Where are the $2000 used M8's I keep hearing about?

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eleskin

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I keep hearing there are M8 cameras used for sale for $2000 USD or a little less. Generally I see them in the $2,400-$4,000 range. I bought my M8 new in 2007 when they came out and I feel I need a second backup. I have black, but would prefer chrome. So where are they? I feel $2,000 even is just about right for a clean and well working M8, maybe $2,300 for one that has a low shutter count.

So where can I find a chrome M8 in sweet shape for $2,000 even?
 
I got mine...

I got mine...

I got mine for $1,900 (low shutter count) through a referral from my local photo store. You are going to have to look in places besides the RFF classifieds to find a price like that.

Post a WTB ad on craigslist or other classified, and talk to dealers. Good luck.
 
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eleskin said:
I keep hearing there are M8 cameras used for sale for $2000 USD or a little less. Generally I see them in the $2,400-$4,000 range. I bought my M8 new in 2007 when they came out and I feel I need a second backup. I have black, but would prefer chrome. So where are they? I feel $2,000 even is just about right for a clean and well working M8, maybe $2,300 for one that has a low shutter count.

So where can I find a chrome M8 in sweet shape for $2,000 even?
Click to expand...

There's an M8 in the classified right now recently cleaned and adjusted with 3 batteries for $2250...
 
When the M9 first came out dealers were offering $1500 to $1800 in trade in value for nice used M8s. At that point $2000 on a private sale made sense for the seller. Now that the rush for the M9 is over, prices have moved up a bit. From what I've seen, $2500 to $2750 for a excellent quality M8 is the going price in stores and $2250 to $2500 for private sales.

I guess in the early order taking days, dealers were worried about having a glut of used M8s that they couldn't sell. Now that the M8 is being seen as a great mid range digital M and sales are strong, I don't think you will see a really good (under 10k activations/no scratches or dings) M8 going for less than $2000. And, at around $2000, most M9 users will want to keep their M8s as backup - I know I would.

Here's the rub: the electronics on the M8 probably have a 5 year life span with normal semi pro use. And at $5000 or so new, that's about $1000 per year. There are a lot of 2 to 3 year old M8s out there. So, when you buy a used M8, you do get what you pay for.

The arguable word is "probably". You might get lucky. Who knows?

Tom

Tom
 
Tom Niblick said:
Here's the rub: the electronics on the M8 probably have a 5 year life span with normal semi pro use.

Tom
Click to expand...

I would really like to know how you came up with five years. I have plenty of digital cameras that are not built nearly as well as a Leica that have performed very well way past that number.
 
$2000 happens on ebay sometimes... and from local sales. However, don't expect a perfect condition one for that price. I'm going to say that the X100 will not affect the M8's price at all. When one wants a Leica, they buy a Leica.
 
theres this greek guy in this greek photography forum that sells his M8 for 1200 euros :S
with a 25mm skopar f4 for 200 euros.
 
popeye said:
Wait for the X100 to hit, the price will drop like a stone...
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Apples and oranges. A Leica M film user can't put their Leica lenses on the X100.

IMO (I'm a little biased) $2,000 is a bargain for what a Leica M8 can do, given what second hand M8.2 are going for (around $3,000) and what a new M9 costs.
 
The X100 won't affect Leica sales at all. I have a M9 and I still have my M8. I am not selling it at any price. I have a feeling the price for a used one will go up.
 
Nay sayers need to read through the upteen pages of X100 love, hate and debate. And no the lens is fixed, but a 35mm lens is mostly fixed on my M8 so... I think it will have an affect, I've already considered selling my M8. We'll see come 1Q 2011 though.
 
popeye said:
Nay sayers need to read through the upteen pages of X100 love, hate and debate. And no the lens is fixed, but a 35mm lens is mostly fixed on my M8 so... I think it will have an affect, I've already considered selling my M8. We'll see come 1Q 2011 though.
Click to expand...

The overall number of people who buy the M8 used is very miniscule compared to the market out there. If you want a Leica with a Leica lens, the X100 will not solve that for you...

These are non-mainstream products IMO... they are not catering to what the masses want or what the masses think is a modern serious camera (though the masses are wrong). The M8 will still sell for the same price because people love to be able to change lenses and the Leica name is sexier than Fuji.

That said, if you like the 35mm focal length the best and don't have alot of expendable cash, you may be better off with this camera than the M8 based on price and high ISO, etc.
 
jsrockit said:
The overall number of people who buy the M8 used is very miniscule compared to the market out there. If you want a Leica with a Leica lens, the X100 will not solve that for you...
Click to expand...

and fickle. Frankly I'm betting that Fujinon lens equals or surpasses most Leitz glass, Erwin Puts be damned.

Here's the thing, would I dump my M8 and lose what amounts to another lens or 2 (VC) to get the X100? Not likely, but if I'm considering an M8 as an intro to the world of non-DSLR digital cameras (other than PnS) and didn't want to be EVIL, and it's this time next year? The X100 would be in the top end of the list if not at the top.

For all the reasons I want a non-intrusive, lightweight (mostly...), easy to use camera for street shooting and other similar applications the X100 equals (to my mind) an M series digital save the lens interchangeability, which for some I think may be an over rated aspect. So many shooters can and do get by with one lens and probably need the exercise afforded them by zooming with their feet that a high quality, fixed lens camera is not an impediment to creativity. But I digress...

I think, the only thing keeping the value up on M8s is the 9. Trust me I get it, a lot of M shooters want to bridge to digital and the 9 is just out of reach for them and with all it's faults and limitations the M8 serves a wonderful purpose in that function hence the staying power of M8 pricing.
 
pretty much the $1800-$2200 ones might have issues and need some kind of service.

$2200-$2600 is probably a good target for one that is good to go, has all the accessories, original box, 1/2 case, lots of batteries, etc.
 
What your saying Popeye is that those who already have and love their M8s won't sell regardless. Those who are newly interested in a digital RF-like experience will have an alternative to buying used M8s (and R-d1's), lowering the demand for used M8's, ultimately forcing the prices downwards?
 
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