Leica M8 - My First Impressions...
I'm not going to justify this camera as anything other than a very, very expensive indulgence. For the same money I could buy a modern offering from Canon or Sony that would blow the M8 out of the water in every single department. But that's no the point here. This camera is as much about the process as it is the somewhat sketchy results.
Finding the Perfect Camera
For the last few years, I have been on the hunt for the perfect camera. I have a pretty simple criteria, it must be small, fun to use and produce stunning images! Easy enough then, right?
Watch the video for my thoughts on the Leica M8 in 2024!
Well judging by my purchase history, I have been struggling. That was, until I came across a video from the excellent One Month, Two Cameras (Ali) - a channel seemingly dedicated to the exact struggle of finding the perfect camera.
PLEASE NOTE: I PURCHASED THIS WITH MY OWN MOMEY AND NO PAYMENT OR CONTROL WAS EXCHANGED FOR PUBLISHING THIS UNBIASED REVIEW
Video Source - One Month Two Cameras via YouTube
Ali superbly explains why the Leica M8 is her (almost) perfect camera and it had me hooked. I just had the small task of raising the funds and hunting down a good condition M8. Over the coming weeks, I sold a bunch of cameras that simply were not being used and then trawled the internet for a good condition M8.
Grey days in Birmingham are a challenge for any camera…
Leica M8 making all trees look Autumnal…
Finally, I stumbled across a great condition M8 on MPB - a site dedicated to secondhand camera sales. At £1250, the little Leica was a little more than I'd planned to spend but it seemed to be around the average so I plucked up the courage and pulled the trigger! A few days later, I was in the Leica club and ready to go shoot!
First Impressions...
I was super excited to get the camera out of the box and my first thought when I picked the camera up was 'this thing is heavy!' Not so heavy that it's uncomfortable, far from it but it's definitely got some heft to it! It feels solid and all dials and buttons have a reassuring sturdiness to them.
The body itself is very simple. It has the unmistakable Leica shape. The shut release and shutter speed dial and perfectly located on the top plate. There is a small but very useful LED display on the top for shots remaining and battery life, two delicate subjects that we'll talk more about later.
“The body itself is very simple. It has the unmistakable Leica shape.”
On the rear of the camera, there is a small and underwhelming LCD screen (keep in mind this is a camera from 2006!). Next to the screen is a small d-pad for navigating the menu. On the bottom of the camera is the familiar Leica style plate that must be removed to access the battery and SD card slot.
I quickly grabbed a Canon 50mm lens and an adapter so that it would fit my new Leica and started grabbing shots. The first thing I noticed was the big, bright viewfinder. I'm pretty familiar with using rangefinder cameras these days and this is the best viewfinder I've used by some distance. The frame-lines are clearly visible and accurate. The rangefinder patch itself is bright and contrasty enough to make focussing simple.
I fired shot after shot (mostly of the cat!) and instantly fell in love with the sound of the shutter. It is not discreet! It has a significant clunk to it which more than satisfies my 'digital camera that feels like a film camera' needs. In fact, short of a manual advance lever (and maybe scrapping the LCD screen etc) this camera basically feels like a Leica M6 - one of the most coveted 35mm film cameras out there.
A Rocky Start...
It's safe to say that my first impressions were overwhelmingly positive. I quickly bagged up my new baby and hit the streets. I was keen to see what the real world performance of the camera was and to overcome some of the issues I knew that I was going to have, and they were some biggies!
I knew going into this purchase that there were two main problems that the M8 had. Firstly, there is basically no Infra-red filter on the camera. This helps keep images sharp, and they are! But it also does funny things to the colours. Greens take on a yellowy burnt kind of look and synthetic blacks just come out purple.
This caused such an uproar on release that Leica had to send out IR Cut filters to all new owners to overcome the issue. I thought I could live with it. I very quickly realised I couldn't and a costly filter would need to be purchased. This was an easy fix, the next issue was not so simple to overcome.
This camera, as with many of its age is just not great in low light. I really wanted to be pleasantly surprised and in certain circumstances, I was. But it's safe to say that shooting at anything past dusk can have major limitations. More worryingly, the sensor is prone to some very strange artifacting - more-so in low light. I thought it might be infrequent, but already I was seeing some worrying signs.
The Sensor...
Now is probably as good of a time to talk about this cameras major strength, but also its biggest weakness. The sensor is an ASP-H size CCD sensor from Kodak. What does this mean? It has great colours. In the most simple sensor, the colours out of this camera have a very film like feel that nostalgia junkie like me go crazy for. This comes at a cost though.
That’s a worry from the M8 :(
Apart from low light performance not being great, there is also the small issue of this sensor just doing really strange things with no real indication of when it's going to happen. This makes it very difficult to account for. It seems more prominent in low light conditions but also scenes with difficult contrast. Either way, it is a major flaw.
Low light can be a challenge, but it can work!
It's important to remember that this is a 10-megapixel camera from 2006. Setting expectations is key to building a relationship with this camera. That £1250 price tag does make it a pretty difficult pill to swallow when you are not 100% sure that your image will come out clean or not. As a film shooter, this level of disappointment is something I've learnt to live with.
Getting to grips with it...
With some of the major issues out of the way, it's safe to say this camera is a beauty to use. One of the only potential issues I would note is the camera can be a bit difficult to carry. I have added a wrist strap and have ordered a grip for the camera. For such a costly camera, I thought it best to add something a bit more grippy!
Those colours though…
Talking of additions, the other 'elephant in the room' is lens choice. It won't come as any surprise that Leica glass is just as expensive as the Leica bodies. With that in mind, I wanted a wider field of view than what the Canon 50mm was giving me (with it's 1.33x crop on the ASP-H sensor, this feels more like 66mm). After some research, a happy middle ground of cost and performance was the Voigtlander 28mm Ultron Type II.
I've been really impressed with this little lens and will do a separate review soon. It's important to remember when getting into a system like this, there will always been things you need to add. I'm sure this lens will be the first of many additional items and IR Cut filters to go with any additional new lenses - this could get costly.
Video Source - Mattia Burling via YouTube
Final Thoughts...
I will do a full review in the near future but its pretty safe to say that I am very happy with the Leica M8. I've been really pleased with the files coming out of this camera. The images are sharp with great colours and enough of a vintage feel to them to satisfy my film-shooter tendencies.
The handling of this camera is great. It feels like a film camera and if it had a manual advance (like the Epson RD-1) it would be almost the perfect middle ground between film and digital! If nothing else though, it looks great and certainly turns heads when you're using it in the street - you may want to make sure it is insured!
This camera is not for everyone though. It pays to think of it as a film camera as it involves a lot of manual intervention to get good image out of it. You will definitely need to be present in the photography process and it is not a simple 'set and forget' shooting style. When it hits though, when the light is just right and plays ball, it is fantastic.
I'm not going to justify this camera as anything other than a very, very expensive indulgence. For the same money I could buy a modern offering from Canon or Sony that would blow the M8 out of the water in every single department. But that's no the point here. This camera is as much about the process as it is the somewhat sketchy results.
Obligatory mirror-selfie… Sorry…
All-in-all, I already love this camera! If you have been looking at one to purchase for yourself and you’re on the fence (and can afford it!) Do it! You’ll certainly have a lot of fun with it. It has some major flaws, but if you can look beyond the potential downsides, this is an amazing way into the world of Leica! Be warned, it’s a bad habit to get into though! :)
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
K&F Concept Tripod - The little tripod that can!
I have been in the market for a small, lightweight tripod for some time now and after trying a few different options, nothing seemed to be working for me. So when I received an email completely out of the blue, from K&F Concept asking if i would like to try one of their tripods, I jumped at the chance!
I have been in the market for a small, lightweight tripod for some time now and after trying a few different options, nothing seemed to be working for me. So when I received an email completely out of the blue, from K&F Concept asking if i would like to try one of their tripods, I jumped at the chance!
I’ve long been a fan of K&F Concept as a brand and had used their filters in the past. So I was very excited when the tripod arrived and as with all of their products, it was nicely packaged. I quickly unwrapped it and the first thing that struck me was how light the tripod was, it barely felt like i was holding anything - but more on the specs later!
“If you’re looking for a small, lightweight travel tripod that’s well built and versatille, they really don’t get much better than this”
WHAT’S IN THE BOX…
For a small, budget friendly tripod - K&F very generously provide you with a sleek bag to transport your tripod in, which is a great addition. Another bonus for me was that the tripod includes a ball-head, so no additional costs there and and Arca-Swiss style mounting plate, which matched my setup perfectly so that I could just leave the plate on my camera and use it on any of my tripods.
SIZE & WEIGHT
The tripod is very compact and is comparable to a 1 litre drinks bottle in it’s folded down state. One thing that always puts me off small tripods is that when they are folded down, they sometimes have awkward parts sticking out that can make it difficult to transport them. however, K&F have clearly put a lot of thought into how well it can be transported and I’m pleased to say, it folds down very compact and easy to handle.
Equally, there are no concerns on the weight front. I’m use to carrying a large tripod with a big geared head and it very quickly becomes a chore on long hikes! It was a genuine relief to be able to carry something that is barely noticeable that can be attached easily to the side of a bag or if you have enough space, inside a bag itself!
BUILD QUALITY
One thing that I have found with smaller tripods is that there is always a compromise when it comes to weight vs build quality. However, I’m pleased to say that this thing feels tough! The locking mechanisms all feel solid and the ball-head seems to stay in position with no movement, even at angles where I thought the weight of a camera might cause it a few problems. More importantly, the images that I have captured when using the tripod have all been sharp with no signs of movement of micro-jitters!
One thing to keep in mind is that this is still a small tripod with the main focus being on portability. The legs will flex with heavier cameras and longer lenses but in truth, you really should be using a larger tripod for bigger setups anyway. That said, I’ve still used my Canon Eos-R with 70-200mm EF lens & adapter and the tripod took the weight - I just used a two second timer to allow the camera to ‘settle’ after I pressed the shutter button and still got perfectly sharp images.
However, this tripod (for my use case anyway) is more for use with my analogue cameras when shooting at sunrise/sunset in lower light conditions can be more challenging. For that purpose, this tripod is fantastic and the build quality offers all the stability that I need!
KEY FEATURES
LOAD CAPACITY - 8kg/17.6lbs
MAXIMUM WORKING HEIGHT - 1520mm/59.84”
MINIMUM WORKING HEIGHT - 460mm/18.11”
FOLDED LENGTH - 350mm/13.78“
WEIGHT - 1013g/2.20lbs
MATERIAL - Carbon Fiber
USE CASES…
So by now, you’ve probably got a really good idea of what this tripod is all about. It really is designed to be the perfect travel companion. The light weight, compact nature of the tripod makes it ideal for those who need to be mobile and might not need a tripod on a regular basis - but as we all know, it’s better to have one and not need it, than to not have one at all!
If you are using larger cameras or doing particular technical work, such as architectural photography, you may benefit from something a little sturdier. However, for most use cases, this little tripod can get you through most situations. Even in stronger winds, you have the option to add weight to the tripod via the cleverly thought-out hook system and lowering the centre column will help with the balance of the tripod.
The overall versatility of the tripod makes it an ideal companion for those who aren’t quite sure what conditions they may come across. The leg sections articulate well and the brilliant little ballhead ensures that making quick adjustments to your composition is a breeze! I even think video shooters would see some value in having a lightweight tripod like this in scenarios where larger, fluidhead tripods may slow you down!
CONCLUSION
I’m sure you can probably tell by now, I love this little tripod. I think as long as you are fairly realistic with the weight of the gear you will be putting on it and the kind of conditions you plan to use it in, then this tripod will have you well covered!
From personal experience using this tripod, it has surpassed my original concerns and proved invaluable in many situations. As a film shooter, who needs to rely on a tripod in lot’s of different circumstances, it has been great having a tripod that is both easy to carry and quick to set up/take down.
This excellent option from K&F Concept ticks a lot of boxes and even though there may be sturdier tripods out there, many of them will come with a sacrifice of either size or weight. As a photographer that likes to travel light, setup quickly, grab my shot and then move on - this tripod is the perfect companion and one that many photographers should be checking out!
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Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
My Camera Collection for 2021! Film and Digital!! Have I wasted my Money??
If you’re anything like me, you love cameras! If you have an interest in Photography then you more than likely enjoy looking at and holding cameras, well at least I do… It recently struck me (after finally receiving a couple of my late night eBay purchases in the post!) that I had covered all the major bases with my camera collection so thought it would be fun to share them and to see if you think I’ve got it right, or I should sell up and start again!
WATCH THE VIDEO
If you’re anything like me, you love cameras! If you have an interest in Photography then you more than likely enjoy looking at and holding cameras, well at least I do… It recently struck me (after finally receiving a couple of my late night eBay purchases in the post!) that I had covered all the major bases with my camera collection so thought it would be fun to share them and to see if you think I’ve got it right, or I should sell up and start again!
Now this isn’t a flex, it’s not a ‘look how much stuff I own’ kind of thing. This is the result of years of hard work, saving and sacrificing many other luxuries to buy the ‘tools’ that I use on a regular basis. In fact, I have a very simple criteria when buying it camera, it must do one of the following:
Fill a purpose: Have features and functions that are necessary for me to complete the work that I need to do - basically to be a tool.
Bring me joy: To make me ‘want’ to go out and shoot with it and therefore to further my photography experience.
Film Vs Digital
Around 18 months ago, when the world was a much brighter place and we could leave the house, I decided to start shooting film again. Like many others, the process appealed to me more than the results and what some would consider a waste of money when digital does everything you need it to do, I threw myself back into the format.
In this list you will see that even in that relatively short time, film cameras seem to be dominating my ‘collection’ - I make no apologies for this and in fact, plan to add many more - more on that later. However, it is worth noting that I do see the digital cameras very much as ‘tools’ and the film cameras ‘things of joy’ - almost like the daily driver vs the weekend treat. With that in mind, let’s start with the digital cameras, smallest to largest…
DIGITAL CAMERA COLLECTION
Ricoh GRiii
This little camera is an absolute street photography beast. The tiny form factor allows you to be stealthy in most situations and the virtually silent shooting won’t draw attention. Most importantly for me, it fits easily in a pocket meaning it is really easy to carry it everywhere - and that means more chance of taking photos!
I’ve owned a few of the older generations and always had issues with the lens motors. The build quality of the ‘iii’ seems a lot better but I do worry how it will hold up over time. It really is a great little camera that produces beautiful images and a camera is very easy to fall in love with.
Fuji X100V
One of my more recent purchase, the ‘V’ comes from a great heritage of Fuji’s X-Series cameras and is pretty much the pinnacle of form and function - I mean, it’s great to use, produces stunning images and look at it! It’s a beauty!
Not quite a s pocketable as the Ricoh, it is still easy enough to carry as an everyday camera and as long as you can cope with a fixed focal length, it has all other major functions covered. If I was being picky, I would love in body stabilisation, but I’m not sure what that would do to the form factor. However, it’s an absolute joy to shoot with and I find myself far more likely to reach for this than all of my ‘better’ cameras.
Canon M50
This little Canon is purely here for one thing, vlogging. The small form factor, great autofocus and flippy screen make it perfect for filming yourself when out and about. When pairing it with the right lens, it produces wonderful 1080p video - though I wouldn’t use it for 4k. Canon’s colours always look great and you really don’t need to do much in post to get a good image.
One thing that I feel always get’s overlooked with these cameras are it’s ‘stills’ mode - it takes pretty decent images. I have been in many situations where I wanted to grab a quick shot and have been perfectly fine with using the ‘vlogging’ camera, rather than unpacking my camera just to get to the ‘big boy’.
Canon Eos RP
Like the M50 - the RP serves a purpose - this is my ‘studio’ camera or B camera on bigger shoots. The RP is the ‘lite’ version of the Eos R but like most modern mirrorless cameras, is very capable in most situations. The video looks good and as with all Canon’s, it’s so well laid out and easy to use that shooting with it is never a chore.
This particular camera is most often permanently mounted to a tripod so that I can quickly go into video mode and start filming. However, it’s smaller form factor also makes it great for pairing with a gimbal and grabbing some juicy B-roll - though many will overlook it due to it’s mediocre 4k and slow motion features. For what I need, it does the job.
Canon 5D Mkiii
The camera I’ll never sell… I class myself as a photographer first, then a ‘YouTuber’ or whatever you want to call me… And this is the camera that really elevated my photography from a hobby to a career. I moved up from my first camera, a Canon 650D to the full-frame 5D and never looked back.
Even to this day, in the right hands this is a more than capable camera. However, I really wouldn’t see the point in picking a DSLR over mirorrless these days and advances in autofocus etc. have left this big boy feeling a little bit like old technology. However, if for no other reason than sentimental value, it will never leave my collection.
Canon Eos R
And finally, the workhorse. This is the camera I do most of my shooting on and really is the camera that pays the bills. Whereas it was pretty much attacked at launch for Canon’s excessive use of the ‘cripple hammer’ on their first venture into the world of full-frame mirorless, it has served me very well with pretty much no complaints'.
The stills look amazing with decent dynamic range, the video is good (if you’re not shooting 4k) and the 60 fps is enough to get some nice cinematic shots. The autofocus is great and as always, Canon colours steal the show. However, I’m not saying I would upgrade to an R5 (or even dare I say it, a Sony!) - but in these uncertain times, I really don’t ‘need’ to spend an extra £4-5k on a camera for features I’ll rarely use.
More so, for many amateurs/semi-pro’s - this is more than enough camera for your needs. I pretty much couldn’t live without this camera and paired with the 24-70 f2.8 RF lens - it’s everything I need… for now.
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FILM CAMERA COLLECTION
Ricoh GR1
Like it’s digital relative, the biggest selling point of this camera is it’s size, it’s tiny! Barely much taller than a 35mm film canister, this is a truly pocketable little point & shoot! To make it even better, it has pretty decent autofocus and ‘feels’ like you are shooting with a more modern camera than it’s age suggests.
This camera is far from without it’s flaws - mine suffers from the most common issue of a faulty LCD screen - so you are never really sure how many shots you’ve taken. The lens motor always feels like it’s about to pack in and it can be a noisy little thing - so not great in quiet situations - but in everything else - it’s fantastic!
Canon P Rangefinder
This is my most recent film camera purchase so I really haven’t shot with it much - so I can’t say how good it is. However, I sent it off to be CLA’d and can’t wait to get out with it. If nothing else, it’s certainly a looker! As Canon’s crack at a Leics M series, it’s got the look, feel and the heft of a Leica - but will it shoot like one?
My biggest fear with this camera is the manual focusing. I have had the patch cleaned and it seems easy enough to use - but I don’t have the best eyesight and I’m not sure I will be very accurate with it - this is very much a ‘me’ issue and certainly no fault of the camera - but I do hope it doesn’t ruin the experience.
Canon Eos 30
This camera was an absolute bargain at around £30 - and paired with a way more expensive EF 24-105mm lens it’s makes for easy film shooting. It is bulky but it feels every bit a professional film camera with snappy autofocus and plenty of features you won’t find on your vintage 35mm’s!
I think it’s size is it’s only real drawback as it is far from discreet. Most casual passers-by will assume it’s a modern digital camera and it certainly handles like one. This would certainly make a fantastic option for anyone looking to get started with shooting analogue.
Mamiya 645 Pro
My first foray into medium format and this was love at first site. A Japanese import that had been well looked after, it feels like a modern camera and shoots like one too. The large 6x4.5 negatives produce great image quality and I quickly added more lenses, an autowinder and a viewfinder to make the whole experience, well, more enjoyable.
It really is like a baby RZ-67 but without the bulk - it’s not exactly small but if you strip it down to the ‘top down viewfinder’ and remove the autowinder, it’s a more than usable little package. This really is a great place to start with Medium Format photography and is a real pleasure to shoot with.
Fujifilm GSW690III
The beast or as it’s more commonly known, the ‘Texas Leica’ - this thing is huge! However, it’s size is it’s main selling point as it spits out incredible 6x9 negatives that are just packed with detail. The camera itself is a rangefinder which is almost comical to look at when someone is using it, it has a real ‘toy’ camera feel to it.
However, don’t let that fool you, it produces spectacular images. I chose the ‘wide’ version (as I a more of a landscape photographer than anything else) and the lens can produce wonderfully sharp images. It’s not without it’s quirks and shooting long exposures with it is a real faff. However, I absolutely love it and is often the first camera I’ll reach for when I want to go and shoot for fun, rather than necessity.
Intrepid 4X5 MkIV Black Edition
The large format camera. This is probably the one camera I would save in a fire (who am I kidding, I’d be running down the stairs with my arms full of cameras!). I absolutely fell in love with this format the moment I first shot it - the slower process, the technicality of it and the enormous negatives - it really is the most fun camera I have ever shot with.
The camera itself is well made, 3d printed and pretty budget friendly. However, shooting large format is a real challenge and not for the faint hearted, in particular due to the cost of film! That said, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a photographer and one that I am pretty much hooked on! I will most certainly be adding more lenses and possibly a new large format camera to the collection in the future!
MISCELLANIOUS CAMERAS
There are a bunch of other cameras that I own that have either been donated to me or I have picked them up from secondhand shops or eBay. Most of these will never be used or at least, not on a regular basis, but they still bring me pleasure to look at and just to have around. Part of the experience of owning cameras like these is just simply taking pleasure in their aesthetic.
Conclusion
Overall, I am very happy with my collection and feel it covers everything I realistically need and want to shoot. However, I do wake up some days and think ‘I’ll sell the lot and buy a digital medium format set-up’ - But I still think I’d be a bit short of cash so I doubt that will happen anytime soon!
On the other hand, having the versatility of a collection like this is great. Being able to pick a camera that suits the style if shooting that I want to do on any given day is a real privilege and something that I highly recommend other photographers aspire to have.
Ultimately though, this collection will continue to chop and change, some will get sold on and undoubtedly, new cameras will be added. Please leave a comment below and let me know what you would keep, what you’d get rid of and what would be next on your shopping list.
Thanks as always, Ross.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
VIDEO: Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 RF REVIEW - Best 'Bang for Buck' RF Mount Lens???
Recently, I was very fortunate to spend a couple of weeks trying out the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 for the RF mount. I was definitely very impressed by the build quality and the affordability of this lens - but how would it stack up against Canon’s native offerings? Watch the video below to find out!
Recently, I was very fortunate to spend a couple of weeks trying out the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 for the RF mount. I was definitely very impressed by the build quality and the affordability of this lens - but how would it stack up against Canon’s native offerings? Watch the video below to find out!
I provide all of this content for free, so if you’d like to support me, please consider making a small donation ;)
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
Film Photography - Shooting with the Canon EOS 30 & Kodak UltraMax
So recently, I have been shooting more film photography and even though I have had my ventures into Medium Format, I decided to pick up a 35mm film camera. I wanted something that felt familiar, easy to use and could match my current set up. After much research, I stumbled across the Canon EIOS 30 - a film camera with the feel of a modern DSLR.
So recently, I have been shooting more film photography and even though I have had my ventures into Medium Format, I decided to pick up a 35mm film camera. I wanted something that felt familiar, easy to use and could match my current set up. After much research, I stumbled across the Canon EIOS 30 - a film camera with the feel of a modern DSLR.
This video takes a look at my first impressions of the Canon EOS 30 and I combined it with Kodak UltraMax film - would I be happy with the results? Find out below…
REVIEW: Adam Audio T8V Studio Monitors
WATCH THE VIDEO REVIEW BELOW
I long be fan of Adam Audios equipment. The build quality is excellent and more importantly, the sound quality is incredible. So when I was invited to try the T8V’s - a budget friendly monitor with 8” woofer - how could I say no?
Key Features
U-ART 1.9” ribbon tweeter
Polypropylene 8” woofer
HPS waveguide
Rear-firing bass-reflex port
90 watts of RMS power
Amplifier Power U-ART Tweeter: 20 W [RMS]
Amplifier Power Woofer:70 W [RMS]
Frequency response 33Hz – 25kHz
Max. peak SPL at 1 m per pair: 118 dB
Built-in Amplifiers: 2 x Class-D
Crossover Frequency: 2.6 kHz
Analog Inputs: XLR, RCA
Out of the box impressions & Build Quality
Max. peak SPL at 1 m per pair: 118 dBI’m going to cut straight to the point, these are obviously large monitors, measuring H400mm x W250mm x D335mm and weighing in at 9.8kg each - this is obviously all necessary to house that 8’ Polypropylene woofer. However, thanks to Adams beautiful cabinet design, they some how manage not to feel too bulky and are definitely a good looking monitor.
As you would expect from a German manufacturer, the build quality is excellent. Each unit feels solid and well constructed and if they did go for an unadvised tumble - I suspect they would damage what they hit more than be damage themselves, but obviously don’t try this! However, the bevelled front gives you a hint that more thought has gone into these than simply ‘big cabinets’. Inside is where the magic happens and they are design to be acoustically optimised. But if you do have any concerns, Adam also through in a generous five year warranty, so you are well covered.
A strong family heritage…
The T8V is the big brother to it’s predecessors, the T5V & T7V - with the number reflecting the woofer size (so 5”, 7” & 8” respectively) but all sharing the U-ART tweeter and HPS waveguide. The T-Series line-up represent Adam Audios more budget friendly alternatives launching in 2018. The T7V’s and in particular, the T5V’s received fantastic reviews from most that tried them and have been warmly embraced by those who need high-end quality studio monitoring options whilst not breaking the bank.
As an owner of Adam’s slightly more expensive A5X’s and Sub7 - I was keen to see just what the extra money gets you compared to their ‘entry level’ options. In fairness, I would almost be disappointed if the more expensive options didn’t outperform the T8V’s but having long been amazed by the quality of Adam’s product, I knew that nothing would really surprise me.
Main Features
So the obvious headline feature is the 8” woofer and the first thing you notice is that this thing wants to be pushed. Lower volumes will never do a speaker like this justice and to be frank, the T8V’s aren’t really built for casual listening. The ideal situation for getting the most from the woofers is a large studio environment where they can be driven at high volumes.
However, the real star of the show is the ribbon tweeter up top. This special piece of kit as a clarity to the high-end that just needs to be heard. It offers accuracy without being so bright that it’s unlistenable and makes the overall package, combined with that large woofer, a very compelling one.
Who should buy them?
They are, beyond doubt, a very capable studio monitor. However, they are not for every space. They really do call for a larger room that can accomodate them and I don’t just means their physical size - they offer a big sound when pushed and need a bit of breathing space.
The price is very appealing and for this reason, those looking to buy their first studio monitors should take a long, hard look at the T8V’s. For those looking for a little more refinement and maybe an upgrade from existing monitors, then maybe a look at the A5X’s may be a nice alternative.
Final Thoughts…
These are a great studio monitor. I really feel it’s unfair to call them an ‘entry level’ monitor as their price tag suggests - these are very capable. Size may be an issue but if you have the space, they are fantastic. Sound quality is good and clarity excellent and whether plan to use them for ‘actual’ monitoring or just casual music listening, they are a sound option.
10 Essential Accessories for Photographers UNDER £50!!!
Photography is very expensive. Whether photography is a hobby or a profession, it can be expensive to buy all of the things that you feel you need. So it is always nice when you find a bargain! I have therefore compiled a list of items that I think all photographers would appreciate and all of them are under £50! The video below details 10 items that I would personally recommend!
In the description below the video, you will affiliate links for the products and if you decide to purchase, I gain a tiny commission and best of all, it doesn’t cost you a penny extra!!
REVIEW: Mamiya 645 Pro - The perfect Medium Format Film camera for beginners?
There is no doubting the allure of film photography. For a number of years it has been in a form of ascendency amongst the photography community. It still struggles to shake off the ‘Hipster’ tag but in truth, there is a lot to love about the format. However, in more modern times, many of us crave better resolution, better aesthetics to the image and just the ‘feel’ that Medium format can give you - step up, the Mamiya 645 Pro!
Once the ‘go to’ camera for working studio professionals, this beast of a camera has been refined over the years and now offers all of the mod-cons you would expect from a modern DSLR. More importantly, it allows you to capture a look & feel to your images that just can’t be replicated by it’s digital counterparts. In the video below, I describe what it’s like to shoot with and who I think it’s for, enjoy!
Why shoot Film Photography in 2020?
The Corona Virus Pandemic has undoubtedly been a terrible time for a lot of people. Personally, I have seen all of my work cancelled which has left me with a lot of free time. Rather than simply binge on box sets, I have tried to use this time productively. One of the things that I’ve wanted to do for a while now is to get back into shooting film. On a side note, I will be making a series of videos about this on my YouTube channel, so keep an eye out for them.
Why Film?
The obvious question for a lot of people, is why shoot film when you have a perfectly good digital camera? The simple answer, for me at least, is to achieve a look & feel that has eluded me for years. Looking at my images, it’s fairly clear that I always try to achieve an element of nostalgia, shooting in soft light and adding grain etc. to make the images feel older than they actually are.
That’s all well and good apart from the fact that digital images tend to be over sharp and well, are clearly digital images. This might sound counter-intuitive to a lot of photographers, ‘you don’t want sharp images?’ - in a way, no. You only have to look at any family album with 70’s, 80’s or 90’s and look at those blurry images to get an instant nostalgia fix! The brain seems to make a correlation between those images and something in our past that always seemed to feel like a ‘better time’. Now, this is obviously not factual, but something in those images makes us feel a sense of comfort - and that is something that I’m always striving to achieve.
OK, so get an old 35mm Camera…
Well, again, things are never quite that straightforward. I’ve shot enough 35mm in the past to understand it’s benefits and limitations. So straight away, I knew it wasn’t going to cut it. So I did what any ‘want-to-be’ hipster photographer would do and went straight to medium format and in particular, the Mamiya 645 Pro. Again, I will make a separate video on the perks & quirks of this particular camera but the simple benefits are that it feels modern enough that I could use it without thinking too much and more importantly, it’s a 120mm film camera - and I want that medium format goodness!
I was always sceptical over people saying that you ‘just can’t replicate the medium format look’ and I still don’t fully subscribe to it, but I do agree that the extra negative size has its own benefits over its 35mm counterpart. Most notably, I love the fall off in the out of focus areas that are very difficult to replicate on 35mm. That combined with the go-to Kodak Portra stocks, is a winning combination for me.
OK, so you just want to be a Hipster?
Well, I do have a beard and more than one check shirt. However, the truth is no. The camera, the medium and even the subject matter are all just ‘tools’ to provoke an emotion. I am not trying to get ‘Insta famous’ - far from it. I have simply found a way to translate the feelings of nostalgia that I want to achieve into an image in the most natural way.
That being said, there is obviously a bit of a trend for photographers turning to film in an attempt to show their credentials as a fully-fledged master of light! Again though, it is not about achieving any acclaim for me, it is simply to understand the process better and to take full control, from start to finish, of the images that I create. So that means I am also developing my own film and scanning my own images - again, more videos on this soon on my YouTube channel.
So no more digital then?
Far from it, I actually still carry my digital camera even when I am shooting film. I will obviously be shooting digital for client work - though I am interested in offering commissions on film, that would be fun! The whole process of shooting film is merely to help convey a metaphor in my images, in the same way, that some might choose to shoot purely black & white because it makes their images feel more ‘honest’. Digital is still absolutely a necessary tool but film simply allows me another option, depending on the subject matter.
What’s next?
I will be shooting a lot more film in the interim and will also be travelling to some of the lesser shot areas of Birmingham to find the kind of gritty, run-down scenes that I like. As previously mentioned, I am developing and scanning at home so I will be looking at simplifying and improving that process too.
Overall, shooting film in 2020 is a great new area for me to explore and allows me to keep developing my own skills. It allows me to slow down a little and work on my composition skills and also improve my ability to meter and read light. All of these will hugely benefit my commercial work and throughout the process, I will, of course, bring you with me to share my experiences and knowledge. I am really excited and glad that I can take at least one tiny positive from the crazy times that we are living in.
The Ultimate Canon EOS-R Cinema Rig
If you want to get the most from your Canon EOS-R for filmmaking, then look no further. Whether you use the EOS-R for cinematic short films, corporate work or simple talking heads, I have compiled what I believe to be the ultimate EOS-R Cinema Rig. These items will boost your cameras abilities and supercharge it to handle almost anything that is thrown at it.
Check out the video and see the links in the description below the video if you wish to purchase any of the items yourself.