Like catching a falling knife...

[MCTuomey]

.... a significant number of people are ending up with the early M8s that had the banding and other issues. If you buy the M8, make sure you're getting the later production cameras.

What's your reckoning for "later" cameras?

 

[swoop]

I bought my M8 7 months after release and it's perfect. No banding. No dead pixels. And that green blob issue happens to all M8's when there is a bright light source half in and half out at the edge of a frame. It's a random act.

You're not going to overpay for an M8. It's worth whatever you're willing to shell out. But don't expect to see them go for less than the current price. That's just wishful thinking.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Prices will continue to drop slowly, probably stabilize somewhere between $2K and $1500 in the next year. I doubt they will go for $1500 in a month. Maybe a year or two from now, when any older Digital camera runs a good chance of requiring service. Most digital cameras depreciate 90% in 5 years. I suspect the Leica will do better than that because of the more limited production.

It's not wishful thinking, it's just Digital. Nothing gets older, faster, than Digital. And Nothing depreciates faster than Digital.

 

[snausages]

If you can buy a new M8 with warranty from Adorama for $3500, it seems like the price point for used, uncovered M8's should be pushing down closer to 2k ($2150, mint, sold yesterday here). It's not that an aging digital camera will stop taking good pictures, it's that an aging digital camera might simply stop taking pictures. This issue gave me great pause before being able to pull the trigger on an RD1 this last week.

 

[gdi]

Prices will continue to drop slowly, probably stabilize somewhere between $2K and $1500 in the next year. I doubt they will go for $1500 in a month. Maybe a year or two from now, when any older Digital camera runs a good chance of requiring service. Most digital cameras depreciate 90% in 5 years. I suspect the Leica will do better than that because of the more limited production.

It's not wishful thinking, it's just Digital. Nothing gets older, faster, than Digital. And Nothing depreciates faster than Digital.

I think the M8 may be a little below $2k next year - I'll be surprised if they regularly sell at $1500.

As you say, limited production enters into it. But even more of a factor, IMO, is the lack of M-mount alternatives. Then, finally, we have to consider the possibility of price increases for the M9 - the already huge differential between the M8 and M9 will widen. All of those factors will tend to slow the drop in price of an M8.

The R-D1 has retained much more than 90% of its value in 5 years (probably around 35-40% today), as have a lot of Canons (though I keep looking for a $700 1DsMKII!) I bought a refurb R-D1 in perfect order for about $1200 in 2006 - a lot of them have sold for more than that recently.

Now if Zeiss/Cosina introduces a DRF for a lot less than the M9 - I may have to retract my prediction!

 

[Carterofmars]

M8 prices seemed to drop a lot after the M9 was announced, and then rise a little and stabilize. Personally I think that this is just a deat cat bounce 😉

Now he's a trader!

 

[.ken]

If the m8 knife drops to $1500 what does that make the RD1 an axe? :-D

 

[Carterofmars]

If you want it and going to use it, then buy it. if not then don't buy it. as with any digital cameras M8 will keep dropping in price. no chance of it rising 🙂. It will be whatever the buyers are willing to pay for it. Sellers don't control the market if somebody wants $3k for his M8 I'd say good luck with that. current price seems to be hovering around $2200 right now. those who want to wait and sell can probably get more for it. Those are eager to sell and want to get rid of it fast will settle for $2k price. Time hurts digital cameras simply because new technology and improvements keep coming.

I tend to agree with this response. It's not the old days of mechanical designs, which basically remained the same for the most part for decades (baring improvements in lenses, etc.). The digital world is fast paced and evolving month to month. Cameras will grow obsolete much quicker IMO. Prices/values must reflect this.

Leicas will remain Leicas though and will always have a devout following. It's one of the worlds best.

 

[johannielscom]

I sold mine for EUR 1850 two weeks ago, and am pretty sure I would have gotten that same price after christmas, which is a benchmark date for stuff like cameras.

 

[EdLam]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260488808045&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

the SUMMICRON-M 2/75 ASPH is ebaying for about $2700USD on other listings . the M8 must've been worth at least $2300USD to the buyer since the winning bid was $5049 USD.

 

[b.espahbod]

An M8 isn't an investment. It's a digital camera and it's value will decrease. As a tool, it will always be what it is, though.

write this sentence with GOLD

"A Digital Camera isn't an investment, it's value will decrease. As a tool, it will always be what it is, though." P. Wilson

 

[250swb]

When the M9 was released there were a few extra M8's on Ebay in the UK, but not a price drop. Perhaps when the M9 drops £500 retail when the initial demand is over the M8 may reflect that with a similar reduction? Buts what more important, getting out and making photographs or waiting for a bargain? I'd say getting out with the camera, you get no second chances.

Steve

 

[faris]

It is strange that M8 was ridiculed, a hopeless camera, not worth its 10mp,
we can get a p&s better than that....now suddenly there seems to be buyers coming out from the deadwood. where's the bitching and moaning about the ir filters, the jokes about magneta...

I paid the full price for my M8 2 years ago. It is worth to me the same it
was worth then. A camera that I used and gave me the results that I needed back when and which serves me very well now. it might become less than a starbucks, no difference to me. it was and is what it was and is,a superb camera that a lot of people badmouthed, maybe justifiably to them, and maybe because of envy.

Much the same is happening with the M9.

leica was never and never will or can compete on the basis of cost with
the other makers. It was and will always be expensive. you like it or not, that's the way it has been and it currently is.

i do not worry about the future as far leica maintaing its value. it is the
pleasure i have had and the way i choose to dispose of my meagre expendable income.

bte starbucks is way too expensive for my tastes.

best.

 

[outfitter]

Like everything else its a question of supply and demand. Some of the factors that might lead to more seller's than buyers would be:
1)the M9 - for those who make money with their camera and can jsutify the cost and those that can afford to have the "latest and greatest"
2)the economy - those who need the money more than they need the camera and can't risk further value declines.
3)age and use - cameras don't get better than new with age - especially electronic cameras - so cosmetics, the risk of repairs and newer technology will make the M8 increasingly less desirable.
4) normal turnover - the older a model the more come onto the market - the more cameras chasing the fewer buyers.
5) PR - the more M9s in people's hands, the more blogs and reviews (invariably mentioning the unfortunate problems with the M8) the more CAS

All in all every old model's value ultimately declines but the M8 might just decline faster than most.

 

[tbarker13]

Life is too short to worry about this sort of thing. If you want one, then buy it. And then get your money's worth out of it.

I bought one of the first ones that came into the U.S., paying $4,500 for it. Never once have I wished I would have waited until now to pick one up for half the price. I've had far too much fun and shot far too many photos with mine for that sort of thinking.

As Mr. Wilson says, it' a tool. If it's a tool you need, then go for it.

 

[Ming Rider]

All this talk of camera prices is one thing. 4000, 2000, 6000, 10000. The real question is how many of you could afford to spend this much without your `flexible friend`?

Before credit, spending this much on a `luxury` item such as a camera would have been laughable.

Keep it real folks