The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

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sreidvt

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An M8 with production level firmware will be in my hands tomorrow (a little later than expected but wonderful nonetheless). Given the angle of incidence challenges, etc. I'll get into testing wide lenses first. Here are the new expected lens tests based on what I will have at hand:

Leica 21/2.8, Zeiss 21/2.8, CV 21/4

Leica 24/2.8, Zeiss 25/2.8

Leica 28/2.8 (!), Leica 28/2.0, Zeiss 28/2.8, CV 28/1.9, CV 28/3.5

More lens tests, of course will follow.

I'll do an initial piece on file quality and then another one with much more in depth tests, comparisons, etc.

I'm itching to get started.

Cheers,

Sean
__

Sean Reid
http://www.reidreviews.com
 
Does 6-bit code effect DNG files?

Does 6-bit code effect DNG files?

Sean,

That's great news!

I'm particularly interested in finding out if the 6-bit code has any effect on the DNG files or if it is just used for processing the JPG file.

What happens if you shoot the same image with a 6-bit coded wide-angle Leica lens with the camera preferences set to Lens Detection Enabled and then to Lens Detection Disabled? Will there be any difference in the resulting DNG files other than the embedded EXIF data?

I looking forward to reading your reviews.

Thanks and happy testing!

Stan
 
Hi Stan,

That's one thing that I will be testing.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Sean,

You are a lucky man. As always, I look forward to reading the results of your tests which usually end up costing me money:D
 
BTW, I don't have a shoot scheduled for next weekend (10/28 & 29) so I'd be happy to meet up with people somewhere near SE VT. I can't get together a big shin-dig but we could meet for lunch somewhere and play with the M8. Again, not a big production event but something easy.

Maybe at an inn in Vermont? I have some friends/clients who own an inn in Chester, VT and another in West Dover, VT. There's a little foliage left here and the colors in the Berkshires might still be good.

Cheers,

Sean
 
If I (speaking as both a paying RR customer and a student of RFF human nature) may make a suggestion that may save you a bit of bother:

Before you do anything else, make a quick "best-case" test shot (one using a lens you're confident is excellent quality, your best guess at optimum camera settings e.g. low ISO, and the usual careful photographic technique) and post it.

This will give everyone something to scrutinize and argue about, leaving you to conduct your more comprehensive evaluations in relative peace.

You might also score the coup of being the first independent reviewer to post a production-firmware sample photo, although I imagine others will start appearing more or less simultaneously.
 
I'd add to JLW's post, and suggest that in addtion to a "best-case" shot, you add one (just one) at a higher ISO -- 1250 or 2500. I think there's a lot of anxiety about how this will work as a classic low-light Leica.

JC
 
Hi Sean,

Any idea on what framelines the 21 & 25 bigons bring up? I'd like to use them when my M8 arrives. I'll be a very happy camper if the 25 brings up the proper 24 lines.

-grant
 
jlw said:
If I (speaking as both a paying RR customer and a student of RFF human nature) may make a suggestion that may save you a bit of bother:

Before you do anything else, make a quick "best-case" test shot (one using a lens you're confident is excellent quality, your best guess at optimum camera settings e.g. low ISO, and the usual careful photographic technique) and post it.

This will give everyone something to scrutinize and argue about, leaving you to conduct your more comprehensive evaluations in relative peace.

You might also score the coup of being the first independent reviewer to post a production-firmware sample photo, although I imagine others will start appearing more or less simultaneously.
Click to expand...

Hi jlw,

Thanks for the suggestions and I might do that if time allows. I'm not worried about being first with the review, per se. I'm more concerned with being thorough and accurate. If someone else gets samples up first, that's one less thing on my "to do" list.

Cheers,

Sean
 
John Camp said:
I'd add to JLW's post, and suggest that in addtion to a "best-case" shot, you add one (just one) at a higher ISO -- 1250 or 2500. I think there's a lot of anxiety about how this will work as a classic low-light Leica.

JC
Click to expand...

Hi John,

All of this will be addressed in the articles, I promise. If I put samples before hand, I'll try to do all ISOs. But it's better not to rush things out.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Last edited by a moderator:
grantray said:
Hi Sean,

Any idea on what framelines the 21 & 25 bigons bring up? I'd like to use them when my M8 arrives. I'll be a very happy camper if the 25 brings up the proper 24 lines.

-grant
Click to expand...

Hi Grant,

Did you see my comments about the 25 in first M8 review? I can't recall what the 21 brings up but will check tomorrow.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Hi, Sean,

Just signed up as a subscriber to your site. Thanks for giving us the working pro's view. I enjoyed the M8 review and also liked your recommendations to Leica. I emailed you some of my thoughts on your recommendations, hope you received them.

I am considering the M8 for my work and would like to know the 135mm's limitations at distances over 50m. Can framing be guessed at so long as I centre the focussing patch? That is, does the focussing patch represent the sensor's centre?

As a DSLR user(canon), I use a focusing screen with gridlines to help me level quickly. Could I do the same with the M8's framelines? I apologise for the many newbie questions. Thanks again.

Alex
 
Hi Alex,

I'm afraid that I haven't used a 135 with the M8. It would not be my first choice for a lens of that focal length.

Yes, you can use the M8's framelines as indicators for leveling.

Cheers,

Sean
 
You might try out the 2.8/135 with goggles. It can be coded and of course 180 is a rather traditional focal length.
 
ISO 2500 DNG please!!

ISO 2500 DNG please!!

Sean

Quite frankly, the only real question mark as regards the . M8 is its low light capabilities. And the only thing that will convince me is a DNG file shot at 2500 & 1250. The higher level noise reduction software programs can work wonders with files that haven't been already screwed up by overly aggressive in camera sharpening and noise reduction algorithms.

GIVE US THE RAW TRUTH!

Rex
,,meow
 
sreidvt said:
Hi jlw,

If someone else gets samples up first, that's one less thing on my "to do" list.

Cheers,

Sean
Click to expand...

Sean.

There's another minefield ahead. Every man and his dog will be uploading images of unknown integrity for us all to review.

It would be very useful to see images with shooting parameters detailed, of any type, by a competant tester. Doesn't need a narrative.

If a user uploads and doesn't inform if the auto white balance was active, or whether it started life as a jPeg or RAW ...... etc... we'll not be able to trust the images presented, maybe.

Be good if you can drop something of known quantity into this simmerimg pot.
 
Sean: First off, thank you so much for keeping us posted about this. As I've said before, you're one of the good guys!

Let me add an "amen" to jlw and John Camp's suggestions about posting an initial file or two taken on a tripod with a known good lens (maybe a 50 Summicron, as most of us know what that lens "looks" like). And a high ISO file or two. Just something for us to peruse while you write and test carefully, that takes lens quality and camera shake out of the equation.

In your review, I'd hope you'll do an A/B shot of the same subject with the M8 and the R-D1, using the same lens and the same subject size in the image.

We live in exciting times! :)

--Peter
 
Sean:

Any chance of comparing images from film vs digital using the same lens?

Do you think this is even a reasonable comparison?
 
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