About to bite the bullet...

[locus]

I'm about to bite the bullet and lay down the dollars for a new Leica M8.

After making the journey through digital initially via a Canon EOS 30D followed by a 5D, before returning to film with a CV R3M and then a Leica M6, I find myself heading back to the digital realm once more.

As much as I love shooting tri-x on my M6, a recent trip to India & Nepal made me realise what I missed about digital. The convenience of travelling with a handful of memory cards rather than many rolls of film to start with, which includes the stress I experienced of having my carry on luggage & film scanned a total of about 8 times over the duration of my trip, not to mention the assurance you get with digital as you're able to review your photos on the go.

I seriously considered a couple of options other than an M8 - the 5D mark II with all of its megapixels and 1080p video, or the D700 with its fantastic high ISO performance. In the end I have decided to stick with a rangefinder as I like the way using one makes me think about my photography in a slightly different way.

So I'll be picking my new baby up before Christmas, I'll be sure to post some impressions and thoughts once I've had a chance to shoot with it a bit! 🙂

 

[jaapv]

A very considered choice, I see🙂 You'll be sure to love your new camera.

 

[jag157]

I suspect you made a choice that you'll regard as the start of a rewarding journey. I can't remember when I last used my D2X with its Noct f1.2 lens & others ...such a beautiful combination for portraits; but relish using the M8 with the leica lenses every day.

Have fun.

 

[Keith]

Good luck with your new choice of digital ... they're a wonderful camera to shoot with!

 

[Praxis Unitas]

Don't miss out on the current rebate deal (ends january 1st, I think). But if you've got the bucks, the 8.2 feels great as well. The quiet/less kinetic shutter could buy you some extra sharpness in low light.

 

[Nh3]

Please make sure you buy it from an authorized Leica dealer.

 

[Fred Burton]

Nh3, you're the man! 😉

 

[Ben Z]

I have a 20D and I rarely use it because of the bulky bag I need to carry it and its lenses around when I travel, so buying a 5D or any SLR it would also end up on the shelf most of the time. With all the M8's shortcomings it's been my go-to camera for 90% of my shooting because of the compactness of the outfit. Since you are a traveller too, I believe you'll like the M8. At the prices now, you could almost get two of them (assuming demos) for what new one cost a few months back. I'm still carrying a DLux3 as a backup, but so far knock wood I haven't had a need to use it.

 

[adji_jo]

sooo... you're giving up your R3M n M6, huh? :angel:... make sure you pass it on to someone who'll take care of them... 😛

Do consider RD-1. I've played with it before and the owner is a very happy photographer.

 

[adji_jo]

So I'll be picking my new baby up before Christmas,

oops my bad. in that case I hope you enjoy your new camera soon! merry xmas!

 

[kipkeston]

Sounds like the right choice. It's the best camera for traveling I'd say. Security does like to look at the camera and charger sometimes however!

 

[photogdave]

Not to ***-*** your choice, but after my recent travels in South America I thought film RFs were the way to go.
I asked for hand checks of film along the way and had no troubles with that. My film Ms were bought used so I wasn't terribly worried about theft or damage. I could shoot them in any weather conditions without a second thought. Many people I encountered who were shooting digital were scrambling to get batteries charged or find places with computers so they could upload images, or had to lug their own computers around.
On the other hand, when I was traveling in India a few years ago I banged up my Nikon film camera a bit and the result was half my film from that trip had a BIG scratch right across most of the frames! I wasn't aware of the problem until I got my film developed after the trip.
EDIT: I can't believe we can't type ***-***!
P O O - P O O

 

[Richard Marks]

If you possibly can, try and hang onto your M6. After the initial joy of the M8 you might start getting a bit film pekish again. I still enjoy both film and digital. Sometimes the tri x (or for me Foma 100) just is wonderful. Other times yeah wow digital. But I tend to oscilate between the two.

Best wishes for 2009

Richard

 

[locus]

Oh believe me, my M6 is not going anywhere!

I'm buying locally, from the only Leica dealer I know that stocks the M system here in Western Australia. Unfortunately this means I miss out on the $1500 rebate, however I'm getting it for what I feel is a pretty good price so I'm not too bothered.

 

[jky]

Glad you're keeping the M6... something I wish I had done. It wasn't as immediate of a love affair with the 8 as with the 6 (or M2 from years ago) for me, but now, aside from my p&s, it's the only camera I use.
Regarding the D700... had the opportunity to play with one the other day & although it's one fine camera, it's still a little too large for toting around in my diaper bag. It would be nice to see that sensor in a D60/D90 body though!
Enjoy the 8.2 (I'm assuming that's the one you'll purchase)! As I've mentioned here before, I find the new shutter an improvement with respect to sound, smoothness & vibration. Also, the ability to delay the shutter cock I'd imagine is one major feature!

 

[kdemas]

Enjoy your new M8, you're going to love it.

Kent