Pnet thread-Is the M8 a real "M" body or an imposter?

[Stu W]

Read the thread on Pnet regarding the pedigree of the M8. My response was basically that I was expecting more of a digital back to fit my film cameras than a whole digital camera that accepts "M" lenses. Wonder if there is a digital back to fit the M's in the future? Stu

 

[J. Borger]

I guess the chances of that digital back are about "0" 😉

 

[hans voralberg]

In 5 years time, may be, just may be

 

[varjag]

That L1/Digilux looks ugly and cheap when on the shelf to other Leica products (even next to R9) also didn't help.

 

[M. Valdemar]

I have an L1. It's not a mass market camera for sure, even though it's brilliant.

It wasn't here or there. Aficionados bought it, the "consumer" market stayed away. The average buyer didn't know what to make of it.

Let Panasonic build a state of the art, full frame, gorgeously finished full-frame M-mount camera, and they'll sell them as fast as they can make them if the price isn't insane. $1500 would be ideal, or even $1000 with no lens. (A loud in-focus CHIRP when the rangefinder is in focus would be a help to the old fogies who will buy them)

It doesn't have to be a slavish copy of the M-series Leicas. It should be reliable, NOT CHEAP looking, solid and without a million superfluous controls and menu items.

 

[M. Valdemar]

PS: Nikon is in a good position to do the same.

 

[Peter55]

I gotta hand it too you

I gotta hand it too you

Really I do, as this is the most consumer driven post I have read in a long while. Tell you what, I want that camera as described by you, but, for $695 and just please leave out the beep. I may be old but I know how to manual focus my lenses-thank you. It must absolutly be as well made as the Leica M mechanical rangefinders and for my price. That's all it's really worth after all.

Heck I also want a new full frame Canon 5DII for $500 and a new Full Frame Nikon D3II for $600 and a new Canon 1Ds Mark III for $675. I already have the Leica M5 and Canon 1Ds Mark II but it now occurs to me after reading your post that I may have paid too much.

I have an L1. It's not a mass market camera for sure, even though it's brilliant.

It wasn't here or there. Aficionados bought it, the "consumer" market stayed away. The average buyer didn't know what to make of it.

Let Panasonic build a state of the art, full frame, gorgeously finished full-frame M-mount camera, and they'll sell them as fast as they can make them if the price isn't insane. $1500 would be ideal, or even $1000 with no lens. (A loud in-focus CHIRP when the rangefinder is in focus would be a help to the old fogies who will buy them)

It doesn't have to be a slavish copy of the M-series Leicas. It should be reliable, NOT CHEAP looking, solid and without a million superfluous controls and menu items.

 

[Joop van Heijgen]

Read the thread on Pnet regarding the pedigree of the M8. My response was basically that I was expecting more of a digital back to fit my film cameras than a whole digital camera that accepts "M" lenses. Wonder if there is a digital back to fit the M's in the future? Stu

' was expecting more of a digital back to fit my film cameras than a whole digital camera that accepts "M" lenses.'

Only mechanical M Leica's are real M Leica's! 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I read part of that thread before deciding there are better things to do with my time.

As for Leica coming up with anything... I doubt it. However, there's big hope. Nikon D100s and D70s bodies are selling for peanuts... so I'll live to see the day in which I can land a Nikon D3 for what I paid for my latest F5: less than $500.

In the meanwhile, it's time to develop some film! 🙂

 

[rogue_designer]

Nikon D100s and D70s bodies are selling for peanuts... so I'll live to see the day in which I can land a Nikon D3 for what I paid for my latest F5: less than $500.

In the meanwhile, it's time to develop some film! 🙂

Even at peanuts, they aren't selling.

Very frustrating.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I thought of your D100 later, after posting.

Don't despair. Post it in Amazon.com. I already sold my two film Nikon bodies, and even the Yashica 44D that nobody wanted.

 

[Paul C. Perkins MD]

The Leica M8 isn't a full 35mm frame sensor camera. It renders my ultrawide lenses less than ultrawide . . . A NO SALE for this buyer is a no brainer. I see no compelling reason to jettison my M-2 and M-4.

To compare an M8 to my M4 or M2 is just hilarious.

 

[Tuolumne]

I actually picked up, held, and shot an M8 at the neighborhood photo store yesterday for the first time. I was most impressed with it after reading threads such as this, and many other on line like it. The body felt really really solid, much to my surprise - on a par with the other M bodies I have used. The view finder was also surprisngly clear and bright and easily viewable with my glasses. I was really expecting a disappointing POS after all the bashing this camera has taken in online forums and by various reviewers. It made my R-D1 feel like a tin of sardines by comparison. I really don't know what people are complaining about. I have a bad GAS attack after the experience and I may have to sell part of my collection to land one. Even at the absurdly increased price I am sorely tempted.

I deffinitely recommen that people check out this camera themselves before passing judgement on it by specs alone.

/T

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The Leica M8 isn't a full 35mm frame sensor camera. It renders my ultrawide lenses less than ultrawide . . . A NO SALE for this buyer is a no brainer. I see no compelling reason to jettison my M-2 and M-4.

To compare an M8 to my M4 or M2 is just hilarious.

? You just did.