The Leica M8 revisited - what a difference $3000 makes

The Meaness said:
It's a personal thing, we all agree. I don't mind filters, didn't use any M lenses on film cameras previously, and didn't want anything fast besides one lens in the 50-90 range. Considering those preferences, the real difference between M8 and M9 for me was iso. I didn't have the funds to buy an M9 when I got my M8, and I didn't want to wait around to build up the money to get an M9. The M8 was 80-90% of the M9 to me.

Now, however, I want a small 35 that's f2 or faster. That you can't have on the M8. Anyone who considers that a deal breaker for their camera would say the M8 certainly isn't 80-90% of the M9 - on an M9 you can buy a summicron, summilux, or nokton, all small and f2 or faster.

It all depends on how you use the camera.
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having 35mm as my fav focal length is a big driver for me to get an M9, along with the lack of need for IR filters and keeping my wide lenses as wide as they're supposed to be.
 
Thanks OP for sharing your views that helped me to revisit the M8 again. No UV/IR cut filter for me (yet) but I have to admit I'm more focused shooting.
 
I'm a huge fan of the 35 Summicron on a film camera or a FF digital and at first it gave me pause with my M8.2. But I picked up a Zeiss 25mm f2.8 and though it's not as fast as my Summicron, it's a wide, so I can get away with hand holding at slower shutter speeds, and it's working out fine.

Personally I wouldn't let the "lack of wides" stop you from looking at an M8(.2). It's an easily solved problem.

Best,
-Tim
 
Timmyjoe said:
I'm a huge fan of the 35 Summicron on a film camera or a FF digital and at first it gave me pause with my M8.2. But I picked up a Zeiss 25mm f2.8 and though it's not as fast as my Summicron, it's a wide, so I can get away with hand holding at slower shutter speeds, and it's working out fine.
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The 28 Summicron asph (along with the hood from the old 35 Summilux) is perfect for me on the M8.2. Having used SLRs, medium and large format cameras over the years, I consider a lens this size small, light and well balanced on the camera. Frankly, I hardly notice any difference walking around all day whether I use this lens, a 35 Summicron, or a 50 Summilux...to me, each is just right. And, more importantly, so are the prints.

Jeff
 
JSU said:
If the price of the Leica lens is an issue the CV 28/1.9 is also excellent -- -- Both have a nice feel and balance on the M8.
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I'm not a big fan of the feel and handling of the CV 28/1.9. I agree on the balance, and the performance is IMO excellent. I think I would trade up to the Summicron for size and handling alone, if the Summicron was twice the price of the 28/1.9.
 
JSU said:
I don't think the 28 Summicron, new or used, has ever been available at only twice the price of the CV 28/1.9, for similar condition lenses.
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It hasn't. And that is why I use the 28/1.9.

The closest I have seen in the past three years or so, and I had that very lens in my hands, was more than three times what I ended up paying for the 28/1.9. That Summicron was a beater with no hood and no caps (the optics looked perfect). I was close to taking it, but it turned out they would not even have accepted my credit card and I was flying back home the next morning.
 
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