M8 - What´s the worst that could happen?

Bille said:
Are there any common issues with the M8 you know of?
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Not really. Judging by forum posts the original 1/8000th shutter has fewer problems than the newer 1/4000th, but both are pretty reliable and can still be repaired. The high ISO story is more of a saga, but it comes down to: If you use recent Photoshop/Lightroom versions and expose liberally it gives excellent files up to ISO 1250, usable to ISO 2000 ad if you do the uncompressed trick as described elsewhere in the forum the noise goes down even more.
There are no specific breakdown things.
One thing that all digital cameras have in common is a stuck/dead pixel or pixel row. Cause: Neutron strike from cosmic radiation.
Usually it can be handled in postprocessing.
A sensor can be remapped by Leica (reports on cost vary from free to reasonable)
A rangefinder that needs adjusting can be done quickly and for a small fee by any competent camera repairman or even in DIY.
 
#1 Worst that can happen if you buy an used M8 and something breaks within 1-3 years? Pay a hefty repair bill. Estimated total cost, say $3,000 (used camera price + repair cost)

#2 Worst that can happen if you buy a used M8 and something breaks within 4-8 years, and there's no more repair parts? Cost - $1,500, and you're left with no camera. If you're desperate and still in need to shoot a digital rangefinder, get a used M240 for $2,000 (used price in 4-8 years). Total cost = $3,500.

#3 Worst that can happen if you don't get an M8 and go for an used M240 today. Cost = $4,000.


Some crazy assumption and estimation here, please take it with a grain of salt.
 
So far so good.

leicam8.jpg
 
Very nice M8 and nice picture, you'll find when using it and you find out the things
you can and can't do with it (which isn't much) it's a great camera and out
of all the digital camera's I have with that blasted autofocusing with plastic
housed lenses the pictures always look sharp, if not it's my fault and not the
camera, good luck with it.

Range
 
Range-rover said:
Very nice M8 and nice picture, you'll find when using it and you find out the things
you can and can't do with it (which isn't much) it's a great camera and out
of all the digital camera's I have with that blasted autofocusing with plastic
housed lenses the pictures always look sharp, if not it's my fault and not the
camera, good luck with it.

Range
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Thanks Range, I like what I ve seen so far. The body is a «bella macchina» compared to almost anything digital.

Sensor resolution is acceptable at 10 MP which is about what I was able to get out of black and white film. Much cleaner though and hassle-free.
 
I thought I made a mistake when I picked up an M8 in 2011. I didn't bond well with the camera and sold it, now nearing the end of 2015 I've just purchased another one. Good choice!
 
Be sure to check the Leica forum for a good way to increase the ISO with minimum noise. In short, you shoot raw files with the ISO set at 160 and let Photoshop take it up three stops. Works like a charm for me, but I use it for newspaper work, not large prints. A great set; enjoy.
 
WARNING: There is a grave risk of taking good photographs with a smile on your face...;)

Btw, if you want to shoot colour you should get B&W 486 filters for your lenses.
 
I've been using my M8 for a few months now,

The shutter is loud, in a very confirming way, comparable to no other camera I've used. The sound has grown on me, and I rather like to hear mine clunking away.

It is a good deal heftier than a film M, a bonus for big mitted manly men like me ;)

I had some doubts about the M8 when I was saving, about the longevity of it's electronics and build, but those worries have been put to bed. The M8 is a very robust and worthwhile tool, I would not hesitate to grab one at today's prices.

I paid around 1k$ USD for my body only, then another 35$ on generic batteries and a handful of chargers to keep me juiced up.

FYI, I purchased the 1800mah batteries from Japan, and they've been stellar! Lasting days of shooting without missing a beat. I've yet to have one crash randomly, and the battery indicator has been accurate down to 1 bar in camera. Mine are DTSE and are branded for the shop that sold them.

Enjoy!
 
B-9 said:
I purchased the 1800mah batteries from Japan, and they've been stellar! Lasting days of shooting without missing a beat. I've yet to have one crash randomly, and the battery indicator has been accurate down to 1 bar in camera. Mine are DTSE and are branded for the shop that sold them.
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Can you provide more info on the batteries? Vendor's name? P/N?

thanks!
 
At current prices, and working well an M8 has to be the deal of the century for image quality. I had one and was peeved with it's drawbacks (noted above) and moved on. Looking at the images that I took and the money I've spent since, I'm sure I am a fool. Work within it's limits like you would any camera and it's a wonderful tool.
 
Maybe the worst that could happen to an M8 is the resale value drops so far it's just worth more to keep and use! I sold my M9 to get a 240 but kept the M8...
 
The worst that can happen? The absolute worst? The unique sensor that Leica uses in the M8 could, if conditions are right and if struck by sufficiently energetic photons, begin a chain reaction where protons and anti-protons cancel each other out violently, rapidly creating a singularity that will consume all matter and energy in the universe.

But I'm pretty sure that's fairly rare, and Leica will fix that under a special goodwill program.

More likely is you'll meet supercilious M9 owners who will say, "I thought about the M8, but I wanted something full-frame ..." in a condescending tone.
 
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