lars_tomanek1

<p>Thanks for your constructive comments.<br>

I just developed the film and did not scan it. One of the main problems is the fact that I do not use a tripod. Thus camera shake may be a real issue. I have not compared both cameras more systematically side-by-side, using a tripod. This certainly what I should do to substantiate my claim.<br>

Other than that I have another question: Had anyone problem with their dedicated Contax flash (TLA 360)? I have gone back and forth on the setting and could not get it to flash when I was taking a picture. The light flash symbol shows in the view finder and I can manually trigger it but it does not work when I push the release. <br>

Sorry this second question may be more appropriate for the medium format forum.<br>

Thanks for the helpful hints and for sharing your experience.<br>

Lars </p>

<p>Dear Forum Members,<br>

Two months ago I bought a medium format camera, the Contax 645, because I was convinced that I would get even better quality pictures with this camera than with my M7. After shooting more than a dozen rolls of film I have to say that I am unimpressed. Using the same Portra film for both cameras I think that the M7 pics have a sharpness and bokeh (which type of lens I use does not seem to matter) that is superior to the results I obtained with the medium format camera (80 mm lens).<br>

I am wondering if I am missing something or if the quality of the M7 (leica lenses) is really better. Or in other words, I may just sell the medium format camera because why use it if I have a smaller system with equal or better performance.<br>

I am wondering if other Leica users had a similar experience.<br>

Thanks. Lars</p>

Over the last year I have used the M8 more often than my M7. However, when I go on a trip I do take the M7 with me and I always like to take some pictures using BW film or a Portra color film. The outcome always pleases me, although I am not sure if there is a big difference in the quality of the prints or in the way I choose a subject and thus take a picture.

I just visited Krakow in Poland. It is a very religious place and if you want to take pictures in churches while people are praying, you want to do it with an analog M because of its much quieter shutter. At the end of our visit we went to a wedding and I took pictures with the M7 - quiet and simple as it is, it provided me with the tool I love to use in such moments.

I have gotten into the Leica cameras because they are more like an analog music instrument, e.g. Steinway piano, instead of a digital synthesizer. The system has plenty of disadvantages and is expensive but the analog M's are always a pleasure to play on - no other camera, not even the M8, gives you this sound.

What have you done with your Mont Blanc fountain pen? I replaced it with a laptop, of course. And how often do I wish I had the time to sit down in a coffee shop and think long enough about the next sentence so that I could write it down with a fountain pen and not make a mistake, which, if I would write the sentence on a laptop, I could always delete? Quiet often and yet it is nothing but a nostalgic moment in today's world. I often take a Pelikan fountain pen with me, but rarely find the time to write with it.

Our sensation of what we are doing is different in the analog and the digital world. Practically we cannot but follow the digital world but philosophically we may try to operate at times in the analog sensation, as it is a different sensation of time, an intimacy with ourselves, and the moment. It is slower, more inefficient, and yet that slowness may provide us with more time to reflect on what we are doing, play with a perspective of here and there, being the photographer and at the same time having the opportunity to distance myself from me and reflect about what it is that I am seeking to take a picture off.

What's my excuse for so much philosophical gibberish?

Lars

So far I have only used SD cards but now I would like to use 4 GB cards that are designated as SDHC. Are those

cards compatible with the M8?

Also, what is your experience with various stand-alone storage devices, e.g. Wolverine ESP etc?

Thanks,

Lars

Dear Leica Forum Users,

I am interested in purchasing a Tri-Elmar 16-18-21/4.0 and would like to know

if anyone has used this lens and can report on how easy it is to use the lens.

Of course, I also like to know about the picture quality with a Leica M8 or

M7. I am planning to trade in my Summicron APO-90mm/2.0 since I do not use it

that much.

Thank you.

Lars

I was carrying my M8 in a pack (protected from direct sunlight) while I was

hiking in California. After about 2 hours I got out the camera while resting

under some shade. The camera did not feel particularly hot and the battery

should have been at least 90% charged. I took some pictures without noticing

any problems. I moved on, took some pictures in the sun and after shooting

about five frames the camera did not turn on again and the body of the camera

felt very hot. I am suspicious that the battery released its charge to the

camera and added a substantial heat load to the camera. I am not sure if this

is possible.

Back home I changed the battery and the camera is fine. I recharged the other

battery and it is working okay. If high temperatures would cut the life of the

charged battery short, it seriously limits the use of the M8 in the field. If

the heat load increased due the battery releasing energy to the camera, it may

also damage the camera.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

Given that I am a total digital skeptic I am surprised how much I love the M8

that I just bought. However, the Capture One Media Reader import icon did not

activate and so I had to use another program to import my first images. I

have used Photoshop before and realize that there are different programs for

sophisticated image manipulation (e.g. Photoshop) and image organization (e.g.

Adobe Lightroom and Photobase). But I am a little overwhelmed by the selection

of products that are available and the possible workflow options. I thought I

ask the Leica forum for some help. Which program works best for you and what

workflow do you prefer (I am sure that it depends on what you are shooting).

Thanks for your help!

Lars