Now it can be asked - Is the M8.2 worth almost 2x the M8?

I think the original post (remember the original post!) has had accusations of ambiguity and trolling thrown at it unjustly ... based on the theory that you can't compare new with second hand in this instance. I think this is bullsh*t ... if I'm in the market for an M8 I have two choices, well three actually, and soon to be four as used M8.2's appear. Currently to enter the digital rangefinder market, ala Leica, I have two choices that are really relevant. A used M8 for whatever I can get one for, or if I want to spend the money, an M8.2 and that is what the original post was about ... is it worth it to spend double the amount of money to get the new bomb when you can pick up the old bomb for $3000.00?

I never have seen any issue with that original premise.
 
Tuolumne said:
Used, excellent condition M8s can now be had for around $3,500 or less. Given the fact that the M8 and M8.2 have exactly the same picture making HW and SW, is the M8.2 worth almost 2x its predecessor? What say you?

/T
:confused:
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currently a brand new M8 can be had from adorama for $3500 after the rebates on their page. Wonder if this will have any effect on the used market.
 
looking closer at their website, they are advertising two rebates that clearly state they cant be combined so the price is $4k. will still be interesting to see what this does to the used market.
 
UK - a new m8 can be had for £2250 after rebate. Under ~US$3500. Used will surely drop :( (i just bought my used m8 2-3 weeks ago)
 
That's the problem with these electronics. What will a perfect M8 be worth in 5 yrs vs. a perfect M film camera?
 
whitecat said:
That's the problem with these electronics. What will a perfect M8 be worth in 5 yrs vs. a perfect M film camera?
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I don't remember as much concern about the M7, with its electronic shutter, at its introduction. Why is there such concern about the longevity of electronics? I have a laptop that is 7 yrs old and working perfectly, a hi-fi seperates system which I have had for 35 yrs...still working perfectly! I believe the M8 will become a classic (he said, sticking his neck out! :p)
 
I disagree. In 10 yrs time your M8 will be a worthless ornament. Even if its electronics still work, it will be one of those quirky low res cameras that used memory cards! remember those? Cant get anything to read them in 10 yrs time of course, so you will be limited to displaying a finite number of photos on the LCD with its assortment of dead pixels.. You kids will be saying, "My dad remembers something called floppy disks that only held 720k. Imagine that." Can you imagine still using the tape player that you used to load programmes into your apple/BBC-B 18 yrs ago on your MAC Book now? Even if you could, the interfaces have all changed.

My point is, im sure the M8 is a fine camera. But the technology round it moves on so rapidly, the camera will become obsolete within 10 yrs. At least with 35mm film, there will always be a small market of hobbyiest photographers who develop their own.
 
rxmd said:
This is such a useless question. Is the M8.2 worth almost 500x the Zorki-6?
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The pricing of an upgrade in the technology world is one of the most important marketing questions to be answered. The M8.2 has nothing whatsoever to do with the pricing of a Zorki.

/T
 
Value

Value

Interesting question. The answer really is "it depends," because the gist of the question is the relative marginal value of the M8 vs M8.2. That varies from person to person for several reasons.

One obviously is cost. The M8.2 costs about 2X an M8 - a roughly $3000 difference. To some, that ends it; get the cheaper one. And yet, to others, a $3000 difference may not be that significant.

Another variable is the maringal value of the "extras" of the M8.2 and what it would entail to retrofit the M8. The new framelines probably appeal most to most people, followed by the softer shutter (some would prefer the faster shutter of the M8), and then the sapphire glass and vulcanite. However, assuming one wanted all of these things, going through the upgrade program for the M8 will cost $2030. So the value to a current M8 owner for the upgraded camera is about $5000 ($3000 base + $2000 upgrade fee). The additional hidden cost to the upgrade is the loss of the use of the camera during the indefinite period of time (weeks or a few months) during which the camera is in Leica's hands.

The upgrade to the M8 will not include cost of the stealth mode (delayed shutter recock), snapshot mode, and greatly improved manual EV adjustment. The real question, then is whether these features are worth the roughly $1000 beyond the cost of a full upgrade or, whether in aggregate, these features plus the new framelines, sapphire glass, shutter, and vulcanite, in aggregate, are worth $3000.

Personally, I'm either going to stick with my tried and true M8 (holding out for an eventual M9) or trade it in for an M8.2 (paying a cost of about $3000.
 
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