Leica M8 - Digital Rangefinder.

Well I had procrastinated long enough! I finally swapped my Canon DSLR kit (too heavy and bulky to carry so started leaving it in favour of compacts) and my analogue Leica (kept the 3 lenses though) for a new Leica M8.
The lenses I have are not 6 bit coded but they work perfectly so far and using a Leica "M" again allows me to see potential intrusions into the frame as well as have a beautiful clear image no matter how dark the surroundings - a nostalgic journey back in time to my PJ days.
The images it produces are amazing and so far require very little if any work on them.

Cirencester and Local area.
Cold and sunny Autumn day today so had to take some pictures using 50mm.
























Another trip out today with this camera, I need to use it more as it is a joy and makes me think more about subject matter, composition & use of light - the principles!
























Picked up the Leica again today and found that regained pleasure of a precision made instrument.












This gentleman was attending a 40's memorial day and as can be seen, he had so much character in his face and dress that he just had to be photographed - glad I did.



Just some images taken recently and before the leaves finally all fell - we are in that time of dramatic skies and moody lighting!

My wife and I have recently completed a short "nostalgic" trip back to where I spent my childhood and early teens, we stayed in Chester an old Roman walled city with canal, river and character - it was great to see it has not changed too much and only for the better, it is now a lot cleaner and safer than it used to be.
Below is a selection of Chester images to try and capture the essence of the city.

These images are of Hawarden, this where I lived as a young child when we moved back from Bolton - we lived with my grandparents and it does hold some happy memories for me - again, the essence of the village has not changed and the main features are still existing.

I was in Avebury recently and wanted to try and get a couple of images that when converted to B&W had a sort etheral feeling, these two below are the end result.






The following images were all taken in Malnesbury, Wilts - it has a fabulous old Abbey and some quirky streets, I captured the majority in B&W as I felt it is more justified.

Below are 4 images that I also took in Malmesbury but left as colour images.

This is our neighbours dog "Dawson" - a real character who sits and watches the world go by!



It was my Father-in-laws 80th and he is very camera shy so I had to capture him when he was not expecting it - Gotcha!!!.........Mother-in-law is in between mid sentence - a rare happening.

Gloucester City Centre street shots.

Painswick - a small Cotswold country village with nice period buildings.

3 random images I took today that appeal to me.

I wanted to try some sunset shots to see how it performs in fading light - I am very happy and the image with the swan in it all came together after waiting patiently!

I have read so many posts from people saying the "M" series are no good for sports - a challenge that I had to meet. Armed with my 90mm (120mm on M8) I headed for the local lakes and captured this series of 4 images.......The brief from instructor - embarrasing start - the expert!

I have been doing a little more people watching since having the M8 - the images below are all taken with the 90mm f2.8 Elmarit (120mm equivalent) except the last one of the 3 eating lunch on the bench, this was very much a grab shot with the 50mm f2 Summicron (66mm equvalent).

I was out yesterday and managed to get this image of swan with signets (my friend had distracted the more belligerant male) - I was lying flat out and close with a 28mm on the camera and a nervous swan in my viewfinder - worth it though!



A couple of images of Rob - this is where he was distracted the male and I was able to get the female with signets - Thanks Rob.



Rob (being an ex pro PJ and Photo technician is always "designing new lens combinations" - this is a Lubitol lens fitted to his pentax with what looks like a car suspension rubber - it takes some incredible images that equate if not surpass those from a lensbaby - good job Rob!



This stunning young lady had just had her hair and makeup done by my wife (Sheunique Vintage in Cirencester - 2 The Waterloo) - I just had to take a photo and once more the 50mm Summicron did it's job.

I have been using the 50mm Summicron at f4 to take some shots of flowers/plants and so far it is doing a great job with good clarity and colours.

After work the other evening I decided to walk around some of the back streets where I live, I came across these vividly painted doors that contrast fiercly with the Cotswold stone of the buildings.

My wife was stood by the garden gate waiting for a friend when I called and got her to turn for this shot - 50mm f2 Summicron - I like the way the background building (about 40ft away and very light Cotswold stone) has blurred out totally.

I went out today in the pouring rain as I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how the M8 performs when the weather is wet and overcast - I ended up having to shoot from under an umbrella but nevertheless, I am very pleased with the results.

The 3 images below were all taken in Bibury, Glos - the row of cottages is the well know "Arlington Row" and lends itself well to timeless images in all weathers. The single cottage is by the row and is "small and compact".

I have never personally ever seen a "Black swan" (signet) so this was a great surprise, taken in the river at Bibury during a very short break in the rain!

The portrait below is of my daughter, I used the 50mm Summicron at f4 but it is so sharp in the "in focus" areas that I had to use a twin layer blur for highlight and shadow to soften it out - it is a great lens for portraits.

Another 50mm f4 shot, this time of my wife in the park - the focus falls off nicely.

Another image with the 50mm to see how it performs at its closest focussing distance - works for me!

All the following images in colour have been taken with the 50mm Summicron, quite a few at f4 to allow the focus to fall off - I am very pleased with the results so far.

I went out today with the intention of taking a few Street shots using both 28mm & 50mm lenses, I have toned the images just to give them a slightly old feel.

This shot was taken with the 28mm (non aspherical) Elmarit, a great performer - he is a proud owner of this V8 Pilot that is in immaculate condition.

This shot was taken with the 90mm f2.8 Elmarit at around f4, I have done nothing to the image other than crop it so about 70% of full image and add a touch of sharpening!

Taken with the 50mm f2 Summicron, a great lens!

The 28mm f2.8 Elmarit, another very good performer!

Another shot with the 28mm.

28mm again (this lens equates to around a 37mm on the M8 - factor of 1.3)

The viewpoint with the 28mm.

This image was taken with the 50mm Summicron at f4, the image is 30% of the full image and stands up well to enlarging.