How low will the used M8 market go?

[NIKON KIU]

Digital Cameras in general lose 50% of their value within two years of production, Leica is no exception as is evident by the price of used M7/MP

Come by next year your beloved M8 are going to sell for $2000-$2500

Better get them out and use them 😉

Kiu

 

[tomasis]

you and i obviously have very different ways of shooting. whilst i don't hide the fact that i'm doing so, i'd rather not draw any further attention to myself with the noise. i live in a quiet section of the city and typically prefer to shoot less busy scenes which means that camera noise is a big concern of mine.

Im with you. Im in a need of silent digital camera. Im all for M8.2 too. It simply hooked up me with all nice upgrades. Still I will buy an used one instead because I have so intense experience with M3 and M4 lately. Several tens of rolls have gone. Now I think Rd1 is not so pleasant use when I press the shutter. So it makes sense to buy m8.2 directly (than upgrading m8 chrome black ) and make wear out of nice black paint 😉 Lets see if I paint another M3 to be nice future companion to future m8.2 😀

 

[yanidel]

Im with you. Im in a need of silent digital camera. Im all for M8.2 too. It simply hooked up me with all nice upgrades. Still I will buy an used one instead because I have so intense experience with M3 and M4 lately. Several tens of rolls have gone. Now I think Rd1 is not so pleasant use when I press the shutter. So it makes sense to buy m8.2 directly (than upgrading m8 chrome black ) and make wear out of nice black paint 😉 Lets see if I paint another M3 to be nice future companion to future m8.2 😀

Tomasis, Cam, I think we are going through the same thought process. The M8 was not sexy enough compared to the RD1 but the M8.2 might be. What I like most about it is low noise (shutter), framelines that match at 2 meters (great for street), auto ISO (also essential for street) and the look (this is the toy part, I admit). As I like to crop, the 6mp are a restriction sometimes too, 10mp gives more flexibility. And then the 2 year warranty. I will not sell the RD1 but use it for travel and every day "in the my bag use", it is ok to have a €1500 camera stolen, but definitely not €5000.

 

[abenner]

So Bob, I assume you've rethought your M8 sale?

Personally, I think the firmware update will keep prices steady for a while, but once the M8.2 is out and you start seeing them show up with that slick black paint over in the Leica porn thread, there's sure to be lots selling who want to upgrade.

[I'll try to resist myself...]

Wow. Looks like Leica is keeping up with M8 support in a big way. A new firmware version, made available just hours ago, allows sdhc cards, auto ISO, faster formatting of cards and other improvements, some early adopters are claiming better high ISO performance and nicer looking jpg files. So the camera will now be even more usable and possibly have an even better picture quality. Might be awhile to see it reach the mid-$2000 dollar range. Bob.

 

[nanthor]

Aaron, yes, I've decided to keep it, at least for awhile longer. I'm a very fickle camera owner, mostly a gearhead type that wishes he had the artistic vision of some of the better photographers here. When I remember that every digital I've owned has lost value rapidly, the M8 (I bought used) doesn't seem like a bad investment. The lenses retain their value, sometimes get more valuable, and the M8 itself is built like a 2500 dollar film Leica but gives a very beautiful digital image. I think I can stand to see a depreciation over time while I have the pleasure of using this jewel. I don't have any other vices so I'm not wasting money on other things. No other camera has given me quite the "wow" factor when checking a B&W image on the rear LCD as this one does. That new black paint, quieter shutter, and harder LCD would be nice but I have to keep something to look forward to in the future. It's certainly nice that many of the M8.2 features found there way into the M8. I'm even getting used to the "thunk-wiz" sound, which at first was quite shocking. I was quite "into" photography back when Nikon F's were the desired camera, then I started to work and raise a family and forgot all about photography as an art form. Now, retired, I hope that the M8 reignites my interest in the art. Bob.

 

[Artorius]

I agree with the FW update issue. I am really impressed with the results I've gotten today. I don't need a quieter shutter, the update gave me what I wanted most, SDHC, and the auto ISO was a nice touch if I ever need it. And, my hi ISOs look a lot better now, even if Leica didn't mention it.

I think you are right about the Black paint, I imagine there are a bunch that will get it for that. Personally, I prefer Silver Chrome. IMO

 

[cam]

i think those of you that are holding onto your M8's are doing exactly what we would do (yanidel, tomasis, and i) if we already had one. the firmware update looks like it's really strong and covers most of the key points... because we're coming from the R-D1, the M8 was a temptation with the 10mp, but not that wasn't enough to justify the cost. the new M8.2 adds just enough features to make it sexy (although the S mode is pretty silly).

and, no matter how many people trash me for it, i think the discreet advance function (along with the quieter shutter) was the cherry on top for me.

the black paint is an added plus (though i'm scarred i'll get obsessed with looking for black paint lens)... discreet but slick, and looks sweeter with wear.

Art, i agree that the chrome silver is gorgeous. but i've found that even using chrome lenses on my R-D1 draws attention. people immediately think Leica and look with lust (perhaps more) at my camera when i'm traveling in dicier areas. if the camera was chrome as well, i would be one nervous nelly.

Bob -- i'm glad you're holding on to the M8. give it time -- and come visit Paris!

 

[abenner]

apparently, lower than any of us thought.

 

[Rayt]

Plan on seeing new M8's going for $3200 very soon.

 

[Laowai]

I can't comment on the M8 from own experience. I am shooting digital with my Oly 7070 only. When launched in 2005 it was at $600. Today it's auctioned around $400 if you manage to find one. That's pretty good for a digital product. But it's also a very good camera.

 

[Al Kaplan]

If the Olly was an M mount rangefinder at that price I'd buy one. I can bulk load, develop and contact a few thousand rolls of B&W for what an M8 cost used.