[Leica] Re: Leica answer

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

hi Larry,

I don't hink anyone of us are calling the M8 the Holy Grail.  It does indeed 
have its foibles, just as any other camera has.  But it is not the piece of 
crap some call it either.  Does it compare to the previous M's Yes it indeed 
does.  Is it better?  Only the individual can say as we all have our own way 
of using our tools.  Is it worth the high price?  That is a question only 
you can answer for yourself after trying one.  In my case it is worth it, 
end of discussion.  It is like all other M cameras, you have to try it and 
if possible try it over a couple of days to see if it will be for you.  It 
is in many ways a true M, but it is also in many ways a completely different 
M than any other previously.  If you want it to be exactly like your M3 
through M6, then you will be dissapointed, it is after all a fully 
electronic camera.  My best comparison would be to say it is a M form 
factor, function camera, with a R8/9 heart.  It has features of both lines 
of cameras, and for me it has 
the best of both.  It is not a Canon or Nikon Digital and makes no effort to 
say it is.  It is Leica's First Digital effort outside the DMR.  It has some 
negatives as well as positives about it.  If you are OK with that then make 
the plunge, if not stay with your film M's or go buy a Canon or Nikon, who 
have made their initial mistakes long ago, and now have only a few screw 
ups, compared to hits.  After all the new 1D MK III has certainly had a fair 
number of goofs compared to what was expected of it.  Every one of the 
companies has some problems even after years of experience.

It is after all just a tool.

Gene

-------------- Original message from Lawrence Zeitlin 
<lrzeitlin@optonline.net>: -------------- 


> 
> On Aug 30, 2007, at 6:50 PM, Adam wrote: 
> 
> > I keep thinking that you want a particular answer and are disgruntled 
> > when you don't get it, Lawrence. 
> 
> 
> I never intended to release a flood of emotions when I asked about 
> the relative reliability of the M8. What I really wanted was someone 
> to say that the M8, and indeed any Leica, is a camera, not the Holy 
> Grail. I would have liked to see it compared objectively to other 
> cameras, but I guess expecting Luggers to be unbiased is a real leap 
> of faith. After all, it is the LUG. I don't even want to see it 
> compared to Canon or Nikon. I have no interest in buying either. Nor 
> am I unacquainted with the convenience of digital cameras. I have 
> owned them since they first came out about 15 years ago, starting 
> with a B&W Logitec, the Apple 100, and the Leica Digiflex Zoom. I 
> regularly use an Olympus 4/3 DSLR, apparently the second choice of 
> many Leica fans. The digitals let me take more pictures without a 
> cost penalty but I seriously doubt that they are better pictures. 
> 
> What I would like to see is a comparison of the M8 with a film Leica, 
> say the M6, using the same lenses on each, the film to be scanned at 
> 4000 lpi on a top quality scanner. 
> Surely one of the excellent photographers on the LUG has both cameras 
> and the interest in making such a test. My problem is that I have 
> film Leicas and lenses that I use for personal photography. I am 
> satisfied with the results but I like the convenience of digital. The 
> entry price of the M8 can buy a lot of film and processing. Still, 
> I'm tempted. The largest pictures I regularly make these days are 
> 8x10s with an occasional 11x14 or 16x20 for a photo show. No 40x60s 
> ever. 
> 
> The value of Leica RF cameras as instinctive image making machines 
> extends to the M8 as several Luggers have stated. I don't expect MF 
> results from a 35 mm frame despite the assertions of M8 fans that 
> Hassleblad quality can be squeezed out of the sensor. Too bad there 
> isn't a Consumers Research for high end cameras. 
> 
> My problem would be resolved if someone would just give me an M8. I 
> wonder what Leica does with all those returned cameras. Can't sell 
> them as new. It's against the law. 
> 
> Larry Z 
> 
> 
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