M8 wish list

[grduprey]

I can almost guarantee that if you are coming from happy experiences with a DSLR, you will never be happy with the M8.

I think I can be classified as a film rangefinder guy. I tried to like the M8 when it first came out. But I simply could not accept its limitations.

I stuck with film -- until recently I bought a DSLR and a couple of wide angle lenses since my circumstances simply did not allow me to luxury of film processing and I wanted to explore color photography.

To make a long story short, I recently borrowed an M8 to see if after my very enjoyable experiences with a larger, noiser, and 1.5x crop factor DSLR would do anything to get me past my objections to the M8...

The short answer: No.

For digital photography, nothing beats a quality DSLR. For sheer photographic gratification, nothing beats a film rangefinder.

For my photographic future, I see applications for both.

I have to disagree. I came from Film and Digital SLRs to rangefinders. My Nikon D200 hardly ever gets used, unless my wife uses it, since I got the M8, it is always with me and I never even think about the D200. If I need a SLR, I grab my Leica R8, a far better SLR and the lenses far superior to the Nikon lenses I have. My advice, get the M8 and the new 28/2.8 Asph or the 35 Summicron Asph.

Gene

 

[garethc]

yes gerethc, i'm based in (rip off) London UK. i hav friends /family frequently travel to US / Asia so i am thinking to buy it outside UK and use the extra for accessories...

If you are in London then I would Recommend Richard Caplan on Bury Street. They do weekend testdrives I think.

If you want to test an R-D1 I would happily lend you mine for a few days but I'm off on holiday today so won't be able to sort it out for a couple of weeks.

Anyway, good luck with it...I bet you will be addicted before you know it!

 

[Joe Mondello]

there's really nothing that compares to Leica glass, except possibly Zeiss glass, in terms of its "bokeh."

I have to say that some of the CV glass actually compares very well with Leica and Zeiss glass in terms of bokeh.

The $299 75mm Color-Heliar 2.5 is simply a beautiful lens that draws absolutely gorgeous bokeh. It has become my favorite lens on the M8.

That subscription to Reid Reviews I mentioned above will show you direct head to head comparisons of lots of RF lenses from various manufacturers in several focal lengths . . . bokeh and all.

I tell you straight that those reviews made it possible for me to consider the M8 at all since I had been focussing (pun intended!) on Leica lenses and the expense of building a kit -- before I found Sean's website.

Let us know how the Test Drive goes!

 

[usccharles]

why did you upgrade your RD-1 to M8? just simply better pict quality?



any good website for 2nd hand M8? good suggestion, i'll try to get hands on with a RF body first...



i love to learn all the above... IMO digital RF is best way to learn as i can see the result right after i take the shot.

hi,

i went to RD-1 to M8 mainly because of the crop factor. coming from shooting full frame, 1.6x crop factor is a big minus. there are some really nice lenses that create beautiful bokeh and subject isolation, for instance a 50mm noctilux. the Rd-1 pretty much eliminates alot of the bokeh and i didn't like it.
i'm not 100% happy with the 1.3 crop of the M8 either, but i can live with it. i get lovely bokeh with my 50mm and 75mm's.

plus M8 looks so DoPe : )

i use my Rd-1 mainly for wide angles. mainly my 15mm heliar.

i live in south korea... there are many shops here with used M8s for sale.

i still use my hexar RF. i bought mine at B&H in NY. i think you can find them in alot of places. i would highly recommend. beautiful camera. currently in vacation now and opted for the M8/Hexar combo to do some film shooting too, and left the Rd-1 at home...

cheers

 

[Richard Marks]

thanks for all the great suggestions!!!


as suggested, will sure do the M8 test drive this weekend... thanks everyone!!!

Hi

Glad to hear you are going to trial one of these. A fellow poster recommended Richard Caplan in London. Cant argue with that. If you look back thro my Gallery you will reconise some shots of London taken early this year. That was my test drive!!

Enjoy

Best wishes

Richard Marks

 

[Likaleica]

I have to say that some of the CV glass actually compares very well with Leica and Zeiss glass in terms of bokeh.

Thanks, Joe. I have no experience with CV glass. I'll check into it.

 

[parameters]

Kudos to Richard Caplan in London, very helpful and patiently explained

Got there late and not done the test drive... will go back this week.