Did I really get a very low shutter actuation M8?

T

tempest68

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I bought an M8 from Adorama a couple weeks ago (I wanted piece of mind about being able to do a return with no questions asked if I didn't like it for some reason). I began wondering how to tell what the shutter count is on an M8, and found this write-up on how to do that: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2749434

According to the first picture that I took and kept (I probably deleted a couple of the very first shots), the unique image id is 6cc. That translates to a decimal value of 1740. My last shot was 76b, which is decimal value 1899.

Did I really just get an M8 with under 2000 shutter actuations? Is there any way to reset the unique image id to start over or is that value similar to the odometer in a car that cannot be changed without severe tampering?

If I remember right, Adorama listed it as an "E" condition. I think they're condition assessment was spot on, as the body shows some small signs of wear but yet still in very nice condition otherwise. If the number of shutter actuations truly is less that 2000, then that's just icing on the cake :D
 
Have you looked to see what the camera says in the debug menu? I have an M8 thats been serviced twice and shutter replaced once, and it still shows the total shutter count from before and after the replacement.

To access the Debug menu:
1- Turn camera on
Then on the Dial:
2- Press >>>>
3- Press <<<
4- Press >
5- Press info button.
6- Scroll down to Body Debug Data
7- Press Set
8- Scroll down to NumExposures
Turn camera off to exit

I love Adorama, and have considered buying used Leica Digitals from them in the past. But I just dont trust their graders in the used department enough to risk it, even if I can get a good price and can return it. Its just too much trouble, especially since I'm such an aggressive haggler. It's just embarrassing to have to return something after I made such a fuss :D
 
Thank You for that information on how to get to Debug mode.

I guess I do have an under 2000 shutter actuation M8, as Debug shows 1917 (I took a few more shots since the last photo I have on the computer where I was checking the unique image id values).

Regarding Adorama, only once did I get a used item from them where the item didn't seem to live up to the condition they listed. And in that case it was a common lens so I asked if they had a condition "D" copy and traded up and paid them the difference. I've also returned maybe two or three items simply because I didn't like it or just plain changed my mind. But anything new I've always been happy with and most used stuff I did end up keeping. If they have what I'm looking for, I'll buy there vs. from an individual just for the ability to easily return an item i'm unhappy with. But I only buy condition "E", "E+" or "D" items from their used department.

Thanks again,

Jim

enero said:
Have you looked to see what the camera says in the debug menu? I have an M8 thats been serviced twice and shutter replaced once, and it still shows the total shutter count from before and after the replacement.

To access the Debug menu:
1- Turn camera on
Then on the Dial:
2- Press >>>>
3- Press <<<
4- Press >
5- Press info button.
6- Scroll down to Body Debug Data
7- Press Set
8- Scroll down to NumExposures
Turn camera off to exit

I love Adorama, and have considered buying used Leica Digitals from them in the past. But I just dont trust their graders in the used department enough to risk it, even if I can get a good price and can return it. Its just too much trouble, especially since I'm such an aggressive haggler. It's just embarrassing to have to return something after I made such a fuss :D
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for this information (where is this written? other than here?). I just verified that the M8 I purchased from KEH as EXCELLENT is indeed excellent and has the number of shots they said. One for them!!



enero said:
Have you looked to see what the camera says in the debug menu? I have an M8 thats been serviced twice and shutter replaced once, and it still shows the total shutter count from before and after the replacement.

To access the Debug menu:
1- Turn camera on
Then on the Dial:
2- Press >>>>
3- Press <<<
4- Press >
5- Press info button.
6- Scroll down to Body Debug Data
7- Press Set
8- Scroll down to NumExposures
Turn camera off to exit

I love Adorama, and have considered buying used Leica Digitals from them in the past. But I just dont trust their graders in the used department enough to risk it, even if I can get a good price and can return it. Its just too much trouble, especially since I'm such an aggressive haggler. It's just embarrassing to have to return something after I made such a fuss :D
Click to expand...
 
pepeguitarra said:
Thank you for this information (where is this written? other than here?). I just verified that the M8 I purchased from KEH as EXCELLENT is indeed excellent and has the number of shots they said. One for them!!
Click to expand...

No problemo! I found it some time ago in another forum. Cant remember where, otherwise I would have given credit :)
 
tempest68 said:
Thank You for that information on how to get to Debug mode.

I guess I do have an under 2000 shutter actuation M8, as Debug shows 1917 (I took a few more shots since the last photo I have on the computer where I was checking the unique image id values).

Regarding Adorama, only once did I get a used item from them where the item didn't seem to live up to the condition they listed. And in that case it was a common lens so I asked if they had a condition "D" copy and traded up and paid them the difference. I've also returned maybe two or three items simply because I didn't like it or just plain changed my mind. But anything new I've always been happy with and most used stuff I did end up keeping. If they have what I'm looking for, I'll buy there vs. from an individual just for the ability to easily return an item i'm unhappy with. But I only buy condition "E", "E+" or "D" items from their used department.

Thanks again,

Jim
Click to expand...

Glad it worked out. I have no problem with Adorama's used department, I've bought a lot from them, but I have the luxury of being able to go in to check everything out before I buy, including the stuff they sell on ebay. And although most of my experience has been positive with their grading, there has been some cases that they just either dont catch some obvious problems, or they think something is fixable so they give it a better grade. Ive been told on multiple occasions by their wonderful staff that I need to give up on looking at anything below E. Even they know its a crap shoot. But I cant help myself. I'm always on the look out for a good deal, and Ive found many that theyve considered below V to be quite E ;)

And yeah, totally the best place to buy new stuff. I go to them before anyone else (electronics included). They have the best local prices and often, best internet prices.
 
I never understand how someone has such a beautiful camera and then doesn't really use it. Well, at least it is good for the new owner. :)
 
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