Leica M8 - It's arrived!

Beautiful!

I think there may be an old Leica on a top shelf here somewhere - my father used to collect cameras. Definitely worth looking.

Just wondering - why does a digital camera need a physical shutter? Surely the exposure can be more accurately timed electronically?
 
Looks like a nice one too! Often on these camera of that age the vulcanite covering is cracking away in places.
 
I'm pretty sure that that is the Leica IIIf 'red dial', one of the latest III models, and also the best. Worth about £500. The lens looks like a collapsible f1.4 50mm Summilux, worth another grand or so. Very nice.

About 10 years ago, it would have been worth a lot more, but digital photography hit the old film cameras! I saw a Nikon F3 HP with the MD yesterday, for sale at £175. How times have changed.
 
silverJON said:
Just wondering - why does a digital camera need a physical shutter? Surely the exposure can be more accurately timed electronically?
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You have to remember that the whole design ethos behind this camera was to produce a digital M Series camera. For every person demanding that Leica produce one, there were probably ten screaming 'Sacrilege' that Leica would even think about it. Some of the biggest objectors would be collectors who buy purely for investment and never even take the cellophane wrapper off it. How sad is that?

The M Series has been the most prized rangefinder camera in the world for many years, so Leica had to get it right. Realistically, they also had to go this route - they couldn't keep on producing M Series film cameras in the face of dwindling demand due to the digital exodus. So the only concessions to digital interfaces are those that are absolutely necessary while retaining the look, feel, and handling of the original M line. Most people who've handled one, including the nay sayers, agree that it deserves it's title.
 
CT said:
Most people who've handled one, agree that it deserves it's title.
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:agree: if i didnt need 600mm IS lens's etc, I would have a Leica M8 (use my mates when I get chance), and a Mamiya 645AF with Digital Back.
 
am i right in thinking panasonic use leica lens's on all there camera's i know there was one on my old FZ20 and a great lens it was too, although i guess no were near the standard as on a leica camera, nevertheless still the great name, incidentally are leica lens's available with other mounts like nikon or canon, or is that just wishful thinking :D although even if they are i'm sure they would be well out of my price range.
 
wbessada said:
Just came across a nice gallery in zenfolio all taken with an M8. This definitely helps me see what all the fuss is about...

http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/p834013227/
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Oh my gosh... take a look on that site at the image on page 2, 30 of 53, called Mask 13 - what an absolute stunning photograh... what colour.

One of the best I've seen (as an inexperienced noobie tog)

Brilliant, just brilliant.
 
tel48 said:
am i right in thinking panasonic use leica lens's on all there camera's i know there was one on my old FZ20 and a great lens it was too, although i guess no were near the standard as on a leica camera, nevertheless still the great name, incidentally are leica lens's available with other mounts like nikon or canon, or is that just wishful thinking :D although even if they are i'm sure they would be well out of my price range.
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Hi,

Panasonic use Leica 'branded' lenses on their high end Prosumers, and the new SLR L1 (which is also branded Leica, and costs about £500 more:thinking:)

None of the lenses however are made in Germany, and they are a Panasonic design. It's purely a marketing excercise.

Leica L39 screw lenses can be used on a lot of cameras, including Canon and Nikon. An adaptor has to be used, so you would definitely lose AF.

They may be old, the L39 series (though some are still being made), but they are some of the finest lenses ever made by the hand of man.
 
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