View Full Version : Leica M8 - It's arrived!
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 12:35
It's arrived:woot::woot:
Perfectly packed, in two boxes, the courier delivered them this morning.
It's been a couple of years since I used my M6, so it felt strange when I picked it up. After the D1 MkIIn, it felt small, light and jewel like.
The quality of construction of both the camera and the summilux 50 f2 is exquisite.... more so I think than the M6, though that's just my initial thoughts.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/DSCN0363.jpg
The Summicron, despite it's small size, is very heavy - there is a lot of glass in there!
The top plate is much cleaner than the M6 - no engraving. The little window shows frames remaining, and battery state.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/DSCN0367.jpg
Back is fairly uncluttered. There is a small multi function wheel, a 2.5" LCD display, the like of which I've never seen before. It's extremely clear and bright. A few buttons to access menu function, capture review, and that's about it.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/DSCN0366.jpg
It certainly looks like a Leica M. From this angle you can see that it's about 5mm deeper than the other M models, so much so, that it won't fit my M6 ERC:bang:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/DSCN0364.jpg
I only had time for a couple of shot's before the battery threw a fit, and died. It'll have to be charged before I use the camera again, but here is a pic of a Passion Flower, which I took. It's a 100% crop, and slightly sharpened, as the camera was set to no sharpening. Default levels of saturation and contrast. It is definitely a Leica shot. Sharpness, definition and colour are just about what I would expect from this lens.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/L1000039.jpg
I had a real 'senior' few moments when I first looked through the 50mm 'brightlines'. Something definitely looked wrong:thinking: It was only when I got my brain back into 'digital' mode, that I relalised that the 50mm summicron on this body, is actually a 75mm with the crop factor. It really does make a difference!!
Ah well, I've still got an hour or so before the battery is charged. I think I'll open the instructions to see if I've missed anything. I doubt it though, this is still, digital or not, a Leica M, and as such, it's a blast, and really easy to use.
Doug
That is just plain sex on a cord. **** Nikons, Canons and fat arsed DSLR's.
alexisonfire
22-08-2007, 12:44
Green with envy :( Enjoy it!
Very cool!:thumbs: Looking forward to seeing more shots!:)
The flower shot seems to be severely oversharpened, otherwise it's ok.
That is just plain sex on a cord. **** Nikons, Canons and fat arsed DSLR's.
For once I'm going to have to agree with you there.
Hope you enjoy it....(they just don't appeal to me though).
Sure you will have hours of fun with it!
HIMUPNORTH
22-08-2007, 13:26
The flower shot seems to be severely oversharpened, otherwise it's ok.
He's serious isn't he! :lol:
Lovely bit of kit Doug. Let me know when you are selling it! :)
PaulDCocker
22-08-2007, 13:26
It looks absolutely beautiful - I love simplistic design, it just oozes class.
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 14:15
Lovely bit of kit Doug. Let me know when you are selling it! :)
There are some things in life, which once aquired, are hoarded, and left to the No 1 son - this is one of them:lol:
If I ever stop using it, I'll put it on the mantlepiece and admire it, until my eyes are too dim..................:love:
*drool* :baby:
That pretty much sums it up!Congrats mate...:clap:
You just need that piece of black tape to stick over the name once you take it walkabouts:thumbs:
well I like the pic - not at all shabby!:thumbs:
photostar_1
22-08-2007, 15:37
There are some things in life, which once aquired, are hoarded, and left to the No 1 son - this is one of them:lol:
If I ever stop using it, I'll put it on the mantlepiece and admire it, until my eyes are too dim..................:love:
Can I volunteer for the role of number 1 son......;)
Messiah Khan
22-08-2007, 15:47
Hope you enjoy it....(they just don't appeal to me though).
Sure you will have hours of fun with it!
Im with you there Brains. Congratulations dougdarter, and im glad your pleased with it, but I don't see what the fuss is about im afraid. Maybe its one of those things you have to hold, and see with your own eyes to appreciate it.:shrug:
[QUOTE=dougdarter;347157]There are some things in life, which once aquired, are hoarded, and left to the No 1 son QUOTE]
Hi Dad! ;)
CScottMcQueen
22-08-2007, 15:58
Can I volunteer for the role of number 1 son......;)
I don't think you've got the b*lls for the job ;)
madmitch
22-08-2007, 16:20
Good luck with new camera and newly extended family.
Mitch
Im with you there Brains. Congratulations dougdarter, and im glad your pleased with it, but I don't see what the fuss is about im afraid. Maybe its one of those things you have to hold, and see with your own eyes to appreciate it.:shrug:
I think I may have missed something as well :thinking:. I'm sure there's a very good reason but...How come these cameras are so highly-rated and how come they cost so much?
That's so nice, some wee just came out
I think I may have missed something as well :thinking:. I'm sure there's a very good reason but...How come these cameras are so highly-rated and how come they cost so much?
For exactly the same reasons as Star Wars Episodes 4, 5 & 6 will always be better than Episodes 1, 2 & 3
When you're older, you'll understand :thumbs:
When you're older, you'll understand :thumbs:
That's useful.
King_Boru
22-08-2007, 17:02
Am I the only one asking?
BUT CAN WE HAVE MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!! ;)
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 17:09
I think I may have missed something as well :thinking:. I'm sure there's a very good reason but...How come these cameras are so highly-rated and how come they cost so much?
Hi Ewan,
It's a quality/heritage thing.
When Oscar Barnack went to work for Leitz in the 1920s, he 'invented' what was essentially, to become the first practical 35mm camera. This camera, from the Leica I to III rangefinders with screw in lenses, then the M series, 1 to 7, with bayonet lenses, are the descendants, of the original, in an unbroken line, up to the new Leica M8 digital.
Any Leica lens, made from the 1920s, up until the present day, can be used on this camera, indeed, any camera made from the 1920s can still be used, and will continue to be used until 35mm film stock is no longer available. The early I to III series, which were made until the 50s, are still used by photojournalists today. They are utterly reliable.
The M series cameras, made from the 50s to date, add nothing except luxury. It Has been said that 90% of all truly historical pictures have been taken with a Leica.
In a recent poll in a magazine survey, the Leica M series was voted the 'Gadget of the 20th century'.
It is also widely believed, that the Leica M series is the closest thing to mechanical perfection ever achieved by man, with the exception of hand made watch movements.
They are beautifully made, with the highest quality materials and components. They have no frills, no autofocus, no TTL viewfinders, just the original 'rangefinder split image' focussing system devised by Barnack in the 20's.
All Leica cameras are sought after and collectible. Some early cameras are now worth many thousands of pounds.
If you buy a Leica, you are buying what is quite simply, the finest camera available, at any price. They are that good.
You just have to look at the comments in this post, from owners of the latest and best Japanese SLRs, to see the esteem in which these cameras are held.
I've just sacrificed my 1D MkIIN system, and all my L lenses to buy this one.
They don't come cheap, but I think that they are worth every penny.
I don't usually use such obviously biased language, but everything I've said is available to check on the web - in fact you'll find loads more like it.............. and you did ask:lol:
It looks just lovely and I'd be rather excited to own it too.
I do have to say though, I enjoyed the pictures taken of it more than the picture taken with it.
But I do soooooooo want the shots that come out of this camera to be just exquisite and will be waiting with great anticipation.
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 17:10
Am I the only one asking?
BUT CAN WE HAVE MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!! ;)
YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT!!
King_Boru
22-08-2007, 17:11
YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT!!
BUUUUUUT DAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!
:razz:
;)
I think I may have missed something as well :thinking:. I'm sure there's a very good reason but...How come these cameras are so highly-rated and how come they cost so much?
Precision German engineering with attention to detail. You can't live long enough to wear one out. Add to that the fact that they have some of the sharpest lenses ever made and you're getting there.
Compared to an SLR the leaf shutter in this camera is whisper quiet, so the Leica rangefinder cameras have always been the chosen tool of the street/candid photographer who wants to keep a low profile. They're also very sought after and highly prized so retain their value very well.
Hi Ewan,
It's a quality/heritage thing.
When Oscar Barnack went to work for Leitz in the 1920s, he 'invented' what was essentially, to become the first practical 35mm camera. This camera, from the Leica I to III rangefinders with screw in lenses, then the M series, 1 to 7, with bayonet lenses, are the descendants, of the original, in an unbroken line, up to the new Leica M8 digital.
Any Leica lens, made from the 1920s, up until the present day, can be used on this camera, indeed, any camera made from the 1920s can still be used, and will continue to be used until 35mm film stock is no longer available. The early I to III series, which were made until the 50s, are still used by photojournalists today. They are utterly reliable.
The M series cameras, made from the 50s to date, add nothing except luxury. It Has been said that 90% of all truly historical pictures have been taken with a Leica.
In a recent poll in a magazine survey, the Leica M series was voted the 'Gadget of the 20th century'.
It is also widely believed, that the Leica M series is the closest thing to mechanical perfection ever achieved by man, with the exception of hand made watch movements.
They are beautifully made, with the highest quality materials and components. They have no frills, no autofocus, no TTL viewfinders, just the original 'rangefinder split image' focussing system devised by Barnack in the 20's.
All Leica cameras are sought after and collectible. Some early cameras are now worth many thousands of pounds.
If you buy a Leica, you are buying what is quite simply, the finest camera available, at any price. They are that good.
You just have to look at the comments in this post, from owners of the latest and best Japanese SLRs, to see the esteem in which these cameras are held.
I've just sacrificed my 1D MkIIN system, and all my L lenses to buy this one.
They don't come cheap, but I think that they are worth every penny.
I don't usually use such obviously biased language, but everything I've said is available to check on the web - in fact you'll find loads more like it.............. and you did ask:lol:
Thanks Doug - very interesting :thumbs: Dunno why I haven't heard of them before really :thinking:
Looking forward to seeing the pics anyway :)
Precision German engineering with attention to detail. You can't live long enough to wear one out. Add to that the fact that they have some of the sharpest lenses ever made and you're getting there.
Compared to an SLR the leaf shutter in this camera is whisper quiet, so the Leica rangefinder cameras have always been the chosen tool of the street/candid photographer who wants to keep a low profile. They're also very sought after and highly prized so retain their value very well.
Stop it CT, stop it! You're making me want one now :bang: :D
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 17:15
It looks just lovely and I'd be rather excited to own it too.
I do have to say though, I enjoyed the pictures taken of it more than the picture taken with it.
But I do soooooooo want the shots that come out of this camera to be just exquisite and will be waiting with great anticipation.
I'm an elderly (well I feel that way) partially disabled retired person:lol:
A photographic trip out needs some planning, ie an advance warning to my doctor, and the local ambulance service, a ready stock of pee bottles, and a carefully planned pocket full of pills:help:
Seriously, I'll get some pics out when I have been able to photograph something other than the bushes in my back garden:lol:
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 17:30
Compared to an SLR the leaf shutter in this camera is whisper quiet, so the Leica rangefinder cameras have always been the chosen tool of the street/candid photographer who wants to keep a low profile. They're also very sought after and highly prized so retain their value very well.
Interestingly Cedric, although this has a leaf shutter, it's not quite as quiet as the other M's. Because Leica have seen fit to do away with the cocking lever (so that it can be used in 'continuous' mode), it now uses a motor to re-cock the shutter, so it makes that extra little bit of noise. It's still a whisper compared to the D2n though. They now use titanium shutter blades instead of fabric, so the nature of the noise has changed as well.
Here is the direct link to a MP3 file which first plays the fabric blade noise, then the metal blade and re-cocking noise:
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaM8/Samples/Audio/m7-then-m8.mp3
Doug
Interesting Doug. There's me completely forgetting that of course it's powered shutter cocking now.
photostar_1
22-08-2007, 18:37
Hi dad...;)
Pardon me for mentioning this....but hasn't there been a problem with the new model? can't remember what it was, but I'm sure I've seen it mentioned in the mags. Anyone else know.....or have I completely lost my marbles?
dougdarter
22-08-2007, 18:41
Hi dad...;)
Pardon me for mentioning this....but hasn't there been a problem with the new model? can't remember what it was, but I'm sure I've seen it mentioned in the mags. Anyone else know.....or have I completely lost my marbles?
Hi Janice,
There was, and is a problem, though it's easily fixed.
The sensor does not have an anti aliasing filter. The net result is, under artificial light, and some natural light situations, black man made fabrics such as nylon, cordura, and velvet, look either purple or red.
Leica 'fixed' this by supplying two UV/IR filters to screw onto the fron of the lens.
In normal day to day situations, these are not needed.
It's cos you're only 13 or so! Let's see some more pics soon.
Johnny1982
23-08-2007, 20:59
That really does take you back doesn't it! phoar!
minky_monkey
23-08-2007, 22:10
On a guitar forum I visit, one of the lads had just aquired this:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/1217193546_303de4633e.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/1216327679_09190fe0f0.jpg
Apparently it's a Leica IIIf made in the early 50s.
I don't know much about it, or how to use it, but I've found a couple of manuals on the internet and I'm going to try to teach myself.
What a stunning bit of kit though! They don't make 'em like that any more, eh?
silverJON
23-08-2007, 22:20
Beautiful!
I think there may be an old Leica on a top shelf here somewhere - my father used to collect cameras. Definitely worth looking.
Just wondering - why does a digital camera need a physical shutter? Surely the exposure can be more accurately timed electronically?
Looks like a nice one too! Often on these camera of that age the vulcanite covering is cracking away in places.
dougdarter
24-08-2007, 11:30
I'm pretty sure that that is the Leica IIIf 'red dial', one of the latest III models, and also the best. Worth about £500. The lens looks like a collapsible f1.4 50mm Summilux, worth another grand or so. Very nice.
About 10 years ago, it would have been worth a lot more, but digital photography hit the old film cameras! I saw a Nikon F3 HP with the MD yesterday, for sale at £175. How times have changed.
Just wondering - why does a digital camera need a physical shutter? Surely the exposure can be more accurately timed electronically?
You have to remember that the whole design ethos behind this camera was to produce a digital M Series camera. For every person demanding that Leica produce one, there were probably ten screaming 'Sacrilege' that Leica would even think about it. Some of the biggest objectors would be collectors who buy purely for investment and never even take the cellophane wrapper off it. How sad is that?
The M Series has been the most prized rangefinder camera in the world for many years, so Leica had to get it right. Realistically, they also had to go this route - they couldn't keep on producing M Series film cameras in the face of dwindling demand due to the digital exodus. So the only concessions to digital interfaces are those that are absolutely necessary while retaining the look, feel, and handling of the original M line. Most people who've handled one, including the nay sayers, agree that it deserves it's title.
Most people who've handled one, agree that it deserves it's title.
:agree: if i didnt need 600mm IS lens's etc, I would have a Leica M8 (use my mates when I get chance), and a Mamiya 645AF with Digital Back.
wbessada
24-08-2007, 12:53
Just came across a nice gallery in zenfolio all taken with an M8. This definitely helps me see what all the fuss is about...
http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/p834013227/
am i right in thinking panasonic use leica lense's on all there camera's i know there was one on my old FZ20 and a great lens it was too, although i guess no were near the standard as on a leica camera, nevertheless still the great name, incidentally are leica lense's available with other mounts like nikon or canon, or is that just wishful thinking :D although even if they are i'm sure they would be well out of my price range.
theMusicMan
25-08-2007, 08:01
Just came across a nice gallery in zenfolio all taken with an M8. This definitely helps me see what all the fuss is about...
http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/p834013227/
Oh my gosh... take a look on that site at the image on page 2, 30 of 53, called Mask 13 - what an absolute stunning photograh... what colour.
One of the best I've seen (as an inexperienced noobie tog)
Brilliant, just brilliant.
Just came across a nice gallery in zenfolio all taken with an M8. This definitely helps me see what all the fuss is about...
http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/p834013227/
Some fantastic pictures there...
dougdarter
25-08-2007, 13:32
am i right in thinking panasonic use leica lense's on all there camera's i know there was one on my old FZ20 and a great lens it was too, although i guess no were near the standard as on a leica camera, nevertheless still the great name, incidentally are leica lense's available with other mounts like nikon or canon, or is that just wishful thinking :D although even if they are i'm sure they would be well out of my price range.
Hi,
Panasonic use Leica 'branded' lenses on their high end Prosumers, and the new SLR L1 (which is also branded Leica, and costs about £500 more:thinking:)
None of the lenses however are made in Germany, and they are a Panasonic design. It's purely a marketing excercise.
Leica L39 screw lenses can be used on a lot of cameras, including Canon and Nikon. An adaptor has to be used, so you would definitely lose AF.
They may be old, the L39 series (though some are still being made), but they are some of the finest lenses ever made by the hand of man.
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