It was 2006 when the M8 was released. Before that, the only digital rangefinder was the EPSON R-D1. At that time, I heard Leica finally releases the M digital camera namely the M8. I'm sure every enthusiast were so excited and wondered what it would be like. While the R-D1 was a playable camera with some gimmicks represented by the analog meters on the top cover and the winding lever for shutter charging, Leica's first M digital, the M8 was completely traditional. Compared to the Leica M cameras that we were familiar with, it looked so blank because of the top cover without the engraving and the winding lever, and also because of the thicker body. The majority of the first M8 users must have been the users/potential users of the R-D1, so they expected the R-D1-like features to the M8. They are the people who can talk about the smoothness of the M3's winding or its whispering shutter sound over an hour. On the other hand, I guess Leica didn't even think about the winding lever because they decided to use the vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Similarly, maybe they didn't even mind the absence of the top cover engraving because it has basically been absent since the M6. As a result, this contrast made the Leica and the follower very different from each other.
The images generated by the M8 was sparkling. Digital cameras had been out of concerns of the professionals who were using 4x5 or 8x10 slide films, but I saw many professionals getting totally absorbed in the M8 as soon as they got it. This period overlaps with the time when digital backs for medium format started to be popular. This means they encountered the M8 while they were exposed to some images generated by lowpass-less sensors. I think they were even having some fun with the unique color shift because of the weak IR cut filter. In fact, since some time ago, the majority of prize-winning photographs have been shot with color negative films. The pictures taken by the M8 have colors like color negative films and this may be one of the reasons the professionals got addicted.
The weak IR cut filter dyes black clothes purple. Because of it, people, especially in the United States, complained and Leica offered every M8 purchasers two UV/IR cut filters free of charge. However, at the same time, there were many users who took advantage of the infrared contamination and shoot infrared and monochrome photography. We have the M9 now and I feel the M8 is even more German than the M9. Maybe their technology wasn't as matured as it is now, or maybe they didn't imagine that many people would start clamoring. Actually, I don't really see people using the UV/IR cut filter all the time very often. Of course, the infrared contamination does happen in a certain condition, but it must have been fine for them unless they were using for their assignments. Speaking of the UV/IR cut filter, it does eliminate the infrared contamination. So, the M8 offers us two ways of using by installing or uninstalling the filter. At least for infrared photography, the M8/M8.2 is much more suitable than the M9 and this makes the M8/M8.2 a precious camera.
In 2008, the M8.2 was released with some minor upgrades. The M8's shutter isn't loud at all and it's quieter than most cameras, the M8.2 came with an even more quieter shutter for those who need quiet operation and now they can choose not to charge the shutter until they release the shutter button they once pressed. I think only Leica can release a product with such an upgrade. They made a change in the point where the bright-line frame coverage becomes the highest and switched the LCD glass to a sapphire glass. Also, it came in black paint rather than black chrome. In short, the M8.2 is a reflection of the M8 users' voices and it's not essentially different from the M8, which is just like the face-lift of automobiles. As of January 5th, 2011, the M8/M8.2 is no longer produced. Again, the M8/M8.2 with the unique color reproduction is becoming very precious even after the M9 with the neutral colors was released. So, if you want the brand new one, get it before your camera shop runs out of stock.
Even though you shoot RAW with the M9 and make various post-adjustments including white balance, you can't realize the picture taken by the M8/M8.2. As I repeat myself, the M8/M8.2 is just like a color negative film, whereas the M9 is like a slide film. The picture above isn't very clear, and with the M9, you need to use an old lens to take such a picture with a stagnant air. The color produced by the M8/M8.2 is a little yellow and green, and the image isn't as clear as slide films. (proceed to the right column)
I don't know if these issues are caused by the weak IR cut filter, but I have an impression that the camera captures the light as it is without making any adjustments. It's best not to have unnecessary things before the sensor because having many things before the sensor will decrease the amount of the original light. This is only my guess as an amateur, but at least I can say this for sure: there is a depiction only available through the M8/M8.2 and it cannot be realized by the M9. (proceed to the lower left)
It's fun to shoot over with the M8/M8.2
With the M9, this shot becomes more contrasty, but with the M8/M8.2 it has a beautiful tonality from mid to the highest light. The M9 has a larger sensor than the M8/M8.2, but the pixel pitch must be the same. So, this tonal difference isn't caused by the difference of sensors. Well, this isn't worth worrying about...
Once you get the M8/M8.2, you can get a dreamy picture that is becoming popular these days. The colors are shallower and a little shifted. Plus, the saturation is lower. We can always control color and contrast in the digital photography, but the M8/M8.2 is just like a film and offers something very special.
One of our photographers is still using the M8 of the first lot. It's simply because he has no problem with it. The same goes for other photographers in my office. The M9 is also a very expensive camera and they could sell the M8 to establish the funds for the M9. But, they didn't because the M8/M8.2 has something unique. If you aren't interested in modern lenses, the M8/M8.2 would be a good choice because the short flange back distance may degrade the picture quality in the corners on a full-size sensor (I know some users don't even mind it, though).
If you have been shooting with films and are interested in digital rangefinder cameras, I recommend the M8/M8.2 as a first step. No to mention, it's much more reasonable than the M9. Honestly speaking, digital cameras are still too expensive in general. I know I said the M9 is reasonable, but I'm just saying the M8 is cheaper in comparison with the M9. You can use the money you save for travel or lenses, and best of all, you can enjoy the world of rangefinder.
I talked about the peculiarity of the M8/M8.2, but it is loveable and I want you to remember that you can get a "normal" picture where the infrared light is weaker.
Human eyes don't capture infrared light, but the sensor does. We don't want something that we don't see on the pictures we take, so the films and the sensors are designed to cut the infrared light. However, maybe, we are seeing what is not there and we just don't notice it.
This reminds me how the MDs' sound data was made. They compress the sound data by cutting the high frequency sound that is almost inaudible to human ears. But, once I listen to the CD, I feel the difference. Maybe, the same sort of thing could go for the M8/M8.2. Anyway, it's truly a wonderful camera. If you know someone who used the M8/M8.2 and then switched to the M9, I'm sure he or she will say to you, "I like the M9, but I like the M8/M8.2, too."
LEICA M8 / M8.2
Low-noise CCD sensor specially optimized for the requirements of the M lens system. Pixels: 10.3 million. Dimensions: 18 mm x 27 mm. Extension factor: 1.33 x. Aspect ratio 3:2. Coverglass thickness 0.5 mm, full suppression of infrared light by additional UV/IR filter. Moiré filter: no, but full exploitation of the lens capabilities by Moiré fringe detection and elimination by digital signal processing.
DNG: 3916 x 2634 pixels (10.31 MP); JPG: 3936 x 2630 pixels (10.35 MP)
SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GByte.
-3 EV to +3 EV
Manual setting from ISO 160/23° to ISO 2500/35°.
LEICA M8.2: additional automatic setting with free choice of ISO range.
0.68 x
In aperture priority mode (A) steplessly adjustable from 32 s down to 1/8000 s (LEICA M8.2: 1/4000 s). With manual setting from 4 s down to 1/8000 s (LEICA M8.2: 1/4000 s) in half steps. B for long exposures of any length.
