bobbyrab
Well-known
I'm contemplating buying a used M8, and the budget I would have would almost certainly mean having one that's out of warranty. So with that in mind, what is the worst case scenario and the cost implications. I'm thinking of things like a sensor failing rather than the camera being dropped from a height or into water, so not self inflicted damage, more what components could fail, and has anyone had any large repair bills for failed components. Any information greatly received.....R
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
It is a mechanical-digital-optical machine, so in theory anything can go wrong. Red-line sensor damage can happen, the shutter can break, the motherboard can die, etc. Any of these things may end in Leica extending a courtesy repair (that happens regularly) or in an estimate that makes the camera a writeoff economically. There is no difference to buying a used car: just make sure you don't get unlucky.
Fraser
Well-known
A warranty from leica or from a shop?
I wouldn't buy without a warranty unless it was really cheap and I mean really cheap!
I wouldn't buy without a warranty unless it was really cheap and I mean really cheap!
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
So with that in mind, what is the worst case scenario and the cost implications.
Either:
a) It gets stolen, and you have to get another one. The cost depends on how well you shop.
b) You are disillusioned and find you need a Nikon D3s. It'll cost about $4,500.
DrTebi
Slide Lover
One thing that will most likely be the case is that the M8 will have sensor dust. I had an M8 for about four years, and no matter how careful I was when changing lenses, dust got onto the sensor after only a couple of month, and it is not easy to get off.
It's a real pain when you only realize after taking 100s of images that the sensor was dirty, and you will have to remove all those dust spots. Sure, there are tools in Lightroom etc. that will help you do this, even in batch mode, but it doesn't always work out very well.
Before I sold my M8, I had it overhauled at Leica. It was extremely expensive, over $500 for adjusting the rangefinder, cleaning the sensor, replacing the leather covering, and a general check. But I preferred to sell it "refurbished" as I did not want to disappoint the buyer.
Generally I think the M8 is built extremely well. My tripod fell over once (on a hardwood floor), with the camera on it--the only thing that got hurt was the rangefinder alignment. But finding one locally that you can check out in person would certainly be a plus.
It's a real pain when you only realize after taking 100s of images that the sensor was dirty, and you will have to remove all those dust spots. Sure, there are tools in Lightroom etc. that will help you do this, even in batch mode, but it doesn't always work out very well.
Before I sold my M8, I had it overhauled at Leica. It was extremely expensive, over $500 for adjusting the rangefinder, cleaning the sensor, replacing the leather covering, and a general check. But I preferred to sell it "refurbished" as I did not want to disappoint the buyer.
Generally I think the M8 is built extremely well. My tripod fell over once (on a hardwood floor), with the camera on it--the only thing that got hurt was the rangefinder alignment. But finding one locally that you can check out in person would certainly be a plus.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
As Jaap says, anything, really. But mostly they don't, internet moans to the contrary.
Personally I'd buy from a dealer who offers some sort of warranty and then shoot a LOT of pictures inside the warranty period.
Cheers,
R.
Personally I'd buy from a dealer who offers some sort of warranty and then shoot a LOT of pictures inside the warranty period.
Cheers,
R.
Buy froma dealer with a warranty, and many offer extended warranties at additional cost.
I would look for a later production M8, preferably with low use. Mine had under 400 shutter actuations on it when bought a year ago.
I would look for a later production M8, preferably with low use. Mine had under 400 shutter actuations on it when bought a year ago.
The biggest issue I can see at this point happening to a M8 is the shutter going bad or the "coffee ring" on the LCD... do a search on that. The shutter gets a tear in it that is certainly a imperfection and not user error... but Leica will not repair it for free. They charge a maximum of $650 and a minimum of $325 for repair / replacement.
Lss
Well-known
It's the same process as on any camera where you need to clean the sensor. I find it very easy.One thing that will most likely be the case is that the M8 will have sensor dust ------ and it is not easy to get off.
Olsen
Well-known
Before I sold my M8, I had it overhauled at Leica. It was extremely expensive, over $500 for adjusting the rangefinder, cleaning the sensor, replacing the leather covering, and a general check. But I preferred to sell it "refurbished" as I did not want to disappoint the buyer.
That was cheap!
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
That was certainly cheap, considering that this includes an extented guaranty of a year as well
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
That is on the same level as washing your car, normal routine and exceedingly easy. There are sites like Visible Dust that will tell you how to do it and sell you the gear, I personally prefer the Green Clean system. Again - that is routine user maintenance and easy to do.One thing that will most likely be the case is that the M8 will have sensor dust. I had an M8 for about four years, and no matter how careful I was when changing lenses, dust got onto the sensor after only a couple of months, and it is not easy to get off.
bobbyrab
Well-known
Thanks everyone for the advise, food for thought.....R
sailorcrew
Newbie
Well, here is my recent experience. I bought a used M8.2 off ebay from a seller that was legit. I checked his other auctions and past history and he clearly had been buying and selling good quality stuff for awhile. He bought an M9 and put this up for bid. I had several emails from him and ended up getting it in a buy it now deal.
The camera was in pristine condition, really, not a single mark on it. Less than 2500 pictures were taken with it. I was quite happy with the deal.
The sensor was dirty. A rocket blower did little good, maybe redistributed the dust a bit. I bought an arctic butterfly and it cleaned the sensor amazingly well.
A few weeks later, playing around with the camera, I took some underexposed shots but didn't delete them. Once uploaded, I saw the vertical line. It was reproduced in several shots. This was the weekend and I fretted about this for the balance of it. I contacted Leica NJ on Monday and they were great to deal with. With out committing to anything, they explained the process and how to get it to them. I wrote a letter explaining my situation and clearly stated that I purchased this used from an individual.
They responded a week after receiving the camera and are doing the pixel restoration as well as the rest of the checks under warranty! I really did not have high hopes, was expecting to get charged for the work but they stepped up and are covering the work. I also let them know that I noticed the coffee stain (only if the background was very light) and that is being included also.
This is my first venture into digital rangefinder cameras and what I was hoping to avoid, happened, but what I wasn't expecting, also happened. For me, the end result is good. A little down time and the expense to ship the camera off, but ultimately I will be back in a good spot. Of course, I would have preferred to have just gotten into a perfect copy and never have issues, but that was not to be. This was my "what's the worst that could happen" and the results from it.
The camera was in pristine condition, really, not a single mark on it. Less than 2500 pictures were taken with it. I was quite happy with the deal.
The sensor was dirty. A rocket blower did little good, maybe redistributed the dust a bit. I bought an arctic butterfly and it cleaned the sensor amazingly well.
A few weeks later, playing around with the camera, I took some underexposed shots but didn't delete them. Once uploaded, I saw the vertical line. It was reproduced in several shots. This was the weekend and I fretted about this for the balance of it. I contacted Leica NJ on Monday and they were great to deal with. With out committing to anything, they explained the process and how to get it to them. I wrote a letter explaining my situation and clearly stated that I purchased this used from an individual.
They responded a week after receiving the camera and are doing the pixel restoration as well as the rest of the checks under warranty! I really did not have high hopes, was expecting to get charged for the work but they stepped up and are covering the work. I also let them know that I noticed the coffee stain (only if the background was very light) and that is being included also.
This is my first venture into digital rangefinder cameras and what I was hoping to avoid, happened, but what I wasn't expecting, also happened. For me, the end result is good. A little down time and the expense to ship the camera off, but ultimately I will be back in a good spot. Of course, I would have preferred to have just gotten into a perfect copy and never have issues, but that was not to be. This was my "what's the worst that could happen" and the results from it.
DrTebi
Slide Lover
Well I guess I did not try hard enough when trying to clean the sensor. However, it's certainly something very annoying, and I find it a bit uncomfortable opening the shutter and messing with the sensor... it's the "heart" of the camera which you really don't want to damage.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I cleaned my sensor once in over 7000 shutter accuations ... admittedly I always changed lenses in a clean environment and didn't really use much else aside from my 35mm Nokton ... but the lens always came off the camera between uses.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
That is on the same level as washing your car, normal routine and exceedingly easy.
Wait a minute: Bentleys don't require maintenance. They are expensive, and therefore, dirtless; or at least, it should hardly ever accumulate any dirt. That is my most reasonable expectation.
Beemermark
Veteran
Yes they do. it's just owners never notice because the chauffeur takes care of it during the dark of night.Wait a minute: Bentleys don't require maintenance.
ramosa
B&W
It's the same process as on any camera where you need to clean the sensor. I find it very easy.
The sensor dust caused me stress for a month or so, and then I purchased a few products from Invisible Dust. Not cheap, but darn well worth it. It is a non-issue now.
ruslan
Established
Cracked sensor is possible with Leica:

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