Shall I hold off > ? < $$,$$$.$$ USD .Buy it NOW!

G

genen

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I am not an expert on Leica, I like the Leica Brand, I like the quality, never owned a Leica M.
I liked the Leica “image” of a quality product until I scanned the M8/M9 forums.
I decided I would pick-up ( @ far less than ½ the cost of a new) a Demo M8.2 with full warranty; a camera I knew had an inborn design fault. I can live with that for a few years until I determine if the Brand is for me. Then purchase whatever is the current Leica M digital. I like shooting IR landscape anyways! 10 vs 18 MP isn't night and day in quality with the same Kodak sensor. Id like to try a M8.2 with 28mm & 50mm.

Over the past weeks I see more and more issues with the Brand and their M8’s and M9’s. I don’t need to list them, the forums list them out. Even in this day of instant feedback around the world in seconds –should I have concern? I’m no entry level shooter, been doing the photography/imaging arts thing for 50+ years, Minox to 8x10 view and digital systems since I got my MFA 20 years ago.

Is this a really good product? (M9), it is selling well … I’d like one too. I am sure there are a lot of happy uneventful M digital owners out there not making noise. All these firmware updates to correct this and that, I guess it gives me cold feet about dropping ($) 10 Grand for a body and a couple lenses.
Some might say … “then don’t!”

I guess I’m reaching out for the happy and satisfied owners to confirm my initial interest in the Leica M Brand.

Thanks for taking a few seconds to consider my concern.
 
If it has a warranty then yes its a good camera to buy. It has beautiful image quality and is supremely sharp due to lack of AA filter.

I love my m8 and cant see me selling it at all.
 
Thanks ...

Thanks ...

I like your 17FEB work, the shadow and wheel chair make a strong image with your sense of line and space. You shoot from the hip on a lot of the street peoples?


Thanks for the positive feedback on your M8, that is my second (gear)option an M8 full (new Demo) warranty and a polished M4-P, 28 2.8 & 50 f2. It is just "gear" which is needed to feed an addiction.
 
Get a good one, try it first, ask your dealer or the seller to back it up.

A Lexus running well with 150K on it with one owner is likely to be more reliable than one with an unknown history, but with recent fixes/repairs/lemon issues, IMHO.
 
There are lots of complaints about EVERYTHING on the internet. Some are fully justified; some are from people who whinge about everything as a matter of principle; some are sour grapes; some are pure hearsay.

Put it this way: the only reason I have found NOT to use an M8.2 as my primary digital camera is an M9 (MP remains the choice for film). Check my web-site for M8-8.2-9 reviews and lots of pics taken with M2, M4-P, MP, M9, M8.2, M9: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/photo school index.html

Cheers,

R.
 
I've had my share of issues of the various M8s that I've owned. But nothing that has convinced me to give up the camera. It's a wonderful photographic tool.
As has already been suggested - buy one with a warranty.
 
c'mon in, the water's fine. you might have a problem or two, you might not. the camera is worth the risk, imho. as tim says, and his M8 work shows, it's a great tool.

as to lenses, i think a 15-18, a 28-35, and a 50 are nice focal lengths for the M8.
 
Only one way to find out, just buy the darn thing. - I have two M8 cameras from before day 1. Nothing but the "normal"problems, i.e. the factory recall of the first batch, which went flawless, and the need for IR filters - the vast majority is without any problem. And if you get warranty - what do you have to lose?:confused:
 
Thanks for the positive feedback

Thanks for the positive feedback

Thanks for all the "jump-in" comments.

My M8.2 and 28mmf2 should be here tomorrow or Wednesday, good way to start the summer.

Can't wait

Thanks
 
The only real risk is the possiblity that you'll go to M9 sooner than you anticipated ;) Have fun!
 
jaapv said:
The only real risk is the possiblity that you'll go to M9 sooner than you anticipated ;) Have fun!
Click to expand...

So far I like it ... In future Years? ...perhaps M9.+ or M10? The test in following months will be - does the camera do what I NEED? If I should need more pixels or another vast improvement.
Print size is OK with the M8:
I considered an M9, save a few dollars more than half of a new M9 with the M8.
If I need 40x60 prints I'll use a Hasselblad.
Print size differences with a M8 vs M9 @300pixel per inch
13x9 inch M8 and
18x12 inch M9.
Not a night and day difference.

There may be a 60MP sensor in the next generation, there is always a new and improved - ... thank goodness!
 
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It is not the resolution/print size part of the story - even M8 files will easily print to 1 meter wide - it is the smoother transition between contrasts and colours that makes the difference.
 
genen said:
Print size differences with a M8 vs M9 @300pixel per inch
13x9 inch M8 and
18x12 inch M9.
Not a night and day difference.

There may be a 60MP sensor in the next generation, there is always a new and improved - ... thank goodness!
Click to expand...

I've printed cropped M8 files 13x19 and they look great....
 
Hi Jaapv

Hi Jaapv

Is this something that can be seen only in print? If so, at what sizes/settings? Thanks.

When the a digital M comes out with IR capability, less overscan, 1/8000 shutter speed, weaker IR filter, no weird red lines, I'll take a look.

Oh wait, that's the original M8!!

jaapv said:
It is not the resolution/print size part of the story - even M8 files will easily print to 1 meter wide - it is the smoother transition between contrasts and colours that makes the difference.
Click to expand...
 
13x19 M8 prints

13x19 M8 prints

I just did a couple 20x30 inch prints from my M8.2 and they do look great.
(Canon ipf 9100)

Leica is great gear and I'm sure the M9 has quality improvements. For the money I got in with a M8.2 and used 28mm f2 and I'm a shootin and a shootin ! Loving IT ! After 50 years of doing photography - I'm 8 years old again!
 
ampguy said:
Is this something that can be seen only in print? If so, at what sizes/settings? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Where else than in print can you see quality differences?:confused:. Basically the differences are small, but they are there, at all sizes of print. Of course in the unlikely event you are printing a billboard and looking at it from 25 cm, the difference in resolution will count.

All this cannot be , imo, the sole reason to prefer an M9 over an M8. The difference in IQ is too small for that. The whole package is convincing, and is more than a sum of the details.
And I have never seen weird red lines on my M9 - once on an M8, but that disappeared again after a few shots, never to return.
 
jaapv said:
Where else than in print can you see quality differences?:confused:. Basically the differences are small, but they are there, at all sizes of print. Of course in the unlikely event you are printing a billboard and looking at it from 25 cm, the difference in resolution will count.

All this cannot be , imo, the sole reason to prefer an M9 over an M8. The difference in IQ is too small for that. The whole package is convincing, and is more than a sum of the details.
And I have never seen weird red lines on my M9 - once on an M8, but that disappeared again after a few shots, never to return.
Click to expand...

I am a bit surprised at your assessment of the quality difference, Jaap.

I find that the image quality is greatly improved to my eye and is quite obvious on screen as well as in print. I had read and re-read reviews, and looked at images online and was prepared to see little difference between the two. In practice, however, the image differences were immediately apparent - color reproduction, tonal transitions, and detail. Combine the image quality with the vastly improved usability and full sized sensor and there is really no contest, the M9 is a far better camera. (I know that some testing sites show little advantage - Puts for one - while others show a pretty large one - DXOMark- so I think one can choose the tests that supports one's pre-conceived conclusions and ignore the rest.)

In my case, the M9 has exceeded my image quality expectations and I have happily passed the M8 along to another photographer to enjoy. Yes, the price is higher, but, IMO, well worth the extra $1000 over what I paid for my M8 3 years ago.
 
Well, I have a clear preference too, but in quantifying these things one has to take care not to raise expectations to unrealistic levels. A fine balance, and I may have been slightly overcautious.
 
jaapv said:
Well, I have a clear preference too, but in quantifying these things one has to take care not to raise expectations to unrealistic levels. A fine balance, and I may have been slightly overcautious.
Click to expand...

I thought so. ;)

As you may or may not recall, I tend to be generally skeptical regarding new camera hype and attribution of "magic" qualities. But the M9 has left me quite impressed, vis a vis the M8 ( the top DSLRs may be a different story, but I rarely shoot those).
 
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