Salviotti
Newbie
I'm an M6 user that wants to get a used M8 since I can't afford an M9. Does anyone know if I buy a used M8 will I be able to upgrade the shutter/bright lines or did the M8 have to be originally registered to me and/or still under warranty?
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
RFNewbie
Established
not positive but i think so.
wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a m8 that is already upgraded or a m8.2?
wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a m8 that is already upgraded or a m8.2?
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I believe you can still have it upgraded. I am thinking about doing one of mine (frame lines).
Kent
Kent
DerekF
Established
If you're only getting one (or maybe two) of the upgrades, then it's still cheaper to get a used M8 and upgrade it vs. getting an M8.2. OTOH, if you want all three upgrades, it's probably better to just get the M8.2.
LeicaMSeattle
Established
The sapphire glass is definitely worthwhile!
GrahamWelland
Well-known
Remember also that if your camera is out of warranty, any upgrade will provide you with a Leica 1yr warranty plus the camera effectively gets a full CLA during the upgrade.
I originally upgraded one of my M8's with the framelines and sapphire LCD cover. I didn't need the newer 'quieter' shutter and definitely couldn't justify the cost of the covering.
If you are considering all of the upgrades then I'd get an M8.2. Mine felt slightly better built overall - hard to quantify why but that's how it felt.
I originally upgraded one of my M8's with the framelines and sapphire LCD cover. I didn't need the newer 'quieter' shutter and definitely couldn't justify the cost of the covering.
If you are considering all of the upgrades then I'd get an M8.2. Mine felt slightly better built overall - hard to quantify why but that's how it felt.
Salviotti
Newbie
Thanks for the input everyone! I'm leaning toward buying an M8.2 ... still trying to find a great price.
jack palmer
Well-known
While other digital cameras quickly become outdated and are replaced by newer models, our new concept extends the value retention that stands for the Leica brand. Over time, we will gradually offer new product features and developments as upgrade options,“ declares Steven K. Lee, CEO of Leica Camera AG. “Our customers can therefore still invest in the photographic tools they need without worrying that they will miss out on improvements and technological developments along the way. We are confident that this is the right approach for ensuring customer satisfaction and allowing them to continue to sharpen their vision and refine their skills with the new digital Leica M8. Our efforts will be focused constantly on giving them the best that the world of photography has to offer.“
You never have to worry, your M8 will be up to date forever. Retains it's value too.. Just ask all those sellers on eBay.
You never have to worry, your M8 will be up to date forever. Retains it's value too.. Just ask all those sellers on eBay.
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Stephen who?
There are, I am sure, good reasons why he and Leica parted company.
Cheers,
R.
There are, I am sure, good reasons why he and Leica parted company.
Cheers,
R.
fotomeow
name under my name
Ive been pondering the same question, thanks for bringing it up. The Leica website says what Graham has said, that having an M8 and getting an upgrade will get you a look-over as well. However, if they find something wrong, and its not under warranty, I think you would have to pay to repair it (no?). I mean, this is Leica, they are not going to fix it for FREE, right?!..........
So I was thinking (which usually gets me in trouble) and came up with this idea: I cant afford a new M8 or M8.2 for that matter. Option #1) So if I buy a used M8.2, I would have the upgrades, but no warranty, so Im cautious of this route. Option #2) I can buy a used M8 in good condition and PERFECT working order. I could then immediately send it to Leica (before it needs repair) for one upgrade. That one upgrade, although about a thousand bucks would buy me a one year warranty on the whole camera. Lets say I use the camera another year, and if I still like it, I can buy another one upgrade and essentially buy myself another year of full warranty. I could do that for the third year as well.
So, I could buy an M8 for $2500, then spend $1000/year for one upgrade each year X 3 years for full warranty. THIS IS ASSUMING THE CAMERA WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WHEN I BOUGHT IT!). At the end of that 3rd year, I will have spent $5500. Then, what would the resale value be? It would be a full M8.2 by that time, but not worth $5500. I just saw a M8.2 sell for $3400, and it was only 6 months old in perfect condition. In 3 years, the M8 I have upgraded to an M8.2 may be worth $2500???? maybe???? In this case, I would have basically "rented" the camera with a full warranty, and paid $1000 per year to "rent" it. Is this the price of admission to play the digital Leica game? Is it worth it?
OR
Just buy a used M8.2 without warranty and roll the dice??????
In conclusion, the cost/benefit ratio is pretty steep for digi Leica (any better for Epson? I hear about a lot of them being passed around and needing repairs). I can easily keep my M6 and keep shooting film, and pay about the same $1000 per year for film and development, and not have to deal with crop factors, IR issues, and the like. Besides, in 3 years, Im pretty sure Leica will have more competition, either from digi RF producers (Epson, Cosina?, Zeiss?, other?) or just general digital manufacturers, as evidenced by Samsungs NX-10 coming out, there is no M-mount yet, but I imagine there will be. The Samsung sensor is APS-C, so is a good sized sensor with crop-factor of 1.5 with built-in EVF (they are leaders in this technology), so the cameras are getting smaller than DSLRs with the optical advantages of DSLRs.......hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.....can I be patient enough to wait for a digital equivalent (roughly) of a digi Leica for half the price?
What do y'all think??
So I was thinking (which usually gets me in trouble) and came up with this idea: I cant afford a new M8 or M8.2 for that matter. Option #1) So if I buy a used M8.2, I would have the upgrades, but no warranty, so Im cautious of this route. Option #2) I can buy a used M8 in good condition and PERFECT working order. I could then immediately send it to Leica (before it needs repair) for one upgrade. That one upgrade, although about a thousand bucks would buy me a one year warranty on the whole camera. Lets say I use the camera another year, and if I still like it, I can buy another one upgrade and essentially buy myself another year of full warranty. I could do that for the third year as well.
So, I could buy an M8 for $2500, then spend $1000/year for one upgrade each year X 3 years for full warranty. THIS IS ASSUMING THE CAMERA WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WHEN I BOUGHT IT!). At the end of that 3rd year, I will have spent $5500. Then, what would the resale value be? It would be a full M8.2 by that time, but not worth $5500. I just saw a M8.2 sell for $3400, and it was only 6 months old in perfect condition. In 3 years, the M8 I have upgraded to an M8.2 may be worth $2500???? maybe???? In this case, I would have basically "rented" the camera with a full warranty, and paid $1000 per year to "rent" it. Is this the price of admission to play the digital Leica game? Is it worth it?
OR
Just buy a used M8.2 without warranty and roll the dice??????
In conclusion, the cost/benefit ratio is pretty steep for digi Leica (any better for Epson? I hear about a lot of them being passed around and needing repairs). I can easily keep my M6 and keep shooting film, and pay about the same $1000 per year for film and development, and not have to deal with crop factors, IR issues, and the like. Besides, in 3 years, Im pretty sure Leica will have more competition, either from digi RF producers (Epson, Cosina?, Zeiss?, other?) or just general digital manufacturers, as evidenced by Samsungs NX-10 coming out, there is no M-mount yet, but I imagine there will be. The Samsung sensor is APS-C, so is a good sized sensor with crop-factor of 1.5 with built-in EVF (they are leaders in this technology), so the cameras are getting smaller than DSLRs with the optical advantages of DSLRs.......hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.....can I be patient enough to wait for a digital equivalent (roughly) of a digi Leica for half the price?
What do y'all think??
jack palmer
Well-known
Be patient. The M6 and film are a beautiful combination. I'm sure there are good things coming down the pike as far as digital. The M8 and M8.2 are an incomplete idea. A good start but it's not all there.
GrahamWelland
Well-known
Film guys will tell you to stick with the M6 no matter what. Actually, if it were me I'd stick with the Mamiya 6 - awesome camera.
If you want to shoot digital with your M lenses now then your choice is much simpler - M8/M8.2 or M9 - assuming of course that you don't want to have a 1.5x or 2x crop factor (before all the RD-1 or m4/3rds fans chime in). Life isn't a rehearsal so think about how long you want to put off getting and using the camera.
You can go through the cost justification exercises for ever. I find it easier to look at these decisions based on an assumption that my camera is worth nothing the day after I bought it. It makes these decisions much simpler
If you want to shoot digital with your M lenses now then your choice is much simpler - M8/M8.2 or M9 - assuming of course that you don't want to have a 1.5x or 2x crop factor (before all the RD-1 or m4/3rds fans chime in). Life isn't a rehearsal so think about how long you want to put off getting and using the camera.
You can go through the cost justification exercises for ever. I find it easier to look at these decisions based on an assumption that my camera is worth nothing the day after I bought it. It makes these decisions much simpler