The Leica M8 BLEW MY MIND

[@Jaywestend]

Oh man, i love this camera so much! bought my copy in 2022 and use it the most of all my cameras! enjoy!!!!

[@camerafusion]

Thanks Jay! I'm loving it so far and pretty excited to see what I can get with it.

[@rudermanphoto]

You pronounced my last name right!! Awesome video, so glad you are loving the M8, love the white dial Seamaster on your wrist too!

[@camerafusion]

Appreciate your comments! Good eye by the way. Thank you for making such an inspiring video. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more viewers heading over to watch it. Your channel is awesome!!!

[@DizzyWombat]

I had an M8 a few years ago and it was amazing. So good in-fact, that I recently bought an M-E (The M9 variant) because it sat in my mind since I sold the M8... I respect why people may not get along with M rangefinders, but if you DO like them, you tend to adore them. Also, I recommend getting a grip from Initial Design Studio, out of Hong Kong. I've got one with the wood grip on my M-E and it feels great while not spoiling the look of the camera.

[@camerafusion]

Well said! Thank you! As for the grip, I be sure to check it out m, but usually I design my own (Kingpin Cameras) 😀

[@shmiooo]

My M9 had the vertical dead pixel as well! I sent it over to NJ for repair. Total was around $300 just incase you’re looking to get it fixed. Turn around time was 8 weeks.

[@camerafusion]

Leica NJ? How long ago? I’d definitely like to get it fixed.

[@Wildsideofb]

Do you know if there is anything that can be done afterwards to prevent its reappearance?

[@blockdenker-2903]

I am absolutely in love with my M8! ❤

[@camerafusion]

Me too

[@jamiemink3379]

Wowwww. Absolutely gorgeous. Congrats!

[@camerafusion]

@@jamiemink3379 Thank you! I’m loving this thing.

[@colinosullivan]

Welcome to the M8 world haha. Chances are you’ll keep this forever if it hooks you mate. Still shooting my M8.2 14 years on and it features a lot in my videos. It’s crazy it came with all the boxes and other items. Mine came with just the inner box and strap as I was the second owner! Enjoyed the video mate. Cheers

[@camerafusion]

Thank so much! 14 years, that’s awesome. Glad to hear it. Hopefully it’ll last. It’s built like a tank that’s for sure and looks so good. I know that shouldn’t matter but it kinda does 😆

[@fasphoto]

There gear is just a whole different universe. Beautiful cameras. Someday. Looks like your going all in on Leica. - Nice 😎

[@camerafusion]

Thanks Frank! Not going all Leica... I still have all the all the others. In fact, a new camera will be delivered tomorrow... Hasselblad X2D :) It's an addition

[@rossxjohnson]

Love this video and between this and the M9 (which usually needs a sensor replacement), they're truly well loved cameras. It's a great camera but please note this is a common thing with M8s. They're not on all but on quite a number of them. The dead pixels start and eventually form a line. From what I read it's not a sensor issue. Also it shows up at higher ISOs. Leica have ways to repair it from using software to close that line up to replacing the circuit board on it. Still the seller should have called it out and at least offered you a discount etc on it.

[@camerafusion]

👍 Yeah, there is thin red line all the way from the bright red pixel down to the bottom of the photo. Thanks for the comment and taking the time to watch the video. I appreciate that!

[@23aleirons]

amaizing camera! I have one and im so happy. The black and white are so beauty. 2006 camera and its going a nice peace to take photos and funny time to enjoy

[@camerafusion]

I’ve been picking it up over my other cameras. I’m loving it!

[@davidaltizer]

Wow! What a gorgeous copy you got! That is truly special!

[@camerafusion]

Thank you! It’s hard to believe it as old as it is. The date in the menu says 11/04/2006. Not sure why it says that but I haven’t changed it yet.

[@tonym9635]

Great video, I love to see other M8 users, it's truly like no other camera, I have taken over 16k shots and mine is still going strong. Just wait until you see the Black and white images!! Enjoy and thanks for sharing.

[@camerafusion]

Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to it. I was going to head out this morning but it's raining like crazy. I'll defiantly be checking out the black and white.

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Great video man! Makes me hyped up to use my own M9 :) I got my M9 for under 950$ because it has the corrosion issue. But it is only visible starting at F8. Since I usual shoot F4 or lower the corrosion is not possible. Enjoy your M8! Sorry for the dead pixel, hope they are not visible in every picture.

[@camerafusion]

This comment made my day, Thank You! Yeah, it's in every picture but super easy to remove. I'll probably just deal with it. Hopefully the seller will treats me right, seeing that It was supposed to be in perfect operating condition. The corrosive sensor issue on the M9's is the only thing that keeps me from getting one. I didn't realize the M8's had any sensor issues until now lol. I guess no old digital cameras are completely safe. Thanks for watching till the end, that means a lot to me.

[@photographer17]

I also want to purchase a Leica M8. Yours is so new and look so good. May I know from where you purchased this camera?

[@camerafusion]

I purchased it from eBay. Be aware of the dead pixel (looks like a line through the image) issue that common with these. Question the seller.

[@KnutSandaker]

Just came back from vacation, brought a Nikon D850, Sony RX100M3, iPhone8 and...an M8. D850; zero pictures, iPhone; a few, and some video, Sony; quite a few, M8 95% of all my photos, b/w in camera+DNG, classic :)

[@camerafusion]

You sound like me every time I go on vacation 😆 The M8 is awesome fun. I was thinking about going out and shooting b&w today, just test images for this weeks video. Seems a lot of people are comparing it to the monochrom. Think there would be any interest in a video like that and if so, any suggestions? I was thinking about comparing it with my q2 monochrom in crop mode to get as close as possible to the focal length.

[@KnutSandaker]

@@camerafusion A comparison video will be great! I used to own a M9Monocrom and two big differences between the M8 and the M9M is dynamic range and higher ISO performance. I guess this will go for the other Leica monos as well. The M9M sensor is just amazing, but the BW images from the M8 has something special too. Looking forward to the video!

[@camerafusion]

Awesome, thank you!

[@rikardlandberg]

That classic dead pixel stripe of the M8. Both my M8 ended up there.

[@camerafusion]

Oh no!!! Did they end up with more than one?

[@Webrisernl]

How does it compare with the xpro2?

[@camerafusion]

I'm only familiar with the xPro3, but I'd say its a completely different shooting experience.

[@Webrisernl]

@@camerafusion I try to understand they both are rangefinder cameras what makes it a differance in shooting experience?

[@camerafusion]

I love fuji's rangefinder (style) cameras and they're probably the closest to mimicking the rangefinder experience but it's till not the same. There's just something special about manually focusing with the rangefinder patch that's extra special.

[@chapsibnnoel3626]

Tony, I watched those very same videos plus a couple of others by Marcus Lloyd, Ali Okeefe, and Paul C. Smith. But it was your video Tony that gave that final push to purchase this camera. I returned to KZbin today hoping to find one final 2024 video that would assist me in making my final decision, and there you were. Done Deal! Thank you I think. If my wife protest about another M body, I'm blaming you. Mine will only have 987 original actuations but is Silver Chrome. Not my color preference but this opportunity is to good to pass up. Continued happiness and success to you and yours. Be Blessed, Doc Chaps

[@camerafusion]

Wow! I’ll take that as a compliment. Don’t blame me if you don’t like it but I definitely take the credit if you do 😆 I watched all the videos I could consume too. Love Marcus and Paul’s videos for sure. I’ll have to go checkout Ali Okeefe, it’s not ring a bell. Thanks and good luck with the M8. I think the silver is a beauty too!

[@chapsibnnoel3626]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX62d5J5oamCo5o

[@chapsibnnoel3626]

@@camerafusion kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX62d5J5oamCo5o

[@chapsibnnoel3626]

@@camerafusion Ali’s KZbin channel is One Month Two Cameras.

[@theconstantaperture]

Great video, where did you get your skull tigger button?

[@camerafusion]

I found an image of it online but couldn't find where to buy it, so I had it custom made on Etsy

[@camerafusion]

The store name is NamiDiary

[@SourPlanet]

M8, M9, and M240 are this trifecta of perfect. Talk to a fan of each, and you'll get an exhaustive laundry list of why it's perfect for them-- and an equally detailed list about why the other bodies are not. What seemed divisive on launch became the basis for taste over time. What's wild... randos all over the internet plop into every single one of these videos/posts/blogs/articles with "hYpeD nAmE GaRbAge CaMeRa!" Meanwhile... people use them for 10, 15, going on 20 years. Same fuggen body lol. Sony fanboys upgrade 5 times in ten years.

[@camerafusion]

Well said! I’ve picked up several of my dream cameras this year and I probably use this one the most. Although I LOVE THEM ALL :)

[@EricGibaud]

this camera is the reason I sworn NEVER to buy a digital Leica again. I had 2 bodies, a disaster with purple cast on black fabrics, A shame for Leica who gave us two 2 special filters to avoid it, if you had more lenses you had to pay for the filters. NO reviewers told about the problem because they were under Non Disclausure Agreement and could not tell problems on pre production models. Leica told them the problem would be fixed on production model and it was not. This camera is a shame for Leica!! I had about 20000 euros worth of lenses and I SOLD everything. This is the worse digital M Leica ever, I don't know how someone can see anything positive about it. Leica lost me as a client because of this complete technical failure, the only Leica I have now is a film Leica, M4P. Add to this people who had shutter failures with less than 20000 shots, dead pixel lines etc. etc. etc.I don't know how you can speak any good about this camera, a piece of rubbish!!!

[@camerafusion]

Hi Eric, thanks for your insight. Unfortunately mine does have the dead pixel line, but easily fixed in photoshop. I'm loving this thing so far other than that. Only time will tell. Cleary it's not a camera one would buy if they needed to rely on it, but as a hobbyist with several Leica's it's worth the risk... to me.

[@kiwipics]

The problems that people moan about can be a bonus, and shooting B&W is on of the best uses for an M8, and I would trade my M6 Titanium with anyone that had an M8, or even the Epson RD-1 ... They are my idea of a digital replacement for film.

[@camerafusion]

@@kiwipics it’s been a couple of months and I’m still in love with it. Been shooting it almost as much as my m11p

[@theconstantaperture]

Thanks!

[@camerafusion]

Thanks for watching and commenting Paul, I appreciate it!

[@seokinchung]

yah that dead pixel was one of the reason I gave up on this camera (yes, there's some app that fixes that, but it feels more like opening can of worms that I didn't want to deal with)

[@camerafusion]

It’s definitely got me concerned

[@seokinchung]

@@camerafusion I even sent it to leica for remapping, and few weeks after the fix it developed new one(s)

[@RobMatthews21]

Can you recommend an ir cut filter?

[@camerafusion]

Hi Rob, I just picked this camera up. I also just purchased one from eBay but It has not arrived yet. I bought a Leica Branded Filter (#13411 46mm thread). I don't believe that is necessary but I wanted to play it safe.

[@RobMatthews21]

@@camerafusion thank you

[@camerafusion]

On the box it says E46 UV/IR item# 13411

[@RobMatthews21]

@@camerafusion thank you. I did a search and I can’t find a 43mm one. I’ll keep searching!

[@simonkimber1152]

Just remember they need ir-cut filters and this old they are a gamble… remember they can’t be repaired and there is always a risk it could be an expensive brick

[@camerafusion]

Good advise. Unfortunately mine has a dead pixel with a red line running through the image. I'm trying to work something out now with the seller.

[@TheJ_G]

The only camera I regret selling… Now the prices are stuck high.

[@camerafusion]

I hear that. There are many cameras I was close to buying years ago that have doubled or even tripled in price. It’s gotten crazy. I am glad that I’ve purchased the cameras that I have.

[@rjbiii]

The physical condition is amazing but a whole red line showing up in every photo? I don't think I could keep that. I've never seen that on any of my digital cameras, just the usual assortment of hot/stuck pixels.

[@camerafusion]

Thanks for watching until the end! Yeah, It was pretty disappointing to see that for sure. I've reached out to the seller to see if he's willing to work with me. I love the camera but It's a bit scary to spend that kind of money and have an issue like that.

[@morleydd]

Welcome to m8 madness - is just ..something about them - actually considering getting a second one - my ‘other’ camera is an XT5 - much more clinical and I love Fuji

[@camerafusion]

I have a love affair with Fuji as well!

[@Powergeek2011]

The problem for the M8 and M9 is the corrosion of the CCD sensor.

[@camerafusion]

From what I’m told, no corrosion with m8 sensors but I could be wrong. Mine definitely has a hot or dead pixel unfortunately. It takes beautiful pictures though

[@EricGibaud]

corrosion was on M9

[@clawdawg7248]

@@camerafusionCorrect. Only M9.

[@braaji]

Just an expensive name

[@camerafusion]

It’s the rangefinder, manual focusing and tactical feel that makes Leica M(s) special. But then again, I love all cameras.

[@DizzyWombat]

Levy the same criticism at any camera over $3000?

[@SourPlanet]

Parrots can use KZbin now? Neat. What other default phrases do you know?

[@earvinquero2037]

Leica M240 is way better.

[@camerafusion]

Just when I thought I had enough, you go and mention the M240. It's on the list now lol.

[@ruben619448]

The m240 was my first Leica. It was a good camera. A little bulky but a great camera

[@simonkimber1152]

However the m8 has way nicer colours… there is just something special about it’s colours

[@earvinquero2037]

@@simonkimber1152 No. theres nothing special on it. The raw files on M8 is not as close as the M240.

[@simonkimber1152]

@@earvinquero2037 will happily disagree with you… I was so disappointed with the m240. Thankfully the m10 files can be easily manipulated to be somewhere between m8 and m9

[@jarosawzon4272]

Mine not. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on the Leica M8 camera. I'm not even talking about the faulty shutter, which broke after only 15,000 photos taken or a shutter that works like a broken tractor or the fact that you are forced to buy and use expensive filters. I'm talking about the fact that currently almost every Leica M8 has sensor defects, in the form of lines of dead pixels. I wanted to buy a Leica M8 and I checked over a dozen of them, even those that had only a few thousand photos taken (they looked like new). They all had lines of dead pixels on the sensor. Someone will say, but these are very old cameras. I have a lot of old digital cameras, older than the Leica M8, cheap and amateurish and they all work mechanically and electronically perfectly. Check out your Leica M8, you may be very surprised :). Just take a photo with these parameters: ISO 2500, 1/125, lens covered with a cap, take a photo and then brighten the photo in LR by 2 EV. Surprise what ? :) Does yours have it too ? :) After that, you may change your mind about this camera. Overall, someone is raising the excitement around this camera. I had it for some time and it didn't impress me with anything, especially the fact that it is often a very expensive shelf item.

[@camerafusion]

Appreciate your comment. Yeah, I show (at the end of this video) that the camera definitely has a dead pixel. If you have to save to buy this camera, I’d agree with your statement. For some, the cost is just not that much and can afford to take a chance that it’ll become a brick. That’s why I not only shows the dead pixel in this video, I pointed it out. It was a real genuine moment that I shared.

[@10521206]

almost all experienced Leica M8 users know the secret that the CCD sensor is best when it is shot at lowest ISO. You can brighten the image up almost 4-5 stops in LR without major pixel issues.