M8 from today

Go Steve and great shots! (Was your sons shirt black or was it black?) I've been stuck in front of my computer all day working on a new website and taking breaks to listen to photogs play chopsticks and then complain about the "black" lacquer finish on their $75,000 Bosendorfer's. Real pianists (and photogs) play their instruments and get better not sit around and...
 
Hi Ted,

I am a professional violinist/teacher and the Executive Director of a large music competition in Southern California and let me tell you that pianists are VERY picky with the instruments they own. The action has to just right, the tone even, the voicing just right. They would not play a concert or recital without at least getting the piano tuned. And don't get me started on string players! Yes, there is a point where you just have to let some small things go and just play but if these things can be rectified then they should be done.

You are lucky to have no issues with your M8 but if you were to have the back focusing problem like mine, would you just live with it or would your try to get it exchanged? Imagine that everytime your focus with the 50 you would need to nudge the focus a bit to the right and hope that it'll be right.
 
Nice pics Steve!! :)

I saw your MP for sale and have been drooling about it :D

Keep shooting the M8 and enjoy!!

Dave
 
Yes, I forgot to comment that these are very nice shots Steve!
 
Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for the comments! Im having fun with the M8 though its quirky (IR, AWB) - Yea, my MP is still for sale. I HAVE To sell it. I have no choice as i have to pay the M8 bill!
 
Way, there are instructions on how to adjust for backfocus on the M8 on the Leica Users Forum. You might want to take a look. It appears to be pretty easy.
 
Way,
First off I did not realize I was talking about you. My point was not that proper adjustments are not important. My point was that it’s more important to go out and shoot, learn your instrument and become a better photographer. I was not speaking to the non-existent Henri Cartier-Bresson’s here, I was talking about how Steve can get perfect black, and gorgeous images while lesser photographers look to their cameras to create images worth having. Many photogs are making excuses for their awful results by blaming their cameras. If you want to get better images you need to get out and shoot- not look for a Holy Grail camera.

As to your back focus issues please reference a different thread - it could be your lenses or your body or more likely you’ll have to have your lenses and body tuned to work together as a system. You’re in the music industry as am I so you should know as well as anyone that when you want that last degree of perfection you have to create if for yourself- Leicas have never been perfect from the factory with all M mount lenses and in this regard nothing has changed with the M8. Throw in non Leica lenses and you’ve got a mixed kettle of fish. In regard to focus, the M8 is just like all other M cameras- why do you think people left RF for SLR’s nearly forty years ago?
 
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Sailor Ted said:
Way,
First off I did not realize I was talking about you. My point was not that proper adjustment are not important. My point was that it’s more important to go out and shoot, learn your instrument and become a better photographer. I was not speaking to the non-existent Henri Cartier-Bresson’s here, I was talking about how Steve can get perfect black, and gorgeous images while lesser photographers look to their cameras to create images worth having. Many photogs are making excuses for their awful results by blaming their cameras. If you want to get better images you need to get out and shoot- not look for a Holy Grail camera.

As to your back focus issues please reference a different thread - it could be your lenses or your body or more likely you’ll have to have your lenses and body tuned to work together as a system. You’re in the music industry as am I so you should know as well as anyone that when you want that last degree of perfection you have to create if for yourself- Leicas have never been perfect from the factory with all M mount lenses and in this regard nothing has changed with the M8. Throw in non Leica lenses and you’ve got a mixed kettle of fish. In regard to focus, the M8 is just like all other M cameras- why do you think people left RF for SLR’s nearly forty years ago?

Thanks Ted,

I know that you weren't talking about me, it's just that your analogy struck a chord (no pun intended!). I understand that every camera has their quirks and we as photographers need to work and learn how to handle them to get the best creative result. I love my M8 and having it for just a few days has been a real joy (peppered with some bits of focusing frustration). I am learning to adjust to the 50's back focusing problem. I can' t wait to shoot some rehearsal pics coming up this week.

I also didn't mean to highjack this thread!
 
barjohn said:
Way, there are instructions on how to adjust for backfocus on the M8 on the Leica Users Forum. You might want to take a look. It appears to be pretty easy.

Could you point me to that site/link? Thanks!
 
Real pianists (and photogs) play their instruments and get better not sit around and...

you seem to sit around and spend quite a bit of time here.
maybe you could be a little less abrasive.

just sayin'

joe
 
BTW, one more..

BTW, one more..

also from today...

These guys were just a few feet away, had my 50 on and snapped it from behind two kids.
 

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Steve,

Based on your name here I'm assuming you own or did own an rd-1. If you still have it, have you tried the IR filters with the Rd-1? I'm curious as to the effect they would have and don't want to drop $100 if they will not make a difference..

-Daniel

BTW - really nice shots!
 
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