Would you buy a used M8 now?

Jaap, of course any M9 owner will consider it a mature product; he/she just spent a lot of money on the camera.

I am not saying it is a bad camera, just that I have the feeling it was rushed a bit. I think the engineers would have liked to incorporate more of the S2 knowledge into the M9, but there was no time to wait for that. This feeling, in combination with the fact that it is a lot of money for me, made me wait for M10. If money were not an issue I would have bought an M9 straight away.
 
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Yes ... if you want to go digital.
In al those discussions about M8 or M9 i get the impression the M8 gets far too litle credit and the M9 way too much.
I never warmed for the m9, because to me it is just an M8 with a few more pixels.
All other extra features are of minor importance TO ME.
I am back to film with M6 and Hasselblad anyway after 8 years strictly digital with Canon 1Ds, R/d1 and M8.
 
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Once the M8 price drops to its deserved value I will buy it. However, I will not say what this value is in an effort to not anger M8 owners/advocates...
 
"What do you mean M9 is not available? Production stopped for some reason?"

At the stores I know, the M9 has been out of stock for months. When cameras arrive, they are allocated to those who have paid to be on a waiting list. I don't have the funds to make a down payment!
 
I'm having a great time using the M8. I'll get an M9 in the future. For now, The M8 is serving me quite well.
 
I'll probably skip the M9

I'll probably skip the M9

but the next M with 1/8000 shutter speed will be useful. The M9 is a downgrade/sidegrade, too many compromises were made.

Brian Sweeney said:
I'm having a great time using the M8. I'll get an M9 in the future. For now, The M8 is serving me quite well.
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I've had mine for less than a month and have no regrets. Originally planned to buy a M8u or M8.2, but decided to save a few bucks and buy a chrome M8 (here on rff) and perhaps pay for the upgrade when the camera needs servicing.

It's not perfect - what camera is - but given my budget and my shooting style it fits.
 
Absolutely, if it was one of the Leica demo/refurb cameras.

My M8 was purchased this way in January and I have to say that it is one of the nicest, most capable tools I have ever used.

The very high shutter speed is amazing to use on bright days. I still love my M4 and using film, but every time I take the film camera out alone, I feel limited by the camera. Granted, the M4 is what I consider the pinnacle of Leica and mechanical cameras, but the M8 opens up so much in the way of creative process using the glass that I already own.

It has the ability to shoot true IR whenever I want, just by removing the UV/IR cut filter and replacing it with an opaque 720nm or higher cut off filter. That's one benefit that I don't use as much as I like, but since I've owned the M8, I has shot more IR images than in the previous 16 years of photography, during which I exposed only a few rolls of HIE and Maco IR as well as one roll of EIR.

The M8 does have issues, sometimes and Leica can fix those, often under warranty. I'm very seriously considering selling the M8 and getting an M9 in this coming year. I know that when the M8 leaves to its next owner to pay for the M9, I will definitely be a bit sad to see it go even though I'll be getting a full frame camera, which is what I really want in the end.

If I could afford it, I'd keep the M8.
If I were a P&S digital user with Leica M glass and wanted an M digital, I'd buy one, for sure.

It's just a very nice, very capable addition to the system.

Phil Forrest
 
If you have the cash then time spent wondering about buying one is one is time wasted.
Shooting is the answer to almost all photographic quandaries. Buy one, use it and if you don't like it sell it.
when I bought mine I felt a little queasy after spending all that money, but now the cost is long forgotten and I feel it's the best investment I ever made.

And yes it's a lowly M8. :)
 
I wouldn't consider M8 whether it's new or used or cheap.

But far into the future, if (let's say) my dentist decided to sell his M9, I'd be interested :)
 
I will buy an M8 when I find one that isn't knackered at the right price (<$2k). I had a line on one, but didn't pull the trigger quickly enough. Bummer!
 
to be clear...i am not anti m8, i just think for a few bucks more i'd prefer the m8.2.

but then, i am in ecstacy with my 2 rd1s.
 
ampguy said:
The M9 is a downgrade/sidegrade, too many compromises were made.
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LOL! Of course, we'll believe anything as long as you promise not to offer spreadsheet proof!

Double Negative said:
How quickly we dump our old friend the M8 - which ten short months ago was as good as it got... Did it suddenly go from "decent" to "crap" last September? No.

The M9 doesn't compare for several reasons; it's easily twice the price, and getting one short of many weeks worth of waiting takes a small miracle (or a lot of sleuthing). For the same "value" you've got another year or more of waiting for more used copies to hit the market and the prices to drop.

Wait for an M9 - or get an M8 TODAY and start shooting... An easy choice, IMO.
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M8's are still decent, and the M9 costs more (mine cost $1000 more than my M8 did 3 years ago) and is a lot harder to get.

I had both for a short time, but I was quick to see that the M9 solved ALL the M8 shortcomings and simply outclassed it in every way. If the race had been close I would have sold the M9 for a profit and kept the M8.

I agree - if the OP wants to buy now and save money, an M8 $2k is a great deal now.

back alley said:
to be clear...i am not anti m8, i just think for a few bucks more i'd prefer the m8.2.

but then, i am in ecstacy with my 2 rd1s.
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I would say skip the 8's altogether, it is the M9/R-D1 combo that makes sense.... but only when the Epson ecstasy subsides.
 
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gdi said:
LOL! Of course, we'll believe anything as long as you promise not to offer spreadsheet proof!



M8's are still decent, and the M9 costs more (mine cost $1000 more than my M8 did 3 years ago) and is a lot harder to get.

I had both for a short time, but I was quick to see that the M9 solved ALL the M8 shortcomings and simply outclassed it in every way. If the race had been close I would have sold the M9 for a profit and kept the M8.

I agree - if the OP wants to buy now and save money, an M8 $2k is a great deal now.



I would say skip the 8's altogether, it is the M9/R-D1 combo that makes sense.... but only when the Epson ecstasy subsides.
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i cannot entertain the idea of getting a new m9...just cannot afford it.
perhaps when they are selling for less as used items...
 
Whatever about buying a M8, selling your M6?! I just couldn't do it. I wouldn't swap my M6 for a M8, much as I would like to try it. But that's just me.
 
I do

I do

If I sell my M8 to someone I know and trust, I will extend to them a no questions asked 50,000 mile pro-rated warranty. Same as a Michelin Tire, or Sears Die Hard Warranty.


Vic said:
It's become an accounting exercise, rather than one about photographic quality, etc. All you have to do is figure out your strike price. Everyone has a different one, based on their personal circumstances and their lust for a particular piece of gear.

The thing about the M8 is that for the foreseeable future, there won't be anything in its price range from Leica or anyone else. So that's something to incorporate into your equation. Those who think the M9 price is going to plummet are indulging in wishful thinking, because it is a full frame digital, and Leica is not going to make any serious advances on that. In addition, the supply of these bodies has been tight, and anyone buying them either hangs on to them, or sells them for what they paid, or even more.

Buying a used M8 today is a crap shoot, as you won't know if you'll need an expensive repair. I don't think private sellers extend this type of warranty.
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