I Bought A "Cheap" Leica

[@kairukento]

I am really curious how many cameras you have 😄 maybe you could give us a tour of your collection

[@fatihyigityavuz8374]

Definitly👍

[@ru2ik]

That would be nice

[@TomCalton]

Sure! If that's what you guys would like to see I'll make a video on it soon 😁

[@schrodinger_kot]

@@TomCalton I can't wait for that

[@ru2ik]

@@TomCalton finally he replied

[@wabloWattsy]

Leica, TT Artisan and Ali Express. The holy trinity.

[@chriscard6544]

and kill US economy

[@chriscard6544]

@@andresbarriga5305 watch the video

[@RaduTudoroiu]

This made my day :))

[@gnostocrat]

@@wabloWattsy then why use a Leica body? TOTALLY irrelevant. The WHOLE POINT of Leica is their lenses - of are their lenses. Their bodies are beautifully built, the obvious choice to be paired with Wetzlar lenses. Nobody gives a rat’s ass about the body. It’s ALL ABOUT THE LENS & IMAGE they produce. So really what you’re saying is you’re a cheapskate fanboy who uses cheap Chinese lenses with attendant [ lack of ] quality but impresses himself with a Leica body which makes zero difference to the image.

[@wabloWattsy]

@@gnostocrat tell me you're American without telling me you're American.

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Not camera related but 35 years ago I bought a pair of binoculars with a Red Dot on them - pushed the piggy bank to the limit and felt a lot of guilt. Now 35 years later they are still 100% and have delivered considerable pleasure, the guilt has subsided 😎. Just picking them up brings a smile to my face so I can fully relate to people who own Red Dot cameras 😂

[@RicCarter]

30+ years ago, I stumbled across some used BAs that had an enticing price, still more than I could afford. I mentioned them when I went home. My wife told me I should go back or I'd forever regret it. She was right (as usual). I have been enjoying them ever sense. The wife and I recently celebrated out 40th anniversary. She was a rare find also;^)

[@richardcirillo]

Great video! I’ve had an M8 as my main camera for many years and love it. Just one point I disargree on: I simply don’t understand comments implying that you cannot make large prints. I have made prints at 20x30 with beautiful results. I have a zeiss 28mm and cv nokton 35mm.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

worth pointing out the Leica M8.2 doesn't have the 1/8000s shutter and will also be limited to 1/4000s

[@HJ-nh1wl]

Excellent video! Thanks! Yes, I too bought a ‘Red Dot’ Leica but new - 14 years ago, The Leica X1! A 12 megapixel APS-C sensor with Elmarit Asph. 24mm f2.8 lens (equivalent to 36mm in full frame format) - producing ‘tack sharp’ images with ‘The Leica Look’ particularly when rendered in black & white! Used in its early days, but after 14 years I have rediscovered it. Thank goodness I didn’t sell this beauty. Yes, it’s slow to auto-focus- but then again, I don’t do Street Photography. However, as an EDC camera for landscapes and places images, X1 produces well exposed and sharp images for photography talks. After 40+ years in photography, ‘going back to my roots and one camera with fixed lens philosophy’ with an ‘old friend’ does provide some insight and rewards! Everyone should try out this philosophy. Once again, thanks for your video!

[@ourhouseuk]

@@HJ-nh1wl I kept that camera only a very short time owing to abysmal af - but not before I made one of my lifetime favourite shots with jt. I just wish they put a focus scale on it. It definitely has an amazing lens. This makes me want a q3… but they need a 35mm or 50mm version. In camera cropping isn’t the same!

[@derrenleepoole]

Having owned the M9, these camera systems really do reward photographers who know how to get correct exposure in camera. The M9 is ISO invariant from 160 up to 640, and this made it a very usable camera for getting good very clean files if you kept it at or under 640 ISO. I’m sure the M8 is ISO invariant too. Contrary to opinion, I found higher ISOs were useable, but you had to get exposure correct. The older RAW files are just not robust for heavy adjustment, but nail the exposure with minimal editing, and you’ll be fine.

[@DuggleBogey]

I once owned a postwar IIIc Leica and shooting with it was an absolute blast. I had to sell it because a) The shutter was dragging a little b) It was worth more than I paid for it and c) I really needed the money. I will always have a little regret for parting with it. The rolls of kodachrome I put through it were wonderful.

[@Go4Hur]

"Hi Dad" 😂. Great Video

[@TomCalton]

😅 Thanks!

[@hermanzhang6494]

The M8 is very good for monochrome due to the lack of a strong IR filter.

[@PinkBlueStripe]

And only last week I sold up for the M10P. I do miss my M8 for all your coherent reasons. Whomever has it now has a wonderful creative tool and highly personal experience.

[@countskippy]

I think, for me, this would be a camera I would love to have but absolutely don't want to spend for. Having spent time with a Petri 7s rangefinder, I really enjoy the aspect of using a rangefinder for standard shooting. The major issue I run into is that most (if not all) digital rangefinders are extremely costly. Doesn't look like there are many to begin with anyway. Could be partly that I've been buying insanely cheap cameras (my Petri 7s was $11), but that there just doesn't seem to be much love for rangefinders in the digital era.

[@deltacx1059]

13:48 thats focal ratio and no its not bad at all. ,cameras have exposure settings for a reason. I personally have to turn my iso all the way down with my homemade f/5.3 because its aperture is 128mm.

[@bilkon]

My cheapo Kodak sensor red dot combo is an Olympus E500 with adapted Leica R lenses.

[@Millicente]

I asked Leica about an IR filter for my M8 a few months ago and they replied and said they don't honor the promotion anymore so no, they don't do it anymore. Unless the Leica rep straight up lied to me because idk, Leica couldn't afford to send me filters or something.

[@marcp.1752]

The M8 came out 2006 - why should they give you 2 free (!) filters, according to your lens size - still for free, now into 2024? This is crazy. No offense.

[@Millicente]

@@marcp.1752 I’m addressing the statement in the video about Leica still honoring the promotion. I’m not saying they should give me anything. If I was saying that then sure, feel free to call me crazy but since I’m not, well.

[@marcp.1752]

@@Millicente Yes, no offense - i got you right. :) The M8 is (still) a fine rangefinder, no matter, what. A photography friend of mine does have it, i've seen it, hold it, back into 2007...but could never afford it. Needless to say, i do have enough other gear, and its fine. I am happy with the stuff, i have. Either way 35mm (D)SLRs or film rangefinder. Even it's not Leica. No social insecurities, ever here. Enjoy your M8 ! 😃

[@lukemerrill1272]

I've owned one for about a year now... I wish I didn't like it so much! Keep looking and you'll find other great affordable lenses. I use a Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm which is fantastic as well as the Leica Elmar 5cm f2.8... very similar to the Thypoch lens you mention, but an old Barnack/Leica lens. Enjoy!

[@camerafusion]

I love mine! Beware of the dead pixel issue that could be if you're thinking about purchasing one.

[@MrSdbmgarcia]

In a world where everyone nowadays have their arms straight out while taking a photo, “spraying and preying” and taking “cinematic photos” leica m8 is an enjoyable camera that shoots fun and amazing photos and the fun factor equivalence of joyriding your first stolen car! 😂😂

[@bernym4047]

At £1300, I'm not tempted but I apreciate the sentiment of the sheer joy of just taking photographs that this camera gives you. I recently bought a used panasonic GX80 mainly for street photography as it's fairly inconspicuous and unobtrusive and once I got used to it, was surprised at how much I enjoy using it as especially with my 7artisan 50mm. thank for an entertaining video.

[@MrBillboeing]

I used my with the 40mm/F2 Leica lens, dream combo

[@tailscape]

I'd love to see what you think of the Canon EOS M original model. It's so popular as a 'hackable' camera.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

I have been yearning for a Leica M8 or M9 to have a "film like experience", but honestly those cameras (and lenses, even the cheap options are more expensive than the lenses I usually buy for DSLR or mirrorless cameras) are just way out of my proce range. Then I remembered something : - first the huge majority of people shooting film did so with cameras that were not rangefinder cameras : from 1959 onwards, the most popular way of taking photos was with a film SLR. - I was born in 1998. When I was doing film photography as a kiddo, that was either with the film camera of my dad, or with disposable cameras. And my dad had a film SLR from tne 1990s, meaning it has a plastic-ish body, automatic advance lever and most importantly... it looked like a DSLR. What I want out of film photography is the ability to use film era lenses, not expecting clinical results, and I want to have a nice manual focus experience which feels analog, without digital assists. I have no nostalgia for a manual winder, or a retro looking camera, even though they're definitely nice. So I did a little thing : instead of dropping 1500 bucks on a Leica M8, I dropped 100 on a Canon 5D (from 2005), then I dropped about 80 on a Nikon FE and some 1.3mm allen keys. The reason? You can fit the Nikon FE's split prism screen in the Canon 5D without any mods or adapters. The Allen keys are to calibrate the manual focusing to the new screen which is of a different thickness. It's not super easy, it's a little time consuming but once you've done it correctly, it works like a charm. Couple of adaptres to use my old Nikon F mount lenses and M42 lenses and now I have a camera that looks like an old EOS-1 camera, that has pretty much the same shutter sound, no live view and a full frame sensor with really nice tones, and just the right amount of highlight dynamic range to make it clip the way it would on film. Colors are super great out of the box, but you can also use the RAW files. It's straight up the best film experience using a digital body, without shelling out for a Leica body + lenses (I would add the full frame sensor to not bother about crop factors is nice too)

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

Just go with a D60 or D200 paired with the 17-55mm 2.8 or Sigma 18-35mm and a few Nikon primes

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@fthprodphoto-video5357 -> no split prism -> no full frame sensor -> no thanks, not for that usecase

[@ourhouseuk]

Or you can just buy a canon split prism screen

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@ourhouseuk can be hard to find and expensive, you can buy a broken FE for 20/30 bucks (sometimes less) Ang harvest it's focusing screen. Allen keys are 5 bucks tops

[@mynameisnotcory]

Thats a wild frankenstein build right there! Do you have instagram or pictures i could see?

[@AlexanderJust-s2p]

i really love the m8 with the 15mm heliar, still use it for professional work to this day

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

Very nice images! I must bring back my M8 hidden somewhere in my home.....

[@CZOV]

Plenty of 37mm filters available as its a rather common size for M43. That was my free tip.

[@StripedTailz]

Your videos work surprisingly well in 4:3.

[@SourPlanet]

Love old Leica's. They accomplished the most "film like" experience not by only providing the same tools used as their film cameras for some 60+ years... But by making the screens so garbage and the ISO so unforgiving that you have no choice but to embrace noise and look at the photos when you get home. Thanks Leica! 😅 But I *love* my M240. I'll use them until the supply dies forever, then I'll start abusing the M10. For those who the system clicks.. no going back.

[@kotwa]

Film is ultra-tolerant regarding exposure, at least negative, and especially black and white negative. The statement that having to care about exposure with M8 is exactly like with film is therefore quite wrong... You can overexpose something like 6 stops with film and still get pretty great results.

[@CatchFlipsidE]

Another great review! I really would love to get my hands on one of these. I actually remember that camera coming out and wanting one.

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! I love it. I don't love the price, though 🙃

[@deltacx1059]

1:07 except they cant see the same range of color as the fuji due to their more aggressive filters. Also if i remember right there is no AA filter in the fuji due to the different pattern on the sensor.

[@Windeath1969]

Your comment about getting the Epson RD-1....oh yeah. Here in Australia they're few and far between, and when you do find one they're generally north of $3000 AUD Peso with no lens.

[@ismadelro]

Has explicado todo a la perfección, felicidades 👍🏻

[@TomCalton]

Muchas gracias amigo ✌🏻

[@mr_dowsett]

I have one as well, BUT if the sensor dies then its a paper weight :( I'd almost get an M240 as a back up

[@romankampa6212]

Risky choice for me for this price point. Bought one for ~1000 from a dealer some time ago and gave it back because of massive hot pixels. The early model also seems to have problems… have fun: great camera!

[@EliseoMartelli]

The Hoya sfx did me dirty 😂😂😂

[@Daniel_Zalman]

Yeah, I've heard people before say that CCD sensors had a more "film-like" quality. I'd rather have an M9, though.

[@TomCalton]

The M9 looks great, but it's more expensive and the sensor corrosion issues really worry me personally 😬

[@Daniel_Zalman]

@@TomCalton It's insane that these 15-18 yr old digital Leicas cost that much. At the end of the day, it's a piece of electronics. I'd rather get an M6 than an old m8 or m9. Either way, Tom. I love your channel. You have a wonderful sense of humor.

[@Funktrainer]

@@Daniel_Zalman The M8 and M9-P are my "daily drivers". Just perfect.

[@HR-wd6cw]

Your comment about concentrating on actually making photos (the art/craft of photography) I'm surprised one of the big three (Canon, Nikon or Sony, and Especailly Canon and Nikon) don't create a camera that is manual only. Maybe single point auto focus, but no "auto" or priority modes. Just single point AF and manual mode, and maybe a very basic center weighted metering system. This way you are forced to think more about your photos when it actually comes time to shoot the photo.

[@hermanzhang6494]

You should consider getting a Light lens lab replica of the leica summicron 35mm f2 (8 element)

[@ourhouseuk]

I think you have a new favourite camera weekly ;)

[@TomCalton]

Haha! It may seem it, but that's not true. Most of them are good, but I don't keep many of them for very long after I've reviewed them. This one though...

[@ourhouseuk]

@@TomCalton certainly wasn’t a criticism, and I’d keep it too!

[@earlekimel7771]

I remember my M8 fondly. I had the RD-1 once too. Hopefully you’ll find one .

[@TomCalton]

Nice! What are your thoughts on the RD1?

[@earlekimel7771]

@@TomCalton I loved it. As I recall it was the same 6 mp chip that Nikon used in the D70, which I also owned then. I was quite happy with it’s available light abilities.

[@awaysounds]

dont use this hard uv/ir cut filter with wide angle lenses. he is create a cyan vignette due his optical properties.

[@Daniel_Zalman]

If Nikon really wanted to make the ZF retro, they should have made it manual focus only with a split-prism viewfinder.

[@Fosherb]

are you able to make a review of the sony hx99 as a small camera cheap thats still availible? or are there any others.

[@nicolaiecostel]

Um, was this sensor not known for eating itself thru oxidation ?

[@tchristianphoto]

@@nicolaiecostel I believe that was its successor, the M9.

[@Daniel_Zalman]

Would you be so kind as to share a raw file from the m8? I'm curious what kind of images it renders.

[@butchjohnson9736]

analog photography is just so very different. It is more tactile, winding the film is almost like a ritual, the whole process of changing film is meaningful and because it is more expensive every shot is taken with more deliberation and thought. Plus waiting for your photos for one or two weeks to be developed is a little like Christmas. Might be great, might be a disappointment when you messed up and all your shots are blurry or underexposed. You never know!

[@cmphoto_]

I was not ready for HOYA

[@hitsfromthe]

And also would love to see you shoot film too

[@Dirty1200]

have you tried m8raw2dng?

[@zaisterdev]

okay so its kinda full spectrum? thats means..... KOLORI CHROME DIGITAL AEROCHROME!?

[@ashurawrath]

Can you review the first ever mirorrles camera?

[@peepeepoopoo2460]

@@ashurawrath this is a mirrorless camera

[@TomCalton]

I actually made a video about it a little while back 😀 : kzbin.infoQuLALgIMoTs?feature=share

[@ashurawrath]

@@TomCalton i mean like the full review

[@aspookyspookynight]

Are there any equivalents to this for under $300

[@Localtraveler2376]

Great video!

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! 😁

[@paulfedorenko2301]

How's your ability to focus affected if Barry decides to take a nap?

[@gombafej]

12:10 was craaazy. Barry😂😂😂😂im dead bro only funny dude on yt no cap

[@TomCalton]

I appreciate you 🙌🏻

[@TheCrankinguru]

Baffling how you'd buy such a great camera and put Chinese glass in front of it.

[@larryvaughn5843]

Seems like you would want a Leica lens.

[@ru2ik]

My dream now - leica X1

[@hitsfromthe]

Love it thanks

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@cheeseblog]

“Tight as a crab’s arse”! 😱❤️

[@TomCalton]

🦀

[@Mojave511]

I bought my M8 new in 2008 and have happily been shooting it ever since. I've had numerous other cameras including an M9 and M10 but my M8 gives qualities I won't give up. Treat the M8 like a film camera. Leave the iso at 160 and use a tripod in low light.

[@ariaLampadaria]

Heyyy does anyone know of a cheaper alternative for a camera that is similar to a filmcamera in „handling“ but isn‘t film? I love to shoot my filmcamera but film is really expensive (and this leica is also too expensive for me). And most digital cameras just don‘t have that level of shooting experience a film camera gives me

[@Millicente]

When you say similar to a film camera, what aspect? You say handling but do you mean how most film cameras are almost entirely manual and you have to set every aspect of the triangle? Any really old camera would do that but if you want a modern version of that any camera with manual controls would do that wouldn't it? Unless you want to be hard limited by the camera itself in which case Leica are the only ones still making cameras without modern features

[@ariaLampadaria]

@@Millicente thank you for the answer☺️ yes i meant cameras that limit you a bit to choose a lot manually

[@wabloWattsy]

@@ariaLampadaria Fujifilm cameras have lots of dials, are styled like old cameras and have built in film simulations. They are not cheap though (but are relatively good value). The X-H1 is the best bang-for-buck second hand model; you can get something in decent condition for £500.

[@SourPlanet]

X-Pro, definitely. It's the closest to this sort of feel/setup.

[@georgewaller7080]

So strange to see Cowgate on KZbin 😂

[@hermanzhang6494]

the 2k pound m8 is very overpriced, and in that case, a M9 or the later M240 can be bought for that price. The M240 has the best value in my opinion, and it has significantly better low light performance

[@Som09mer]

The problem I see with the M9 is, that almost every camera sold right now, has or will have the problems with corrosion on the sensor. I even heard, that some with a replaced sensor start having this problem

[@CartyCantDance]

Looks lovely. Entirely out of my price range. I’ll take 14 of them please

[@snappy8k]

I wish the USSR didn't collapse and we had cheap digital rangefinders like $15 FEDs

[@kaziqmaziq6703]

M8 is the best of them!

[@robiulahmed]

You need a Nikon Df in your life.

[@Jaywestend]

bought my M8 about 3 years ago and love it to death. it was my only way into Leica.

[@DaveEP]

I had one of the first Leica M8s shipped to the UK when they were first released. I had several Leica lenses already and was really looking forward to shooting this camera. Within a couple of weeks I realised I had made the most expensive mistake of my photographic career. The IR problem was a big deal for me. Of course non of my existing lenses were 'coded', and needing to buy the extra IR cut filters (which were of course now becoming in short supply and increasing in price) was crazy for a camera company of Leica's standing. The framing lines were also a joke and far too loose for anything thing remotely accurate. I also don't think the shots were 'that' film like, especially compared to the M4 I used (with film!). Oh, and the power on/off button failed within a few weeks (which apparently was common) and it had to go back to Germany to get fixed. That was another few weeks lost! I sold ALL my Leica gear within about 18 months and I will not look back. I wish this were not true, but it is.

[@gutsncapture1376]

Is it me or do the thumbnail looks like it took 18 years worth of old age like the camera.

[@denizkendirci]

people, who want film-like look, should shoot film. i use digital, because i want digital look. i know right, that's so illogical of me.

[@Novairis]

Damn I'm the same age as the camera

[@shaneweightman]

I wouldn’t pay more than 50 quid for that, Leica ,,, l o l

[@ryebread1003]

I love my Leicas

[@TheBenchapman]

Sunny Hunny! 👌

[@frankhu8692]

Now I kinda hate these gear videos, all about gears, nothing about photography and the memos of photography

[@QuarktaschemitSenf]

1.8 k for an old 10mp camera...

[@ВалентинАракчеев-б7д]

To buy a Leica M8 camera in 2024 at such a price, you have to be either crazy or just a fan of this technology, the brand.

[@TomCalton]

Or just enjoy using older cameras 😊

[@ВалентинАракчеев-б7д]

@@TomCalton There is no point in this! Especially since you are using a Chinese lens on the Leica M 8. Its native lenses cost as much as the camera itself.

[@SourPlanet]

​@@ВалентинАракчеев-б7дThere's no point to using a OVF rangefinder because of the lens choice? Derp.

[@olafzijnbuis]

First, I would cover the red Leica thing and the M8 with black tape. No need to attract unwanted attention.

[@ascgazz]

Great video but cutting every breath and pause out makes it feel like one MASSIVE sentence. It’s hard work to digest, and I wanted to. Quite intense, for no apparent purpose. All the best.

[@ascgazz]

Also, less coffee. Waaaay less coffee.

[@SpencerLupul]

heard a story from a photog friend, his buddy bought an M8 and shot with 1/8000 on the day he got it and the shutter exploded 😳

[@errole]

Your 🤑 rich

[@whothennow24]

No photo looks more obviously digital than a photo shot on a digital Leica. They really don’t know what they’re doing when they’re not making film cameras.