The long anticipated digital Leica M8 and it's rocky introduction into the market has been the hot topic of discussion on internet forums.
Bump 1.
The first batch of M8's were experiencing problems with banding and green blobs which appeared as ghosting. Any simple search on rangefinderforum.com (RFF) or other related site will yield many results regarding this issue. In addition to to this, there is the dreaded infra red sensitivity issues which renders blacks as purple. These issues have lead to a great level of frustration from consumers. Especially since none of the reviews prior to the release of the camera mentioned any of these flaws. People were asking how these flaws could have gone unnoticed by the reviewers who had the cameras for an extended period of time yet discovered within a few days by the consumer. The outcry began and Leica issued a statement indicating they have identified the issue and a fix was imminent. Shortly afterwards a recall/upgrade statement was issued by Leica. In addition to the recall of the camera for addressing the know issues, a set of two infrared cut filters would be provided for free to deal with the purple blacks due to the infrared sensitivity of the camera.
Bump 2 ?
It now appears that there could be a possible issue with the upgraded cameras. As reported on RFF and other sites, there is a vertical band which appears on images shot at high ISO. This band seems to appear on the same spot all the time and has been confirmed by various users posting sample images. For more details read the following: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33137 Also, some are experiencing reflection issues with the B+W (486) IR cut filter which is used to address the purple blacks. When photographing bright objects, a reflection of the bright object appears in the image. People have suggested it is partially due to the anti reflective coating of the filter or a lack of. It appears that people using Heliopan filters do not have this issue. The bad news is that supposedly Leica will be issuing filters manufactured by B+W.
Reality Check and smooth sailing:
The reality of the matter is that Leica has produced and exceptional product that many have been waiting for. The Leica M8 is a dream come true for photographers wanting a digital camera that will yield unmatched results. The lens line up for the Leica M's are without question the best performing lenses for 35mm cameras in the world! Coupled to an M8 the resulting images are breath taking and soon become the envy of others. Also, there is no other camera that allows you to be engaged with the subject like an rangefinder. Try photographing an infant breast feeding with a big loud DSLR and huge lens. Then try it with the rangefinder. The experience could not be more different. It allows you to be in touch with your subject and move freely without intimidating them. In a word, you become part of the canvas as you wait for the right moment. A friend of mine had this exact experience last night and told me he realized why he loves the camera so much. He felt engaged rather than intruder.
I have seen the banding issue, I have seen the green blobs and I have seen the purple blacks. All these minor inconveniences are not enough for me to give up the camera. Let me emphasize "inconvenience" rather than a problem. The purple blacks are resolved with a good IR filter. The green blobs have been resolved. The vertical banding is hard to spot and other manufacturers have the same problem with digital backs costing over $20,000.00. I have to look really really hard to see a vertical band in the odd image.
Conclusion:
I for one will not forsake the shooting experience that only a rangefinder camera can offer. Too many of us are looking for problems that are not there rather than enjoying what is without doubt one of the best digital cameras available now. Why are so many professional photographers with thousands of dollars invested in high end Canon and Nikon DSLR's selling off their gear to buy the M8 and M lenses while knowing of the reported issues? Because there is no other 35mm camera in the world that will come close to the quality of an M8 with Leica lenses and resulting stunning images.
If you want to take pictures and produce the best image quality possible with a 35mm camera, stop looking for problems and enjoy the M8. You are but a few privileged to have such a camera that others envy and only dream of. I look forward to a second M8 body when more are available.
Bump 1.
The first batch of M8's were experiencing problems with banding and green blobs which appeared as ghosting. Any simple search on rangefinderforum.com (RFF) or other related site will yield many results regarding this issue. In addition to to this, there is the dreaded infra red sensitivity issues which renders blacks as purple. These issues have lead to a great level of frustration from consumers. Especially since none of the reviews prior to the release of the camera mentioned any of these flaws. People were asking how these flaws could have gone unnoticed by the reviewers who had the cameras for an extended period of time yet discovered within a few days by the consumer. The outcry began and Leica issued a statement indicating they have identified the issue and a fix was imminent. Shortly afterwards a recall/upgrade statement was issued by Leica. In addition to the recall of the camera for addressing the know issues, a set of two infrared cut filters would be provided for free to deal with the purple blacks due to the infrared sensitivity of the camera.
Bump 2 ?
It now appears that there could be a possible issue with the upgraded cameras. As reported on RFF and other sites, there is a vertical band which appears on images shot at high ISO. This band seems to appear on the same spot all the time and has been confirmed by various users posting sample images. For more details read the following: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33137 Also, some are experiencing reflection issues with the B+W (486) IR cut filter which is used to address the purple blacks. When photographing bright objects, a reflection of the bright object appears in the image. People have suggested it is partially due to the anti reflective coating of the filter or a lack of. It appears that people using Heliopan filters do not have this issue. The bad news is that supposedly Leica will be issuing filters manufactured by B+W.
Reality Check and smooth sailing:
The reality of the matter is that Leica has produced and exceptional product that many have been waiting for. The Leica M8 is a dream come true for photographers wanting a digital camera that will yield unmatched results. The lens line up for the Leica M's are without question the best performing lenses for 35mm cameras in the world! Coupled to an M8 the resulting images are breath taking and soon become the envy of others. Also, there is no other camera that allows you to be engaged with the subject like an rangefinder. Try photographing an infant breast feeding with a big loud DSLR and huge lens. Then try it with the rangefinder. The experience could not be more different. It allows you to be in touch with your subject and move freely without intimidating them. In a word, you become part of the canvas as you wait for the right moment. A friend of mine had this exact experience last night and told me he realized why he loves the camera so much. He felt engaged rather than intruder.
I have seen the banding issue, I have seen the green blobs and I have seen the purple blacks. All these minor inconveniences are not enough for me to give up the camera. Let me emphasize "inconvenience" rather than a problem. The purple blacks are resolved with a good IR filter. The green blobs have been resolved. The vertical banding is hard to spot and other manufacturers have the same problem with digital backs costing over $20,000.00. I have to look really really hard to see a vertical band in the odd image.
Conclusion:
I for one will not forsake the shooting experience that only a rangefinder camera can offer. Too many of us are looking for problems that are not there rather than enjoying what is without doubt one of the best digital cameras available now. Why are so many professional photographers with thousands of dollars invested in high end Canon and Nikon DSLR's selling off their gear to buy the M8 and M lenses while knowing of the reported issues? Because there is no other 35mm camera in the world that will come close to the quality of an M8 with Leica lenses and resulting stunning images.
If you want to take pictures and produce the best image quality possible with a 35mm camera, stop looking for problems and enjoy the M8. You are but a few privileged to have such a camera that others envy and only dream of. I look forward to a second M8 body when more are available.
