New M8 Owner!

J

John Friar

Member
Local time
10:32 AM
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
24
Hi,

Today is a big day for me. This is my first post to Rangefinder Forum and I became the owner of a new black M8!

After much research (mainly here) and procrastinating, I finally decided to allow myself to try one in a store. Well, that was that and I had to have it. Now, I'm waiting for a lens to arrive from B&H -- a Zeiss ZM 28mm. I still own a G2 and my all time favourite lens is the 21mm Biogon. Howver, my favourite focal length is 35mm. I'm hoping that the ZM 28mm will satisfy me on both counts.

BTW The store (Kenmore Camera near Seattle) had 10 in stock. Now, only 9. :)

Looking forward to sharing some M8 photographs with you soon.

Regards

John
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of the M8. I find the camera fantastic in every department. Maybe in 5 years time it will be even better, but until then this is where it is at.
 
Welcome! I have a black M8 and use the ZM 21/2.8, 28/2.8, and 50/2 - they are all fabulously sharp lenses. I hardly ever use the 50/2 but the 28/2.8 is almost always on the camera unless I want a little wider. It makes a great 35mm equivalent do anything lens. (ok, 37mm :rolleyes:)

Make sure that you get the metal hood for the 28/2.8 - use this with an Optech Mini Hood hat and you'll never have to use the horrible Zeiss lens cap again. (Great glass, crappy lens caps!). The hood is a bit pricey but really helps as a hood for glare plus protection generally too.
 
Hi:

I am also the new owner of M8, and I really enjoyed it.

Here is a picture by M8 + Noctilux :)

l1000127lh7.jpg
 
A really nice photograph and I really like it, but it set me wondering, why did you use the Noctilux for it? And how did you get the streaky-speed effect when the motorcycle was obviously standing still?
 
Congrats John. You did the right thing. Kenmore camera is great, my uncle-in-law took me there when we were visiting once. I still wish it was less than 3,500 miles away. I thought about the 28mm Biogon too, looks like it would be perfect for the M8 but funds dictate that I'm gonna stick with my Kobalux 28mm.

Enjoy!
 
jaapv said:
A really nice photograph and I really like it, but it set me wondering, why did you use the Noctilux for it? And how did you get the streaky-speed effect when the motorcycle was obviously standing still?
Click to expand...

Yes, and what f-stop did you shoot it at? It has deeper than f1 dof, it seems to me.

T.
 
Tuolumne said:
Yes, and what f-stop did you shoot it at? It has deeper than f1 dof, it seems to me.

T.
Click to expand...

I was going to ask about the lighting, but it’s starting to sound like the Spanish Inquisition so I’ll just say nice shot
 
I had the same questions... we're inquisitive minds, not inquisitorial... Thank goodness! :)

BTW, congratulations on the purchase, John! :D
 
Thanks all! Putting $5000 down on a camera was a little frightening. It became less scary if I closed my eyes, especially when signing the credit card receipt. I think it was even more scary for my wife when I told her in the evening. She's over it now and asking about getting a new car for herself. The cost of an M8 is much greater than it's retail price!

And nice photograph!

John
 
Congratulations on the purchase. I've had mine for almost 3 weeks now and find it a great camera. expensive, and the wife gave me a really dirty look when I told her, but she has excepted it now... Sort of. ;-) Now i just need a WA like a 21 or 24 to regain the WA view. Not until she really cools down though.
 
Congradulations on getting an M8 John, I would like one but I am trying to justify buying it. My wife has no objections, only me.
 
Robert said:
Congradulations on getting an M8 John, I would like one but I am trying to justify buying it. My wife has no objections, only me.
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Oh it's very easy ... stick your Summicron or CV 25/90 on an M8 in the store and take some pictures. That's all it takes ... :eek: leave the Amex at home!
 
jaapv said:
A really nice photograph and I really like it, but it set me wondering, why did you use the Noctilux for it? And how did you get the streaky-speed effect when the motorcycle was obviously standing still?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the wondering ;)

The f-step was 1.0 for that photography.




Here was the answer (f5.6, in BMW showroom)
leicam8037zg5.jpg
 
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Just received my new (Chrome) M8 yesterday. Charged the battery, slipped in an SD card, calibrated the white balance, took some (raw) shots, opened them in Photoshop CS2, and printed them off. Downloaded firmware 1.092 (1.09 supplied with camera), updated camera, and took some more images. The best digital shots I have ever seen, and I am still an M8 baby. What an AWESOME piece of equipment this is, a future classic, no doubt. I am a very happy bunny, I don't understand what all the doom and gloom is about........
 
So, I've had my M8 for 2 days and all it's good for right now is fondling! My ZM 28 arrives on Friday, according to UPS tracking. Can't wait!

In the meantime, I've noticed a small dent just above the lcd back display. It's quite small but has become glaringly obvious. The rest of the camera is so beautifully put together that I'm having a hard time not seeing the imperfection. What should I do? Is this a reasonable manufacturing flaw? Part of me thinks not to worry...a bit like getting the first ding on a new car. On the other hand, on spending this much money I do expect perfection out of the box. What would you do?
 
I'd get a replacement. It should be flawless when new, any dents should be made by the owner in normal (i.e., heavy) use.

Ian
 
John Friar said:
So, I've had my M8 for 2 days and all it's good for right now is fondling! My ZM 28 arrives on Friday, according to UPS tracking. Can't wait!

In the meantime, I've noticed a small dent just above the lcd back display. It's quite small but has become glaringly obvious. The rest of the camera is so beautifully put together that I'm having a hard time not seeing the imperfection. What should I do? Is this a reasonable manufacturing flaw? Part of me thinks not to worry...a bit like getting the first ding on a new car. On the other hand, on spending this much money I do expect perfection out of the box. What would you do?
Click to expand...

I'd recommend taking it back since it should be perfect out of the box - especially when you consider how much you're paying for this! The body is pretty robust so getting any type of 'ding' would be quite difficult to do and if it really is a dent caused by impact then you've got even more reason to return it right away.

The other reason for replacing the camera is that you'll end up fixating on that dent for the rest of the time that you own the camera. If you resolve it now your enjoyment of the camera will be much better.
 
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