I am about to buy an M8!

I was going through the same thought process and I ended up buying an M8.2; to have that peace of mind is important to me when taking photos. Also one thing about the 8.2, the switch is stiffer and you have a lower chance of draining your battery when the camera is in your bag. Good luck.
 
A serious advantage of the M8.2 is its framelines are more accurate than those of M8 and M9 at medium to long subject distance. But 40mm lenses cannot fit 35mm framelines with other Ms' accuracy.
 
denizg7 said:
Well the x100 is better.

Having an x1 pro with an m mount adapter and an m lens is too much better and lighter
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Disagree, the experience is completely different and irreplaceable for someone looking for a rangefinder experience. I'd get the M8 over the M8.2.

I went through the same process myself, and based on reading the forums I noticed just as many M8.2 and M9s going through equipment failures. As both the 8 and 8.2 would now be out of Leica warranty, I put aside the money that would've gone to an M8.2 for 'repairs money' in the rare case it actually fails. In fact if that was a major worry I think you'd be even more upset if the M8.2 developed problems. Recommend very very much that you bring a laptop with you when you test the camera, or get it from a dealer with a full refund policy. Check for dead pixels, red/blue lines in both raw and jpeg and shutter count (sellers with those 40,000 low shutter count cameras)!!

The only plus I see with the M8.2 is the accurate framelines, lack of 1/8000 is big drawback imo!

Either way get the camera you feel most comfortable with, that let's you go out and shoot without worry, I don't regret mine one bit!
 
jazzwave said:
If you are not high ISO chaser, M8 is the best....the image result so crispy (in good way) compare to Fuji or M9.

And it's real RF, so you will get similiar "feel" with other M (M2-M7).

Good luck with your shopping



~ronni~
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Seconded. I much prefer my M8 to my x100. And the b&w files are stunning.
 
tmfabian said:
none of them...and 2 of them have over 250k shutter actuations
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That is a lot for any camera that is not used in machine-gun mode, and frankly you can't really do that with M8 anyway. I'm curious to hear what you photograph.

Edit. Okay, had a look. Portraits and weddings. If you do that full-time, then the actuations start adding up.
 
I like the 1/8000th option of the classic M8. But best of all, the M8 killed my gas. I've stopped lusting after other cameras, which was a surprising and good thing.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions given above.
Based on what has been stated about getting an M8 versus M8.2, is is a toss-up, depending on whether you want the 1/8000 max shutter speed and whether you want a newer model with a less noise shutter sound.

So a pristine looking M8 is no guarantee or even "good sign" against the possibility that some parts will soon fail anyways. The alternative is to costly right now, meaning a new M9.
 
tmfabian said:
none of them...and 2 of them have over 250k shutter actuations
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This is an amazing statement. Maybe it is a matter of luck too, but it is reassuring to know that some users of the M8 are using such cameras professionally and without problems.
 
Hello Shiro-Kuro,
You discussed several points in your detailed response to my thread. Thanks.

I will avoid using the continuous mode for sure, based on what you have stated,

Raid


shiro_kuro said:
JSU excellent post on how to check shutter actuations .... just tried it on my M8.2 and worked as it should . Thanks

Raid here are a few comments and opinions .
based on owning the M8 and now a M8.2

Buying a pristine low shutter count M8 is no guarantee you will not have any trouble .
My M8 was like new with under 2500 shutter actuations .After a few weeks of owner ship the shutter exploded under normal use, meaning I took a picture . The camera was in continuous mode which some say you should avoid using because well it causes the shutter to explode . Shutter replacement about $700.00
The up side is I did not buy at full retail so any money put into the camera repair was not too painful and insurance partially helped out with the cost ...
As far as cost of repairs it has been said that when buying a used M8 one should put a $1000.00 into a "just incase fund"

People selling M8's and claiming warranties ...... Warranties are only for the worked preformed on the camera not the entire camera .For example sending a camera in for a new sensor does not cover a shutter failure .

Cost of repairs .... No rhyme or reason . Some people pay ,others get a discount ,while some get a complete pass and pay nothing . Solms seems more reasonable than NJ.

Buying a low shutter count , like new pristine in the Box M8 does not guarantee peace of mind .

M8.2 can be had for a bit more and overall better camera
though you loos the faster shutter speed and higher flash sync speed .

Black M8.2 paint brasses very quick. It looks beautiful to the owner but beat to a buyer .

Chrome M8 is gorgeous as is the M8.2 in chrome both age well .... The black chrome M8 does not .

A guy named JAAP will become a good friend to you and your M8 as he is rurally helpful and knows his digital M's

anyway these are just some quick random thoughts and defiantly my humble opinion ....
You will love the M8 and the prints are spectacular ..... I print off an epson 3880 and I am constantly amazed .....

Good luck in your M8 purchase ,
Aloha ,
Charles
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If you take some time looking around, you may be lucky to find a M8.2 for the price or a little bit more of a M8. I always go for the second type (RD-1s, M8.2. What is 'better' on the M8.2: the framelines and its shutter, the rest is mere cosmetic. About three years ago I could buy a mint M8.2 for the price of a M8 at DPI.com from a fellow member.....and sold there my RD-1s...

btw in the past I read about M8 owners having quite a lot of problems, never read that about M8.2 owners...which is no guarantee of course

why I like the M8/M8.2 so much: because of its crop factor: I can use my little 35mm summicrons as standard lenses!
 
raid said:
I will avoid using the continuous mode for sure, based on what you have stated
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As far as I know the continuous mode shutter failure thing is software-related and it is fixed in the current firmware version. The failure could happen when shooting in continuous mode with the discreet shutter function activated. This issue anyway is fixed, and I am unaware of other continuous mode problems. I have used it a few times without any issues.
 
Raid,
I have an M8 and the Fuji XPRO-1. I confess that I haven't used the M8 since the Fuji arrived. The Fuji has SOOO many advantages over the M8 including:
1. Much better at higher ISOs - 3200 is not a problem. On the M8, I hate to go over 640.
2. Autofocus on Fuji lenses but a wide range of manual focus legacy lenses can still be used.
3. Better resolution - but the M8's resolving power is still very good.
4. No need for IR filters.
5. Live view.
6. Much quieter shutter noise - the loud shutter on the M8 is its weakest feature in my opinion.
7. The Fuji is much lighter in weight but still feels solid.
8. Aperture and shutter priority available but you can still manually set shutter speed and aperture.
9. Better auto white balance.
10. Menu much more intuitive especially with the Q button.

Stronger features on the M8:
1. Rangefinder focusing making manual focusing much easier and faster, although manual focusing may be more accurate on the Fuji with the EVF.
2. 1/8000 shutter speed compared to 1/4000 on the Fuji. 1/8000 not available on the M8.2. (I confess that I only used 1/8000 once while shooting on the big island of Hawaii.
3. Many more lenses available for the M mount but all M mount lenses can be used on the Fuji with an adapter.

Summary:
I get a much higher percentage of keeper shots with the Fuji. It is a much better choice in my opinion.
 
Raid

We can only speak as we find. I purchased my M8 in March 07 and have had no problems whatsoever. The downside of the camera for me was the shutter sound, over conservative frame lines and image noise over ISO 640. I had the upgraded shutter and frame lines fitted a couple of years ago and could not be happier. Moving forward the only slight issue is dust on the sensor that more modern designs from other manufacturers have now minimised. I have an X100 for high ISO work. Go for it.

John
 
Hi Ron: i was thinking before you posted your thoughts here of my 35mm lenses that I have been using far less than the 50mm lenses that I own. I have a Summicon and. Pre-asph Summilux. With the 1.3. Crop, they would be similar to a 35x1.3 focal length with DOF like a 35mm lens. I see it not as an advantage but as a lesser evil.

The many ideas and opinions in this thread have made me take a step back to wait and find more and better sounding offers. There should be a registry for cameras requiring repair. Then we could have statistical data bases on very useful inormation. Maybe we can start at RFF.

Your opinions are very important to me.


Ron (Netherlands) said:
If you take some time looking around, you may be lucky to find a M8.2 for the price or a little bit more of a M8. I always go for the second type (RD-1s, M8.2. What is 'better' on the M8.2: the framelines and its shutter, the rest is mere cosmetic. About three years ago I could buy a mint M8.2 for the price of a M8 at DPI.com from a fellow member.....and sold there my RD-1s...

btw in the past I read about M8 owners having quite a lot of problems, never read that about M8.2 owners...which is no guarantee of course

why I like the M8/M8.2 so much: because of its crop factor: I can use my little 35mm summicrons as standard lenses!
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I forgot to mention on other advantage of the M8 over the Fuji and that is the slightly larger sensor (1.3x vs. 1.5x).
But I think that is just a slight difference and I still MUCH prefer the Fuji.
 
And one more thing: my M8 has been VERY reliable, never a problem since 2007.
TIme will tell with the Fuji but so far, so good.
 
Hi Eric,
I know that quite a few people here are favoring the Fuji cameras. Your points are good and valid. Still, there is also the factor of enjoying to use a Leica RF camera that cannot be fully defended if we look only at technical issues. I still favor using film cameras, but I find myself switching between picking up a camera bag with the EP-2, and a second camera bag with the M3 and M6 with two Summicron lenses. Buying a digital Camera like the M8 is in a way preparing me for a digital future one year.Not yet.



Eric T said:
Raid,
I have an M8 and the Fuji XPRO-1. I confess that I haven't used the M8 since the Fuji arrived. The Fuji has SOOO many advantages over the M8 including:
1. Much better at higher ISOs - 3200 is not a problem. On the M8, I hate to go over 640.
2. Autofocus on Fuji lenses but a wide range of manual focus legacy lenses can still be used.
3. Better resolution - but the M8's resolving power is still very good.
4. No need for IR filters.
5. Live view.
6. Much quieter shutter noise - the loud shutter on the M8 is its weakest feature in my opinion.
7. The Fuji is much lighter in weight but still feels solid.
8. Aperture and shutter priority available but you can still manually set shutter speed and aperture.
9. Better auto white balance.
10. Menu much more intuitive especially with the Q button.

Stronger features on the M8:
1. Rangefinder focusing making manual focusing much easier and faster, although manual focusing may be more accurate on the Fuji with the EVF.
2. 1/8000 shutter speed compared to 1/4000 on the Fuji. 1/8000 not available on the M8.2. (I confess that I only used 1/8000 once while shooting on the big island of Hawaii.
3. Many more lenses available for the M mount but all M mount lenses can be used on the Fuji with an adapter.

Summary:
I get a much higher percentage of keeper shots with the Fuji. It is a much better choice in my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
Raid,
You are quite right. The M8 is an easier transition camera from film to digital compared to the Fuji. Both cameras are great. You can't make a bad choice here.
Eric
 
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