New M8 and M8.2 users- report in!

[Sonnar Brian]

Thankyou, and welcome to RFF. Your photo gallery is an inspiration.

I am very gratified that several M8 users have put their first post on this thread.

There is a feature of the M8 and other Leica Digital cameras that the DSLR manufacturers should learn from. In most shooting situations, the Anti-Aliasing filter is not required. It destroys the "High-Frequency Content" of the image, ie makes it very dull- not sharp. The two DSLR's (Kodak DCS200ir and Nikon E3) that I use most at home do not have them. The D1 and D1x that I use do not produce images with the same "vibrance". I never bothered to by a newer DSLR.

I am very much looking forward to using a modern camera with higher pixel count that does not have the AA filter in it.

 

[Renzsu]

I have to say the M8 IS tempting.. keeping my 35 on the M6 and the 50 on the M8 would give me a lot more flexibility than having to switch lenses and the 10MP doesn't seem very limiting since I don't make big prints anyways.
Any reason why an M8.2 would be better than an M8 with updated firmware?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I am very much looking forward to using a modern camera with higher pixel count that does not have the AA filter in it.

Brian, have you ever used a Foveon camera? I sold my DP1 to get an RD1 back in the day, but it's the only camera I've ever used with comparable sharpness to the M8. The files are simply incredible.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I knew of the Foveon Sensor since it was in research, and came close to getting the Polaroid 530 (?) with it. Had Sigma come out with a Nikon Mount camera, I would have bought one. Was not prepared to move into a new AF system that did not let me use my existing lenses.

Some of our sensors used Mosaic Filters, some used spinning filter banks synced with the sensor array, some used multiple sensors with a filter over each, some used none at all.

 

[naruto]

So there you are, the initial test shots with the M8.

Ultron 28/2
@f2

@f2.8

Sweenified CZJ 50/1.5 (closest focusing distance 1m)
@f1.5

Nikkor 50/1.4 (closest focusing distance 0.7m)both @f1.4

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Is it just me- or does the Uncoated CZJ 5cm F1.5 look like it has the edge on contrast over the Nikkor 5cm F1.4? Maybe less flare? The White-on-Black Logo of the bottle looks like the Sonnar handles it better than the Nikkor? I'll know soon enough. I have some Sonnars and SOME Nikkors. Only one 5cm F1.4 in LTM, but eight or so in S-Mount. And I have the adapter.

The M8 just arrived. The seller repackaged everything like new. Every plastic bag, inner box, outer boxes, and included some gifts not mentioned in the sale. The camera is in true mint condition.

She also charged the battery and put an SD card in it so it could be tested out of the Box. Nikki likes it too. She has used the M3, before. She prefers the Leica look. Name a kid "Nikki", put a Nikon SP in her hands, and the M3 is the only camera that she has ever called "beautiful". But she liked being able to see the picture on the LCD with the M8.

 

[nanthor]

Hi, nice thread you started here. I got my 2nd M2 about 2 months ago. The first one had a few little problems and was accepted back by the seller. This one was bought off ebay for a buy it now price and I got the cashback and ebay discount so about 10% off. When it arrived I discovered that it did not have the upgrades that were advertised, new framelines being one, but it did have the vulcanite upgrade. The seller knocked another 300.00 off the price for me. So it ended up being about the best price I've ever seen for one and I really enjoy the vulcanite as compared to the original cover. The LCD was mint and I immediately put a high grade cover on it so this is a great camera, I use lenses wide open often and the 1/8000 speed is very useful for me. The image quality is amazing, stands up very well to even medium format. I use 28/35/50/ and 90mm lenses and they are all different ages and 2 brands so I can get a different look when I want. The only complaint I've always had about the M8 is the size. Leica brags about it only being 2-3mm thicker but it really makes a difference with the feel of the camera compared to a regular Leica M body. I wish they had simply extended the lens mount a couple mm's and kept the body the exact same size as M3-M7. Good luck with yours, I love mine. Bob.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, if it had been the same size I'd be putting it in the M3 case to cover the LCD!

But on size- AMAZING! So much smaller than my DSLR's.

Funny thing on the M8- with it being a Digital M-Mount Camera that can take my 1930s lenses. I never realized it had a Light Meter built into it. I'd just set the shutter speed and F-Stop and wonder what those LED's were trying to tell me.