Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi George, As always, thanks for looking and for the kind words. To answer your question: yes, I have used all the equipment you mention. In 2004 I decided to get a DSLR and went to Canon, mainly because I wanted to use my Leica R lenses. But like you have written on several occasions, I quickly found that Leica R lenses work best on a Leica body, and I sold them all except my 100mm Apo Macro which was just too good to let go. After about a year with the 20D I bought a second-hand 1D Mark II and used that as my primary outfit for a couple of years, along with 3-4 L lenses. I liked that the Canon was rugged, weather-proof (tested several times in Amsterdam downpours), but boy did my shoulder hurt after walking around with the bag for a day. I was, however, disappointed with the optical quality of some of the expensive lenses, particularly the 16-35mm. Even on a body with a 1.3 sensor factor it was decidedly soft in corners. So I began to look at Olympus, attracted by the lighter bodies and lenses and the good reputation enjoyed by Olympus optics. After getting my feet wet with an E-410, I bought an E3 which I still have, along with the 12-60mm and 50-200mm lenses. I was and am very pleased with this DSLR, despite the limitations at high ISO. The lenses were definitely better than their Canon equivalents. All along I lusted after an M8, and when the right opportunity presented itself in early December, I went for it. I have now shot approximately 1700 images with it, and I could not be more pleased. It did not take me long to re-learn manual focusing, and now my percentage of nailed focus shots is higher than with the AF systems I used before. I can again carry my outfit around all day in my Domke 803 and not have shoulder pain. My primary lens is the 35mm Summarit, a brilliant lens which, aside from a bit of barrel distortion is every bit as good as a Summicron. But the bottom line is image quality. Let me put it this way: with my M8 files, I no longer sharpen my images. It is simply not necessary. I spend much less time processing my RAW files in Lightroom with the M8 than with any of the other cameras I have owned. Is the M8 perfect? Of course not. I would like better high ISO performance, although I find 1250 entirely satisfactory and far superior to film (but of course Nikon has shown us how good high ISO can be). I would also like some weather-proofing, as befits a camera designed for street photography. And that's about it. Full frame is not a big deal for me, and really the only Olympus feature I sometimes miss is the supersonic dust removal. Getting the M8 was the best decision (in photography) that I have made in a long time. Should I have done it earlier? Not really. I had long said that once I could buy one at a certain price point, I would do so. That price point was reached in December--around 2500 Euros, new, with 2-year UK Passport warranty. Nathan Nathan Wajsman Alicante, Spain http://www.frozenlight.eu http://www.greatpix.eu http://www.nathanfoto.com Books: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/search?search=wajsman&x=0&y=0 PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws Blog: http://www.fotocycle.dk/blog On Jan 26, 2009, at 10:29 PM, George Lottermoser wrote: > Thanks for taking us on another delightful stroll through your life > Nathan. > While the seascapes are lovely; I really enjoy the "moments" in Alt > 5 and 8. > > Also: I can't help wondering if you might provide a report > on your feelings regarding the M8. > You're one of we who've migrated through Canon, Canon/R glass, > (and I believe Olympus-ville) and now use the M8. > So you must have thoughts and feelings about these > various systems and how they worked or didn't work for you > > Regards, > George Lottermoser > george@imagist.com > http://www.imagist.com > http://www.imagist.com/blog > http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist > Picture A Week - www.imagist.com/paw_07 > > > > > On Jan 26, 2009, at 1:34 AM, Nathan Wajsman wrote: > >> This week's images contain some beautiful views of the >> Mediterranean, attractive tapas, and at least one sweaty se?orita: >> >> http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws/?page_id=179 >> >> As always, comments and critique are welcome and appreciated. There >> are no pictures from this weekend's storm, those will get a >> separate gallery on my greatpix.eu site, hopefully tonight. >> >> On a side note, this weekend I upgraded the Wordpress software on >> which my blog runs from version 1.5 (vintage 2006) to the latest >> version 2.7. For the viewer it should not make any difference, but >> it makes administering the site and fighting comment spam much >> easier. So I have a special request to those who usually visit my >> PAW: if the site behaves strangely in any way, please let me know. >> >> Nathan >> >> Nathan Wajsman >> Alicante, Spain >> http://www.frozenlight.eu >> http://www.greatpix.eu >> http://www.nathanfoto.com >> >> Books: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/search?search=wajsman&x=0&y=0 >> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws >> Blog: http://www.fotocycle.dk/blog >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information