Leica M8 Frequently Asked Questions Manual page 4

The frames in the LEICA M8 are adjusted to show precisely the image field at the near setting limit
of 0.7m. At longer distances a proportionately larger image field is captured than indicated by the
bright-line frames. This makes sure the user will capture everything she/he aligned within the
frames, i.e. without any image field loss. Since it is very simple to crop the image after the taking, it
was decided to opt for this adjustment.
4. Use of UV/IR Filters
4.1 Why should I use a UV/IR filter with my LEICA M8?
The M8's very high image quality was achieved by – among other things - employing an especially
thin IR blocking filter on the CCD sensor. However, this also causes a raised sensitivity to long-
waved IR light. In most cases, this will not have any effect whatsoever on the resulting images. In
certain situations however, e.g. when black (synthetic) fabrics are illuminated by incandescent
light, these are rendered purple or dark red.
Using Leica UV/IR filters on the lenses is a very simple and effective way to eliminate these effects
without otherwise impairing image quality with the LEICA M8. Additionally, they protect your
valuable lenses' front elements against mechanical damage.
4.2 Will using these filters lead to a light loss (Which extension factor must I consider with
theses UV/IR filters)?
The LEICA UV/IR filters limit only the infrared and ultraviolet light from passing through. The
extension factor is 1.0, so you do not have to calculate any exposure compensation.
4.3 Do my lenses have to be 6 bit coded when using UV/IR filters?
Using the Leica UV/IR interference filters on wide-angle lenses from 16 to 35mm causes annoying
colour casts in the frame corners. Therefore, Leica recommends using coded lenses in this focal
length range. The LEICA M8 recognizes 6 bit coded lenses and compensates the specific colour
cast for each lens by digitally modifying the image data accordingly. With lenses beyond 35mm, the
colour cast is negligible.
The colour cast compensation for every 6 bit coded lens used with an UV/IR-filter is included in
every firmware as of version 1.10.
4.4 Can I leave the UV/IR filters attached when photographing with analogue M cameras?
Leaving the UV/IR filters attached when photographing with conventional film would cause colour
casts in the frame corners. Therefore, Leica recommends removing the attached UV/IR filters
when using lenses from 16 to 50mm in analogue photography.
4.5 Why could the filter not be built into the camera?
In the LEICA M8, a very thin glass cover consisting of an IR blocking filter and a protective plate is
mounted on the sensor. Keeping this cover as thin as possible ensures that the lenses' full capacity
in terms of rendition quality can be utilised. This is a result of the Leica M system's especially
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