Used M8 or Refurb M8.2?

[justinj]

This might seem like a silly situation, but I am looking to buying either the M8 or M8.2 off Amazon. Why Amazon? I have a gift card balance to buy one digital M body without forking over actual money. KEH has an excellent grade body for around $2.5k, but there are other M8 bodies in that price range. However, there is a Leica Certified refurb M8.2 for $5k (sounds expensive?) that comes with a one year Leica warranty.

What would you do if you were in my situation? I have an Elmarit-M 28mm 2.8 waiting to be used, but the whole body selection process has me stumped. This is what happens when 90% of my holiday gifts are Amazon gift cards, and no one wants to trade gift cards with me.

 

[Rob-F]

I strongly prefer the M8.2 for its larger framelines (sized for a 2M distance vs. .7M for the M8). I also appreciate the sapphire screen. The stealth mode is nice, but not really that important. However, I paid $3400 for a used M8.2. Yes, 5 grand sound a tad expensive. 🙄 A little shopping could net you an M9 for not a lot more . . .

 

[Mudman]

for $5k, I'd beg or borrow another $1-2k and find a new or used M9.

 

[Jeff S]

However, I paid $3400 for a used M8.

I paid $3400 for an absolute mint M8.2, with dealer backing. Yes, shopping around is good advice.

Jeff

 

[TechCron]

Clearly, the difference is worth it

for people to whom a (very) quiet shutter and delayed re-cocking and the other M8.2 features, such as the new framelines, are important. To others, it's merely an extravagance to have the latest thing.

 

[Jeff S]

For me, the revised frame lines are by far the most important aspect of the M8.2 (or upgraded M8).

And, I think the M8.2 is just a better sorted and more reliable camera, having worked out the kinks from the first generation M8. (Just as the M9 has had teething issues as a 'first generation' camera, i.e., first full frame digital M.)

Others may not, however, perceive the value. Different strokes and all that.

Jeff

 

[LCT]

$5K sounds expensive IMO. Mint M8.2s with one year dealer's warranty can be had for around $4K/4.5K on e**y. Now if you have a gift card... Why M8.2? Mainly because of the framelines to me. They give such a feeling of accuracy that i wonder how i will regress with the M10 if any. Only con is 40mm lenses for which 35mm & 50mm framelines are both inaccurate with M8.2 unfortunately.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The M8 was upgraded to have the M8.2's "soft" mode in a firmware update a few years ago. I think all of the bugs have been wrung out of the M8. I just sold mine with a 1 year Leica warranty and it went for $2200.
$5k is way high. You could get a well used M9 with some time left on the original warranty (which you can extend for a year) for that price. I know if I were to sell my M9 today, I'd be hard pressed to get over $5k for it.

Phil Forrest

 

[justinj]

The M8 upgrade stuff isn't really a deal breaker for me. I have shot with my friend's M8 a few weeks ago, and its good enough for me if there aren't good deals for the M8.2. Its just the whole gift card situation thats making it tough on me. I have to checkout on Amazon, so the selection of used Ms is a little weak. I am leaning towards the M8 body KEH (Amazon storefront) is selling as excellent grade for $2.5k. Of course I would be shopping on eBay if I were paying out of pocket to get a better deal.

 

[jsrockit]

do if you were in my situation? I have an Elmarit-M 28mm 2.8 waiting to be used, but the whole body selection process has me stumped. This is what happens when 90% of my holiday gifts are Amazon gift cards, and no one wants to trade gift cards with me.

I'd buy things that are in demand off of Amazon, sell them, and then buy the M8 for a sane price.

 

[Jeff S]

Of course I would be shopping on eBay if I were paying out of pocket to get a better deal.

Depends how one defines 'better deal.' For me, this goes beyond price; rather, for me, it's about 'value.' Buying from a reputable dealer who will be candid about the condition and who will stand behind the product in the event of problems has significant value.

Jeff

 

[Rob-F]

I paid $3400 for an absolute mint M8.2, with dealer backing. Yes, shopping around is good advice.

Jeff

Yes I did mean M8.2. I forgot to add the .2. I just fixed it. No I didn't pay that much for a used M8! Thanks for noticing.

 

[ramosa]

for $5k, I'd beg or borrow another $1-2k and find a new or used M9.

Exactly my thought. I would not pay more than $2500 for an M8 or M8.2.

 

[justinj]

I'd buy things that are in demand off of Amazon, sell them, and then buy the M8 for a sane price.

Thought about doing that. Its still a possibility if I can't find something soon.

 

[Rob-F]

Exactly my thought. I would not pay more than $2500 for an M8 or M8.2.

Well, I don't know where you're going to find an M8.2 for $2500, but good luck!😎

 

[Reddot9]

This might seem like a silly situation, but I am looking to buying either the M8 or M8.2 off Amazon. Why Amazon? I have a gift card balance to buy one digital M body without forking over actual money. KEH has an excellent grade body for around $2.5k, but there are other M8 bodies in that price range. However, there is a Leica Certified refurb M8.2 for $5k (sounds expensive?) that comes with a one year Leica warranty.

What would you do if you were in my situation? I have an Elmarit-M 28mm 2.8 waiting to be used, but the whole body selection process has me stumped. This is what happens when 90% of my holiday gifts are Amazon gift cards, and no one wants to trade gift cards with me.

The best and safest way (in my opinion) to buy such a high end camera is to purchase it directly from a friend, or trusted camera source. Stick with a trusted source for used photo equipment. All you have on your side buying used from Amazon or other source of web purchase is luck. Anyone who tells you differently will most likely provide you with anecdotal comments about the great deals they have made. That means nothing. This is not something to trifle with because the price is good. Caution: know your source!

 

[EXksporry]

I agree with the others. $5k gets you an M9, so go for that if you plan to spend that much. As for m8 vs m8.2, if the m8 has been refurbished recently, and comes with warranty, it could be a good buy, otherwise go for the m8.2 because the latter doesn't have the issues the m8 has. But again, if you have 5k, spend it on an m9...

 

[colonel]

The M8.2 is somewhat to the M8 what the M9-P is to the M9, .

Don't agree with this
The shutter is improved on the 8.2 and quieter. The bright-lines are better

This makes a better shooting experience, although it is around £800 more in the UK and around $1200 more in the US

Whereas an excellent used M9 is around £1,500 more in the UK.

e.g.:
M8 - £1,499 - £1,699
M8.2 - £2,300 - £2,500
M9 - £3,800 - £4,200

rgds

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, i can tell you i had an upgraded m8, not a 8.2 but it had the shutter along other upgrades, not the sapphire screen thou.

Now i own an m9 and i can tell you it´s the exact feeling when shooting.
The main thing is the shutter, not to mention that my chrome upgraded m8 felt better built than my black paint m9 that looks rather cheap...

In the other hand i´ve used many times a "normal" m8 and the shutter is very loud perhaps too much...

Any way i wouldn´t buy the 8.2 at 5k being the m8 at half the price, setting to dicreet advance helps considerably too lower shutter overall loudness also a case helps too.

M8 or m8.2 are great cameras and you will enjoy and get great files with ay of them!

bye!

 

[MCTuomey]

The reason (the only reason) I don't have a pair of M9's is what I have seen just hasn't been enough of an improvement to dump my M8.2's to make the switch.

+1 OT: I "upgraded" to the M9 and, based on what I shoot/print, haven't really seen the improvement I expected (benefit of greater resolution and better high iso performance). Call me what you will, but those M8 files remain impressive.