Thanks Hans. Yes, I do believe all of the 2nd set was with the ZM 35 f/2 Biogon. I have a non-6 bit coded version and did not use IR filter. I think this lens is actually fine without both. They did come from RAW and I did barely any PP work. I use LR3 and did maybe a little movement between levels and colors. As you are probably aware, the sharpness is amazing on the M8 and 25/35 combo and addt'l sharpening in PP is definitely not needed.
I am going to give the M8 another week or so before deciding on keeping or not. There are a few things which I do not like compared to the ZF line paired with a D700. The size and sharpness is nice but I feel like the D700 pics are much cleaner than the M8 and I like the MFD of the ZF line much better than what you can get with the Leica system. That being said, the ZM 35 is an absolutely wonderful lens. On a side note, I also got the CV 75 and that one I definitely do not like. I will for sure be letting go of that one.
rsolti13 wrote:
I am going to give the M8 another week or so before deciding on keeping or not. There are a few things which I do not like compared to the ZF line paired with a D700. The size and sharpness is nice but I feel like the D700 pics are much cleaner than the M8 .
rsolti13, do you think it is probably a matter of crop sensor? Keep on posting your experience with that M8 because I'm going crazy to get a M8 or M8.2
Thanks for that
Hans
I may be the only newb in this thread but for anyone else who is trying to wrap their head around sharpening - here's a link to LAB sharpening, which hopefully gets it right!
Excellent shots Ryan Love the rendering in #2 and 5. The M8, from your shots does produce excellent results. As you suggested maybe the CV 75 does not combine well.
It is very difficult to compare to a FF. Having both the 5DII and 7D, I find that I am always picking up the 5DII and ZE's, because of the IQ, that I prefer the look of. So much so now, that I have my 7D on ebay, as I am not using it...no point.
As soon as I get M9, back on the steep learning curve, I will post some pics too
Ryan, I think you've got a lot of good shots. I do think the addition of UV/IR filters would help. The greens are definitely off but I also think it might make the other colors pop more. Also, I haven't seen you post any B&W conversions. If you haven't done any, I suggest you do as you'll see one area where the M8 is really good. Otherwise, your images are very sharp with good contrast.
Thanks Charles/Rod. Rod, any tips on converting to B&W with the M8 in Lightroom? That is something I have never been able to grasp. I do have one of the 87C filters on the way which from what I read should help as well.
rsolti13 wrote:
Thanks Charles/Rod. Rod, any tips on converting to B&W with the M8 in Lightroom? That is something I have never been able to grasp. I do have one of the 87C filters on the way which from what I read should help as well.
I'll email you some presets.
Here are some ACR profiles for both the M8 and M9, that you can also try from Chromasoft.
Enter the *.dcp profiles, into your camera raw folder and it will provide another profile that may work better. I am liking the profile for the M9 over that standard that comes with Adobe
Ryan, now that's what I'm talkin about. Excellent conversions! Gives a whole new appreciation for that M8, huh?! 3 and 6 are my faves. Love the tonal range in 6 in particular.
Wow...how different these look on IE6 at work vs Safari at home. Oh well....here are a few more with the 25/35 combo. Can someone else please post some shots.....I can't hold this thread by myself much longer
Hey rsolti, excellent shots I just received my M9 back from recalibration under warranty, and what a difference. Every lens now is tack sharp, so I will post some shots soon
Good to hear....I was about to give up on this thread if it is just me. Where is Paul, psquared, Rod...where are your shots Paul, you started the thread......let's see some shots with that M8
Charles, excellent shots! That Planar seems to handle CA unbelievably well. I am very impressed. Very nice looking lens, excellent contrast....I have one on the way that should be here before the weekend
One note, on the third picture, what is going on on the bottom left corner? Some sort of color shift or something? The image seems very nice and contrasty except that one corner.....
Thanks rsolti. The third shot, on the bottom left is most likely strong red reflection from my left.
Prior to the calibration of the M9, I was not very impressed with the lens, thinking it was not sharp, and I thought the lens may be soft wide open. After seeing the test results from the testing center, I am now confident it is an excellent lens.
charles.K wrote:
Here are some ACR profiles for both the M8 and M9, that you can also try from Chromasoft.
Enter the *.dcp profiles, into your camera raw folder and it will provide another profile that may work better. I am liking the profile for the M9 over that standard that comes with Adobe
maybe I missed an attachment, but I would certainly be interested in the profiles as well!
Keep up the great thread. I've decided to shoot a family party with the x1 rather than the 7d, hope it works out!
because I'm going crazy to get a M8 or M8.2 
Love the rendering in #2 and 5. The M8, from your shots does produce excellent results. As you suggested maybe the CV 75 does not combine well. 
