Yes I did it! I sold my Chrome M8 and bought a new black paint Leica M8.2. I always wanted a black paint version after owning a black paint LEICA MP a few years ago, and I can now say without a doubt in my mind that this is the most beautiful digital camera ever created. PERIOD. The M8.2 has been out for a while now, but since I do not get free cameras sent to me, it took me a while to get one and I am just now writing about it.
So, does a sexy black paint paint job and a few improvements make this M8.2 better than a normal black M8? Well, in some ways yes, and in some ways NO! Since I have already reviewed the M8, this review will be more like a breakdown of the new features as mostly everything that pertained to the M8 is exactly the same with this M8.2.
So, to find out why this crazy expensive camera is insanely loved by so many photographers, click here to read my review of the original M8. As I have stated in that review, using a Leica M is an emotional experience. One that you just do not get with a DSLR like a Canon 5D or Nikon D90, etc.
MY M8 REVIEW FOLLOW UP
After a few months of shooting a Leica M, you will have a hard time going back to the big, bulky, fat, cheap feeling DSLR’s with their beeps and blips and confusing menus. Yea, a DSLR is WAYYYYY more versatile, and yea, a nice DSLR can be had for under $1200 BUT I am telling you this right now:
If you want to improve your photography buy an M8 or M8.2. If the cost is too high, try a used film M6. If you only want digital, find a used or refurbished M8 which is much less than a new M8 or M8.2. The M8/M8.2 makes you think more about the images you take and because you take your time, your creativity tends to come out more while using an M camera.
If you are obsessed with photography and it is a passion for you, buy an M8 or M8.2 and you will get an enjoyment from it like no other camera. Now, again, this is MY opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Everyone in this world has an opinion, and these are just mine but I have never enjoyed ANY other camera like I have enjoyed my M8 and now M8.2.
If you want a solid, great feeling and looking camera that feels like it will last a lifetime, buy a Leica M6, M7, MP or M8. Yes, these Leicas are built EXTREMELY well and there is a reason why the cost is so high. These are put together by hand in Germany and are not mass produced like a Nikon or Canon. The M8 and M8.2 are extremely well built cameras.
If you want the best lenses in the world to choose from, buy a M camera. This could be an M8, M7, M6, MP, M3 or even a Voigtlander Bessa or Zeiss Ikon. All take and use the fabulous Leica M glass.
As you can tell, I am crazy passionate about my Leica M8.2. I bought my first M8 the week they were released almost 3 years ago and have loved it ever since. Sure, I have strayed and sold off my first two bodies but after getting frustrated with a slew of DSLR’s I came back to the M. It feels so good to once again shoot with a camera I truly love. The M8 is what inspired me to create this web site and in three months of running it I have heard from at least 12 of you who have purchased an M8 after reading my review, so that is soooo cool to hear!
But, for the money you would think the M8/M8.2 would be a “perfect” digital camera. Well, it is NOT (there is no such thing as a perfect digital camera). It has its issues like a sensor that gets a bit noisy at ISO 1250 and up - In these days of ISO 12,800, this little Leica does its best from ISO 160-640, and struggles at 2500. Until a new Full Frame M9 with better high ISO comes along then we have to learn to use the M8 within its limitations.
With that said, I managed to get some GREAT concert shots using 1250 and really had no issues. Many will say “do not shoot the M8 above ISO 640” but I disagree. If properly exposed, or shooting RAW (which you should ALWAYS do) ISO 1250 is acceptable. Here are some recent examples of ISO 1250 and 2500 on an M8/M8.2.
M8/50 LUX/ISO 1250/SHOT IN RAW AND PROCESSED IN ACR
M8.2 - ISO 2500 IN LOW LIGHT - 35 LUX AT 1.4
ISO 2500 100% CROP - THE M8/M8.2 STILL HOLDS THE DETAIL
As you can see, I have even been experimenting with 2500 on the M8.2 and was surprised at the results. Its really not that bad if you get the exposure right and the M8/M8.2 sensor holds the detail even at ISO 2500.
Another hang up that many people have with the M8/M8.2 is that it is not Auto Focus. With nearly ALL cameras these days being AUTO everything, the M8/M8.2 is more of a classic image taking machine. You must use your eyes and mind and this is why so many of us like it. Those new to rangefinder photography may need a few days to get used to the way it focuses.
I now prefer manual focus as I never have an out of focus shot. Even with fancy DSLR’s I would get many shots that were off as the camera missed focus. When you focus yourself, with your own eye, then you know what your results will be. You will have a sense of accomplishment when you get a great shot with the M8 as that shot will have been caught with more care and thought. With a DSLR, many tend to just aim and fire away. Slowing things down does wonders for your creativity.
When I opened my new M8.2 it was so nice and shiny. The black paint is so sexy and the black dot is the icing on the cake. I felt like I was 8 years old and Santa Clause just came to my house and left me the present I asked for all year. Yes, I am a 39 year old kid :)
There it was, the camera I have been lusting after for 3 months was now in my hands and even though it cost me $2k more than I sold my M8 for, I was hoping I would not regret the purchase/upgrade. One thing I did notice is that the black paint does attract fingerprints and smudges more than I remembered, but a quick wipe down and it was back to looking new.
BUT I DID HAVE ONE ISSUE WITH THE NEW M8.2!
When testing this M8.2 I snapped some frames at ISO 1250 and 2500 in low light and I saw a vertical line through my images. After a quick search on google I found that some M8’s have had this problem, and it kind of bugs me to see it in the M8.2.
Leica sells this camera for $6000 and it is kind of a bummer to see bodies with this line issue get past QC. BUT, I have to say that this is not an issue with ALL M8’s or M8.2’s. Upon noticing the line I contacted my AWESOME dealer and he sent me a new M8.2 for Sunday delivery and told me to ship this one back when I get the new one. For Leica gear, this guy is the absolute BEST dealer I have come across so if you are looking to buy Leica, send me an e-mail and I will hook you up with him!
I hope the new one is OK as I do shoot quite a bit at 1250 ISO. Also, the line only appeared in certain lighting so I have not figured it out 100% yet.
100% CROP
Others who have had this line problem have said that it gets worse over time so this is why I asked my dealer for an exchange. Something at this price level should not have a flaw like this out of the box. My previous M8 did NOT have this line issue so I am confident the new M8.2 that I will receive tomorrow will be fine and am keeping my fingers crossed! Out of four M8’s this is the first time I ever had an issue with one.
UPDATE: I received the replacement M8.2 and am happy to say there are no problems or issues with it. The “vertical line” issue is not present in my new body and ISO 1250 looks great so this was just an isolated incident.
So that is about it for the new M8.2 features. I did not do a full review as it would of been a repeat of my M8 review as they have the same sensor and have the same image quality. Leica just updated a few things to make the user experience that much better, and I applaud them for it.
I see people complain about the price of the M8 but until you own and shoot one you really can not understand just how good of a camera it really is. For a 3 year old sensor it still is ahead of many others in detail, shadow detail and color. I adore my M8, and now my M8.2 will be my constant companion on my daily drives, adventures and assignments.
If you have been on the fence about an M8, a great starter set for those with a limited budget would be a refurbished M8 and a 35 Summarit or used 35 Summicron lens. This would make a nice small package with great quality and it would be less than half the price of an M8.2 and a 35 Summicron lens. If you do not know where to get them send me an e-mail and I can refer you to a a couple of dealers that sell these. B&H sells the M8 and M8.2 new with full USA warranty, so click here to check it out there. Amazon also sells it.
For those with an M8 who have been thinking of the M8.2 then you have to ask yourself if the new features are worth it. To me, they were and I can not wait to get more shooting done with my M8.2. I have some cool stuff to shoot coming up in June and July and am looking forward to it! Until then, here are some pics from the M8.2 from the past few days.
I also just posted my full Leica 35 Summilux ASPH review, so be sure and check it out! Also coming up will be a slew of new Leica lens reviews and possibly a few new Point and Shoot reviews. To see more pics from the M8 and M8.2 click here to open my M8 gallery in a new window!
Also, I am now on facebook so feel free to check it out!
I THANK YOU!!
I thank you for reading my review and hope you enjoyed it. Running this site costs me money, but my passion for for photography and gear has led me to create and share all of this info with fellow camera nuts. I work 7-10 hours a day on this site as it consists of a lot more than writing these pages. When I am not writing I am shooting with the lenses and cameras I write about, then going through the images and preparing them for the site. If you enjoy the site and find it useful then you can help me to continue bringing these reviews and write ups! How? Just click here to find out. Thanks!
THE LEICA M8.2 REVIEW & FOLLOW UP ON MY M8 REVIEW
Monday, May 25, 2009
SO IS THE M8.2 REALLY AN IMPROVED M8?
Well, is it? As I sat there opening the shiny silver box I looked over at my silver M8 with a touch of sadness. That camera has been kind to me for the last three months, but seriously, this was my one and only chance to upgrade so I had to do it. After unpacking it and putting in a charged battery I took a test shot and was amazed at what I heard and what I did NOT feel. Below is a list of my pro’s and con’s of the M8.2’s new features.
NEW SHUTTER - PRO+ - With my M8, I would fire a shot and it was pretty loud. I also FELT it every time I pressed the shutter. The M8.2 is so quiet and silky smooth it was like a whole new camera. With this vibration free shutter I am able to handhold at slower shutter speeds as well, so this is a big plus. Also, this camera has the discreet mode which is also now available for the M8 in the latest firmware update. Is it worth an extra $2k? Well, that depends on how important a quiet shutter is to you. So far, to me, no. This feature alone is not worth the extra $2,000.
NEW CHARGER - PRO - The next thing I noticed was the super small, all new battery charger. Its MUCH smaller than the old one, and has a cord that attaches to plug in. I do wish they would of made it like the old charger but smaller. I am not a fan of having to keep a cord stuffed in my bag, and prefer the type that just plug directly into the wall. Still, makes you wonder why the original charger was so HUGE! This one is small, and the battery slides in with a “click”. It also charges a bit faster so that is nice.
S MODE - PRO- - After shooting a few frames and looking over the camera, I noticed the S mode that replaced the 1/8000th shutter speed. The camera comes with a “Snapshot” mode pocket guide. Snapshot or “S” mode is for those who want to operate the M8.2 without having to mess with anything other than focus. In “S” mode, the camera will recommend the Aperture and set shutter speed. It will also tell you where to set the focus. The menu is also dumbed down. Me, I personally think this was a bad move. I really do not know of ANYONE who would use this mode, and even for newbies I feel using A mode is easier. S mode seems kind of like a gimmick to me. I tried it out to see what it was about but that lasted 5 seconds. Still, I can not knock it as I am sure there may be some out there who find it helpful.
NEW SAPPHIRE LCD - PRO - The new Sapphire glass LCD. Un-scratch-able they say. Only a diamond can scratch it, so I am safe as I have NO diamonds to test it with! My wife has a diamond so I wonder if she wore the M8.2 and it grazed her ring, would it scratch? :) Kidding aside, this is a PLUS for me as I no longer have to worry about the LCD getting trashed. I would have preferred to see an all new higher res LCD with the Sapphire glass but I guess that will be in the next digital M. Overall, this is a good thing.
NEW FRAME LINES - PRO+ - The M8 had issues with the frame lines with certain lenses. When I would shoot my 50, what I saw in the VF was not what I saw in the final image most of the time. The M8.2 fixes this problem with its new more accurate and brighter frame lines. This is a big + for me and the 50 is just about spot on now.
LOOKS - PRO - I said it before and I will say it again. This new Black Paint finish with black dot is GORGEOUS. The new VULCANITE covering, to me, is much better than the M8 covering that I never liked BTW. Vulcanite is what they should of used from the get go with the M8. Others may disagree but the vulcanite is better looking and lets me grip the camera better.
So, are all of these new features worth the $2,000 premium over a standard M8? That is a tough question. Here is how I see it...if you own an M8 and LOVE it to death and are truly passionate about photography, AND have the cash to spend on the upgrade, I say GO FOR IT. To me, it was totally worth it as I love the new look, the new feel of the vulcanite, the new shutter, the new charger and even the new frame lines. The Sapphire glass is just icing on the cake. While I do miss 1/8000th of a second, it was not a deal breaker for me and from what I understand will make the new shutter more reliable.
I will be a Leica M shooter for life as long as they stick around. So to me, I do not regret the upgrade for one second and I know my silver M8 went to a good home so I am happy. To me, it was the new quiet, vibration free shutter that did it. Once I heard and felt it I was sold.
