Leica M8 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Leica M8? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Leica makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the M8 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Leica M8 below.
In any case, the M8 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera was officially introduced on September 14th, 2006, which means that, as of today, the camera is 6405 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Leica M9 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Leica's instruction manual for the M8
The camera's instruction manual is 72 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the M8 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Leica M8 manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Leica's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Leica M8 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Leica M8
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your M8 by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Leica M8 is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Leica M8 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the M8.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Leica M8?
The camera has a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor at its core.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Leica M8?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 2500.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Leica M8?
Leica does not publish a shutter rating for the M8. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Leica M8 for flash photography?
The M8's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.
Which battery does the Leica M8 use?
The camera gets its power from the Leica BLI-312 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the M8 stack up against available alternatives? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Leica M8.
Camera Model | Leica M8 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Rangefinder camera | |
Camera Lens | Leica M mount lenses | |
Launch Date | September 2006 | |
Launch Price | USD 5 499 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CCD | |
Sensor Format | APS-H Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 27.0 x 18.0 mm | |
Sensor Area | 486 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 32.4 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.3x | |
Sensor Resolution | 10.4 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 3 936 x 2 630 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 6.84 μm | |
Pixel Density | 2.13 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | no Video | |
ISO Setting | 160 - 2 500 ISO | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 59 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.1 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.3 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 663 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Size | 2.5 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Manual Focus | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 2 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Leica BLI-312 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 550 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 591 g (20.8 oz) |
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