ramosa
B&W
No. I would infuse more cash and get the M9. No question.
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
No. I tend to find a complete lack of "Collectibility" when it comes to digital camera bodies. They start off new, and lose value as technology (newer chips) makes them obsolete.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Say it ain't so, Joe!
I bought my new M8 over a couple years ago for way south of $3k. And it still had to go back once to Solms...
I bought my new M8 over a couple years ago for way south of $3k. And it still had to go back once to Solms...
back alley
IMAGES
it ain't so!!!!
honest!
honest!
Gid
Well-known
Straight answer is no for all the reasons already given. You can get a second user for around $2000 in the UK (excluding VAT) with around 4000 clicks and a dealer warranty (Aperture, Red Dot, FFordes). You can get a low mileage M8.2 for around $3000 (excluding VAT). So $4000 is way overpriced. I suggest you get a Fuji X100 and same a load of money - much better than an M8
"BNIB" says to me it's remained sealed in its box, untouched. But if it's been on display and handled by salesmen and potential customers, then that's something else. In either case, newness is a transitory state that goes away quickly once in its buyers hands. The warranty and completeness of the package are the extra values, IMO.
Three years ago, $4k was reasonable for a dealer demo M8, given the suggested list over $5k. A lot has changed in 3 years, but the good news for the M8 I think is that its quirks have been settled. I believe the M9 has not reached that state quite yet.
Three years ago, $4k was reasonable for a dealer demo M8, given the suggested list over $5k. A lot has changed in 3 years, but the good news for the M8 I think is that its quirks have been settled. I believe the M9 has not reached that state quite yet.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I would not even pay that much for a bnib M8.2. I would pay maybe $3600. But I think saw an M9 go for around $5500 or so. I'd rather wait for a deal like that!
I would not buy a M8 unless it has been extensively upgraded to 8.2 specs.
get the M8.2 or an Epson.
Stephen
Olsen
Well-known
Or an Epson...? Ha, ha! Be serious!
mkorabo
Member
The Camera Store in Calgary Alberta has NIB M8's listed at $3295.00 Canadian. I almost bought one a few weeks back but found a low mileage (3000 clicks) for $2300.00 with 2 batteries and all of the original packaging. I was tempted to buy the new camera because of the two year warranty that came with it. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed!!
MCTuomey
Veteran
with warranty, i'd say around $2800 would be ok. to me a warranty is worth about $5-600 or so. a fair amount of M8's and M9's seem to need work, so it's reasonable assurance.
i disagree with most of what's said negatively about the M8. great files, easy handling, simple to adapt to most workflows. everyone seems to say the M8 is nothing more than a speed bump on the way to an M9. fwiw, i think what the M8 gives you is darn good and the M9 is only that much better.
i disagree with most of what's said negatively about the M8. great files, easy handling, simple to adapt to most workflows. everyone seems to say the M8 is nothing more than a speed bump on the way to an M9. fwiw, i think what the M8 gives you is darn good and the M9 is only that much better.
Olsen
Well-known
I would have no problems buying a 2.hand M8. The updates are not important. A warranty is. So, a new M8 with a warranty is worth it's 4,000 US$ - which isn't all that much today.
The warranty is important because you are going to need it. Most/all M8 had this 'Red Line Problem'. Leica can easily fix it. On most 2,000 $ 2.hand M8s out there, the Red Line Problem has been fixed. When fixed, it is permanent. So, most 2.hand M8s on the market today are better then they were new!
With the Epson it is the other way around. 'All' the Epson RD-1/RD-1s for sale here in Norway lately have not been in perfect working order.
The warranty is important because you are going to need it. Most/all M8 had this 'Red Line Problem'. Leica can easily fix it. On most 2,000 $ 2.hand M8s out there, the Red Line Problem has been fixed. When fixed, it is permanent. So, most 2.hand M8s on the market today are better then they were new!
With the Epson it is the other way around. 'All' the Epson RD-1/RD-1s for sale here in Norway lately have not been in perfect working order.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Well said. I agree, but $4K still seems a bit steep for a camera that will likely need some attention.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Two diametrically opposed points of view here! As someone who has debated getting one vs. the other (and not reached any conclusions) I'm interested! The epson gets a lot of praise for its hi-ISO performance, and its general IQ. And no one seems distressed by the modest pixel count.
Reliability? A number of reports here have shown the Epson's track record has been has been less than exemplary. But wouldn't we have to say the same thing about the M8? After all, a lot of them seem to have to go back to Solms.
Then there's the matter of IR filters, coding, and $175.00 batteries, making the M8 less attractive as well. not than I've given up on buying one.
There have been a lot of great R-D1 shots and M8 shots published here.
Hmmm. Not that easy . . .
Darshan
Well-known
jarski
Veteran
guess M8 is not be that significant upgrade from RD1, perhaps M9 is in some years after prices settle.
personally dont see much point paying $500-1000 for nominal upgrades of 8.2 over base model.
personally dont see much point paying $500-1000 for nominal upgrades of 8.2 over base model.
Olsen
Well-known
Except for that there is a wast difference between RD-1's 1,5 and M8's 1,33 crop factor, the M8 is a far more reliable. - Except for this Red Line Issue. 'All' the 2.hand M8s' on the Norwegian 2.hand market have been to Solms for repair (pixel remapping device installed). Then they will work fine for many years. The rest of the camera has proven to be very reliable. The 2.hand M8s out there are better than they were new!
I have tried to buy a decent (mind you) RD-1 for years. - I started this process even before I bought my M8 back in 2006. Now I have given up, though. I have looked seriously at 5 units 2.hand RD-1 for sale here in Norway and Sweden over the years. All of them had some kind of service issue or malfunction. From framelines all bungled to lcd screens not wroking. Having in mind that Epson don't market the RD-1 here in Norway and have no service system organised. You are on your own. Several of the Epson RD-1 sellers was so pissed off by Epson that they had promised themselves that they should 'never buy a Epson product again'.
The Epson RD-1 is one of the most charming cameras launched in the last 10 years. A major break through as a product idea. But Epson did nothing - absolutely nothing, to follow up on this success. Nor to follow up their original RD-1 customers. What a shame! Nor were the product quality up to that of Leica.
Leica has a good service system (but slow, some say), and Leica is known for sticking to their customers, and be reasonable regarding serivice cost. Several 2.hand buyers of M8 have had their cameras Red Line Fixed for free.
2.hand Rd-1s are dead fishes in the water, which the supplier has given up on. While 2. hand M8s are good cameras with a long life in front of them, with full backup from the producer.
That choice is an easy one.
I have tried to buy a decent (mind you) RD-1 for years. - I started this process even before I bought my M8 back in 2006. Now I have given up, though. I have looked seriously at 5 units 2.hand RD-1 for sale here in Norway and Sweden over the years. All of them had some kind of service issue or malfunction. From framelines all bungled to lcd screens not wroking. Having in mind that Epson don't market the RD-1 here in Norway and have no service system organised. You are on your own. Several of the Epson RD-1 sellers was so pissed off by Epson that they had promised themselves that they should 'never buy a Epson product again'.
The Epson RD-1 is one of the most charming cameras launched in the last 10 years. A major break through as a product idea. But Epson did nothing - absolutely nothing, to follow up on this success. Nor to follow up their original RD-1 customers. What a shame! Nor were the product quality up to that of Leica.
Leica has a good service system (but slow, some say), and Leica is known for sticking to their customers, and be reasonable regarding serivice cost. Several 2.hand buyers of M8 have had their cameras Red Line Fixed for free.
2.hand Rd-1s are dead fishes in the water, which the supplier has given up on. While 2. hand M8s are good cameras with a long life in front of them, with full backup from the producer.
That choice is an easy one.
Lss
Well-known
menos
Veteran
That's a strange question Joe - of course not!
Seriously, one could spend 4000 USD a lot better, than for a camera, which should go second hand for almost half of that.
Keep the spare for repair cost, batteries, a nice film body or a nice lens and be good.
By the way, we are not far away form getting second hand M9 samples on the market for that price.
The lowest asking price (sold) has been 3.600 EUR already, while most seem to go for just over 4.000 EUR.
kemal_mumcu
Well-known
Rumor has it that Leica might release stuff late June. Maybe. If there's an M9.2 in the offering then original M9s could drop in price. For sure original M9 owners will bore of their out-of-date machines and spring for a new one. Post June could be a wonderful time to pick up a 2nd hand M9.