Leica M8

Leica M8[1]
Overview
Type Digital rangefinder camera
Lens
Lens Leica M-mount
Sensor/Medium
Sensor 18 x 27 mm inducing a 1.33 crop factor
Maximum resolution 10.3 effective megapixels (3936 x 2630 pixels)
ASA/ISO range 160 to 2500
Focusing
Focus modes Manual
Exposure/Metering
Exposure modes Manual, aperture priority auto exposure
Exposure metering TTL, center weighted averaging
Flash
Flash Fixed hot shoe
Shutter
Shutter Focal plane, metal curtains, vertical travel
Shutter speed range 8s to 1/8000
Viewfinder
Viewfinder

Reverse Galilean (x0.68) with automatic or manual selection of parallax corrected framelines,

additional color LCD display: 2.5", 230,000 pixels
General
Battery Lithium Ion
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37 mm
Weight 545 g without battery
Made in Germany

The Leica M8 is the first digital camera in the rangefinder M series introduced by Leica Camera AG on 14 September 2006.[2] It uses an APS-H 10.3-megapixel Kodak KAF-10500 CCD image sensor.

As of 15 July 2011, the most recent firmware version is 2.014.

Features

The M8 body is slightly thicker than the classic MP and M7 (approximately ~14% thicker). It is an all-metal body made of a high-strength magnesium alloy. The top and base plates are cut from brass billets, before receiving a black or silver chrome finish.

The M8 supports all existing Leica M-mount lenses, however some older models might not offer all the functions due to mismatching cams. All lenses are multiplied by a 1.33x crop factor, hence a 28mm lens will act approximately like a 35mm when mounted to the M8.[3] Because the sensor lacks an infrared filter, an IR-cut filter in front of the lens is recommended. In addition, Leica chooses to omit the Anti-Alias filter, citing the reason for higher resolution power of the lens. However, the moiré artifacts can occur in scenes with closely spaced geometric patterns, such as fabric or mesh, distant buildings, balcony railings, corrugated roofing etc.[4]

The M8 uses modern metal-blade focal-plane shutter. It can fire flash synchronization at 1/250 second X-sync and has a top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec. The flash system used in the M8 is M-TTL.

The camera uses a 6-bit coding system that identifies the lens in use to the electronics built into M8 body. The code is included on all current Leica lenses. To prevent excessive vignetting due to closer lens mount than in a DSLR and thus higher light rays angle on the sensor periphery, offset micro-lenses are used on the CCD. The 6-bit code on lenses gives information about optic vignetting characteristics, permitting software adjustment.[5] The M8 uses Adobe DNG as its raw data format and the raw converter Capture One LE (included with the camera).

Reception

The Leica M8 suffered from some controversy on its release due to image quality problems reported by some users, especially an extremely high sensitivity to infrared light, which made black colors appear purple. Leica has since released a statement saying that it will send two free special UV/IR screw-on photographic filters to all future M8 purchasers, and upon request for all current M8 users. Users experiencing other image quality problems can apply to return their M8 for repair.[6]

However, this sensitivity to Infrared light has inspired a niche of photographers who use photographic filters that block the visible spectrum of light to do infrared photography.[7]

Upgrade program

Leica announced a perpetual upgrade program on 31 January 2008.[8] To keep a user's M8 up to date with newer releases, owners can send their M8 to Leica for upgrades. The first upgrade offered under this program is an improved shutter designed for quieter operation, at the cost of a slower maximum shutter speed of 1/4000sec. Leica subsequently announced additional upgrades:[9]

Leica M8.2

Leica announced the Leica M8.2 on 15 September 2008.[10] The Leica M8.2 includes all the upgrades offered in the upgrade program, however the black version is coated with black paint (as opposed to the black chrome finish of the standard Leica M8) and black Leica branding dot. An auto S setting producing only JPEGs was added to the shutter speed dial.

Leica also introduced the M8.2 Safari edition package,[11] limited to a production run of 500. The package includes an olive green painted LEICA M8.2, a silver finished LEICA ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH.lens and a matching Billingham camera case.

References

  1. ↑ M8 & M8.2 Technical Data, Leica Camera AG
  2. ↑ "A camera legend goes digital" (Press release). Leica Camera AG. 2006-09-14.
  3. ↑ "The original gone digital: Leica M8".
  4. ↑ "Leica's FAQ".
  5. ↑ "M8 - the digital M". Leica.
  6. ↑ "Leica announce fixes for M8". Digital Photography Review.
  7. ↑ http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/12/15/inspired-by-a-faulty-sensor-ir-photography-and-the-leica-m8-by-konstantinos-besios/
  8. ↑ "FAQ Leica M8 Upgrade Concept" (PDF). Leica Camera AG.
  9. ↑ "M8 Upgrade Service". Leica Camera AG.
  10. ↑ "Leica announces M8.2 rangefinder update". Digital Photography Review.
  11. ↑ "M8.2 Safari edition". Leica Camera AG.
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