AusDLK
Famous Photographer
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
A good article. Thank you for the link.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
A good write up and very realistic in his attitudes ... but by his own admission comes from a self confessed Leica fan base. His reaction to the shutter when he first heard the M8's raucous example was interesting ... I still remember being a little stunned by mine! 
I don't quite see that the improvements made to the M8.2 from the M8 are quite as life changing as he makes them out to be ... to go from not wanting a camera to being infatuated by it via a few minor upgrades on the successor doesn't quite fit with me.
That said I've never experienced the M8.2 ... perhaps it is that much better?
I don't quite see that the improvements made to the M8.2 from the M8 are quite as life changing as he makes them out to be ... to go from not wanting a camera to being infatuated by it via a few minor upgrades on the successor doesn't quite fit with me.
That said I've never experienced the M8.2 ... perhaps it is that much better?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
A good write up and very realistic in his attitudes ... but by his own admission comes from a self confessed Leica fan base. His reaction to the shutter when he first heard the M8's raucous example was interesting ... I still remember being a little stunned by mine!
I don't quite see that the improvements made to the M8.2 from the M8 are quite as life changing as he makes them out to be ... to go from not wanting a camera to being infatuated by it via a few minor upgrades on the successor doesn't quite fit with me.
That said I've never experienced the M8.2 ... perhaps it is that much better?
Dear Keith,
That was my reaction: overstatement piled upon overstatement.
To be fair, though, the difference made by the quieter shutter and 'discreet' wind-in mode is utterly disproportionate for what appears to be a trivial modification.
As for 'snapshot' beng 'silly', well, if it sells a few hundred more Leicas a year to people who want the cachet of a Leica but aren't photographers, it doesn't look silly to me.
Cheers,
Roger
RichC
Well-known
Re. the shutter revelation: it of course also depends on what you're used to, which in my case was SLRs - I've never used a film Leica M - so to me the M8 shutter was a big improvement!
I had a go with a friend's M8-2, but I found no difference in use and handling from my M8 (although I admit I have re-covered it in grippier leather). The slightly quieter shutter wasn't a big deal - can't say I noticed it really. I don't use 1/8000 s very often, but I think that's more useful - after all, compared with other cameras, the M8 shutter isn't loud, and is definitely quieter than many.
I would like the more accurate framelines, though - I compensate for the iffy M8 ones, but even after 18 months' ownership, this is still not wholly automatic.
Anyway, what I'm leading up to is that I really can't see this "night and day" difference - and it doesn't seem a very objective or logical review to me, though of course there is no reason why a review should be objective!
I had a go with a friend's M8-2, but I found no difference in use and handling from my M8 (although I admit I have re-covered it in grippier leather). The slightly quieter shutter wasn't a big deal - can't say I noticed it really. I don't use 1/8000 s very often, but I think that's more useful - after all, compared with other cameras, the M8 shutter isn't loud, and is definitely quieter than many.
I would like the more accurate framelines, though - I compensate for the iffy M8 ones, but even after 18 months' ownership, this is still not wholly automatic.
Anyway, what I'm leading up to is that I really can't see this "night and day" difference - and it doesn't seem a very objective or logical review to me, though of course there is no reason why a review should be objective!
Lilserenity
Well-known
I got a chance to play with the M8 and M8.2 in London a couple of months ago (see this months B&W Photography magazine) -- it doesn't go into it as much as I mused on the day but the differences are pretty small. Yes the M8.2 is a better camera but only slightly.
If I had an M8 already, would I get the M8.2. No. Would I consider their upgrade programme, maybe. They're both excellent cameras.
The shutter to me was quiet, more of a click compared to what I'd call a film M's 'schnick'. So in day to day use, it's not night and day. Well I don't think so.
Compared to my M2, yes it is different but even between that and the M8 we're not talking in terms of handling and using major differences (discounting all the LCD and digital button stuff) -- the biggest difference I find in any M between Ms is the viewfinder and framelines. Before I got my M2, I tried an M6 and an M4-P. Superb cameras. Then I tried the M2, my those simple framelines. Sure I don't have all those framelines, but for me, I preferred the single frameline at a time approach of the M2. And that remains (apart from the advance lever) the biggest in use difference between an M8 and M2 for me. (That might be the biggest gross simplification in history and I'm sure some Leica-philes are rigging up my noose as I write... hehe)
Either of them are great cameras though, no doubt about it.
If I had an M8 already, would I get the M8.2. No. Would I consider their upgrade programme, maybe. They're both excellent cameras.
The shutter to me was quiet, more of a click compared to what I'd call a film M's 'schnick'. So in day to day use, it's not night and day. Well I don't think so.
Compared to my M2, yes it is different but even between that and the M8 we're not talking in terms of handling and using major differences (discounting all the LCD and digital button stuff) -- the biggest difference I find in any M between Ms is the viewfinder and framelines. Before I got my M2, I tried an M6 and an M4-P. Superb cameras. Then I tried the M2, my those simple framelines. Sure I don't have all those framelines, but for me, I preferred the single frameline at a time approach of the M2. And that remains (apart from the advance lever) the biggest in use difference between an M8 and M2 for me. (That might be the biggest gross simplification in history and I'm sure some Leica-philes are rigging up my noose as I write... hehe)
Either of them are great cameras though, no doubt about it.
Pavel+
Established
I too would rather sacrifice some versatility and have only one frameline at a time with perhaps one, the and narrowest doubled up. 28 and 90, 35, 50 for me. I could use external viewfinders for wider wides.
I like the thought of the simplicity through the viewfinder. A built to order option on the M9?
I like the thought of the simplicity through the viewfinder. A built to order option on the M9?
Ben Z
Veteran
I used my M8 for almost 2 years and then had it upgraded (shutter, frames, LCD) and the new firmware supplies AUTO-ISO, SDHC capability, and the disreet mode. I just don't see anything earthshatteringly revolutionary.
aizan
Veteran
the main redeeming quality about that review is how the writer sounds like a babbling teenager.