Reassurance required...Leica m8

[rbelyell]

just joking around! no worries!

 

[Fraser]

I've owned and used professionally 13 Canon dslrs only one of these had to go back for a warranty repair (that was a 1dx) I've owned 2 digital Leica both of them have been back to Leica!

 

[uhoh7]

both cameras will need to have their rf mechanism adjusted at some point. when that happens you will have to send the m8 into leica, they will keep it for at least a couple months, and you will pay them a couple hundred dollars. the rd1 is fully user adjustable--meaning the easy instructions for doing this yourself are available even on this very site! no sending it away, no hundreds of dollars.

oh there you go again LOL

Very unlikely you will ever send in your M8 for re-calibration. Take a poll and see how many have, I'd be surprised if 5% of all M8s have been recalibrated. If you did, there are many techs who can do it cheaper and faster than Leica. DAG in USA for one. Cost is not high, around 100USD. Plenty of guys also do it themselves:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/118043-m9-coincidence-at-infinity/

The main thing is to check it close when you get it. Know if your testing lens is known for focus shift, and then test focus at several meters and infinity, from WO to 5.6. If it seems OK you are good to go. If way out, you might want another copy. A pristine M8 is not hard to find.

Perfect calibration is overrated, and for those who shoot alot of old glass, it't something you often do without, and still get very good results. You just learn the lens. Test at various objects and then chimp. Adjust the "english" toward or away from infinity and in short order you have it.

There are many battle hardened heavily brassed M8s which have taken lots of superb shots and never seen a Leica facility.

Love that bridge you shot with the RD-1. You will love the M8. Everything worth doing has some risk some way.

 

[Lss]

I've owned and used professionally 13 Canon dslrs only one of these had to go back for a warranty repair (that was a 1dx) I've owned 2 digital Leica both of them have been back to Leica!

That's pretty much the opposite track record to mine. I have only owned this single problem free M8 so far, but I have had a lot of trouble with Canon DSLR cameras regardless of the series (1D to xxxD and everything between).

The most reliable camera in long term use is likely to be some point-and-shoot without a retractable lens.

 

[Mudman]

I had one M8 that had troubles (went to Leica 2 times before I sent it back to the original seller) and my current M8 that has been trouble free. My film leicas have never been sent back. The M3 and the iii have both been CLA'd, but that makes sense for their age.

 

[jarski]

got M8 back recently. prices have dropped since 2011 when had the camera previously (this time am not going to sell 😀). out-of-camera b&w, misty road this morning, no IR filter.

edit: and I can report Eye-FI card works fine through metal body. need to keep phone pretty close though 🙂

 

[jaapv]

But Eye-Fi does not support the use of their cards in M8 and M9 - there have been instances of the card damaging the contacts in the SD slot or getting stuck.

 

[jarski]

But Eye-Fi does not support the use of their cards in M8 and M9 - there have been instances of the card damaging the contacts in the SD slot or getting stuck.

interesting. had brief google investigation, and found this. maybe thats what you're referring?

perhaps things have improved since 2009? my 16gb Eye-Fi Mobi card works like in Canon camera used it before.

 

[TRGRichie]

Eventually found this thread again, in the m9 section when I'm clearly not wealthy 🙂

Any way it's a done deal I'm now a proud owner of a M8, just about to go out and about and see what she performs like.

Thanks again for all your comments.
Rich.

 

[Range-rover]

You are going to love it!

 

[TRGRichie]

well there ya go chaps, thats a taster of todays play.

 

[jaapv]

Broken links...

 

[TRGRichie]

Broken links...

are they working now?

 

[TRGRichie]

a couple of selfies as the kids would say 🙂

 

[13Promet]

Where do those bright spots come from?
They're in all the shots you posted.

 

[Doug]

Where do those bright spots come from?
They're in all the shots you posted.

Indeed... My first thought was pin-holes in the shutter letting in spots of light. But that's so unlikely with a metal shutter as in the M8. And also pinhole spots would be in the same places in each frame, and it's not clear that that is the case...

 

[uhoh7]

Eventually found this thread again, in the m9 section when I'm clearly not wealthy 🙂

Any way it's a done deal I'm now a proud owner of a M8, just about to go out and about and see what she performs like.

Thanks again for all your comments.
Rich.

Looks like a dusty sensor

Hit the cleaning mode and blow it out then shine a light. Then go on you tube and watch some sensor cleaning vids 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

As much as I like leica cameras and had an M8 a few years ago and now an M9 if I was on a budget I would just pick up a Canon 5d classic and a 50 1.8 in the uk you could probably find that for about £350. But its a whole different story if you've already got some M mount lenses then you're hooked!!!

5DC current user here. I started with 50 1.8 and used it for six months as the only lens.
The lens is crap and camera is pig in terms of handling. I just don't take 5Dc out, only if I really have to get good digital pictures. It is not street camera at all. Shutter is next to rifle by loudness.

 

[TRGRichie]

Indeed... My first thought was pin-holes in the shutter letting in spots of light. But that's so unlikely with a metal shutter as in the M8. And also pinhole spots would be in the same places in each frame, and it's not clear that that is the case...

They come from photoshop 🙂 there is nothing wrong with the camera or lens - rightly or wrongly there were added for effect.

the marks in the selfie however are marks on the old mirror which this shot was taken looking into - so real 'dust specs' on some and fake on the others..... I'm guessing the purists would prefer less post production?

 

[TRGRichie]

No reassurance needed after all....it looks like You and Miss M8 are having a Grand Time !!

Loved the'Atmospheric' Tone to a lot of your Photos
Keep Going your Doing quite Fab !

I loved the M8 with my 50 2.5 summarit btw
Now I miss her

I'm struggling to focus the Jupiter 8 on closer subjects! which is annoying me as it focussed a breeze on the R-D1....

any ideas why other then it is a very cheap lens - I think a voiglander 35mm is on the cards.....