Leica M8 Video

[Red Dawn]

Yo,

The R-d1 shutter is just a click, very similar to the modern Bessa bodies like the R2a. The shutter **** also sounds remarkably like a Bessa when you actuate it.

I haven't handled the M8 before obviously so what I hear on the video sounds like my Xpan advancing when the shutter is depressed. It's nothing like what we've come to expect froom the M line of cameras. I honestly think it's a little more than disappointing. A manual cocking mechanism should have been there to retain the realism of RF shooting.

thanks for the assessment of the shutter sound. I too think they should have retained the shutter cocking mechanism, if only for nostalgia's sake

besides, the advance lever helps as a leverage for one's thumb, and helps in stabilising the grip on the camera. I often hold my M one handed with this method (fingers gripping the body, using the thumb on lever as a leverage). It seems that would be considered a dangerous stunt if attempted on a M8...

 

[antitrust]

sheesh. is leica gonna produce any more film rangefinders or is it just digital all the way now? they've surely produced enough good film rangefinders to last our generation and maybe the next, but.. won't it be kinda sad if they really stop making film rangefinders? i don't know man. just my opinion.

 

[Terence]

sheesh. is leica gonna produce any more film rangefinders or is it just digital all the way now? they've surely produced enough good film rangefinders to last our generation and maybe the next, but.. won't it be kinda sad if they really stop making film rangefinders? i don't know man. just my opinion.

In the near term, I think only special edition versions of the current line of film RFs will be released. There is some talk of a new R body, not sure whether a film body or a dedicated DSLR.

 

[Red Dawn]

sheesh. is leica gonna produce any more film rangefinders or is it just digital all the way now? they've surely produced enough good film rangefinders to last our generation and maybe the next, but.. won't it be kinda sad if they really stop making film rangefinders? i don't know man. just my opinion.

i don't think they will stop making the MPs and the M7s but probably we will see no more improvements or refinements to these already near-perfect picture making machines For the R side, probably the same.....

I think the film bodies will always be in production, cos there must also be a sizable number of diehard Leica users who are also diehard film lovers and will resist the change to digital.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hi Terence,

when i got home last night and watched the video again, I thought the shutter sound was ok, not as bad as a 1v or something :lovegrin: It might be a little unnaturally louder also due to the proximity of the video camera's microphone to the camera.

I do find the xpan pretty quiet for a motorized film advance!

 

[Terence]

Hi Terence,

when i got home last night and watched the video again, I thought the shutter sound was ok, not as bad as a 1v or something :lovegrin: It might be a little unnaturally louder also due to the proximity of the video camera's microphone to the camera.

I do find the xpan pretty quiet for a motorized film advance!

Yo,

I guess I'm comparing it to the current Ms which are extremely quiet. I'm just not used to all that noise coming from a M body, kinda hard to explain. It makes the M seem so motorised, which is a pretty alien concept when it comes to Leica rangefinders. The xpan is pretty smooth, not that quiet but not too loud either. Loud would be the Fuji GA645, sometimes I'm paiseh to use that for fear of drawing attention to myself.

Anyways, I'll have to see for myself when I finally get to try one. I'm sure there are a couple of us here in CS ready to fork out the $$ for this body.

 

[regit]

i don't think they will stop making the MPs and the M7s but probably we will see no more improvements or refinements to these already near-perfect picture making machines

I don't mind having them adding a self-timer... Doh! Too much to ask?:sweat:

 

[Terence]

Might be a long wait if you're hanging on to the hope that Leica might include a self timer, they should really offer it as an option on their a-la-carte program. In the meantime, an accessory mechanical self timer should do the job.

 

[nsng]

Hi,

The M8 shutter is based on the same one found in the R8/R9. In my R8 with the mirror locked up, the shutter is actually pretty quiet. The noise has a more 'metallic' tone compared to a M camera's rubberised cloth shutter.

I was informed by Leica's agent, the M8 will be launched in Singapore after the Photokina. By the way, Schmidt Marketing has organised an outing for Leica owners. Those who have been invited will have the opportunity to try out the DMR.

NS

 

[regit]

Thanks, Terrence. I have one of these, the only problem is that I keep forgetting to bring it!:cry:

Might be a long wait if you're hanging on to the hope that Leica might include a self timer, they should really offer it as an option on their a-la-carte program. In the meantime, an accessory mechanical self timer should do the job.

 

[Terence]

By the way, Schmidt Marketing has organised an outing for Leica owners. Those who have been invited will have the opportunity to try out the DMR.

That'll be a sight... Singaporean Leica owners actually using their Leicas... (I'm guilty of hording my Leicas too)

 

[Derrick]

That'll be a sight... Singaporean Leica owners actually using their Leicas... (I'm guilty of hording my Leicas too)

I use mine and have friends who use theirs as their primary camera as well.

 

[Terence]

I use mine and have friends who use theirs as their primary camera as well.

Ya, I was just poking fun at the collectors.

 

[weekh]

Any idea what's the price of the body and the 2 new lenses?

 

[Terence]

Any idea what's the price of the body and the 2 new lenses?

Body is a little below US$5000 and the tri elmar is supposed to be close to €3000. No idea about the 28mm. Photokina right round the corner, am sure more news will be popping out soon.

 

[weekh]

Somehow the digital M doesn't appeal to me as much as before.... some of the main reasons being

- non full frame
- availability of more discret good quality cams such as the LX1
- availability of compact size DSLR and lenses such as the new E400
- live-lcd offers better advantage to me than the ooptical viewfinder
= too expensive


The only advantage i see in the digital M is perhaps the slightly better image quality....

 

[Terence]

Somehow the digital M doesn't appeal to me as much as before.... some of the main reasons being

- non full frame
- availability of more discret good quality cams such as the LX1
- availability of compact size DSLR and lenses such as the new E400
- live-lcd offers better advantage to me than the ooptical viewfinder
= too expensive

Owning a Leica isn't about practicality, in fact Leica ownership oftentimes defies logic. Despite all you've said, there'll be lots of folks with fat wallets who will disregard all practical advice and get the M8.

I don't think you quite understand the lure of rangefinders, based on what I see in your list. You should add to that... lack of auto focus, no image stabilization system.. heck, owning a RF cam isn't about any of that... if you wanted what's on your list, go get a DSLR. Otherwise, the simplicity and longevity of RF cams just isn't comparable to anything else. Much like how some audiophiles prefer LPs over a CD.

 

[weekh]

simplicity and longevity of RF cams just isn't comparable to anything else.

I don't think these will apply in the digial era... 10 years down the road and very likely the M8 will become obselete...

But it is indeed true that the desire of a digital M defies logic

 

[Terence]

I don't think these will apply in the digial era... 10 years down the road and very likely the M8 will become obselete...

But it is indeed true that the desire of a digital M defies logic

I think the M8 is already obsolete even before its official launch. Its specs aren't ground breaking and it is a relatively simple digital system, by any measure. But like I said before, it's the simplicity which draws one to a rangefinder, film or digital.

If its film brethen is anything to go by with 70 over years of service with very few changes over its basic design till this very day and yet going strong and finding new users everyday, I think the same can apply to the new generation of digital RFs. After all, the film medium hasn't changed all that much during the last few decades. So logically speaking, if the M8 is equipped with good electronics, it should be able to sustain itself until the next really big thing hits digital sensor technology.

 

[Red Dawn]

I was informed by Leica's agent, the M8 will be launched in Singapore after the Photokina. By the way, Schmidt Marketing has organised an outing for Leica owners. Those who have been invited will have the opportunity to try out the DMR.
NS

i bought my M stuff new, but grey market, so i guess that's the reason why i din get an invite :lovegrin:

eh. how does one go about getting oneself....uhmm...invited? would like to actually see the DMR in person