MP/M7 or M8? Will the M8 have the Leica look?

S

snaggs

Established
Local time
4:21 AM
Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Messages
189
Now there is a M8 available, I think there would be many people (like me) who feel that the system has a safe future.

So I'm being tempted back to the fold..

Can anyone tell me.. will the M8 have the Leica look? microcontrast and tonality.. whatever you call it.. ? Otherwise maybe now is a good time to get a MP, and enjoy film with the knowledge I can flip to digital any time.

I've been googling on the net, and are suprised nobody has done a Kodachrome vs DRM test yet (that I can find).. has anyone done a comparison that would give me some idea of what the difference in the look between the two will be?

Daniel.
 
Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?

Daniel.
 
Well, there are two different aspects to this:

In terms of microcontrast and the "Leica look" in B&W - based on using my Leica M lenses on an R-D1 (which I didn't even like all that much as a tool) - and borrowed R lenses on a borrowed DMR, I'd say the answer is a resounding YES!

Even if the M8 'only' equals the DMR - it will be just exotically beautiful.

As to Kodachrome specifically, I've found that the Digilux 2 and the DMR and even my Sony R-1 to some extent have "given me my Kodachrome back". Grainless, tight-edged pictures with very neutral color - no pink Velvia clouds, no Provia-blue grays.

Without a doubt digital can do this - and it is easily good enough (even in the 6Mp Epson) to capture and reveal the look of Leica glass, from the old Mandler designs to the newest ASPHs.


Oh - and as to the swap - if it were ME, for that price point, I'd get an M8, plus a used 21 pre-ASPH and 50 'cron (likely about $1800 for both combined). But each of us has to do what we gotta do.
 
Last edited:
Good or bad I cannot really judge, as I am not really into used Canon prices, but I would say that photographically, as good as this Canon stuff is -and it is about the best they can offer- the Leica combo is better, and it is the best Leica can offer. What you need to consider is if you want to move to the RF style of shooting -and on film, that is a big switch you are contemplating from a hefty DSLR. I would not hesitate a minute to swap, for me it is a no-brainer- but hey! that's just me!

snaggs said:
Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?

Daniel.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Heh, well.. the reason I'm thinking this.. is I'm SEEM to be getting a back basically what I paid for my gear, and the 5D is sure to have depreciated since I bought it.

I have a Nikon FM3A and 45mm Pancake lens... my Canon has been sitting on the shelf alot, I keep grabbing the Nikon FM3A.. since I

a) still just dont like Canon
b) its big

For colour, I really like shooting Fuji Realla 100 neg.. though I'm just shooting off a fridge full of Kodachrome at the moment incase Kodachrome stop making it...

Daniel.

PS. I had a old M6 with a mis-calibrated rangefinder and a 35mm lux (the flare monster), and got rid of it.. since whilst I liked it.. the results were not as good as my Nikon FM3A.. (just too much flare here in Sunny australia).
 
snaggs said:
Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?
Click to expand...
I guess someone has to be the dissenting voice here, but no, it isn't necessarily. It depends on if you actually use your equipment. For example I don't know if you actually use your TSE lens, but if you do, you won't get anything even remotely like that with a rangefinder.

It's like swapping your truck for a Lotus. It's great fun to drive, until you start hauling things around.

Philipp
 
rxmd said:
I guess someone has to be the dissenting voice here, but no, it isn't necessarily. It depends on if you actually use your equipment. For example I don't know if you actually use your TSE lens, but if you do, you won't get anything even remotely like that with a rangefinder.

It's like swapping your truck for a Lotus. It's great fun to drive, until you start hauling things around.

Philipp
Click to expand...

Nah, havn't really been using my 24mm TS-E for some reason.. I've been mostly just taking photo's of friends and family... havn't had the time to travel to decent locations for the 24mm.

Daniel.
 
You should definetly switch... if you like FM you will love leica (rangefinder) indeed!
Click to expand...

Second that!
Click to expand...

Hey, let me third what my friends Vladimir and Jaap say. I use both M's and the FM3A. Perhaps 'use' is not exactly the right word when it comes to the FM3A. It is a wonderfully built camera and it comes as close to a rangefinder as an SLR possibly can (quiet, smallish, mechanical, sturdy) but I just don't take pleasure out of using it. Don't know why. I just keep it for decent fill-flash photography, macro, tele (of course I don't do any of that nor do I care for).

As to your question: I expect the M8 to give the 'Leica look' (by which I understand unforced candids and/or low light mood captured by exceptional optics). The low light capability is certainly going to be there. This is probably the one most important reason that rangefinder photos have a great mood where SLR's fail. Street photography will also be easier (because of size/stealth) than any SLR can do. And there's not a reason to doubt that colours will be great. The only thing you need ask yourself is whether you want your images to have a film look. You know - film grain. Because that's one thing the M8 will not do and it would be unfair to expect it to. So, here's the rub: to cross or not to cross the Rubicon? Assuming that the funds are available, buy an M8 or an MP? Somehow 'both' sounds also like an answer.

Yes, problem.

:confused:
 
Last edited:
Same here infact, Since I bought my ZI my FM3a is in the rest room :D strangly I have serious focusing problems with FM3a, I love focusing with rangefinder though
 
Both.. well, that is what I was thinking of doing.. using the MP, building up some glass.. and wait a few years for M9 or whatever the next refresh is.

Now I know digital is there.. I don't feel in such a hurry.

Daniel.
 
Given the image processing that can be done with DSPs, I don't know why Leica couldn't put a database of some popular film stock "settings" into the DSP so the user can get "somewhat" of different looks in-camera.
 
ywenz : fuji did that with S3 (velvia and provia setting) and they were not able to simmulate it, how you want leica to simulate kodak tri-x? :D
 
Another idea is to buy the Zeiss Ikon ( I know I've been preaching this in some other threads, sorry!). A great rangefinder at more than half the price of an MP/M7. You can use the money saved to pay for Leica glass or tuck it away for the M8.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom