Leica M8 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome) USA
The Leica M8 Interchangeable Lens Rangefinder Digital Camera not only looks like an M model, it faithfully embodies all the advantages of the analog Leica M system to provide sophisticated and creative digital photography. It is the only professional digital camera to use the beneficial rangefinder system, which is discreet, quiet, fast and accurate, and the uncompromising quality criteria of the M system have been applied.
The Leica M8 provides full compatibility with almost all M lenses, and the low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3 million pixels has been specially integrated into the compact lens design, ensuring optimum picture quality. The operation and functionality of the digital M concentrate on what is essential, while useful additional functions provided by digital technology complement the proven M concept. The Leica M8 is a timeless digital camera that is excitingly new and yet comfortingly familiar.
- Uses all Leica M Lenses
- The Leica M lenses are recognized as the best in the world and demonstrate their full capabilities on the Leica M8. The extremely high resolution of all M system lenses since 1954 make them perfect for digital photography. The M8 quite deliberately has no resolution reducing moire filter in front of the sensor to maintain the full performance of the lens.
- Supports M Lenses with 6 Bit-coding
- The Leica M8 uses an optical scanner on the camera's bayonet to identify the 6 bit-coding of the current Leica M lenses. This allows the slight vignetting caused by the system to be compensated, further improving the familiar high image quality. The lens type identified is saved in the EXIF data for the image file and the reflector position on modern flash units is adjusted to the image angle depending on the focal length. Existing M lenses can be retroactively 6 bit-coded by the Leica Customer Service department.
- Modified High Quality Image Sensor
- The Kodak CCD technology used in the Leica M8 provides a high basic speed of ISO 160 extending to a maximum speed setting of ISO 2500, and produces pictures that rival the image quality of film-based Leica M cameras. A moire filter, which optically filters out fine image details, was deliberately omitted to utilize the full resolution of the Leica M lenses. Instead, any moire patterns are eliminated by the camera's signal processor. Because the light towards the edges impinges on the sensor obliquely with Leica M lenses, the thickness of the cover glass has been reduced to just 0.5 mm to prevent unwanted refraction. As a result, the image has uniform brightness right to the edge. To increase the light sensitivity of the CCD sensor, micro lenses are positioned in front of the pixels, and uses a special micro lens structure that is perfectly tailored to the characteristics of the Leica M lenses.
- 10.3 Megapixel Resolution
- The low-noise CCD image sensor has been optimized for the special features of the M lens system and provides an excellent resolution of 10.3 million pixels.
- Full Light Efficiency
- The highest film speed settings of up to ISO 2500 allow much more detailed pictures to be taken than was ever possible with analog films. As a result, the M8 opens up a new chapter in the history of available light photography.
- Durable Design
- The Leica M8 is designed to deliver professional results over many years. The enclosed all-metal body is made of a high-strength magnesium alloy while the top and base plates are cut from solid brass blocks and then given a black or silver chrome finish. The battery and the SD card slot are located under the base plate and provide effective protection from dust and moisture.
- Supports Creative Photography
- The electronically controlled metal blade focal-plane shutter enables shutter speeds of up to 1/8000 second to be achieved. Even in very bright surroundings, the photographer still has total creative freedom thanks to the selective focus feature with open aperture. The high flash synchronization speed of 1/250 second now allows daylight flash photographs to be taken with selective focus.
- Quiet and Discreet
- To make cocking the shutter as close to silent as possible, a rubberized silent friction wheel has been placed in the first winding gear stage. A cam disk is used to transfer the force at a constant torque over the entire path of the cocking arm. As a result, the electric motor cocks the shutter almost soundlessly.
- Optimum RAW Data Conversion
- The professional Capture One LE RAW data converter ensures that the raw data supplied by the CCD sensor and saved in the future-proof Adobe digital negative format (DNG) is processed to yield optimum quality. Leica worked in conjunction with the Danish manufacturer Phase One to create the sophisticated camera profiling and the necessary software modifications. The results of this are quality-optimized algorithms for digital color processing, allowing exceptionally low-noise photography with incredible resolution. The development of even ultra fine tonal value nuances from the 16 bit-image supplied by the CCD sensor is comparable with the image quality provided by film professionally developed in a photographic laboratory. The logical functions for adjusting the quality and the well-structured user interface mean that Capture One LE can be used to achieve outstanding results with consummate ease and speed.
- Simple, Intuitive Operation
- Operation of the digital functions centers on the combined direction pad and dial, which can be used for fast navigation. Pressing the Set key opens the exposure parameter menu on the 2.5" monitor. Here, you can quickly check and adjust the crucial settings (Sensitivity, Exposure compensation, White balance, Data compression and Resolution). There are three blank slots in the memory for profiles, allowing you to retrieve frequently used combinations for specific applications. Pressing the Menu key takes you to the clearly structured system menu, where you can change some of the basic settings that are permanently applied, for example the ECI RGB, Adobe RGB and sRGB color space options. You can also specify whether you want your pictures to appear on the large display immediately to review them, how long they will be displayed for and whether a tonal value histogram appears. A display on the left-hand side of the top plate constantly shows the remaining capacity of the SD card and the lithium-ion battery. This elementary photographic information is thus available at a glance at all times.
- Innovative M-TTL Flash Technology
- The unique feature of the Leica M-TTL flash technology is that a pre-flash for flash metering is fired immediately before the actual exposure. TTL measurement of the light reflected by the surfaces of the subject determines the exact power required from the main flash. The seamless addition of the flash intensity to the available light results in flash photographs that retain the natural lighting mood. The auto slow sync function allows you to use aperture priority mode in conjunction with the flash technology. It ensures that the image background is balanced even if the intensity of the ambient light should change. An appropriate metered amount of fill-in flash is emitted to provide correct exposure. Depending on the photographer's experience or the intended effect, various maximum exposure times can be set for aperture priority. This can be done manually or - when using 6 bit-coded lenses - automatically using the rule of thumb 1/focal length in seconds.
- Sensor Cleaning Function
- The LEICA M8 has a special function for manually cleaning the sensor. When you select the corresponding option in the menu and press the shutter release, the shutter remains open while cleaning is in progress. The low depth of the M camera makes the sensor more easily accessible than on digital reflex cameras, for example.
- Tonal Value Histogram
- As a professional digital camera, the LeicaM8 provides an RGB tonal value histogram. This can be called up at any time to check the exposure of saved pictures and can also be combined with the automatic review function. Another useful feature is the additional marking of overexposed sections of an image - known as the clipping warning. The particular advantage of this is that these two control tools are constantly updated constantly updated when zooming in on the LCD display, allowing the quality of even the finest image details to be assessed. Pressing the Info function key displays all of the photographic settings from the quick menu and additional meta-information saved with the image file - this enables you to completely evaluate a picture as soon as you have taken it.
- Remote Control
- The LEICA M8 is supplied with special software that allows the camera to be controlled remotely for scientific work or in a photographic studio. With Leica Digital Capture the camera can be operated from a computer via a USB connection and the image data can be saved directly onto hard disk. The software can send all settings in the exposure parameter menu, e. g. sensitivity and resolution, to the camera. The camera also has a traditional threaded release button for the use of a cable release.
Go To
| Camera Type | Advanced Interchangeable Lens Rangefinder Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 18mm x 27mm 10.3 Megapixel Low-noise CCD sensor specially tailored to the M lens system |
| Effective Resolution | 10.3 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Adobe RGB, sRGB, ECI RGB |
| Image File Formats |
DNG (Digital Negative Format) JPEG (Fine, Basic) |
| Recorded Resolution |
DNG 10.3MP (3916 x 2634) JPEG |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Leica M bayonet with support for 6 bit-coded lenses |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.33x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | No |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Focus Modes | Manual |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | ISO 160-2500 |
| Shutter Type | Micro-processor controlled metal-blade slotted shutter with vertical movement |
| Shutter Speed | 32 - 1/8000 seconds, Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Not Applicable |
| Exposure Metering | TTL metering heavily center-weighted with preset working aperture (EV 0 to EV 20 Metering range) |
| Exposure Modes | Automatic mode (Auto), Manual exposure |
| White Balance Modes | Automatic, 6 presets, manual white balance, color temperature input from 2,000 K to 13,100 K. |
| Scene Modes | No |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | No |
| Effective Flash Range | Not Applicable |
| External Flash Connection | TTL Hot Shoe |
| External Flash Control | M-TTL Control with metering preflash, and Flash exposure compensation (±3 1/3 EV in 1/3 EV steps) |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/250 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified |
| Burst Capability | 2 fps up to 10 frames |
| Self Timer | 2 seconds or 12 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No |
| Memory & Power | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Memory Cards | Secure Digital (SD) Card | ||||||||||||||||||||
| File Size |
Combined DNG & JPEG file is possible. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (3.7 V; 1900 mAh) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Adapter | No | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Direct Print Capable | No |
| Remote Control |
Standard Cable Release Computer control when tethered to PC |
| Video Output | No |
| System & Software Requirements |
Microsoft Windows XP Apple Macintosh OS X (10.2 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Bright line frame viewfinder/rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation |
| Viewfinder Info | flash status, display of automatically determined exposure time with automatic mode, metered value, warning of exposure compensation, metering range warning, SD card capacity warning. Light balance when setting exposure manually. |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | No |
| LCD Display | 2.5" bright LCD (230,000 pixels) with Brightness control (5 levels) |
| Information Display |
Full info presented on Color LCD Monochrome Top LCD displays images remaining and battery status |
| Language Options | German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese. |
| Playback Options | Single frame, 4 thumbnails, 9 thumbnails, Magnification (up to 4x), RGB tone value histogram, control of sharpness, display of quality parameters selected and display of lens focal length used (with 6 bit-coded lenses) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.2 x 5.5 x 1.5" (80 x 139 x 37mm) without lens |
| Weight | 19.2 oz (545g) without lens and battery |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 4 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Large clear LCD (3)
- Simple controls (3)
- Strong construction (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Art (3)
- Travel (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Quiet
- Small Lag Time
- Strong Construction
- Takes Voigtländer lenses
Cons
- I see none
Best Uses
- Art
- Documentary
- Family and sports
- Travel
Comments about Leica M8 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):
I loved and still love my Leica M3 No.1.000.218 (1961) and my thirty years younger M6 (0.85). Now I have acquired a M8 which I handle more or less in the same way and it takes as good a picture that its predecessors used to do (and still do). I use the M8 with the magnifier 1.25x. My Leica lenses are Summicrons 35, two 50:s, 90 mm and the Hektor 135 mm. To become extra modern at a reasonable cost I have now as
retired since many years also got the Voigtländer Color-Skopar 4/21 and the Nokton 1.4/40 mm. So I am very lucky and very pleased!
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Strong Construction
- Superior A-White Balance
Cons
- Price may turn some away
Best Uses
- Fun
- Landscapes
- Travel
Comments about Leica M8 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):
This is the first Leica M camera that I have ever owned. I presently own the Canon 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III. I bought the Leica M because I have a lingering attraction to rangefinder photography which simply won't go away. While I have not used the Leica M extensively to date, I can make the following observaitons with a high degree of certainty:
*This camera is principally desinged for photographers who want to capture superior images the old fashioned way, with a minimum degree of automation and while actually understanding how the photograph was produced. Accordingly, stop reading this article if you are a techno-shooter or a person who seeks a high degree of automation in photography. You'll simply be wasting your time.
*Auto white balance with the most recent firmware update is far superior to any other digital camera I have used, including the two high-end Canon models referenced above. (By the way, Leica notifies me personally by e-mail whenever a new firmware update becomes available. This is not so with any other camera manufacturer with which I am familiar.)
*Build quality is second to none and perhaps the best in the business.
*The camera is compact, compact, compact and that works for me when the smaller size matters.
*Image quality at 160 ISO easily surpases the image quality of any other digital camera I have used which outputs 10 Million pixels, including the 1D Mark III I own. Noise levels are higher at the higher ISOs as compared to the 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III.
*Leica optics are legendary and their stellar reputation is richly deserved. On the other hand, I find that Zeiss optics perform equally well and in some cases better than the M glass, at a significantly lower price. (I suspect that this may be due to Leica's labor costs, but I don't profess to understand the economics of Leica's business, so I'll defer to those better qualified to make the determination.) A case in point is the Zeiss 25MM F2.8, which is stunningly sharp and produces the highest level of three-dimensionality of any lens I have ever used on either a rangefinder or SLR. In case you haven't noticed just yet, I highly, highly recommend the Zeiss 25MM F2.8 for use with the M8.
To summarize, if you long for real photography, value superior customer service, and have the $$s to acquire the M8 and the better glass to go with it, STOPE READING THIS ARTICLE AND DO IT!
To give further credit where credit is due, I have been a customer of B&H for 20+ years and they have never (and I mean "never") missed a beat.
Congratulations to B&H and its staff.
Pros
- Comfortable Controls
- Quiet
- Small Lag Time
- Strong Construction
- Very easy to handle
Cons
- Exposed LCD
Best Uses
- Art
- Documentary
- Photojournalism
- Travel
Comments about Leica M8 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):
You buy this camera purely for the image quality, which at the moment does not get better in 35mm digital. I use this camera as a pro for posters and magazines, and it is the only sub med format camera to have the sense of space and depth that you get with med format. Files upscale easily. There are lot of negatives (and by the same matter pros) associated with the leica m's, so there is not much point listing them here...But remember you have a camera 1/2 the size of a d3, and weight, capable of MUCH better quality and looking very low key. You will have to learn to focus again though!!
Pros
- Bright LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Art
Comments about Leica M8 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Silver Chrome):
This is a pro choice. Probably the best camera around for a while..
Displaying reviews 1-4
Memory Cards
- Price: $8.99
- GBP 5.67
Batteries & Power
- Price: $129.95
- GBP 81.97
Bags & Cases
Viewfinder Accessories
- Price: $899.95
- GBP 567.69
Screen Protectors
- Price: $7.49
- GBP 4.72
Sensor Cleaning
- Price: $139.95
- Add to cart for lower price
- GBP 88.28
Flash & Accessories
- Price: $349.00
- GBP 220.15
Remote Control
- Price: $26.00
- GBP 16.40
Tripod & Support
- Price: $69.89
- GBP 44.09
Books & Tutorials
- Price: $64.95
- GBP 40.97
What's in the Box
- Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
- Battery Charger with Car Adapter and Plug Adapters (Euro, UK, USA)
- USB Cable
- Carrying Strap with Anti-Slip Guard
- Camera Cover for M Bayonet
- Capture One LE Software CD-ROM
- Leica Digital Capture Software CD-ROM
- Operating Manual
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
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