Found a deal for Leica M8

[vivling]

I have the opportunity to acquire a near mint condition Leica M8 with some scratch sign at the LCD. It only has 1,300 shutter counts. Negotiated lowest price is $1,600 with a 30 day local dealer warranty. No packaging material though. Is it a good deal?

Thank you!🙂

 

[pkreyenhop]

I don't know where you live, but it would be an extraordinary deal here in NZ and it's quite below the going rate in the US too. With a warranty, this could be the bargain of the century/year/month day! If you don't like it, you can always sell it for the same price again.

 

[Vickko]

ummm... I'd be looking for a longer warranty. Thirty days is awfully short, and Leica repairs are awfully expensive.

And check the serial number. Is it a late number? Good. Is it an early number? If it is an early number, is it a Leica refurb?

I would want the full story regarding its owner history and why it is up for sale.

...Vick

 

[thompsonks]

Lowest price I've seen.

Kirk

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Test it out at the shop. Run it through every ISO and every setting with a lens of your choice and an SD card that you own. Underexpose several frames at every ISO. Underexpose by more than 3 stops. Do some long exposures. You'll be looking for hot pixels and vertical lines that come from those hot pixels. The lines look greenish or maybe reddish. Some of the older sensors can also show a different mapping in which the right and left sides may look different. If this is obvious, then turn it down; if you can see it but it's not too noticeable, it's a normal thing that can bee seen rarely.

If the seller doesn't want you to test it that much, absolutely don't buy it. Warranty or not, his warranty won't be honored by Leica and you may put yourself at risk for a very expensive repair if there is a loophole. M8 repairs start at about the cost of a EXC+ M3 body, so the warranty is a big deal.

Phil Forrest

 

[The Meaness]

Let me know if you don't take it, I'd jump on that price.

 

[Damaso]

Good price. During those 30 days you should be able to test it for any significant faults. Go for it if you trust the dealer...

 

[ramosa]

agreement. good price--and i'd go for it if you know the dealer. otherwise, i'd wait for an M8 with a longer warranty.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Great price, and 30 days will at least let you check out the camera. Some shops will sell extended warranties, you might inquire. Even without it, I would jump on the camera at that price.