Used Leica M8, or Used Leica x-Vario?

[rbelyell]

Sure is a lot of "objectively" in that statement. What do you mean by "objectively absurd" and "objectively negatively" anyway?

I've heard so much of these kinds of BS statements about the X Vario it's amazing. And then I look at the photos that people have made with this camera and they're amazing. Which is correct? I'll go for the photos every time.

Just because you haven't the imagination to understand what you can do with a relatively slow but otherwise superb quality lens in a light, handy camera package doesn't mean there's something "objectively" wrong with the camera. There's something wrong with your understanding of how to use it...

G

theres nothing BS about the limitations of a 6.4 max aperture, just science. its aperture/shutter speed/iso, thats it. when the aperture is so limiting, it correspondingly limits the SS and iso you can use, nothing magical or subjective about it. and it has a physical effect on subject seperation. thats no BS either, just a fact. facts may be unpleasant when one conflates their ego with their gear, but to me theyre just objective data that need to be assessed when one asks the question 'what should i consider when comparing X vs Y'. these are tools, not family to be defended to the death regardless of circumstance. 'creatitivity' in believing one can do all things with such a constrained product sounds more like wishful thinking...like andy said horses for courses, and this tool simply has limited courses. not saying it cant produce very fine images, just limited courses.

 

[anerjee]

I had Miss M-E about a bit more than a month
Lovely Camera, minimal & zen like but my heart was not in it

i enjoyed the Experience and it put me on track as to what I want to achieve 😉

Thats good hear!

Inexplicably, I felt a bit sad when you announced you were buying an M-E. I browse your work regularly to keep myself motivated 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

theres nothing BS ...{snip}

The BS is your attitude.

I don't own a Leica X Vario. I'm well aware of the limitations that a relatively slow zoom lens imposes on depth of field and available light capture, thank you. As I said in my first response,

If the X Vario lens fulfills your need, I'd buy one of them instead of the M8. ...

It sounded to me that the OP was an intelligent person who understood something of photography, asking for an opinion of which of these two cameras, with their known limitations, others might choose.

The X Vario is quite a nice camera with an excellent lens. It's not a fast lens, but a lens doesn't have to be fast to be excellent. And, heavens!, you can actually take a lot of excellent photos with a relatively slow lens if you have half a brain and a minor amount of knowledge of photography to work with.

G

 

[ramosa]

I had Miss M-E about a bit more than a month
Lovely Camera, minimal & zen like but my heart was not in it

i enjoyed the Experience and it put me on track as to what I want to achieve 😉

Helen,

I'm not surprised! While the M-E is a fine camera, you are film to the core!

 

[ramosa]

The M8 and the X Vario have only two things in common. They're fine cameras--and are produced by Leica. I would recommend that you think at a deeper level about how you want to shoot and what type of user experience you want. (Please don't consider this to be preachy--as I needed to say this to myself recently.)

 

[jaapv]

theres nothing BS about the limitations of a 6.4 max aperture, just science. its aperture/shutter speed/iso, thats it. when the aperture is so limiting, it correspondingly limits the SS and iso you can use, nothing magical or subjective about it. and it has a physical effect on subject seperation. thats no BS either, just a fact. facts may be unpleasant when one conflates their ego with their gear, but to me theyre just objective data that need to be assessed when one asks the question 'what should i consider when comparing X vs Y'. these are tools, not family to be defended to the death regardless of circumstance. 'creatitivity' in believing one can do all things with such a constrained product sounds more like wishful thinking...like andy said horses for courses, and this tool simply has limited courses. not saying it cant produce very fine images, just limited courses.

The BS is that most APS lenses in that zoom range are 3.5 to 5.6. The differences between 6.4 and 5.6 are imperceptible, especially as the quality difference at wider apertures has far more impact on DOF, which is wholly subjective anyway.
If you want to compare zoom lenses to primes be my guest, but don’t expect to come to a sensible conclusion.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

The M8 and the X Vario have only two things in common. They're fine cameras--and are produced by Leica. I would recommend that you think at a deeper level about how you want to shoot and what type of user experience you want. (Please don't consider this to be preachy--as I needed to say this to myself recently.)

Agreed. The cameras are so different it's not a matter of price at all. I wouldn't buy any, personally. I would get the latest M model instead. However, if I have to strictly choose between these two, if they are free, I would get the M8, if I have to pay my own money, I would get the XV.

 

[helen.HH]

Thats good hear!

Inexplicably, I felt a bit sad when you announced you were buying an M-E. I browse your work regularly to keep myself motivated 🙂

Oh my Goodness, how very Touching, Charming, and Kind of You
Made my day, made me Smile !!!
Thank You, Best to You -H

 

[TRIago]

I'd get the M8. Anytime. It doesn't matter how old it is, it is still damn fun to use it. And it will always be - unless it stops working.