M8 owners still use film M's?

Using a Nikon film scanner for four years allowed me to "ramp up" in the digital world while I waited for the digital-M, whatever it was going to be called. It seemed logical that Leica would eventually market something in this space. And, despite resolute denials by management, rumors started to firm up two years ago that Leica would indeed have something in this market space. (I ocnsidered the Epson digtal RF cam but stories about build quality and thin backing from the manufacturer made me defer any purchase of it. Plus I never liked its kooky inclusion of an advance lever.)

I'm glad I made the Nikon scanner investment, if only beacause it allowed me to learn Photoshop. Making this investment in new knowledge somewhat leveled my path to the M8 which finally made its appearance last October. Also to get ready for my digital future (and to build cash!) early in 2006 I sold my M7 and Leica 90 & 135 lenses. I still have lots to learn about best practices in M8 workflow but I now switched most of my shooting to the M8.

HOWEVER ... my primary backup camera is a Bessa R2M. (I also have an old but still relaible Pentax SLR when I need true marco or long tele.) I shot two rolls just last month with the Bessa with good results. I will continue to keep a small supply of the films I've always cherished in the fridge. The Nikon scanner is not going away any time soon.

-g
 
I still have some Kodachrome in the fridge, but I sold off most of my film. I didn't touch film since I got the M8. Funnily enough, when I still had the Canon 10D and the Digilux2 I used my M6 as well. Now it is waiting for a buyer.
 
I'm 100% film since buying the M8. Since it's been three weeks since my third M8 went back for "repair", today I decided to call it a day on digital. It's a shame I sold my old M6 to help fund the mistake, but I have no real regrets. I shot quite a lot with my M8's while they were working and got a few really great photo's. Obviously not enough compared to the ones that were ruined, but that's a different story. I think I'll reinvest the money in a few new lenses or a tidy M3 and wait for the M9 to arrive.

Tim
 
I am hoping now that I am a proud owner of an M8, that my M6TTL LHSA will see a little more use. I intend to carry both with me. Will take me a little while to decide on which lens will be the primary on each body. Been awhile since I shot with my M6, but when I did shoot with it more the 21mm and 35mm FOV were my favorites.

So now I am thinking of having my CV 15mm on the M8 and my Sumi 35mm on my M6TTL. Only time will tell how I end up using the M6TTL and M8 combo - so used to zooms on my Nikon kit.

Over the years I have over bought on lenses for the M class cameras - I now have the CV 15, 21, and 25 (all LTM). And Leica glass covering 35, 50, 90, and 135. Being a bargain hunter, it is hard for me to part with any of them. Still they will take up less space and weight perhaps if I carried them all compared to a DSLR style kit.
 
jamriman said:
Now that I got the M8, my MP3 custom and M5 are getting dusty. How about you guys? Still shoot film?
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I use the digital M8 and what I call my film M8 (Konica Hexar RF) as well as a ZI. However, after having received the M8, did not touch the film Ms for 6 months.

I sold my M6 TTL, since aperture priority is something I do not like to miss with a camera.
 
My M6TTL, MP-3 and M3 will see about twice as much use as my M8 will see.

I am in Cabo San Lucas right now on a commercial shoot with my Canon system, At the end of it, I am starting a small magazine piece on immigration issues, I brought my M3, 50 collapsable and 8 rolls of Kodachrome for that.

For me, the M8 is for occasional digital needs while shooting my film project. If I need to go full blown digital, the 5D's will always come to task first.
 
I'm not going to dump my film M's hastily (although from a money viewpoint I'd sure like to pay down that $5K debt :eek: ) but other than perhaps (but not likely) as a fallback on a trip, I don't really contemplate using them very much. Maybe just for some B&W now and then, and my M4 should do yeoman duty in that respect, no need for multiple M bodies laying around. I have a mechanic's/craftsman's appreciation for the old springs-and-levers cameras, but DIY developing not so much. Good lab processing's getting harder to come by around here, and mailing it out is a pain.
 
For me it depends on what I'm doing and if I feel the need for a change from one to the other. At the moment I am only four weeks in to using an M8 and its great picture quality has turned me in a new and very un-M-like direction: I'm using it on a tripod to take wideangle interiors, and this is satisfyingly different.

But on a trip I will use M6 and M7 because:

1. I get a break from the computer
2. I like shooting Ilford HP5 for people and scenic pictures
3. I can change lenses without the dust getting even worse on sensor
4. The film bodies are a bit easier to keep secure hold on
5. They are quieter and people are less likely to know a shot has been taken.

In all honesty though the M8 has rejuvenated my photography - it HAS managed to reconcile 'concentration on essentials' with digital technology. No AF or exposure bracketing or programme modes for me thank you! Oh, and I LIKE the crop factor, except for losing a really fast wide-angle in the Summilux 35mm.

Just my 'one liner'!

Tom
 
I bought an M7 and a scanner three years ago and an M8 in January. After six months of M8 monogamy, I’ve started shooting film about 25% of the time.

I work in television with digital video, staring at computers 12 hours a day. After that, photo archiving and editing feels like a chore rather than a hobby. So does scanning, but I don’t have to do it!

Other reasons I still use film include:
- to use my 15mm lens as a 15mm
- to achieve a totally different look from the Noctilux, eg, low light, handheld, B&W, smooth grain, no noise
- to keep a proportion of what I shoot in a different medium because I have already experienced the joys of failed disks and drives
- to relearn periodically the discipline of thinking before shooting, rather than snapping away and winnowing out the chaff
- and because using the M8 cannot match the pleasure (and I only shoot for pleasure) of a film M

With the M8 I get images I would never get with film. However, the reverse also applies.

Mark
 
Perceptive comments, Mark. As everyone rushes ( and surely always fails to keep up) to digitize/archive their films I agree that it is film that seems more permanent itself.

Once my first months with the M8 have passed I think my experience will be the same - a proportion of film and a proportion of digital. I've yet to get the scanning quite to my satisfaction - but as you say, scanning isn't essential. I do like having the two media to alternate between.

Tom
 
I only use the M8 for assignments as digital is quicker to work with to meet deadlines. I use my M7 all the time for personal work and my own projects.
 
I have 2-M7s and 1-M8. Still love film and being in the wet darkroom. Just shot 5 rolls of TMX at the State Fair. Different look. Prints look gorgeous. Just isn't quite there with the M8 altho it went to Europe with me only due to less gear to pack. No film to fight with the security over! i have both and I use both.
Steve
 
I only use 35mm film as an emergency backup for the M8, but I do still shoot 4x5 B&W film for landscapes occasionally.
 
I have an M7 and M8 but never pick up the M7 these days. It is just a backup camera now. I will probably sell it eventually to fund another M8 or M9. I sold my Canon 5D and 20D plus lenses to fund the M8. No regrets yet.
 
Yep -- My M6, M2 and Rolleiflex loaded and ready to go. Took the Rollei for a spin a few weeks ago.

Developing the film, though, is another matter entirely. I still have the film I shot in Paris, undeveloped. In the fridge...but I should get around to it soon. Soon.
 
I got limited spare time and photography is a hobby for me. I still struggle with getting M8 jpgs without sagged lines and artifacts. Even going thru P1. Fumbleling wit my M8 takes up considderable of my spare time.

I have a ZI and a MP which I would like to use. But I don't. Pitty. They are both excellent cameras. I also have a fleet of Hasselblad gear with ditto Nikon 8000ED Coolscan. Just sitting there.

When I fumble with my M8 - I use a 1Ds II for more serious work and travel since my Epson P2000 won't take DNG's, the dust and value falls on all my analogue stuff. - My wife suggests I should start a little museum. Fumbling my M8, I am getting grayer myself, just like some other museum's junk.
 
Olsen said:
I got limited spare time and photography is a hobby for me. I still struggle with getting M8 jpgs without sagged lines and artifacts. Even going thru P1. Fumbleling wit my M8 takes up considderable of my spare time.

I have a ZI and a MP which I would like to use. But I don't. Pitty. They are both excellent cameras. I also have a fleet of Hasselblad gear with ditto Nikon 8000ED Coolscan. Just sitting there.

When I fumble with my M8 - I use a 1Ds II for more serious work and travel since my Epson P2000 won't take DNG's, the dust and value falls on all my analogue stuff. - My wife suggests I should start a little museum. Fumbling my M8, I am getting grayer myself, just like some other museum's junk.
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I have little spare time so I shoot DNG's on the M8 -and take on the average about 2 min per shot to get excellent results. You cannot hope to realize the full potential of this camera shooting Jpegs - and there is nothing to be gained, not even time, by doing so. Just convert to Jpeg in PS or C1, and your Epson will do fine.
And I have still 5 rolls of Kodachrome in the fridge - since November.........
 
there is no digital camera on the market that gives you the same quality then a film camera, black and white silver gelatin fiber paper prints from film are unique! working in color with the M8 is fine, the b/w conversions are lousy on paper, no grain, no dirt, no life... clean and not attractive at all.
 
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