M8/M8.2 buying advice

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'm considering liquidating some stuff and getting an M8 or M8.2. I'm definitely not going to buy from eBay--presently I'm looking at either a reputable dealer (KEH perhaps) or the classifieds here, from someone I know.

I understand that the M8.2 doesn't suffer from many of the issues that plagued the M8. But is a refurbed/upgraded M8 essentially equivalent to the M8.2? And how troublesome are the original M8's, really?

For instance, at the moment there's a LN- black M8 on KEH for $2700, and an EX M8.2 for $3800. Is there honestly going to be $1100 worth of difference between these? I don't really give a damn about the sapphire screen cover or quiet mode. Or, for that matter, the frameline difference. And I like 1/8000. So what's the advantage of the 8.2 for a guy like me?

 

[swoop]

I'd say yes there is an $1100 difference. As it costs $1200 to have the original M8 upgraded. And that's for only the shutter and framelines. The sapphire glass in an extra $500. And that's what comes with the M8.2.

If none of that matters to you. Go for the Original M8.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

The glass and framelines are meaningless to me, but what does the shutter upgrade consist of? Are there reliability issues with the M8 shutter, or is it merely the noise that is troublesome to people?

 

[swoop]

It's just the noise.

 

[jaapv]

The glass and framelines are meaningless to me, but what does the shutter upgrade consist of? Are there reliability issues with the M8 shutter, or is it merely the noise that is troublesome to people?

No reliabilty issues,if anything the 8 is more reliable, but the top speed of the 8.2 is 4000 and the M8 8000, and the sync speed is 180 on the 8.2 and 250 on the 8

 

[ampguy]

I'd go with an 8 classic, even if the same price as an 8.2.

If you study the M9, they basically went back to M8 basics. M8.2 upgrades were a kludge, and in some cases a downgrade, IMHO.

 

[tcline]

I love my M8 and would not trade for an 8.2 even if someone offered. The firmware added discreet mode makes the shutter plenty quiet and being a four eyed freak, framelines are a guess for me anyways.

As jaapv mentioned, 1/8000 and 1/250th are extra nice.

If I could change one thing it would be that the paint wears to some Godforsaken silver color underneath. But the paint is certainly durable.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

OK, I think I'll go for an 8. Thanks, guys. You just saved me so much money I can buy another lens.

 

[ppolla]

I was told...

I was told...

I was in the same decision making process as you are now few days ago....and went for M8.2
reason...I was told be a Lecia expert, form this and another forum, that if this is your first RF camera it would be better to get an M8.2 because of the better frame-lines....
I got the new M8.2 with a 35 summicron lens and love it so far.
PP

 

[jaapv]

True Paolo, but this poster mentioned he was not interested in frameline accuracy, and wanted 8000.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Well, I am interested in frameline accuracy, but it depends how you define it. I actually prefer, marginally, the M8 method of calibrating it for .7 meters--I would rather capture too much of the scene than too little.

 

[JPSuisse]

Hi all,

I have an M8 and have not shot an M8.2. My thinking is as follows:

1.) The firmware upgrade adding discreet mode to the M8 makes the M8 quite enough for me. This was the only issue I had with the camera.

2.) I also prefer the calibration of the M8 at 0.7m. Even though my reason is a little trivial, I give it anyway: the M8 is the camera I always pull for a snapshot with friends, or at a party, etc., because I never know what ISO I need and my film Ms always have the wrong ISO in them... Therefore I usually get sharper pictures with my M8 in this application...

3.) I like 1/8000 too. Here, the M8 has the M8.2 and the M9 beat.

4.) Sapphire glass? Who needs that? Scratches are charming.

5.) The framelines seem okay for me on my M8.

6.) Drifting off subject, I prefer the battery-and-the-number-of-pictures-left display on the M8 and M8.2 over the M9.

Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth, to help you make a good choice.

Cheers,

JP

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Curious about the 1/4000 vs 1/8000 shutter difference. How often does the difference show up?
The examples I've heard where 1/8000 wins are shooting wide open in the desert. Maybe shooting wide open on a bright day in the snow too.

 

[Jeff S]

I bought the 8.2 new last year rather than the 8.

I prefer the framelines set at 2m, since my subjects tend not to be on top of me, and the framelines are optimized for farther distances.

To clarify some of the comments above, the 8.2 has discreet advance, not just the quieter shutter. It has black paint rather than the black chrome on the 8, and it comes with the Vulcanite cover. It also has short-cut exposure compensation not on the 8.

I also like the Sapphire glass, and don't need the 8000 setting or 250 sync.

Plus, the black Leica dot is attractive.🙂 (Yes, I know it can be replaced.)

Chocolate or vanilla ice cream....personal preferences.

Now I don't think about any of this...just make photographs. But, that's how I decided initially. If I had purchased the 8 instead, my photos would have been the same. Sometimes logic doesn't matter.

Jeff

 

[hiromu]

With the lowest ISO of 160, if you want to shoot wide open outside, you will appreciate having 1/8000 top speed instead of 1/4000.

Hiromu

 

[Jeff S]

With the lowest ISO of 160, if you want to shoot wide open outside, you will appreciate having 1/8000 top speed instead of 1/4000.

Hiromu

I agree...YOU will.

Jeff

PS Can't imagine how I got along for 20 years with 1/1000 on M6s and M7s.

 

[splitimageview]

Well if he buys the M8, he'll have more money for super fast glass so he can use 1/8000. 🙂

 

[Jeff S]

Well if he buys the M8, he'll have more money for super fast glass so he can use 1/8000. 🙂

Agree...it's probably the wisest move considering the OP's preferences, or lack thereof.

My comment was more general regarding the already super fast 1/4000 compared to my film Ms.

Jeff

 

[ampguy]

Hi Darren

Hi Darren

not too often, but enough for it to matter. Remember, it's stepless, so I end up using 1/6000, etc. a lot.

If you have fast lenses (1.4 or faster), and shoot outdoors, you'll want this.

Part of the reason for needing this is that on the M8/M8x, there is no fast way to adjust the ISO, so if you were at 320 or 640 you can still get the shot if you are tracking something in and out of bright and dim lighting, where adjusting ISO is buried in menus. Something they did fix in the M9.

Curious about the 1/4000 vs 1/8000 shutter difference. How often does the difference show up?
The examples I've heard where 1/8000 wins are shooting wide open in the desert. Maybe shooting wide open on a bright day in the snow too.

 

[ampguy]

ND filters

ND filters

With the M8 (classic), I don't need them.

I agree...YOU will.

Jeff

PS Can't imagine how I got along for 20 years with 1/1000 on M6s and M7s.