First impressions of my newly acquired M8

[rHytHm]

Background: M6TTL owner, collector of many film cameras but mostly SLRs, and Nikon/Canon dSLRs such as Nikon D3 and Canon 5D/5D II. For M glass, 35 cron asph, 50 cron rigid, 90 cron last ver. prior to asph.

Occupation: Technology Consultant at Boston College

Photography workflow: Built my own darkroom in my basement. I process, develop, and print all my own b&w film but I mostly use hybrid workflow of scanning the negs instead of making contact sheets. For digital editing I use adobe lightroom and CS4/CS3 depending if I am using my mac or pc.


So my first impressions of the M8. Less than stellar, I guess after spending what I did I expected to be blown away only to realize after opening the box that it's just another M body. No surprise really, just me waking up to reality. The M's are built really nicely. Although it does feel a little strange from the m6ttl because the M8 is a tad wider.

Dislikes:

1. The On/Off knob. It is also the selftimer, C, and Single mode knob. Mine is a little stiff and I often put it in C even though I meant for it to be in S.

2. Lack of ISO range, Makes no sense not to have whole numbers like 200, 400, 800.

3. Review time, sometimes I like to chimp. (shoot and review, shoot and review, etc) currently I have to wait 3 seconds or so before I can review the image on the LCD. Although that is not a long time it does feel like an eternity at times.

4. LCD resolution. Small complaint but compared to the market and compared to the available technology when it was developed, it is lacking.

5. Having to buy UV/IR cut filters and putting them on my lenses.

6. The need for bit coding.


The Likes:


1. Coming from a m6ttl I was quite happy to have Auto exposure aka aperture priority. Also to note that it has a shutter speed of 1/8000th. That allows me to shoot with the noctilux wide open during the day without a ND filter.

2. Although I complained about LCD screen earlier, I am happy that it at least has one.

3. The discreet mode. It really cuts down on the noise of being noticed big time. I use it exclusively. If I could afford it I will get the quiet shutter upgrade in the future.

4. Most importantly being able to use my M glass on a digital body and getting instant feed back. After shooting with high end dSLRs the m8 still has a uniqueness of its own and a place in my photography medium.

Other thoughts,

Over all I love the M8. I plan on keeping it and using it in addition to my Canon 5D II + Suite of L primes.

Despite what others have said about disliking the memory card and battery under the camera plate I do not find it annoying like others. However, I would like to see a battery that can last longer. Also a live view would be nice. When shooting street, I like to use live view on my dSLRs so why not on the M8? Definitely makes it easier to shoot from the hip.

Last thing, I have a schott glass by giottos protection screen on my LCD. I love it! Protects the screen and does not degrade the quality as far as I can tell.

Cheers and happy shooting!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3498595977_185652c576_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3484453953_d2a05ea02f_b.jpg

 

[marke]

2. Lack of ISO range, Makes no sense not to have whole numbers like 200, 400, 800.

I read something this past year (sorry, don't remember the source) about Canon DSLRs concerning ISO setting between whole numbers. Apparently the intermediate numbers are only adjustments of exposure, and have nothing to do with the CCD cell getting an adjustment of current (or whatever is used to change ISO settings). Since then, I keep my Canon 40D set to only whole ISO numbers, and make any neccessary intermediate adjustments with exposure compensation. The other thing, seeing as the M8's ISO adjustment has to be made via accessing the menu, would this also be an easier way to make an adjustment, rather than changing the ISO?

I'm not sure if this applies to the M8/8.2, but I assume it applies to all digital cameras.

 

[jackbaty]

"...it's just another M body"

I just ordered a new (to me) M8 that should arrive on Thursday. If it is in fact, just another M body, I'll be delighted 🙂

 

[jaapv]

2. Lack of ISO range, Makes no sense not to have whole numbers like 200, 400, 800.

You've lost me here. 😕 Iso on a digital camera cannot be compared 1:1 to film ISO, largely due to the vague definition on the relevant ISO sheet. The Digital ISO range of the M8 translates for all practical purposes, including the use of external exposure meters and flash into:
200-400-800-1600-3200 I admit it is confusing, but there it is...Anyway your wish is granted🙂

3. Review time, sometimes I like to chimp. (shoot and review, shoot and review, etc) currently I have to wait 3 seconds or so before I can review the image on the LCD. Although that is not a long time it does feel like an eternity at times.

If you set the camera to DNG only, and the reasons not to do so are few and far between, you will find that it is a whole lot faster.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

No offence, but the M8 was released over two years ago, but your post reads like your supreme list of plusses and minuses should be enlightening to its readers. I would love to tell of your originality and new twist on the subject, but unfortunately, I cannot.

Be that as it may, congratulations on your M8 purchase.

 

[jpmac55]

Although the M8 has been out for some time, rHytHm's comments are current and perhaps useful to someone just beginning the research process. I recently purchased a M8 and was often overwhelmed with researching, not always knowing what was current vs impressions hanging in there from a few years ago. Hooked on the M8 now, hooked on rangefinderforum, too.