m8 more popular now?

My M8 is gone now with the RD1 staying. When I had both I considered them as two film cameras at times.
The M8 was loaded with transparencies at 160 speed. The RD1 with neg film at 400-800.
The printed results from the M8 seemed to have more depth and 3D (plasticity) . The Rd1 printed results had calmness and nicer looking grain.
In the end I let the M8 go as the RD1 had a much nicer for me form and ergonomic factor.
That might be the same for you Joe. The two cameras do not "shoot" well as a pair.
The M8 became frustrating in it's control of ISO and Exposure comp when running in AE.
Try one out and see what you think. As someone pointed out last week in another thread. The camera that you are most productive with is "your" best camera. Even if it is not "the" best camera.
For me it's the RD1 that I get more keepers from even if the M8 files are of higher quality.
2c
 
Ben Z said:
I bought mine in July '07, knowing full well about the need of IR filters, the limited high-ISO ability, and the various reported modes of catastrophic failure (which is why I insisted on one with the latest serial #). The reason I went ahead and bought it is because I was travelling a great deal at the time and sick of being bogged down by a bag full of DSLR gears, and because I was not happy at all with my RD1 (viewfinder with nothing wider than effective 42mm, manual selection of frames, finnicky rangefinder that frequently went out of kilter, and a repair department that made even Leica's look good by comparison). I bought the M8 because it was the only thing that solved my needs, but that doesn't mean I thought it was worth the price.
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Dear Ben,

Surely it does. I mean, you bought it. Unhappily, perhaps, but the fact that you bought it suggests that it must in fact have been worth the money to you.

Yes, it could have been a lot better. It soon was a lot better. But it was worth enough more to you to buy it, as compared with an RD-1.

Cheers,

R.
 
I missed my R-D1 a lot once I got a M8.
In case of imagine quality, there is no improvement at all. The files from M8, M9 is not comparable to canon 5D, evemn at lower ISO. Just my thoughts.
 
The M8 is also now available at some very appealing prices too. I've had a M8, M8.2 and sold them both to get my M9.

I just snagged a nice original black M8 as a back up for ... $1400. Dealer trade in flipped to me as a regular customer with no frills and no box. 'DL' condition (Dr./Lawyer fondled only). At that price and condition I would have been mad to pass it up. :)

Reading the RD-1 comments reminds me that I do miss the ergonomics of the Epson although, for me, image quality was reminiscent of a Nikon D100 rather than Leica M.
 
Graham, That is an awesome deal to get the M8 at $1400. :)

I sold off my M8.2 at right price to get M9.

As I expected the M8/M8.2 price went down deep, than the price is coming back up since most of M8 supplies are disappeared.
 
I definitely think that this was a one off - the dealer wanted a quick turnaround on the camera so i was happy to oblige. I suspect the person who traded the M8 against their new M9 took a bit of a bath but probably everybody was ultimately happy with the deal since the dealer got a quick sale & real profit, trader got their M9 and no sales hassle with M8 or unused camera gathering dust, and I got a nice backup M8 at a very reasonable price which I wouldn't otherwise have purchased. Win, Win, Win I think.
 
Joe,

I've had both the RD-1 and M8 and find I much prefer the M8. Image quality, no contest.

I'm one of few who did not care for the film advance lever on the RD-1 when I got it. I was shooting an M7 with Motor Winder, so when I transitioned to the M8 it felt the same, just added the grip.

TOO Each His Own
 
It may be win/win for you and dealer.
But I can't agree winning situation for the one who traded M8 for quick money. LOL
If I were him, I rather keep it than sell it at that price.

By the way, I had some offer on my M8.2 from a dealer and I didn't sell it.
Guess what, I made a very good decision and I'm at least $600 (yes at least...) richer to pay toward to M9.
 
It's tough for dealers with the M8 because more than a few have been burned by buying high and hoping for a corresponding high $$ sale. Plenty of cameras and lenses sitting unsold at their current inflated prices.
 
Anyone who can take $1400.00 for their M8 when trading on an M9 is obviously not driven by the concept of value for money!
 
ferider said:
As you can see, Joe, you only should use an expensive Leica if you can afford it (or get it free from Leica). Then of course it is the best thing that photographically will ever happen to you. :rolleyes:

You sure you want to switch from your Epsons ?
Click to expand...

i wouldn't consider switching but if i went with a used m8 it would be in addition to.

it's only a thought atm as i like the rd1 camera and the images i get from them.
 
I have a vague suspicion you may be disappointed by the M8 Joe ... you seem to really like your Epsons and the way they fit your style of shooting. What it would do is give you a whole new set of focal lengths with the different crop which may actually just turn out to be somewhat confusing and could break the rythm you've achieved with your Epsons!
 
back alley said:
the m8 seems to be gaining in popularity these days.
is it because the m9 is so expensive and a used m8 seems a bargain now?

where once complaints about uv/ir filters etc. seemed so loud and common there now has been a calm acceptence.

i love digital rangefinders and my 2 rd1 bodies but i am tempted to start saving for a used m8.

so, what's up?
Click to expand...
Why, I thought the Rd1's were working fine for you. Is it GAS or something lacking in the RD1?
 
The R-D1 is a great camera, but I don't miss it. The M8 suits me better, and I am pixel-peepy enough to appreciate the higher resolution. I also find the crop factor 100% acceptable, whereas it sometimes bothered me on the R-D1.
 
i do love my rd1s and don't see me getting rid of them.

it might be confusing with the 2 different crop factors, hadn't given that much thought.

the rd1s are working well for me, my + feedback on flickr has never been so high.

pickett, you just can't help yourself, can you?
 
back alley said:
i do love my rd1s and don't see me getting rid of them.

it might be confusing with the 2 different crop factors, hadn't given that much thought.

the rd1s are working well for me, my + feedback on flickr has never been so high.

pickett, you just can't help yourself, can you?
Click to expand...



Predictable as snow during a Canadian winter! :D
 
back alley said:
i do love my rd1s and don't see me getting rid of them.

it might be confusing with the 2 different crop factors, hadn't given that much thought.

the rd1s are working well for me, my + feedback on flickr has never been so high.

pickett, you just can't help yourself, can you?
Click to expand...

Joe, as you wouldn't, I too did not sell my R-D1.
I got a second hand M8.2 a few weeks back and love it.

Both cameras are entirely different machines with different quirks and advantages. None exchanges for the other in my opinion.
My biggest struggle even after several weeks is, to get the right B&W look with the M8.2, which looks like my pushed Tri-X.
The R-D1 gave me this on day one - even the B&W jpgs are great!
The biggest plus for me is the worlds better rangefinder (it sticks precisely and framing is as precise as it can get with a RF).
Only the magnification is a let down, when one is accustomed to the huuge x1.0 R-D1 viewfinder (please EPSON, pretty please make a successor!!!).

After a few days of usage, I wrote a short "brainstorming list" of differences in regards to the R-D1 on my website. You might be interested, to read these points from a standpoint of an R-D1 user.

Here is the link:
http://www.teknopunk.com/articles/about_the_Leica_M8.2.html

Here is a shortened excerpt:

First brainstorming on the Leica M8.2 in respect to the EPSON R-D1:


•smaller crop factor of x1.3 versus x1.5 with the R-D1 - preferred lenses change once again for me

•my favorite lens on the R-D1, the Leica 28 Summicron ASPH is now veeeery wide

•the 35 Summicron ASPH takes it’s place instead most of the time on the camera

•the flaws of the 35 Summicron on the R-D1 (coma on outer frame light sources as in night shots) is now much reduced (don’t know, if this is due to the different sensor architecture, the completely missing AA filter on the M8.2 or the software corrections, Leica does within the camera with help of the coded lens)

•the M8.2 lacks the direct ISO speed control of the R-D1 - changing ISO is quite direct and quick (except, when the camera freezes during data processing) but forces the photographer, to look at a LCD menu

•the R-D1 ISO speed can be set blind folded by feel

•write times, image review and zooming for focus checking is as slow as with the much older R-D1, which is a pity

•the M8.2 clogs rather fast with it’s inadequate buffer and write speed in quick consecutive shooting

•the Leica M8.2 lacks any distinctive detents in it’s shutter speed dial at certain positions - no blind setting of exposure values in badly lit environment (the R-D1 shutter speed can be set by feel, as well, as the shutter speed on any previous Leica M)

•exposure lock in AE mode works as with the M7 - half press the shutter release and a small dot in the viewfinder signals lock, paired with the displayed shutter speed

•works quicker for me than the seperate exposure lock button on the R-D1

•detent for continious drive mode is too weak - the R-D1 on/off swith is not as nicely machined but much more functional and less obstrusive to the users fingers (the way, it works on the M7 is much better - on/off - thats all one needs)

•the battery and remaining shots LCD is a very nice and useful touch - it is not lit though and therefore completely useless in low light (my preferred light)

•no backup display of battery/ remaining exposures

•R-D1 status display might be a bit playful, resembling analogue needle displays, but much, much more readable in bad light - point for EPSON here

•the Leica rangefinder is unreached in clarity, precision - going to the R-D1 after handling a Leica M feels dull

•Leica messed up their great rangefinder and bright lines with the wrong magnification!

•the M8.2 uses a magnification factor of 0.68 - way too small for using other lenses than 24/28/35mm

•the need of using a magnifying diopter ruins viewability, brilliance, contrast and usability in low light

•R-D1 has a x1.0 magnification and a wonderful huge, bright viewfinder window, which is a joy to use (if only the rangefinder patch had parallax correction and the bright lines were more brilliant)

•the M8.2 feels more compact due to its lower height, it is slightly heavier though

•the top deck is much cleaner, leading not only to a better look, but to less catching of clothes, stucking in tight bags or jacket pockets

•I miss the shutter cocking lever of the R-D1 much - very much actually (A Leica M film advance lever to manually cock a mechanical shutter a la Leica M7 with the smooth feeling of that from the M6 or MP would be worth the upgrade to an M10 to me as the only improvement over the M8/ M9)

•the shutter is quite noiseless - subjectively less loud than the metallic chunk of the R-D1

•the following shutter motor drive noise makes the camera more obvious though

•Leica offers the “discreet mode” setting for the M8.2 and M9, which allows the photographer, to disconnect the otherwise automatic noisy shutter cocking from taking the photograph - the noise is delayed, as long one holds the shutter release button depressed after taking the shot - a very nice compromise

•a mechanic shutter cocking lever though would provide not only almost silent working, but another very nice handling plus + a quicker continous shooting rate in quick action + the deletion of the then not needed “C” mode position on the on/off switch

•the hotshoe is smoothly integrated into the topdeck design and Nikon flashes do fit much tighter and wobble free on the M8.2

•exposure compensation in AE mode works by half pressing the shutter and scrolling the thumb wheel - exposure compensation value is displayed in the viewfinder while setting and indicated by a blinking dot (the awful DX film speed warning dot from the Leica M7) - much better as EPSON, who crammed these values on the shutter speed dial

•shutter speed dial turns endless without stop as in traditional Leica M (bad idea - impossible to set shutter speed blind)

•I love the simple shutter speed dial of the Leica M6 (one can read the light in a scene by the eye, preset aperture and shutter speed by feel without exposing the camera, preset focus by feel and shoot very unobstrusive)

•too many buttons on the back of the M8.2 - the “delete”, “protect” and “info” buttons are largely irrelevant for working with the camera

•the “set” button is in the completely wrong position - it belongs right in the center of the directional pad as with other professional cameras

•to use important camera functions as ISO speed and WB, one has to take the left hand away from the lens, watch the LCD and confirm every setting by pressing the “set” button with the left hand

•digital functions of the camera can not be used completely with only the right hand, which would be more ideal

•to enter a menu point, one has to press the notorious “set” button instead of just entering the menu point by pressing the “right” button

•to exit a menu with saving changes, one has to press the “set” button with the left hand instead of just pressing the “left” button with the right hand

•changing the battery is quicker than doing so with the Nikon D3, despite one has to take off the bottom plate

•changing the SD card is as quick as well and not more time consuming or more difficult than overriding the safety lock of the Nikon D3 CF card door (which I also like very, very much)

•don’t understand people complaining about the bottom plate, being a nostalgic design fault or hideous solution at all

•the Leica bottom plate solution allows to have battery and SD card to be acessed via one entrance bay, the implementation is very quick and logic

•every long time Leica film shooter with some practice changes battery and SD cards quicker on this camera as a fulltime journalist can change battery and CF card/s in a Nikon D3

•only pitty, Leica didn’t take the chance, to make the M weather tight and implement a sealed bottom plate
 
back alley said:
i do love my rd1s and don't see me getting rid of them.

the rd1s are working well for me, my + feedback on flickr has never been so high.
Click to expand...

The way I see it is that you get along well with what you have now.
No need to change unless you could arrange for a loaner just to play with, have some fun.

I had the luck to be able to borrow both cameras for a week (different week for each camera). I chose the RD1.
 
Started with an R-D1. Bought one of the first M8s when they came out. Later changed back to an R-D1. But eventually returned to an M8 and, now, an M8.2.
If you think you might enjoy shooting with one, get one.
It's not like you've been shooting R-D1s all your life. You'd quickly adapt to the M8. And I bet you'd love it.

Call me an enabler:)
 
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