Nick De Marco
Well-known
You may have seen from my other threads I have been doing these Rangefinder Chronicles every day for over a month now and am loving always having, and using, film rangefinder cameras.
http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/
I used to have a Leica M8, and although I loved and hated it in equal measure, the main reason I sold it was that it was not a perfect digital camera, and for certain things (professional work, studio, using fast, high ISOs), I found the 5D mk II to be a better camera. I felt I could not justify owning an M8 if it was not my main camera - and sold it.
Now I keep thinking how much I would appreciate a digital M again. This time not to be my main, or most used camera, but more to compliment my film Ms, try M lenses on etc.
I could not justify an M9, unless I sold half my film cameras and only wanted to use digital. And that's not the case. Also, having borrowed an M9 for a day, I didn't like using it that much. Apart from the full frame (of course) none of the other improvements mean much to me, and so I don't even think of getting an M9.
But I'm figuring, if an M8 can still do what it did before, and if it can hold its value after a year (as they seem to so far) so I could sell it when something new comes out I want without loosing too much money, then an M8 might be a good idea.
What do digital Leica owners think? Would you buy an M8 as your only digital M now, considering it is not going to be the only, or main, camera you use every day? Are they likely to last another year or so and still have good resale value?
I have seen a few for under 2k from good dealers. The M8.s is usually another £500 on top of that, and I'm not convinced that the improvements would be worth the extra for what I would use it for, although I have seen an upgraded M8 for 2k. I don't know whether chrome or black is better, or just aesetic (I have and like both in film Ms). And I saw a M* limited edition panda for a couple of hundred or so more than other users and liked the look of it and wondered whether it might attract a better resale value.
Any hints, tips and advice greatfully received. I should add that I have long since realised that you can't take better pictures by having more or 'the best' cameras, another reason the M9 does not excite me too much. The M8 would be more for use alongside my film cameras for those occasions when it is just more convenient to choose film over digital.
Thanks
Nick
http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/
I used to have a Leica M8, and although I loved and hated it in equal measure, the main reason I sold it was that it was not a perfect digital camera, and for certain things (professional work, studio, using fast, high ISOs), I found the 5D mk II to be a better camera. I felt I could not justify owning an M8 if it was not my main camera - and sold it.
Now I keep thinking how much I would appreciate a digital M again. This time not to be my main, or most used camera, but more to compliment my film Ms, try M lenses on etc.
I could not justify an M9, unless I sold half my film cameras and only wanted to use digital. And that's not the case. Also, having borrowed an M9 for a day, I didn't like using it that much. Apart from the full frame (of course) none of the other improvements mean much to me, and so I don't even think of getting an M9.
But I'm figuring, if an M8 can still do what it did before, and if it can hold its value after a year (as they seem to so far) so I could sell it when something new comes out I want without loosing too much money, then an M8 might be a good idea.
What do digital Leica owners think? Would you buy an M8 as your only digital M now, considering it is not going to be the only, or main, camera you use every day? Are they likely to last another year or so and still have good resale value?
I have seen a few for under 2k from good dealers. The M8.s is usually another £500 on top of that, and I'm not convinced that the improvements would be worth the extra for what I would use it for, although I have seen an upgraded M8 for 2k. I don't know whether chrome or black is better, or just aesetic (I have and like both in film Ms). And I saw a M* limited edition panda for a couple of hundred or so more than other users and liked the look of it and wondered whether it might attract a better resale value.
Any hints, tips and advice greatfully received. I should add that I have long since realised that you can't take better pictures by having more or 'the best' cameras, another reason the M9 does not excite me too much. The M8 would be more for use alongside my film cameras for those occasions when it is just more convenient to choose film over digital.
Thanks
Nick
