M8 Update

[bottley1]

So, is anyone going for any of the various updates? - lets have another poll!! 🙄

 

[swoop]

I'm going for the trifecta when I have the cash in a month or so.

 

[dof]

The framelines are the most compelling feature on the upgrade list, but I'm still on the fence about investing more into the M8.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'd love to lose the noisy recocking system on the M8 but there's no way I'm about to pay out that kind of money for it.

As for the screen, I'll happily let mine get scratched with use if and when it happens. Despite some people believing the M8 will hold its value quite well I seriously doubt that it will have a significant resale value once the M8.2 is old news and any further models/updates come out. As such I'll use it until its a 'beater' or I'm so overwhelmed by excess cash that I simply upgrade everytime I feel the whim. I have a drawer full of Nikon digi SLR's that I no longer use as they're 'out of date' but have little resale value....as such I keep them as emergency back-ups. I wonder if the same may become true of my M8 one day?

 

[Ben Z]

Not going for any of the upgrades until the last possible moment before my warranty expires, and then only to get the additional warranty. I'll probably do just the screen. I like the 1/8000-speed shutter w 1/250 flash sync, but I might have sacrificed it if the motor-delay was available with the shutter upgrade. But it's not. I also have no desire to have the frame lines changed, because I'm lazy to re-learn another set of lines that are still accurate only at one distance, still far closer than I typically shoot. What I wish is that for $500 I could just send my M8 in for an overhaul and get another year of warranty.

 

[Speenth]

There's a missing option: 'None of the above'. At the silly prices for these upgrades, the 'None' option would get my vote. I'm quite content with my M8 just the way it is. When, or if I need these 'enhancements' I'll invest in an M8.2 ... or an M9 or whatever else is around at that time.

 

[Doug]

I don't think any of the upgrades reduce the noise of shutter recocking; the new shutter runs slower and is thus quieter, but I hadn't heard anything about quieter recocking...

The only upgrade issue I'd like is the frameline change, but unfortunately a single change doesn't take advantage of the "group discount" so is unacceptably expensive.

I like the faster original shutter, I have a Giottos glass screen protector which can be replaced cheaply if/when necessary, but I would like the warranty extension and the more useful frameline mask. I might eventually be willing to pay the price, but by then there well may be other attractive "upgrade" options available.

 

[cmogi10]

If I had the money I would consider the shutter. I don't so it doesn't matter.
My screen's are scratched up. I never cared before, why care now...

 

[bottley1]

There's a missing option: 'None of the above'. At the silly prices for these upgrades, the 'None' option would get my vote. I'm quite content with my M8 just the way it is. When, or if I need these 'enhancements' I'll invest in an M8.2 ... or an M9 or whatever else is around at that time.

Yeah, you're right, I thought about it too late, I don't appear to be able to go back and revise the thread. 😡

 

[Hacker]

There's a missing option: 'None of the above'.

I will not upgrade, just sell the current one and get the new one. Makes more sense to me.

 

[user237428934]

Not going for any of the upgrades until the last possible moment before my warranty expires, and then only to get the additional warranty. I'll probably do just the screen.

Yes. That's my strategy too.

 

[jaapv]

A bit of a strange strategy, as the extension of the warrantee stars to count when the original one expires, irrespective of the time of upgrade. Only if you upgrade a camera that is past its guarantee is the extra year from the moment of upgrade.

 

[ableforensics]

Jaapv

Are you certain that the warrantee starts when the original one expires? I was told by US Dealer that the warrantee extension was i year from the time of upgrade regardless. Clearly this would make a significant difference in a decision to upgrade my present M8 wehn there is still 8 months left on the original.

Howard

 

[bottley1]

no, I have checked on the website, the extra one years warranty begins when the old warranty expires. So say you have 6 months left, you get 18 months warranty when you upgrade

 

[Ben Z]

A bit of a strange strategy, as the extension of the warrantee stars to count when the original one expires

My reason for waiting has nothing to do with any misunderstanding of the commencement time of the warranty. My reason for waiting until just before my warranty expires is because I'd like to keep my M8 status quo for as long as possible. I really do not need, want, or even like any of the upgrade possibilities, but I feel that getting another year of warranty via whatever is the least-expensive upgrade choice, makes more economic sense in the long run given what it could cost me out-of-warranty if my M8 were to need some major repair.

I wonder this: if someone were to get one item upgraded, like the LCD, and then when that one-year warranty was near expiration, sent the camera in for the shutter upgrade, would they give another year of warranty?

I still say Leica is missing a golden opportunity by not offering a program for $500 where they just overhaul it and recertify it for another year of warranty. I bet they would get lots of takers...maybe 90% of everyone who isn't interested in the upgrades.

 

[jaapv]

Jaapv

Are you certain that the warrantee starts when the original one expires? I was told by US Dealer that the warrantee extension was i year from the time of upgrade regardless. Clearly this would make a significant difference in a decision to upgrade my present M8 wehn there is still 8 months left on the original.

Howard

Read Leica's website.. Anything else would be ridiculous. Upgrade a camera two months old and shorten the guarantee by 10 months......

 

[Richard Marks]

I think all of these upgrades are actually marginal improvements on a camera that I am essentially very happy with. I really can not justify further cost unless its going to improve image quality.
Richard

 

[bottley1]

Read Leica's website.. Anything else would be ridiculous. Upgrade a camera two months old and shorten the guarantee by 10 months......

yes, the website is crystal clear (just like the new screen!)

" If the camera sent for upgrading is still under warranty, the latter will be extended by a full year for the whole camera, even if we upgrade only one element. If you send a M8 which is not under warranty anymore, we will give you one year warranty on the whole camera after upgrading"

i.e. the original warrenty will be extended. I like the idea suggested in this thread of having one upgrade at a time, one year apart, to get the maximum warrenty!

 

[Richard Marks]

yes, the website is crystal clear (just like the new screen!)

" If the camera sent for upgrading is still under warranty, the latter will be extended by a full year for the whole camera, even if we upgrade only one element. If you send a M8 which is not under warranty anymore, we will give you one year warranty on the whole camera after upgrading"

i.e. the original warrenty will be extended. I like the idea suggested in this thread of having one upgrade at a time, one year apart, to get the maximum warrenty!

I have insurance for accidental damage.
I think you are paying a lot for this warranty.

Richard

 

[jaapv]

Richard, that is your privilege. Fortunately we have a choice.