Leica M8 Field Test, Iraq

[johnastovall]

Review of the Leica M8 by Michael Kamber, Bagdad, June, 2008



I have used three different M8’s over the past year in Iraq. The first M8 was a loaner given to me by Leica in the spring of 2007. My second M8 I purchased new in September of 2007. The third was given to me as a replacement when the second M8 malfunctioned.



I will try to make this review as comprehensive as possible with samples of the work I have done with the three M8’s that I have used. This will allow others a detailed look at my experiences with the M8, most of which have been negative. Please keep in mind that there are many other photographers who like the M8.



I have no axe to grind against Lecia--quite the opposite. I have made my living with Leica’s for most of the past 20 years; I depend on them. I still have several Leica M’s with which I shoot film on a daily basis.

[Robbzilla]

Ouch!

[AndrewCCM]

Not everyone is good at making computers (which is what a digital body is these days).

[Robbzilla]

I don't even think that seemed to be the problem... Reading the review, the control settings were poorly laid out, the buttons weren't recessed, the timer was too prominent, the quality control was poor, the night shooting was weak, and the lenses didn't get identified properly. Among other things... Again I say... Ouch! Leica has a reputation for almost unbeatable quality. This doesn't sound like a Leica...

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Robbzilla

Leica has a reputation for almost unbeatable quality.

HAD

[PIC]

Originally Posted by Robbzilla

Leica has a reputation for almost unbeatable quality. This doesn't sound like a Leica...

HAD and so did HBLAD, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, Contax !
Image Icons in Film yesterday, But on the Digital Divide ...
Its a whole new ball game !
Some Lead ... Some Follow ... Others just die or get out of the way ...

Welcome to the 21st Century Friends, Romans, and Countrymen.

EL

[123canon]

wow! didn't see that one coming!

[kenw]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Not everyone is good at making computers (which is what a digital body is these days).

exactly, and whither be Human Factors/a decent ergonomics study?

Likely an early cost savings.

[luis_relampago]

I just want to say that love my Yashica Electro35, rangefinders are totally cool, I love the fact that the mechanism is really quiet and a totally different experience from the SLR world. I hope Laica fix those mistakes and gets back in the game.

[110240]

interesting

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by luis_relampago

I just want to say that love my Yashica Electro35, rangefinders are totally cool, I love the fact that the mechanism is really quiet and a totally different experience from the SLR world. I hope Laica fix those mistakes and gets back in the game.

I have two of those Yashica Electro GSN's

Stock 45mm lens. Haven't run a roll of film through them in many years.

[mongoose777]

Sounds like Leica needs to fire its current contractor who makes the digital body and/or layout. I am curious as to who they are currently using, I hope its not casio. :)

[PIC]

This "design" was outdated decades ago, a lot of old school photographers cheered over the return of things as a shutter speed dial & aperture ring combo vs the dual dials of modern SLRs. Not realizing SLRs have them because things like the aperture ring was obsoleted YEARs ago (from a speed/performance point of view).

Although I'm sorry to say, nice lenses aside, Leica IS decades behind in technology. As this article proves, comparing the M8 to a pro DSLR for any serious performance assignment is a joke. So the only way they could sell this M8 is by doing exactly what they did, a misplaced effort to attract classicists or "old farts" that only buy these cameras out of nostalgia, jewel status, or the need to feel potent.
VIAGRA is cheaper and more effective as are many SLR's.
Its ridiculously overpriced, but truth is nobody would look at it if it cost the same as a D300, it would lose its only true value {snob value}. Like a Bentley.

The first mistake was thinking the M8 was designed as a tool for serious photojournalists. It wasn't. It was designed for wealthy collectors.

The second mistake is bastarding it with 21st Century technology.

The final mistake is made by anyone who buys one and trys to use it for real work - including this author who did it 3 "count them" times !!


EL

[amadjuster]

Originally Posted by mongoose777

Sounds like Leica needs to fire its current contractor who makes the digital body and/or layout. I am curious as to who they are currently using, I hope its not casio. :)

Perhaps, but it started before that. Read what he says about the M7. Leica finally gave him his money back after they had it more than he did for a year. I think that's like Ford buying back a lemon?

Would the last one leaving Leica turn out the lights.

[crazeazn]

isnt the current contractor panasonic?