A bit disappointed

O

olivepress

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My sister called me and asked if I would help her with some photographs. She does missionary work in Brazil and needed some portraits taken of children in the City of Garbage a favela in Vitoria, Brazil. Also there was an opportunity to photograph the abandoned street children in the area.

I thought this would be a great time to test the new M8. It would be small unobtrusive and according to many reports yield terrific files. So I pushed the local dealer to get me a few bodies and a selection of lenses. The project was taking place the end of February into March. After the camera arrived and the lenses were located (thanks to Leica’s help) I gathered a few batteries, cards, and case for the outfit.
As the departure date approached, the reports started coming in about filters being a MUST. As well as the news of camera failures, battery issues started appearing and I was wondering if my choice would stand. (All the other issues I was aware of as one of the bodies I bought had been to Germany for a fix)

I waited patiently for filters. Called all the obvious US East coast and West coast sources hoping to locate the proper ones. No luck! There was no way I was going to go to the colorful Brazil without the proper IR filters for the lenses. The deadline came and went. Instead I packed some other gear and headed off to Brazil. The difference in weight and size and visibility was huge. The project however was, I believe, successful for my sister and I managed to get some personal work done as well. (A sampling of some of the children photographed can be seen at http://www.thingshopedfor.com)

As of today, I still do not have the filters needed. A bit disappointed if only in the fact that I wonder what could have been the results if I had the opportunity to work with the M8s. As they are tools, there are always some tools better suited to the job at hand. Not that others can’t be used- just some are more appropriate.
 
I realize it's after the fact, but did you try Tamarkin? Three weeks ago they had an amazingly large supply of 486s, considering how many people were looking for them.
 
I can sympathyze with your disappointment. However, you may have over-reacted on this filter issue. In the bright-light situations you would most likely have been shooting in your lenses would have been well stopped-down and the issues minimized.

Photography is always about making tradeoffs; aesthetic, mechanical, practical, and others. I would have opted for M8 and prayed for the best. But I know how hard it is to ignore the techno-babble.

Philip
 
been using mine for color and b/w without filters for two months and have been very happy. I do have IR issues but not enough to think the M8 is not worth taking out. if you already had the M8 with all the lenses and accessories, you should have just taken it with you and tried it out.

:)
 
Given the incredible flexibility in post with tools like Apple's Aperture, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom -- and myriad others -- to easily remove the magenta cast in the few shots where it *might* have been problematic, I have to agree that you seem to have let the negative hype get the better of you.

I think you will find that plenty of M8 shooters don't bother with the filters or deal with it in post.

Why didn't you just make a few tests before giving up?

I'm not meaning to sound snarky, seriously, I suppose I just don't get why you gave up "without a fight" so to speak. ????
 
Given you can't just hop over to Brazil any old time, and the lovely color rendition in your photos (thanks for the link), I don't think you over reacted. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Before long the IR filter supply will match the demand.
 
That was the point- Brazil and a one time access. I could not take the chance of any problem. And I would have had to bring the other gear along anyway. So I left it as IF the filters showed up fine, if not I would wait until another opportunity.
I really didn’t give up or quit. Just made what I hoped was a wise choice.
My primary work is in landscape so this was a push for me anyway and i did not want to have any- no matter how remote or slim- concerns with the tools.
Glad you like the images. I usually only photograph at workshops for landscapes- you can see that work at the sister site- http://www.thingsnotseen.com
 
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I guess the real point is that you have got to trust your equipment.

In this case, you seem not to have had enough time to prepare with the M8 and to develop a comfort level (or not). That could have had a serious deliterious on your shooting whilst there in Brasil. It is too bad that you and others went to all the trouble to assemble your kit and then leave it home. Ideally, you would have been able to shoot some tests in various conditions and learn the equipment's limitations and strengths.

I personally find it stimulating and challenging to stray a little from my comfort zone and experiment with new equipment in new situations. But we're all different.

Philip
 
Seriously??

Seriously??

Just saw your link and the photos are great. You should of taken the M8 as the whole filter thing is overblown. 3000+ shots so far on my M8 with no filters. I do not feel the need for any either.
 
Paul, Nice work indeed. Would have been nice to be able to shoot with an inobtrusive rangefinder but you did the right thing. You're not the only one who's decided that at this point he can't depend on the M8. Eventually...
 
rsl said:
Paul, Nice work indeed. Would have been nice to be able to shoot with an inobtrusive rangefinder but you did the right thing. You're not the only one who's decided that at this point he can't depend on the M8. Eventually...
Click to expand...

Russ most people who own this camera, take it out and shoot with it, learn its traits and LOVE the M8, or at least respect it. Just because you did not feel comfortable jumping in the water does not mean the rest of us are not enjoying the swim.

Now hurry up and take that survey and explain why you don't like your M8 Russ :rolleyes:

PS. 4000 exposures and NO filters.
 
Well, whatever camera you used, these pictures are fantastic. Right decision not to bring the Leica. You would have been distracted by the possibility of failure, and possibly the reality of it. Whatever gear you used, I don't think it would have been improved at all by an M8 judging from the results.
 
Rule #1 of pro shooters, NEVER take a piece of equipemnt on a job that is in question. It doesn't matter whether it's one block away or around the world. NEVER test equipment on the job!!! It doesn't amke any difference whether it's film or digital, canon or leica, don't take chances on important work. I learned many years ago the hard way about this.

Learn the equipent like the back of your hand before launching into an assignment. It doesn't sound like you have much experience with digital and the comfort level is low. Learn the system, photoshop and the fine points to insure success.

The M8 is questionable at best and not worth risking your reputation on.

Take it from a pro, don't be stupid and risk a job and family relations. You did the right thing and came away with beautiful images.
 
Philinflash said:
I can sympathyze with your disappointment. However, you may have over-reacted on this filter issue. In the bright-light situations you would most likely have been shooting in your lenses would have been well stopped-down and the issues minimized.

Photography is always about making tradeoffs; aesthetic, mechanical, practical, and others. I would have opted for M8 and prayed for the best. But I know how hard it is to ignore the techno-babble.

Philip
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Philip, I would be interested in your reasoning here. I can't think of a reason why stopping down would reduce the need to shield the sensor from IR in order to ensure uncontaminated rendition of colors.
 
You images look great. I love my M8 but I have to agree with X-ray on this -never test equipment on the job and never take a rig that you are not 100% comfortable with. You will have other opportunities once you are totaly confident in the Leica.

On the subject of IR I made the attached test image.
 

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x-ray said:
Rule #1 of pro shooters, NEVER take a piece of equipemnt on a job that is in question. It doesn't matter whether it's one block away or around the world. NEVER test equipment on the job!!! It doesn't amke any difference whether it's film or digital, canon or leica, don't take chances on important work. I learned many years ago the hard way about this.

Learn the equipent like the back of your hand before launching into an assignment. It doesn't sound like you have much experience with digital and the comfort level is low. Learn the system, photoshop and the fine points to insure success.

The M8 is questionable at best and not worth risking your reputation on.

Take it from a pro, don't be stupid and risk a job and family relations. You did the right thing and came away with beautiful images.
Click to expand...

Philinflash said:
I guess the real point is that you have got to trust your equipment.
Philip
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You are so right about that Phillip.

Paul, I totally get it now, so you can disregard my earlier comment about giving up. (Hey I can admit when I'm wrong!)

Phillip and X-Ray just reminded me of why I would probably have made the same decision you did under those actual circumstances.

And yes, I can see why you'd be a bit disappointed.

Have you had the time to put the M8 through its paces since your return from Brazil?
 
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Paul, those shots damn near make me weep they are so gorgeous. You didn't have any trouble because no one was wearing synthetic black clothes under a tungsten light!
Steve
 
Matthew Runkel said:
Philip, I would be interested in your reasoning here. I can't think of a reason why stopping down would reduce the need to shield the sensor from IR in order to ensure uncontaminated rendition of colors.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that the phenomon occurs only in low-light wide-open conditions.

Philip
 
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