Give me some advice (leica m8)

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Paulius

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Hi,
ok. IT started like this. I wanted to upgrade, cause my current camera does not give me what i need (bigger wf, is uncomfortable to hold, image quality is nice, but can't deal with reds...and so on). So i was very laid back and just looked into 5d2 or nikon d700. Decided on 5d2 and assumed with my life. One day my little rebel started to give up. So now i need to upgrade as soon as i can. And it just happens that Leica m8 is in my budget (used) . I always lusted over leica (it just is that way, don't know why....). But i have tried rangefinders (i shoot with a russian film one, and have tried m6) and really love the large wf, the very precise focus (even with my crappy one i never got a shot OOF!) and just the overall feel and style of shooting.
And now i am kinda torn: on one hand i have DSLR - great low light ability, large, heavy, autofocus. And the other: Lightish, large wf, manual focus, QUIET, small camera which is hard to master.
And then come the lenses! .... Do you think an M8 would be wise? I know I WOULD benefit, cause i do street and i often (well always) find DSLR too laud, large and too professional looking and 5d or d700 would be even more like that! .... probably there is now other?
 
The M8 is a great camera. It has its limitations, but then, so does every system. Just because you have a Leica, does not mean that you have to shoot Leica lenses. There are many very high quality lenses available that are not Leica and do not carry the Leica price tag. My favorites are Nikkor and Konica aside from my DR Summicron.

Phil Forrest
 
I love my M8 and the shutter sound has never given me a problem.

Not even in a library. :)
4429301683_f35bc4371d.jpg


I think most people's shutter worries are largely about nerve as opposed noise. ;)
 
Bobfrance said:
I love my M8 and the shutter sound has never given me a problem.

Not even in a library. :)
4429301683_f35bc4371d.jpg


I think most people's shutter worries are largely about nerve as opposed noise. ;)
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OMG that picture is hilarious :D
Hmm yes, tried it, it is A LOT quitter thank my current camera, and the discreet mode is just absolute perfection :)
I was thinking of getting Voigtlander 35 f1.4 or 40 f 1.4 as well as been thinking about Zeiss 35 f 2.8 and f2 and 25 f2.8 biogon... i just want a tad wider than i have now. 50mm fov is very good but i tad wider 40 or 35 on fov would be perfect
 
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Although everyone has different tastes in focal lengths, I shoot 35mm (which is roughly 50mm equivalent) on mine almost all the time and find it a very good combo.
 
I've bought a few small items from them. They seemed pretty good to me, though perhaps not always the cheapest. If you're in the UK I'm sure myself and others can recommend a number of suppliers so you can make your own comparisons.
 
THat would be perfect! I'm still searching for proper (and cheapest) lens retailer in uk, but not that many sell zeiss or voigtlander glass..
 
Well there's...

www.ffordes.com in Scotland

In Manchester there are:

Stephens photo centre: http://stephensphotocentre.goods.officelive.com
Who are a Leica dealership and often have quality secondhand equipment. I bought my M8 (ex demo) and 35mm Simmilux ASPH (secondhand) from here.

Also in Manchester is The Real Camera Co. www.realcamera.co.uk
They deal exclusively in second hand gear. They usually have some very interesting second hand lenses, I've bought a few from here.
They don't have much of a website. You're best popping in or ringing them.
 
Paulius said:
Yeah, but 5d and a lens that i want would be twice as large and heavy as a m8... I don't mind the heavy, but i do mind the size.
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My sentiments exactly. I actually like the features and the image quality of my 5D (MK I) better than my M8 and use it for at least 80% of my photography. But when it comes time to travel, as much as I'd rather have the 5D along I deplore the sheer volume of the outfit itself and the carry bag it requires. Navigating thru crowds, on public transportation, just sitting down to lunch, is so much less cumbersome with the M8 in a little Domke bag, even if I do give up some focal length range and about 3 stops of high ISO performance.

has anyone bought anything from this guy? http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/default.asp (i am terribly sorry if this is not allowed) i he reputable?
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I bought my Voitlander 15mm, a Fuji 6x9 rangefinder, and a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod from them on separate occasions (at the time, all were about half the price of here in the US). Very upstanding store.
 
Double Negative said:
If you value a quiet shutter with an M8, go for an "M8u" (an M8 that was upgraded) or the M8.2. The downside is that you give up 1/8000s, but it doesn't sound like that's your thing anyway. And hey, you get that fabulous S mode. :p
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hmmm M8.2 is a bit over my budget....can't really afford it, although i know it has it's benefits :)
 
Paulius said:
hmmm M8.2 is a bit over my budget....can't really afford it, although i know it has it's benefits :)
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Despite the M8.2's additional features, I like using wide apertures in daylight, so I probably wouldn't want to give up the higher shutter speeds of the M8.
 
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