M8 - What´s the worst that could happen?

Bille

Bille

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Thinking of getting a used M8 now. I know of the shutter issue (workaround: not shooting continously) and the "coffee stains" (ok if the screen remains readable).

What´s the worst that could happen?
 
Drop the camera into a lake?

In all seriousness, the camera could stop working for whatever reason. You send it in. You get a repair bill. You get it fixed or you don't.

Still good cameras.
 
You pays your money and you take your chances.
On that note, has anyone had an M8 serviced by Leica recently? Cost? Parts availability?

Either way, you will soon part with your money. Not much different than buying a used car, motorcycle, or anything else. The best part about cameras is they are cheaper than a lot of hobbies. Safer too!
 
Every thing breaks or needs maintenance service eventually.

I don't know about Leica. I do know that just about anything that I send a camera to Canon for costs a minimum of $250. You just have to decide if it's worth fixing when you get the bill.
 
JP Owens said:
Every thing breaks or needs maintenance service eventually.

I don't know about Leica. I do know that just about anything that I send a camera to Canon for costs a minimum of $250. You just have to decide if it's worth fixing when you get the bill.
Click to expand...

Nothing is 250$ at Leica, a lens cap maybe. But thanks.
 
Most of the issues with the M8 actually came with it .... IR problem (magenta blacks), very loud shutter, below par high ISO performance and the occasional freeze. As much as my M8 annoyed me when I had it I loved it's form and when they eventually got it right with the 240 it was a no brainer, I had to get one.

I'm sure if you buy one you'll like it provided you can live with the above mentioned issues .... nothing ventured nothing gained. 🙂
 
The ones you mentioned are documented but not common. Third party batteries tend to work incorrectly/display incorrect battery usage on the small display on top plate. I had a camera shut down on me with a third party battery mid shutter cycle. Popped a fully charged genuine leica one in, no problems since. They're expensive but its the one thing I'm not risking on my M8.

Research the best SD cards for the M8. I wouldnt put a 32gb card in as the camera was developed around the time when smaller cards were the norm.

Other than that, it's an 'issue free' camera. Quirky, but no issues.

At 1500US or less you're getting a camera that cost U$5500 new (6,500U$ in today's dollars).

A second to none ccd sensor at low ISO with an optical rangefinder. Not a bad deal.

If you havent yet, go shoot one, listen to the shutter. It's quite loud. The m8.2 less so.
 
From what I understand parts are still available for the M8, except for the screen.
So if the screen breaks, you'll be stuck with whatever settings you have on the camera at that time.
Otherwise, it's still a joy to use.
And the prices on them lately are very reasonable.
 
It really matters not one bit what it was. Nor what it cost when new. The OP wisely asks what is the worst that can happen. There are two scenarios among many that seem relevant.

1. The camera dies and you lose $1500. If that is no big deal for you, buy it. That is all there is to it. To me, it is a hell of a lot of money so an M8 is not for me.

2. The camera will need repairs that will increase your overall cost substantially and you go back to #1 above.

It's just money and only you can decide what to do with yours.🙂
 
Picked one up on the classifieds here and it's been working like a champ. The experience and resulting images far outweigh the risks for me. My only real concern being the shutter (original 1/8000); I rarely use the rear LCD for settings or review.
 
An integral part of this camera can not be replaced or repaired. So, the worst that could happen was described by benmacphoto.

The most likely worst-case scenario would be accidental breakage of the LCD screen. In that case you would have to search for a donor camera to switch screens. This would be inconvenient.

Otherwise, there the worst that could happen is no different than any other used digital camera purchase from that era. People buy DLSRs from this time period all the time. The M8 is no different at all in terms of risk.

I'm not sure parts for Canons/Nikons/et al from 2006-2009 are available either. By contrast, one can buy a used DSLR from many sources for next to nothing. So the frustration level could be lower if you can find someone who will swap parts between old DSLRs.
 
Just received one a few month ago, and only thing needed is the UV/IR
filters which isn't to bad, other than that mine has only taken around
2000 shots and been working great no problems. I love it that the
first time in my digital history that when I point focus, shoot the pictures
come out amazing sharp, if it's off it's me not the camera, and so far
there has been no problems I think the nit picking about this camera
has been a bit hard on some sites which I don't think it's been fair.
I just think no camera is perfect even the other big bang digital wonder
camera's.
 
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