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Last Friday, Leica finally introduced it’s digital version of the Leica M rangefinder camera, the Leica M8, newest in the line-up after the Leica M7 and MP. Whether or not this camera will produce an image with the qualities that have made the Leica M famous isn’t really clear yet from what I have found in the few reviews out there and in the forums. The build quality sounds like it’s top-notch. It accepts the same M lenses (you’ll need to apply a factor of 1.33, a 35mm lense will be a 46mm lense on the M8). The Kodak CCD sensor (KODAK KAF-10500) was developed especially for the M8. From Kodak’s press release,

“With a resolution of over 10 million pixels, the KAF-10500 continues Kodak’s legacy of offering high performance imaging devices that leverage Kodak’s Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) technology for low noise, high sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. Utilizing a 6.8µm pixel architecture, the sensor uses an optimized microlens configuration to maximize center to corner uniformity for improved image quality, particularly important for the broad incident light angles associated with M series lenses. The sensor also includes anti-blooming protection to prevent against image corruption during high light level conditions.”

For a hands-on reviews, see:

• The Leica M8 review over at Dpreview
• Erwin Putts’ review
• Short review at Tom Abrahamsson (scroll to middle of page)
• Recording of M7 shutter then M8 from dpreview.com
• Excerpt from Reid Reviews M8 review at luminous landscape

The M8 discussions over at rangefinderforum.com have been covering all sorts of issues. It’s the looks to be the place to go if you’ve got any questions.