Leica M8 Rangefinder in 2018: The First 48 Hours

[@bagazheful]

Same story here. Got this baby last week and still cannot decide if it's good for me or not. Initial idea was to get rid of some other cameras to fund Leica, but it's low light performance won't allow me to do it. Other than that it's a beauty and it not only makes me shoot more and walk the streets more, but constantly think about exposure especially in contrasty subjects - this and a focusing I haven't nailed yet. Cheers to all the owners and users.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Wow--great points! I'm having many of the same experiences. It's definitely an adventure!

[@Bryan-lu4du]

Great camera. This was my first digital Leica and I’ve had too many of them ever since. With the M8 all the lenses really need an IR/UV filter so the colors are right. In many circumstances it won’t matter but I noticed a huge improvement with one back when I still had the camera.

[@baharam98]

very nice! enjoyed the narrative too.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you kindly!

[@ismadelro]

Me gusta tu estilo. Que pasó con el resto de vídeos de la M8?? Saludos.

[@johnellard]

I got one this summer also and I got the Thumbs up grip, makes a big difference. The only reasons for keeping and using this camera are 1) The images that the CCD sensor produces, esp black and white. 2) It makes you want to go out and shoot. Other than that it is inferior to every other camera out there, but those 2 points out weight nearly 90% of what the those other cameras can do. IMO

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your comment and for your insight on the Thumbs up. I totally agree about the b&w images, and I think you’re spot on about the camera inspiring a person to get out there and shoot.

[@gchristopherklug]

Jonathan Ellard the image quality, the image quality...

[@maze400]

Enjoyed your video, you have a very good eye. I just ordered a mint condition m8 and I am looking forward to receiving it. I did not order a UV cut filter as I think I will be shooting B&W only, that may change.....

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for the kind words and congratulations on your M8! Please do let us know about your experience when it arrives. And I think you are in for a treat with the b&w files!

[@cfperwil]

Will follow your Leica journey 😃. Have made this trip my self the last three years; M6-M8-M9-M240 (and a M6). Use Zeiss glass and a Voigtlander 50/1.1. I can recommend a thumbs grip in the hot shoe. Agree with you - the M just makes you want to go out there and shoot...👌🏻

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you kindly for the comment and for your recommendation. Your three year journey looks like a lot of fun!

[@HatefYaminiOnline]

Great shots and great writing. The Thumbs Up is by far the best ergonomic improvement on the M. The baseplate handle is bulky and awkward by comparison. You can occasionally pick up a used Thumbs Up.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you--I appreciate the kind words and the feedback on grip options!

[@drewcunningham2]

They are a little hard to get used to, if you have never blazed through numerous rangefinder frames.....I just picked up an M8 last year, bought a Voigtlander 40mm f1.4, put a nice metal horizontal hood on it to give it the old school look, and I couldn't be happier...........You MUST learn to zone focus as that is the only way you will catch street imagery or the precise moment - you can even shoot from the hip on crowded subways etc..........If you think you will be able to catch the decisive moment without using the zone, forget it - even Cartier Bresson couldn't do that......... Nothing beats the M8 monochrome image - it is just pure bliss to behold and the color of the old CCD sensor is also pleasing, very punchy, a lot like old Fuji Velvia film which I loved to shoot back in the day when I actually got assignments ie: pre digital......Many people say, [Leica Fans that is], that the M8 is the best digital m series camera Leica has ever made even with a cropped sensor!.... I use it only for my street work and for professional editorial work I have switched from the Canon Eos Mark II and a III to two Fuji XT2s - the Fuji xt2 paired with the Fujinon glass is as close as you will get to a Leica look without the price.....though, nothing beats the feel when holding that big block of Brass or milled Alloy in your hand, there is a weight and a sense of indestructibility about it that is next to impossible to find these days.... - if you ask me, I think you made one damn fine choice and I look forward to seeing some of your work...

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your very thoughtful comment and suggestions. I certainly agree that there is something amazing in the feel of an M8 and the CCD look really is pleasing to the my eye too!

[@moilami1]

Leica M cameras are great, congrats.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you kindly!

[@doubleletter]

You sir have the gift of gab.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks, Ali A!

[@Funktrainer]

The M8 is a wonderful piece of gear. I prefer it more and more over my Nikon kit (Kodak DCS6xx/7xx/Nikon F2/D3). The lenses are amazing and using it is so much more fun and inspiring than the SLRs. For low light situations I love having a rigid Summicron on the body which renders superbly wide open. ISO 320 is enough in most situations as it is a stable setup which can be hand held down to 1/20 sec. I also love the fact that this shutter goes to 1/8000 sec which is great for shooting wide open in bright sunlight. The colors are superb and really easy to tweak because the sensor is able to record a lot of information which my Nikon D3 is not capable of. Especially in the reds and greens. I have the original grip for it but don't use it (too complicated when changing batteries & cards). I am not using any "helpers" like a thumbs up, for me this camera just works like it is.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your perspective. I’m going to look back at my summer and fall shots with an eye for the reds and greens!

[@kaatdebusscher4522]

Awesome video - informative and hilarious, quite a feat. That merrits a subsciption. ;) Like you, I recently acquired an M8. I can totally relate to both the positive and negative points you made. The rangefinder focussing requires getting used to, but when you do nail it: boy oh boy. I too struggle in low light situations but I'm sure it'll get better with practice, practice, practice. The IQ of the pictures alone makes it all worth it. Best of luck with your camera and do keep the videos coming!

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks, Kaat! I appreciate the kind words, and it's great to meet another person on the M8 adventure!

[@elrochedetumyolastan]

this is like the regular car channel , fits pretty well with cameras; which remind me of DRTV and how similar it was to top gear. fine material.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@LeicaM82]

Unless you are using the heaviest of Leica lenses, I find a hand or thumb grip to be unnecessary. I pinch the strap at the lug between my index and middle fingers, and for extra support, wrap the strap around my wrist like you would a rifle strap. Cradle the baseplate and lens in your left hand palm-up. The combination should get you down to 1/15 with practice, lower if you are lucky.

[@noahwood8411]

Nice video... I like your style...

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks, Noah. I appreciate the kind words!

[@nicolasfilsdejean]

Hello there. Nice vid and nice pics. I had the M8, sold it and moved on to the M9 (just couldn't get over the "crop factor" issue...). Bonus: I got the sensor replaced (and the whole camera cleaned, lubricated, adjusted and the fake leather replaced) for free by Leica before they went and made that a 1000$ job (which still is a good price considering the M8 sensor replacement is over $2000 - see recent vid from EduardoPavezGoye-). nice camera, nice feel to it, the sensor is just great and is OK up to 640ISO. The B&W files right out of the camera are astonishing. Have fun :)

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your comment and your insight. I did see the EduardoPavezGoye video about his M8--ouch!

[@acidsnow5915]

yes the leica m8 is amazing i have the m9 and it is a beast! thanks for sharing this with us really enjyoed watching this

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you very much. It's my pleasure!

[@gchristopherklug]

Just saw this today and am going to follow the journey. I’ve shot a film rangefinder (Zeiss Ikon) for 10 years and reached the point where I only use SLRs for jobs, for pleasure it is a rangefinder. I’ve been thinking of getting an M8 or an M9, so your journey really interests me. Where did you get your M8?

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your message and follow, Chris. Mine came from a fellow photog in Las Vegas via eBay. That said, my Leica journey is on a temporary hiatus while I save for one with an EVF--as much as I appreciated the images and build quality, I did really miss features like focus assist for manual glass.

[@gchristopherklug]

Ulysses Grant Parm Vegas? I used to live in Summerlin. My wife and I miss Vegas.

[@gchristopherklug]

Ulysses Grant Parm So focussing with the rangefinder patch didn’t work for you? It’s one of the things I love about rangefinders. Sorry that was a no-go. What is the first Leica that lets you use a visoflex?

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

@@gchristopherklug Great questions--yes, I freely admit that I struggled a bit with rangefinder focus. I suspect that having the Sony A7III first didn't help here--the focus aids are quite useful on the Sony EVF... My understanding is that visoflex works on the m9. I've had my eye out for one with a sensor replace, but haven't found the right one yet. I'll certainly make a video when I do secure my next Leica!

[@gchristopherklug]

Ulysses Grant Parm that’s the digital Leica I might grab; an M9 with a replaced sensor.

[@mranthony1886]

zone focus to increase your hitrate

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for the tip!

[@tonyli4509]

Bouncing between m8 or keep saving for m9/240 but surely I enjoy your video! Thank you for sharing!

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks for your comment and kind words, Tony. Very compelling options, for sure. Let us know what you decide!

[@tonyli4509]

@@UlyssesGrantParm Haha thanks for the reply! Currently I'm thinking about getting a M8 pair sith 7artisan 28/1.4. Nothing has been done yet so it's just for now lol

[@VariTimo]

I shoot street with a full frame film M5 at f2 with a 50mm a lot and my hit rate is pretty good now. I suggest you don’t second guess yourself that much. Especially since you don’t burn through any film. You’ll get there the more you get use to it.

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks-I appreciate the advice and you make a good point!

[@yasha8951]

I just got mine last week, as excited as I want to be, mine came with really bad hot pixel lines, its kind of random and I haven’t been able to identify what triggers it some pictures come out lovely some other come with a redo or blue line in the side

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thank you for your comment, and I'm sorry to hear about the lines. I've read about a similar issue here: www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/288281-my-m8-seems-to-require-repair-take-a-look/ Apparently some folks have seen this behavior more often at certain ISOs. ISO 640 seems to come up as a problem number with some regularity. Hope this info is useful!

[@yasha8951]

Ulysses Grant Parm thanks, I’ll have a look

[@nutthawatpanyn3975]

I recommend thumb up

[@UlyssesGrantParm]

Thanks!