Difference between M7 and M8?

The M8 produces far better image quality... it's digital !

The M7 is an old school film camera used mostly by the over 50 crowd. Not to mention the messy hassle scanning and waisting time.

At your age... go digital all the way. Besides, your peers will think you're a goofball shooting film.

Be modern ! Shoot digital !

Best,
George
 
J J Kapsberger said:
What do you mean by image quality? Minimal apparent noise?
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I guess I am trying to figure out if it is worth picking up an M8. I have decided to keep my D200 around, because it won't hurt to have it in case I need it. Noise really doesnt bother me that much. What would I miss out on by using an M7 with a film scanner instead of an M8 (disregaurd workflow and the convienience of digital)?
 
If you like to shoot black and white the M8 is a good camera and you can use the in camera black and white settings or convert in post processing. Some of the b/w images I see posted in the gallery from the M8, including my own are ok, but there is no real comparison to what you can get with an M7 and quality black and white film ... to me, tonal range is lacking in the M8 images.
 
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Keith said:
If you like to shoot black and white the M8 is a good camera and you can use the in camera black and white settings or convert in post processing. Some of the b/w images I see posted in the gallery from the M8, including my own are ok, but there is no real comparison to what you can get with an M7 and quality black and white film ... to me, tonal range is lacking in the M8 images.
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I shoot B&W 75% of the time. Do you think that I made a wise decision by going the analog route? The second reason I am afraid to by the M8 is the value. I already see the D200 as a huge depreciating asset since it is digital. I see myself having the M7 for a long time unlike the other digital cameras I have had in the past.
 
intinsifi said:
I shoot B&W 75% of the time. Do you think that I made a wise decision by going the analog route? The second reason I am afraid to by the M8 is the value. I already see the D200 as a huge depreciating asset since it is digital. I see myself having the M7 for a long time unlike the other digital cameras I have had in the past.
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I think digital is fine and the M8 if you can bite down hard and accept the price, is a worthwhile companion to an m7. Then again so is a D200 but you don't get the benefit of the lens compatabilty between the M8 and M7.

I have a D70s which is a fantastic camera ... since buying an M8 however it gets no use at all and just sits in the cupboard wondering what it did wrong! :D
 
Keith said:
I think digital is fine and the M8 if you can bite down hard and accept the price, is a worthwhile companion to an m7. Then again so is a D200 but you don't get the benefit of the lens compatabilty between the M8 and M7.

I have a D70s which is a fantastic camera ... since buying an M8 however it gets no use at all and just sits in the cupboard wondering what it did wrong! :D
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Do you think the M8 will hold its value? My first expensive camera was the D100, and it wasnt worth much after the D200 came out.
 
intinsifi said:
Do you think the M8 will hold its value? My first expensive camera was the D100, and it wasnt worth much after the D200 came out.
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Yes ... but only until Leica releases it's replacement whatever that may be ... M8a M9 ... who knows, but there wouldn't be the plunge in value that you get with a Japanese SLR when the same happens.

I supect that will be a while though ... they are still trying to iron out the M8's quirks! :p
 
intinsifi said:
Do you think the M8 will hold its value? My first expensive camera was the D100, and it wasnt worth much after the D200 came out.
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As a useable camrea? No. At least, not as well as a film M. The primary reason being, digital technology is still maturing (and quickly).

As an investment? It might hold some value in the future as "the first digital M" so long as you keep it sealed in the box and store it somewhere humidity, bacteria, and light-free.
 
I think I am going to stick with the M7 for the time being. I like the shooting style that film requires. I think I am closer to my photos than when I snap away with the D200. I'm still interested in the M8, but I will wait until I can find one that won't make my wallet hurt or make me have buyers remorse. I plan on ordering a scanner this coming week so that I can have digital copies of my photos.
 
IdeaDog said:
Here's an M8 scanned with an Epson 4490 photo scanner:
1013568388_c4719599f0_o.jpg
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Hahahaha!!! :D
 
Intinsify,

I see this fundamental winning point in shooting the rangefinders over SLR's:

- unbeatable performance in the wide to normal FL range

Since I like shooting B&W most, on top of that I'd still give a nod to film over digital capture - this might not last forever if we should see cameras with monochrome full frame 16 bit sensors in the range of 16-24MP resolution.

There's already a "movement" to make this happen in the MF digi backs (look up Diglloyd site).

As long as the digital Leica is just a lifebelt thrown at Leica afficionados who shoot in colour, I don't see any compelling reason to own one over a DSLR - it misses the wideangle advantage due to the crop factor, and it isn't there yet in terms of the B&W quality.

Mind you, if you stick to your M7, choose well the scanner, AFAIK the discontinued Minolta 5400 is best, the condenser scanners create problems with grain. It might be worth looking at MF scanners too.
 
I used to use a M7 and MP and scan on Nikon Coolscan V but since I got my M8 in January, I pretty much use the M8. Superb imaging, way better than scanned film especially in printing 13z19in prints. Besides just think how much scanning time and money the digital saves for the over 4000 pictures on the M8 so far. One mystery with the M8 is that it made me want to buy more lenses for some reason. Never had that urge to expand that way with the M7.
 
intinsifi said:
Do you think the M8 will hold its value? My first expensive camera was the D100, and it wasnt worth much after the D200 came out.
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Well... after the Digilux3 came out and the Digilux 2 was discontinued a year ago, a used Digilux 2 nowadays still commands between 750 and 1000 $ on e-bay, and rising despite the sensor being prone to dying. But if you want to invest money, I would advise bonds, much safer. On the other hand, if you want to take photographs, an M8 is not a bad choice. Remember, even if Leica were to come out with a 100Mp, 5x6 cm, autofocus, Cl sized M9 next year, that wouldn't change the quality of the photographs taken with the M8. What you are not selling has no monetary value.....
Looking at resolution and cleanlines technical quality of a M8 file over film is miles ahead.Dynamic range is the same or slightly better than the best slide film, with superior shadow recovery. The only thing it lacks in the eye of the purist is that it does not duplicate the look of film. Why should it? It is a digital camera. If you like film, shoot film. If you like oil paint, don't use water colours. The image counts, not the technique.

Dynamic range? Far beyond what one can print...
I prefer the original by a fair margin, but I could never open up the shadows like this on film...


IMG_20070706_0092_00002-001.jpg



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Not sure what you guys are talking about when you say the M8 does not make good B&W photos. Those I have seen are down right fantastic. And no need of IR filters.
 
grduprey said:
Not sure what you guys are talking about when you say the M8 does not make good B&W photos. Those I have seen are down right fantastic. And no need of IR filters.
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I wouldn't say they aren't good but I do think they have a quality that is slightly less than film. Some of Khanosu's black and white images with his M8 in our gallery are outstanding and I like the black and white results from my own M8 but I still think there is something lacking in them ... just my personal opinion though! :)
 
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