Leica M8/M9 in 2017 is not suggestible. Its not only a risky proposition given the sensor rot issue, but also a huge economic liability. Leica recently acknowledged and taken responsibility for the 'rot' in their CCD sensors. Particularly the ones in M9. M8 has a lot of issues and given the high price, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. I feel the M8 was a experiment, a beta version of the M9. They were testing waters with the M8 to put it plainly. Man I love Leicas too, but its hard to justify the price given my meager lifestyle.
Though the sensor rot has been only acknowledged in the M9, I am sure some problems could arise for M8 sensor too as it is also a CCD.
Here are some useful links:
https://en.leica-camera.com/World-of-Leica/Leica-News/Global/2014/Important-Information-Concerning-the-CCD-Sensors
http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2015/06/leica-announces-permanent-fix-for-ccd-sensor-corrosion-on-m9m9-pmmm-e-models/
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141059
As a consolation Leica has not only acknowledged the "rot" issue, but also promised to completely replace the sensors free of charge irrespective of warranties which is a very welcome gesture. But the question is why do these cameras costing thoudands of dollars have issues in the first place?? I have to admit my faith in Leica has been shaken a bit. I am not a Leica hater, on the contrary. How long till some one finds an issue with an M240 or an M10 ?? I am starting to think I am better off without Leica, may be I will be happy with a Nikon D7100 or a D610 or may be even a D3400 (not the D3300 as it has a shuter shock issue under 1/250th) or a D5300, but that blurry esoteric light from the bokeh of a 50 f2 lens from a Leica camera keeps calling me like a siren from under the water. I try to resist. Ironically my not so millionaire economic condition regulates my funkiness.
If your primary aim to to get the "leica look" I suggest you forget the M8 as its too much of a hassle. I love CCD sensors and still hold on to my D200 with my dear life. The D200, D80, D60, D40x all have great 10 megapixel CCD sensors (made by Sony) with excellent true to life color and depth. A nice voigtlander or zeiss or nikkor prime would help you with that "leica man" image (if you want that).
The best part is they are all extremely cheap and can be had for peanuts. Break it ?? no problem, you can get a new one. Stolen? no worries, order a new one on ebay. Image quality wise the M8 doesnt have any particular advantages over the above listed cameras. With a clever use of some cheap flash like a vivitar or yongnuo I am absolutely sure you will get some great images. I cant justify the price of a Leica even if I am a millionaire. Save the money and put it to some other good use. I know you wont like my advice, but trust me, I have been there where you are right now.
Cheers and happy clicking.
Cheers :cool:
8 comments:
Hi
I m thinking about getting a Leica m8 after reading a lot about it and a local classified has it in somewhat within my reach. And now your post makes me think differently, in the sense it makes me think sensibly!
Btw I own a nikon d200 and have chose to keep it!! The ccd is just awesome! I gave up the d300 which I got used in just a couple of months and trusted my d200 to do jobs that my fuji s3 can't! Well, truth ne told the fuji s3 is a giant killer to this day! (So is the s5 pro) that super ccd with killer dynamic range and fuji colour is a thing to behold! The pictures are superb out of the camera specially when paired with one of my f1.4s !
Back to leica m8, I rather buy another lens than a freakin camera.. maybe a sigma 35mm f1.4 for my fuji s3 pro.
Regards
Alwin
Hi
I m thinking about getting a Leica m8 after reading a lot about it and a local classified has it in somewhat within my reach.
STOP RIGHT THERE !
And now your post makes me think differently, in the sense it makes me think sensibly!
Thank God.
Btw I own a nikon d200 and have chose to keep it!!
Wonderful.
The ccd is just awesome!
It sure is. Its a very very special special sensor.
I gave up the d300 which I got used in just a couple of months
Good riddance.
and trusted my d200 to do jobs that my fuji s3 can't!
Great decision .
Well, truth ne told the fuji s3 is a giant killer to this day! (So is the s5 pro) that super ccd with killer dynamic range and fuji colour is a thing to behold!
Completely agree.
The pictures are superb out of the camera specially when paired with one of my f1.4s !
Yes they are.
Back to leica m8, I rather buy another lens than a freakin camera..
Now you are thinking straight. If I have to get a Leica like camera for "artsy" images. Id rather get the Nikon D80, or D60, or D40x or just another D200.
maybe a sigma 35mm f1.4 for my fuji s3 pro.
Fuji s3 is too old, personally I would get any of the D200 or D80 or D60 or D40x with a zeiss zf lens used. I dont know about sigma 35mm but I sure as hell know the sigma 50 1.4 (NOT art) lens is as good as it gets.
I wish you good light and thumbs up for being sensible.
Indeed. The D200 is a great camera! The body, sensor, the images, etc are incomparable specially when paired with a prime lens. :)
Sigma art 35 f1.4 is a great lens.. all the reviews (almost all ;) have been positive about this lens so far.
Fujifilm s3 is not old considering the fact that d200 is from the same era! I have both with me and I have done tests mostly with dynamic range and colour ( fuji is a clear loser in speed... but then the s3 is made for art lovers not speed demons!!) and s3 tops them all. The skin tones from d200 are nice but from the s3 they are heavenly! You see with cameras like d200, s3, minolta dynax 7d, etc its a love it or hate it affair! And people who love them (like u n me) still use them and cherish every moment capturing pictures with these cameras. Cheers
Agree on that one. The D200 is a greatest camera ever made by man. I have a 80-200 2.8 nikkor and this combination I use for most of paid shoots. Even the cheapie 50mm 1.8D resolves 10MP easily and delivers wonderful results. I havent used any art lenses so far, I am sure they are as good as they say. I thought s5 and D200 are from the same generation, S3 was older? no ? Yes I have read great things about the S5, but it still is a bit pricier on ebay. Yes the Minolta 7D is great too. Great colors. Something sony lost in subsequent years.
Yes, the 50 1.8 is good for its money. But it's the cheap plastic and stop down to f4 means the 1.8 is just marketing! By the looks of it you haven't tried the s3! Just get hold of one (beg, borrow, steal) and i bet u my bottom dollar u won't go back!that is, considering u love ccd sensor and older colour output ;)
S5 is good but softer than s3... to get good results u have to pair it with very very good glass; it doesn't forgive cheap shit optics...
I would go for the sigma art prime 35mm f1.4 than 18-35. Cheers
You get what you pay for haha. I have used it at 2.8 for professional shots and the sharpness is wonderful. any 1.8 ir lower is marketing. Decent results in my opinion are only possible after 2.8. No I didnt try the S3. I will try to get one from ebay. I love CCD sensors. I am actually planning get one Zeiss 50 1.4 Planar.
My love for CCD has reached another level.. . after my recent experiences that is!
So in Nov 2017 I saw an advert for Fuji xpro1 in new condition for less than 500chf (or dollars, its the same). I didn't buy serious gear for long hence took the plunge. I got it after reading many reviews and blog and videos and what not...
Fast forward- the images are stunning! Jpegs are the best I've ever seen! Skin tones- well it depends on the film setting, but still overall the best skin I've seen out of a CMOS camera! Needless to say I threw my old s2,s3 in the cupboard and xpro1 was my goto camera for everything! Its fast(compared to s1,s2,s3 ;) ), feature rich, light, and much more! Its an absolute beast when it comes to image quality!
That's until I decided to put it to test with its older brothers -the s series DSLRs. Fast forward again - you can't beat CCD. Period.
The older s series cameras showed great colour, depth(missing from almost all CMOS sensor), stunning skin tones under any condition and much more! The black and whites out of a CCD is simply stunning! I don't care about iso because I don't like to make 'day out of night shots'. And that's apparently the only feature of the cmos- the iso ... That being said the xpro1 is a very capable camera for what it is and i highly recommend it any day. But in the sheer image quality dept. The CCD wins hands down. Cheers
Another biggest thing about CCD is image clarity (not sharpness... That's something different). The image clarity in is higher CCD than cmos, that's in my experience. A 6mp CCD output seems to match something like 16 mp from cmos. To my eyes even if my xpro1is 16mp there is certain muddiness in the picture... Whereas the output from the 3 mp s1 pro is crystal clear and gives an illusion of having much higher resolution! Another CCD miracle! ;)
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