paul hart

C.

M8 just too flakey.

Using dSLR and Rolleiflex. Enjoying it immensely. No more lens-lust.

This is a general opinion, not based on any careful testing. I have the 135/2L and have borrowed the 70-200L/IS. I tried

them both alongside each other recently before choosing which to take to a wedding for candid shots.

While the 70-200L is very good (for a zoom), I was surprised how easy it was to see the superiority of the 135, and

especially at the edges. The image quality of the 135 is truly outstanding.

What you lose on versatility compared to the 70-200, you gain on size, image quality and cost.

I took the 135!

I got the Beattie for mine, only because I think it's more readily available here in the UK. It transformed the focussing and

composing experience. Breathes new life into these excellent cameras.

Can anyone help with this problem, please? Here are the steps I have taken:

1. Before installing LR2, I moved my Lightroom folder to an external drive for reasons of space. I used a

technique recommended on the Luminous Landscape site, and it worked fine - and still does when I use LR1.

2. Downloaded and installed LR2 - all seemed well.

3. Sadly, not so. A large proportion of the photos show a question mark in Library view, and in Develop module

show a message 'The file named "xxxx" is offline or missing. The hard drive on which it is all stored is not offline.

I know that I can click on each individual question mark and find the location for that photo. However, I'm

talking the majority of some 12,000 files here and life is too short for that!

Can anyone help, please?

Thanks

I'm no expert on these matters, but I have a 2.8F with a serial number of 2448014 (so presumably earlier than the one

you've 'bought'), and it has a Planar taking lens with a serial number of 4189185 (which one would expect to be later than

the one you're looking at). Perhaps Dennis is on the right track?

I had one for my FW but got rid of it. From memory, the idea of it is that it unzips and hangs down for taking shots. I didn't

like it. Decided that a small Billingham shoulder bag is more useful. If you hate shooting with case hanging from the

camera, you won't like it.

I had the 27-300 DO a couple of years back but sold it, mainly due to its unsatisfactory image quality at the long end and

some pretty weird halo-like effects wide open.

I now have the 300/4.0L and the 135/2L, and while there's a lot more bulk, the image quality is on another planet.

If as you say you're doing 'extreme crops' then it's L glass for you.

I considered this lens alongside the 17-40L (slower, less reach, no IS - but cheaper, smaller, and L).

It may have been a poor sample I tried, but the movement of the zoom was uneven. The overall feel was inferior, and I jumped for the L (which has a rebate on offer at present, making it even more attractive).

I know this is nothing to do with dust, save that I believe L lenses are sealed against it. I was aware of those reports and ignored them. My decision was based on other factors.

Ffordes in the UK have a mint s/h one of these for sale at present at UKP 999, which

sounds a reasonably good deal to me (at least, by UK standards). I would have gone

for it had the 85/1.8 not been so good at a fraction of the price!

Stick it on eBay as <<mint minus, front element crocked but all the others fine, of no

optical significance>>

<<I think the camera has an unlimited JPEG bust>>

How on earth will they fit that on a 2.5 inch screen?

I have the CV15 but not the Leica lens ('WATE'). Sean Reid has a review of the superwides on

his subscription site, which is worth every one of the few pennies it costs.

I think his conclusion on these 2 lenses was, in short, that the CV was slightly better than the

Leica in the centre but they are on a par at the edges.

Of course the Leica lens has multiple focal lengths, coding, etc.

<<what's to stop the buyer passing it off as a real one?>>

The fact that it doesn't look or feel or smell like any Leica that has ever been made. Having

said that, I'm not sniffy about these Russian copies because my first 'proper' camera, bought

when I was about 15, was a FED 4L, and it was very good value.

Michael: in the range you are interested in, I have the new 28 Elmarit-M ASPH and the 35

Summicron Ver IV.

They are two very different lenses from different generations. If I had to choose one of

them for myself, it would be the 28 simply on the grounds of its very fine image quality.

There are plenty of useful threads on this site about the Summicron ver IV.

Erwin's review of the new 35 Summarit is very complimentary, and if you were to opt for a

35 I suspect that would be the optimum choice if you're buying new.

1. Buy it. I did, in November 06, so have lived through all its 'issues', and I don't regret it.

You will be spared most of those. We don't know when any M9 will land.

2. The M8 isn't an obvious choice for closeups of flowers, but it can be done. Either the 90

Macro-Elmar-M (with macro adapter if you have the money), or (cheaper) get a Viso III

plus suitable lens.

3. For landscapes, the choice is enormous. Choice depends on how 'little' the 'little money'

is you are coming into, and what you need. I find the new 28/2,8ASPH is a good multi-

purpose lens. Pair that with the little Macro 90 and you'd have a very compact kit indeed.

I took the 35/2 Summicron (version IV) and the 75/2 Summicron ASPH to a wedding today,

and these two covered all the bases. The 75/2 is absolutely outstanding.

Tom: that's CRR of Luton. I have an M4 that has been restored by them with the black enamel

finish, and they do an astonishingly good job. If you change your mind and decide to look

outside the US, I would recommend them - but they have a backlog at the moment.

The conclusion reflects my own experience of the M8. He's the first reviewer I've come across

who has picked up on the very marked difference in quality between RAW and JPEG. I did

side-by-side comparisons in Lightroom and the difference is very clear in ordinary use, not

merely in a test situation. I only shoot in RAW as a result.

<<there'll be a nearly new M8 on Ebay>>

What's the serial number of your M8..........

<center><a href=" title="Photo

Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/235170299_38cddd52a5_b.jpg"

width="1024" height="940" alt="Bloom in rain" /></a></center><p><p>Not Leica, I'm

afraid.