buy an M8 in 2012?

Doug said:
It's all a compromise, and progress keeps on progressing. Let's start a new Leica rumor about a new model that overshadows the M9 and even a future M10.

As the S2 followed the R9 in the Leica SLR line, suppose in rangefinders an N1 follows the M9. It will have the same 30x45mm sensor size as the S2. "Crop factor" is 0.8. It will be about the size of an M5 only thicker, just as the M8 is thicker than the M7. It will accept S2 lenses by adapter, retaining the electrical interaction, but will optimally need its own line of equally expensive lenses. It will have a big bright viewfinder with superimposed RF spot positioned electrically by signals from the lens. It will feature autofocus as well as traditional manual focusing, like the S2. Body about $23k, same as the S2. It will be the first and only medium format digital RF... Will you hoard your pennies and wait for it? 😀
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Not unless that manual mode has focus-peaking.
 
I am not sure why you should ask. If it's the right tool for what you need or just have the money to try something new go for it. If you are asking me what I think, I would get a NEX 7 and pocket a few hundred on a lens. It has full manual controls, no filters to fool with, incredable IQ. I have shot Leica glass on mine and saw no color shifts ect.
But I have the Carl Ziess 24mm on mine and am more than pleased. Unlike film cameras digitals lose their value over time and I think the M8 is a bit dated on the other hand the NEX 7 will offer you enough image quality you should never need another camera unless you have equipment failure.
I thought about an M8 but after reading about some of the problems people were having and the filter issue I didn't want to drop that kind of cash on one. If I am going to spend 2 grand+ on a camera it's going to perform like one otherwise your just paying for that red dot. I say buy a NEX or stock up on a ton of film and wear that M7 out. But now that's my opinion.
 
It is of course legitimate to decide whichever way you want. But the argument " if i am going to spend......it should perform like one" is not fit to dismiss the M8. The M8 still outperforms just about anything, as has been proven tenthousandfold.
 
Just my opinion, but if I didn't have my M9, I could shoot very happily with an M8. I did for quite some time before I was able to buy the M9. Which "upgrade," for me, wasn't nearly the jump from the M8 that others suggested.
 
The most notable difference between M8 and M9 is of course the sensor size, but the M8's is larger than most popular "serious" digital gear:
36 x 24 M9
27 x 18 M8
23.5 x 15.7 Pentax dSLR; many other "APS" dSLR sensors are smaller
24 x 18 Traditional film half frame
17.3 x 13 Micro4/3
17 x 14 110 Instamatic film... getting pretty small here! 🙂
 
cosmonaut said:
Unlike film cameras digitals lose their value over time and I think the M8 is a bit dated on the other hand the NEX 7 will offer you enough image quality you should never need another camera unless you have equipment failure.
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The M8 is dated but the NEX-7 is forever? As user of both M8 and NEX-5N, I don't really see such a difference. Sure the NEX-7 must be better than the 5N, but I see myself replacing the 5N based on my photographic needs much sooner than the M8.

Edit. Okay, fair enough, you said "enough image quality". But even then, it is a video camera that doesn't shoot 4K which will probably be huge in 10 years.
 
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Lss said:
The M8 is dated but the NEX-7 is forever? As user of both M8 and NEX-5N, I don't really see such a difference. Sure the NEX-7 must be better than the 5N, but I see myself replacing the 5N based on my photographic needs much sooner than the M8.

Edit. Okay, fair enough, you said "enough image quality". But even then, it is a video camera that doesn't shoot 4K which will probably be huge in 10 years.
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The nex-7 is not better than the 5n. It is now becomeing clear it has wide aperture issues with a bunch of lenses--not just wides---not just RFs. See debate at photozone.

M8 has already put n7 in the ground.

Now I need to find one!
 
I had the M8 from 2008 until 2010, which is when I rediscovered film.

The M8 is a great camera in many aspects, but it also has some flaws, particularly the white balance. I always had trouble getting the colors right. I especially noticed this problem after I took my Voigtländer Vito along with me and took the same shots with the Leica and the Vito (on Fuji Velvia)--the scanned film images looked so much more natural, foliage looked three-dimensional and rich, and blacks were black and not purple (I used the Leica UV/IR filter on the M8, helps but doesn't fix the problem entirely). I fell in love with the look of film and today shoot mostly film.

I have a Panasonic GH2 for digital purposes, which I like because it is very versatile and shoots great video. I only use it for some snapshots around the house, lightbox shots, and video though.

If I was you, I would keep the M7. Shoot some slides and get a Leitz slide projector to enjoy every detail the M7 can capture, and rich, natural looking colors.

Just my two cents...
 
You have to decide if you need a digital rangefinder or not.

If yes; do you need a full frame ( 35mm ). There is only one choice.

If you need a rangefinder and digital and can live with a cropped sensor,

again you have 2 choices. M8 and the Epson RD(x). Both discontinued.

I have used the M8 continuously. I have no experience of the Epson RD(x).

M8 has its shortcomings, which are well known. I have accepted its

shortcomings and try to mitigate them. Like another camera.

Irrespective of what people might think, I am still to be convinced that any

camera manufacturer, other than Leica itself, can do justice to the Leica

lenses made for the m- mount. I include the zeiss and cv lenses too.

The M8 is a past generation camera. Its failure rate is no better and no

worse than any other digital camera. My M8 is still working..it could fail

the next day.

But, and this is important to me, for me it is not only the end result from

my M8, which is second to none. Equally important for me is the process.

The handling, the lenses, the rangefinder experience.

As I stated previously, my M8 gives me the greatest amount of pleasure

in its handling and in its results..bar none.

p409517388-4.jpg

​

Yes, I have film Ms too. I have Nikon also. But my M8 is still what I reach for; most of the time.
 
I shoot on a (almost) daily basis with my M7 and it was never my plan that the M8 should replace it...😉
Nor do I plan to buy just another digital camera... But I have been there already...🙄
Anyhow, thanks guys. I still keep on reading this thread and appreciate any good advice
 
faris said:
You have to decide if you need a digital rangefinder or not.

If yes; do you need a full frame ( 35mm ). There is only one choice.

If you need a rangefinder and digital and can live with a cropped sensor,

again you have 2 choices. M8 and the Epson RD(x). Both discontinued.

I have used the M8 continuously. I have no experience of the Epson RD(x).

M8 has its shortcomings, which are well known. I have accepted its

shortcomings and try to mitigate them. Like another camera.

Irrespective of what people might think, I am still to be convinced that any

camera manufacturer, other than Leica itself, can do justice to the Leica

lenses made for the m- mount. I include the zeiss and cv lenses too.

The M8 is a past generation camera. Its failure rate is no better and no

worse than any other digital camera. My M8 is still working..it could fail

the next day.

But, and this is important to me, for me it is not only the end result from

my M8, which is second to none. Equally important for me is the process.

The handling, the lenses, the rangefinder experience.

As I stated previously, my M8 gives me the greatest amount of pleasure

in its handling and in its results..bar none.

Yes, I have film Ms too. I have Nikon also. But my M8 is still what I reach for; most of the time.
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I dont need it, but I sometimes love to have it next to (or as an option to ) my M7
Fullframe is definately very nice to have, but as stated earlier, the M9 is no option. The handling of the Rangefinder System is exactly what I love in my M7. If I can just switch between a film and a very similar (reliable & good) digital body, using the same lenses and working style, I am a happy chappy.

I have not made up my mind yet about the M8. But if its not an M8, than I will just stick to my 5D's and M7.
 
ChrisC said:
Dante, how nice to see you posting ---------- I've often enjoyed your writing on things Leica-like.

For me, the 1/8000 shutter of the M8 was a negative, and the 1/4000 shutter of the M8.2 was an improvement; not only because of it's quieter operation, but because many suspect that the substantially increased energies involved to give the M8's 1/8000 capability made the shutter less robust than the M8.2's slower top speed.

However, the M8 remains a camera for serious work when used seriously.

.............. Chris
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This is the real fact and my M8 died after 14k actuations and I learned the problem of 1/8000 speed in the shutter was real and that is why Leica introduced M8.2 with a different shutter and supported the M8 users the shutter upgrade. They even eliminated that shutter speed from all M digital concept and M9 followed the same thing. I am happy to have that upgrade on my M8 too.
 
Ummm... Leica introduced the slower shutter because it was quieter - there is not a shred of evidence that there is any improvement in reliability between the two - in fact, if you browse the forums there are more shutterproblems reported for the slower shutter.
 
Richard,

I too shoot with a 5DII.

I also have an M6TTL that I enjoy using.

I lusted after a digital M for quite some time, but could not justify the outlay given my existing investment in equipment. I stretched and bought an M8 when I found one at a reasonable price and in good condition.

At first I was disapointed, expecting stellar results right away. However with time I have learned that the files from the M8 require to be worked with differently to the 5D's, and produce very different results. I'm now very satisfied with the results that I am getting.

In my opinion, the M8 provides me with a perfect half-way house between my film M6 and my 5D.

I paid £1500 for my example in mint condition with 2500 actuations, and for that sort of money, I think that it is very worth it.

Regards,

James
 
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thanks James!

JamSee said:
Richard,

I too shoot with a 5DII.

I also have an M6TTL that I enjoy using.

I lusted after a digital M for quite some time, but could not justify the outlay given my existing investment in equipment. I stretched and bought an M8 when I found one at a reasonable price and in good condition.

At first I was disapointed, expecting stellar results right away. However with time I have learned that the files from the M8 require to be worked with differently to the 5D's, and produce very different results. I'm now very satisfied with the results that I am getting.

In my opinion, the M8 provides me with a perfect half-way house between my film M6 and my 5D.

I paid £1500 for my example in mint condition with 2500 actuations, and for that sort of money, I think that it is very worth it.

Regards,

James
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Given the speculation that the M10 is coming very soon, but is likely to be priced so high that I wouldnt be able to afford it anyway...and my feeling is the m9 wont drop too much because the m10 will be so much more expensive...my question is:

Would anyone buy a Used M8u, but brand new shutter (>10 on the shutter), vulcanite grip and 1 year warranty for $2500 cash (no box)? I have someone offering me that, and i'm considering it because of the warranty.
 
Huntjump - If I could sell my 5D I'd take that M8u in a heartbeat. I'm caught on the other side of the upgrade cycle - my 5D is now two versions behind and prices are dropping fast, even for clean and low shutter count versions with grips, extra batteries, etc. I can't afford to give it away, but I can't move to a digital M before I sell it. My only hope is that the new M10 drops M8/M9 prices within reach.
 
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