Considering Leica M8.2 Price Question

[Alex Krasotkin]

Guys,

I may have a chance to grab M8.2 for approx $3,900 from the local rich amateur seller. Sounds like the guy played with it just a little and want to sell it, but it appears to be that he has lost an international warranty. He said he purchased it in photo store in Germany at the end of 2008, but lost warranty afterwards. I have asked him to double check it again. Do you think that it is still worth to buy it for this price? Can the warranty be somehow restored, if the purchase bill is in place? In the worst case I can deposit some money with him and agree to check the camera thoroughly before will do final payment.
I need to buy digital Leica to do some occasional commercial shooting (weddings, events, etc.) and travel, but do not want to buy DSLR, because it is not my style of photography. I will couple digital Leica with my M7 0.85 and the following lenses: 28/2.8 Hexanon, and pre-asph luxes 35, 50,75.

Appreciate your opinions/advises.

Regards,
Alex

 

[dcsang]

Alex,

My understanding of Leica's warranty is that it is not transferable.
I went through this when I sold my M8 to a guy out in Calgary, Alberta Canada. We both talked to Leica and they stand firm on the warranty issue.
Here's the information directly from the Leica FAQ:
http://nemeng.com/leica/025e.shtml

That said, he's "lost" the warranty cards so he, in essence, never put them in to Leica to get the warranty put into force - I'm not sure how that works and you'd have a tough time, I think, trying to convince Leica that the warranty cards were lost - but who knows... you can always give that a try and see if they would send you a second set based on the serial number of the camera.


Cheers and good luck,
Dave

 

[Avotius]

I thought that Leica warranties could not be transferred. The price seems a wee bit high seeing as you can get a normal M8 now for around the 3000 mark but then again this is a 8.2....though it is a lot cheaper then a new one which is what....6000 dollars now? Used ones with one year warranty at pop photo are still around 5k...

Tough call....if you can check out the camera and make sure its really ok then.....maybe its worth it. I would just be worried that he is trying to get rid of it because of some problem and 2000 dollars less then list is a big chunk....

 

[cam]

do you need/want the features of the M8.2? if so, and you are allowed to check it out thoroughly, i think the price is great. (i'd check to see what lenses he might be dumping as well 😛 though i really like your line up of lenses!) i doubt his type used it much at all.

if you don't need all the bells and whistles of the M8.2, you can get a used M8 in pretty fine condition for almost half the price (i got a beauty for $2200 -- no box, no warranty, but backed by the dealer i bought it from). i really wanted the quieter shutter on the M8.2 but could not justify the cost difference. as it is, with the discreet function, i've found the noise of my new (old) M8 not so bad at all.... (i was looking at used M8.2's for around $5000 though. if i had come across the deal you're being offered, i might have gone for it.)

 

[Avotius]

2200 for a m8????? My goodness....want to sell it for what you paid 😀 That is the lowest price I have heard yet. Starting to get into minty rd1 prices.

 

[LeicaMSeattle]

The Leica warranty is not transferable but you can re-register it under your name. I recently aquired a M8 for a decent price, used it a lot and then sent it in for defective sensor replacement and Upgrade. I now have an additional year warranty, new shutter to start at 0 actuations and the ability to write off as a business expense.

 

[aniMal]

I passed by a chance to buy an M8 for a little less than $2000 a week ago... The prices are coming down, and I will buy a second M8 when they are generally in the $2k range.

I suppose it is less of a gamble to buy a second hand M8.2 than an early M8, there seems to be very few faulty M8.2s reported as yet? It would be really strange if Leica was not able to deliver more stable digital Ms by now...

 

[kully]

I'm looking at my Passport card and the 2 year warranty in the UK _is_ transferable (".... even if ownership passes to someone else during the period of cover.")

As the man bought it in Germany I would check with Leica Germany.

If he lost the card then they should be able to issue another as long as he registered the camera.

 

[photogdave]

I'm looking at my Passport card and the 2 year warranty in the UK _is_ transferable (".... even if ownership passes to someone else during the period of cover.")

As the man bought it in Germany I would check with Leica Germany.

If he lost the card then they should be able to issue another as long as he registered the camera.

Is that warranty for the M8?
In North America there is no passport warranty on digital. Film cameras, lenses and sport optics only.

 

[kully]

Yup, that is for the M8 (bought 1st week of December 2008). It is the full passport warranty (if your pet alligator chomps it they'll fix it).

 

[kully]

What is not covered:

"cosmetic damage, damage resulting from non-Leica servicing or repairs, loss of or damage to accessories (lens hoods, filters, eyecups, straps, cases &c.)"

Otherwise:

"....any part of the equipment ceases to function, or functions incorrectly, from whatever cause, including accidental damage...." will be repaired or replaced FOC.

 

[photogdave]

That's a great warranty!

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Guys, I hear your comments and truly appreciate them. From what it sounds, it is worth to consider used M8 rather then used M8.2 and save $1,500 given that the difference between these 2 cameras is not that marginal.