Is now the time to get a M8?

[kehng]

Hi there
I'm new here but have been reading your forums for awhile. Just thought I'd get some opinions from others who have have actually used a M8 and other Ms. I love shooting with my M7 and treated myself to a GF1 around Christmas thinking it would be a poor man's substitute for the M8. Alas, it hasn't turned out that way. I've started to use it like a P+S and rarely put any of my M lenses on it. To be honest, my M lenses don't perform that much better than the standard 20mm that comes with the GF1 either. Could be me though...
Anyway, I've noticed M8s have come down by quite a bit but I remind myself that most of those that are cheap are about 3 years old. I am assuming that I will enjoy the shooting experience more. M8.2 or M9 are out of the question right now and I will need to sell the GF1 and all the accessories I accumulated with it + some other bits and bobs (vintage cameras, accessories I've collected etc) to finance it. The M7 and my lenses are staying but everything else will go. Is this wise or will I regret this? If anybody wants to swap the GF1 with the leatherette, ER case, M adaptor, spare batteries etc + cash for an M8 they are not using please get in touch.

 

[Harry Lime]

I would only get the M8.2. The upgrades make it a useable camera (the new framelines in particular). The original M8 was too flawed in my opinion.

The IR filters are a pain, but if you can live with them more power to you.

You also have to come to grps with the fact that the camera tops out at 1250asa, because after that it gets pretty noisy.

The main problem is price. A used M8.2 still costs more than most advanced DSLR bodies.

KEH has a few M8.2 bodies, but they run between $3500 - 4000. That's a LOT of cash for a digital camera that is almost 5 years old.

A new M9 is well over $5000 dollars. It will be a while before we see used ones for sale and they will not be cheap. I suspect that the M9 will be with us for at least 2-3 years. That means you won't see a significant price drop for 4-5 years.

 

[1ScrewLoose]

I just did it, so almost certainly it's the wrong time to do it.

Lots of folks out there who wouldn't go the classic M8 because of the framelines, and others who say you can live with them. So far, I can live with them -- I'm starting to anticipate the "extra" in the image, and I don't have that many hours with the camera yet.

 

[Ben Z]

I would only get the M8.2. The upgrades make it a useable camera (the new framelines in particular). The original M8 was too flawed in my opinion.....................
KEH has a few M8.2 bodies, but they run between $3500 - 4000.

Or you could find a used M8 for about $2000 then send it in for upgrading the shutter and framelines for about another $2000 and end up with functionally an M8.2 but with a brand-new shutter with zero actuations and a full year's Leica factory warranty. If your intention is to keep and use the camera, that seems like more bang for the buck. But an M8.2 would keep more of its monetary value.

A new M9 is well over $5000 dollars.

Yes, a lot over! About $7000 in fact. If it was $5500 I'd have one on order.

It will be a while before we see used ones for sale and they will not be cheap. I suspect that the M9 will be with us for at least 2-3 years. That means you won't see a significant price drop for 4-5 years.

The M8 has been around for 3 years (if you count from when they became readily available) and there are plenty of used ones selling for less than half what they cost new. I don't think it will take 4-5 years to be able to find a nice used M9 for $5000 or less. And if there is even a minor upgrade (M9.2), that will push M9 used prices even lower.

 

[Bobfrance]

I think the M8 (Classic) is great. It is now my main camera.

Everyone has a different opinion on Leica DRFs - I've tried both M8.2 and M9 and didn't find enough difference in them to warrant the extra cost, so spent the money on glass instead.

If you have the cash available then buy one and try it. Only you will know if it is the camera for you. You can always sell it and get your money back.

 

[Athos6]

I Just went through the same thought process. Even after I said that I'd rather stick with my D200, The price of the M8 just hit the target price to make it worth getting. I figured that I'd shoot mostly B&W anyway so I won't have to run out and buy a bunch of IR filters-right away. As for paying the extra for the M8.2, I don't think its worth it really. I agree with the frame lines being a non-issue. Heck buy a few after-market batteries and chimp.

 

[swoop]

they run between $3500 - 4000. That's a LOT of cash for a digital camera that is almost 5 years old.

The M8 was announced September 2006. There is no M8 that is older than 3 years and 5 months.


The M8 is a good buy. Especially if you hold onto it and use it for awhile to make sure you're fond of it. Then some time later you can spring for the upgrades if you really feel like keeping it. And Leica will give you a new year long warranty on that camera. My idea would be to buy a well used cheap M8. And then spend the extra to get the upgrades because the camera will be fully serviced and you'll get a new shutter plus the warranty.

You can make the argument that you should just buy and upgraded M8 or an M8.2 because it'll save you money in the long run. But then there's no warranty and if it has a lot of shutter clicks you're just shooting toward a replacement anyway.

Either way you can probably sell the camera for the same price you bought it in the short term. Used M8's will probably be in the $3500 range for awhile. Well used and beaters will probably go for $2500. Anyone letting them go for less than that is desperate.

 

[mccurleyphoto]

I bought a demo M8 and love it. The framelines are not really an issue when you get used to it. The crop factor bothers me more than the framelines. FF is the real advantage of the M9 IMO. Is it worth an xtra $5K over the price of a gently used M8? Only you can decide.

 

[remphoto]

Just be careful when you buy one that you get some kind of inspection period (and preferably a warranty). Run all the diagnostics for the prevalent problems you will find by searching this site (banding, dead pixels, etc.) You should be able to find a demo with one year Leica warranty for $2500 - 2700. Keh has a 15 day/60 day warranty. Some of the dealers offer their own warranties, too. You might want to talk to Tony Rose at PopFlash -- he is a class act.

 

[fotomeow]

I dont think now is the time, I opted against it for a few reasons: overall, I think the M8 is underdeveloped, and pushed out on the market too soon. IR filters? NO THANKS limited warranty? No thanks. I can extend the warranty period by upgrading with saffire LCD, shutter, or a 3rd thing (framlines?). Each of them cost almost a grand USD. Even if you bought one upgrade each year for three years to extend the warranty another 3 years, I dont think it is a sound investment, b/c you would have put a total of $2500 for the camera plus $3000 for upgrades = $5500, and then it will have technological depreciation b/c of other products on the market in three years. Having said all that, I LOVE LEICA PRODUCTS.

I opted for the RD-1s myself for $1300 with a CLA, and I am floored with its use, mostly all the analog controls on top, not only cool (like Leica is) but most user friendly.

I love the title of this thread: is NOW the time.......I think folks will be asking themselves this question for the next year or so, and then it wont even be a question anymore.....
But to those who bought the M8 and love them, more power to you, lets see some pics in the gallery!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I like mine. It was three months old, under 400 actuations, still under warranty, and I bought an extended warranty on it. Spare battery, case, 2 IR filters, and some Leica M books for $2500.

M8 in the Snow with the J-3:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=207

M8 with the Canon 50/1.2:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=209

M8 with Rigid Summicrons:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=205

M8 with some older lenses:

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=203

The oldest lens that I've had on it so far:

an early 1930s 5cm f2 Sonnar, custom converted to LTM.

I'll be putting a 1933 Summar on it soon, but trying to get a feel for the IR cut filters. I do not have one in 34mm. But the Summar is so well color-corrected, it will not soften the focus.

I've had the camera for a month now. I like it.

one last, only shot that I've done at ISO 2500, in camera JPEG:

Canon 50/1.2, wide-open. The Noise in the image does not seem any worse than the grain in Kodacolor 800 to me.

 

[MCTuomey]

I'm happy with mine too, bought refurbed w/ warranty from Tony Rose at popflash before the M9 debuted. I also use an M7 and find it seamless to go from one to the other. Same shutter dial (same direction). The more I use the M8, the more I appreciate its qualities. The camera's apparent flaws are minor in use, meaning I've adjusted to the framelines and I simply leave the IR filters in place as one would with a protective UV filter. I did get a thumbs-up from Tony and find it perfect for grip. At $2000-2500, it's a good value in my opinion.

Many of the current pics in my member gallery were taken with it.

 

[Athos6]

I got mine from B & H, hopefully it checks out. While the finder is not an issue for me, its likely the only upgrade I'll get. If only for the extended warranty. When you look at the used price of the Epson, the used price of the M8 shouldn't drop below 2k.

 

[250swb]

kehng, you could accept the lesson that the GF1 isn't much different to your M7, and buy more into the m4/3 lenses, OR, you could ask yourself if you want to waste a good percentage of coverage of the lenses you have with an M8 and its crop factor. Corner sharpness of Leica lenses will be irrelevant, you may as well have purchased cheaper CV lenses where they are all sharp in the centre, and at much less cost. If you can't afford the logical upgrade from the M7, the M9, then buy more m4/3 lenses. The M8 is for people who already have it, there are other better options if you don't.

Steve

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Most of the people that bought the M8 new paid over $4000 for it. A gently used M8 is now hovering just over $2000, thanks to people upgrading to the M9 or just going full-frame DSLR.

A lot of RFF members have picked them up recently.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84618

Much easier to justify $2000 for an M8 than $4000 for an M8. With that stated, some have had issues with the M8. I know one RFF member that bought the camera second hand that Leica is fixing the Sensor on it under warranty. THAT is reassuring.

 

[Athos6]

I'm not so sure. I think the M8 is a nice logical upgrade. Way bigger sensor than the 4/3 and no adapters. I think the pricing of the E-P1 and 2 should have started about 300 bucks lower. My thinking, why buy a Olympus 4/3rds + adapters + Lenses for ~ 1,500 to 2k depending, when an M8 was only a small step further. If I could have got an E-p2 for around 600 bucks, it would have been a real tough decision. The new Oly 4/3 is nerfed and not really an option for those looking at it vs an M8 or 8.2. IMO...YMMV of course. 🙂

 

[Traut]

I have both the GF-1 and recently purchased used M8 (here on RFF). Both excellent performers. I love the GF1 for size, EVF and video. It's compact, great on battery and very discreet. Image quality is superb. When I leave the house though I grab the M8 with a 35 on it.

The M8.2 is getting attractive in $$ but what do you really get for the $1,200 +/-? Get a half case. As the great philosopher Tin Cup said. "Just grip it and rip it".

 

[Symeon]

definitely

definitely

Now it is the time to buy an M8 indeed. the M8 was the original idea, the follow ups were fixes which are irrelevant to the dedicated photographer, i.e. you need to be more of a photographer to handle an M8 than an M9. The M9 is very forgiving, if you know what I mean, as for its price it is simply outrageous.
regards.
😉

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I just adapted a 1940 5cm f2 "T" Sonnar to a J-8 mount, now on the M8. The M8 makes it easy and quick to test the focus of the "hacked" lenses. I'll be testing the combination tomorrow, get some pictures of the blizzard's aftermath. I'm afraid we will not be sledding in it until the 2ft gets packed a bit.

 

[maddoc]

The M8 might be a nice companion for the M7. I use a friends M8 from time to time (M8 upgraded) and seeing the prices for color film (especially Provia 400X and developing costs) I thought about it as a second body to shoot mainly color. Only drawback is the price for the IR cut filter.... I have 4 lenses that I use most often and therefore would need 4 different IR cut filter ...