Leica announces M8 fixes

With the Leica M8, Germany’s most prominent camera maker took its famous M-series into the digital realm. The transition doesn't seem to be a smooth one so far, with some specific issues being reported through sites like Digital Photography Review. These have included banding, the appearance of mirror/ghost images, and high sensitivity to infrared light on lenses from 16 to 35mm, with a noticeable magenta tint on synthetic fabrics.

Leica has already announced an upgrade to address the ghost image issue. All future M8 models will be equipped with this upgrade. Current M8 owners are being asked to register on Leica's website effective December 6, 2006 to receive the free upgrade. Leica had this to say about the infrared issue:

During the development of the LEICA M8, we made important design choices to insure that the camera delivers the quality in images the Leica M System is known for. Keeping the protective glass cover on the sensor as thin as possible on the one hand has the benefit of allowing the full potential of Leica lenses on the LEICA M8 to be utilized with respect to their sharpness and contrast rendition, but it also absorbs less of the infrared light. In everyday photographical use the resulting above-average sensitivity for infrared light may lead to a faulty color rendition, especially in the case of synthetic fabrics which - depending on the ambient light - cannot be rendered fully black but only with a slight magenta offset.

We will offer special screw-on type UV/IR filters for all Leica M lenses. With respect to the Leica M's compact build the combination of a thin absorption filter on the sensor and a screw-on interference filter on the lens represents the best technical solution. It completely eliminates the color offset caused by infrared light. When using lenses from 16 to 35mm, we suggest opting for the 6-bit coded ones, in order to prevent a color offset towards the edges. No disadvantages must be expected for the images when the LEICA M8 is equipped with the latest firmware (from 1.10; available as of early December 2006).

Both fixes are being offered free of charge to current Leica M8 owners, which is a relief, considering the $5,000 price tag for the camera body. The M8 is compatible with all M-series lenses, but doesn't come packaged with any, and no new lenses have been released for the new digital series. The sense of tradition is strongly felt at Leica: the camera still has no auto focus, and has retained its classic look. The new digital body has to compensate for lenses that have remained the same. With the exception of engineers and a handful of professional photographers, the infrared correction issue is a trivial one. Change in only one component, however, still has its risks.