back alley
IMAGES
the m8 seems to be gaining in popularity these days.
is it because the m9 is so expensive and a used m8 seems a bargain now?
where once complaints about uv/ir filters etc. seemed so loud and common there now has been a calm acceptence.
i love digital rangefinders and my 2 rd1 bodies but i am tempted to start saving for a used m8.
so, what's up?
is it because the m9 is so expensive and a used m8 seems a bargain now?
where once complaints about uv/ir filters etc. seemed so loud and common there now has been a calm acceptence.
i love digital rangefinders and my 2 rd1 bodies but i am tempted to start saving for a used m8.
so, what's up?
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
It is simply a very good camera - it just took people three years to find that out....
fotomeow
name under my name
Perhaps its become more popular due to increased demand from a limited supply......having the M8s being discontinued while the RD1s technology has not progressed, and, yes, the prestigious price tag of an M9 ........the M8s purported headaches seem to be minimized in this light.
menos
Veteran
As Jaap mentions, for me too, it took a while, to actually "see" the qualities of a M8.
When it came out, I didn't had any camera in possession and only was it 1 year later, that I bought my first digital camera - (a measly Samsung NV7).
It took me several DSLRs, film SLRs, film RFs and a EPSON R-D1, to recognize, how good a M8 can be ;-)
People surely recognized, that waiting for a more accessible and affordable modern digital rangefinder, there will be some more years waiting time - the M8 is available.
Some people do think, the R-D1 is not capable anymore (wrongly so) - so the M8 might become more popular.
But I think, we indeed have a distorted view on this matter, as the share of RF cameras indeed is very, very low.
I run over many, many DSLR shooters without even seeing one RF user for some time now.
When it came out, I didn't had any camera in possession and only was it 1 year later, that I bought my first digital camera - (a measly Samsung NV7).
It took me several DSLRs, film SLRs, film RFs and a EPSON R-D1, to recognize, how good a M8 can be ;-)
People surely recognized, that waiting for a more accessible and affordable modern digital rangefinder, there will be some more years waiting time - the M8 is available.
Some people do think, the R-D1 is not capable anymore (wrongly so) - so the M8 might become more popular.
But I think, we indeed have a distorted view on this matter, as the share of RF cameras indeed is very, very low.
I run over many, many DSLR shooters without even seeing one RF user for some time now.
jky
Well-known
Joe, if you can snag an M8 or, for obviously a little more money, an 8.2 or one with an upgrade, do it....
Looking at my old M8 files, I'm still astonished at their quality... sure high ISO could be better, but I personally had no hesitation shooting it up to iso 1250 (1600).
Besides, should you decide it's not for you... you can probably sell it for pretty much what you bought it for.
Looking at my old M8 files, I'm still astonished at their quality... sure high ISO could be better, but I personally had no hesitation shooting it up to iso 1250 (1600).
Besides, should you decide it's not for you... you can probably sell it for pretty much what you bought it for.
dof
Fiat Lux
It's a great camera that's now priced extremely well for what it is. What's not to like about that?
alecgold
Established
Well, it still isn't cheap, but compared to the official price or the price of a M9 it's a true bargain. And I like it much much more than my canon g7 or acanon 450d.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
More people can afford it (second hand); therefore more people use it; therefore more of the comments about it are from people who've actually used it instead of regurgitating a poisonous mixture of sour grapes, price-driven bile, and rumour.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Ming Rider
Film, the next evolution.
Rather like `What Katie Did Next`.
k.a
Well-known
the m8 is indeed a great camera and nowdays you can find a used one with a good lens for less then half of the original price. it is still quite expencive camera, but for a digital-m it is a bargin
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Have you actually had a chance to use an M8 Joe?
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
That's exactly what I was going to say, except not as well!
Priced well for a digital M, the M9 is expensive and scarce, and there are no real competitors.
back alley
IMAGES
just held one from our local pro shop.
Ben Z
Veteran
I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but you seem to be implying (correct me if I'm wrong) that negativity regarding the M8 (and perhaps, extrapolating, the M9) is mainly a result of people who can't afford one, and I have to disagree with that. I paid MSRP (at the time, before it went up capriciously) for an M8 and then another $1700 to upgrade the shutter, frames, and LCD, so it isn't that I couldn't afford it. That said, my opinion as a long-time user, is that the M8 is, right now and for the first time, priced in line with its capabilities and quirks (which BTW, also as a long-time owner, I can attest are not rumors).
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Ben,
Not so much "can't afford" as "haven't tried," though obviously the latter is related to the former in many cases. Most people, once they try it, have a much higher opportunity of its qualities than before they try it; though of course, there were also those who had unrealistically high expectations and suffered buyers' remorse.
Cheers,
R.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I think that most people paying MSRP wanted a much better sorted, less quirky camera that didn't need upgrades, adjustments, sensor replacements, or IR cut filters. But to those of us buying now, that's all old news, and we're paying far less.
ferider
Veteran
As you can see, Joe, you only should use an expensive Leica if you can afford it (or get it free from Leica). Then of course it is the best thing that photographically will ever happen to you. 
You sure you want to switch from your Epsons ?
You sure you want to switch from your Epsons ?
ampguy
Veteran
Joe, I've got both, and the Epson photos are as good as the M8s. You can go the M8 route, but I think it's mainly a lateral move, not an upgrade.
You've just got gas...
You've just got gas...
Ben Z
Veteran
I bought mine in July '07, knowing full well about the need of IR filters, the limited high-ISO ability, and the various reported modes of catastrophic failure (which is why I insisted on one with the latest serial #). The reason I went ahead and bought it is because I was travelling a great deal at the time and sick of being bogged down by a bag full of DSLR gears, and because I was not happy at all with my RD1 (viewfinder with nothing wider than effective 42mm, manual selection of frames, finnicky rangefinder that frequently went out of kilter, and a repair department that made even Leica's look good by comparison). I bought the M8 because it was the only thing that solved my needs, but that doesn't mean I thought it was worth the price.