Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/27

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Subject: [Leica] First M8 experience
From: len-1 at comcast.net (Leonard Taupier)
Date: Sat Jan 27 11:43:40 2007
References: <1270AE4C-2F0B-4798-ACC7-D813C25D1890@spectare.com>

Jim,

You need the IR filter, big time. Every condition you mention is the  
absolute worst case for IR interference. I don't believe lens coding  
corrects anything and will continue to believe so until someone can  
prove different. I was lucky. I already had a hot mirror IR filter  
and a couple step up rings before I bought my M8. The without filter  
results are as you describe. I would suggest getting one filter from  
somewhere and redo the test before you give up the ship. Don't wait  
for Leica to send you one but buy one filter (if you can find your  
size in stock) and run the same test. If after you do that and you're  
still not happy then the M8 isn't for you.  (BTW, none of my posted  
M8 pictures used a filter).

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Len

On Jan 27, 2007, at 1:43 PM, Jim Laurel wrote:

> Well, despite my better judgement and the sage advice of some here,  
> B.D. not least, I decided to purchase an M8.
>
> My experience so far has not been encouraging.  I seem to be  
> experiencing every M8 foible in the book in tests with my Summicron  
> 28 ASPH mounted.  Shooting last night under tungsten light, people  
> with navy blue shirts came out MAGENTA.  Color balance is  
> unpredictable, rendering the jpg mode essentially useless.  Test  
> shots outdoors in high contrast scenes exhibit the most  
> unbelievable chromatic fringing.
>
> Perhaps I should reserve my opinion until I get my lenses coded and  
> the IR filters in place (I don't have either yet), but side by side  
> comparisons with my Canon 1Ds are no comparison.  The M8 photos are  
> indeed show better resolution, but who cares when high contrast  
> areas have such overwhelming purple fringing?  The 1Ds photos  
> aren't as crisp, but you can sharpen them up and at least the  
> colors look natural and your photo doesn't look like someone drew  
> all over it with a red marker.
>
> For those of you who are using the IR filters and have your lenses  
> coded, please tell me that this camera is actually usable with  
> those things in place.  Otherwise, it looks like eBay time...
>
> Cheers - Jim Laurel
>
>
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Replies: Reply from jplaurel at spectare.com (Jim Laurel) ([Leica] First M8 experience)
In reply to: Message from jplaurel at spectare.com (Jim Laurel) ([Leica] First M8 experience)