M8 Issues and Resolutions

bluepenguin said:
I see. The good thing is that R-D1 doesn't have IR issue as M8.
But I'm definately sure that I can shoot more freely without UV/IR filter with R-D1.
Click to expand...

The only reason I realized within minutes that the M8 needed an IR filter back in November 2006 was that I had gone through purple black woes with a friend who owned a D70, which has the same sensor as the RD-1 The difference is just in degree. I'm a perfectionist; I would not consider using a RD-1 without UV/IR filter. Sean Reid has a comparison on his site proving this beyond doubt.
 
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Of course there is a lot one can do in post-processing, for instance selecting the shifted colours and neutralizing them, but there is a limit to the selecting one can do and a filter may be preferable. The flare issues on UV/IR filters (fortunately) usually take the form of circumscript spots, which are easily cloned out. I agree that a solution with a filter elsewhere in the lightpath would be preferable, if only from a marketing point of view, but short of producing digital lenses with a filter incorporated in the optically most desirable spot, presumably next to the diaphragm, it is hard to see how to improve on the current filters.
 
Don't know about shutter delay (lag!), mine has none. Loud? I don't think so, then again it's not an M3, but the world is noisier than it was in the 50s. Cheap feel? Are you sure? Bottom line: yes, the M8 is more delicate and fragile when compared with old Ms, but this was to be expected. Try it. It can grow on you.
Regards.
 
My 2 cents:

1. The IR problem is mostly irrelevant if you mostly convert your images to BW. The IR problem becomes a feature if you want to experiment with IR photography.

2. AWB: solved, but was never a big deal to me because my workflow involved WB tweaking for images that were going to stay color.

3. Reliability: knock wood, not been a problem with my unit. However, so far it's done the "infinite repeated exposures until you pull the battery out routine" 3 times. Hasn't done it for a few weeks, though.

4. Weak CS: I luckily live a 25 minute drive away from Leica NJ and have the luxury of dealing with them in person. They've been nothing but lovely in their dealings with me. Definitely not fast, but accomodating nonetheless. Truthfully, sending a Leica repair to an independent repairperson isn't exactly a while-you-wait proposition, either. Of course, I haven't suffered through a 3 month wait while my M8 was being repaired in Solms with no updates or progress. I'm just speaking from personal experience. I've watched from the sidelines since before I bought mine a year ago as others have suffered needlessly with their Leica service problems. Leica's lack of communications and archaic processes have only added insult to injury. Maybe new leadership will bring a fresh approach to this. Maybe not.

5. Loud Shutter: It's definitely louder than a motorless M, but comparable to other contemporary motored bodies, I think. I won't be getting the new shutter. I do wish that they either would have left out the motor or made it able to be delayed as many have requested. It is what it is and what it is isn't terrible.

6. 8/16: From a "getting what you're paying for" perspective it's an issue. Not sure if anyone has proven that it presents any practical limitations, though.

7. Is there a shutter delay? I've never noticed.

8. Cheap feel: definitely a different feel because of the thickness of the body. Not a fan of the covering. That was easily rectified by a griptac covering from cameraleather.com. I think it's feel no more cheaply made than an M7.

9. Full frame: Do I wish it was from the start? YES. Now that it's a year after I bought the thing and I've adjusted my lens line-up to compensate I don't really care. The FOV of the 50 took a little getting used to, but now I love it and it's once again my standard lens.

One thing that wasn't mentioned: the RF calibration issue. To me this was really annoying. But after some self-tweeking, a trip to Leica NJ, and some more self-tweaking, I think I've just about gotten it nailed.

I don't regret for one second buying this body. Is it perfect? No, but neither am I (by a longshot).

Some people have M8's and hate them and have been severely disappointed in the state of the product. I think that most people that actually have one or more M8's are satisfied with it, warts and all. One thing that I think is interesting about this forum is that the majority of negative posts about the M8 are from people that don't have one and have never used one.

John
 
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