How to upgrade M8?

[woodleica]

Hello,

I'm new here. I just got an M8. I was wondering if anyone has sent their M8 to the factory to update the frame lines to those of the 8.2. I was wondering how one goes about doing that and how much it costs. Thanks

 

[chief]

M8 Service Upgrade
There are contacts and prices.

 

[woodleica]

M8 Service Upgrade
There are contacts and prices.

Thanks ( I needed US but there was a link on that page )

 

[CameraQuest]

Hello,

I'm new here. I just got an M8. I was wondering if anyone has sent their M8 to the factory to update the frame lines to those of the 8.2. I was wondering how one goes about doing that and how much it costs. Thanks

Sorry to tell you, but upgrading M8's just makes no financial sense anymore.

The much improved 8.2's are selling at new lows with the M9 out. Sell the M8 and buy a refurbed 8.2 at Popflash.com

Stephen

 

[swoop]

I called them up in October of '08 to be put on the list to upgrade. I got a call back in early January to mail it in. Along with the upgrade form requesting just what I wanted done and my billing information. If you don't put a credit card number down they just call you with the price when they're done. I also had them calibrate my rangefinder patch as it was way off. It had been that way since the day I bought it.

The M8 was gone for about two weeks. They added framelines, And the quiet shutter, and my rangefinder patch was spot on. It wasn't until January of this year when I got the upgrade that I actually started using my M8 even though I bought it in April of 2007.

 

[woodleica]

I called them up in October of '08 to be put on the list to upgrade. I got a call back in early January to mail it in. Along with the upgrade form requesting just what I wanted done and my billing information. If you don't put a credit card number down they just call you with the price when they're done. I also had them calibrate my rangefinder patch as it was way off. It had been that way since the day I bought it.

The M8 was gone for about two weeks. They added framelines, And the quiet shutter, and my rangefinder patch was spot on. It wasn't until January of this year when I got the upgrade that I actually started using my M8 even though I bought it in April of 2007.

How much did it cost you?

 

[woodleica]

Sorry to tell you, but upgrading M8's just makes no financial sense anymore.

The much improved 8.2's are selling at new lows with the M9 out. Sell the M8 and buy a refurbed 8.2 at Popflash.com

Stephen

It's still around 4000. M8's are closer to 2k.

 

[Ben Z]

It's still around 4000. M8's are closer to 2k.

But the upgrade that brings it closest to 8.2 specs (shutter+frames+sapphire) costs over $2000 now, without the fake vulcanite (another $330 or so). And the big difference is that upgraded M8's don't seem to be selling for much more than non-upgraded one's. So even though I had my M8 upgraded (at the time it did make sense economically, as Leica was still saying a full-frame M9 was impossible) I'd have to agree with Stephen. Or, even better, sell it and buy an upgraded M8.

 

[Jeff.]

Buying an upgraded M8 over an M8 obviously makes sense, but who is seriously willing to pay double the price for a few minor upgrades? Put the extra money in glass.

 

[eleskin]

Get the Glass and consider 2 M8's

Get the Glass and consider 2 M8's

I am in need of a second M8 as a backup in that I cannot afford an M9 right now, and the option of buying an M8.2 makes sense to me as well. I too agree that buying lenses (used on Ebay best bet) is also a very good strategy right now.

 

[Fujitsu]

Why upgrade anyway?

Why upgrade anyway?

Covering / Sapphire glas
I dont care.

Framelines
Better in the M8 if you want to shoot close. Never had problems at any other distance though.

Quieter Shutter
Doesnt matter to me. I find it nice to have 1/8000 as top speed. And "Discreet mode" became available as firmware update for the M8.

Black dot (for black cameras)
Looks stupid. And Id tape it over anyway.

 

[woodleica]

But the upgrade that brings it closest to 8.2 specs (shutter+frames+sapphire) costs over $2000 now, without the fake vulcanite (another $330 or so). And the big difference is that upgraded M8's don't seem to be selling for much more than non-upgraded one's. So even though I had my M8 upgraded (at the time it did make sense economically, as Leica was still saying a full-frame M9 was impossible) I'd have to agree with Stephen. Or, even better, sell it and buy an upgraded M8.

True, but my original question was just the frameline upgrade. I really don't care about the other stuff. Here's an M8 that sold upgraded recently:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...297710&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

You can see that his upgrade in Oct 08 cost him 1700 for the entire shebang. I don't see US prices listed anywhere but proportoinally the frameline upgrade should be well below 1K. The above is a good deal but it comes without warranty or the original packaging. I agree that if you find a good upgraded one it might be a good deal, but they are far and few in between, and usually without warranty and I bet that most people care about the framelines anyway ( long term ).

This was an interesting article on this topic...

http://www.imx.nl/photo/Analysis/page121/page121.html

In any case, I can actually return mine if I want ( I have 7 days ) but I'm leaning towards keeping it. Maybe wait for a year and then decide what to do. I could pay to add the framelines at that time and have the warranty extended since they extend the warranty when you upgrade and check the camera out etc ( that alone will be useful since I hear lots of issues with these cameras ). Alternatively I could sell at that time and decide to jump into the latest Leica has. I have a lot to learn in the meantime anyway since I'm new to RF photography. 🙂

AND I agree on investing in glass instead of the upgrades, especially those "useless" ones.

 

[Fujitsu]

I have a lot to learn in the meantime anyway since I'm new to RF photography. 🙂

So you´re new to rangefinders but you think you can work better with the framelines of the M8.2 vs M8? 😕

I have used a lot of cameras from Bessas to the M6, M7 and MP. I dont find the M8 framelines to be "lacking" in any way. And there´s a reason Leica designed them the way they are in the first place.

 

[woodleica]

So you´re new to rangefinders but you think you can work better with the framelines of the M8.2 vs M8? 😕

I have used a lot of cameras from Bessas to the M6, M7 and MP. I dont find the M8 framelines to be "lacking" in any way. And there´s a reason Leica designed them the way they are in the first place.

That's great that it works for you and that you have such extensive experience. Sure Leica designed it for a reason, but they also changed it for a reason in the very next upgrade and offered it to people as a choice. Are you saying they just did it on a whim? In the end a camera is a tool for taking pictures and the person using it needs to be able to use it to THEIR best ability.

I didn't say I don't have photography experience - just rangefinder. I've been shooting since the mid-70's long before autofocus and I started out with manual film cameras. I'm not sure I NEED the frameline upgrade and I'm not convinced I need to do it, I just asked about it and how much it costs so I could hear what people think and make up my mind. However, I have instincts based on years of experience with photography and composition in general that tell me I'll be better of with it.

 

[akk2]

$2000 for upgrade?
may be get a used M6 and u still have ~$1000 for film.
Then u can shoot with better frame line and quieter

 

[Benjamin]

$2000 for upgrade?
may be get a used M6 and u still have ~$1000 for film.
Then u can shoot with better frame line and quieter

One doesn't just spend 1000 Dollars on film?

Even though I can see your point, the dude obviously use's digital capture for his own reasons, let it be, what do you care.

Anyway,if you want better framelines, leave the M6 in the shop and pick up an M2 or an M4. The M6 has a horrible, cluttered finder with undersized frames. From what I understand, they are somewhat akin to the bright lines of the standard M8 which brings him back to square none..

 

[akk2]

One doesn't just spend 1000 Dollars on film?

Even though I can see your point, the dude obviously use's digital capture for his own reasons, let it be, what do you care.

Anyway,if you want better framelines, leave the M6 in the shop and pick up an M2 or an M4. The M6 has a horrible, cluttered finder with undersized frames. From what I understand, they are somewhat akin to the bright lines of the standard M8 which brings him back to square none..

Oh, i agree with you but the M6 has ttl 😉

 

[ampguy]

I'd prefer an M8 to an M8u or M8.2. The sapphire glass is not even on the M9, and the M8.2 framelines will ensure that you actually cut off edges when close up. Note that the M9 went back towards the original M8 specs for accuracy at close distance.

The fast shutter speed of the M8 is double that of the M8.2, allows for shallower DOF in daylight without the need for ND filters.

The best part of an upgrade, IMHO, is the added assurance you get with the 1 year warranty on any M8/8.2 that goes in for any upgrade or check-up.

 

[woodleica]

I'd prefer an M8 to an M8u or M8.2. The sapphire glass is not even on the M9, and the M8.2 framelines will ensure that you actually cut off edges when close up. Note that the M9 went back towards the original M8 specs for accuracy at close distance.

The fast shutter speed of the M8 is double that of the M8.2, allows for shallower DOF in daylight without the need for ND filters.

The best part of an upgrade, IMHO, is the added assurance you get with the 1 year warranty on any M8/8.2 that goes in for any upgrade or check-up.

That's good to hear! ( that you prefer the M8 )

 

[garygraphy]

Covering / Sapphire glas
I dont care.

Framelines
Better in the M8 if you want to shoot close. Never had problems at any other distance though.

Quieter Shutter
Doesnt matter to me. I find it nice to have 1/8000 as top speed. And "Discreet mode" became available as firmware update for the M8.

Black dot (for black cameras)
Looks stupid. And Id tape it over anyway.

i normally run through this thought process whenever the thought of changing to M8.2 comes out.

so far so good 🙂