naos
23 Skidoo
I just read the article about the surge in people coming to RFF. Do you think the M8 has something to do with that? Everyday I'm reading about more and more people switching over to RF because of their dissatisfaction with DSLR. Even if the M8 is out of someone's reach, I see more newbies getting into film via M6, M3's.
thomasw_
Well-known
i agree...
charjohncarter
Veteran
You may be correct, but I hope they wait for a while so old Leica prices don't go up any further.
Peter55
Leica M5 & Summilux User
Yes It is!
Yes It is!
More and more people are using digital cameras so it makes sense that Leica's M8 is making rangefinder use more popular as well.
Also since it's release I have noticed the price for used Leica Camaera bodies and lenses has increased.
Supply and demand principle.
Yes It is!
More and more people are using digital cameras so it makes sense that Leica's M8 is making rangefinder use more popular as well.
Also since it's release I have noticed the price for used Leica Camaera bodies and lenses has increased.
Supply and demand principle.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Definitely ... and if some of the other manufacturers don't go the digital RF route I will be very surprised. Imagine a rangefinder camera priced in the more friendly zone of reallity ... it will sell like hot cross buns at Easter! 
back alley
IMAGES
i doubt it.
the m8 has just brought the slr vs. rf battle to digital and frankly the slr is the clear popular choice, in film & digital.
if the world of rf is growing i would guess it has more to do with rff, the 'new' voightlanders and the cameraquest site than the m8.
the m8 has just brought the slr vs. rf battle to digital and frankly the slr is the clear popular choice, in film & digital.
if the world of rf is growing i would guess it has more to do with rff, the 'new' voightlanders and the cameraquest site than the m8.
xabi
Established
I don't think so. The M8 has driven the used lens price way up and make it harder to get into RF photography.
alecto
Member
To be honest I doubt that many amateur photographers would know what an M8 is, let alone know that it's digital. It isn't marketed at all similarly to consumer DSLRs and Leica aren't trying to appeal to people of the 'digital generation' with the M8, they're trying to appeal to the people who have been using RFs for years, just as they have been doing for each successive M.
I think it's more likely that a resurgence in the popularity of photography in general is responsible. As photography has become more accessible (through digital P&S camera and even mobile/cellphone cameras) more people are likely to take an interest in photography and therefore seek out other photographic equipment and media.
I think it's more likely that a resurgence in the popularity of photography in general is responsible. As photography has become more accessible (through digital P&S camera and even mobile/cellphone cameras) more people are likely to take an interest in photography and therefore seek out other photographic equipment and media.
Yes Indeedy!
Yes Indeedy!
I never would have believed it, but yes indeed, the M8 has definitely made RF photography more popular.
Why do I believe this?
Because I have sold about six sets of Voigtlander lenses to new M8 owners
who had NEVER owned a rangefinder before!
damn. I was never expecting that !
Stephen
Yes Indeedy!
I never would have believed it, but yes indeed, the M8 has definitely made RF photography more popular.
Why do I believe this?
Because I have sold about six sets of Voigtlander lenses to new M8 owners
who had NEVER owned a rangefinder before!
damn. I was never expecting that !
Stephen
NickTrop
Veteran
I would have said "no" but CameraQuest settles this question. Never would have guessed since it's such a specialty item. While I still dig my Cosina K-Mount SLR, since shooting RFs the shutter on that thing sounds like a canon blast.
Tuolumne
Veteran
CameraQuest said:
Stephen,
I wouldn't call six a trend. I would be much more impressed if you had said 666.
/T
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
It got Leica's name back in the headlines, and Leica means rangefinders.
There has to be new interest in the cameras because of that, it's impossible for that not to be the case.
There has to be new interest in the cameras because of that, it's impossible for that not to be the case.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Sure it has. But don't forget RFs are still a niche market. Even if the M8 would double the interest in RFs, were talking about less than 1% of the DSLR market. And the DSLR market is the one that is really growing!
angeloks
Well-known
For me it did, I started photography a few years ago and I never looked into RF. With people taking about the M8 in every SLR forums, it slowly dragged me into the pit!
potomo
Member
I don't think so, if you want to try Rf you wouldn't buy a digital Leica: too expensive!!
I started with a 20 € Zorky and now I'm buying a Bessa R: these cameras are making the RF popular!!
I started with a 20 € Zorky and now I'm buying a Bessa R: these cameras are making the RF popular!!
naos
23 Skidoo
A lot of people new to RF are going straight to the M8.
What I think is happpening is, people intially learn about the M8, consider it too expensive, then try to find a lesser priced alternative.
The M8 is kinda like the 'gateway drug' into RF. I met someone on the subway today who read about the M8 in a Photo Mag. He never heard about RF before. The camera interested him until he found out the price, but he was still interested in RF and bought a ZI Kit, ditching his DSLR.
I think Leica (M8) is making RF popular, but upon finding out it's price, new users settle for a Bessa/ZI ect...while in the meantime always itchin for the Leica...
What I think is happpening is, people intially learn about the M8, consider it too expensive, then try to find a lesser priced alternative.
The M8 is kinda like the 'gateway drug' into RF. I met someone on the subway today who read about the M8 in a Photo Mag. He never heard about RF before. The camera interested him until he found out the price, but he was still interested in RF and bought a ZI Kit, ditching his DSLR.
I think Leica (M8) is making RF popular, but upon finding out it's price, new users settle for a Bessa/ZI ect...while in the meantime always itchin for the Leica...
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jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Most definitely yes. About 75 % of the posts by new users on the LUF are buyers that have either sold their DSLR systems or are starting to use both systems side by side. Of course those users are the ones that are most prone to post with questions, but still....
alan davus
Well-known
According to Roger Hicks over on APUG Leica sales are stronger than they have been in many years, obviously because of the M8. But it is evidently having a flow on effect with M7and MP sales which are up as well.
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
I think is more like the other way round, the M8 is making Digital Photography more popular among RF users.
Jim Watts
Still trying to See.
Peter55 said:
Well I think it did increased the sales of the R-D1/s the only other digital rangefinder which Epson now says has reached the end of its production run (originally stated as 10,000 bodies), but I think the increase in sales of new film Leica's will probably be short lived. (Some sales will always be there, probably at about pre M8 levels).
Clearly the sales of Leica fit new & secondhand lenses has taken a boost from the M8 & R-D1, but most secondhand Leica bodies are cheaper now than a year ago (at least in the UK). I was offered much less for a black chrome Leica M4 in part ex. for an M8 than I was for a cash sale to a dealer 18 months ago. Dealers tell me they are not really making any money on S/H bodies now, but are relying on lens sales.