JayN
Member
Shoot color (RAW). Convert to Black and White in Lightroom and make adjustments with curves and your Black and White Mix sliders. It's essentially like using filters on a film camera.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
To the OP: it commands the prices it does because it's still a pretty good camera.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
If you check how much is asked for 6MP, very old and heavily cropped sensor in the Epson branded RF, you'll realize what M8 as Leica camera is on the sweet spot between this nice looking archaism and still almost modern FF M9. 
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I already miss my M8u. I recently let it go for quite a bit less than I could have gotten for it.....to someone on RFF of course.
It was a fantastic camera. Mine didn't have any of the problems other folks have had. Just kept working exactly as I expected it to.
Why did I sell it? I didn't want to, but my budget imposes the need to sell something before buying something else -- an M9 in this case. I would have dearly loved to have both the M8 and an M9. Each with its charms and strengths.
I don't think used M8s are overpriced. Seems the market has them about where they ought to be. Especially the good ones.
I recently let it go for quite a bit less than I could have gotten for it.....to someone on RFF of course.It was a fantastic camera. Mine didn't have any of the problems other folks have had. Just kept working exactly as I expected it to.
Why did I sell it? I didn't want to, but my budget imposes the need to sell something before buying something else -- an M9 in this case. I would have dearly loved to have both the M8 and an M9. Each with its charms and strengths.
I don't think used M8s are overpriced. Seems the market has them about where they ought to be. Especially the good ones.
Pioneer
Veteran
I don't know why the M8 is priced where it is. In reality M8 prices have stayed fairly level for awhile.
The better question is probably, why is the M9 priced so low. The price dropped once the sensor corrosion problem became commonly known but it hasn't really recovered since Leica announced the new sensor. In my humble opinion the M9 is probably the best Leica value out there right now.
The better question is probably, why is the M9 priced so low. The price dropped once the sensor corrosion problem became commonly known but it hasn't really recovered since Leica announced the new sensor. In my humble opinion the M9 is probably the best Leica value out there right now.
I think it's because the M240 goes for as low as $4000 used these days.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I was asking about this in a recent thread—check the M8 forum. The Answer seems to be to shoot B&W jpeg + RAW, then discard the jpegs and import the DNGs into your editor of choice; in Lightroom, anyway, you can apply effects to a photo (in my case, just converting to black and white), right-click, and make the effects the new default for photos from that camera. This way, from then on, you'll only ever see black and white pictures by default. This is working nicely for me!
jarski
Veteran
I already miss my M8u.
agonised over same thing for couple years, until got M8 back. I don't like changing lenses when out, but still would like to have wide, normal and portrait options. so could get couple more bodies if/when good deal comes by. perhaps one M9/ME and two M8's
Ronald M
Veteran
My first was a M8 which I kept when the M9 came.
The M8 is very functional and the 9 only improves in fairly large prints and ability to use wider lenses as wide.
The M8 is very functional and the 9 only improves in fairly large prints and ability to use wider lenses as wide.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
But look at it this way: The price you quote for the M8, 1000 Euros, is less than half the 2300 Euros for the M9. And 1200 for an M8.2 is till 1100 less than that of the M9 at 2300.
And the M8.2 has finder frames sized for a 2M distance. And it has the Sapphire glass. And a crop factor of only 1.33 is not bad at all. It even avoids the color anomalies of the M9 at the edges.
So I think the M8 and M8.2 have some points in their favor, that help keep the prices stable.
jazzwave
Well-known
I love my M8, delivered awesome BW and sharp image.
Acceptable ISO at 800 suitable for me, I never shot more than ISO1200.
Tool M8 .RAW => .DNG conversion help me for Hi ISO.
No problem with crop factor 1.3x
Yes, upgrade to M9 (it has better in color ,I think) very tempting but spend $1500 for upgrade to M9 too much for me....:bang:
Acceptable ISO at 800 suitable for me, I never shot more than ISO1200.
Tool M8 .RAW => .DNG conversion help me for Hi ISO.
No problem with crop factor 1.3x
Yes, upgrade to M9 (it has better in color ,I think) very tempting but spend $1500 for upgrade to M9 too much for me....:bang:
willie_901
Veteran
1. Shoot raw.
2. Do not exceed ISO 640, use the proper aperture and shutter time and just underexpose in low light.
3. In the case of underexposure, increase brightness (EV) during post-production rendering of raw instead of increasing ISO in-camera.
4. See if skipping the M8 IR filters makes a difference in your post-production rendering workflow.
5. Consider using NIK Silver Efex Pro II (stand-alone or as a LR/PS plugin).
JPSuisse
Well-known
This is a funny statement but true. On the loving side let me point out:
1.) Excellent IQ-to-file size ratio. I find it better than the M9.
2.) And, it has the feel of the M with great color for digital camera.
Point 1 has effects on many aspects of the workflow. So that 1 statement is actually many advantages tucked into one. I bought mine new and don't yet see a reason to upgrade yet.
However, the camera defintely has something of a love hate relationship for me!!
Cyriljay
Leica Like
My first M digital was a m8. Then i have upgraded it to m8U .
It is like my m6 never part from me . It is a terrific camera no doubt!!
It is like my m6 never part from me . It is a terrific camera no doubt!!
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I just got myself a used M8 for Christmas. It is a great camera and for $1200 what I paid a bargain. I'll pick up a used M9 when they come down to around $1500. I can wait.
Gid
Well-known
Congratulations. I'm enjoying my return to the M8 very much and hope you do too.