I would say one of the main reasons why I like the M8 are the presence of traditional camera controls. I HATE lcd panel displays with multiple functions. I remember why Pentax included dials on the 645N that replaced the 645 with push button controls. Photographers were asked what they would like by Pentax. Even film based cameras that have these LCD displays baffle me. I teach photography from beginning to advanced, use all matter of equipment in many film formats, and ther M8 in digital. Students would come up to me and say how do I use this camera. Even I would have to take alot of time to get the feel of their camera and would still feel it would be something I would never use because it would slow me down. The M8's genius is that you can pick it up out of the box and start shooting without reading the instructions too much. Pros like to physically interact with their equipment. Some of my friends that have the latest DSLRs find out that they need to shut off 90% of the junk built into in these cameras, and just use a few basic functions to get the job done. Another point: Is it my imagination, or is there a different design philosophy coming from Europe and Japan? European cameras tend to have more traditional controls, and Japanese cameras have all the gee wiz technological junk that gets in the way of pure photography. Maybe the idea that Nikon produce a F3 digital is not that irrational!!!
