The Leica M8 was the talk of the industry at last month’s Photokina. The comments were universally positive, with accolades from respected and unanticipated sources. Fans and competitors alike welcomed Leica’s entry into the high-end digital camera market. There was general agreement that the Leica M8 would be very beneficial to the photographic metier. I second this assessment. The Leica “booth” or pavilion was a going concern from the shows opening bell to the closing moments. The M system section might have been the magnet, but the sports optics and digital cameras attracted much acclaim. Meeting Leica’s top German and American brass was very reassuring. Apparently, Canada holds a special place at Leica, and we’ll be allocated more that our fair share of M8s. I look forward to accommodating everyone wishing to get an M8 before the end of 2006. I am pleased to host the two-day demo clinic that will feature all new items announced at Photokina. This includes the new Elmarit 28 ASPH, and the new Tri-Elmar. Looking forward to your comments, Photographically yours, Jean Bardaji Leicaboutique.com & Camtec Photo   The Leica booth at Photokina

Extra, Extra, read all about eight...
The new M8 that is...

Have you ever lived the decisive moment and wished you could capture it? Leicaphiles, photographers, cognoscenti, ladies and gentlemen, the era of the new Leica M8 promises to bring that feeling closer to being. It is with great pleasure that I share some details of this new era in Leica photography.

The M8: it’s digital, it’s real, and it’s an M camera through and through. It maintains every important aspect of an M camera: intimacy with the photographer, discretion and, of course, irreproachable quality.

Earlier this week, I had a chance to sit down with Leica USA’s president, Roger Horn and marketing director, Chrstian Erhardt. They introduce Leica’s new lineup - includes the M8- to me. In addition to this revolutionary camera, Leica is introducing a new Tri-elmar: 16, 18, and 21mm F4. It shares a strong lineage with the existing Tri-elmar. The new Tri-elmar is 100% usable on all M cameras.

Also being introduced is a new and very compact Elmarit 28mm ASPH. Thin and razor sharp, it redefines tact and compactness.

People waiting for a true Leica wide-angle finder with bright frame lines will be happy to learn about the universal wide-angle finder. Its coverage includes the range from 16mm to 21mm, and incorporates those beloved bright lines.

Please refer to the newsletter’s bottom section for information and PDF brochures being made available from Leica about the various items the company will be introducing in September at Photokina in Cologne, Germany.

Conversion...? No need. Keep simple and real
You would be doing your photography a disservice if you start down the road of calculating and mentally converting focal lengths of your M lenses to the M8 format.
Regardless of CCD size and angle of view, a 50mm lens is still 50mm. It is a 50 in stamp and more importantly, in character.

We always relied on the bright frame lines in the viewfinder to compose. The M8 is no different. Just install the lens on the body, look through the familiar viewfinder, and compose within the frame lines that appear. These lines are a bit tighter than those appearing in other M cameras, but that should make no difference in the way you see. During my time with the M8, it was outfitted with a Summilux 50mm. I was reassured to see the familiar frame lines of the 50—probably my favorite focal length—inside that viewfinder. People with .72 viewfinder Ms will hardly notice a difference. The M8 has a 0.68 magnification so, the relative distance between the outer edge of the viewfinder and the 50mm bright lines is virtually identical to a 0.72 Leica

I would like to remind my clients and friends to take a look at the pre-owned section. Every now and then there are nice additions, including the Summilux 75mm that I now have.

Estimated Pricing in Canadian $$:
M8 body (available in silver chrome or black): C$5475.00
M8 accessory prices will available soon at the store and on line
M-Tri Elmar 16-18-21 F4: C$3849.00
M-Elmarit 28 F2.8 ASPH: C$1649.00
Universal wide-angle finder: C$875.00

An M8 in hands and in the company of Mr. Roger Horn and Mr. Christian Erhardt.

Looking forward to your comments,

Photographically yours,

Jean Bardaji
Leicaboutique.com & Camtec Photo