Leica M8

Leica M8 at Photokina

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Leica
• M8
• Photokina

[albaraki]

Leica lenses are awesome, they're thinner than Canon or Nikon's.

I had the chance to try this M8, but as I'm used to Nikon, I found it diffecult to used rangefinder, but by practice, it'll be piece of cake.

Plus Leica has so unique feel and look.

I wish to own one.

[KSS5]

Leica is such a iconic brand, look at the style of the camera, lol I can only imagine what it feels like to hold it in your hands. And depending on how many they even actually sell it definitely is a once in a lifetime camera.

[breakit46]

I post the help below.

For people who do not know how to hold and use a manual focus camera.

Support the camera (M2,3,4,4P,6,7,MP,8,8.2,9,9P) in the palm of your hand and the rest is easy.

It is made to balance effortlessly when you do this.

Just add experience and enjoy.

[breakit46]

Put the lens in your left hand palm with your thumb left of the lens and using the ends of a few fingers to twist the focus barrel.

Looking through the viewfinder watch the split image overlap, squeeze the shutter button to take the picture.

Of course you will need to decide on the exposure settings before you do the above.

[breakit46]

Skill isn't in the auto mode.

Craft is earned.

[MrCOLTSR2]

THESE LEICA CAMERAS ARE SO OLD LOOKING AND UGLY!...real pros never use em!....over rated and overpriced..Get the awesome Leica S2 instead!

[J0KERRRRRRRRR]

millimetaa!

[MegaTmarshall]

I hate digital "faux" photography and I don't care who builds the camera!

[lambdatau118]

@kertong THANKS! I bought the R-d1.  Week one was rough, but quickly became worth the investment. Already love it with a 2.8 Elmarit. About to say bye bye 20D!

[kertong]

@lambdatau118 I bought an epson r-d1 about an year ago. Took me about 2- 3months to get "proficient" enough with the rangefinder focusing to shoot without fumbling and stuttering. Takes me about 0.5-1 seconds to get focus at f/2.8 or above, anything faster, maybe 1.5-2 seconds.

Still, I could have switched back to an SLR because I was missing a lot of action shots, and the SLR was just... easy. It wasn't until the 12-15 month mark that I realized that I just could not go back to a big SLR.

[kertong]

If using a full featured SLR is like driving a ferrari with an F1 paddle/SMG style system, a leica M8/9 (or epson r-d1) is like a traditional clutch and stick.

If I want every last bit of performance and need to do studio work, I'd pick a 5d mk2 in a heartbeat . But for walking around, travelling, and basically shooting with as little "camera" as possible, I'll take the RF.

I also notice that the subjects don't tend to freak out as much - a giant SLR can be a bit intimidating!

[lambdatau118]

I have a Canon, and considering switching. How long does it take to become proficient with a rangefinder?