Things to look out when buying used M8

[Yoricko]

Planning to buy a used M8, any problems to look out for other than the usual wear/tear/fungus/off adjustment stuff?

 

[ampguy]

Check for banding at ISO 2500 - should be non-existant or minimal/exposure dependent. Also make sure it isn't fussy about SD cards, might indicate dirty contacts or something.

There is a range of s/n around on the web that indicate necessary major or minor changes might be needed on those particular M8s, but not sure where that list is, or if it's authentic.

Best thing is to get some kind of warranty, like 1 week, 3 months or whatever you can negotiate, or consider square trade or a 3rd party warranty if you can't get one from the seller.

 

[Yoricko]

Check for banding at ISO 2500 - should be non-existant or minimal/exposure dependent. Also make sure it isn't fussy about SD cards, might indicate dirty contacts or something.

There is a range of s/n around on the web that indicate necessary major or minor changes might be needed on those particular M8s, but not sure where that list is, or if it's authentic.

Best thing is to get some kind of warranty, like 1 week, 3 months or whatever you can negotiate, or consider square trade or a 3rd party warranty if you can't get one from the seller.

Right, thanks for the quick response!

Did a search and it is said that 3100001-3101500 was the first batch and 3101500-3107500 was the second batch and so fourth.

Just a question, would Solms fix the SD card problems / hanging problems without any charge (without warranty)?

 

[jaapv]

I can get any M8 to band at ISO 2500, or 1250 for that matter - it is just a case of underexposing badly.

 

[ampguy]

no idea

no idea

I just know that my M8 takes any card I can find, usually bought at Newegg, buy.com, costco or whatever is in the kids point and shoots.

Recently some users seem to have hiccups on cards that should work.

Right, thanks for the quick response!

Did a search and it is said that 3100001-3101500 was the first batch and 3101500-3107500 was the second batch and so fourth.

Just a question, would Solms fix the SD card problems / hanging problems without any charge (without warranty)?

 

[jaapv]

Confusion: The M9 is picky with SD cards, the M8 not.

 

[ROOOO]

I would look for the high iso banding and make sure that the rangefinder is 100% correct.

 

[JPSuisse]

Hi Yoricko

Where did you find that info? Can you post the link? I was under the impression that the M8 serial numbering system was rather chaotic.

JP

 

[Yoricko]

Hi Yoricko

Where did you find that info? Can you post the link? I was under the impression that the M8 serial numbering system was rather chaotic.

JP

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/111852-m8-serilamnumbers.html

#9th post

Don't know how reliable it is ...

edit: lol its from jaapv...

 

[cz23]

I asked the same question before buying a demo recently. I was told to check for the 1 pixel vertical red line issue at higher ISOs. In fact, mine had that problem and I returned it. The line was apparent at medium ISOs, but became very prominent as ISO rose.

John

 

[Yoricko]

Got it, 3 years old, 16000 accutations but looks almost new, damn well taken care of!

Loving it!

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[ROOOO]

Congrats on your new camera! I look forward to seeing your photos, while I wait for the M8 I purchased last week to return from its trip to Leica for repairs.

 

[Yoricko]

Thanks! I'll probably use it more on the commercial stuff, I'll still use my M4-2 for streets.

I've got a feeling the shutter would explode on me on the 30,00th accutation since it it never did show any signs of problems and never been sent to solms during its 3 years and going strong lifespan.

Hope the repair goes well for you 😉