How many of you will buy the M8 or Digital M

[egpj]

Pretty impressive that "I have my unit pre-ordered already" is gaining on the rest of the field, but not surprising as we near the release date! Seventy members put their money (an impressive committment) where their GAS is; almost 15% of respondents.

Probably a few more then that Doug. I know that I have changed my view on getting the M8 after seeing what it was capable of. Not that we have all the facts yet but it does look promising.

 

[rpsawin]

Yes,

Another poll. With the digital world becoming the mainstream, I am curious how many woll but this new digital rangefinder camera.

I just came from a Digital Photography Show and looked the M8. I must say I am impressed. It is what one would expect of a Leica camera. The body is heavy and has a different, yet familiar, feel compared to the other M's. Once I started using the camera I felt right at home and was very comfortable using the camera. Anyone who is committed to rangefinder and digital photography will not be disappointed. This is a beautifully made camera and appears robust like the M's we have come to know and trust.

Regarding the lens coding issue it's my understanding that it's not really a big consideration for focal lengths 50mm and above. It is more important for wide angle lenses...the wider the more important the coding. Apparently the code sends a signal to the camera and it adjusts the sensor for the optimal angle for the lens. I may have that wrong so do your own research....

While I would enjoy having an M8 in my gear bag the price of $4,725 is way too steep for me. I am committed to analog photography, mostly b&w, and digital is not important to me. It's a personal thing. The M8 is a real beauty and will not disapoint anyone who buys one.

Bob

 

[DrDick]

Yes I'll get one. Waving a 1Dmk2 with 17-40 + hood draws unwanted attention in delicate situations. Pulling out an M series doesn't scream professional photographer to most third world people. The certainty of seeing results on travels means my M6 hasn't seen much use since going Digital SLR.

 

[gdewitt]

Supposedly I'm first on the list at my dealer. We'll see, of course, next month.

 

[charlesfoto]

Since I'm more than happy with my M6TTL and Contax G2, plus having a D200 with top Nikon glass to use when I need to(clients=$$), I'll be interested in reading about the M8's successes, but will leave the joy of ownership to others. I won't be getting one.

 

[climbing_vine]

"Better" for me is what I prefer, and I can guarantee you those reasons are not all subjective silliness. I would never insist, however, that what is better for me must be better for anyone else, as a silly climbing vine apparently does.

If you read carefully, you'll see that's exactly the opposite of what I said. I'm in agreement with you. The subjective better is in no way (necessarily) silly, and is entirely personal. And it should not be confused with objective better, which is what many people try to claim analog is (with the usual argument coming down to "its not sampled", which does not mean what they think it means).

 

[climbing_vine]

1.) The analog version of light or sound, whatever captures the overtones, the harmonics, if you will, differs from digital sampling. Analog's very nature of being is created and destroyed by harmonic order. Digital is created by interpolations of small time samples. Interpolation means 'to lie'. In analog the overtones can be recreated in such a way that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. Digital music and camera shortfalls are found in the Analog to Digital conversion. Each has platform has it's advantages.

The problem with this argument is that when a vinyl record is pressed the sound is also effectively sampled, and at a lower rate than a CD. Unless there is a pressing machine and a turntable that work within nanometer tolerances... Same holds true for film: it has grain. You are effectively getting "pixels", ie, a sampled version of what you saw.

Also not sure what you're getting at with the overtones thing.

2.) The sad thing is that with the passing of every year fewer and fewer folks will be exposed to analog, and therefore digital will have nothing to compare with.

I sincerely wish that Mr. climbing_vine could hear Phil Spector's 45 RPM production of Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep Mountain High played through Klipsch corner horns and driven by a MacIntosh tube amp. Who know's? He may be reborn as a silly audiophile.

I've done those experiements for myself, I've seen the double-blinds, and I know it sounds no better than a well-transferred CD played through the same chain.

 

[vikasmg]

I think you can make a case based on image quality alone. While ne detailed review is available for a production model M8 yet, I believe it's senso is very similar to the one on the Leica DMR. The following from Larry Greenhill's review in PhotographyReview.com - he does point out some disadvantages in his conclusion some of which (including battery life) are not applicable to the M8, while others still are.:

>>
Conclusion
The Leica Digital-Module R produces RAW images that are sharp, colorful, have good dynamic range, and require little post processing. The back is robustly made and well engineered. Attaching a DMR to the Leica R film camera yields a new camera that appears to have been engineered as a single DSLR from the start. It is easy to learn to use, and the resolution at low ISO settings was better than my Canon EOS 1D Mark II. The Leica Digital-Module-R handles landscape and nature photography well.

While the DMR's images are outstanding, several limitations must be kept in mind. The Leica R8/DMR design falls short of my Canon EOS 1D Mark II because of its higher price, slower burst rate (2 frames-per-second), smaller buffer size (10 images), lack of built-in flash, no auto focus or image stabilized lenses, no TTL flash metering, and shorter battery life.
<<

 

[amateriat]

While the DMR's images are outstanding, several limitations must be kept in mind. The Leica R8/DMR design falls short of my Canon EOS 1D Mark II because of its higher price, slower burst rate (2 frames-per-second), smaller buffer size (10 images), lack of built-in flash, no auto focus or image stabilized lenses, no TTL flash metering, and shorter battery life.<<

Whoa...what "built-in flash" on the 1D Mk II? Perhaps I'm picking nits here, but I didn't see that feature the last time I used one. If we're going to talk comparison points, we need to get things like this straight.

Like the Ms (including the M8), I didn't see Leica going mano a mano with the other guys in SLR land with the R8/9 or the DMR; in the case of the latter, Leica felt it smart to offer a digital option for those heavily invested in the system ("You want the shoot 'done digital?' "Yeah, okay, I can do that"). I couldn't give a rat's derriére about SLRs anymore, but Leica's approach in this realm is, to me, commendable.


- Barrett

 

[jaapv]

If anybody still needs to be convinced of what the DMR can do in expert hands, the last issue of LFI is a good starting point. The series of middle-aged women's portraits by Billy&Hells is impressive, to put it mildly.
BTW the main thing that stands out in Mr. Greenhills review is that he doesn't understand the concept of the DMR.(Although he has some kind words as well admittedly)

 

[Keith]

If I could be convinced that the Leica will produce an image noticably superior to a D80, which costs a fraction of the price. I'm not knocking Leica .... I'm just a realist!

I already have the 'rangefinder experience' in my M7 and developing a role of film costs about the same as a McDonald's breakfast ... with coffee of course!

 

[jaapv]

Ah- well- does your M7 produce images that are " noticably superior" to a Canon EOS 3000V ?

 

[nrb]

:bang: I'm already saving for the full-frame M9. In the meantime my glass will have to eat film.

 

[Keith]

Ah- well- does your M7 produce images that are " noticably superior" to a Canon EOS 3000V ?

Probably not ... DAMN!

 

[Trius]

I've done those experiements for myself, I've seen the double-blinds, and I know it sounds no better than a well-transferred CD played through the same chain.

To you. Others may have a different judgment on "better". Care to define "better"?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

:bang: I'm already saving for the full-frame M9. In the meantime my glass will have to eat film.

I'm also already choosing the color of my hover car. I want to cruise in style when I'm vacationing on the Moon.

 

[nrb]

I'm also already choosing the color of my hover car. I want to cruise in style when I'm vacationing on the Moon.

mine will be either black or silver

 

[jody]

I won't buy one. Hell I won't buy a regular Lieca although I will eventually get a Lieca lens. But I predict that those who do buy will say its the best digital made, even if it isn't.

 

[devils-advocate]

I won't buy one. Hell I won't buy a regular Lieca although I will eventually get a Lieca lens. But I predict that those who do buy will say its the best digital made, even if it isn't.

Having played with, and seen prints from, the M8, I not only think it is the best digital RF ever made, but I entertain high hopes that this will be the camera to finally make significant progress in curbing sectarian violence in Iraq and bringing the parties back to the table on the six-nations multilateral talks on N.Korea's race towards nuclear proliferation. I speak, of course, of the Black version. We should not look to the Chrome units for more than small local declines in teen pregnancy rates.

 

[boilerdoc2]

Having played with, and seen prints from, the M8, I not only think it is the best digital RF ever made, but I entertain high hopes that this will be the camera to finally make significant progress in curbing sectarian violence in Iraq and bringing the parties back to the table on the six-nations multilateral talks on N.Korea's race towards nuclear proliferation. I speak, of course, of the Black version. We should not look to the Chrome units for more than small local declines in teen pregnancy rates.

Ha! Great! bottom line: better get one before the Big One! Folks, you only live once. If, by hook or by crook, you can realize your ambition to own the M8 then do it. Life is short.
Boilerdoc