M8 back from Solms nip-tuck

[urban_alchemist]

So, I just recieved my M8 back... Two weeks almost to the day on vacation, and she's finally home from surgery, the poor lass...

Opted for the full kaboodle of upgrades (glass/framelines/shutter) as well as a black dot and the M8.2 Vulkanite.

So, how is it? Straight out of the packaging, signs are good. I'm a big film man (I think I've shot about 100 film exposures for every digital one since I got the M8), but in the present climate, the upgrades may narrow - though not eliminate - that discrepancy.

The framelines seem to be as accurate as those on my film Ms, the glass is gorgeous (though a totally unnecessary extravagance if I'm being honest). The new shutter, though not as quiet as my film Ms, is quiet enough, even without the M8.2's delayed recock.

And while the black dot makes it look much more svelte, the vulkanite is a much nicer and more grippy finish to the old nobbled stuff.

I also sent off all of my lenses and so, apart from a Noctilux that stubbornly front-focusses wide-open at 1m, I now have a useable spread from 28mm all the way up to 90mm (without the crop).

All-in-all, the upgrades appear to be much more than the sum of their parts. I may even enjoy shooting with it now, perish the thought!😀

 

[raid]

What was the total cost for the nip-tuck at Solms?
(a) less than $500
(b) $500-$999
(c) $1000-$1499
(d) $1500-$1999
(e) don't ask!

 

[urban_alchemist]

Seriously... with the dollar as strong as it is now...

You really don't want to know!

I did the maths and it was exactly £500 less than a new M8.2 when factoring in the money from an M8 sale. As my M8 was borderline unusable before, I decided to take the plunge...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

How did you send it? Whom did you contact at Solms? I don't want to go through the awful, painfully-slow process of going through Leica NJ.

 

[urban_alchemist]

1. I called Customer Service at +49 (0)6442-208-189 to get a contact and an idea of turnaround.
2. I sent it FedEx and sent them the tracking number.
3. Recieved reciept eMail together with Estimate.
4. OK-d the estimate.
5. eMail to say it was ready and would be sent with DHL.
6. Arrived.

1-6 took exactly two weeks. I've had pretty bad experiences with Leica UK, so decided to bypass them entirely. Proved to be a great idea. I'd add 2-3 days onto that turnaround if you're sending it from the US.

Overall, a very pleasant and easy experience, although I would advise you to keep contact with them every few days just to give them a bit of a prod....

 

[urban_alchemist]

Sorry for the crap pics - GRDII Macro in difficult light...

 

[swoop]

Awesome. Leica NJ told me it wouldn't be until Christmas that they can take it. I'll give solms a shot.

 

[boy_lah]

Go on...i'm on sterling. Shock me. 😎
If possible, everything bar the glass.

 

[urban_alchemist]

It was about €1,600 all-in.

Here are the price-lists for the upgrades (ask nicely, and they'll change your dot, vulkanise your body and even black out the shutter and hotshoe)

"The upgrade-options now available will cost:

Upgrade-options Prices in €
Shutter/Sapphire glass/Bright line frames 1320,- EUR
Shutter/Sapphire glass 1120,- EUR
Shutter/Bright line frames 1000,- EUR
Sapphire glass/Bright line frames 950,- EUR
Bright line frames 650,- EUR
Shutter 800,- EUR
Sapphire glass 750,- EUR
The stated prices include VAT and are valid ex Solms. Regional differences to these tariffs are possible."