pizzahut88
Well-known
After using my new M8 for two weeks,
I think it is almost perfect, but there are functions I want!
Who isn't greedy for more functions?
(1) 6 bit coding is restrictive:
Let's face it, there are plenty of lenses from other brands we use.
There should be a menu option for us to input the focal length, just like the D200.
Perhaps a memory setting of 4-5 lens, so we can choose and set the lens name into the exif. I suppose most RF users have 4-5 lenses at least, a lens name input would be great!
(2) My Ricoh GR Digital has an interval timer, I would love to have one on my M8.
This is really useful. I hang the GRD on my neck, set the interval timer to take one shot every 15 seconds, then I walk into the subway, taking photos by itself. Ultra stealth function!
(3) An external ISO button?
I have never used the 'protect' button. But I change the ISO very often.
Do you use the 'protect' button?
Perhaps Leica could let us customise a button to our choice?
(4) The "film counter" is not backlit.
Couldn't Leica make a backlit LCD counter?
Beside, I wish M8 has a dial like the R-D1. Could you not admit the analog dial on the R-D1 is the most lovely display you have seen on a camera. Turn on the R-D1 and watch all the needles swing into place.
(5) When is Leica fixing the white-balance?
This is not a critical issue, I can shoot DNG all the time, but Leica should still fix the white-balance. But then given the advantage of DNG and lightroom/Capture One, why use jpg?
(6) I am waiting for SDHC support.
(7) Leica Digital Capture does not work in Vista.
This is not very important. I don't shoot in a studio. But this is useful if I do lens testing at home. And believe me, I do a lot of that. Not having to remove the bottom plate too often is great!
(8) I don't care about the IR issue.
I don't know what the big fuss was all about with the IR issues. I slapped on a filter and used the camera. Everything worked out fine. Just go and buy a filter. This IR issue had me scared from buying the M8 for almost a year. In hindsight, this was really a minor thing.
(9) Last, I really enjoyed using the M8.
Don't put out an M9 yet. Leica must take its time. The M8 is excellent already.
The simply DNG workflow into Capture One is already leathal enough.
I think it is almost perfect, but there are functions I want!
Who isn't greedy for more functions?
(1) 6 bit coding is restrictive:
Let's face it, there are plenty of lenses from other brands we use.
There should be a menu option for us to input the focal length, just like the D200.
Perhaps a memory setting of 4-5 lens, so we can choose and set the lens name into the exif. I suppose most RF users have 4-5 lenses at least, a lens name input would be great!
(2) My Ricoh GR Digital has an interval timer, I would love to have one on my M8.
This is really useful. I hang the GRD on my neck, set the interval timer to take one shot every 15 seconds, then I walk into the subway, taking photos by itself. Ultra stealth function!
(3) An external ISO button?
I have never used the 'protect' button. But I change the ISO very often.
Do you use the 'protect' button?
Perhaps Leica could let us customise a button to our choice?
(4) The "film counter" is not backlit.
Couldn't Leica make a backlit LCD counter?
Beside, I wish M8 has a dial like the R-D1. Could you not admit the analog dial on the R-D1 is the most lovely display you have seen on a camera. Turn on the R-D1 and watch all the needles swing into place.
(5) When is Leica fixing the white-balance?
This is not a critical issue, I can shoot DNG all the time, but Leica should still fix the white-balance. But then given the advantage of DNG and lightroom/Capture One, why use jpg?
(6) I am waiting for SDHC support.
(7) Leica Digital Capture does not work in Vista.
This is not very important. I don't shoot in a studio. But this is useful if I do lens testing at home. And believe me, I do a lot of that. Not having to remove the bottom plate too often is great!
(8) I don't care about the IR issue.
I don't know what the big fuss was all about with the IR issues. I slapped on a filter and used the camera. Everything worked out fine. Just go and buy a filter. This IR issue had me scared from buying the M8 for almost a year. In hindsight, this was really a minor thing.
(9) Last, I really enjoyed using the M8.
Don't put out an M9 yet. Leica must take its time. The M8 is excellent already.
The simply DNG workflow into Capture One is already leathal enough.
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Gid
Well-known
Glad to hear you're enjoying your camera. The 6 bit coding is restrictive, but I haven't bothered to code any of my lenses, so its not really an issue for me. A menu option would be nice though.
Mike Ip
Vagabond Light Collector
Personally of all the lens I have only two are coded, and it doesn't make a bit difference to me. I shoot exclusively raw and have to correct and do things in photoshop as it is.
Hacker
黑客
For wide angle, it does matter. For the Noctilux, would it not correct the vignetting at f1?
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
The M-mount patent ran out some time ago. However, the 6-bit coding made it proprietary again. So I seriously doubt Leica is going to give us a menu option - not any time soon anyway.
Besides, all but one (the Apo 135) of my lenses are now 6-bit coded, so I am saying "They had better not change it now!"
At any rate, after a challenging start, I am very happy with my M8. But if the M9 has a full-frame sensor, I'm buying it!
Besides, all but one (the Apo 135) of my lenses are now 6-bit coded, so I am saying "They had better not change it now!"
At any rate, after a challenging start, I am very happy with my M8. But if the M9 has a full-frame sensor, I'm buying it!
zeitz
Established
I would like to have a menu option to save the full 16 bit image instead of the compressed 8 bit image. It should be my choice, recognizing the write will take twice as long.
emraphoto
Veteran
hmm that's odd. when i dump the images onto my mac and open via cs2 they open as 16 bit images? are they not truly 16 bit images and really 8? cs2 seems to view them as 16 bit...
I'm not sure how/why a 6 bit code would impact a menu option. It would be cool to have a menu option if only for EXIF. That being said, none of my lenses are coded.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
emraphoto said:
I'm not sure how it works, but in-camera the M8 DNG files are 10 megabite "compressed" 8-bit images. When downloaded and converted to Photoshop “PSD” the files are 16-bit and as large as 30 megabites.
cnguyen
Established
Leica M8
Leica M8
Sounds like the M8 has grown on you like it did on me. Your findings had been discussed in the Leica forum at great lengths. Agree on all points. Enjoy the camera for years to come !
Leica M8
Sounds like the M8 has grown on you like it did on me. Your findings had been discussed in the Leica forum at great lengths. Agree on all points. Enjoy the camera for years to come !
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
"There should be a menu option for us to input the focal length, just like the D200."
Yes, that is a nice feature of the D200. And the price is right. However, all the menu complexities of the D200 make what should be a right-brain activity into a left-brain one. I may not keep mine. I like shooting with my Digilux 2, which is much more the way I think a camera should be. Shuter speed dial where it belongs. Aperture ring where it belongs. Intuitive controls.
I am thinking I should have bought digilux 3 instead.
Yes, that is a nice feature of the D200. And the price is right. However, all the menu complexities of the D200 make what should be a right-brain activity into a left-brain one. I may not keep mine. I like shooting with my Digilux 2, which is much more the way I think a camera should be. Shuter speed dial where it belongs. Aperture ring where it belongs. Intuitive controls.
I am thinking I should have bought digilux 3 instead.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I think the RD-1 was a better thought out camera with a better interface. Too bad it has been discontinued. I very much prefer to colors out of that Epson. The M8 has its positives too like a more wide angle friendly crop, etc. It is really hard not to compare it to the RD-1. Given Leica is not a technology company the M8 nevertheless is really a marvelous product.
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mani
Well-known
Hi Rayt
While not wanting to sidetrack this discussion about the M8, I'm intrigued by your comment about the colors from the R-D1. As I'm awaiting delivery of a new R-D1s this morning, I'm curious to know which Raw developer you're talking about here?
Necessary to buy C1 v4 to get the best colors out of the camera?
While not wanting to sidetrack this discussion about the M8, I'm intrigued by your comment about the colors from the R-D1. As I'm awaiting delivery of a new R-D1s this morning, I'm curious to know which Raw developer you're talking about here?
Necessary to buy C1 v4 to get the best colors out of the camera?
Avotius
Some guy
6 bit coding was just a Leica scam to get you to spend more money with them. Adding it as a simple menu option would have been just fine, and forgetting to switch your 6 bit setting every time you changed a lens? Yes pain in the ass but....so?
J. Borger
Well-known
Mani,mani said:
"Best" colors realy do not exist. It's a wrong concept.
Which filmstock has "best" colors ....... Velvia, Provia, Kodakchrome ... ?
It is not different with digital ..... you are in charge in determining the colors.
Stick with the Epson Converter, Lightroom, CS3 ... or whatever you have available before deciding to buy C1v4.
Colors of the R-D1 are realy nice out of the box using the Epson Converter or CS3.
Ronald M
Veteran
I have some Nikon manual focus lenses which do not have the cpu interface. Trust me you do not want to be going thru menus and adding/changing focal lengths.
DWeston
DWeston
another opinion...
another opinion...
Having both Nikon D300, and M8, I like the idea of menu coding. If you need to be changing focal length lenses or focal lengths, then having either a MF lens on the Nikon or using an M8 is simply the wrong tool for you. With the Nikon, if that is the case, you should pick a zoom lens, as that would be the more sensible tool. If you need to change that frequently the M8 is also the wrong tood for you and a small dslr or film camera would be preferable. DO not come to a gun fight with a knife...simple as that. That said I would love to have the menu option on the M8 I have on the Nikon. NO it would not be perfect but it would have been an improvement...JMO..
another opinion...
Having both Nikon D300, and M8, I like the idea of menu coding. If you need to be changing focal length lenses or focal lengths, then having either a MF lens on the Nikon or using an M8 is simply the wrong tool for you. With the Nikon, if that is the case, you should pick a zoom lens, as that would be the more sensible tool. If you need to change that frequently the M8 is also the wrong tood for you and a small dslr or film camera would be preferable. DO not come to a gun fight with a knife...simple as that. That said I would love to have the menu option on the M8 I have on the Nikon. NO it would not be perfect but it would have been an improvement...JMO..
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Avotius said:
Hmm.. IMO this system would be a PITA and a deal breaker for the M8 for me. Having to switch framelines manually was the main reason I did not buy a RD!.....
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
DWeston said:
You've lost me here. Are you saying lens changing is a no-go on a Leica M camera?
emraphoto
Veteran
zoom, sensible, small dslr, wrong tool?!? don't come to a gun fight with a knife?!?!? i don't understand... this seems to imply the rangefinder would not be capable of capturing an image equal to an dslr? how is this so? beyond the "reach" of focal lengths (which i easily make up with my fancy shoes) i don't see a difference.
i will not deny that a 24-whatever fwhatever will make image captures "easier" but i'm not sure that constitutes "better".
i will not deny that a 24-whatever fwhatever will make image captures "easier" but i'm not sure that constitutes "better".