Leica M8 Review! 3 Reasons To BUY A Leica M8 for 2021...And 3 Reasons NOT to!! Pros & Cons!

[@hiramabiff885]

The Leica M8 is one of the greatest infrared cameras ever made. With a 720NM filter you can shoot a secret world handheld. I use the Voigtlander 21mm Skopar and the results are stunning.

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!! I have a dedicated infrared camera but your comments made me want to get that filter and try it on the M8! Thanks!! 😎📸👍

[@nicvortec]

Hello, after you have this images with the Filter what you do with the files, just wondering what it looks like

[@floychan6067]

Lucky to have stumbled on your channel today! I also have collected many old film Cameras. Love your presentations. Great look great voice!

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks Floy appreciate your kind comments!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

The IR color issues are corrected with an IR filter. This is standard with most M8/M8.2 users and corrects the inaccurate colors. The B&W 43 486 UV IR Cut Filter is specific for this and can be found at most major photo shops. With it your color will be fine.

[@cameralegend1033]

Correct! It’s not an issue for me as stated in the video but for new users it might be a bit of a hassle to deal with filters. Thanks for the information on the specifics it will be helpful for viewers!

[@miskgkdlss]

Love the M8. I recently had mine serviced. I enjoy the limitations of the CCD. when everything comes together it's magic. Coupled with the right lens it can create images closer to film than digital.

[@cameralegend1033]

Agree with everything you said right there Travis couldn't have said it better! Thanks for your comments!

[@matsts]

What was serviced? As far as I know Leica is unable for example in case of major damages to service and in case of impossibility to repair, they recognise you a value in exchange for a purchase on a new one

[@miskgkdlss]

@@matsts I sent it to Leica Germany mid last year. They fixed the shutter mechanism and rear dial plus a general clean/service. Works perfectly now

[@matsts]

So glad it works good now. Hope for next ten years.

[@reyrey5250]

@@miskgkdlss hi Travis, at the time what was the estimated shutter repair cost?

[@numbersix8919]

Thank you Dr. L., you savage savant! I am a new subscriber and am going through all Camera Legend videos. This video, I really appreciate seeing so many M8 photos of different scenes through so many good lenses. Note: I like CCDs and the M8 B&W photos seem to be graded (if that's the right word) really smoothly. Indeed, the poor man's Monokrom as you say.

[@cameralegend1033]

Number Six lol you’re too kind I appreciate folks like you! Thanks so much! 😎🙏🏻👍🏻

[@tuftufclub159]

Thanks alot for sharing your beautiful images with us all, especially the B+W. I really appreciate the info under each picture of the lens you used ! Well done ! Greetings, take care, Roger.

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks Roger appreciate your kind words and thanks for watching!

[@mariumrajah]

M7 M8 M-E are my range finders For some reason I shoot the M8 90% of the time with a 50mm Cron v5 b&w.. It works for me completely minimal confusion only photography.. I’ve owned my M8 since 2009 excellent camera

[@cameralegend1033]

Well said! I have a few M bodies, M6, M5, M4p and still find myself fully satisfied with the B&W files out of the M8 even when compared to film. Says a lot. Appreciate your comments!

[@sixteenbitter]

Great review, Sam. I liked my time with the M8 but ended up selling it after a few years. Your samples make me miss it! I especially loved the black and white images it made.

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks for your kind words I’ve also sold things that I today regret! But the good thing is the M8 is still easily found so if you ever crave one again you can still get them. Cheers! 😎📸👍🏻

[@frankbosco293]

It definitely has the "CCD magic". When I look back at my old CCD images (Pentax istD, istDs, K10d), I realize that sensor technology produced uniquely beautiful color images. If you look at the old DPreview gallery of M8 images, this unique beauty pops right out at you! Your images with the Epson and the M8 demo this clearly as well.

[@cameralegend1033]

Hey Bro Frank!! So sorry for the late reply man, I was very happy to hear from you! I was about to ask Rad if something happened to you! Point well taken in the CCD sensors, there really is something to them! Appreciate your comments and so glad to hear from you! 😍📸👍

[@ferv5470]

Always love your down to earth non pixel peeping approach! A user looking at gear as a user! When you shoot, like you call it, monochrome mode on the M8, do you shoot jpeg b&w modus? Or do you shoot raw and convert? Or both? I do both but dislike the fact it again gives you a moment to think; oh should I do this one in color? Not a big deal but I myself dislike that 😂😂😂

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks for the kind words! I've tried all methods on the M8 but in general I now prefer shooting jpegs in color and converting them later if the image looks suitable for b&w. The in camera b&w on the M8 comes out a little flat, which is a good thing, a good place to start but I find when converting from color the files are already closer to what I want but everybody is different. But don't forget, the M8 color files are usually fantastic too! Have fun with your camera 😍📸👍

[@ferv5470]

@@cameralegend1033 Thanks for your explanations! I did make a B&W preset in LR for the M8. Shooting raw and convert it with my present. And basically 90% of my pictures come out perfect and need no or almost none adjustments anymore. Guess that’s what works for me! And I agree that the M8 does create beautiful colors. 🙌🙌🙌. Ps I use a 7artisans 35mm f2 too and it suits the M8 beautifully IMHO.

[@cameralegend1033]

@@ferv5470 Appreciate hearing your methods and glad to hear what works for you! It's fascinating the many ways we can get images out of what many people would consider an "ancient" camera. And yes the 7Artisans is a sweet lens for $250 bucks! 😍🙏👍

[@ferv5470]

@@cameralegend1033 Hahaha yes, funny that the M8 is seen as “ancient” while I also use a 1932 Leica Standard for my streetphotography 😂😂

[@cameralegend1033]

@@ferv5470 Good one! The M8 is ancient while the Leica Standard is classic 😂 People can be funny sometimes!

[@bimbomartinez3730]

Love when you upload happy holidays! Any pros n cons and overall experience with the Konica Hexar RF?

[@cameralegend1033]

Hi and thanks! Yes I had the Hexar RF for a short time in 2013. I loved the camera! It is a bargain alternative to the Leica M7. It handles well and the controls are well laid out. That’s the good stuff. The bad stuff is that the automatic film wind motor can be somewhat noisy. Also when I had it the RF assembly went out of alignment so I returned the camera as I prefer a more manual camera not dependent on batteries. But again, I wouldn’t mind trying the Hexar RF again if I could find one at a good price. Hope this helps and Happy Holidays! 😎📸👍🏻

[@bimbomartinez3730]

@@cameralegend1033 thank you so much! Really wanna try something with a Leica M mount lens, for my budget it’s either the Hexar or the Minolta CLE, and I like that the Hexar is auto ( for lazy moments when you wanna just have it in auto and still get great images) but yes it being fully dependent on battery scares me

[@cameralegend1033]

@@bimbomartinez3730 Between the CLE and Hexar RF I preferred the CLE for its size and quieter operations. The shutter slap on the CLE is not quiet but it doesn’t have a motor wind so the noise is not as objectionable. However both cameras are great! Please do report back if you get one of these fine cameras!

[@Funktrainer]

An excellent camera, will always be great. Was just out with my beloved Kodak DCS660C. This is about 20 years old by now. The only issue is that next year the calendar stops working as it is only programmed till the end of December 2020. Also love my M8 and M9-P.

[@cameralegend1033]

A wise man you are! Yes great cameras will always be great. I also have a Kodak DCS 760 and an EOS D2000 aka DCS 520 that I use from time to time and they still deliver beautiful pictures within their limitations. The batteries and clock on these cameras are always messed up but hey what can you do right? 😀 Keep enjoying your cameras, they’re digital classics! 😎📸👍🏻

[@Funktrainer]

@@cameralegend1033 Just discovered that the calendar shows up correctly when the clock is synced via the DCS camera manager, so no issues at all. Happy new year!

[@cameralegend1033]

@@Funktrainer Appreciate the information, good to know! And Happy New Year to you too, thanks!

[@myleicam8546]

Excelent video, great photos, thanks!

[@cameralegend1033]

Thanks a lot, appreciate your kind words! Also enjoy your M8 videos too, keep it up! 😎📸👍🏻

[@myleicam8546]

@@cameralegend1033 🚀✨

[@cameralegend1033]

@@myleicam8546 I’m a subscriber to your channel you’re doing great work keep it going with more postings!! 😎📸👍🏻

[@myleicam8546]

@@cameralegend1033 Thanks my friend!!

[@cameralegend1033]

@@myleicam8546 No problem thank you!

[@maze400]

I am toying around with buying an M8- I have an M6 and M4 as well as Fuji X-Pro 1 and xe2. Using the Leica glass I have works well on the Fuji's but I just feel like on an M8 they would be better? I would love input from you, primarily shoot street B&W. Great video, I have now become a subscriber.

[@cameralegend1033]

Hi Michael thanks for subscribing! If you have an M6 and M4 the M8 would be right up your alley. I have used Leica glass on the X-Pro 1 and XH1. The images are lovely but it just never felt right in terms of usage. The Leica lenses feel at home on the M8. The main issue you might have is the crop factor but you might be used to that already since you use the lenses on Fuji X. As I said in the video the M8 gives images with “presence” and despite the lower resolution I prefer images with Leica glass from the M8 as opposed to the results from the X cameras. Ultimately it’s up to you. Hope this helps!

[@maze400]

@@cameralegend1033 I bought an M8, it is on it's way. I have a question about "best settings for the "Leica look" B&W. I am also questioning setting for DNG or just JPEG since this will be purely B&W. Would love your feedback and I know ultimately it is personal taste that will find settings changes.

[@cameralegend1033]

@@maze400 Hi Michael awesome congrats on the M8! You’re right ultimately it’s going to come down to personal preferences but I’ll give you my two cents. There are people who say the DNG files and some post processing gives the best b&w. And then there are some who prefer the jpegs produced in camera. I like both processes and see the benefits of both. I find the b&w jpegs out of camera to be more neutral, a more gray tone look and some people like that. To some folks the b&w out of camera is perfect. I prefer a more dramatic b&w so I find myself upping the contrast at times. It’s a fast process and because of being so busy I almost never use DNGs these days unless I have a lot of time. The jpegs are also quite malleable. If you have Lightroom, the b&w presets applied to M8 color images also work well and is a fast process. In any event, I hope you’ll have a blast with the M8! Best, Sam

[@JoseJulioCuairanGarcia]

Bro, what settings do you apply to B&W for jpegs?

[@dennisbrandtfoto]

Own one and love the BW Images!

[@davejenx]

I wanted a new sony but 2k was out my range bought a m8 for 700 easily the best buy of my life

[@cameralegend1033]

So glad to hear it!! 😍📸👍

[@Lonnie.G]

Where did you buy an m8 for $700 ?

[@davejenx]

@@Lonnie.G spain on ebay bit of a gamble during lockdown but was a reduced buy it now

[@jeremykeller211]

Review? No. Advertisement? Yes.

[@cameralegend1033]

Haha 😂 I really wish Leica would compensate me for this advertisement!

[@davidgault1802]

Love my Leica M8 , colours reminds me of Kodachrome

[@cameralegend1033]

I agree! The M8 & the M9 colors are the closest I’ve seen to Kodachrome in digital form 😎📸👍🏻

[@jeremykeller211]

This is not photography. This is marketing.

[@cameralegend1033]

Ha I wish Leica would pay me lol but unfortunately not. Cheers!

[@JeneyM]

👍have one👍

[@cameralegend1033]

Cool enjoy it! 😎📸👍🏻

[@jeremykeller211]

Please stop talking about buying and talk more about improving photographs.

[@cameralegend1033]

I usually talk about buying because I’m a camera collector so I think people would like to know what the going prices are but I got your point. If people want videos on photo techniques I’ll do that too. Thanks.