[Leica] having met an m8, i've decided i don't need one

[scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin)]

Like Kyle, I have a D200. It's a pretty good camera for the price,
and there are a nice selection of relatively reasonably priced lenses.

I find I still shoot more with my film M6 TTL's. My shooting volume
has been (very) low lately, but my Sensia 100 + Fuji Mailer experiment
has been a success for me so far. Just drop the roll in the mail and wait
for the slides to show up in my mailbox. Fairly economical too.

I can't really "read" or "proof" a neg, but slides present no problems
in this regard.  I can scan and maybe print just the keepers, so that
greatly reduces scan time and digital futzing.

I use the D200 mostly for studio shots - tethered to a PC for "instant
Polaroids" - or where I'll need on camera flash.  In the latter case, it's
really a cop out, because I've taken satisfactory nice flash pics in the
past with my M6's using a trusty auto-mode Vivitar 285 or the TTL
SF24 flash.  Just set the shutter speed for sync, put the lens on f5.6
and shoot away.

I'm not sure what I'd do with a digital M8. I'm pretty wedded to the
focal lengths of my 21/35/28/50/90 lenses. I'm already compromising
in this regard with my D200 (I shoot primes, excepting a 12-24 zoom),
but I'm not sure I want to introduce such compromises with my Leica
M Kit.  It just works - the way I like it.

Maybe some day, but right now, I'm in no hurry to add yest another
digital camera system into my gear mix. No hurry at all.

Scott

David Keenan wrote:

> kc --
>
>>   2) it feels a lot thicker
>
>
> This is because the CCD and the (unneeded) LCD sit back to back. Loose 
> the
> LCD (which no true M photographer should ever need) and the camera 
> could be
> the same depth we all would really rather have
>
>> * i clicked the shutter and it went "clunk-whirr!"
>
>
> This godawful sound completely destroys the traditional, time-tested "M
> experience". Try this in the familar discrete places that the film M's 
> are
> used and forget going unnoticed.
>
>> i want the m8 to be a digital version of the m6.
>
>
> Exactly -- but better yet an M7. No LCD, no additional external controls
> (except for maybe a WB button that shows the white balance selected in 
> the
> viewfinder), the traditional cloth shutter and "film advance" lever to 
> cock
> the shutter (like the RD-1), a battery compartment where the film 
> went, a SD
> card slot where the film take-up spool was, and a USB port to connect 
> to a
> PC to do any necessary configuration.
>
> This "M8" would be a true digital M camera in the tradition that all M
> photographers (if they are honest with themselves) really want.
>
> If you have to have an LCD, if you have to chimp, if you need all the
> buttons,.then use a digital SLR -- you don't need an M.
>
>> i went home a sad and wiser man.
>
>
> This former M8 owner discovered the "truth" last weekend and remains very
> disappointed -- yes, probably still a little bitter as well.
>
> Dave.


-- 
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Leica M6TTL, Bessa R, Nikon FM3a, Nikon D70, Rollei AFM35
(Jihad Sigint NSA FBI Patriot Act)