Borrowed Leica M8 --> Disappointed

[Sam N]

Yup, the m8 is funny like that. Leica put the control of how the pictures look in the photographers hands, not the cameras processor.

How is that different from any RAW file? That's the whole point of RAW.

 

[Mattikk]

How is that different from any RAW file? That's the whole point of RAW.

There are still a lot of processing made in the camera. For example the white balance.

 

[tmfabian]

"How is that different from any RAW file? That's the whole point of RAW."


I'm not saying there's a HUGE difference or that you can't change all of these settings, but the m8's files are pretty nekkid, I can tell you that if I take a file from the wifes mk III and run the same preset I use on for my m8 files I get something completely unidentifiable as a picture, I'm not really all that keen on knowing exactly why that is, but it is.

anywho, back on track and so forth...I forgot to say congratulations on the purchase and hope you enjoy it...post some pictures soon.

 

[Sam N]

There are still a lot of processing made in the camera. For example the white balance.

Again, all RAW cameras do this. The RAW file contains a dump of the data from the sensor plus a bunch of settings like sharpness, WB, etc. It also usually includes a JPEG preview of what it would look like with those settings applied. Once you're editing the file, you can choose to ignore or change any of these settings. The M8 doesn't give the user any more or less freedom with RAW files than a D3 or even a G9.

 

[tmfabian]

I know my earlier post about the whole control in your hands thing was a bit exaggerated but I was just having a little fun since I can't sleep.

Anywho, i'm gonna have some waffles and listen to a bunch of angry aramark workers protest outside my window...whoever inveted the bullhorn deserves a smack upside their head.

 

[Pablito]

As soon as you mount an IR cut filter (B&W 486) the colours are amazing. Much like Kodachrome.

Call me a cynic, but I find the above statement amusing since Kodachrome has been around since the 1930s and has a rather distinct (some might say dated) look. No disrespect to Kodachrome fans...

 

[infrequent]

i think what tmfabian is getting at is that the results from the M8 are unlike any other dSLR. they definitely have a different quality because of the design choices in the sensor and film like feel of the results. lot of photos posted in RFF show that with a bit of elbow grease, the M8 can produce some brilliant stuff. it might not be as reliable as the other Ms, but sure produces quality.

also maybe we need to change the title?!

 

[Thardy]

I thought that PS is nondestructive if one uses levels.

Do you mean layers?

 

[louisb]

Initial disappointment with M8

Initial disappointment with M8

Thinking back to my first few days with my M8 which I acquired in December 2007 I recall being delighted by the 'M'-ness but less than happy with the results.

The M8 is not an instant gratification tool. It took me about 2-3 days of use to really get to know the camera and exploit the capabilities, especially the WB which even in the previous firmware could be made to behave (but in the latest firmware is imho fixed).

I've never had the opportunity to pick up and test, say, a Canon 1DsMkIII or a Nikon D3 but I would expect that familiarisation is the key to getting good results and a couple of hours, especially with the downright unconventional Digital M is not going to suffice.

LouisB

 

[Roger Hicks]

I would amend that to say that no pro camera is a truly a standalone device.

Polaroid 20x24 inch? (Sure as hell ain't amateur).

Cheers,

R.

 

[rogue_designer]

Polaroid 20x24 inch? (Sure as hell ain't amateur).

Cheers,

R.

I made an exception for the polaroids - but even then, you still need a big ass processor for those sheets.