Birthday shopping - M8 or M8.2?

[marko.oja]

Hi all,

I have my 40th coming up quite soon, and thought I'd treat myself to a digital Leica. I'm going for a black model, and it seems possible to get a second hand M8.2 from a private seller for the same price as a M8 from Leicashop. I like the black chrome finish on the older model more than the black paint, but aesthetics aside, which one should I choose?

Cheers,
Marko

 

[mfunnell]

If it were me (and I've never used either, so I'm speaking from what I've read rather than experience) I'd go for the M8.2 for the quieter (better?) shutter and the (IMO) more appropriate 2M framelines (rather than the 0.7M framelines on the M8). But I've no idea whether those things are important to you.

...Mike

 

[Lss]

I have an M8 with full upgrades and can't complain. The saphire glass is excellent (I bet I would have terrible scratches on the original display by now), and I like the framelines. The extra stop on the shutter would be nice to have, but many say the old shutter was too noisy. I have not compared.

 

[maitani]

for the same price I'd go 8.2 simply because it's much newer and incorporates some useful upgrades, both are excellent cameras.

 

[acordes]

M8.2 does have silent mode (which 8 does not have i think) - but therefore only 4000 shutter speed, which M8 does have 8000 if I'm right.
If silence is no issue for you then 8000 will help on f1.4 in sun light...

 

[marko.oja]

The lenses I'd have for that are an M-Rokkor 40 and Elmar-C 90 - those are the ones I use on my CL. The framelines wont be exact for the 40 (which I will file down to get the 35mm framelines), but I don't think that'll matter much.

 

[siracusa]

I owned an M8, which I was more than happy with, but I think the improvements (framelines, shutter, sapphire glass) in the 8.2 would probably swing it for me if I was in your position. When I bought my M8 I shopped around for a while until I fortuitously found one at a good price in a dealer who seemed to have had a bit of a glut of M8 bodies coming in for part exchange, so I ended up picking up mine for around what I'd have paid privately but with the advantage of getting some peace of mind and warranty. Going back, I'd have probably plumped for an M8.2 but that said, the M8 is a lovely camera and I was delighted with mine.
Those lenses - the 40 and 90 - will be just super on the M8. I don't have the 40 but I do have the Elmar-C 90, and used it on my M8 and now on my M-E. It's super.
Good luck finding your M8 (and all the best for your fortieth!).

 

[marko.oja]

Thanks all, I just made an offer to the guy selling the 8.2. Fingers crossed 😉

 

[doolittle]

M8.2 does have silent mode (which 8 does not have i think) - but therefore only 4000 shutter speed, which M8 does have 8000 if I'm right.
If silence is no issue for you then 8000 will help on f1.4 in sun light...

The 8.2 shutter is inherently quieter, but both models have the discreet mode option (shutter is released as normal when you press down, but not cocked again until you release pressed shutter button).

 

[marko.oja]

Offer accepted, now I know which camera I'll take along on my next street shoot trip 🙂

 

[Cyriljay]

Go for the M8.2. as it is trouble free. M8 shutters are very venerable for break down as is the speed of 1/8ooo ware out the shutter faster. I had a M8 and had that problem and upgraded to M8.2 paying £ 900 which is a lot of money. Im am happy with my camera now as it is better than M9 or MM . great camera. Please check the condition and of the sensor and screen etc. They are the main issues and do some picture and check them before get it . Good luck.😀