Leica M8 - The ultimate modern retro camera

[Robert Conway]

Today Leica introduced the long anticipated digital M8. It is a direct evolution of the legendary M series of rangefinder cameras, first introduced in 1954. Basically this is the traditional M camera with a CCD chip, where the film normally goes. The lenses for this system are considered the best money can buy for the 135 format.

Leitz (later renamed Leica) invented 35mm photography in 1925 with the introduction of the Leica 1a and dominated photojournalism all the way through the Vietnam War, until the rise of the SLR (Nikon F).

Leicas have been the camera of choice for more photographic legends than probably any other brand. Everyone from Henri Cartier Bresson to Leni Riefenstahl shot with one of these and to this day they continue to be very popular among professionals; even in the face of the digital onslaught. It is safe to say that a very large portion of famous photographs taken between 1925 and the late 60's were shot with a Leica M.

The Leica M is an odd creature. Sort of the equivalent of the ultimate bespoke suit of cameras. One famous photographer once said, "It is the only camera with a soul." There may be something to that, especially if you are a photographer. The first time you pick one up usually results in a curious, yet oddly sensual "ooohhhh..." and then you walk out of the store with it. Poor but happy. I still remember the day I purchased my first one. I innocently picked it up and couldn't put it down. My fascination continues to this day.

Anyhow, Leica continues to make film based cameras, but now offers a digital version of their M camera; the M8.

So, if you want the ultimate retro digital camera, this is it.


It can be see here:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/leicam8/

http://www.leica-camera.com/


Cheers,

RC

 

[Doctor Strange]

Ah, so "The Leica Mystique" finally moves on to the digicam world!

Leicas are wonderful cameras, but most models are insanely overpriced. One of my friends once referred to them as "Cameras for surgeons - who else can afford them?" And it should be noted that the whole rangefinder-carmera approach seems odd to many folks. But for those caught up in that whole "gotta own the best" thing, more power to you.

Me, I prefer a nice Nikon F2. (Not to mention my Olympus OMs and Minox subminiatures.)

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I have a Panasonic with a Leica 12X Optical Zoom; I suppose you could consider that a compromise. It works for me. I bought it for the lense.

 

[Quigley Brown]

I have a Panasonic with a Leica 12X Optical Zoom; I suppose you could consider that a compromise. It works for me. I bought it for the lense.

Sometimes I wonder if the 'Leica' label on other cameras is just a marketing gimmick....hype.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Sometimes I wonder if the 'Leica' label on other cameras is just a marketing gimmick....hype.

They use their lenses. If you want a Leica lense and to keep the price down, that's the way to go.

Personally, I bought the camera (Panasonic) because it had a 12X Optical zoom and no digital zoom. I am no fan of digital zooms. It was just an added bonus that it had a nice lense.

 

[WEEGEE]

$$$

Doctor Strange

Me, I prefer a nice Nikon F2. (Not to mention my Olympus OMs and Minox subminiatures.)

Yes...I do use Nikon DIT for work (newspaper) though still a film fan and love shooting with my Nikon F2as.

Though if the paper decided to buy me the new M8 I am sure it would be fun.

 

[herringbonekid]

i looked on the internet but couldn't find a price. anyone know how much it costs ?

 

[WEEGEE]

ESTIMATE ??? $4500

Price?

Approx €4200 Euro in Europe (eg. see LeicabeiMeister - Germany).

On 15th September Mark Norton did the maths:
€4200 including German VAT makes it about £2950 in the UK including VAT, and about US$4500 + tax.

Until the camera actually hits the stores, make of this what you will.

http://nemeng.com/leica/004f.shtml

 

[herringbonekid]

thanks WEEGEE !

 

[airfrogusmc]

A friend of mine ordered two of them. They told him sometime in Nov. Waiting list I guess. Its the glass that make'm so nice not to forget how quiet they are.

I picked up a Canon EOS 5D last Dec. Love it. Got a 35 1.4L and an 85 1.2L

Sold all my Hasselblads a while back but still have my Canon f-1's. I regret selling the Blads. Which I would have kept one 500CM and the 50mm and 180mm lenses.

 

[airfrogusmc]

It doesn't have a full frame censor interesting. I held out till Canon finally made a "fairly affordable" ($3000) camera the 5D with a full frame censor. I shot allot with wide angle lenses and didn't like the idea my 35mm turned into a 58mm in a camera with 1.66 factor censor. The EOS 1Ds Mark 2 is like $8000. OUCH.

 

[MrBern]

09/09/09 M9

M9

full frame sensor so you can use most leica lenses made sine 1954
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090909leicam9.asp

 

[Michaelshane]

M9=$7000.00 body only.

 

[donCarlos]

Olympus E-P1 is a cheaper option
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusEP1/

Of course it´s not Leica, but it seems to have quite a good price/function/design ratio.

 

[MrBern]

Well the leica M9 is 18 megapixels.
the sensor is 24x36 which is equivalent to a full frame 35mm.
It should be very intriguing to professionals who've already worked with Leica 35mm film camera

The Olympus is a retro homage to the half-frame cameras which were not professional.
Its a 12 MP sensor that is about 18mm x 13.5mm.
Half the size, you get what you pay for in quality.
But of course thats more than enuff if youre just snapshotting.

The M9 is probably better compared to Nikon's D3 which is also fullframe digital and goes for around $5000
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082312nikond3.asp

Canon has pro full frame digital cameras as well
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05082209canoneos5d.asp

 

[Mike K.]

The ultimate modern retro camera???

Try a digital view camera...

(it will only set you back a house mortgage)

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

That first posted camera is sweet. I was fortunate once to touch it - who wants to touch me? lol

I also got a Panasonic with a Leica 12x zoom lens. A tz6
The level of fine sharp detail is superb. Better then most 12mp cameras.
It has almost no barrel distortion. Center sharpness and focusing is excellent,
as is corner sharpness with no chromatic aberration.

Its a cheap camera, but the lens really is better then most others in the price range.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

I'm holding out for this baby...

http://www.adorama.com/HSCF39MSH2K.html

The Hasselblad CF-39 MS Multi-shot 39 Megapixels Digital Camera Back with H2 Camera Body, Viewfinder and 80 mm Lens Kit!

What a nice Christmas gift this would make for me....if you all contribute $1000.00 each.......!!!!

-dixon 'digital' cannon

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Doctor Strange

Yes...I do use Nikon DIT for work (newspaper) though still a film fan and love shooting with my Nikon F2as.

Though if the paper decided to buy me the new M8 I am sure it would be fun.

I've still got my original Nikon F2 though the meter died years ago.
My F4 sits in the closet with half a roll of film still unexposed and undeveloped.

My D80 captured my heart with 10mp and I haven't put it down since I purchased it.

-dixon 'Nikon' cannon

 

[Doctor Strange]

I recently finally took possession of my dad's pair of Nikon F2 Photomics. Although their meters work fine (I had one repaired a few years ago), I put a plain, meterless prism head on one. And the smallest/lightest Nikkor lens I have, the tiny, mega-sharp 45mm 2.8 GN. And the simplest strap I had that would bear the weight. I loaded it with good old Tri-X, and cleaned up a late-40s GE Selenium light meter that seems to work just fine to carry along with it.

I intend to take this fantastic piece of machinery out and shoot some b/w cityscapes around the old Hudson River towns. Since I can't expect to have access to my dad's basement darkroom for too much longer (both my folks are in severely failing health, and we'll probably be selling the house after they're both institutionalized), I need to do this now... But that's fine: it's gonna be a real pleasure to use this old classic!

Sure, it's heavy and manual. Sure, it takes time to develop and print the pictures. If I need instant results, I'll grab one of my kids' digital cameras. This isn't about speed, it's about craft. It's the technology I loved back in the 60s/70s, and there's nothing wrong with it.

Photography didn't kill painting. Digital imaging won't kill film photography. Anyway, not while I can still hold an F2!