My "first roll" with the M8

lynnb said:
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.
Click to expand...


This is all new to me, Lynn, and I will have to finally learn the stuff as I spent money on an M8.

Thanks for the link. I will start there.
 
LeicaTom said:
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
Click to expand...

Hello Tom,
I have most of the lenses that you have suggested for use with the M8. I used the Canon 50/1.2 this morning.

Here is what I got:
L1014782-M.jpg


L1014776-M.jpg



I will try to use ISO 160-320 most of the time. I hardly ever use a film that has ISO>400 anyways.

I would love to get a Xenon. The old Leica and Zeiss lenses are very special to me.

Thanks,
 
Hi Raid,

I'm sure Adobe Lightroom could help open the RAW files. - It isn't too expensive either.
I use Photoshop which does open them, but isn't cheap.
 
JSU said:
The Canon 35/1.5 is interesting, I've never used one but it images nicely.

I'd recommend a fast 28, if not the Summicron then the CV 28/1.9. Code either as the Summicron. I consider either essential with the M8, and get the appropriate UV/IR Cut filter.

If you have one, do try the CV 35/1.2 on the M8, I consider it the crop sensor Noctilux.
Click to expand...

I think that you have hit on the focal length and speed that I still miss for the M8 and EP-2. I have the Rokkor 28/2.8 but nothing faster in 28mm. As for a 35/1.2, I find it too large, and I instead bought a pre-asph V2 Summilux 35mm a year ago or so.

Some vintage lenses work well with digital and some don't. This is OK, as I hope to also use film cameras after all.

What is coding about, and must I do it?
 
I found coding (whether sharpie method or milling/replacing mount with a fillable code slots) to be most effective on lenses wider than 35mm. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

Congrats on the M8, the test shots look great, you'll enjoy the many many wonderful photos it helps produce!
 
lam said:
I found coding (whether sharpie method or milling/replacing mount with a fillable code slots) to be most effective on lenses wider than 35mm. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

Congrats on the M8, the test shots look great, you'll enjoy the many many wonderful photos it helps produce!
Click to expand...

Is the coding necessary for getting the right frame in the M8?
 
Did you mean to ask if coding was necessary to get the right frame lines? If so, no. It does help on some lenses to obtain some in-camera correction(if activated, I think) but I mostly use it to store the lens info in the exif data.

On Lightroom, if you can, get LR4. it has a number of Leica M profiles which are useful for correction in post-processing and I find the RAW engine better.

Coding or not, LR4 or not, you'll have fun exploring. 🙂
 
Raid, congrats on your M8. I am very tempted now!

Your thread is really encouraging for film users like me. I am very sure one day I will cross over to digital RF. I am not sure when. It could be soon, it could be a few years later. Perhaps also when people start offering me their M8 at unbeatable price after reading my post! 😀

Enjoy your M8! You're doing great with it as shown from your lovely photos here.
 
Enjoy your new camera Raid! And about sw I suggest LR4 (I have LR3), complete enough to deal with your files and not taking too much time in post processing.
robert
 
nightlight said:
Did you mean to ask if coding was necessary to get the right frame lines? If so, no. It does help on some lenses to obtain some in-camera correction(if activated, I think) but I mostly use it to store the lens info in the exif data.

On Lightroom, if you can, get LR4. it has a number of Leica M profiles which are useful for correction in post-processing and I find the RAW engine better.

Coding or not, LR4 or not, you'll have fun exploring. 🙂
Click to expand...


OK. So it is the saving of file information for which I would need the coding. I would have to pick a few lenses from what I own since I have too many lenses to have them all coded now.

Thank you.
 
Vincent.G said:
Raid, congrats on your M8. I am very tempted now!

Your thread is really encouraging for film users like me. I am very sure one day I will cross over to digital RF. I am not sure when. It could be soon, it could be a few years later. Perhaps also when people start offering me their M8 at unbeatable price after reading my post! 😀

Enjoy your M8! You're doing great with it as shown from your lovely photos here.
Click to expand...

Hi Vincent,
I would get the M8 now and not tomorrow. Time goes by quickly, and such cameras get older (M8) or more expensive (M9 and M10). You might as well quickly get a very clean M8 with upgrades abd with a very recent service by Leica.

Thanks.
 
robert blu said:
Enjoy your new camera Raid! And about sw I suggest LR4 (I have LR3), complete enough to deal with your files and not taking too much time in post processing.
robert
Click to expand...


Hello Robert,
I may be able to get a free copy of LR3. Is it worthwhile to get the LR4 instead?
 
I have both. Not a lot of changes. Mostly cosmetic. LR3 is fine. Also recommended is the Efex Pro plugin for BW if you do a lot of bw conversions.
 
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