Geoff
Newbie
does Peter need an M8?
does Peter need an M8?
Peter -
You gave me some good advice about a DMR and which lenses to get some time ago, so its good to return the favor.
Of course, if you don't care for rangefinders, or prefer the specialization available in each of the other cameras, then the M8 doesn't fit in. It won't help with the flowers as well as the DMR, and won't be as small as the Clux, etc.
I have been very happy with the DMR and the two zoom lenses I have (21/35 and 35/70). The color rendition is wonderous, and the flexibility with the zooms is great. Having said that, I tolerate its software peculiarities (every once in a while it goes on a German labor break!), and I don't care for the mass. Its wonderful. well balanced, but not that much lighter than the old Rollei 6000 system I adored. So we have good respect for each other, and I've even taken a good pic or two with it.
First handling of the M8 did not leave a good impression. It seemed like a revisit to old glories, sadly updated. Having shot for some 20 years with an M2 and one lens only, I was interested in the camera, but it seemed a bit big, and not as quiet.
I just came back from a NYC visit, and saw a couple of shops with M8's. After looking at it again, I came away this time greatly impressed. Perhaps it was looking at it with less people around, or just more thoughtfully - but I shot into some flourescent picture cases - and bam, great image on the screen. B&W, again, superb tones. Just amazing. Blew me away.
Forget all the internet noise - if you shoot B&W, there are no real problems once the sensors are fixed. If you shoot color, and want the filter, then so be it. As to portability - imagine a kit with a 28 prime (1st, major lens). Add a 21 or 15 (thanks Cosina). Maybe a 75 f. 2 for distance, or the 50.... and for travel - the 28/35/50 gives a lot. And it fits easily in a small case.
Be it the Epson or the M8, I think a digital rangefinuder will be good fun. It will be small, travel easy, and most important: give the opportunity to snag a great image and print it well. I have found that 35mm film (for me) no longer had that capability,a dn still have yet to see a good scan of a 35 mm film that prints larger than 8x10 and holds up.
But these Leica backs, both DMR and M8 do that - they give you quality images in traditional 35mm size. I just printed a 20" x 30" print from the DMR of the Golden Gate Bridge at Ritz Camera (nothing fancy, $30), with resolution that looked great. Couldn't get that from 35mm to save your life. So that's the treat and a reason enough to do these cameras. For me the smaller size of the M8 is compelling - while the DMR/R8 is more exact, more precise - but it just can't travel as well.
In a daily sense, for fun, do either of these hold up to more modern solutions like the Clux or Dlux - in terms of usability, economy and small size? No, they don't. They are unneccesary in that world, and in fact, if a carry-around camera is what you are looking for, stay in the good P/S cameras.
But if you are looking for portability, and the ability to handhold easily large quality shots - then the M8 makes a lot of sense. Its kind of sneaky that way - it professes to be traditional, but the real tradition is that it cheats, and via its mechanisms (RF) gives you big league quality in a small package. Its a very neat package in just that way.
Geoff
does Peter need an M8?
Peter -
You gave me some good advice about a DMR and which lenses to get some time ago, so its good to return the favor.
Of course, if you don't care for rangefinders, or prefer the specialization available in each of the other cameras, then the M8 doesn't fit in. It won't help with the flowers as well as the DMR, and won't be as small as the Clux, etc.
I have been very happy with the DMR and the two zoom lenses I have (21/35 and 35/70). The color rendition is wonderous, and the flexibility with the zooms is great. Having said that, I tolerate its software peculiarities (every once in a while it goes on a German labor break!), and I don't care for the mass. Its wonderful. well balanced, but not that much lighter than the old Rollei 6000 system I adored. So we have good respect for each other, and I've even taken a good pic or two with it.
First handling of the M8 did not leave a good impression. It seemed like a revisit to old glories, sadly updated. Having shot for some 20 years with an M2 and one lens only, I was interested in the camera, but it seemed a bit big, and not as quiet.
I just came back from a NYC visit, and saw a couple of shops with M8's. After looking at it again, I came away this time greatly impressed. Perhaps it was looking at it with less people around, or just more thoughtfully - but I shot into some flourescent picture cases - and bam, great image on the screen. B&W, again, superb tones. Just amazing. Blew me away.
Forget all the internet noise - if you shoot B&W, there are no real problems once the sensors are fixed. If you shoot color, and want the filter, then so be it. As to portability - imagine a kit with a 28 prime (1st, major lens). Add a 21 or 15 (thanks Cosina). Maybe a 75 f. 2 for distance, or the 50.... and for travel - the 28/35/50 gives a lot. And it fits easily in a small case.
Be it the Epson or the M8, I think a digital rangefinuder will be good fun. It will be small, travel easy, and most important: give the opportunity to snag a great image and print it well. I have found that 35mm film (for me) no longer had that capability,a dn still have yet to see a good scan of a 35 mm film that prints larger than 8x10 and holds up.
But these Leica backs, both DMR and M8 do that - they give you quality images in traditional 35mm size. I just printed a 20" x 30" print from the DMR of the Golden Gate Bridge at Ritz Camera (nothing fancy, $30), with resolution that looked great. Couldn't get that from 35mm to save your life. So that's the treat and a reason enough to do these cameras. For me the smaller size of the M8 is compelling - while the DMR/R8 is more exact, more precise - but it just can't travel as well.
In a daily sense, for fun, do either of these hold up to more modern solutions like the Clux or Dlux - in terms of usability, economy and small size? No, they don't. They are unneccesary in that world, and in fact, if a carry-around camera is what you are looking for, stay in the good P/S cameras.
But if you are looking for portability, and the ability to handhold easily large quality shots - then the M8 makes a lot of sense. Its kind of sneaky that way - it professes to be traditional, but the real tradition is that it cheats, and via its mechanisms (RF) gives you big league quality in a small package. Its a very neat package in just that way.
Geoff
Last edited:
