Would you buy the M8 again?

I bought my M8 to 'go digital' with the excellent of M-glass I had, - and could buy. - Like most, I had waited with great expectations for this monumental event that a digital M would be launched.

I have used my M8 parallel to my 1Ds II (sold) and my new 1Ds III. The M8 stands up good compared to both. The difference in resolution compared to both the huge Canon cameras are marginal and has little significance in daily use. The M8's strong points is the far better optics - from the Noctilux to the WATE. The M8/WATE combo costs about the same as a 1Ds III/16-35 mm 2,8L - but is far better. - Sure, the crop factor cheats the M8 to the victory, but if you are a pro interior photographer, the Leica M8/WATE combo must be a serious contender to consider.

The M8 had been on the market for a good 6 months when I bought it in late spring 2007. Already then: The launch was deeply troubled with purple fringe, odd spots, streaks (freaks) and freezes. I find the 'fixes' from Leica,- and their dedicated service follow up quite sufficient. I knew I might be in for trouble. I had my Leica lenses coded, filtered (off and on) and have learned to live with the M8's slight downsides. Like the crop factor. Having had only FF-DSLR's before the M8 and was skeptical to the crop factor. That's why I bought the WATE which solves the problem.

My M8 has been to Solms once. For a 'line' problem. It was back within two weeks. Fixed. Two weeks I used to introduce myself to my new 1Ds III. - An excellent camera that reveal the limitations of much of Canon's lens line. Particularly the zooms fall through; swet drips down your back when you see the blured corners at 100% in PS. Help! - With a few exceptions; the EF 35 mm 1,4L, the 200 mm 2,8L etc. are just excellent. Stubbornly, Canon will not cooperate with neither Carl Zeiss nor Leica to supplement their line with glass of higher quality. That could well be a mistake.

I have had a few M8-freezes which I regard as a battery problem. Have a fresh battery at hand. Avoid 3.party batteries and buy a new one when the freezes occure too often. They are cheap.

I love my M-gear. It is light weight, compact and offers high resolution and contrast. Exceptionally high.

I was very much aware that I supported one of the two, of any significance, European camera producers, when buying the M8. As I have said before; if there is going to be a M9 we all have to buy the M8.

Sure, I would have bought it again!
 
leicasniper said:
Blurred corners of a lens from a 1DsIII at 100%? That would be a 16x24 print without any interpolation. What size print does 100% in Photoshop from the M8 represent?
Click to expand...

Sure, read my post and you see that I point out that 'Leica wins by cheating'.....

The jpg file sizes in PS measures:

M8: 138,85 x 92,85 cm
1Ds II: 176,11 x 117,4 cm
1Ds III: 192,12 x 132,08 cm

By comparison; the largest colour prints I have done are 120 x 120 cm prints from a 6 x 6 cm (Kodak 160ASA Portra) negatives with a Hasselblad (Carl Zeiss 80 mm 2,8 Planar) - sometimes slightly cropped. No doubt, the 1Ds III could match that. Provided it has a good lens mounted.....
 
Considering all the problems I had with mine, I think I'm pretty much resolved to pass on the M8 until their game has matured. If that means an M9 or an upgraded M8, anyone can guess. In fact, my experience with Leica service and new products has been so poor I'd hesitate to buy any Leica product again.

I loved using the M8 but I had a horrible time making it perform reliably. Three out of three were faulty. The insane thing is that if I was to have to shoot digital again the M8 is the only camera I'd want to carry around. I enjoy using M's and what else is there on the market that compares? I'm lucky I've got a lot of film kit to fall back on.
 
Yes - I have had one for a while, and am planning on how and when to get a second one...

No problems so far, I put that down partly to having bought a second hand one from a reliable source - i.e. it has been tested for a while...
 
Don't have the M8, but if GRD-II and DP1 are your alternatives for candid shooting, then I'd prefer the M8 without hesitating. Candid shooting also means quick shooting - when the people realize someone is shooting you have already done your shots and can smile at them - but the Ricoh and the Sigma are the kings of slowness: shutter and LCD lag, slow AF, hyper slow writing speed, not talking about other invonvenients like poor perfomance above ISO 100, fixed lens, slower apertures (especially the Sigma).

But if you say you already have a R-D1 - what's wrong with that one that you feel you must "upgrade" it to a M8?

Didier
 
Put me in the "heartbeat" camp

Put me in the "heartbeat" camp

Yup. In a heartbeat. Never had a problem with mine. Last night I was thinking about what lens to use for a particular portrait. Slapped on, in quick succession, the 50/1.5 Summarit, the 50/2.8 Elmarit, the 50/2 Summitar, the 50/1.5 C-Sonnar and a 43/1.9 Pentax just to compare the OOF areas. For this particular shoot the Summarit wins it. I love the idea of being in the digital age, but having lens pallettes from the last 60 years from which to choose.

Don't get me wrong: I am not throwing away my M2-3-5-6, but this camera allows me to do just what I want digitally.

Ben
 
The one thing that concerns me a little about my M8 is not being able to have a fast 35mm equivalent. If they do ever bring out a full frame version the current model will be worth bugger all to resell IMHO ... being able to shoot a genuine 35mm focal length at f1.2 would make the upgrade or replacement irresistable if you want to stay with a digital rangefinder! Keep your original M8 and suddenly you have eight focal lengths from four lenses ... and no money left in the bank of course. 😛
 
I've had mine only a short time, but it has performed well for me and I'd definitely do it again given the same choice. Very easy to use, comfortable given previous M experience; I have the screen review turned off and just use it like a film camera. It has gone on an overseas trip with me this Spring. In my results I have not yet seen anything that makes me regret not using IR/UV filters. As I work on the trip photos that may change... or perhaps not. 🙂
 
Keep

Keep

I will keep mine and curse it on occasion . I would buy again but would buy a demo from a reputable store to keep price down. I would only buy used lenses and send them top a good indy store to be checked on . Leica service to slow. Prices have got to come down . David
 
I don't think it is the kind of camera you should have doubts about.
I don't like it and could not justify in any way buying it but if you are considering it then I assume you can afford it or you need it for a specific work. If any of these is the case, then it is the only rangefinder digital camera. No alternatives. If on the other hand it is just image quality we are talking about, for that kind of money you can clearly get many other options (and on most of them you can put great Leitz or Zeiss or whatever glasses easily if that is what appeal to you).
If you like it and have the money go for it. If you are in the EOS vs Nikon vs Fuji vs Leica thinking then I think you sould't!

GLF
 
Last edited:
In today’s troubling US economic market with yet higher prices, and a low-ass dollar rate to the Euro; I’m not so sure. However, just yesterday I received my new silver 35-cron from my dealer and now my M8 set is practically complete! My total investment includes this silver 35-cron, a silver 50-lux and a silver 24-Elmarit, for a current sum of 15k. As strictly a hobbyist, this is a lot of currency in any language.
Regards,🙄
 
Last edited:
It's been one year, and I would definitely buy it again. I actually don't know what I would take pictures with if I didn't have it...

About all the "issues", most of them have not been a problem to me: I like the high IR/UV sensitivity, it lets me do IR or UV photography by merely swapping filters. Crashes ? Yes I had some, can't remember missing a shot. White balance ? It works better than most cameras I have owned since the 1.20 firmware. Issue with rangefinder accuracy ? I misfocus by more than it with my bad eyes, and still I get the pictures I want.

I obvuiously "see" how to make it better but until there is a camera with these improvements there is no alternative for me than my M8.
 
Only had mine for 3 months now and haven't looked back since. It took me a year to make a purchasing decision, but I wish I had bought it earlier in a heartbeat.
Like others have said, it has been a joy to use and - more importantly - has changed the way I take pictures. The almost "physical" pleasure of holding and using it is hard to describe.
I now only go to my DSLR when I either need the zoom range or the speed - ie, not very often. Similarly, I reluctantly take my Ricoh GX100 with me when I must have the smallest possible travel kit.
Otherwise, it's the M8. Yes, it's expensive - but the lenses actually account for most of the total cost (that is, if you want a range of Leica glass), and I expect to be able to use these on future M's.
Do I need to say I'd buy it again?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom