Leica M8

In 1954, at Photokina (or 'Foto Kina'), Leica introduced the first M series camera, the M3, the first Leica rangefinder body with a bayonet interchangeable lens mount, it was the beginning of a legendary series of cameras and lenses, the latest of which, the M7 is one of the only 35 mm rangefinder cameras still in production. For over half a century Leica has resisted the temptation to change the essential simple design established with the original M3 (it wasn't until 2002 that an electronically-controlled shutter was introduced allowing aperture priority automatic exposure). With an average 10 years between major upgrades and many of the original M3s still in regular use, the M platform is felt by its legion of fans to be the purest photographic tool available, and a welcome antidote to the mass of plastic feature-laden models that make up the rest of the market. Owning a Leica M camera has always been something people do with their hearts as much as their heads - and some of the 20th century's greatest photographers and most famous images were taken using them. It is no surprise then, that - despite talking about it for at least five years - Leica felt no need to rush into things when they decided it was time to bring the M into the digital age.

Is the Leica M8 Still A Good Choice? By Steve Huff (or, one hour with an old friend, the Leica M8) Hey guys! Still working on my film stuff as I am awaiting a

The launch of theLeica M8has been a rocky road. The initial release of cameras suffered from a number of problems, including bright light streaking and green ghosting. These have been fixed through a factory recall of the first batch of cameras, and all cameras shipped since late December have sorted this out. The firmware in [Read More]

Technical Specifications

Based on the famous analogue M-series cameras, the Leica M8.2 is 10 megapixel digital rangefinder camera aimed firmly at the professional user. The £3900 / $5999 body-only M8.2 is a serious investment, and with Leica announcing its successor this week, the 18 megapixel full-frame M9, you could argue that its days are numbered. We find out if the M8.2 is still worth a look...

Leica M8 review, find out how the M8 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

It's not the tools that capture the images; it's the photographer's vision that does the job. Nonetheless, here I am at the annual hardware orgy that is PMA, where smiling PR people try to put the best possible spin on the organized chaos that is the photo industry.

The Purchase I’m not a range finder guy. In fact for my entire career, other than hold somebody’s point and shoot at a party, I’ve never shot a frame of film or digital with a rangefinder camera. I just didn’t see the point of looking through one window, focusing, then composing with little lines and [Read More]

This may turn out to be academic for just about everyone except those that have bought a Leica M8 or who are thinking of buying one soon. But, for anyone in this category it may well be a viable work-around until such time as Leica is able to provide an appropriative fix. In case you’ve [Read More]

This would appear to be a new golden age for rangefinder users. There are now three major systems (Leica, Voigtländer, and Zeiss) and two minor (Epson and Rollei). All use the same cross-compatible lens mount, for which an extensive and excellent range of lenses is available, and all compete with one another, albeit at different price points. Who could have imagined this even a decade ago?

Leica M8 Digital SLRs user reviews : 4.4 out of 5 - 7 reviews - photographyreview.com

Leica M8

Australia's top photography experts give inspiring ways to improve your photos. Easy to follow advice on everything from buying the right camera gear through to shooting technique, editing, printing and organising your photos. 

The classic rangefinder hits the digital autobahn at 10.3MP. We take a test drive.

Photojournalist Ashley Gilbertson puts the new Leica M8 digital rangefinder to work while on assignment in the world's hottest war zone.