Leica M8 Digital Camera: Crop Factor, NPF Rule & Hyperfocal Chart

Name: Leica M8 Digital Camera
Brand: Leica

The Leica M8 Digital Camera uses the Leica M mount with a 1.33× crop factor (about 27.1 × 18.0 mm sensor). Below: equivalent focal lengths, maximum shutter speeds for sharp stars, a hyperfocal distance chart, compatible lenses and how to check the shutter count.

Mount

Leica M

Crop factor

1.33×

Sensor (approx.)

27.1 × 18.0 mm

Circle of confusion

0.0226 mm

Equivalent focal length & field of view

Lens focal length	Full-frame equivalent	Diagonal FOV	Horizontal FOV
8 mm	11 mm	127.6°	118.9°
10 mm	13 mm	116.8°	107.1°
12 mm	16 mm	107.2°	96.9°
14 mm	19 mm	98.6°	88.1°
16 mm	21 mm	90.9°	80.5°
18 mm	24 mm	84.2°	73.9°
20 mm	27 mm	78.2°	68.2°
24 mm	32 mm	68.3°	58.9°
28 mm	37 mm	60.3°	51.6°
35 mm	47 mm	49.9°	42.3°
50 mm	66 mm	36.0°	30.3°
85 mm	113 mm	21.7°	18.1°
135 mm	180 mm	13.7°	11.5°
200 mm	266 mm	9.3°	7.8°
300 mm	399 mm	6.2°	5.2°
400 mm	532 mm	4.7°	3.9°
600 mm	798 mm	3.1°	2.6°

Multiply by the 1.33× crop factor for the full-frame equivalent field of view.

Milky Way exposure: NPF and 500 rule

Focal length	NPF @ f/1.8	NPF @ f/2.8	Strict NPF @ f/2.8	500 rule
8 mm	22.5 s	26.9 s	14.5 s	47.0 s
10 mm	18.0 s	21.5 s	11.6 s	37.6 s
12 mm	15.0 s	17.9 s	9.7 s	31.3 s
14 mm	12.9 s	15.4 s	8.3 s	26.9 s
16 mm	11.2 s	13.4 s	7.3 s	23.5 s
18 mm	10.0 s	11.9 s	6.5 s	20.9 s
20 mm	9.0 s	10.8 s	5.9 s	18.8 s
24 mm	7.5 s	9.0 s	4.9 s	15.7 s
28 mm	6.4 s	7.7 s	4.2 s	13.4 s
35 mm	5.1 s	6.1 s	3.4 s	10.7 s
50 mm	3.6 s	4.3 s	2.4 s	7.5 s

NPF = (35 × f-number + 30 × pixel pitch) ÷ focal length, with a pixel pitch of 3.9 µm (typical for this format — exact resolution not in our database). The strict version (Michaud's detailed NPF for the galactic core) gives pin-point stars at 100% view; the 500 rule is a loose rule of thumb that shows trailing on modern sensors.

Hyperfocal distance chart

Focal length	f/2.8	f/5.6	f/8	f/11	f/16
10 mm	1.6 m	0.8 m	0.6 m	0.4 m	0.3 m
14 mm	3.1 m	1.6 m	1.1 m	0.8 m	0.6 m
16 mm	4.1 m	2.0 m	1.4 m	1.0 m	0.7 m
18 mm	5.1 m	2.6 m	1.8 m	1.3 m	0.9 m
20 mm	6.3 m	3.2 m	2.2 m	1.6 m	1.1 m
24 mm	9.1 m	4.6 m	3.2 m	2.3 m	1.6 m
28 mm	12 m	6.2 m	4.4 m	3.2 m	2.2 m
35 mm	19 m	9.7 m	6.8 m	5.0 m	3.4 m
50 mm	40 m	20 m	14 m	10 m	7.0 m

Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp (circle of confusion 0.0226 mm). Use the hyperfocal calculator for other settings.

Compatible lenses (2 in our database)

Lens	Focal length	Max aperture	Mount
Voigtländer Nokton 28mm F1.5 Aspherical	28 mm	f/1.5	Sony E, Nikon Z
Venus Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO	85 mm	f/5.6	Sony E, Canon RF

Native and adapter-free compatible lenses from the Lensfun database. Third-party and adapted lenses may also work.

How to check the Leica M8 Digital Camera shutter count

Some Leica M and SL bodies show the count in the camera's service or info menu; EXIF support varies by model.

ExifTool tag: (varies). Always test an original, unedited file straight from the card.

Where to buy

Compare new and used prices at these retailers:

B&H Photo Amazon KEH (used)MPB (used)

Other Leica M cameras

FAQ

What is the crop factor of the Leica M8 Digital Camera?

1.33×. A 24 mm lens frames like a 32 mm lens on full frame.

What shutter speed should I use for the Milky Way with the Leica M8 Digital Camera?

With a 8 mm lens at f/2.8, about 27 seconds keeps stars sharp (NPF rule).

How do I check the shutter count on the Leica M8 Digital Camera?

Some Leica M and SL bodies show the count in the camera's service or info menu; EXIF support varies by model.

Which lenses fit the Leica M8 Digital Camera?

Lenses for the Leica M mount — 2 are listed above.