Should I?

[totifoto]

I´m using a Canon dslr system today and if i sell it all I can buy the new M8 + 2 lenses. But what I´m scared of is this: Will the m8 be worth anything after 2 years. ?
The way the dslr market has been working since I started using dslr has been a horror. I spend 2500 $ on a camera and after 2 years its worth 500$ I bought the Leica Digilux the day it came out, fantastic camera at the time, payed 1800$ for it at that time, almost 3 years later it was kinda outdated and all I got for it was 300$

What dou you guys think? Will the M8 be outdated with in 5 years or will it life a good life as the M1-M7 cameras? Should I go from Canon to Leica M8?

 

[kbg32]

What, if anything, will be in fashion in 5 years time? You buy a camera for use today, and if you use it 5 years from now, all the better. I'm surprised by what some of the earlier Leica digitals are fetching on ebay. Buy the M8 because you want to use it now. Make the equipment choice based on the kinds of images you want to make.

 

[Philinflash]

So, did you get $500 per year of benefit from the Digilux? If not, was it the camera's fault or yours?

I will defer to all of the more wise futurists to deal with future value of the M8. However, I would appreciate their stock market tips, too.


The M8 succeeds on a few levels today, if not tomorrow. First, it is a real camera, not a phone or a computer with a capture lens. Second, at 10+ megs image capture, it is arguably garnering about as much information as a 35 mm film frame. Third, it is a very versatile device covering a wide variety of demands; more than an M7. Fourth, it compares very favorably to other digital rangefinder cameras. I don't think there will be anything likely to top it significantly in the near future, but then I bought one didnn't I?

 

[Joe Mondello]

The M8 is not your father's Leica. Like other digital hardware, it "ages" at an accelerated rate.

My 3 year old PowerMac G5 is nearing the end of it's usefulness but only because of advancements in technology.

I have a once $2000 Olympus E-10 that now sits on a shelf because it is hardly worth selling.

I have a pair of 20+ year old original Macintoshes that once cost a bundle but today are merely decoration (picked 'em up outta the trash).

Personally I think that the M8 will be a viable photographic instrument for probably around 5 years. After that? Well time will tell.

Lenses, on the other hand, are FOREVER!

 

[usccharles]

i wouldn't part with your SLR gear for the M8. i love my M8 but i love my SLR too. two different camera styles and each has its advantages. you would love your M8 but i think you will regret selling your SLR for it.

in regards to depreciation of electronic gear, that goes not only for M8s but everything in the world with electronics. they depreciate fast. its a given. so no point concerning yourself about 3 years down the line when you can be enjoying it NOW

🙂

 

[tbarker13]

I'd say that a lot depends on the type of photography you like to do. For me, a rangefinder will always be number one. I've used variuos film Ms, the Epson R-D1 and now an M8.
I've always had some sort of SLR companion (either Nikon or Canon) for telephoto and macro stuff. But if forced to pick the Leica or the SLR, it would be a no brainer for me. 80 percent of what I like to do is with the rangefinder.
Before making that jump, you really have to ask yourself if the more limited lens range (focal lengths, I mean) fits your shooting style.
I am by no means a wealthy person, so don't take this the wrong way. But in the end, I'd be more concerned about enjoying the photography than whether the kit is going to hold its value over the next few years.

 

[olivepress]

re: Should I

re: Should I

I´m using a Canon dslr system today and if i sell it all I can buy the new M8 + 2 lenses. But what I´m scared of is this: Will the m8 be worth anything after 2 years. ?
The way the dslr market has been working since I started using dslr has been a horror. I spend 2500 $ on a camera and after 2 years its worth 500$ I bought the Leica Digilux the day it came out, fantastic camera at the time, payed 1800$ for it at that time, almost 3 years later it was kinda outdated and all I got for it was 300$

What dou you guys think? Will the M8 be outdated with in 5 years or will it life a good life as the M1-M7 cameras? Should I go from Canon to Leica M8?

Questions:
1. What Canon DSLR are you using?
2. Buying to use or as an investment?
3. What kind of photography do you do if you use your camera?
4. What do you like about your dlsr?
5. What dont you like about your dslr?
6. Does depreciation upset you?

I ask because YOU need to evaluate why make that change! If your camera is one of the EOS 1’s then is the sealing and water protection a value to you. Do you use autofocus? Do you use long lenses? Are you using the accessories of the EOS system to make you photo life easier? Or is the camera too big? Looking for something quiet in sound and size?

If depreciation is a real concern then do nothing- except TAKE MORE PICTURES! Use what you have to make great images and spend the time and money on getting to and taking photos. Everything has a cost and a value loss, that’s a given. Every 18 months most of what we have becomes an expensive paperweight. The Leica will have little value in 2 years (anticipating the worst.) Now what? What value does this camera bring to you today? How will it help you in your photography? The real question i suppose is what you do with your gear in the 18 months that you have it.

If this is a change to change then you will lose twice. And the people that buy your used cameras will win. Hard to say what the camera value might be better to assess the worth of the camera to you in getting the kinds of photographs that you are passionate about!

 

[RF-Addict]

You should very carefully evaluate if this is just another GAS attack! I could not imagine selling off my DSLR gear to finance the purchase of an M8 (and yes, I would like to have an M8 as well, but there are other, more important priorities right now). If all you use your DSLR is for street shooting, then maybe you have a case, but for anything else a DSLR will be of much more use than a RF (don't get me wrong, I love my RF cameras, but I am trying to be realistic here).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ben Z]

I´m using a Canon dslr system today and if i sell it all I can buy the new M8 + 2 lenses. But what I´m scared of is this: Will the m8 be worth anything after 2 years. ?

I'd think what a photographer would be "scared" of, if anything, is whether that M8 plus 2 lenses (within the available range) can replace that Canon dslr system in terms of filling his photographic needs. All digital cameras drop drastically in resale cost, so if economics is the main issue, either buy the cheapest new digital camera you can find, or else stay one generation behind buying second-hand.

 

[jaapv]

I´m using a Canon dslr system today and if i sell it all I can buy the new M8 + 2 lenses. But what I´m scared of is this: Will the m8 be worth anything after 2 years. ?
The way the dslr market has been working since I started using dslr has been a horror. I spend 2500 $ on a camera and after 2 years its worth 500$ I bought the Leica Digilux the day it came out, fantastic camera at the time, payed 1800$ for it at that time, almost 3 years later it was kinda outdated and all I got for it was 300$

What dou you guys think? Will the M8 be outdated with in 5 years or will it life a good life as the M1-M7 cameras? Should I go from Canon to Leica M8?

So what will your DSLR be worth in two years time? At least the Leica lenses will hold their value better than the Canon ones.. If you want to invest consult the advisor at your bank, not your camera store 😉 If you want to take photographs, buy the camera system that fits your needs.🙄 Btw Digilux2's are selling on e-bay at prices between 750 and 1250 dollars, so I suspect somebody kinda ripped you off....