T
Tzelet
Guest
Over the last couple of years I've been through all of the digital Leica M's out there (except for the M9-P). When I first bought the Leica M8 it never really clicked, I always felt that it was too expensive for what it was, and after a while I sold it on. Then there was the M8.2 and the M9, which cost more - and even though the M9 is a stellar camera, I just couldn't justify hanging on to it.
This week I saw a reasonable M8 for sale (around $1600) and more or less jumped on it. It arrived a couple of days ago, and I've shot around 500 frames so far. And behold, it is still a capable camera! Compared to my Nikon D7000, the ISO noise is just ridiculous, but on closer inspection - the details are all there. To me, it is almost film like, how it works - and the results. When I push HP5 or Tri-X to 800/1600, I don't expect "clean" negatives, and it's more or less the same with the M8.
I still hate the UV/IR-filters though, but hopefully I will have all that settled in a week or two. And the D7000 battery life has spoilt me rotten, for the first time I feel the need for an extra battery. It's eccentric as can be - but still, what a nice little camera.
So, what is the meaning of this post? To a lot of us, I assume that price matters. I have never been comfortable with expensive gear, even though it is insured. I've learned that I have a "comfort zone", and once I go beyond it I start worrying more about taking care of the camera/lenses, and stop shooting. This is also one of the reasons why I like the Zeiss and Voigtländer lineup so much: Worst come to worst, I will actually be able to afford a new 50mm Planar. The same thing with this M8: If it works fine for 2-3 years, I will actually be more than happy. I don't have to worry about the resale value.
I don't get that "A Leica is forever" feeling that I get with a Leica MP, but in some ways that is good. Perhaps this is the same feeling that you Epson R-D1 owners have? Our cameras have passed some invisible "best before" date, so let's make the best of it while it works? I have owned some expensive lenses, 35mm and 50mm Summilux-M ASPH comes to mind. And they were good, really good. But I just hate that feeling you get when you look at a lens and starts doing the math to see how many downpayments on the mortgage it would pay for.
This M8 feels like a "cheap" bottle of Champagne, the one that is cheap enough to actually drink instead of storing it in the cellar for that special occasion that never comes. Sure, I've had prosecco and cremant that were better and cheaper than that low end bottle of champagne. But, my heart would chose champagne every single time. Same way, I had the chance to play with the Sony Nex and adapters over Christmas, but that was too much spaceship and too little "photography" for me personally, although I must say that the quality of that Sony range really impressed me. Too old, I guess 😀
To be honest: I still envy you M9 guys out there, but knowing myself - it is not the camera for me right now. Just take good care of them, will you? I'll be looking for one down the road 😀
This week I saw a reasonable M8 for sale (around $1600) and more or less jumped on it. It arrived a couple of days ago, and I've shot around 500 frames so far. And behold, it is still a capable camera! Compared to my Nikon D7000, the ISO noise is just ridiculous, but on closer inspection - the details are all there. To me, it is almost film like, how it works - and the results. When I push HP5 or Tri-X to 800/1600, I don't expect "clean" negatives, and it's more or less the same with the M8.
I still hate the UV/IR-filters though, but hopefully I will have all that settled in a week or two. And the D7000 battery life has spoilt me rotten, for the first time I feel the need for an extra battery. It's eccentric as can be - but still, what a nice little camera.
So, what is the meaning of this post? To a lot of us, I assume that price matters. I have never been comfortable with expensive gear, even though it is insured. I've learned that I have a "comfort zone", and once I go beyond it I start worrying more about taking care of the camera/lenses, and stop shooting. This is also one of the reasons why I like the Zeiss and Voigtländer lineup so much: Worst come to worst, I will actually be able to afford a new 50mm Planar. The same thing with this M8: If it works fine for 2-3 years, I will actually be more than happy. I don't have to worry about the resale value.
I don't get that "A Leica is forever" feeling that I get with a Leica MP, but in some ways that is good. Perhaps this is the same feeling that you Epson R-D1 owners have? Our cameras have passed some invisible "best before" date, so let's make the best of it while it works? I have owned some expensive lenses, 35mm and 50mm Summilux-M ASPH comes to mind. And they were good, really good. But I just hate that feeling you get when you look at a lens and starts doing the math to see how many downpayments on the mortgage it would pay for.
This M8 feels like a "cheap" bottle of Champagne, the one that is cheap enough to actually drink instead of storing it in the cellar for that special occasion that never comes. Sure, I've had prosecco and cremant that were better and cheaper than that low end bottle of champagne. But, my heart would chose champagne every single time. Same way, I had the chance to play with the Sony Nex and adapters over Christmas, but that was too much spaceship and too little "photography" for me personally, although I must say that the quality of that Sony range really impressed me. Too old, I guess 😀
To be honest: I still envy you M9 guys out there, but knowing myself - it is not the camera for me right now. Just take good care of them, will you? I'll be looking for one down the road 😀
