M8-up with the best

[Toby]

For crying out loud! No one is trying to say the M8 will make better photos than a Canon 1Ds or Nikon D2-whatever. All that is being said is that it is providing COMPARABLE image quality to these cameras in the RF form.
Many photographers have been waiting for this and I have spoken to a few pro M shooters who will definitely buy this camera. Let's get over it! Pro DSLR shooters - as you were.

BUT for the long term survival of Leica they have to appeal to a new generation not just 'M shooters'. I've often thought that all the guff in Leica press releases about letting the photographer have control and not interfering with the photgraphers vision is to cover up the fact that they can't compete with the big boys in R+D terms and so they try to make a virtue of their simplicity. I really wonder what cameras they'd produce with Canon's budget and how much their 'philosophy'would change

 

[ywenz]

It's pointless to compare AF SLR systems to RF. Different tools for different needs. Personally I will own both.

The context of his comment, if you read thru the whole thread was why most pros will not use this camera when given the choice of a pro DSLR and the M8.

 

[x-ray]

I had not thought of it that way, but yes, I seldomly see a pro using the setting "baby 2"

Correct but (there's that word again) we do use a variety of program modes like program, aperture priority, shutter priority and auto focus. German cars and cameras have always been more sparce in features than Japanese cars and cameras. The good thing is those features have given more options and have taken camera technology a few steps forward. I'm one of those photographers that still like the basics and still shoot M's and shoot Nikon F2's still. I also use automation when needed and select the machine to do the job at hand.

You might find the attached image interesting. It's from a shoot this morning and was from a model shot 1/2 full length (waste up to about six inches above the head. This is a 100% crop from a canon raw file converted in PS CS2 with default sharpening. Data, canon 1DsII, 85mm 1.2 at 8 and ISO 100.

The 1DsII is about $1000 more expensive than the M8 but the 1DIIN is just as sharp and produces virtually the same quality image as the 1DsII. I think the 1DIIN is cheaper than the M8.

This wasn't from a close up of the face.

 

[Nachkebia]

Okey guys! you have convinced me! I want M8! all you have to do is buy it for me! :angel:

 

[Toby]

It's pointless to compare AF SLR systems to RF. Different tools for different needs. Personally I will own both.

Why? I have both systems and have done pro work with both (and MF). I could shoot portraits, documentary, or travel on any of those three systems but in the end duplicating capabilities across systems isn't very cash efficient so I put my money into what I thought was the best bet - so I did make a direct comparison and was by no means pointless.

 

[J. Borger]

Am i the only one having the impression this thread, as most M8 or digital related threads, are leading nowhere ..... a complete waste of bandwith and time ... ........i had it for today ..... of to the pub 🙂

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

C'mon Leica. Get this M8 in the shops so we can talk about the R4A and R4M which should surely have you worried.

They have 21mm framelines in the viewfinder... Yes, that is something new.

 

[jaapv]

I suppose there is a category of pro's - it probably depends on inclination and specialty- that really appreciate the advent of the M8. At any rate,HERE a number of them are excitedly gearing up....

 

[Gid]

Am i the only one having the impression this thread, as most M8 or digital related threads, are leading nowhere ..... a complete waste of bandwith and time ... ........i had it for today ..... of to the pub 🙂

This, as most of these threads are, is therapy for those who are about to drop $5000 on a camera that will produce images as good as cameras costing $1000. Not pointless at all 😀

 

[rxmd]

Yeah, and that the images have this plasticky digital look but you can take the M8 into a warzone with you.

Philipp

You can with a battery less M3 or M2, not with this M8 with all its electronics..

Looks like the Leica marketing is doing a fine job on people...

Some of you guys left your humour outside with the dog, did you?

I was commenting on the two "M8" pictures with the plasticky half-dressed girl and the tank.

Philipp

 

[Nachkebia]

C'mon Leica. Get this M8 in the shops so we can talk about the R4A and R4M which should surely have you worried.

They have 21mm framelines in the viewfinder... Yes, that is something new.

Tell me about it, R4 sounds fantastic! I don`t know about M8 but I am definetly getting bessa R4!

 

[rxmd]

I think the M8 is a throw back to the era when pro cameras had fewer features than their amateur cousins (think FE2 compared to F3 or A1 compared to F1)

The new F1 actually had a lot more features compared to the A-1.

The old F1 from 1971 didn't, but then it was seven years older than the A-1.

Philipp

 

[stevme]

Take a look at this:

http://www.iol.ie/~corkflor/wetzlar3.html

Several shots are represented in following pages.

M8 + Noctilux

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

R4 will have built-in framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35 and 50mm focal lengths. M mount.

R4A with electronic shutter, matte black and auto/manual exposure,
R4M with mechanical shutter, glossy black and manual exposure.

About April 2007, thought to be about the same price as the R2's and R3's.

Abrahamsson provided the concept, and Kobayashi is making it. R4 is not a me too camera, it's a completely new market segment.

 

[jaapv]

Am i the only one having the impression this thread, as most M8 or digital related threads, are leading nowhere ..... a complete waste of bandwith and time ... ........i had it for today ..... of to the pub 🙂

Let's start being rational then: we are on RFF so we opt for rangefinders (D)SLR's are out then.
We are on the digital section so we leave our film in the gearbag.
Two options left :RD1 and M8. We are in the M8 thread. The camera is still in transit to us, so there is nothing to talk about. So what do we talk about?: nothing 😀
Which pub?

 

[photogdave]

I'm not talking about the survival of the company or its marketing tactics. That's for discussions on other threads.
I'm talking about the members here who shoot DSLR in a professional capacity trying to rain on the parade of the members who are excited about the M8. Most people here seem pretty educated and quite aware of the overall limitations of a rangefinder vs. SLR. EVERYONE here knows this! Old news!
No one is expecting the files from the M8 to appear magically better than a pro DSLR. They are just excited that they will be just as good. All I'm saying is, can't we just let them be excited?

 

[Nachkebia]

Is anyone ever going to post some GOOD pictures taken with the M8.

Way to hijack the thread Jon Claremont.



That was Leica job.. is anyone at work there!? stupid strategy..

They did not send me M8 so there will be no good pictures 😀 😀 🙄

 

[newyorkone]

Why? I have both systems and have done pro work with both

Even more reason that you should understand that the two systems have uses and strengths which aren't entirely duplicative. You also mention that if Leica had the money what would they do differently...I don't know the answer to that but I definitely know that I would rather they not go down the same road as companies like Canon, Nikon...whatever SLR company, take your pick. If Leica made an autofocus, wiz-bang RF I wouldn't buy it. Contax did it...look where they are.

1DsII...amazing camera and for some things cannot be beat but for street photography and most candid portraits, an RF camera simply is the best option. From my experience, In reportage situations people more often than not shy away from the giant SLR's with giant zoom lenses but for some reason they warm up to the RF.

 

[ywenz]

1DsII...amazing camera and for some things cannot be beat but for street photography and most candid portraits, an RF camera simply is the best option. From my experience, In reportage situations people more often than not shy away from the giant SLR's with giant zoom lenses but for some reason they warm up to the RF.

Very reasonable comments, which I totally agree. I just don't like how ppl claim the M8 is or will produce the most film-like images of all digital cameras..
. pffttt ( is there a line formed to suck Leica's you know what? get 'em knee pads out boys... )

 

[jlw]

( is there a line formed to suck Leica's you know what? )

Maybe that's what you have to do to get moved up in the waiting list...