Focus Shift is something which has nothing to do with the camera, but the lens. In my experience very few lenses of the Leica M system show thisproblem to an extend that it is problematic. I would say its actually mainly the 35/1.4asph and the (old?) Noctilux.
There are other very good alternative lenses in this focal length.
Focus shift is nothing which can only be found in Leica lenses.
I have no problem with the IR filters, I see it as a fix- and I believe a Leica lens with a filter seems to still deliever better IQ than many other lenses without a filter. Yes, in theory any additional piece of glass doesnt help, but in reality I dont see any negative effect, with one exception: With the wate I get here and then a small reflex in the image. This might (eventually) be better without the filter.
Sensor size..yes, full frame would be nice - but if you own the Wate than you have from 21mm FOV up to 135mm FOV and that works for me.
the 28/2.0 as a 38mm lens and the 50asph as a "65mm lens" work very well for me too.
Personally I dont feel any "flaws" with the M8, but thats maybe just me.
Maybe I am lucky to, because my 2 year old M8 and my M8.2 have never died and allways worked fine.
Tom
Okay Tom, please allow me to temper my response to all this. I am not a Leica basher, and have expended a lot of my hard earned cash over the years to buy and use Leica products both M and R.
So, my responses are not that of a non-user just dissing the brand based on someone else's experiences ... they were all my own experiences ... and they were traumatic for me and my Leica dealer who fought hard to get things fixed. No other experience with any other system were as high in expectations based on previous M history, or as bad and disappointing once in hand ... obviously, I am not alone in this feeling.
I also still have my M8 and a slew of lenses along with a good measure of hope to use them all to good purpose. However, like Peter A said, the conditions have to be "Fat" ... unfortunately where his application is 90% in those conditions, mine are not. When they are "Fat", it's hard to beat for its size. Yet, I can't help thinking this is a really expensive "fair weather system" that survives in my bag out of hope rather than reality.
I fully accept that the M optics are class leaders ... it's why I paid the long dollar to own them (currently: 24/2.8ASPH, 28/2ASPH, 35/1.4ASPH, 50/1.5ASPH, 90/2.8, and a hunt for a clean 75/2AA). Previously owned the WATE, 50/Nocti, 75Lux and 90AA. The WATE was a fine optic, but IMO to slow in max aperture for a low ISO camera ... and slow in working speed with the cumbersome finder ... for my traditional use of a rangefinder. I DO resent that my mainstay 35/1.4 ASPH has the field of view of a 50mm ... and that a 35 mm field of view @ f/1.4 will cost me $6,000. I also keep getting my previous experiences reinforced ... I just purchased a 75/2 that when tested that was clearly back focusing on my recently calibrated M8 (that is fine with all my other M lenses including the 50/1.4ASPH). I refused "service" and sent the lens back without paying for it.
That you have no issue with the IR filters simply tells me that you use the system in conditions different from mine ... I've always used an M for wedding work, and some of my best work was with my M6/M6TTL/M7s ... and it is disappointing that M8 work had to be narrowed to fair weather conditions only ... because of the specular light reflections issue so ubiquitous at weddings as well as many commercial event applications like trade shows and gala events. In my gear bag, the M8 has been relegated to a dilettantish tool amongst the hard working tools that deliver bread to my family's table ... where once the M system was the standard by which all others were measured.
So In conclusion, I agree with you ... its fine for you and others, and not fine for me and others depending on shooting conditions.
However, hope springs eternal. I keep trying to make it work because the "rangefinder way" is unique in the way it makes one think and shoot ... with little getting in the way of a pure focus on content and unfolding events ... and without a rangefinder in the lead, I honestly do believe my work has suffered a bit ... and have observed that in others who left their M behind for a DSLR.
Thanks for your patience.
-Marc