raid
Dad Photographer
Yesterday was the day on which I finall unwrapped the sealed M8, and I had Brian help me out in setting the basic settings in the camera for me. He also attached the Schott Glass screen.
I first used a Rigid Summicron while he used on his M8 the C-Sonnar. There is vast diference in how images look once taken between these two lenses. The colors looked rich and the image looked contrasty with the C-Sonnar, while the Rigid Summicron gave a subdued image. At first, I was disappointed, but then I felt fine with it all. I had an IR cut filter on the Summicron.
This morning, I tried our a few lenses without the IR cut filter. I used an Argus Cintar (in Contax mount), Canon 35/1.5, Summilux 75/1.4, Heliar 50/2, Heliar 50/3.5. It was fun. As a start, Brian set the camera up on JPG Fine.
Here are a few samples of what I got.
1. This was the first image captured with the camera. The lens was the Rigid Summicron.
2. Summarit
3/4. Canon 35/1.5
5/6. Rigid Summicron
I am trying to recall the order of the lenses here, so errors are possible. It is just a start for me to learn how each lens performs on the M8. I got many tips here at RFF. Thanks.
I first used a Rigid Summicron while he used on his M8 the C-Sonnar. There is vast diference in how images look once taken between these two lenses. The colors looked rich and the image looked contrasty with the C-Sonnar, while the Rigid Summicron gave a subdued image. At first, I was disappointed, but then I felt fine with it all. I had an IR cut filter on the Summicron.
This morning, I tried our a few lenses without the IR cut filter. I used an Argus Cintar (in Contax mount), Canon 35/1.5, Summilux 75/1.4, Heliar 50/2, Heliar 50/3.5. It was fun. As a start, Brian set the camera up on JPG Fine.
Here are a few samples of what I got.
1. This was the first image captured with the camera. The lens was the Rigid Summicron.
2. Summarit
3/4. Canon 35/1.5
5/6. Rigid Summicron
I am trying to recall the order of the lenses here, so errors are possible. It is just a start for me to learn how each lens performs on the M8. I got many tips here at RFF. Thanks.
paulfish4570
Veteran
way to go, raid. i kind of like the summarit's rendering based on your small sample. you will have a blast checking them all out ...
jcrutcher
Veteran
All of them are very nice, the summicron and summarit are particular pleasing. Nice job!
Jim
Jim
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you Paul and Jim. I like the rendition with the M8, and the camera has a new shutter that is less loud than the original one.
gfspencer
gfspencer
Nice shots!
raid
Dad Photographer
Using the M8 feels similar to using an M film camera. It is not the same, but is similar.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Bingley
Veteran
Nice shots, Raid, and congrats on the M8.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you, Steve. I still have to guess many of the camera settings.
nightlight
Well-known
Nice pictures, enjoy the M8. I went from an M2 to and M8 and the only thing I miss is the quiet(er) shutter sound. A 50mm on the M8 makes a nice portrait length, as your photos show.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks. My M8 has the new shutter tht is less noisy. Yes, the 50mm lenses make great portrait lenses on the M8.
Richard G
Veteran
Beautiful, all of them. Congratulations on going digital and don't worry. It's still photography as you so ably prove.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you Richard. I am enjoying it.
mls64
Member
Enjoy the M8 Raid! Learn to use the histogram, and "push" the histogram to the right without highlits overblown (large spike in the graph on the right side is what you want to avoid) and it will help with your exposures. At least that is my experience with the M8, maybe some else will have better tips on settings.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have never used such histograms, Michael. I will enjoy learning how to optimize settings.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jubb Jubb
Well-known
Raid, try shoot RAW for your files. Jpeg compression isn't worth it.
lynnb
Veteran
Congratulations Raid and I particularly like the nice looking results with the Summarit and 'cron.
Shooting RAW gives you more processing flexibility. Digital is less forgiving of highlight overexposure than film but to get the most out of a digital file you need to expose as close as possible to the point where highlights clip/get blown, without actually reaching the clipping point - that's where the histogram is useful, to help judge that point.
I found this guide very helpful when I was learning about digital sensor characteristics. Well written with clear graphics.
Shooting RAW gives you more processing flexibility. Digital is less forgiving of highlight overexposure than film but to get the most out of a digital file you need to expose as close as possible to the point where highlights clip/get blown, without actually reaching the clipping point - that's where the histogram is useful, to help judge that point.
I found this guide very helpful when I was learning about digital sensor characteristics. Well written with clear graphics.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
I miss my Rigid Summicron 
- those shots look great and you have the right lenses for a M8.
If you got a nice trouble free M8 then you will have lots of fun with it, I REALLY liked the Summarit shots I used to get, I also regret selling that lens, time to find another one, or a Xenon?
Any era Summitar f2/50mm is also a great portrait lens on the M8.
The Canon f1.5/35mm is one of my favorite users on the M8, I shoot almost all my lowlight/night time flash work with that lens. (with a cheap Metz flash)
I would also suggest using a Canon f1.2/50mm or a f1.4/50mm Summilux if you have one, also any CZJ Sonnar does well on a M8 too! ~ Also any 1950's Nikkor's work well too - SC f1.4/50 or HC f2/50
Welcome to the Digital Leica world Raid, it's fun as long as everything works, stay away from using continuous mode and note that nothing shot above 320 ISO is much useful, too much noise, invest in more than one Leica brand battery while the battery life stinks.
Also use step up/step down rings with the Leica IR/CUT filters, you save money that way.....
Happy Shooting!
Tom
- those shots look great and you have the right lenses for a M8.If you got a nice trouble free M8 then you will have lots of fun with it, I REALLY liked the Summarit shots I used to get, I also regret selling that lens, time to find another one, or a Xenon?
Any era Summitar f2/50mm is also a great portrait lens on the M8.
The Canon f1.5/35mm is one of my favorite users on the M8, I shoot almost all my lowlight/night time flash work with that lens. (with a cheap Metz flash)
I would also suggest using a Canon f1.2/50mm or a f1.4/50mm Summilux if you have one, also any CZJ Sonnar does well on a M8 too! ~ Also any 1950's Nikkor's work well too - SC f1.4/50 or HC f2/50
Welcome to the Digital Leica world Raid, it's fun as long as everything works, stay away from using continuous mode and note that nothing shot above 320 ISO is much useful, too much noise, invest in more than one Leica brand battery while the battery life stinks.
Also use step up/step down rings with the Leica IR/CUT filters, you save money that way.....
Happy Shooting!
Tom
jcrutcher
Veteran
Raid, did you get a owners manual? If not I have an extra I can send you. PM your address to me. it's helpful with the digital M's to learn.
Jim
Jim