View Full Version : First video of the M8: the sound of music
Yes, you read correctly, the first video of the M8 is available on a French site. It is of bad quality, in order to protect the author (humm), but we see it and most importantly, we HEAR IT!
Video of the M8 (http://www.lightmediation.com/blog/index.php?2006/09/03/23-leica-m8-numerique-la-resurection-digital-photokina-visa)
The article says that the M8 has been introduced to selected journalists and major press agency at the Visa pour l'image in Perpignan (France), even if the official release will take place at the Photokina. It is also stated that the M8 is a louder than the M7 and it confirmes the specifications previously announced by Jorge.
Now, make your own opinion!
Marc
sounds like a game of dice. :D
Wonder if that really was the sound of the shutter or it is a shutter sound played by the camera when you press the capture button. Without a lever to cock the shutter it makes me wonder that there is no shutter curtain at all.
egpj,
Not all CCDs have electronic shutters. Only interline-transfer types.
For fans of Google French, the blog page reads as follows:
The gratin of the specialized press was there. Normally the early product is kept for Cologne and its Photokina, but Perpignan is an event quite as important for Leica. Logic. One often presents to it under the coat of the prototypes (your servant discovered Eos DS3 month there before the exit) because the large accounts (agencies photographs) there is present and can thus plan the purchases of the following year and thus give indicators to the manufacturers.
The unconditional one of the leica drives its chart. What it seeks it is a feeling, a touch, a discretion and a technique of framing which is specific to the apparatuses with the red pastille. It is also sensitive to the timeless character of the object which if varied little since its origins of the Fifties. M8 is in a certain manner a worthy heir to a line of which it will mark the rupture…
The feeling is well the same one. Admittedly, the right inch can be bored, but the weight, the touch of the matters to see the sensitivity of the button, resembles to mistake there with those of M7. As regards discretion, one is certainly far… very far from the row from a professional numerical reflex camera. But the aficionados of the “noise of the egg shell which breaks” will be there for their expenses. M8 is noisier than its predecessor, without any doubt. The telemetric aiming is of setting, and in spite of a refitting of the “RF” the composition of your framing will be done EXACTLY as with any M with the difference which you will be tried by a control of the screen which is with the back As regards the coef of focal distance and thus of the size of the sensor you will certainly be disappointed. Not, which grains me but as a note of hope it gives me is as this M8 is numerical and that with title late will early or have been judged by the pangs of marketing as “have-not-enough-of-million-of-pixels” whereas just like when one evokes the engine output of Rolls Royce, the number of pixels is “amply sufficient”. For the timeless character thus, you will pass by again or remain faithful to M7 or MP which remain with the catalogue. Then while waiting for on September 15, enjoy small a video just voluntarily pixelized…
Wow, fast translation! Impressed.
The shutter sounds pretty good to me. Sort of like the sound a film M makes at low shutter speeds. The clip was shot very close to the camera as well so that's pretty much as loud as it will ever be heard by anyone other than the photographer.
Even though you can't see it too well, the lens on the camera (based on what the man is saying) is the new 28mm.
IGMeanwell
09-03-2006, 01:54
What is the problem?
Why you don't give us the link?
It was a little hidden but here you go
blog of M8 (http://www.lightmediation.com/blog/index.php?2006/09/03/23-leica-m8-numerique-la-resurection-digital-photokina-visa)
Nachkebia
09-03-2006, 02:08
What`s up with french and photography (leica) ? :D
Pixelation effect is nice :)
A higher resolution frame taken from the video:
http://www.macandphoto.com/2006/09/le_leica_m8_prs.html
(Jorge's pictures were accurate).
R.
greggebhardt
09-03-2006, 04:02
The video is horrible, how could we expect the sound to be accurate. Remember that a motor is re-cocking the shutter so we are not just hearing the shutter.
I do not care what it sounds like if it takes good images.
Skinny McGee
09-03-2006, 04:25
Bigfoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Murphy
09-03-2006, 05:01
OK guys I've been watching this M8 discusion for a few weeks now and I have to ask: what's all the excitement about ? Leica is a film camera company. How can they seriously expect to turn it around and compete with the likes of Canon which has been a player in optics since the 30's and and a pioneer in automating cameras with electronics since the 60's. For that matter how can they even compete with Kodak, which is reborn into the world of advanced digital cameras thanks to their extensive legacy of research in the field of electronic image sensors.
Why is Leica even trying ? This is the same company that won't even build a film camera with such a modern convenience feaure as a swing open back and did not put a TTL meter in a camera until 1984.
Leica has reveled in their ultra conservative retro approach to cameras. I think that is fine -- I own a Leica III in fact, and I appreciate it for what it is, but I can't help but feel that the writing is on the wall for Leica and the M8 will be their swan song. Leica's are by definition *the* miniature film cameras, and film cameras are rapidly passing from the world of the mass consumer into the world of the specialist and collector.
I actually think Leica could survive a while longer by following the Cosina/Voigtlander business model of making solid modern film camera/lens products that delight the hobbyist and are offered at moderate prices. Instead they seem to have chosen to take-on some of the corporate titans of consumer electronics.
...How can they seriously expect to turn it around and compete with the likes of Canon... how can they even compete with Kodak...
What do Canon and Kodak have to do with rangefinders?
telenous
09-03-2006, 05:35
Leica provides a further option to the rangefinder user and that's a good thing even if it is a radical departure from its familiar philosophy. Some people will buy the camera because they want it; some because they need it; but, most important of all, the digital M gives the rangefinder user some sort of psychological assurance that rangefinders will still be there even if film isn't. I cannot empasize how important this bit may be. One can go on buying the new lenses without fear that the line will be abandoned as film becomes ever more expensive, scarce etc. So, introducing a digital M is a tactical move of the utmost importance from a camera maker that remains analogue at heart.
P.S. I thought the shutter was a bit loud - or perhaps louder than what I expected. But then that's what it is to be spoilt by the analogue M.
The video is horrible, how could we expect the sound to be accurate. Remember that a motor is re-cocking the shutter so we are not just hearing the shutter.
I do not care what it sounds like if it takes good images.
The video suffers from severe compression and pixelation, which we can assume has been done to protect the identity of the person handling the camera and probably violating a contract they had to sign prior to being shown it that they would not publish anything until later in the month. You can compress the video track and audio track separately. As the audio of both the camera sound and the man speaking are clear, that is what seems to have been done.
If you do not care what a Leica M sounds like that is fine, but many people do. The near-silent cloth shutter provides a distinct advantage in a number of shooting situations. For my use, it has allowed me to shoot on film sets while sound is rolling. In any situation causing less noise with your photography seems a good thing. In fact I believe there was a regulation, in I believe Vermont, that allowed for photographing court scenes provided that the camera made no more noise than a Leica M.
Gabriel M.A.
09-03-2006, 06:25
The video suffers from severe compression and pixelation
I know, Matthew -- (looking up): Veuillez-les pardonner, parce que des c*ns ne savent pas ce qu'ils disent.
It's not a MPEG, it's an IDPG (Illuminati Disinformation Protocol Group) :rolleyes:
(merci pour le link, Marc)
thelovecollect
09-03-2006, 06:37
heh, this looks like michel gondry's lego video.. :D
I know, Matthew -- (looking up): Veuillez-les pardonner, parce que des c*ns ne savent pas ce qu'ils disent.
Well, pardon me then, but assuming that the audio wasn't accurate based on an obvious video effect didn't make it sound as if you did know the difference. My apologies...
Gabriel,
Just a big :D
Marc
PS: Depuis longtemps je voulais te dire que ton exposition pour l'Alliance Française est tout simplement splendide.
John Camp
09-03-2006, 07:13
I don't think it was highly pixelated to protect someone's identity. I think it''s a teaser. I'm getting tired of this juvenile b.s. -- and I mean from Leica. If they're showing it around to dealers, they should put up the official pictures so that people who are going to pay $5,000 each can take a look.
JC
>they should put up the official pictures so that people who are
>going to pay $5,000 each can take a look
Boy howdy, that makes sense...
Rich Silfver
09-03-2006, 11:22
A higher resolution frame taken from the video:
http://www.macandphoto.com/2006/09/le_leica_m8_prs.html
(Jorge's pictures were accurate).
R.
I'm sorry but how do you come to the conclusion that 'Jorge's pictures were accurate' considering the fact that there are significant differences between the images posted here on RFF and the photos on that blog (number of buttons, type of buttons, writing on front, position of buttons, the 'memory stick lid', etc, etc,). One may be a photo of the actual camera and one is a photoshop guess taking an M7 and slamming on some 'best guesses'.
How are they accurate?
If anything, the photos on that blog should cause Jorge to throw himself onto the phone and get in contact with his source and ask him 'WTF, did you just photoshop what you thought it was gonna look like? I could had done that myself!'
How are they accurate?
Size, shape...
I feared that Leica would decide to use a flat top plate, for instance, but the video shows the classical shape of the M cameras.
Well, let me be honest... Jorge pictures are in fact real, and the specifications are real too.
greggebhardt
09-03-2006, 12:03
David,
Leica is in NO way trying to compete with Canon. What would ever lead you to think so?
The M8 is not being designed to draw thousands of Canon users from their "common" hardware.
amateriat
09-03-2006, 14:18
OK guys I've been watching this M8 discusion for a few weeks now and I have to ask: what's all the excitement about ? Leica is a film camera company. How can they seriously expect to turn it around and compete with the likes of Canon which has been a player in optics since the 30's and and a pioneer in automating cameras with electronics since the 60's. For that matter how can they even compete with Kodak, which is reborn into the world of advanced digital cameras thanks to their extensive legacy of research in the field of electronic image sensors. For one thing, they're not competing directly with brands C or N. This camera presumably plays to Leica's strengths (small, unobtrusive, quiet).
Why is Leica even trying ? This is the same company that won't even build a film camera with such a modern convenience feaure as a swing open back and did not put a TTL meter in a camera until 1984. You forget the Leica M5 and CL from the early 70s, both of which had TTL metering. Admittedly, the early market failure of the M5 (which nearly took Leica with it), led to a more conservative design stance. And you'll still get counter-arguments from some regarding the mechanical integrity of Leica's film-loading design ("it ain't broke, so don't fix it"). I'm agnostic on the film-loading issue, which, of course, is a non-issue in the case of the M8. :)
Leica has reveled in their ultra conservative retro approach to cameras. I think that is fine -- I own a Leica III in fact, and I appreciate it for what it is, but I can't help but feel that the writing is on the wall for Leica and the M8 will be their swan song. Leica's are by definition *the* miniature film cameras, and film cameras are rapidly passing from the world of the mass consumer into the world of the specialist and collector. This is sort of a damned-if-they-do/damned-if-they-don't attitude, isn't it? Solms has had to make some serious changes for the sake of survival – and this is hardly the first time they've had to. To keep making the best film-based cameras around, they need to take a crack at making digital equivalents that just happen to offer a practical advantage or two that the mainstream has neither the need or desire to develop. They appear to have succeeded with the Modul-R back for the R8/9 series; I predict the M8 will succeed as well. And Leica doesn't need to rule the roost with these cameras to thrive, let alone survive – just sell enough of them to keep them reasonably in the black. Which, coincidentally, will help keep those other Ms we know and love in contention as well.
I actually think Leica could survive a while longer by following the Cosina/Voigtlander business model of making solid modern film camera/lens products that delight the hobbyist and are offered at moderate prices. Instead they seem to have chosen to take-on some of the corporate titans of consumer electronics. You just answered your own question as to why they don't: Cosina has that turf well-covered already, as does Zeiss several notches above with the ZI. Also, Leica is aware of the "lineage thing": those who can go out and buy a new M7 or MP; those who can't, but insist on having a Leica, buy a used M(2/3/4/5/6 or thereabouts). And Solms accomodates the latter with availability of parts and, if desired, VF upgrades. These are resons why I'm rooting for the M8 being a reasonable hit in the marketplace, even though I'm not one of those impatiently waiting in line for one (but wouldn't mind acquiring a user black M6).
- Barrett
it wouldn't take much for leica to get the amateur market that buys 1dsmkii, 5d, and d2x. just needs the right advertising.
IGMeanwell
09-03-2006, 15:23
it wouldn't take much for leica to get the amateur market that buys 1dsmkii, 5d, and d2x. just needs the right advertising.
that and Image stabilization in their 70-200 2.8 Zoom:rolleyes:
nah, just convince them that it'll improve their photography! that it makes them *real* photographers.
... For that matter how can they even compete with Kodak, which is reborn into the world of advanced digital cameras thanks to their extensive legacy of research in the field of electronic image sensors.
The CCD of the M8 comming from Kodak. Leica had just add a "sole" on the CCD to redress the light distortion.
... For that matter how can they even compete with Kodak, which is reborn into the world of advanced digital cameras thanks to their extensive legacy of research in the field of electronic image sensors.
The CCD of the M8 comming from Kodak. Leica had just add a "sole" on the CCD to redress the light distortion.
OK guys I've been watching this M8 discusion for a few weeks now and I have to ask: what's all the excitement about ? Leica is a film camera company. How can they seriously expect to turn it around and compete with the likes of Canon which has been a player in optics since the 30's and and a pioneer in automating cameras with electronics since the 60's. For that matter how can they even compete with Kodak, which is reborn into the world of advanced digital cameras thanks to their extensive legacy of research in the field of electronic image sensors
Why should they try to compete with Canon et al? Morgan is not competing with General Motors (If they were, Morgan would be winning btw, considering the way the respective companies are showing profits.;) ) I feel Kodak is not quite the shining example of a brilliant turnaround either:rolleyes:
ffttklackdedeng
09-04-2006, 08:49
The shutter sounds a bit like someone slurping an oyster..
edit: maybe I should clarify: this was really my association! I would love to have one - but unfortunately it's out of my budget
John Shriver
09-04-2006, 15:24
Sounds on a par with the one I saw and heard.
Here is the deal. On Sept 15 yo will see the photos of the M8. All those who say my photos are fake , if it turns out that I am wrong. I will make an beg for forgiveness. However, get ready to say "I will never doubt RFF again."
NIKON KIU
09-04-2006, 20:53
You all should hear my Nikon M at 1 second:angel:
Kiu
Here is the deal. On Sept 15 yo will see the photos of the M8. All those who say my photos are fake , if it turns out that I am wrong. I will make an beg for forgiveness. However, get ready to say "I will never doubt RFF again."
Sounds fair ;)
Marc
Rich Silfver
09-04-2006, 22:04
I'm in :)
.
For fans of Google French, the blog page reads as follows:
That Babelfish is hilarious! I can say, however that the original French is a lot more clear. What makes me the happiest in this minireview is the statement that in character , feel and handling it could be mistaken for a M7...
You can now vote in comments to see details of the official M8 :)
http://www.lightmediation.com/blog/index.php?2006/09/06/25-leica-m8-digital-numerique-exclusif
greggebhardt
09-06-2006, 08:14
Here is the deal. On Sept 15 yo will see the photos of the M8. All those who say my photos are fake , if it turns out that I am wrong. I will make an beg for forgiveness. However, get ready to say "I will never doubt RFF again."
And if you images were accurate, I bet they are, you have the right to do alot of "crowing"!:)
and if they aren't, i'll be pissed!
Peter Klein
09-07-2006, 09:04
Who are we? Why are we here?
We are but rats in a B. F. Skinnerian cyber-maze, operant-conditioned dogs in a Pavlovian parlor, pacing down our programmed paths with the barest illusion of free will.
We are but dreams in the mind of some marketing guy, creating pre-Photokina "buzz" for his client.
(which, since it's Leica, ain't necessarily a bad thing. . .)
--Peter, who swore he wasn't going to waste time reading this stuff this morning, but oops, I did it again.
I have so much more to reveal but I wont steal all the thunder from Leica :)
I have so much more to reveal but I wont steal all the thunder from Leica :)
Ok... everything was good till this statement. That's just wrong. :(
I have so much more to reveal but I wont steal all the thunder from Leica :)
Come on Jorge, don't make us beg you ;)
I found those pics on the same French site. Real/fake?
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32444&d=1157667179
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32445&d=1157667205
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32446&d=1157667226
At any rate they look like the original leica " airbrush" style....
Too bad it doesn't look like the M5!
Another piece: back view (1)
Best,
Marc
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32466&d=1157736921
Today, another piece from the M8 back has been revealed. Here it is.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32536&d=1157898698
oops, it has already been posted ... :o
Marc
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