Leica Digital M8

Tim Smith · #15 09-29-2006, 10:04 AM

For me, the introduction of this camera seems almost unfair. No, I'm not a working professional (anymore) but have recently decided to purchase a DSLR to get back into photography. I have been on the cusp of a decision as to which one to buy, Nikon or Canon, for several months. And now this. It's like having my first girlfriend show up on my front porch looking even better than I remember.

I'm struck with the possibility that middle age has arrived and includes every cliche about crisis and nostalgia. Looking at that M8 brought back a flood of memories. Walking around the streets of New Haven, CT with my M2 in hand, Luna Pro around my neck, and shiny aluminum Tiltall tucked under my arm.

My lust has been awakened. No other current digital camera has ever provided the same deep desire as the image of that spartan M8. I know it's irrational. I know the big, black bricks made by the other manufacturers are far more practical and will provide me with stunning images. But, as is often said, you never forget your first time.

There, I got that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

Jamie_Roberts · #16 10-02-2006, 06:03 PM

Tim--not irrational in the slightest.

As an owner of 3 of those big black bricks (and one of them's a Leica!) I still, um, yearn, if not outright lust, for the M8 more than any camera I've ever seen.

And like Don, I've got through from a D60 to the 1 Series along with Canon using all the auto-stuff, and then with Don's advice turned it all off again! The urging of someone I trust very much, got me to try manual Leica glass with the Canons, then with a DMR / R9 (talk about first girlfriend syndrome! It's as bulky as my first SLR--a Zenit E, and the shutter dial looks like my first Minolta!).

If the M8 is the DMR in a smaller, rangefinder package, with better ISO performance, then I'm all over it, and a couple of big black bricks will be on the proverbial block.

As for the middle age thing, boy do I hear that! At least your not *driving* the M8 (though I did compare it's design to a Porsche 911 the other day reminding someone of the difference between "nostalgic" design and "classic" design).

Thanks for the post, which articulates the way I feel about it too, and made me laugh about it all.

As an aside, did I mention I played with a Panasonic L1 the other day, and it was such a design delight in all its manual over-ride-ness (aperture settings on a Leica IS lens, real shutter dial) and it just made the M8 lust greater!

Matt_Sachs · #17 10-07-2006, 07:17 PM

I sold an M7 and Summi+Nocti lenses when I obtained my Canon 1DM2 - and don't miss the film element, but miss the "Leica rangefinder " element - it will be wonderful if the digital rangefinder Leicas live up to the promise of enabling that instantaneous rangefinder feel in a digital form.

Jamie_Roberts · #18 10-28-2006, 02:46 PM

So as an update for all the potential Leica-philes out there...

The first reviews with real firmware of the M8 are trickling out. There are even some pre-availablity close-to-production RAW files out there.

If you want the best in-depth review, subscribe to Sean Reid's site; it's worth the money (and I'm not related in any way!).

Anyway, the M8 raw and developed files I've seen to date are simply outstanding, from what I've seen, and I'm very used to seeing DMR, 5d and 1d2/1ds2 raw files. Evidently Leica is still tweaking, too, so they could conceivably be even better.

The colour saturation and detail is amazing, and you'll never question whether the shots are sharp or not with the right lenses available (and not all of them are Leicas).

Most importantly, looks like it's going to be very good in terms of detail right up to ISO 1250, with ISO 2500 comparing favourably to the 5d / 1ds2 at 3200 (though the Canons are still better in this regard, from what I've seen). But for a high bit sampling CCD sensor, this is an amazing accomplishment.

So I expect the absolute exposure headroom on this thing is better than the DMR, but not as forgiving as a 5d/1ds2. I don't know this for a fact, but based on the noise floor I've seen at high ISO levels I'm thinking the Canons have between a half and full stop advantage (in deepest shadows).

Nevertheless, the combination of compactness, build quality, truly exceptional optics from a variety of manufacturers, colour sampling depth and sensor dr, and all for the price of a 5d, well, this has sold me. My money's down, lenses are ordered, and I'm just waiting to get one.

Jamie_Roberts · #19 11-02-2006, 11:38 AM

I'm sure folks have see this, but Michael Reichmann's review of the M8 is on Luminous Landscape now.

Leica M8 Review

Net: He also says it produces the best file he's seen to date from a digicam at low ISOs. He also says he'll give his review copy back to Leica when they pry it from his...well, you get it

.

Interesting, no? I have a 28 Elmarit, a 35 1.4 ASPH and a 50 1.4 ASPH just waiting now for the camera to get to Toronto.

Jamie_Roberts · #20 11-03-2006, 10:39 AM

Hey--so here's another update on the M8.

Sean Reid has a fabulous, three-part, in-depth review of the M8, and compares it with the 5d and the Epson RD1 (the only other M compatible digital rangefinder out there).

http://www.reidreviews.com

It's a subscription site, but IMO, and I'm not connected at all, well worth it for the review information.

One more thing. I've decided to purchase this body, and so I picked up the new 28 2.8 ASPH Elmarit M (a 35 crop on the M8) and my gosh... it's tiny, especially compared with the older 28 Ms (the Summicron is, of course, a stop faster, so it's understandably larger). I'll post some picks, but as a comparison it's literally half the size and weight of the 50 Summilux M (which itself is pretty compact for a fast lens).

Now that we can blog here (can't we?) maybe I'll post some shots once I get the body

Jamie_Roberts · #21 11-03-2006, 10:43 AM

Crap. IE just ate another update

Anyway a short re-write...

Sean Reid's review site, http://www.reidreviews.com , has a fabulous, 3 part review of the M8 and compares it with the 5d and Epson RD1.

It's a subscription site, but well worth it (and I'm not connected in any way).
I also got the new 28 Elmarit (a 35 on the M8) and my gosh it's small: half the size of the 50 Summilux M (course the hood makes it bigger, but you get what I mean).