Leica M8.2: Buy or skip ?

[_goodtimez]

Hi Folks,

I have a chance to buy an M8.2 almost like new (at least on paper...) with less than 1000 actuations and a return policy.

Without considering the price (which is not as cheap as other M8 prices but I can pay for it), would you go ahead and buy it or pass ?

 

[Lss]

If my M8 was stolen tomorrow, I would be getting another one within a month. In my market it has taken about that time to find a good deal, but the lead time has definitely gotten shorter recently.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

They're still fine picture making machines if used to their strengths.

 

[filmtwit]

If it were me, I would skip mainly due to how old the technology and sensor is.

 

[Luke_Miller]

I found the M8.2 to be an excellent camera. I sold it to get an M9 as I preferred full frame over crop sensors. I wouldn't mind having mine back as my M9 is now off to Leica for sensor corrosion evaluation. While the M8, M9, and Monochrom are all based on the Kodak sensor design, only the M8 is free from the sensor corrosion/delamination issue.

 

[_goodtimez]

Thanks for your inputs. I will proceed to buy it.

 

[jsrockit]

Something tells me it was going to be purchased no matter what the thread said... 😉

 

[Cyriljay]

I have a M8U and if I loose my camera or stolen I'll definitely Get another one as the prices are way too law than I bought when I didi about 5 years ago .

 

[fireblade]

Buy the Epson RD1X in the classified section.

 

[_goodtimez]

Something tells me it was going to be purchased no matter what the thread said... 😉

Ahaha maybe ?

Actually not really until I obtain the replies to the following questions:

1) do I like this camera: yes
2) can I afford to buy it: yes (at least today)
3) is it subject to any known flaws today: this was a possible turn down question. I did some research and could not find any significant point so I had to ask the Folks at RFF 😛

Thanks

 

[maitani]

I wouldn't overpay for one nowdays, but definitely still go for it (I'd say a premium around 400 is justified compared to regular used m8..)
I havent had any issues with my M8.2 and I have been using it very regularly over the last 5 years, no coffe stain no sensor trouble, no shutter breakdown, nothing.... i sold the M8/M9 when prices were sky-high, and settled on this 'in-between' small volume model with no remorse, crop penalty is smaller than you might think in those aps-h models (1.33). if you get a good one with return poicy etc. it's a keeper for sure. it remains within my top 3 digital cameras ever. the 'IR error' is great for bw if you learn how to work around with it, it's superb for monochrome., for anything else get a pair of ir filters and it's a great camera, I'd shoot DNG if you want to get the fullest out of it. enjoy! it's also quicker and much more responsive than the M9 ever was, too, probably same processor for smaller filesize.

 

[_goodtimez]

I already owned an M8.2 until a few years ago when I (stupidly) sold it. It was like new and performed like a champ.
I will have to wait for early 2015 to receive it but that is alright, I still have a great fun using all my other film cameras.

 

[LCT]

M8.2 user here. Beware than some samples are affected by the "coffee stain" syndrome and that Leica don't have any more spare LCD in stock. Better look carefully at the latter then. Also, 640 iso is more or less the limit with this camera but you know it already i guess.

 

[_goodtimez]

M8.2 user here. Beware than some samples are affected by the "coffee stain" syndrome and that Leica don't have any more spare LCD in stock. Better look carefully at the latter then. Also, 640 iso is more or less the limit with this camera but you know it already i guess.

Does the Coffe Stain issue on the display deteriorate further with the aging of the camera ?

 

[Ben Z]

I never heard that it did. If all you use it for is menus as I did, I think it could be ignored. (I had an M8 which was upgraded with sapphire, so it supposedly had the entire LCD changed out at that time). The issue for me with buying an M8 today would be that basically it's a disposible camera, as most consequential repairs would cost most or all the camera's value. I'm not sure I would spend upwards of $1000 dollars on such a camera, but I suppose it's all relative.

 

[Rob-F]

I like my M8.2 for its viewfinder, which has framelines sized for a 2 meter distance. The M8 is sized for 0.7 meter, which is only accurate at minimum focus distance. And the M9 is sized for 1 meter, which is pretty good; but for the distances I usually shoot at, the M8.2 is the best choice.

Also, I wear glasses. I can see the entire 28mm frameline (37mm equivalent) with my M8.2. Of course, the framelines for longer lenses are also easy to see.

I don't like having to use UV/IR filters with the M8.2. And I don't like that I can't put in the lens data manually, like you can on an M9. From those points of view, I'd rather have an M9.