CrisR
Well-known
I've been thinking about buying an M8 for a while now - going to wait until a least a month or two after the May 10th event now, assuming that an upgrade to the M9 is announced of course.
While i don't expect a nosedive in prices, i can imagine that there's a bunch of M8 users that decided to skip the M9 and move onto the next iteration that will cause a bit of a price drop. Hopefully.
While i don't expect a nosedive in prices, i can imagine that there's a bunch of M8 users that decided to skip the M9 and move onto the next iteration that will cause a bit of a price drop. Hopefully.
Paps Guattro
Member
I can't see M8 prices taking a massive hit whatever Leica release in the future. They bottomed-out 12-18 months back and since then the prices have creeped up again (at resellers/stores).
A friend of mine owns a shop in UK and he said that as soon as he gets good M8's in stock, they're sold in less than a week.
I'd buy an M8 in 2030 as long it was in good working order. Truly adore mine, but I solely want B/W.
A friend of mine owns a shop in UK and he said that as soon as he gets good M8's in stock, they're sold in less than a week.
I'd buy an M8 in 2030 as long it was in good working order. Truly adore mine, but I solely want B/W.
bobbyrab
Well-known
I've just started to follow a few M8 auctions on eBay, and the two most recent to finish sold for £1010 and £1001. The last one looked good, judged to be 8/10 cosmetically and 33000 actuations, about what I'd expect for a camera of that age, but that's the lowest prices I've seen them go for by about 25%..
jarski
Veteran
yes cheapest (that I know) M8 recently in LUF sold for £1000. it was after the LCD hoopla started.
IEDEI
Well-known
agreed. prices are totally stable. the M8 is a phenomenal camera to buy even in 2012. ive had mine a bit over a week and am truly enjoying photography...
maitani
Well-known
make it 2200$ and you'll be perfectly fine
IEDEI
Well-known
the current street price for an M8.1 (M8u) is between $2500 and $3k.
a standard M8 is generally between $2k and $2500.
gdi
Veteran
It is probably hard to get that for one right now, with the new Leicas about to be announced and the chatter about serviceability. For example, there is a very nice upgraded one with low shutter count on getdpi now that is priced at $2600 with 5 Leica filters extra battery and an extra charger from a very reputable seller. It has set there for a week now. Recently, an 8.2 sold for $2750 on ebay recently and they normally go for hundreds more than a upgraded M8.
It is a tricky time to buy any Leica Digital, IMO. I was considering selling my M9, I may just wait to see how things shake out in a couple of weeks...
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I am considering the M8 in our classifieds and I seemed to recall some discussion about Leica not supporting repairs etc for the M8 any longer. Does anyone know anything more about this issue?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Lss
Well-known
They run out of LCD screens for M8 and therefore will not replace it. Otherwise, the M8 is still being serviced.
Chyn
Established
Leica still supports the M8, as mine was serviced a month back for a broken shutter. I was not affected by the LCD problem, or at least not yet.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Thanks Lasse ans Chyn. So if the LCD quits your out of luck. Hmmmm seems like a big risk on a 2 thousand camera.
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Chyn
Established
Raymond, you're correct. There are a few accounts here and there of M8 users being offered discounted M9s by Leica directly, so it would appear to be official policy.
I'm still hoping along with many others that during the Q&A session for Saturday at Photokina that Leica will outline a clearer strategy as to how this issue will be dealt with.
I'm still hoping along with many others that during the Q&A session for Saturday at Photokina that Leica will outline a clearer strategy as to how this issue will be dealt with.
Now that the M9 is discontinued, I wonder if the reduced price will be on the M-E.
Lss
Well-known
Well, it is something to consider. Many people make a big deal about this, as can be seen in the long heated discussions here on RFF. But the risk seems quite small, unless one has a habit of breaking LCD screens physically. It's quite safe to assume the rate of screens dying is insignificant. There is one known issue with M8 screens, called "coffee stains", but that does not make the screen unusable, and most units that will develop this problem probably have done so already. In summary, many uncertainties like in life in general.
And as others have pointed out, Leica offers a reduced-price upgrade to M9 (possibly now to M-E?) for those M8 owners who have a failure in their LCD screens. There is a quote from a Leica representative saying this is the official policy.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Thanks all..... it seems when ever I put my toe into the digital river it gets more confusing. My son calls me a ludite which I think means "keep using film and flintlocks Dad" lol.
Keyne
Established
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Actually, the better strategy sounds like getting an M8 and hoping the screen does fail (of course, then it won't fail...), since the trade-in that Leica gives you toward the M9 seems to be more than the current price of a used M8 (plus you get a warranted camera with a brand new battery). I think the use of cases does cut down on damaged screens.
Buying any used Leica is analogous to buying a foreclosed house or an old Jaguar. They can be cheap and fantastic, but the costs of ownership (aside from the purchase price) do not diminish with the purchase price. Property taxes never go down, the tuneup for a 3.8 Mark II is just as expensive and frequent as it always was, and a CLA is still a CLA.
That said, people who want the digital Leica experience on a budget don't have a lot of options - with no change in spec with the ME, the used prices of M9s very high, and the M 240 not being widely available until the middle of next year (all of which are required to "trickle down" lower prices), the M8 is pretty much it. And given that the M9's techology is identical, spending 2.5x as much for one gets you megapixels and angle of view but does not otherwise improve the experience.
Dante
Buying any used Leica is analogous to buying a foreclosed house or an old Jaguar. They can be cheap and fantastic, but the costs of ownership (aside from the purchase price) do not diminish with the purchase price. Property taxes never go down, the tuneup for a 3.8 Mark II is just as expensive and frequent as it always was, and a CLA is still a CLA.
That said, people who want the digital Leica experience on a budget don't have a lot of options - with no change in spec with the ME, the used prices of M9s very high, and the M 240 not being widely available until the middle of next year (all of which are required to "trickle down" lower prices), the M8 is pretty much it. And given that the M9's techology is identical, spending 2.5x as much for one gets you megapixels and angle of view but does not otherwise improve the experience.
Dante
I agree Dante. I'm kind of hoping it happens and they offer me a reduced price M-E. If not, I will just buy a used M9 in a few months and be done with it. I should have never sold my M9, but at least I got more back than you'd get now if you sold (and I still have the cash).
sunghei
Member
2013
2013
This may be a bit late. But I just got a 8.2 for 1800 and I absolute love this camera.
2013
This may be a bit late. But I just got a 8.2 for 1800 and I absolute love this camera.