For those who have pre-ordered the M8

[haotong]

My pre-order was made in Feb 2006 in an authorized dealer in London, and I am currently one of the top five people in the waiting list. I called my dealer couple of times asking the "first batch" date in late September, and he told me it would be Late October, and yesterday I was told that it would be Early to Middle November.

When I was browsing most M8 topics in the forum, I found the shipping date is said to be Late November or December.... and what is more "the M8 production is "pre-ordered" into January 2007."

I am getting a bit confused and a bit out-of-patient.... : )

So could anyone, especially who are on the 'top of the waiting list" confirms me that "I can get my M8 next week!?"

thanks 😱

 

[Leicabug]

It seems to me that Leica has alloted a certain number of M8 to each dealer so each dealer know how exactly how many M8 he will receive on the first shipment. If you are one of the top five and the dealer is going to receive more than 5 M8, you should be among the first to receive it.
People that went to Leica in Solm saw boxes of M8 at the time 0f Photokina. They reported that Leica plans to ship all 2000 units worldwide at the same time. Allow a few weeks for softwear installation and delivery(both to Leica USA and then to dealers). My guess is at least November or later.

 

[jaapv]

My dealer quoted "end of October" I'm #1 on his list. The 2000 shipment worldwide seems to be a fact, but a number went to reviewers, journalists and pro's, so my guess for us mere mortals would be the first week(s) of November. Official first delivery date is November 23rd.

 

[Bob Ross]

It seems to me that Leica has alloted a certain number of M8 to each dealer so each dealer know how exactly how many M8 he will receive on the first shipment. If you are one of the top five and the dealer is going to receive more than 5 M8, you should be among the first to receive it.
People that went to Leica in Solm saw boxes of M8 at the time 0f Photokina. They reported that Leica plans to ship all 2000 units worldwide at the same time. Allow a few weeks for softwear installation and delivery(both to Leica USA and then to dealers). My guess is at least November or later.

I was told br Eric at Tamarkin NY that the expected first shipment arrival in the US by air cargo was Nov 15th. The shipment would go through customs and then to Leica USA for processing and separation into shipments to dealers.
Given your info about all going out at the same time, we should start to hear from folks in Germany first, to tell us they are on their way.
Bob

 

[gloec]

Here in Greece, the official Leica distributor told me that the first cameras will be available in the beginning of January. Also, he said that they have not any official announcement from Leica about the release date which unofficially was the middle of November....

 

[jaapv]

Here in Greece, the official Leica distributor told me that the first cameras will be available in the beginning of January. Also, he said that they have not any official announcement from Leica about the release date which unofficially was the middle of November....

That sucks. In your place I would approach a reputable dealer in Germany.

 

[J. Borger]

Come on guys .. you make fools of yourself .. everybody is on the the top 2, top 5 etc list .. how can yo be sure of this? You have a lot of trust in dealers🙂
I am on a list myself .. but i still see myself waiting and waiting untill i spot M8 on the shelf of a local store, where nobody knows what an M8 is, and buy it there!
Before end of the year would be fine with me .. i have fun with the R-D1 in the mean time.

 

[gloec]

That sucks. In your place I would approach a reputable dealer in Germany.

They are very reputable here in Greece, they also run the Leica Academy, and they can sell the camera in twelve monthly interest free installments. 🙂
I visited them today and they said that there is no way the camera will be shipped earlier than January 2007. They also said that there is no official announcement of the release date by Leica Germany (this is true, isn't it?).
We just have to wait and see 🙂

 

[khoking]

official release date of Leica M8 is late November... 🙂 Currently I have one customer from USA in my waiting list at ShaShinKi.com 😎

 

[StuartR]

Come on guys .. you make fools of yourself .. everybody is on the the top 2, top 5 etc list .. how can yo be sure of this? You have a lot of trust in dealers🙂
I am on a list myself .. but i still see myself waiting and waiting untill i spot M8 on the shelf of a local store, where nobody knows what an M8 is, and buy it there!
Before end of the year would be fine with me .. i have fun with the R-D1 in the mean time.

Heh, for my part, my dealer said I am number 72 on his list, so we can't all be at the top! He said that he hoped that it would be available by the end of December. The DMR will keep me company until then.

 

[Donald Mann]

They advertised it in the October 21 New York Times . . . so it must be avaialable now! 🙂

 

[greggebhardt]

Come on guys .. you make fools of yourself .. everybody is on the the top 2, top 5 etc list .. how can yo be sure of this? You have a lot of trust in dealers🙂
I am on a list myself .. but i still see myself waiting and waiting untill i spot M8 on the shelf of a local store, where nobody knows what an M8 is, and buy it there!
Before end of the year would be fine with me .. i have fun with the R-D1 in the mean time.

Does not sound like YOUR dealer is reputable.

My dealer gave me a number and I have no doubts of my place in line.

 

[Magnus]

some guy in france just wrote on leica forum that he is able to pick it up this afternoon at his dealer .... Seems rahter steep as the rest of the world has to wait at leats until nov-dec

 

[J. Borger]

Does not sound like YOUR dealer is reputable.

My dealer gave me a number and I have no doubts of my place in line.

It's just typical that nobody seems to be nr 6, 7 or 8 etc. on a waiting list who frequents the forums.... everybody is 1 or 2 .....
Not to mention that you can be nr 20 on the list of a large Leica dealer and have the camera sooner than somebody who is nr 1 with a small dealer .......... it's just a gamble ..!

 

[devils-advocate]

I suspect Leica is playing the "under-promise/over-deliver" game. The cameras they have sent to reviewers are full production models, which mean they are ready. The real question is volume. I am #4 on my dealer's list (but two of those want chrome??????) so my odds aren't bad...or so I keep telling myself.

A lot will depend on how Leica choses to distribute the cameras. There will be far fewer bodies than orders in the first production run. Your relationship with your dealer might matter less than their relationship with Leica....

...it's all so very exciting. We are lining up like puppies at the food-dish....except we're waiting to give someone else $5,000 of our hard earned money!🙄

 

[J. Borger]

IA lot will depend on how Leica choses to distribute the cameras. There will be far fewer bodies than orders in the first production run. Your relationship with your dealer might matter less than their relationship with Leica....

That's correct ..... according to my information the M8 bodys are distributed in rato to the dealers total anual Leica sales .............. sounds logical and fair to me.

 

[egpj]

hmmm... I think I am somewhere around number 50...WOOHOOO! At least I'm not 51 on the list.

 

[Gid]

I spoke to Robert White a couple of days ago regarding the size of their list. I was told that if I wanted put down a deposit I would get one in the first quarter of next year - they've either got a very big list or very limited supply. I didn't put down a deposit 🙂

 

[StuartR]

I was at Leica USA today and got the chance to check out a Chrome M8. It was great to finally get my hands on one. Unfortunately it was the only one they had on hand and the battery was not charged. Evidently every single one they have has been sent out to the reps or reviewers. They said it has been crazy. Anyone in the New York area should head to Photo East this weekend though. There are going to be some there that people will be able to check out.

As for when I will get mine, who knows? I was number 2 for the DMR at Popflash Photo and I got it in September of 2005 after ordering it 9 months earlier. As number 2, I got it several months after the first person got his. Now I am number 70 something and I will probably get it a lot sooner. It's just a mess. There is no real way to tell who is going to get what when. Just sit back, relax, and wait for the M8's to sail in from Solms...

 

[AShearer]

I'm on the list at Tamarkin. I was told the same as Bob that the cameras will hit the docks 11-15. Add about two weeks for processing, shipping etc.

I have no idea what number I am on the list, nor does it make any difference to me. Tamarkin is a high volume dealer. I would think they would get a pretty good allocation. Since I am a chrome guy, according to Eric I will probably get one of the first batch. Since I was willing to plunk down my credit card in advance, i.e. commit, that increases the chances.

It will come when it comes. In the meantime, I'm having sufficient fun with my MP and new lenses.