Leica M8: some questions

[Sorabji]

Hi, Everyone!

I realise there can only be speculation at this point, but reading the Leica M8 spec sheet left me wondering a few things which seem too important to be ommitted. Can anyone out there help?

1) How are digital cameras/battery performance effected by changes in temperature? Particularly extreme cold?

2) I understand battery power on the M8 is good for between 300-550 images, based on various reports. Certain assignments may necessitate the carrying of additional batteries. But how long will the fully charged batteries hold their charge before being used?

3) No external flash connector. Does this mean we can't use the M8 in a studio set up?

4) What is the shutter lag like, compared to other top digitals and compared to the current analogue M's?

5) How do digital cameras cope with light rain? More importantly, the M8.


Thank you in advance if there's anything you can share on any of the above.

Best, Sorabji

 

[MP/CLE]

Hi, Everyone!

I realise there can only be speculation at this point, but reading the Leica M8 spec sheet left me wondering a few things which seem too important to be ommitted. Can anyone out there help?

1) How are digital cameras/battery performance effected by changes in temperature? Particularly extreme cold?

2) I understand battery power on the M8 is good for between 300-550 images, based on various reports. Certain assignments may necessitate the carrying of additional batteries. But how long will the fully charged batteries hold their charge before being used?

3) No external flash connector. Does this mean we can't use the M8 in a studio set up?

4) What is the shutter lag like, compared to other top digitals and compared to the current analogue M's?

5) How do digital cameras cope with light rain? More importantly, the M8.


Thank you in advance if there's anything you can share on any of the above.

Best, Sorabji

Hello all, I just got my Leica quarterly mgazine and after that bit of motivation I am now assembling the necessary funds to finance the purchase of an m8. Could someone who would know from experience please answer the quoted questions, particularly, in my case, items 2 and 4? Thank you very much.

 

[John Camp]

1) How are digital cameras/battery performance effected by changes in temperature? Particularly extreme cold?

2) I understand battery power on the M8 is good for between 300-550 images, based on various reports. Certain assignments may necessitate the carrying of additional batteries. But how long will the fully charged batteries hold their charge before being used?

3) No external flash connector. Does this mean we can't use the M8 in a studio set up?

4) What is the shutter lag like, compared to other top digitals and compared to the current analogue M's?

5) How do digital cameras cope with light rain? More importantly, the M8.

1. About like battery-powered film cameras. I've shot a D2x in the Minnesota winter, and the battery will fade a bit; but you can keep another one in an inside pocket and switch the first out, and between two, it has to be pretty damn cold not to be able to shoot most of a day. And of course, no matter how cold it gets, it's just a matter of having enough spares. A much bigger problem in extreme cold is condensation. And it does not make sense to me to think about a $5,000 camera with a $3,000 lens and only one battery...

2. Don't know, because I haven't tried it. A D2x and an R-D1 will hold a charge for weeks.

3. No. It means you have to buy a cheap adapter.

4. Sean Reid in an extnesive test says it's fine; not a problem.

5. If you have a lot of light rain, I'd look at a Pentax K10.

JC

 

[MP/CLE]

1. About like battery-powered film cameras. I've shot a D2x in the Minnesota winter, and the battery will fade a bit; but you can keep another one in an inside pocket and switch the first out, and between two, it has to be pretty damn cold not to be able to shoot most of a day. And of course, no matter how cold it gets, it's just a matter of having enough spares. A much bigger problem in extreme cold is condensation. And it does not make sense to me to think about a $5,000 camera with a $3,000 lens and only one battery...

2. Don't know, because I haven't tried it. A D2x and an R-D1 will hold a charge for weeks.

3. No. It means you have to buy a cheap adapter.

4. Sean Reid in an extnesive test says it's fine; not a problem.

5. If you have a lot of light rain, I'd look at a Pentax K10.

JC

John, regarding number 4, is the m8 shutter release instantaneous like the m7 or is there a lag like alot of the digital cameras?

 

[John Camp]

Sean's site is a paid site (I'm a subscriber) so I would not want to step on one of his reviews. They are definitely worth having on a number of subjects. However, I don't think he would object if I reported that he said M8 shutter lag is "undetectable." In other words, there is none.

JC

 

[grantray]

I'll second that on the shutter lag. I played with one this weekend. I couldn't detect lag at all.

-grant

 

[Matthew]

I'll weigh in on shutter lag too -- I didn't notice a difference from a film M.

 

[Grober]

#3 answer: buy a radio trigger device but make sure to query Leica first on recommended vendors of this sort of thing for the M8 in particular. I'd hate to blow the circuit in a $5k camera with the wrong $100 something radio trigger.

If Leica only expects us to use their non-articulated, shoe mounted flash, they had better wake up and learn how their customers really use their products. I NEVER use direct flash.

I have used the Morris device on both the M4 and M7 without noticeable damage but I'll take another look before I try it on my M8.

A definite advantage to radio triggers: freedom from the wire is wonderful!

-g

 

[jano]

#5 -- I have an older canon digital rebel (300d) that's been through light and heavy rain, sleet, cold, etc. Not for extended periods of time, but enough to say...

No problems thus far. Battery life is shorter when it's cold out, that's a given.

Unrelated issue to be expected, I did experience fogging in my L lenses, though, when I went from a cold room to a nice, warm, toasty room.