Leica M8.2 - A brief and uninformed review

[Joe_Lorenzini]

When you get the rare opportunity to try the Leica M8.2 camera you don't say no. Throw in two lenses, a 18mm f/3.8 and a 90mm f/2.5 and color me gone.

To preface, I'm a lifelong Nikon shooter and pretty secure in my choice of camera manufacturers. I always enjoy trying out other camera types but a Leica is special. I follow the mystique, my father still uses his Leica M2 and the glass is legendary. I buy into the hype, I admit it.

So this M8.2 review will be from the perspective of a Nikon D3 owner. If you don't want to hear it from that point of view, please stop now - you'll get nothing out of what's to follow.

Here's a junk shot of my setup:



Ok, so I like to start out my reviews with the conclusion:
The Leica M8.2 is archaic and difficult to use yet it produces some of the cleanest, most pleasing images I've ever seen out of a digital camera.


So let's start with what's wrong (again from a D3 user's perspective):
1. The Viewfinder - Smallest, most difficult viewfinder I've ever used. If you're able to get your eye close enough to see the entire view I guarantee your nose is smashed against the viewfinder. Very hard to use (which is probably why Leica came out with the external version that fits in the flash shoe - ugh).

2. The LCD - One of the worst I've ever had to deal with. You better be able to read a histogram or get ready to take multiple shots to make sure you're satisfied with the outcome. In my case, this happened multiple times regardless of what the histogram said and in 80% of the cases, my first shot was correct. The LCD does a poor job of rendering the image accurately.

3. Write speeds - s....l.....o.....w.... way to slow for a camera of this magnitude. There's simply no excuse.

4. Menu - The menu is split up in two different areas. One menu is accessed via the "Menu" button and the other via the "Set" button (both on opposite ends of the camera). It's a nit-pick and other cameras do it but still... I have tons of these little nit-picks that I won't bore you with here.

5. B/W mode - Personally I expected more but this is probably due to user error more than the camera. I threw it into B/W mode and the images came out flat and bland, even when I tweaked some of the other image settings. I was never able to make B/W images strong enough out of the camera to avoid having to go to the Photoshop...

6. Auto ISO - I tried it out and found it to be inconsistent. Some indoor shots tried to use the lowest ISO value giving me an almost black image and some outdoor shots used a high ISO which was not needed. I turned it off and managed it manually.


What's right you ask?
1. Body build - It's a tank. Built tough, it feels good in the hand. Although not ergonomically appealing, it's still easy to hold.

2. Lens and lens mount - It's easy to attach/detach lens's (which are small and very manageable). A very nice contrast to the huge Nikon versions. Probably one of Leica's best features.

3. Strap placement - it's a great little detail.

4. Great shutter sound - actually sounds like the shutter is being cocked. Fun.

5. Image info - Reviewing an image with the info button is elegant and useful.

6. White balance - Has Kelvin temps which I use on the D3 so I was a happy camper. Tried Auto WB a few times and it worked well.

7. Viewfinder display options - Found these to be very simple and easy to read.

Issues:
The only disastrous issue I experienced is when I was shooting in B/W. I shot quite a few images in a row and the writing light continued to blink far beyond where I thought it would have finished. When it finally did go off, I found that my last 10/12 images had disappeared off the card. I could not recover them and yes, I formatted the card before the first image had been taken. I never experienced this behavior again but once is plenty for me.

And finally, the only reason to buy this camera:
The images are glorious. Stunning. What really got me was that the images required very little processing.

Last word:
The Leica M8.2 is geared toward the experienced shooter. I like camera's that make you work hard to get the shot and this one is right at the top. If you get a good shot with the M8.2 you've earned it and best of all, you are rewarded with a photo of stunning quality.

I am hoping the next Leica that is released (Not the S2) takes another (big) step forward and while appeasing the Leica faithful, continues to appeal to the next generation of shooters.


It wouldn't be any sort of review without some sample images so here you go... Taken July 4th weekend in Washington D.C.

Note: Leica EXIF files are horrid. No lens or f/stop info included so while I know the lens choice, I won't be sure of the f/stop.

Leica M8.2, 90mm/f2.5 lens - ISO 160 at 1/500


Leica M8.2, 18mm/f3.8 lens - ISO 160 at 4 seconds (tripod mount)


Leica M8.2, 18mm/f3.8 lens - ISO 160 at 1/500


Leica M8.2, 90mm/f2.5 lens - ISO 640 at 1/30


Leica M8.2, 18mm/f3.8 lens - ISO 1260 at 1/60


Leica M8.2, 18mm/f3.8 lens - ISO 160 at 1/60


Comments, attacks and personal opinions are welcome!

Joe

[crackhead]

Nice photos. The M8/M8.2 can't automatically "know" what the f-stop is because it's user-controlled and not electronic; Phase One Capture software can estimate the shot's approximate aperture based on the recorded shutter speed and ISO used.)

Leica M8 + 50mm Summicron f/2:
1/500 sec @ f/2
ISO 160

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by crackhead

The M8/M8.2 can't automatically "know" what the f-stop is because it's user-controlled and not electronic...

I might accept this if my Nikon wasn't able to do the same thing but it can so I find no reason the Lecia can't. And to me, this is critical information as a photographer so I find it to be a flaw of the system.

[Jake]

Nice write up and great photos Joe!

But I got the only review of the M8 that anyone would need last night on Twitter from none other the John Mayer:
"@johncmayer There's still no better digital camera on the market than the Leica M8. I wish I could photograph bands on tour like Jim Marshall used to".

Nuff' said.

[jonney]

what PP was done on those shots other than the frames?

jf

[venchka]

Do you suppose Nikon or Canon would look as good if you ripped the AA filter off? The Leitz lenses do contribute something to the image as well.

[zeroendless]

Remind me of having a cheap kit lens vs high dollar fast prime, images are right out gorgeous with little processing needed.

It's all in the optics ...oh wait, according to some @expert it's the camera (digital). :)

"@johncmayer There's still no better digital camera on the market than the Leica M8. I wish I could photograph bands on tour like Jim Marshall used to".

[luis_relampago]

Joe congrats! those images are very nice. Leica is legendary no doubt about it, but for the price I would spec a perfect all around camera.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by venchka

The Leitz lenses do contribute something to the image as well.

I was going to say... is it the lenses doing all the work is the body actually contributing much. What if you were able to stick a nikon or canon lens on there? I kinda doubt Leica's sensor is adding much at all.
Of course I have no real proof to base my theory on.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by d2creative

I was going to say... is it the lenses doing all the work is the body actually contributing much. What if you were able to stick a nikon or canon lens on there? I kinda doubt Leica's sensor is adding much at all.
Of course I have no real proof to base my theory on.

Canon and Nikon LTM lenses shoot just fine on it.

As for B&W never do it in camera, just shoot .DNG and do B&W in post. The sensor is made by Kodak to Leica specs and the lack of strong IR filtering and no AA do add to the image quality.

[HOUSCOUS]

Another 6 thousands dollars toy.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by HOUSCOUS

Another 6 thousands dollars toy.

Cheaper than the $8K toy I have sitting in the garage.

[venchka]

Dennis,

John is on the mark. The beauty of the Leica M mount is the absolutely staggering selection of lenses from the 1930s to today that work just fine on the M8 and all other M bodies.

Case point: The latest and greatest from Cosina: 50mm/1.1 lens. Mate that with Cosina's 35/1.2 lens and you have a killer low light pair for less than ONE of Canon's f/1.2 lenses.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by HOUSCOUS

Another 6 thousands dollars toy.

No, I know where you can buy them for 4897.00.

[crackhead]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

I might accept this if my Nikon wasn't able to do the same thing but it can so I find no reason the Lecia can't. And to me, this is critical information as a photographer so I find it to be a flaw of the system.

I hadn't known that about the Nikon and non-CPU lenses. I assumed that EXIF info like f-stop and focal length were manually keyed into the menu system by the user and that the Nikon's image processors couldn't ascertain the aperture info directly?

It would be great if Leica would put this manual entry system into their bodies but they never do things in the most straightforward way....

crackhead added 4 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by HOUSCOUS

Another 6 thousands dollars toy.

The D3x is an over "6 thousands dollars" toy

in fact once we get to digital backs, those are over tens thousands dollars, even.