASA and f1.<p><center><a href="

331282932/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/

129/331282932_14dbf30d22.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Rachel" /></a></

center>

[vinay_patel]

John, do you happen to be in Europe or the UK? There it has nothing to do with the M8 being successful or in big demand, just very tight supply. In the USA there has been a stream of M8s recently, mostly for sale on open stock, in most cases other than B&H, due to orders placed long ago that the customers subsequently cancelled. Hopefully Leica will be supplying the non-US dealers soon, and hopefully by the time you get yours a few more of the bugs will be worked out so your experience has a better chance of being pleasant.

[gmb]

Luigi,

 

Tough question. Who knows when a ?better? M9 digital will be available. And the M9 will not be the end, since one day there will be a M10, and than an M11 and so on. I decide not to wait but to enjoy the M8 now.

 

My impressions since 10 days of use (I am not a professional and I don?t have time to shoot during the week):

 

1. No crashes etc (I keep my fingers crossed).

2. Image quality is great. For color use Raw (plus C1 profiles available on the Leica User forum). B&W is great even in JEPEG. Magenta occurred, but I trust will be corrected with the filters.

3. Handling is fine. The shutter sounds noisy in the beginning, but I got used to it.

4. I still need to get used to the different angles of view for the lenses. But I think training will help (and training is free since no film costs). I think the frame lines are a bit generous, and I find them more difficult to ?see? than with the M7. But again, training is free.

5. The possibility to switch ISO and to shoot color (raw) and b&w (JEPEG) at the same time is great. Last weekend I shot a birthday party: first outdoor, then in the sub, then indoors. No problem. Would have been difficult with film.

6. I got some beautiful shots with my 75 Summilux. Much better than what I got with film.

7. I can use the time I spend before on scanning to shoot, work in Photoshop, drink wine, or respond to these questions.

In short, I am a happy camper, and if this continues, my M7 will not see much light until I put it up for sale.

Hope this helps.

[vivek iyer]

Check your email, Luigi.

[kbg32]

Luigi, I have had mine for 2 months and I use it everyday. I have had no problems

whatsoever. Camera performs flawlessly, at least mine does!

[john_brewton]

Vinay, I'm in the US. I ordered through Photo Village. I believe the problem is I want a chrome model & they are back-ordered.

[gary_ferguson1]

Luigi, I'm getting on pretty well with my M8. I use it as a light weight travel camera with a

28/35/50 Tri-Elmar and a 35mm Summicron, it's much lighter and more compact than

the Canon 5D and 24-105mm that I used to carry. I've not had too many problems with

the IR/filter issue, and as for reliability I've used it problem free out on the streets in a

rainy London, a snow bound Moscow, and a freezing Stockholm. Incidentally, I also use it

with a Max OSX and again no problems.

 

On the down side, the shutter noise and feel is awful, the frame lines are way tighter than

the actual image recorded, It's a PITA not having faster access to key controls like ISO

settings, and in terms of image quality let's be honest, it's not really better (or worse) than

the Canon 5D.

 

If you enjoy rangefinder photography and appreciate the flexibility and convenience of

digital then it's a great camera. But if not then save your money, because even though I

like my M8 I'm the first to admit it's not a photographic epiphany.

[steve_unsworth1]

Luigi, I've had mine for a couple of months with no issues other than the IR/magenta thing. I have really, really enjoyed using this camera. I get the same feeling using it as I did when I bought my M6 a number of years ago. The crop factor becomes a non-issue after a day or so IMHO.

<p>

Here's a shot taken at the weekend...

<p>

<img src = "http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/75061-2/L1001721+Crufts+leg.jpg">

[jackflesher]

/c

[jackflesher]

Sorry... </c>

[peter_muller3]

Thanks, Paul. That is exactly the kind of information I was seeking. The 1.25 magnifier suggestion was especially helpful. By the way...great B&W shot!

[gmb]

Put some shots in my portfolio (special folder M8). Nothing spectecular but it shows what the camera can do. The B&W shots in the subway are the in camera produced JPEGS.

[eoin_kavanagh]

Hi Luigi,

 

You're going to kick your self for letting your 35 Summilux go, without doubt it's a lovely lens with the 1.33 crop of the M8. The toss up between the Nocti and the 75'lux is hard to call but depending on your eyesight the 1.25 is a must for accurate focusing.

 

As for the M8 it's self, the form is very leica like, shutter release and sound are quite different but image quality is superb. As for image look or warmth, that's really down to the raw converter you use. The best way to thing of them is in terms of film. Capture One, Lightroom, Aperture and others all have a different look in the output they produce. Native M8 support is forthcoming in OSX, I suspect this will happen after Leica release v1.10 of the firmware. As to the question of wait or buy now, take a trip to the dutyfree shop in schipol airport after ordering on line and pick it up to save yourself a few pounds.

[pand02]

Hello Luigi, maybe this page is of some interest and can help you deciding to go for an M8

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/leica-m8.shtml

 

I did and i'm quite happy.