huntjump
Well-known
Didn't see this on RFF, so I thought i'd add it in case anyone is interested. Price breakdown for upgrades to an M8 from Leica NJ (4-5 week turn around):
Shutter + Sapphire Glass + Rangefinder Mask
Anyone whose upgraded their M8 to M8u, are these prices significantly higher than what you paid?
Shutter + Sapphire Glass + Rangefinder Mask
$2,150.00
Shutter & Sapphire Glass $1,850.00
Shutter & Rangefinder Mask $1,600.00
Shutter Only $1,300.00
Sapphire Glass & Rangefinder Mask $1,550.00
Sapphire Glass $1,300.00
Rangefinder Mask $1,100.00
Personal Engraving on top plate $ 325.00
Vulcanite Leatherette body $ 360.00
Anyone whose upgraded their M8 to M8u, are these prices significantly higher than what you paid?
Eric T
Well-known
What is the rangefinder mask?
CVickery
Established
Interesting...the prices are more than the differential in prices between an M8 and M8u (as expected), but not that much more. I would assume that the upgrades for the shutter and rangefinder mask would effectively include a CLA and as such may be preferable to selling an M8 to upgrade to a used M8.2 or M8u.
swoop
Well-known
The tighter framelines.
ramosa
B&W
Cool options, but it wouldn't make any sense for me. I have an M8 in great condition, which is probably worth about $2,000. I just can't see putting that much into an upgrade. Heck, that gives me more than $4,000 to use for an M10 
Teuthida
Well-known
Put M8 in closet and buy Nikon d800 $3000
I'd rather use a M8 than a D800. That said, I would not do any unnecessary upgrades to a M8.
Personally I think upgrading an M8 is a waste of time and money.
Just sell it and get a 8.2
Stephen
whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
Do you mean M8 or M5?
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Preferably not, thank you.
huntjump
Well-known
Yea pretty pricey indeed. not advocating for anyone to exercise these options, just presenting the information.
For any upgrade that requires the technician to go inside, they will perform a pixel / column restoration, check the complete meter system, adjust the ccd position, clean/replace all switches and CLA.
For any upgrade that requires the technician to go inside, they will perform a pixel / column restoration, check the complete meter system, adjust the ccd position, clean/replace all switches and CLA.
Joe AC
Well-known
Do they have an upgrade for the sensor....perhaps swap it out for an M9 sensor.
huntjump
Well-known
Do they have an upgrade for the sensor....perhaps swap it out for an M9 sensor.
Yea they do. but they also have to swap the body (to an m9) in order to fit the sensor.... that upgrade is $5,000
(kidding)
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I've got an M8, use it a great deal and the only thing I'd like to update are the frames. I love my 1/8000th shutter so the shutter upgrade wouldn't fly for me.
Too bad the frame pricing isn't a hair more reasonable or I'd go for it.
Too bad the frame pricing isn't a hair more reasonable or I'd go for it.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
A full upgrade will get you a year's guaranty on the whole camera, some part-upgrades too. Makes it a bit more attractive.
Lss
Well-known
Depends. I bought my upgraded M8 for a price very comparable to a vanilla M8. I would say the price was equal for all practical purposes. I don't remember the exact numbers anymore but I believe the cheapest M8 I saw 1-2 months before and after my purchase was within 100 euro of what I paid.
eleskin
Well-known
How about a Sensor upgrade for 2K?
How about a Sensor upgrade for 2K?
Gee, over 2K for these upgrades and still essentially the same M8 camera. For 2K there should be a sensor upgrade.
How about a Sensor upgrade for 2K?
Gee, over 2K for these upgrades and still essentially the same M8 camera. For 2K there should be a sensor upgrade.
furcafe
Veteran
Do you know if the same prices would apply to the same/similar work being done on an M9?
Mudman
Well-known
The amount they're charging to replace the shutter is ridiculous, but it is Leica I guess.
Ben Z
Veteran
When I had my M8 upgraded (shutter, sapphire, framelines) the cost was $1700. That was in the winter of 2009, right after I read a quote from Stefan Daniel saying that they were still waiting for technology to evolve solutions to the problems of a full-frame digital M. Half a year later the M9 was shipping to dealers. I waited until the summer of 2010 before getting an M9, and another couple months until I sold the M8u. It was in mint condition, low actuations, and still under the extended upgrade warranty. I got $500 over comparable non-upgraded M8's. So in my thinking, the upgrade was a waste of my money then, and it would be even more of a waste today. But that's just my own experience, not trying to talk anyone out of it if they really want it.