Getting a used M8 now

$1000 is a great price on a used M8 in any (working) condition.

The shutter is essentially the same as that in the M9 and the current M-E so yes, support will be around for awhile.
 
swoop said:
$1000 is a great price on a used M8 in any (working) condition.

The shutter is essentially the same as that in the M9 and the current M-E so yes, support will be around for awhile.
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The original M8 shutter is not the same one as used in the Leica M9/M-E. It is quite different. The shutter used in the M8.2 though is from what I understand the same or similar to that used in the M9/M-E.

Whether the currect M9/M-E shutter can be installed in an original M8, I don't know but I suppose it could as some original M8 owners upgraded to the M8.2 specs which included the M8.2 shutter.

Dave (D&A)
 
bfffer said:
seems like a good deal, but i think leica stopped repairing M8 already
(please correct me if i am wrong)
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They service the M8. They however will not change the LCD, because apparently they do not have spare units.
 
I wanted to confirm that yes Leica (at least the one in NJ) still service M8s. I'm about to send my second M8 body in for a general CLA soon and I just got an email back from Leica NJ customer service saying they still service them.

I don't understand the whole not replacing the LCD reasoning given that its the exact same unit on the M9/M9P/ME. I suppose they want to stockpile the LCD units for the M9 bodies instead.

All that said I was lucky enough to get my M8 serviced last summer when there was a discounted CLA promotion going on and Leica NJ not only replaced my stuck shutter and did a CLA, they also replaced the entire LCD unit for me. It cost me about $400 and shipping was free because I had my local Leica boutique send it in for me.

Honestly $1000 is a great price for anyone wanting to try out shooting with a Leica rangefinder. If you find it's to your liking, then keep it, upgrade to an M9/M240/MM one day or go with a film Leica later on.

In my experience, issues with M8s are exaggerated by the fact that most of them are relatively trouble-free and one only ever reads about problematic ones on the Internet and forums.

If you're in the market for an M8, just know what you're getting into. All Leicas need a CLA one way or the other. An M8 is no different from a film based M body in that regard. Just budget some extra "repair" money if you're not certain.
 
christianyves said:
I wanted to confirm that yes Leica (at least the one in NJ) still service M8s. I'm about to send my second M8 body in for a general CLA soon and I just got an email back from Leica NJ customer service saying they still service them.

I don't understand the whole not replacing the LCD reasoning given that its the exact same unit on the M9/M9P/ME. I suppose they want to stockpile the LCD units for the M9 bodies instead.

All that said I was lucky enough to get my M8 serviced last summer when there was a discounted CLA promotion going on and Leica NJ not only replaced my stuck shutter and did a CLA, they also replaced the entire LCD unit for me. It cost me about $400 and shipping was free because I had my local Leica boutique send it in for me.

Honestly $1000 is a great price for anyone wanting to try out shooting with a Leica rangefinder. If you find it's to your liking, then keep it, upgrade to an M9/M240/MM one day or go with a film Leica later on.

In my experience, issues with M8s are exaggerated by the fact that most of them are relatively trouble-free and one only ever reads about problematic ones on the Internet and forums.

If you're in the market for an M8, just know what you're getting into. All Leicas need a CLA one way or the other. An M8 is no different from a film based M body in that regard. Just budget some extra "repair" money if you're not certain.
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The LCD on the M9 is not the same as the one on the M8. Leica have officially commented on this and their statement can be found on the Leica User Forum.

The lack of a replacement LCD screen was the reason behind the M9 'upgrade' offer. For those who don't know, on payment of a specified fee, M8s with faulty LCDs were swapped for a new M9.

An M8 for a thousand dollars sounds like a bargain, but once it requires servicing, you could see your costs double. Look out for dead pixels on the sensor and the coffee stain on the LCD. The latter can no longer be repaired but the former can: it can be expensive if Leica charge you for it.
 
"coffee stain"? Who cares, really. What's all the hype about a simple "coffee stain" issue?
And unless one breaks the LCD, the M8 is going to be fine for years to come. No need to worry.
One should worry about owning an M8 as much as owning a M9 or a M10: Drop them on concrete and they'll be equally unrepairable (at least economically not worth it. As for the M10, just a question of time).

Logical wisdom.
 
Clint Troy said:
One should worry about owning an M8 as much as owning a M9 or a M10: Drop them on concrete and they'll be equally unrepairable (at least economically not worth it. As for the M10, just a question of time).
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Mine was pretty violently hit to pavement a couple of years ago, and the baseplate couldn't quite take it. Not quite unrepairable, and economically definitely worth it.
 
M8

M8

Great camera! Has limitations I'm willing to live with and produces images hard to replicate otherwise. Older 50 collapsible and older 50 Lux in the bag.
People say to look out
I do- every day
I love it
 
My new "used" m8 is arriving on Saturday. We'll see how it goes. I'm still going to shoot my m6 alongside, but m8 will definitely give me more "instant gratification".
 
I've got one in the classifieds now, as well. RD1s also, so if you wanted to, you know, do a comparison or something.

Sorry, shameless plug.
 
Clint Troy said:
"coffee stain"? Who cares, really. What's all the hype about a simple "coffee stain" issue?
And unless one breaks the LCD, the M8 is going to be fine for years to come. No need to worry.
One should worry about owning an M8 as much as owning a M9 or a M10: Drop them on concrete and they'll be equally unrepairable (at least economically not worth it. As for the M10, just a question of time).

Logical wisdom.
Click to expand...

Whether the coffee stain on the LCD affects the usability of the camera is besides the point. But anyone thinking of buying a used M8 would be stupid not to check for known faults.

You might not care if you buy something with faults (it's only money after all) but I think most potential buyers would.
 
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