[Leica] M8 Impressions, Pro and Con

[msadat at gmail.com (mehrdad)]

i think the closest to m8 in terms of lightness, size and small prime
lenses is pentax for now. and they are rolling lots of small primes.

i think even two m8s are lighter than a 5d setup!! i like the 5d but m8 more

tina if u use the c1 to process m8 files, choose the following profile
from c1 menu options
workflow->camera and then choose phase one p 30 tungsten-easy black.
the colors are much better even the purple ones. this info is via
another forum, i tried and liked it



On 11/12/06, Tina Manley <images@infoave.net> wrote:
> LUG:
>
> I've had my M8 for four days now and I used Leica's for 3 days, so
> after one week with the M8 here are my initial impressions.  I'm
> comparing it to the Canon 5D, the camera I was carrying around for
> everyday use.
>
> M8 Pro:
> It's a rangefinder.
> It's small, light, easy to carry and operates intuitively.
> All of my M lenses will fit and work well with it.
> It's quiet and unobtrusive.  Nobody notices when I'm taking photos.
> High ISOs are better than I expected.
> I can post photos for discussion on the LUG without feeling guilty
> that they're not from a Leica :-D
>
> M8 Con:
> The battery lasts less than one day of use and spare batteries are
> over $100 each.
> The battery takes three hours to recharge.
> The buffer fills up quickly.  After taking 4 or 5 photos in rapid
> succession, you have to let the camera catch up.
> The camera is not instantly "on".  It take several seconds after you
> turn it on before you can start to take photos or set the menus.
> As a left-eyed shooter, my nose smudges the LCD monitor with every
> shot.  I'm going to have to learn to shoot right-eyed.
> Either the viewfinder is dimmer than my M7's or my eyes are getting
> worse (a possibility!)  It's harder to get the focus right than with the 
> M7.
> It's not as indestructible as the M7's.  I'm sure if I dropped it in
> a river it would be dead.
> It's not full-frame.
>
> Canon 5D Pro:
> It's automatic focus (my eyes are getting old)
> The L lenses are very nice.
> The battery lasts forever - over a week - spare batteries can be
> bought for $29.
> The battery charges in 30 minutes.
> You can take many rapid photos in succession and the camera never has to 
> stop.
> The camera is instantly on.
> It takes my R lenses with an adapter.
> It's full-frame.
> It's 12.8 megapixels.
> High ISOs are very, very good.
>
> Canon 5D Con:
> It's an SLR.
> It's big and heavy. (Not as big and heavy as my 1DMII, but much
> bigger than the M8)
> It's not as waterproof or weather-sealed as my 1DMII. (But maybe
> better than the Leica?)
> It's fairly loud and noticeable.  Everybody comments on the big camera.
>
> You may notice that I didn't mention the magenta cast or streaking as
> cons for the M8.  I'm not worried about that.  Leica will come up
> with a solution and in the meantime, it can be fixed in photoshop.
>
> Your mileage may vary since everybody uses cameras differently, but
> for my purposes, these are the pros and cons of both cameras.  I
> don't regret buying the M8 at all.  It will be the camera that I
> carry with me everywhere.  I'll still carry the 5D and/or the 1DMII,
> depending on what I'm planning to photograph and how far I have to
> walk to do it.  I'm still working on comparing similar photos from
> the two and also some film photos that I shot with my M7 in
> Rockport.  I'll get those posted as soon as I can scan them.
>
> I hope this helps those of you sitting on the fence about whether to
> get the M8.  Those who aren't interested have already deleted the
> message anyway ;-)  If you have any questions, I'd be glad to try to
> answer them.
>
> Leically (again!!)
>
> Tina
>
>
>
>
>
> Tina Manley, ASMP, NPPA
> http://www.tinamanley.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>


-- 
  -------------------------------------
  regards, mehrdad