noimmunity
scratch my niche
A recent purchase of the Fuji X-Pro1 has taken my involvement with digital to a new level. Prior to this, most of my imag(in)ing was done with film. Even the addition of an M8 into the mix was still based on the primacy of my film-based M-mount kit.
The world of digital M, as we know, is not one of rapid innovation. For a comparatively high price of entry, one gains admittance to a land that is somewhat sheltered--at least until now--from the buffeting winds of constant upgrades and product cycles. Whether or not true, the oft-repeated pious declarations by many a new M9 owner--"this will be my last camera!"--speak to a more fundamental truth about the sheltered world of digital Ms.
Come to think of it now, this "shelter-from-the-storm" has consistently been one of the things that initially attracted me to and has kept me in the M-mount RF fold. The simplicity of the cameras combined with the relatively slow (non-existent?!) pace of innovation has been, in many ways, a boon to my apprenticeship and creativity.
Only time will tell if buying into the Fuji X system means the end of that shelter, and, if so, what it means for my image-making hobby.
The one thing I will say is that digital cameras inevitably bring one into much closer contact with the whole problem of junk. The bodies themselves become "junk" after a few years--if not sooner when the electronics suddenly fair, while high rates of fps, multi-bracketing, and image reproduction encourage a proliferation of "junk" images.
As manufacturers scramble now to eliminate the AA-filter from their sensors, I think it may be time to re-evaluate the M8 and recognize it for the classic it really is.
The world of digital M, as we know, is not one of rapid innovation. For a comparatively high price of entry, one gains admittance to a land that is somewhat sheltered--at least until now--from the buffeting winds of constant upgrades and product cycles. Whether or not true, the oft-repeated pious declarations by many a new M9 owner--"this will be my last camera!"--speak to a more fundamental truth about the sheltered world of digital Ms.
Come to think of it now, this "shelter-from-the-storm" has consistently been one of the things that initially attracted me to and has kept me in the M-mount RF fold. The simplicity of the cameras combined with the relatively slow (non-existent?!) pace of innovation has been, in many ways, a boon to my apprenticeship and creativity.
Only time will tell if buying into the Fuji X system means the end of that shelter, and, if so, what it means for my image-making hobby.
The one thing I will say is that digital cameras inevitably bring one into much closer contact with the whole problem of junk. The bodies themselves become "junk" after a few years--if not sooner when the electronics suddenly fair, while high rates of fps, multi-bracketing, and image reproduction encourage a proliferation of "junk" images.
As manufacturers scramble now to eliminate the AA-filter from their sensors, I think it may be time to re-evaluate the M8 and recognize it for the classic it really is.
efix
RF user by conviction
I have yet to see the camera that rivals the M8 in a) handling and b) image quality. Save for the M9, that is.
jarski
Veteran
Leica's are becoming junk slower than other digital cameras. been regretting selling my M8. would buy it back and use, but those darn prices keep holding..
As much as all of the newer cameras offer better high ISO and some other advantages, I still love using a Leica M over any other camera. It just feels right and is fun as hell.
rbelyell
Well-known
i think that other companies 'rushing to eliminate AA filters' makes an interesting point. as i recall, the high price of entry with the original M8 did not include any warning from leica that its decision to remove the AA filter would result it the cameras inability to render black. as i recall, some folks were pretty pissed at having spent so much money, not being told about this then-obvious problem, then being told the fix was to affix IR filters to their cherished thousand dollar glass.
now, technology actually allows for AA filter weakening or removal without these issues. a much more consumer-friendly, and honest, way of proceeding, no?
now, technology actually allows for AA filter weakening or removal without these issues. a much more consumer-friendly, and honest, way of proceeding, no?
Wouter
Well-known
Just bought an M4 with a Summilux 50 ...
huntjump
Well-known
People are always rushing to buy the latest and greatest . . . often not realizing how good some of their gear already is. If you do not need high ISO, the M8 is a top notch camera. It is interesting about the trend in removing the IR.
And i agree with you jsrockit, except for the R-D1 which has a special place in my heart. but by no means am i knocking the fuji, i am sure its a nice camera and the images seem great. Just wont replace an M feeling, which everyone pretty much knows anyway by now.
And i agree with you jsrockit, except for the R-D1 which has a special place in my heart. but by no means am i knocking the fuji, i am sure its a nice camera and the images seem great. Just wont replace an M feeling, which everyone pretty much knows anyway by now.
Teuthida
Well-known
the files from my m8 are stunning. no need for the latest and greatest,
noimmunity
scratch my niche
The R-D1 is the quintessential "anti-junk" digital camera, the first and perhaps the purest.
I agree that the Fuji XP1 cannot replace an M, but I really do think that the viewfinder is innovative enough that the M cannot really replace it either. Having both an M9 and an X-Pro1, as John above does, seems to me to be the alpha and omega of "junk-resistant ware" at this point. I'm really curious to see what kinds of reports dual M9/XP1 users put in after a couple of years...
htimsdj
Established
Great post. Enjoying my MP and Zeiss glass. Will upgrade to Leica glass if I can ever find it!
I think that might be more of a lateral movement and not necessarily upwards in improvement.
hellomikmik
Well-known
Hey guys, you forgot?
We are turning to dust anyway at the end.
Just replace in your discussion "my camera body" with "my body" - it's gonna be fun.
Time is passing swiftly
We are turning to dust anyway at the end.
Just replace in your discussion "my camera body" with "my body" - it's gonna be fun.
Time is passing swiftly