I want an M8P

[downstairs]

I'm into my second month with the M8.2 and I've been able to junk all the Nikon stuff to buy a lens or two.
Hoping these notes get read by Leitz I want to make a plea for an M8P -
-No funny flash programs. Plain synch and a real connector.
-No monkey mode.
-No jpeg and post production software.
-Frames from 21 to 75.
Shutter speed to just 1/1000.
Leitz could bring the price down without losing face.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Where are they going to save money on your proposals?

The reason there's no PC flash synch -- which they wanted! -- is that there's no room in the body.

What's a 'monkey mode'?

Why do JPEGS cost extra?

Maybe you're willing to put up with <0.68 (from memory, current finder) and no 90mm, but (a) the current 24mm frame is the biggest you can fit into the current finder, so there'd be more expense in developing a 0.55 finder (b) focising accuracy would be reduced (c) there's no reason for the rest of the world to put up with your whims, if their whims are different (mine are).

And they'd need to buy in an even more special, even slower shutter.

Tashi delek,

Roger

 

[downstairs]

In reply to Roger.
Do people actualy mount a flash on their Leica?
Sorry about monkey mode. S mode for soccer-mum.
Jpegs need processing in camera and in camera post-production makes a cluttered menu.
The fast shutter was an issue.
Forget what I said about the price. Anyway, I would be prepared to pay more for a stripped-down version.

 

[Tom Niblick]

Given Leica's history, they might make a few limited edition collector versions of the M8 but the real redesign will be the M9.

Tom

 

[jaapv]

Well, to be fair, there have been a great number of people calling for a digital CL, and Dr. Kaufmann did say in an interview that the concept of an entry/level M camera would be appealing. So it would come at no great surprise if Leica did introduce an stripped and smaller M camera at some point of time.

 

[Jim Radcliffe]

Well, to be fair, there have been a great number of people calling for a digital CL, and Dr. Kaufmann did say in an interview that the concept of an entry/level M camera would be appealing. So it would come at no great surprise if Leica did introduce an stripped and smaller M camera at some point of time.

I would welcome such a camera. I am one of those who has been asking for a digital CL. I realized long ago that it was not the camera bodies that made Leica but the glass. There are those who go on and on about fine German engineering, close tolerances, and the "Leica Experience".... but I just want to be able to use those lenses on a compact camera.

 

[downstairs]

I would expect an entry-level camera to go for just those soccer-mum features I wish to avoid. You get all that on half a dozen Canons at less than half the price.
No. Give me an exit-level M8 in brass, with an unwired flash shoe, and plain dng output.

 

[JamSee]

It would be refreshing to see a 'hardcore' digital M... a la MP.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Just use the stuff on the camera you want to use and ignore the rest. There really is no money savings in reducing software instructions. On an average day, I use nothing more than shutter speed, aperture and exp comp on a DSLR. What's complicated about that?

 

[Roger Hicks]

In reply to Roger.
Do people actualy mount a flash on their Leica? Shouldn't have thought so, in which case, why do you care about losing flash mode(s)?
Sorry about monkey mode. S mode for soccer-mum. Is this really a problem? How does it harm you?
Jpegs need processing in camera and in camera post-production makes a cluttered menu. So shoot raw only. JPEGs don't cost extra when you're buying the camera.
The fast shutter was an issue. Sorry, didn't understand your reply.
Forget what I said about the price. Anyway, I would be prepared to pay more for a stripped-down version. Why, when you can lose it all on the menus?

Tashi delek.

R.

 

[notturtle]

what is cool about 1/1000 max? I put up with it on my MPs and rarely find it a problem, but if mine had a 1/2000 or faster I would be delighted. Why would anyone want to get rid of the fast shutter speeds? What benefit is there?

IdeaDog: Would the M8 ever be used again after the remedy you prescribe?

 

[Harry S.]

Dng only digital camera would be lame.

Not everyone who uses an M camera is a professional and not everyone who uses a digital camera wants to spend hours at Photoshop.

I know this is like flogging a dead mule, but a digital M with a "pro" designation needs a full frame sensor above and beyond all the software tweaks.

 

[user237428934]

In reply to Roger.
Do people actualy mount a flash on their Leica?
Sorry about monkey mode. S mode for soccer-mum.
Jpegs need processing in camera and in camera post-production makes a cluttered menu.
The fast shutter was an issue.
Forget what I said about the price. Anyway, I would be prepared to pay more for a stripped-down version.

You would pay more to get less? This is true luxury.

 

[user237428934]

I don't understand why someone want's to be limited to 1/1000. I use 1/8000 quite often (sunlight, f/1.4-f2). The best compromise for me would be 1/4000 with the new shutter. Never heard of issues with the shutter. Are there any?

If they will ever bring an entry level digital M on the market I predict it will have more software features than the M8 because an entry level camera needs more toys.

 

[Praxis Unitas]

The M8 has such an elegant interface, that I can't agree with people who think it's too cluttered and needs to be stripped down. The only thing I might want to add is control over iso from the wheel on the back so it displays in the viewfinder. That would be a minor step up, but more 'professional'.

 

[RichC]

The M8 has such an elegant interface, that I can't agree with people who think it's too cluttered and needs to be stripped down. The only thing I might want to add is control over iso from the wheel on the back so it displays in the viewfinder. That would be a minor step up, but more 'professional'.

Agree - if anything, the M8 is too stripped down!

Similar easy non-menu access to white balance and exposure compensation would be welcome. And shutter speeds in the viewfinder when setting the speed manually.

If Leica wants to save a few bob, they can bin that ridiculous base: when using my M8 for studio shots on a tripod, it would be nice to be able to replace the battery without moving the camera! And it's not only a pointless affectation but also a structural weak point! :bang:

I also use flash with my M8 regularly - and I too miss a sync socket. I can't believe that one couldn't have been crammed in somewhere: a couple of wires plus the tiny rear end of the socket? If space is that tight, they could've made a blister in the housing ... but they were too worried about keeping the Leica M shape and pandering to Leica traditionalists than creating an efficient photographic tool!

My opinion is that whoever designed the M8 needs a poke in the eye: the camera's ergonomics have been compromised by form over function. I used to own an Epson R-D1: a far better design as a photographic tool - every control needed for a (digital) photographer falls to hand (well, finger). (The M8 has better image quality than the R-D1 - so the Epson had to go.)

I'm not interested in continuity of design or connections with the past: I want an efficient photographic tool with manual controls, with form following function. The Leica M3 was designed with this goal in mind, and the M8 should've been too. The Leica M3 is thus a design classic - the M8 isn't even close. I got the manual controls - but the ergonomics... sheesh! 🙄

Slow-sync flash with Leica M8: tripod, two flashguns (one with red gel).
That's soap powder and sugar, if anyone's wondering...

 

[kshapero]

I'll take any Leica no one wants. Any.

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's funny, this search for the ideal (camera, telescope, automobile, girlfriend, espresso machine, and so on).

Rather than saying, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins" I say, "Whoever is satisfied living with the fewest toys wins".

It's also strange how many people imagine that there is a vast market for something that only they seem to want.

I love the rewrite about toys.

Cheers,

R.