M7 or M8 as my first 'M'?

[psychokiller]

I am taking a nosedive into the M world for the first time and need advice from you good people.

I want AE so M7 is my obvious choice (FWIW, I didn't like the feel of the Ikon) but for a few bucks more (in Leica terms) perhaps a used M8 is the way to go.

I will probably only buy one body and lens at this stage for street photography use. I have narrowed it down to the following:

new M7 kit (50mm Summicron): OR
used M7 +35mm Summicron; OR
used M8 +35mm Summicron

The first option is the cheapest, though based on my forum readings it would seem that the 35mm focal length is the better length for either of these 2 bodies (in terms of framelines, RF street shooting etc). Is this so?

Secondly, if I were to buy a used M8, any early serial no's I should avoid where there were problems?

Thirdly, at 10mp, can the M8 outresolve Provia/Tri-X negs at 11x14 sized prints (the absolute max. size I would try to print from 35mm)?

Lastly, what is the highest usable ISO factor on the M8, before noise becomes a major issue.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[whitecat]

Get the true feeling of film....M7

 

[jbf]

Hmm... I'd say go with M7. As far as which one? I'd get whichever is cheaper. A used M7 (in good condition obviously) plus the 35 cron is probably cheaper than a new M7 kit with 50cron.

 

[jayjee]

M3! Ahhhh bliss...

I know my post is in vain as you're looking for AE and fancy smancy electronic stuff but I find myself holding my M3 while I'm watching Seinfeld on a regular basis for no reason really. Haha

Good luck with whatever purchase you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time making photos with an M.

 

[pfoto]

A used M7 and a used 35mm Summicron is an excellent street kit. Think about an MP too, a tiny bit smaller and maybe lighter, but classic Leica without maintenance issues. If you use chromogenic B&W film for your street shots you don't have to be an expert to guess the exposure, the chromogenics have huge latitude and you can really mess up your exposure and get away with it. 🙂

I'd stay well clear of the M8; it seems to be plagued with problems.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,
35 or 50 is just a matter of taste and preference. We can not decide for you what will be best for you.
HCB shot with 50 almost all of his pictures. Others, like me, prefer 35.
I'd say, get M7 and cheaper earlier versions of 35 and 50. In every day use the earlier versions are as good as the later versions. You can always sell them at the price you paid for them.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[Keith]

Tough choice! 😛

There was a thread about M8 noise a while ago and Gabriel provided some examples at 1200 that were very impressive. There is a theory also that you can shoot the M8 underexposed a stop or so to gain speed and use it's excellent ability to record shadow detail in the raw images! I never go above 640 ISO on mine ... I don't have the post processing skills to make the noise look acceptable and it will never look as nice as film grain no matter what tricky software you run it through IMHO.

Personally I would go for the M7 and 50mm Summicron ... the M7 is not my favourite Leica rangefinder I must admit as I think there are a couple of really dumb designs on it ... but I don't really love my M8 much either. I find it's shutter noise irritatingly loud and one thing about the M7 that is really cool is the near silent shutter ... it's amazing!

 

[Prosaic]

Film or digital?

Film or digital?

I am taking a nosedive into the M world for the first time and need advice from you good people.

Thats like asking "film or digital". This is going to be a 500 pages discussion. Good start...

 

[whiteley]

having had both an m7 and an m8, i'd say for your first m you should try an m6. yes, it doesn't have AE, but it's an amazing camera that you can get at a fraction of the cost of either the m7 or m8 and test the waters to make sure you like the feel. if AE is a must, try an M7 first- a great camera through and through, with all the attributes most people associate with a leica. the M8 isn't likely to change much anytime soon, and the longer you wait the better the firmware will be anyhow. i got an M8 several months ago and my M7 has seen almost no action since, so if you're interested, i'm getting ready to sell my chrome M7...

 

[thetooth]

there is a brand new m7 starter kit on ebay with blank warrenty cards . might save yourself a couple bucks .http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150200841635&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005

 

[ferider]

I recommend starting with an M2 + CV 35/2.5 and see if you like RFs, which focal length is right, etc.

Welcome.

Roland.

 

[faris]

never get a used digital except from a very reputable dealer with a good return
policy.

i am fairly new to the m system, and use both the m7 and m8. for immediacy
i use the m8. for pleasure i love the m7.

get a used m7 ( from a reputable dealer ) and get a used zeiss 50 planar. and
start learning and enjoying photography!

leica lenses are not the only game in town.

good luck.

 

[Photon42]

How about the Zeiss Ikon?

 

[aizan]

jump off the high dive: m8 with a 28mm summicron.

 

[Eric T]

There's no question: the M8. The advantages of digital are enormous. I especially like being able to change ISO between photos. I subscribe to the theory of underexposing by a stop as needed. I go above 320 ISO only when I have to.
I predict that if you bought the M8 you would take at least 10 times more photos than you would with the M7. Also, factor in the cost of film and developing. You will quickly pay for the cost difference between the two if you get the M8 by shooting digitally.
Eric

 

[psychokiller]

Wow! Such quick responses. Thanks. 🙂

Thats like asking "film or digital". This is going to be a 500 pages discussion. Good start...

This isn't meant to be a digital vs film thread and judging from all your responses so far it is not. In fact, I am hoping that those who own both the M7/M8 can advise.

It seems that film M cameras are much loved but anyone who owns a film M plus an M8 tends to use the M8 more often, even though it is a love/hate relationship. True?

I have also considered an M6 as a cheaper option but I am concerned that no AE may slow down my street photos to the point that I miss 'the moment'. Any advice on this?

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Wow! Such quick responses. Thanks. 🙂



This isn't meant to be a digital vs film thread and judging from all your responses so far it is not. In fact, I am hoping that those who own both the M7/M8 can advise.

It seems that film M cameras are much loved but anyone who owns a film M plus an M8 tends to use the M8 more often, even though it is a love/hate relationship. True?

I have also considered an M6 as a cheaper option but I am concerned that no AE may slow down my street photos to the point that I miss 'the moment'. Any advice on this?

AE is faster, that's for sure. But I've done street photography with a M6 for decades. Anticipating and practise is the way to go. Light levels don't change that much and film is very forgiving. A M6 will do very fine.
cheers,
Michiel fokkema

 

[Keith]

It seems that film M cameras are much loved but anyone who owns a film M plus an M8 tends to use the M8 more often, even though it is a love/hate relationship. True?

That's an individual thing I think ... I bought an M8 on the assumption that it would lead me down that path but it didn't ... I now shoot digital even less ... my D70s which used to get a fair amount of use now languishes in the cupboard. The M8 made me realise that I really do like film and shooting digital can be a pain in the butt at times! I have never received the rewards from using the M8 that I assumed I would and to be honest I supect I would be better off with a D300 as a replacement for my D70s. I think that would encourage me to shoot more digital because it would be getting away from the M platform which I feel is more suited to film ... and the type of photography which suits a DSLR may be where I would prefer to actually go with digital in the future.

I'm not sure if that all made sense! 😛

 

[JWW]

Sold my M7 to help pay for my M8 last year. Now contemplating selling my MP since I hardly use it anymore. No question as to preference, when I go out the door I have my M8. One advantage with M8 that hardly anyone mentions is getting spoiled having 1/8000 shutter for daylight wide open shots with f1.4 lux lens for short DOF.

Jan

 

[eef]

FWIW my M6 is gathering dust since I got the M8. it probably should be sold
to someone who would use it. Same with the RD-1. I have hundreds of beautiful shots with it, but somehow I don't trust it as much as the M8.

As to D70, mine is getting a bit more use since I got the 80-400 VR lens as a birthday present. Talk about things you just can't do with an M8, taking pictures of Cranes at the Bosque del Apache is sure one.