Would you buy a M8 today at the current market price?

[nickw]

Hey Guys,

I've been wanting a Leica M for a few years now. Sold off my Nikon kit and starting watching the market 2 years ago. I ended up buying a GF1 kit (with the 20mm/1.7, 14mm/2.5 and EVF) to tide me over. I thought with time and new models the M8 would drop.

From all the rumour sites (and they're just that: rumours), it looks like the M10 is 2 years away. Leica has announced a new camera for photokina 2012 with a APS-C sensor, EVF and interchangeable lenses (with a speculated price being $3-4K).

From what I've seen M8 prices have been pretty stable for 2 years. Although lenses look like that have gone up a lot. I know digital is a different game, but how do you think the value of the M8 will hold up?

The camera is for my own personal use, and while I don't HAVE TO buy anything, I'd also like something more enjoyable to use with a better tonal range. So, would you buy an used M8 now for $2Kish or wait longer?
Perhaps wait for the leica photokina 2012 offering? Or for the price to drop more?
Curious what you'd do in my shoes?

I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
Thanks
Nick.

 

[nickw]

PS. I avoided posting this to the thread: Leica M8 - worth getting in 2011?
Simply because it's not a question of photo quality compared to other cameras.
I see the M8 has fantastic quality at low iso's (can use great glass, no AA filter, good tonality etc..).
This is a question regarding the financial value and stability of the m8.

Thanks.
N.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I bought my lightly used M8 in Jan 2010 for $2500. 400 clicks on it, all packing, extra battery. I bought an M9 6 months ago. I am keeping the M8, probably could sell it for close to what I paid. I feel having it is well worth what they are going for on today's market. Both cameras get used, sometimes I take both out, sometimes individually.

 

[umcelinho]

Prices didn't drop much when the M8.2 and the M9 came out, so should be stable until an M10 comes out.

 

[nickw]

Thanks guys.

Curious, is there any difference between early and late model M8's in quality/build? (I don't mean M8.2's)

What's a fair price for an early production M8 with about 10K exposures?
I found one in good shape minus some rubbing/wear from a leather half case.
All it comes with is the camera and battery/charger.
No box/manual or extras. It's priced at $2150 firm.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/pho/2580402603.html

Seems like I can do better. I'm really sad I missed this one 🙁
I would of loved all that it came with all the extras. I'd like a thumbs up, soft release. and A&A strap. Price was $2300 obo.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho.../m8-near-mint-condition90mm-2-8-elmarit/cat/3

Should I wait on the top one?
I'm in no rush.

 

[zleica]

I purchased my M8 two years ago for today's going price. I think the the current M8 price is around $2000 to $2400. If you are patient enough, good deal will come along.

Cheers,

 

[Jeff S]

PS. I avoided posting this to the thread: Leica M8 - worth getting in 2011?
Simply because it's not a question of photo quality compared to other cameras.
I see the M8 has fantastic quality at low iso's (can use great glass, no AA filter, good tonality etc..).

Good thinking.

In answer to your question, what's the cost of waiting 2 years to get out there and shoot? I wouldn't hesitate for a minute, although I don't think of cameras as investments; rather they are tools for me, and tools add value to task at hand.

I expect my 2 M8.2s to be useful for many years. If I ever decide to sell one or both, I suspect there will still be a healthy market. But, if not, I won't fret in the least...as long as I continue to use them to the fullest.

Be persistent in your search, and buy from a reputable dealer that can stand behind the camera in the event there are problems.

Jeff

 

[willie_901]

Never, ever.

 

[nickw]

I purchased my M8 two years ago for today's going price. I think the the current M8 price is around $2000 to $2400. If you are patient enough, good deal will come along.

Be persistent in your search, and buy from a reputable dealer that can stand behind the camera in the event there are problems.

Will do. I'm not in a rush. What's another few months.

Never, ever.

Care to expand?

 

[DamenS]

Personally I'd wait, but that's partly because I want to see the Nex 7 which is released soon. I would not wait much longer than this (unless you are really happy with your GF1 - it doesn't sound as though you are). If, however the Nex 7 doesn't sound like something which MIGHT be of interest, I'd buy the M8 (they seem to have bottomed out in price at $2,000) which you should still be able to onsell if 2012 brings anything earth shattering from Leica. If Fuji announced an M mount version of the x-100 tomorrow, which was coming out shortly, I would also wait - but you could end up waiting forever playing that game. If you know you want a Leica, get the M8 now.

 

[thegman]

In the UK, I've seen an M8 at £1250 in a dealer, so for me $2k for an M8 should give you one in nice condition, perhaps boxed etc. I think if you can wait, then wait, digital prices always go down, and it is likely worth seeing the NEX 7, or GXR with M mount, or wait for Leica's next offering. If you can't wait, then I'm sure you'll be very happy with an M8, never had one, but most around here seem to like them.

 

[nickw]

Thanks guys!
The Nex or even the x100 isn't my cup of tea. While they are good, as is the GF1 to a lesser degree, what bugs me the most is the digital feel of it. The loss of control.

I long for a fully manual camera again. Something well built which will get out of my way, and simply be a pleasure to use.

 

[nickw]

Still curious if there any difference between early and late model M8's in quality/build? (I don't mean M8.2's)
As well as a price check on my post #5.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[f16sunshine]

I could see no difference between my early m8 (the one I keep) and late one (SN 333xxxx that I sold). That said, my early one went to Leica under warranty for new "guts" and as the invoice stated to be "brought to spec." (it had a failure at startup issue).
If you like the rendering from the M8 (I love it!) then buy one. There will never be another camera with the unique qualities of the M8/8.2 . The camera can do things others can not as well as be limited in ways others are not. In Other words, base your purchase choice on the things the M8 does that you like. I have an RD1 also. The same purchasing logic went into the choice to get and keep that camera as well.

 

[Lss]

So, would you buy an used M8 now for $2Kish or wait longer?

Yes, I would buy. Either you want it or you don't. Either you have the money or you don't. Draw a 2x2 matrix and see where you stand.

 

[Paddy C]

I would buy one if they were going for say $500. But that's me.

If you have the money, and you've made up your mind, I think you should just buy it.

We're a long way from seeing a drop in M9 prices/demand/value and even with a drop, an M9 is not going to be competing with an M8.

 

[porktaco]

it's absolutely not worth the money. but that's not why you buy it.

 

[Ben Z]

I very much regret having bought an M8 at all. It practically screamed "not ready for prime time", but I was desperate to carry on digitally as a Leica shooter, and believed Leica's implications that it might be a long time before solutions were found for the technical obstacles to full-frame and IR filtration. Had I known the M9 was only a couple years off (I bought my M8 a year into production) I never would have bought the M8. I found it very inconvenient to carry with as a backup for the M9 due to the need for a pile of IR filters and at least one wider lens, and sold it a few months after getting the M9. That said, the saying "one man's meat is another man's poison" definitely applies in the world of cameras. If someone offered me an M8 for not more than $500 I might consider it again as a backup (I absolutely can't stand LCD-viewing or EVF cameras) mainly because I still have a bunch of IR filters, not to mention my homemade filter mount adaptations for the 15mm and 12mm Voitlander lenses.

 

[Roger Hicks]

How much are non-rangefinder cameras, never mind non-Leicas, going to influence Leica M prices? And Adam: WHY is it "absolutely not worth the money"? Name me some alternatives...

Cheers,
R.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

How much are non-rangefinder cameras, never mind non-Leicas, going to influence Leica M prices? And Adam: WHY is it "absolutely not worth the money"? Name me some alternatives...

Cheers,
R.

A good alternative: "I don't HAVE TO buy anything"

Also, in a common sense world, the prices of cameras of higher spec that also CAN use Leica lenses WOULD affect Leica prices. I realize common sense isn't typically a factor when Leica is discussed.

How about this: If the M9 (!) and NEX7 were both priced at $1200, i'd probably prefer the NEX.