Sun in Splendor

The digital Leica M8 really is tempting, despite the crazy-high price (nearly US$5,000). That is far too much for even a very fine camera. Even taking into account its luxury-item "surplus value," it ought to be priced between US$2,500–US$3,000. I imagine that would be the price, were it not for the strength of the Euro relative to the dollar. But putting the price aside, there is another thing that must make even a brand enthusiast -- or brand loyalist -- to reflect on whether it would be worth the trouble to make the change. The thing is, the Leica M8 's digital sensor turns a wide angle lens into a "normal lens," and a normal lens into a "long lens." To get the wide angle coverage to which I have become accustomed with my Leica M6 + Summilux 35mm ƒ/1.4 lens — and keeping the unique characteristics for which I have used Leica lenses in the first place — I'd have to buy another lens -- a Summicron 28mm ƒ/2 . That would lose a stop in speed, too. ...

Here's how the Leica M8 deals with digital artifacts introduced during low-light exposures — When using higher [ISO] sensitivities — and in particular with dark, even surfaces — a certain amount of noise will become apparent. To reduce this annoying phenomenon, following exposures with slower shutter speeds the LEICA M8 automatically takes a second "black picture" (taken with the shutter closed) . The noise present in this parallel picture is then digitally "subtracted" from the data set for the real picture. This doubling of the "exposure" time can be significant — in particular at longer exposures — and must be considered. During this time the camera should not be switched off. For shutter speeds of 2s or more the message Noise reduction in progress... appears in the monitor. — Leica M8 Manual