.....snip....My problem with LEICA is that the M8 was essentially a beta with major bugs. I used it professionaly a bunch, and frankly the sensor and PCB boards had odd issues. Leica refused to recognize the problems. By the time they told me my M8's issues were normal I had an M9, which was perfect . . . snip
Speaking of DSLR killer, the Sigma Merrils are incredible. Get all three for wide, normal and mild tele for around $3k total!
I'm with you T.
My m8 has some glitches, like freezes with one of the 6 batteries I own. Why this one battery I don't know.
Service blows. My 90 went in for months with back focus, not fixed, back in again, finally fixed.
Though trying to use a 90 on the Leica has a view size of about 6pt helvetica compressed.
Also sometimes the M8 just acts funny, like the menu will come up or not, but I'm use to it and can fix it in seconds.
The only thing I wish is that it would tether, because I love the file with profoto flash and with it had 3 point autofocus to track with a subject.
Regardless it has amazing skin tones.
And the 24mm has a great look for portrait and editorial.
Regardless of iso, I like ccd cameras better than cmos and have decided to buy an M9 a dozen times in the last few months, but want to see what the cmos M file looks like.
If it looks kind of generic like other cmos files I'll buy an M9.
What I would love to see in this order.
The Contax G2 with a little better autofocus, maybe 3 points and a 16 to 18 mp digital sensor
A mamiya 7 with autofocus in a digital format, maybe 645 of slightly smaller
And for Epson to update the RD1x with a full frame 35mm sensor, around 16 mp, autofocus once again three points
I think Epson out leicaed leica in the look of this beautiful camera.
Though I know they are traditionally walk about cameras, I need them to tether, because if they did I would get rid of all my 35mm cameras except the 1dx which I use as much for cut frame video as actual stills.
I know there are a million opinions, but i think there is something kind of special with a rangefinder and I can't explain why but it feels like I'm working something that's natural and I'm making the decisions with.
As good as the new dslrs are they just leave me cold. I can't put my finger on it, but even when I pick them up, they kind of feel like my Iphone, or one of those plastic espresso machines. They work amazingly well, but there just not special and I know that covers a lot of territory.
IMO
BC
P.S. How do you like the Merrills? Can you batch process them and do they tether, do they go to at least 800 to 1000 iso?