Infrared contamination (Leica M8, etc)

[diglloyd]

I've written up an article on the importance of an effective infrared-blocking sensor glass, comparing the Leica M8, the Nikon D200, and a Canon EOS 5D-IR (infrared): Infrared Contamination

[Ken_Tanaka]

An excellent, clinical and educational treatise on the context of the dust storm surrounding the M8, Lloyd. Thank you.

So...did you buy one and, if so, are you keeping it?

[diglloyd]

Originally Posted by Ken_Tanaka

An excellent, clinical and educational treatise on the context of the dust storm surrounding the M8, Lloyd. Thank you.

So...did you buy one and, if so, are you keeping it?

Hmmm...by "clinical", let me know if there's something that you think could be improved.

I had an M8 on order, but canceled it, though I'm presently the new owner of a 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH now, intended for the M8. A friend of mine received an M8, determined that the problem was irksome, and promptly sold it (he had 2 on order!).

I do intend to get one, assuming Leica comes up with a satisfactory solution, but I think it's wise to wait until that happens.

[Ken_Tanaka]

By "clinical" I meant that your exposition was free of the hand-wringing, finger-pointing, and general yang that surrounds the M8's current birthmarks. You explained how the infrared spectrum influences digital sensors and how the M8's sensor design has clearly left it overly exposed to these influences.

It's obvious from your paper, and other remarks on related forums, that this is a problem that could not have escaped Leica's notice during testing. Clearly the company's marketing, and perhaps finance, organizations were hell-bent to shove this thing out the door at Photokina if it could take any kind of picture. They may be extremely cash-strapped and made a deal with the devil to take the cash now and fix the product later.

[diglloyd]

Originally Posted by Ken_Tanaka

It's obvious from your paper, and other remarks on related forums, that this is a problem that could not have escaped Leica's notice during testing. Clearly the company's marketing, and perhaps finance, organizations were hell-bent to shove this thing out the door at Photokina if it could take any kind of picture. They may be extremely cash-strapped and made a deal with the devil to take the cash now and fix the product later.

I'm not so sure it wasn't a conscious decision based on a myopic focus on maximum sharpness (using thin sensor glass), and a very limited amount of backfocus; rangefinder lenses do not use telecentric designs as DSLRs do. Leica engineers are pretty smart, but I think it might be a case of not understanding the ramifications from more than a technical point of view.

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