Sailor Ted
Well-known
My vote- Yes absolutely. Now having said that and owning an M8 now for over six months, I have a wish list and it's nothing to do with the traditional M camera.
Finder
Veteran
No. Releases of previous Leica film RF had no affect shifting consumer perference from film SLRs. I can't see the Digital Leica doing the same. Right now you are probably just seeing Leica or rangefinder photographers making a switch to digital rather than a renaissance of a camera type
kevin m
Veteran
I'd conservatively estimate that the M8 has doubled public interest in rangefinder photography, which, if the trend continues, means we'll soon be able to measure it with a number to the left of the decimal point. 
Ben Z
Veteran
kevin m said:I'd conservatively estimate that the M8 has doubled public interest in rangefinder photography, which, if the trend continues, means we'll soon be able to measure it with a number to the left of the decimal point.
After having bought an M8 I'm just looking fwd to the day I will be able to say that about my bank balance
ChrisPlatt said:
Not trying to sound like a snob but if you set your watch by what the 'public in general and consumers in particular couldn't care less about' you'll miss out on most of the finer things in life.
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Leighgion
Bovine Overseer
I said no.
The "legendary" status of Leica is just that to much of the population now: a legend that maybe they've heard vaguely of, but really lacks practical currency. The people that got excited about the M8 were the enthusiasts and the wealthy dilettantes who had the money to go out and buy what they read about in some magazines because the writer said it was good and significant.
While I'm sure the M8 helped Leica's sales and added to a resurge in rangefinder popularity, I think it's off-based to credit it with the resurge.
The "legendary" status of Leica is just that to much of the population now: a legend that maybe they've heard vaguely of, but really lacks practical currency. The people that got excited about the M8 were the enthusiasts and the wealthy dilettantes who had the money to go out and buy what they read about in some magazines because the writer said it was good and significant.
While I'm sure the M8 helped Leica's sales and added to a resurge in rangefinder popularity, I think it's off-based to credit it with the resurge.
literiter
Well-known
Ben Z said:
Good grief!
literiter
Well-known
You would have to sell a heck of a lot of M8s to cause any effect on RF photography.
This site, for instance, will do much more for the rangefinder camera than an anachronism with digital bits.
This site, for instance, will do much more for the rangefinder camera than an anachronism with digital bits.
sonwolf
Established
The M8 generated some additional interest in rangefinder photography by making it a topical subject. For example, The New Yorker Leica profile was clearly motivated by the introduction of the M8. At the same time, the premium price of the M8 significantly limits the number of people who will sit down their DSLR and give the rangefinder world a try. Prior to owning my Epson R-D1, I was not a rangefinder photographer and would have never become one if the M8 was the only digital option.
For me, the real importance of the M8 lies not in its popularity but the historical statement it makes. Though I own an R-D1, I always felt Epson presented this camera as a limited issue historical oddity, like those replicas of 1940's radios that play CD's. By releasing the M8, Leica saved the rangefinder camera from becoming an antiquarian photographic method tossed on the historical pile with Daguerreotypes, glass negatives, and twin lens reflexes. If Voigtlander or another camera maker could produce a good digital rangefinder at a around $1500, the rangefinder world would probably be transformed by that camera.
For me, the real importance of the M8 lies not in its popularity but the historical statement it makes. Though I own an R-D1, I always felt Epson presented this camera as a limited issue historical oddity, like those replicas of 1940's radios that play CD's. By releasing the M8, Leica saved the rangefinder camera from becoming an antiquarian photographic method tossed on the historical pile with Daguerreotypes, glass negatives, and twin lens reflexes. If Voigtlander or another camera maker could produce a good digital rangefinder at a around $1500, the rangefinder world would probably be transformed by that camera.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Related question...
Will the M8 help bring about an affordable digital RF and if so when?
I suspect Lecia will eventuall do digital M9 and follow on cameras, but being Leica, I still won't be able to afford one.
Will the M8 help bring about an affordable digital RF and if so when?
I suspect Lecia will eventuall do digital M9 and follow on cameras, but being Leica, I still won't be able to afford one.
niblue
Member
IMHO Ebay has done more than the M8 to make RF popular as it's made cheap but useable Russian rangefinders and lenses more widely available.
The M8 will have made rangefinders more popular, but I doubt by very much.
The M8 will have made rangefinders more popular, but I doubt by very much.
macmx
Established
I have just bought an M8. I would never have bought a RF if it had not been for the M8. I know several people who feel the same way.
If this is the case for me, I'm sure it's the same for a lot of other people. M8 is making rangefinders more popular.
If this is the case for me, I'm sure it's the same for a lot of other people. M8 is making rangefinders more popular.
dee
Well-known
.. but it doesn't run out of ink !
for me , it was a connection to a Leica II that led to the M 8 !
That seems reasonable !
dee
for me , it was a connection to a Leica II that led to the M 8 !
That seems reasonable !
dee