[Leica] Quality (was un-believable)

[leica at web-options.com (Bob W)]

If you're coming to the M8 from the M7 the difference in size may be less
noticeable than if you're coming from the M3 and M4-2 as I have. To show the
difference I have photographed the M8 and M3 side by side here:

http://www.web-options.com/M3M8/

Apologies for the cluttered background - it's my kitchen. Also apologies for
the poor focus in one of them, but it makes the point and I can't be
bothered to reshoot it.

I strongly prefer the smaller size, and find the size difference very
noticeable - it was the first thing I remarked on when I first handled an
M8. Not only because it's more comfortable to handle, but also because the
larger body changes the proportions of the camera quite noticeably and makes
it less attractive in my opinion.

For the record, here are the numbers, in millimetres:

Body    Length  Height  Depth   Ratio
m3      138.00  77.00           33.50   1.79
m8      138.60  80.20           36.90   1.73

In my view, Leica should be spending their money on ironing out the
infra-red nonsense, and on making the next M the same size as the M3.

Bob 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+leica=web-options.com@leica-users.org 
> [mailto:lug-bounces+leica=web-options.com@leica-users.org] On 
> Behalf Of Nathan Wajsman
> Sent: 21 December 2008 09:08
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Quality (was un-believable)
> 
> I cannot tell any difference. Of course, I sold my M7 four 
> years ago,  
> but still--feels like any normal M.
> 
> I got the Leica grip on it, as I have always found that M 
> cameras need  
> a grip. With the film bodies I always used Tom Abrahamsson's Rapid  
> Grip. With the M8, I had to settle for second-best (and more  
> expensive) and got the one from Leica. But it is pretty nice, better  
> than the original Leica film camera grips.
> 
> 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 Dec 21, 2008, at 3:36 AM, grduprey@mchsi.com wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > I believe "much thicker" is only about 2 or 3 mm.  Hardly worth  
> > noting in my experience.  Sort of like the argument that the 1 mm  
> > taller M6TTL destroyed the look and ergonomics of the 
> camera - Total  
> > bunk in my opinion.  If anything, the thicker M8 is easier to hold  
> > tightly.
> >