MP/M7 or M8? Will the M8 have the Leica look?

snaggs · 09-17-2006

Now there is a M8 available, I think there would be many people (like me) who feel that the system has a safe future.

So I'm being tempted back to the fold..

Can anyone tell me.. will the M8 have the Leica look? microcontrast and tonality.. whatever you call it.. ? Otherwise maybe now is a good time to get a MP, and enjoy film with the knowledge I can flip to digital any time.

I've been googling on the net, and are suprised nobody has done a Kodachrome vs DRM test yet (that I can find).. has anyone done a comparison that would give me some idea of what the difference in the look between the two will be?

Daniel.

jaapv · 09-17-2006

The Kodachrome test you ask for is buried somewhere in Guy Manusco's DMR Bible. I don't recall the page, but I do remember a phrase used: "Leica has given me my Kodachrome back"

snaggs · 09-18-2006

Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?

Daniel.

Nachkebia · 09-18-2006

Daniel I don`t know how good is deal but its good that you are swaping

AndyPiper · 09-18-2006

Well, there are two different aspects to this:

In terms of microcontrast and the "Leica look" in B&W - based on using my Leica M lenses on an R-D1 (which I didn't even like all that much as a tool) - and borrowed R lenses on a borrowed DMR, I'd say the answer is a resounding YES!

Even if the M8 'only' equals the DMR - it will be just exotically beautiful.

As to Kodachrome specifically, I've found that the Digilux 2 and the DMR and even my Sony R-1 to some extent have "given me my Kodachrome back". Grainless, tight-edged pictures with very neutral color - no pink Velvia clouds, no Provia-blue grays.

Without a doubt digital can do this - and it is easily good enough (even in the 6Mp Epson) to capture and reveal the look of Leica glass, from the old Mandler designs to the newest ASPHs.

Oh - and as to the swap - if it were ME, for that price point, I'd get an M8, plus a used 21 pre-ASPH and 50 'cron (likely about $1800 for both combined). But each of us has to do what we gotta do.

jaapv · 09-18-2006

Good or bad I cannot really judge, as I am not really into used Canon prices, but I would say that photographically, as good as this Canon stuff is -and it is about the best they can offer- the Leica combo is better, and it is the best Leica can offer. What you need to consider is if you want to move to the RF style of shooting -and on film, that is a big switch you are contemplating from a hefty DSLR. I would not hesitate a minute to swap, for me it is a no-brainer- but hey! that's just me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaggs

Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?

Daniel.

snaggs · 09-18-2006

Heh, well.. the reason I'm thinking this.. is I'm SEEM to be getting a back basically what I paid for my gear, and the 5D is sure to have depreciated since I bought it.

I have a Nikon FM3A and 45mm Pancake lens... my Canon has been sitting on the shelf alot, I keep grabbing the Nikon FM3A.. since I

a) still just dont like Canon
b) its big

For colour, I really like shooting Fuji Realla 100 neg.. though I'm just shooting off a fridge full of Kodachrome at the moment incase Kodachrome stop making it...

Daniel.

PS. I had a old M6 with a mis-calibrated rangefinder and a 35mm lux (the flare monster), and got rid of it.. since whilst I liked it.. the results were not as good as my Nikon FM3A.. (just too much flare here in Sunny australia).

Nachkebia · 09-18-2006

You should definetly switch... if you like FM you will love leica (rangefinder) indeed!

jaapv · 09-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nachkebia

You should definetly switch... if you like FM you will love leica (rangefinder) indeed!

Second that!

rxmd · 09-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaggs

Ok, I can swap my 5D, 35L, 135L, 24-TSE for a new Leica MP, 35mm Summi-ASPH and 90mm f/2 APO.

Is this a good deal?

I guess someone has to be the dissenting voice here, but no, it isn't necessarily. It depends on if you actually use your equipment. For example I don't know if you actually use your TSE lens, but if you do, you won't get anything even remotely like that with a rangefinder.

It's like swapping your truck for a Lotus. It's great fun to drive, until you start hauling things around.

Philipp

snaggs · 09-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxmd

I guess someone has to be the dissenting voice here, but no, it isn't necessarily. It depends on if you actually use your equipment. For example I don't know if you actually use your TSE lens, but if you do, you won't get anything even remotely like that with a rangefinder.

It's like swapping your truck for a Lotus. It's great fun to drive, until you start hauling things around.

Philipp

Nah, havn't really been using my 24mm TS-E for some reason.. I've been mostly just taking photo's of friends and family... havn't had the time to travel to decent locations for the 24mm.

Daniel.

telenous · 09-18-2006

Quote:

You should definetly switch... if you like FM you will love leica (rangefinder) indeed!

Quote:

Second that!

Hey, let me third what my friends Vladimir and Jaap say. I use both M's and the FM3A. Perhaps 'use' is not exactly the right word when it comes to the FM3A. It is a wonderfully built camera and it comes as close to a rangefinder as an SLR possibly can (quiet, smallish, mechanical, sturdy) but I just don't take pleasure out of using it. Don't know why. I just keep it for decent fill-flash photography, macro, tele (of course I don't do any of that nor do I care for).

As to your question: I expect the M8 to give the 'Leica look' (by which I understand unforced candids and/or low light mood captured by exceptional optics). The low light capability is certainly going to be there. This is probably the one most important reason that rangefinder photos have a great mood where SLR's fail. Street photography will also be easier (because of size/stealth) than any SLR can do. And there's not a reason to doubt that colours will be great. The only thing you need ask yourself is whether you want your images to have a film look. You know - film grain. Because that's one thing the M8 will not do and it would be unfair to expect it to. So, here's the rub: to cross or not to cross the Rubicon? Assuming that the funds are available, buy an M8 or an MP? Somehow 'both' sounds also like an answer.

Yes, problem.

Nachkebia · 09-18-2006

Same here infact, Since I bought my ZI my FM3a is in the rest room

strangly I have serious focusing problems with FM3a, I love focusing with rangefinder though

snaggs · 09-18-2006

Both.. well, that is what I was thinking of doing.. using the MP, building up some glass.. and wait a few years for M9 or whatever the next refresh is.

Now I know digital is there.. I don't feel in such a hurry.

Daniel.

ywenz · 09-18-2006

Given the image processing that can be done with DSPs, I don't know why Leica couldn't put a database of some popular film stock "settings" into the DSP so the user can get "somewhat" of different looks in-camera.

Nachkebia · 09-18-2006

ywenz : fuji did that with S3 (velvia and provia setting) and they were not able to simmulate it, how you want leica to simulate kodak tri-x?

Way · 09-18-2006

Another idea is to buy the Zeiss Ikon ( I know I've been preaching this in some other threads, sorry!). A great rangefinder at more than half the price of an MP/M7. You can use the money saved to pay for Leica glass or tuck it away for the M8.