My Leica M8 Review - ya.. seriously..

[dcsang]

The M8 is a horrid camera. I only keep it because it's digital and it's the way I'm used to working.

I think that's the same for a lot of folks....it is, as much as I sometimes hate to admit it, the not-quite-perfect marriage of formats for me.
Love the digital aspect
Love the compact/RF/interchangeable lens aspect.
Hate the lousy quality control aspect. 😀

And Ken, you're right, it's a camera that I would like to, at some point, work into my wedding/event/portrait work but for right now, it would strictly be like my film M's.. just for me to use for me ya know? 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[furcafe]

It's a cliche, but the styling of the M bodies is as close to iconic as a camera can get. I know plenty of 20-somethings, both photographers & non-photographers, who think Leicas look great. Whatever else can be said of Leica's decisions in designing/making the M8, sticking w/the old form factor was probably 1 of the better ones, @ least from a marketing perspective. The styling is 1 thing that doesn't need to be fixed. The high price, lack of auto features, etc. (even putting aside the QC issues), however, is a turn-off for many.

Regarding the age of leica users and the company's future prognosis; That is an interesting one. I think at least a bit of this is image and probably not just price. In my 20's i certainly wanted something big and flashy with auto everything. The styling of leicas for a 20 something year old is definately a put off I think. The rangefinder I first went for was a Contax G1. That in its day was a very stylish camera. I think future rangefinders if they are going to appeal to a young generation actually need a bit of styling. Do not get me wrong i love Leica rangefinders just as they are, but I bet a lot of 20 somethings would laugh at being seen using one.


Richard

 

[Damaso]

A former employee told me that one of the main issues with the electronics in the camera is that they are made in Germany. He said that no German company really had the expertise in making circuit boards, etc. and that their QC was really poor. They were trying to correct it with the sub contractor but it was taking time. The idea of having electronic parts made in China or Japan was shouted down because then it wouldn't be "Made in Germany."

For me Leica should stick to what it does best, making precision optics. I don't care where a circuit board comes from as long as it works...

 

[monochromejrnl]

A former employee told me that one of the main issues with the electronics in the camera is that they are made in Germany. He said that no German company really had the expertise in making circuit boards, etc. and that their QC was really poor. They were trying to correct it with the sub contractor but it was taking time. The idea of having electronic parts made in China or Japan was shouted down because then it wouldn't be "Made in Germany."

For me Leica should stick to what it does best, making precision optics. I don't care where a circuit board comes from as long as it works...

interesting comment... i've heard the same thing said about German vs. Japanese cars... german cars generally have top notch mechanical designs but fail relatively speaking to Japanese cars with respect to the electrical systems and CPU for engine managment etc...

this has certainly been representative of my experiences with both German (Audi and VW) and Japanese (Toyota and Honda) cars...

outsourcing the electronics to a company that is specialized in such things would be a simple and sensible business decision...

 

[dcsang]

For me Leica should stick to what it does best, making precision optics. I don't care where a circuit board comes from as long as it works...

That's a fair statement and something I would agree with.

Dave

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

For me Leica should stick to what it does best, making precision optics. I don't care where a circuit board comes from as long as it works...

Agreed. Perhaps the filter fiasco and getting lots of cameras back for repairs will convince them to use someone else for the electronics next time.

 

[furcafe]

Don't know if this makes you feel any better, but my understanding is that most of the electronics are not German @ all. See:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/21331-anatomy-leica-m8.html

A former employee told me that one of the main issues with the electronics in the camera is that they are made in Germany. He said that no German company really had the expertise in making circuit boards, etc. and that their QC was really poor. They were trying to correct it with the sub contractor but it was taking time. The idea of having electronic parts made in China or Japan was shouted down because then it wouldn't be "Made in Germany."

For me Leica should stick to what it does best, making precision optics. I don't care where a circuit board comes from as long as it works...

 

[jplomley]

Dave,

Just picked up on this thread. Nice review, pretty much in line with my own observations. Sorry to hear about your M8. Knock on wood, no issues yet with my three week old body (except focussing issues on about half of the lenses I've tried at the local dealer), and I've done about 1500 frames so far. Serial number is 319xxx.

Based on all the feedback from this forum and the LUF, I do feel however that discombumeration (sp?) is but one shutter click away. There is no way I would take my trip to China next year with just one body....and a second body is prohibitively expensive. Looks like the new 5D could be the back-up to the M8....er, is that the other way around....A Canon 35/1.4L with a 16MP 5D could be a killer combination.

~ Jeff

 

[Richard Marks]

It's a cliche, but the styling of the M bodies is as close to iconic as a camera can get. I know plenty of 20-somethings, both photographers & non-photographers, who think Leicas look great. Whatever else can be said of Leica's decisions in designing/making the M8, sticking w/the old form factor was probably 1 of the better ones, @ least from a marketing perspective. The styling is 1 thing that doesn't need to be fixed. The high price, lack of auto features, etc. (even putting aside the QC issues), however, is a turn-off for many.

I agree the styling is 'Iconic' but its an icon of the 40's and 50's. I did have funds for a Leica in my 20;s but really would not have considered anything other than an SLR. This was probably just my ignorance. Dave has made the point that the average age of users on this forum is into the forty somethings (and possibly beyond). I just wonder if it is more than just financial considerations.

Best wishes

Richard

 

[Richard Marks]

Dave,

Just picked up on this thread. Nice review, pretty much in line with my own observations. Sorry to hear about your M8. Knock on wood, no issues yet with my three week old body (except focussing issues on about half of the lenses I've tried at the local dealer), and I've done about 1500 frames so far. Serial number is 319xxx.

Based on all the feedback from this forum and the LUF, I do feel however that discombumeration (sp?) is but one shutter click away. There is no way I would take my trip to China next year with just one body....and a second body is prohibitively expensive. Looks like the new 5D could be the back-up to the M8....er, is that the other way around....A Canon 35/1.4L with a 16MP 5D could be a killer combination.

~ Jeff

Excuse me! What about your trusty Mamiya 7 that has featured so prolifically in your M8 vs Mamiya 7 thread.? 🙂

Richard

 

[dcsang]

Hey Jeff,
No worries - I'm sure Leica will fix it - I've written a letter to go back with the camera (as advised by my dealer) with links to the phenomenon and full DNG files should they need them to verify.

I printed off a few of the images and you can definitely see the line even in an 8x12" print.

Cheers
Dave

 

[dcsang]

I agree the styling is 'Iconic' but its an icon of the 40's and 50's. I did have funds for a Leica in my 20;s but really would not have considered anything other than an SLR. This was probably just my ignorance. Dave has made the point that the average age of users on this forum is into the forty somethings (and possibly beyond). I just wonder if it is more than just financial considerations.

Best wishes

Richard

Good point Richard.. I always "assume" that it's financial considerations but really... we've all talked about how rf photography tends to lend itself to being more "patient"; you know, the whole HCB defensive...err.. defining moment 😉 thing.

In today's "go go go go" world, I wonder how many people really sit still and wait for the "right moment" before clicking....

Dave

 

[jplomley]

Well Richard, I must admit that since getting the M8 my Mamiya 7 has not seen the light of day. I suspect this is going to be a novelty issue and when things settle out and I come back to my senses the Mamiya will be put back into ready action. I was always planning to take the Mamiya to China, but I think a digital backup solution to the M8 may be in order. The Mamiya is a solid perfomer, has never let me down, and I've never felt the need for a back-up body (famous last words)

 

[Hacker]

Great and interesting read, just like the article on the Canon lenses. BTW, have you tried your Canon lenses on the M8?

 

[dcsang]

Nope.. never tried any of the Canon's on the M8 unfortunately.

Dave

 

[Richard Marks]

Well Richard, I must admit that since getting the M8 my Mamiya 7 has not seen the light of day. )

Well glad you like your M8. Time will tellregardong your Mamiya. As I said over on the great debate of a thread that you started, the M8 took out my Hassleblad in about 6 months.
Regards
Richard

 

[Richard Marks]

Good point Richard.. I always "assume" that it's financial considerations but really... we've all talked about how rf photography tends to lend itself to being more "patient"; you know, the whole HCB defensive...err.. defining moment 😉 thing.

In today's "go go go go" world, I wonder how many people really sit still and wait for the "right moment" before clicking....

Dave

Well certainly with SLR's the emphasis of reviews is on start up times, frames per second and write times. Also it looks like you have to have a zoom lens or you have had it! I guess we should find out what the average age of Cosina /Voigtlander users are as they arecertainly more cost neutral with SLR's. I still wonder what Contax might have produced had they survived just a bit longer!

regards

Richard