[Leica] glamour with the R8

[Francesco Sanfilippo <fls@home.com>]

WOW!  That's all I could say when I saw the slides from my first real shoot 
with the R8.  All I used were an R8, 2/50 Summicron, a bracketed Metz 
50MZ-5, and a silver reflector.  I went down to La Jolla Cove and to 
Windansea Beach (both here in San Diego, CA) today between 1230 and 230pm 
and did a shoot with a new model of mine named Jeannie.  The weather was 
great, the light was great, the tide was reasonable, the model was 
cooperative, and the equipment performed flawlessly.  I was worried 
throughout the shoot since it was only my 4th time shooting with the R8, 
and only the 1st time using my new Metz, but the results were amazing. 
 CLEAR, SHARP, perfectly exposed, perfectly lit, everything fell into 
place!  Definitely one of my favorite shoots this year.

I used Fuji Astia 100 film and rated it at ISO 80.  Half of the time I used
P mode on the R8 and TTL mode on the Metz, letting the equipment make
decisions for me.  The other half of the time, I used A mode on the R8 and
A mode on the Metz, choosing apertures on the R8 between f/4 and f/16,
and keeping the Metz set at -2 +1/3.  I got by without changing lenses the 
entire time, only using a 2/50.....this lens is VERY NICE.  Focusing was
precise and easy.  The viewfinder was very bright and reliable.  I handheld 
the R8 with the Metz clamped on with a bracket.  Very comfortable and not 
too heavy, even after holding it for 2 hours straight.  I went from 
shooting Jeannie against dark, moss-covered rocks to shooting Jeannie 
against the baby blue sky and ocean and the slides were equally technically 
perfect.
Even in P mode on the R8, exposures were flawless.

After looking at the slides on a lightbox for a while, with some of my old 
slides from the SAME location last month, under the same daylight,
but with the F5 and the SB-26, I am convinced there is a visible difference 
between Nikon glass and Leica glass.  I can see the LEICA GLOW!  Now I know 
what everyone is talking about.  It seems to be a combination of the 
appearance of 3-dimensionality, vibrant yet accurate color, and super-fine 
resolution of fine details.  Together, these features make these slides 
stand out on the lightbox very recognizably.  I am impressed, to say the 
very least,
and am EXTREMELY happy in my decision to go Leica.

Francesco Sanfilippo
Five Senses Productions
fls@home.com