Conventional internet wisdom states that the Leica M8 is a better camera than the M9 for B&W file conversion — True or False?

The answer:  True… but barely.

My old B&W conversions with the M8 were more pleasing than the ones I subsequently obtained with my M9/M-E, but now I realize that the less pleasing M9/M-E conversions were mostly secondary to my use of Silver Efex Pro.  Lately I’ve been doing straight de-saturation of my M9/M-E files, and they look more natural and almost as good as my M8 files.  The M8 still wins because of its greater IR sensitivity — this allows for slightly better B&W output.

For all practical purposes, however, the M8 and M9 sensors behave almost identically (for both B&W and colour).  This shouldn’t be too surprising, given how the sensor in the latter evolved from the former.

Which makes me want to re-state something I’ve been saying for years:  the M8 was the most under-appreciated and underestimated digital camera ever.

If there’s anyone from the original Kodak KAF-10500 (APS-H 10.3-megapixel) CCD sensor development team reading this, I sincerely thank you for your fine work.

—Peter.

[Upcoming Insight:  Film vs. Digital].

1. The 35mm format is the ideal format for recording Life’s Little Moments.
2. Rangefinders are the ideal camera platform for recording Life’s Little Moments.
3. Photography is the art of exclusion (painting is the art of inclusion).
4. Newer generation lenses perform better optically than old classics.
5. Buy the gear you really want.  Do that once.
6. The bond between you and your camera is more important than what the spec sheet suggests.
7. When it comes to cameras and lenses, less is more.
8. Internet photography fora, beyond the first year of participation, are generally a waste of time.
9. You only get better with practice.
10. CCD rules; Film rules CCD…  both are dying.
11. Use prime lenses.  They lead to better photographs.
12. Robert Capa was correct: “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.“
13. To increase your chances of success, shoot in Manual mode.
14. Focus with manual lenses.  This too will increase your chances of success.
15. The Rule of Thirds is a pretty good rule.
16. One good idea is better than 100 frames per second.
17. Have a healthy respect for those making a living via photography.  It’s difficult to do.
18. Record video of your loved ones as well… you’ll regret it if you don’t.
19. Photography is the most democratic form of art… all of us are capable of creating a masterpiece.
20. Never bet against Leica.

—Peter.