M6 vs M8 Not sure which to keep.

It is a purely emotional question you need to answer yourself. Sit down for a moment and imagine seriously that you pack up the M8 and return it today. How do you feel?
Now sell the M6 today in your mind - how do you feel?
The answer is right there.
 
So you bought an M8 body while having already the M6 / 50mm Summicron and now think about which of the two camera bodies to keep or selling the M6 + 50 Summicron together (original set) to buy a completely different lens (wider) to use with the M8 (would be a new set-up) ?

I think the minimum you would need to do is buying a second, wider lens to be used with the M8 (comparable fov as the M6 with 50mm) and then compare the results with what you get from your M6. That means you would have to carry both cameras and try to duplicate your photos and then after editing / processing could decide what you like better.
 
I'd definitely keep the M6 but if you want to have a digital work flow also, why does it have to be the M8? There's plenty of far cheaper options, M4/3, Fuji x100, x10 etc.
 
I have an M6, recently got an M8 (wow, there are a lot of us!).

I have the Zeiss ZM 28/2.8, and that is like a 35ish on the M8, which works great. I also have a 50/1.5 Summarit, which, strangely enough, is great on the M8 in B&W (i convert in lightroom).

I, along with the other posters here, know exactly how you feel. I look through the M8, and while it's a real Leica and all that, it feels like a toy next to my M6. I had my M6 sent to Sherry for the MP finder upgrade, and it came back looking like new, and the finder just completely blows away the M8 finder. The M6 is pretty inspiring.

Beyond that, though, the M8 is fun, but definitely kind of a niche camera because of the low ISO limits... I keep it at or below 640, but in reality 320 is about it. So, it's kinda like having tri-x 320 in it all the time. But that's ok since the files look awesome.

I have the same scanning backlog as you -- we all do, I'm sure. That's just life.

I don't know how much you can get for the Summicron, but you could sell it and buy a Zeiss ZM 50/2 planar (or 35/2 ZM), which is supposed to be right up there with the Leicas (who knows, but that's what they say). Maybe that extra money would help you keep both?

Or, since you are in a medical residency, just eat ramen for a few months and tough it out, keeping everything and shooting that M8 like mad to save on film costs/time while you are crazy busy.

Or get the R-D1 .. wish I would have thought about that.... usable files at 1600... that's pretty significant.

OR, just get a used Sony Nex-3 or Nex-5, and get an adapter. Usable higher ISOs, that contrast-based focusing thing that's very cool, and money in your pocket. A used NEX-3 is like $250.
 
The M8 + 50 suited me very well. You learn to 'see' differently. If time is a factor, as it will be, the M8 would win for me. And yes, I used M8 and MP (and M2 and M4-P) side by side. Personally I would no longer touch an out-of-production, unsupported, heavy-crop RD1.

Cheers,

R.
 
Keep the M6. Such a great camera and it just works. I sold my M8 and bought a M6 couple of months ago. No regrets. The only thing I consider is selling the M6 for a MP :D.
 
"1. By properly editing a DNG file you can get the film look for the M8, but for the time and effort it takes, you might as well shoot straight to film. Any quality increases from digital (though not too many from the M8 with 10MP) will also be reduced when putting those heavy "film simulation" effects on files. Sure some people will say they you can do it it quickly by exporting a tiff for a silver FX preset bla bla bla, whatever. Check Flickr, most M8/M9 files don't look that good compared to the shots from the film M's. People don't want to heavily edit each shot, leaving stale files as they are."

I love film as much as the next old guy, but, lets be honest: thats some serious misinformation.

I'm doing an extended documentary project on the Mississippi delta. B&W. I started by trying to use film (Leica M5 and HP5), as I thought that aesthetic worked with the subject. After 3 or four trips and rhe resulting time spent developing/scanning and looking at the results, I'm now digital only (M8 and NEX5N). This Thursday I get back on a plane to Memphis without a film camera.

Not only is the workflow easier and more efficient, but the results are far superior to film. A 10mp file from the M8, processed as desired in Silver Efex, blows the HP5 version out of the water every time in terms of resolution and flexibility and "look". To my eye, it equals or exceeds the results I've achieved with 645 format scanned.
 
Given that your main issues with the M8 appear to be FOV and digital postproduction, I'm not sure what an RD1 would get you other than possibly an extra stop of ISO. FOV will be worse if anything (because of the larger crop factor), and you will still have to do some digital post on your files. Also, as Roger stated the camera is no longer supported, while the M8 is, at least here in North America.

Like many here it seems, I have a M8 and a M6. For its flaws I do like the M8, and I prefer the RAW files it produces to those from much more recent cameras such as the Nikon D7000 and Sony NEX5N - at lower ISO. The camera does have a learning curve, however. I was not impressed after my first two days with the M8, but once I examined the files and started to get used to the differences between it and my M6 (some subtle, some large), I began to appreciate and enjoy it much more.

If you are looking for a less expensive digital alternative and can live without a rangefinder, I might suggest the Ricoh GXR. I only tested one for a day, alas, but was pleased with both the handling and files. I own a NEX5N and would not recommend it as your sole digital M-mount camera. I still prefer the M8 to both, at least up until ISO 640 (which apparently counts as ISO800 on most other cameras).
 
M8 hands down. You can buy a cheaper film camera to use, but the M8 is one of 3 digital rangefinders available. The M6 will always be available. It's about workflow and what fits your lifestyle. I keep hearing you say that you don't know where you'll find time. That leads me to believe that your heart says M6 while your brain is telling you M8.
 
The R-D1 is still supported by Epson in Japan, for the record. You can go through RFF sponsor Japan Camera Hunter for repairs.
 
Sounds like you want to keep the M6 but just want to be pushed over the edge. Seems like the RFF'ers have spoken.....M6. I go to Costco and its $1.50/roll developing and with practice you can get into a good and basic scanning workflow that works for you.
 
M6 for sure.
After 4 years of R-D1 and 5 years M8 i completely returned to film about 2 years ago.
Once in a while i reconsider going back to digital but after fiddling a day or two with older raw files and compare it to what i get from shooting B&W film i am cured and stick with film.
 
Rangeman133 said:
I'm struggling really hard here. Got decisions to make this week. Currently, I have an m6 and a recently acquired m8. I can't afford to keep both. I either sell the m6, or return the m8.

My only lens is a 50mm summicron, and I love that fov on the m6. I also like the bright, clear frame lines, and the handling of the camera. I prefer the act of shooting film, and the results I get from film. But I seriously dislike the developing and scanning.

I've only had a few days to try out the m8. So far, I definitely enjoy it. But obviously not ideal for low light, problems with the frame lines. Not liking the fov as much. Absolutey hate editing photos in software like capture one, mainly because i'm not good at it. but obviously like the immediate results, not having to develop/scan.

It really does come down to film vs digital. And I like the pro's of film (imo, its aesthetically superior to digital), but the negatives (haha) of developing/scanning takes too much time. i don't enjoy that process as much as i use to. as for the m8, pro's of immediate results, but negatives of editing. for some reason, i can't get good results from dng files. they have to be edited, and i now realize that it really is an art in itself.

right now, i'm leaning towards selling both the m6 and 50mm summicron, and getting a 28mm lens, or 35mm lens for the m8. but when i pick up the m6, and look through the viewfinder, i just can't seem to part ways with it! this is assuming i can somehow learn how to post process dng files properly. maybe i'm not exposing properly in the m8? i'm not sure, but i guess i'll test it out some more, before deciding on it.

Got any advice? From the searches I've done, it seems that it really does come down to film vs digital. I just can't seem to get good results from the m8 so far, and I know that thats because of my own lack of skills when it comes to editing, and nailing exposure.
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Hmmm...not sure if I can give you any help here as I think you are asking the wrong questions.

The point is, both cameras are merely tools. Use the one that is most appropriate for accomplishing the task ahead. For me, I used Nikon DSLRs for years for everything from sports photography to motorsports and studio portraits. I don't do that anymore.

I use the M3 and the R4 exclusively for documentary work that requires black and white. Color is a different story, as I prefer to use digital for that, but then the color digital files from DSLRs is so different. I cannot afford to move into the M8/M9 + Lux lenses anytime soon for that particular character. So, I stick with the same Leica film bodies for color as well. I am happy even though I have to factor costs of processing/scanning into the final product.

Forget the cost, appreciation v. depreciation. Forget the trends in marketing. Forget everything except why you have the M bodies in the first place. Then, if the results are important to you, make a decision based on the final images. Just remember that these cameras are tools for producing what you want.

Cost is forgotten long after the final print is hung on the wall. YMMV.:angel:
 
keep the M6 and send your film to your pro lab of choice (NCPS, Praus, etc) because you don't like processing of any kind.

it is not difficult to develop a good workflow for the M8, even for its often-disparaged high iso files, but it takes some learning and of course you have to want to do it.

--this from an M8/9 believer
 
if it was Moi ...Crazy Gal i am ...I would keep the M6

Listening to your Thoughts...perhaps the M8 is BEST
and I Agree with Jsrockit
Down the road You can always pick up
some Type of Cheaper Film cam that will Do the Job & Do it Well
if You end Up Missing Film
 
One idea... try the M9

If it's about the money, then it's a timing issue and your priority might better be served by focusing on med school. Sounds like you are somewhat new to photography, and if so, work on the technical skills and artistic bits using what ever cameras are at hand. At some point it will come together and the "correct" choices will be obvious.

BTW, I think using b&w film to document your experence over the next few years would be very satisfying in retrospect.

Casey
 
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