[Leica] Re: M8 problems

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

Larry,

All I know is my M8 has been flawless and it certainly works for me.  Can't 
answer why those who hate it, assuming they actually own one, and have not 
replied on the LUG here.  Yes, it is not for everyone, and it may not be for 
you.  It does not really matter, as long as we are all happy with our 
cameras, who cares.  I happen to be in the group who would buy another in a 
flash, if I had the money for it.  I'm not a pro either, but for me it's 
great.  For those like you and Alan, who still drives his '50s car and his 
original M3, more power to you also.  Me, I'm going to go out and shoot some 
more M8 photos...

Gene

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


> Curiouser and curiouser. 
> 
> Since my questioning of the M8 most of the on list replies have 
> supported the camera. On the other hand, I have received half a dozen 
> off list messages complaining of the camera's unreliability and 
> general inadequacy. It is almost as if expressing doubts about the M8 
> on the LUG is a sign of disloyalty to Leica in general. Even some LUG 
> posters who describe problems with cameras or service urge others to 
> buy the camera to support the company. This is peer pressure at it's 
> worst. More important, if won't save Leica if they don't produce 
> fault free cameras. 
> 
> My reluctance to buy an M8 is based on the fact that it would be a 
> marginal purchase for me, done primarily for curiosity. I currently 
> own a couple of rock solid M3s and a CL and about half a dozen Leica 
> lenses, none newer than the 80s. Even selling all my Leica bodies 
> wouldn't pay for half the cost of an M8. And then I would just have 
> the old lenses to use with it. For me, the real advantage of the 
> older Leicas is that they can tolerate a good deal of benign neglect. 
> I can leave them in a drawer for months on end, then pop in a roll of 
> film and they are ready to use. As long as the film is fresh, the 
> results are generally good. No batteries to charge, cards to format, 
> white balance, banding, or magenta problems. Only three adjustments, 
> focus, shutter, lens opening. My DSLR has 15 modes of operation, each 
> with half a dozen submodes. The mind boggles. 
> 
> But then I don't make a living from photography. I can't depreciate 
> an unreliable expensive camera as a tool of the trade. I don't get 
> free loaners. I live in the sticks and the closest camera store 
> handing the Leica line is 50 miles away. The fact that the M8 is a 
> digital doppleganger of the Leica is almost irrelevant. I would use 
> my Leica lenses on a Box Brownie if I could be assured that it would 
> always work when I clicked the shutter. 
> 
> After I retired, I started a second career as a travel writer/ 
> photographer selling mostly to marine and boating magazines. I must 
> confess that most of my photographic work is done with Olympus OM 
> cameras and assorted digitals. At first I felt that the Leicas were 
> too valuable to take out on a boat but then I got seduced by the dark 
> side of SLRs with auto exposure, opening backs, and nice, bright 
> viewfinders. I can even use all my Olympus lenses on the E-500 DSLR. 
> Too bad someone doesn't make an adapter to let me mount Leica lenses 
> on the camera. 
> 
> Now I feel better. 
> 
> Larry Z 
> 
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