Clearly Doomed

Gid

Gid

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Well I used my replacement M8 (first one died) on holiday last week. Finished uploading the images (about 200) and every one is slightly soft when viewed at 100%. The images from the first camera were amazing at 100%, which was why I persevered. Anyway, did a quick focus test using the test chart produced by Tim Jackson (from LUG) and shooting at 45 degrees I noticed that the vertical lines were tilted to the right and the shots were soft. Rechecked shooting a magazine at an angle and the RF is quite clearly tilted. Shoot more or less horizontal or vertical and all seems fine apart from focus. Shoot in portrait format and horizontal lines seem fine :bang: .

Upshot is that I have emailed my dealer (not open Saturday) and requested my money back. I don't think I can persevere any more.

If you get a good one the IQ is stunning, but there are just too many issues.

I've taken my R-D1 off the market.
 
This is what really concerns me with regards to purchasing this very expensive camera. I started another thread re quality control, but that has had no responses so if you don't mind I'll add my thoughts here.

THIS IS MY OPINION:
The Leica brand is/was synonymous with quality and engineering/technical excellence(a bit like VW used to be). Brands will only survive if all strands of the business activity remain outstanding ie:

1. The product is outstanding
2. The communication is outstanding
3. The customer experience is great
4. The behaviour of the company is great

It always concerns me when a company fails to communicate with it's customers. In this case they have issued fixes etc - but I just think they could do a lot more. For instance, even keeping people updated about product availability would be nice.

It seems to me that Leica is in danger of becoming a run of the mill camera company offering no more or less than anyone else except the seductive red dot. I know that Leica cameras are unique in many ways but are they still as unique as they once used to be?

I for instance can not understand why people pay a lot more for the Leica compact camera (DLUX v PANASONIC) when all that is really different is the red dot, I mean come on it's ludicrous really.

That said, I am in the process of saving up for the M8 because I really think that Leica has moved in the right direction. What concerns me though is that their just seems to be too many issues with both cameras and lenses. I'm reading all the time about problems that really should not exist with a camera this expensive not to mention the cost of lenses as well.

So I'm not sure whether I will place my order just yet. I't just seems extremely odd that a camera such as this has made it into the retail environment with so many reported flaws. Leica really must thank their loyal customers for the patience being exercised.

But, I must admit that I actually only know the Leica brand from a window shopping point of view, and as such I have never touched a Leica in my life. However, I suspect that Leica are aiming this product at a person of my age and occupation and as such they are not managing to get me desperate to own one and somehow I want that to be the case.

So I would like to initiate some discussion that may help me better understand the Leica brand. I'm sure there are hundreds of people here who know Leica inside and out. What do you really think about Leica's current position as a manufacturer of fine cameras ?

Is it actually a good idea to buy the M8 or should my savings be directed towards a model a few years down the line after technical advances have kicked in again?

After all we are not talking about a tinpot compact camera here costing $500
 
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That's got to be frustrating.

Leica's main problem as I see it is they waited too long to start developing the M8 (claiming the task was "impossible" until just days after the RD1 became a reality), and then rushed it to market before it was quite ready for prime time. The IR filter problem, seen as a deal-breaker to a lot of people despite the loud cries of those who accept it, probably won't be resolved until the next model. All the electronic bugs, if they are related to firmware, may take a while to solve if there is truly a lack of cooperation with Jenoptik as some suspect. In another few weeks Canon is rumored to be releasing a 22MP DSLR, which I can't imagine even ardent Leica loyals will embarass themselves by proposing does not offer better IQ than the M8. I have to imagine there's a lot of tension inside the company right now. The only thing Leica has going is the consolation that had this been any other brand they would not have the amazing forgiveness and cooperation of their customers. Still, as Gid personifies, that only goes so far.
 
People buy the "red dot" rebadged Panasonic cameras because it reinforces their self-image as "superior" consumers, rather than for any technical reason. It makes them feel better about themselves, so they come up with mythology such as that Leica-branded cameras have better "firmware", etc.

As you can clearly see by most of the questions asked here, most people are appallingly ignorant about technical issues and/or are guided by superstition, such as making declarations of one lens superiority over another, while taking photos of their kitchen tables or rulers.

I'm positive and would bet any amount of real money that a double-blind test would end all these speculations.

Most high-end, low production electronic/high tech items have a long initial shake out period, such as lab equipment, scanners, imaging machines, etc. It's not the end of the world or indicative of a company's collapse, it's a fact of life.

If you can't deal with it, wait a year or so until the bugs are worked out.

The most humorous post I have read so far is the panic post called "Is firmware 1.10 vaporware?", as if they had any idea what vaporware really meant.

PS: Calm down, sleep on it, and try some more test shots when you feel better and you're more relaxed. Focus quickly and instinctively instead of nervously obsessing. Try a couple of lenses. I'll bet they come out as sharp as the first camera.
 
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Buying "red dot" Panasonics does seem a bit pathological to me.

And, unfortunately, as much as we might wish it to be true, "calming down" and "sleeping on it" doesn't produce any physical manifestations. It might make one feel better and help one more easily accept reality but it's not going to fix anything.

Gid, I'm sorry that you've personally discovered what so many others discovered before you.

The only way to truly enjoy the Leica experience is to use a film camera. Sad but true.

PS. If you find yourself completely regretting the sale of your RF645 let me know...
 
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Backfocus issues on the M8 seem to occurr on several cameras including one that I returned for replacement.

My ideas on the subject is that Leica is using a range specification with master lenses that was perfectly acceptable on film but turns out to not be for digital. Digital is a more critical focus than film. We must also be more accurate on focus with the digital rangefinder than we were with film, especially on the longer / narrow DOF lenses.

It does appear to be very easy to fine tune the rangefinder with just a 2mm allen wrench on the cam inside the lens mount. The amount of adjustment or movement needed is EXTREMELY small to fix the issue.

Leica is aware of the issue now, and I'm sure will be addressing how they calibrate the rangefinder.

-----------------------

Whether you keep the M8 is up to you.

Yes, Leica has had "teething" pains launching this camera. Which I also have experienced. Without getting into a Nikon or Canon vs. Leica war, Leica has treated me much better than Nikon or Canon ever has. They also do communicate more than Nikon or Canon on what is wrong and what they are doing to fix it. Nikon or Canon do not communicate and sometimes don't fix the issues.

I perserved with the M8, and could not be any happier. I get image quality that is unbelievable. I get files that can be manipulated more than any from my Nikons or Canons. I get a Lowepro reporter 100 bag (small) which can hold the M8, flash, cards, batteries, accessories, and 5 lenses. (Try that with any other digital camera that even comes close to the image quality of the M8).

Where we are at today, is Leica still has to work on the rangefinder calibration for digital and some cameras which have basic electrical issues. We need to use IR filters which work. We need to use coded lenses, which not only helps with vignetting but will also take care of cyan drift from IR filters on wide lenses (35 and wider) with the next firmware. We need the next firmware version, to take care of the cyan drift, battery level indicators, some banding issues under certain conditions which are software / sensor reading related, and we need better color profiles when using the IR filter.

I myself still find this camera to deliver the goods better than a D200, D2Xs, or 5D. Others also show very favorable comparison to Canon's much more expensive 1DsMKII.

When using 28-90 mm focal length lenses, I grab the M8.

My M8 is running flawlessly now with about 3500 shots so far.

Best,

Ray
 
Ted,

Chart for you.

http://www.focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf

Dave,

I miss the Bronica, M6 and MP, but the reasons for selling are still valid - lack of time. The R-D1 still takes a good picture if aimed correctly as do my Olympus DSLRs.

Edward,

I appreciate your comments, but I do know what I'm doing and I have the previous M8 to compare with.

Ben,

Yes, very frustrating.

Ray,

No way am I going to risk the warranty with a self fix. In any case how do you fix a wonky RF?

All,

I agree with the QA sentiments and the IQ sentiments. As I said in a previous post the IQ is stunning - just not from this one 🙁
 
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barjohn said:
If you want to see how good the M8 IQ is, take a look at this post comparing the top end Canon against the M8. Both produce really great images but to my eye, the M8's images are slightly better.
Click to expand...


Handheld shots with completely different lenses corrupts any possible conclusions about the cameras' IQ itself, which the OP on that thread admits. And the 1DS-II is probably about at the end of its product cycle and will be replaced with something that has double the # of pixels as the M8, and improvements over the MK-II in many other areas of IQ. It may be a close call between the Mk-II and M8, but not likely to be so with the Mk-III. And that's not a year off, it's maybe a month.


The important thing is that it is cerrtainly capable of producing files that are fantastic and that is why I am keeping mine.
Click to expand...

Also yours seems to be working properly so far. I suspect Gid would be keeping his if that were so in his case.

The dilemma wrt the M8 at this point is akin to finding a campsite with a beautiful view, but there's a hornet's nest underneath where the tent has to be pitched. Sacrifice the view, or hope not to get stung.
 
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Yes, but what will the MK-III cost? I disagree with your comment about different lens making the comparisons invlaid. It is the complete system that forms the image. It is fair to compare complete systems. One of the reasons to buy the M8 over something else is the lenses.
 
Wow Leica is giving German engineering a BAD name... oh wait, the car makers have already done that.

At this point, I don't really care of Leica survives or not. They don't deserve to, with this debacle.. I'll use their film gear until they fall apart and then switch to another brand

barjohn said:
Yes, but what will the MK-III cost? I disagree with your comment about different lens making the comparisons invlaid. It is the complete system that forms the image. It is fair to compare complete systems. One of the reasons to buy the M8 over something else is the lenses.
Click to expand...

lenses nothing.. my summicron 50 has a manufacturing flaw where the rear mounting plate reflects light onto the film plane causing fogging on the image. Even my cheapo $80 Canon EF lens doesn't have this flaw. You think I'm happy with my 'superior' Leica lens? You want it? Sure gimme $600 and it's your's. The sad thing is that fools out there will actually buy it, like I did. 🙁

Another reason reason to buy the M8 is if you want to take a break from photography every now and then and figure out what went wrong with the hardware.
 
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agreed

agreed

barjohn said:
Yes, but what will the MK-III cost? I disagree with your comment about different lens making the comparisons invlaid. It is the complete system that forms the image. It is fair to compare complete systems. One of the reasons to buy the M8 over something else is the lenses.
Click to expand...

agreed. although a comparison using the equivalent Leica R lenses would also have been interesting to see
 
Gid,

Do a search on the LUG. There is a thread on backfocusing with photos that show the screw and cam. It will describe the very basic "small" move to the screw that fixes the adjustment.

No disassembly is required. it is in the just inside the lens opening of the camera. No warranty would be voided. No one would even know that you touched the screw.

I agree it should be adjusted correctly before you get it, but if you want to keep the M8, you can tweek it yourself in just a few minutes.

Best,

Ray
 
barjohn said:
Yes, but what will the MK-III cost?
Click to expand...

About the same as the MK-II, which like the M8 is out of the reach of most people who consider money an object.

I disagree with your comment about different lens making the comparisons invlaid. It is the complete system that forms the image. It is fair to compare complete systems..
Click to expand...

Agreed, but when you posted the link you said
If you want to see how good the M8 IQ is, take a look at this post comparing the top end Canon against the M8.
Click to expand...
You didn't use the word "system" then. Different lenses made different IQ on film too, but to compare film, the same lenses had to be used or the results were invalid to the purpose. Comparing IQ of digial cameras is akin to comparing different film emulsions in "the old days" except that today the "film" is built into the camera.

If you want a fair test of the camera's IQ you need to remove or properly account for all other variables (true of any test for it to be valid). Through adaptors it would be possible to use any number of the same lenses on the Canon and M8 (Cameraquest sells some for Nikon and Leica R). Rangefinder focusing is not always possible but the shots could be at infinity or close-up with measurement.
 
harmsr said:
Gid,

Do a search on the LUG. There is a thread on backfocusing with photos that show the screw and cam. It will describe the very basic "small" move to the screw that fixes the adjustment.

No disassembly is required. it is in the just inside the lens opening of the camera. No warranty would be voided. No one would even know that you touched the screw.

I agree it should be adjusted correctly before you get it, but if you want to keep the M8, you can tweek it yourself in just a few minutes.

Best,

Ray
Click to expand...

Ray,

I did have a look, but that won't fix the misaligned RF and I don't want to risk touching anything just in case. I'm just a bit wary now of sending it back to Leica for repair, when the camera is just over a week old, and then maybe something else going wrong. As it stands now, I should be able to get my money back. If I go down the repair route it may prove more difficult if something else goes wrong.
 
Ben Z said:
That's got to be frustrating.

Leica's main problem as I see it is they waited too long to start developing the M8 (claiming the task was "impossible" until just days after the RD1 became a reality), and then rushed it to market before it was quite ready for prime time. The IR filter problem, seen as a deal-breaker to a lot of people despite the loud cries of those who accept it, probably won't be resolved until the next model. All the electronic bugs, if they are related to firmware, may take a while to solve if there is truly a lack of cooperation with Jenoptik as some suspect. In another few weeks Canon is rumored to be releasing a 22MP DSLR, which I can't imagine even ardent Leica loyals will embarass themselves by proposing does not offer better IQ than the M8. I have to imagine there's a lot of tension inside the company right now. The only thing Leica has going is the consolation that had this been any other brand they would not have the amazing forgiveness and cooperation of their customers. Still, as Gid personifies, that only goes so far.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry Ben, but it is indeed highly doubtful if a 22 Mp camera on a 135 class sensor makes any sense. The Airy disks of the image produced by the lens are about double the size of the pixels, so the Mp gain will not result in any resolution gain. As it is, 12 Mp is the technical limit on a 1.3 crop sensor and 18 Mp on a full-frame one, assuming diffraction-limited lenses (which Canon does not build). So a 22 Mp camera is marketing hogwash....

@ Gid: Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but maybe some perspective will help: The rangefinder has nothing to do with the electronic part of an M8, and might just as well be misaligned on an M7, or an M3 for that matter. Fortunately it is about the easiest error to correct for Leica and I'm sure that if you decide to send it in -and from which I have read on these forums directly to Solms and not to your local distributor- you will be sure to get a perfect camera back within three weeks. Anyway - good luck and hoping you will be able to resolve this.
 
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The question about Canon since the original 1Ds has involved the lenses more than the sensor; there were Canon enthusiasts who owned the original, took at look at the Mark II and decided that the Mark II was already limited by the lenses, and the improvement from 1 to 2 was not what they'd expected. So what will the III get you? The Canons, including the 5D are superb machines, but I think a better lens line-up might improve things more than another six mp. I noted somewhere on these forums that there are rumors of an ultra-L class, but that may just be rumor. If there are ultra-Ls coming, that would be a step forward.

IIRC, Michael Reichmann on Luminous Landscape put some Zeiss lenses on a 1DsII and said the improvement was notable. Unfortunately, you give up IS and the other automatic features, and it is those automatic features that made Canon the category leader.

When I looked at the comparison shots between the 1DsII and the M8 on the Leica users forum, after you cleared away all the b.s. and the camera chauvanism, etc., the Leica shots were as good as the 1DsII; and *I* liked them better. The "betterness" was mostly, but not entirely, related to lenses.

And almost everybody agreed that the 1DsII and the 5D were better at equivalent high ISOs.

As somebody almost suggested higher up in this forum, I think the best possible test would be to make a couple of nearly identical studio portraits (so that you eliminate variations in lighting), from tripod-mounted cameras, and then send them to a master printer to make the best possible prints, to see what you could squeeze out of each system, and then have knowedgable people, without knowledge of which systems were being tested, select the best shots. Sort of like a blind wine tasting.

JC
 
jaapv said:
I'm sorry Ben, but it is indeed highly doubtful if a 22 Mp camera on a 135 class sensor makes any sense. The Airy disks of the image produced by the lens are about double the size of the pixels, so the Mp gain will not result in any resolution gain. As it is, 12 Mp is the technical limit on a 1.3 crop sensor and 18 Mp on a full-frame one, assuming diffraction-limited lenses (which Canon does not build). So a 22 Mp camera is marketing hogwash....
Click to expand...

Yup, Canon's sure a bunch of fools to have hired digital electronics experts instead of dentists 😀 Look at how unsuccessful they've been so far 🙄
 
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