M8: Can it be my "workhorse"?

[MartinL]

Below is a link to some M8 photos that I took for my work. For an event like this, I'd usually use SLR and fast zooms. Because my primary role was not photographer, I opted for the more convenient (and more fun) M8.

The on-view pics are selected to highlight the participants and not to show off the camera or my (meager) skills with it. Some necessary overuse of PS and reliance on flash. The photo-taking environment was as difficult as anything I am likely to encounter.

In the future my camera decision will depend on how high are the stakes. The M8 did well enough for in-house sharing and documenting, and it continues to be a pleasure to use. So I'm likely to grab it unless I have to guarantee a "product" for print.


http://www.pbase.com/mnl/accord2007

[Richard Marks]

Originally Posted by MartinL

So I'm likely to grab it unless I have to guarantee a "product" for print.


http://www.pbase.com/mnl/accord2007

Why could you not use an M8 to guarantee a "product for print"? I dont get it! What would you use instead that comes with the guarantee mode switch?



Best wishes


Richard

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

I have to agree with Richard. Why would you spend so much money on a M8 if it's only good enough for "snap-shots", and not "important" images ????

Maybe it's the "Ferrari" logic: if you're not going to use it at a racetrack, then you can only use it to grab your groceries. If your groceries are small enough?

Anyway, I'm confused too.

[nikon_sam]

At an event like this one, those are the kind of pictures one would expect to get...you and the camera did a fine job...don't blame yourself or the camera if at times the subject is sort of....boring....

[35mmdelux]

Martin - why M8 for these kind of give me shots. I don't get it?

[jaapv]

Although the M8 will do fine on this kind of stuff it seems a bit impractical overkill. I personally would have grabbed my Digilux2 for this kind of work - more than adequate resolution and quality, autofocus and zoomlens, much more convenient. Or any kind of consumer DSLR.. I would see the M8 as more of a camera for serious photographic work.

[Richard Marks]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Although the M8 will do fine on this kind of stuff it seems a bit impractical overkill. I personally would have grabbed my Digilux2 for this kind of work - more than adequate resolution and quality, autofocus and zoomlens, much more convenient. Or any kind of consumer DSLR.. I would see the M8 as more of a camera for serious photographic work.

Agreed

If I was going to use my M8 for this I would probably have gone for higher ISO without flash, used my 75 and 50 to get some nice close ups wide open, nicely out of focus background and the 28 for some group shots. Slower shutter speeds to give some movement. Also would have done quite a bit of black and white conversion. This is exactly the sort of bland job that the M8 could inject some serious life into. Its what Leicas excell at. The M8 and leica lenses give you these creative options. For a straight photographic record a P and S might have done you just as proud.

Best wishes

Richard

[MartinL]

Each (or most) of the responses so far prompts a helpful clarification to the question in the subject line. Consider, for argument's sake, two criteria: technical photo quality and the photographer's (namely, me) subjective (personal) experience.

On average, my SLR gear (in my hands) will produce a higher percentage of well focused, well framed shots along with a better chance of capturing more dynamic pics of essentially boring (to everyone but the subjects and their associates) photographs. It's this "on-average" factor that's enough to persuade me to go with the percentages--or the SLR gear----at least for the present----when I must be assured of a printable shot (there are actually some in the link, just a smaller percentage).

But there's also something about the M8 shots that have a character distinct from snapshot or autofocus/zoom/SLR shots, even when high technical quality is sacrificed because of environment conditions or photographer skills. Possibly this is not readily apparent from the shots that I posted, but I notice it.

In sum, I see the M8 as "in-transition." Over time, I suspect that I will use it more for work and rely less on SLR.

[MartinL]

Originally Posted by jaapv

. . . I would see the M8 as more of a camera for serious photographic work.

An interesting concept, "serious photographic work." I think I agree, but not entirely. My goal would be to inject---to the degree that I am able----serious photography values into work that would otherwise be more mundane. It's a goal, not a guarantee. Since the overall project or intent of my posted photos is not to show off my skills or my camera, I could not select out those that might just as well have been accomplished with a p&s. We often see posted a single rather nice wedding photo selected from, perhaps, hundreds of pics. -----or a "serious" street shot selected from thousands. There are a couple of photos of the great many in my Pbase gallery that may qualify as serious. But, as I say, the point is not to showcase the best---but to compare the formats in my own hands. The M8 comes close and may eventually surpass SLR.

[kuzano]

I have spent the better part of 40 years wondering if the reason I was (am) not a highly compensated professional photographer was because of the equipment I owned. It most definitely is not, in retrospect.

It's not the tool, it's the motivation, the learning curve, and the "Get Out There and Do It".

It's trite and often repeated, and I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times. The key ingredient to good photography is "f8 and be there".

Can the M8 do it? Sure.... will you?

[cmogi10]

I was recently doing a shoot with a DSLR and a couple flashes and was just getting frustrated with the results. I ended up switching to the M8 which I threw in my bag and really enjoyed using it and was blown away with the results.
It really revitalized the M8 for me and I will probably start using it more often for "higher profile" photography.

[pvdhaar]

Originally Posted by MartinL

The M8: Can it be my "workhorse"?

Any camera can be your workhorse, the M8 is no exception.

But if I look at the pictures, this is no M8 question, it's about getting out of your comfort zone.

With a DSLR and a sufficiently long zoom lens you may get away without actually moving around. Set a wide aperture, and everything looks a portrait.

But when you've got no long lenses, the game changes, you're going environmental, and you need to get in sync with that. You've got to walk around, get in closer, establish contact or wait for some interaction and only then shoot..

Oh, and don't shoot everything at f8, but do bend your knees once in a while, so that you don't get these harsh window sills and painting frames sticking out of the sides of people's heads. The 'bending the knees' part is also good for adjusting perspective when shooting someone who sits..

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by MartinL

An interesting concept, "serious photographic work." I think I agree, but not entirely. My goal would be to inject---to the degree that I am able----serious photography values into work that would otherwise be more mundane. It's a goal, not a guarantee. Since the overall project or intent of my posted photos is not to show off my skills or my camera, I could not select out those that might just as well have been accomplished with a p&s. We often see posted a single rather nice wedding photo selected from, perhaps, hundreds of pics. -----or a "serious" street shot selected from thousands. There are a couple of photos of the great many in my Pbase gallery that may qualify as serious. But, as I say, the point is not to showcase the best---but to compare the formats in my own hands. The M8 comes close and may eventually surpass SLR.

Well, to be fair to the OP, Leica themselves promote this type of light use of the M8 by the silly "kids birthday" blurb on their website.

[dacaccia]

why not consider a DSLR combined with Leica-R lenses and "half automatic" adapter where you use your camera like the M8 - but cheaper? And the results are much better than with the usual kit zooms or the lenses coming with an (Amateur-) DSLR. Even if you choose a half-professional body (with exchangeable focusing screen) your costs will be two-thirds lower than buying an M8. - I wouldn't buy a Panasonic solution like Digilux, esp. because of noise at higher ISO.

Cheers,
dacaccia

[Richard Marks]

I do not think Leica have the infrastructure to provide professional service support. My camera took 2 weeks to get from the UK to Germany purely for assessment. It would be difficult to hire a replacement as numbers are generally low. This means that one would need at least 2.

Richard

[Rashomon]

The M8 to me is a toy, not a tool for work; which would be a DSLR. If I'm going to have fun and play around, I bring the Leica. If I'm going for a serious affair, I bring the DSLR. That said, both are important.

[MartinL]

Originally Posted by Rashomon

The M8 to me is a toy, not a tool for work; which would be a DSLR. If I'm going to have fun and play around, I bring the Leica. If I'm going for a serious affair, I bring the DSLR. That said, both are important.

I agree with the toy-like/gadget-like qualities that M8 and RF inspire. It also seems to have some "serious" potential. However, that would depend on the kind of "work" you do.

[dacaccia]

Originally Posted by Rashomon

The M8 to me is a toy, not a tool for work; which would be a DSLR. If I'm going to have fun and play around, I bring the Leica. If I'm going for a serious affair, I bring the DSLR. That said, both are important.

That depends on your photographic subjects.
If you work in a studio, making still portraits, a DSLR is fine. If you try to get a natural portrait, and let the person be as it is, then you as a photograph has to take back yourself being sort of "invisible" - and in this case a Leica M is perfect.
If you photograph landscape you may do well with a DSLR. If you make "street", go out and catch scenes and people yourself being almost "invisible" - then a Leica M is perfect.

Cheers,
dacaccia

[cmogi10]

if it's going to be your workhourse your going to need atleast 2.
*3 months M8'less*

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by Richard Marks

I do not think Leica have the infrastructure to provide professional service support. My camera took 2 weeks to get from the UK to Germany purely for assessment. It would be difficult to hire a replacement as numbers are generally low. This means that one would need at least 2.

Richard

Deal with Solms directly. I sent mine to Germany with Fedex, got an estimate from Leica within two working days. The holdup is the local distributor. My dealer advised me to bypass our local importer. (Which I would have done anyway)