m8 serial number help...

[emraphoto]

hi folks
still on the hunt for the elusive m8 deal here... i was wondering, what sort of serial numbers should i be avoiding in my quest? i know the first run had some issues and i was hoping to avoid these. can anyone enlighten me as to how the serial number translates?
cheers
john

 

[emraphoto]

in particulair i'm looking at one that starts 310XXXX

 

[kbg32]

You should be fine with that series of serial numbers. Mine begins with that set and has been trouble free since day one. But I wouldn't worry. Check the camera out thoroughly and update or make sure the firmware has been updated.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

It shouldn't matter. AFAIK, there have been no physical changes to the camera since its introduction. The only changes I am aware of for certain have been in the firmware.

 

[Philippe D.]

Hi,

in particular i'm looking at one that starts 310XXXX

Those are from the first batch.
I have one (# 31014xx) which was refurbished in Solms.
No particular problems i can say, and i also can compare with a more recent # 3329xxx.
To know if it was refurbished: Have a look at the warranty card.
A red mark (a zero here) shows it has been in Solms.

 

[fotografr]

in particulair i'm looking at one that starts 310XXXX

I had three consecutive sudden deaths last January and February with M8s that had 310xxxx serial numbers. The one I have had since March with no problems is 332xxxx.

 

[Philippe D.]

It shouldn't matter. AFAIK, there have been no physical changes to the camera since its introduction.

Firmware are not physical. 😉
Yes, some changes have been made, especially to the first batch, that's why some body (like mine) are called "refurbished".
AFAIK, we are on the 3rd. change by main board now, even very small and not particular for the last 2 changes, from the original 1st. production row.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... AFAIK, we are on the 3rd. change by main board now, even very small and not particular for the last 2 changes, from the original 1st. production row.

I also got into my M8 with a purchase of a refurb. It was anything but trouble free... in any case, it was indicated to me that the camera had been gone over, cleaned, and repackaged - that's it.

I know the M7 has gone through circuit board changes (at least one), but I am not so certain about the M8.

I am not saying you're wrong, but just restating what has been my understanding; that is, all internal and functional changes to the M8 have been with firmware upgrades.

 

[Philippe D.]

I also got into my M8 with a purchase of a refurb. It was anything but trouble free... in any case, it was indicated to me that the camera had been gone over, cleaned, and repackaged - that's it.

Leica never tell you what truly happen to your equipment when at factory repair shop.
And especially not when the Leica legendary quality is put into question.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Philippe:

I just had an email exchange with Tony Rose (Popflash) who says he doesn't really know, but also indicated he has sent into Leica some early M8s that have come back with new sensors and circuit boards. This casts some doubt on my earlier assertion. So I should alter to my earlier statement with, "be sure to get one with a warranty!"

Regards, Bill

 

[emraphoto]

thanx folks! i read all this and decided one of the kurland demo's had my name on it. the price was right and i have a warranty should i happen to need one!
now i'm going to the curb to wait for the delivery driver for a few days...

 

[eon]

Mine has a serial number starting with 310 and it is not of the earliest batch that needed to be altered at the factory.

/Erik

 

[steelduck]

Where is the serialnumber on the M8?

EDIT: Nevermind... I just took the external viewfinder of and found it... 🙂

 

[jaapv]

in particulair i'm looking at one that starts 310XXXX

3100001 through 3101500 need to have their hardwareupgraded for banding, green blobs and beam-me-up-Scotty banding, if that has not been done already.

 

[steelduck]

mine is 3197148

 

[f 10]

3100001 through 3101500 need to have their hardwareupgraded for banding, green blobs and beam-me-up-Scotty banding, if that has not been done already.

sorry jaapv,

that´s not right.
Mine is higher (not really much) 3102xxx, but M8 was fixt from Solms

 

[ampguy]

3106xxx are good from the factory, IMHO.

 

[GuessWaT]

i just bought one with series 3109XXX and its on the way from USA, will it has any problem with that series number? it marked as new and unused but the series number has been registered. i'm worry there might have some faulty after reading this thread.

 

[ampguy]

3106xxx - no issues.

 

[jaapv]

sorry jaapv,

that´s not right.
Mine is higher (not really much) 3102xxx, but M8 was fixt from Solms

Those, up to about 3106000 need the T2 upgrade to avoid sudden death, which was caused by a faulty transitor, of which a few slipped into a batch. Most have had it, as Leica do that as routine. But they do not need the extra mass connection that the earlier series needed.