Would you buy a used M8 now?

[jsrockit]

Edit: How can an opinion based on experience of a product be baseless?

It may not be baseless, but all we are asking is for you to back up your opinion with some info that will help the community here. Why don't you like the M8? etc.

 

[pachuco]

I use the heck out of my used M8 and it has been as reliable as any camera I have ever shot with. I would buy a used M8 or M9 without hesitation if the price was right.

 

[ruslan]

I would buy a used M8 without hesitation too, like a back up to my M8 🙂

 

[Damaso]

I think I just did! 😉

 

[jsrockit]

I think I just did! 😉

Woah, this is shocking!

 

[Damaso]

Woah, this is shocking!

I've wanted an M8 for a while but could find a used one that worked at the right price. That may have changed. But my film cameras are still my main work tools...

 

[Tom Niblick]

I continue to be amazed with the IQ of my M8. Sure, it has its quirks and limitations but it is still a great camera. At $2,000 or thereabouts used, it is a bargain.

Mine has been a faithful friend and constant companion for the last 3 years. It has produced some of the best images I've ever shot. The MP count, crop sensor and filters have never proved much of an issue. I get good 24x36 inch prints from my M8 files - prints that have the WOW factor.

Do I want a M9. Of course I do! And I'll buy one. But for now, I can happily "make do" with my trusty old M8.

Tom

 

[nakedcellist]

M8's are a thing of beauty. Don't sell the M6 though, sell all the other stuff first.

Sell a kidney first..

 

[Avotius]

Well....I went and got one anyway. In the end I paid about 2500 dollars for the camera and a bunch of extras plus really expensive shipping across half the world.

Its been a few days since I handed over the money and I am not regretting it a single bit.

And I did sell my M6, and I dont regret that either.

 

[dfoo]

I just picked up a used M8 also. Lets see how much I like digital again after a few years absent. I really enjoy printing in the darkroom, so I suspect I'll only use the M8 for color photography.

 

[fotomeow]

I would only buy a used m8 with a one year warranty, and I did find a great deal for a M8 with full upgrades at a great price from Calumet Chicago. This also allowed me to buy the 1 yr warranty for 140 bucks, but come to find out, it only has 2600 clicks on it anyway.
I think they have one more available: a demo m8 with full (2 year?!) warranty for 2700, if anyone is looking.
G

 

[Steve M.]

I would be hesitant, to say the least, about spending $2000 to $3000 on a used digital camera w/ no warranty. If I could get it from a dealer w/ some form of warranty, and if I was in the market for a rangefinder camera to shoot color (certainly not to shoot B&W), a qualified maybe.

 

[jsrockit]

and if I was in the market for a rangefinder camera to shoot color (certainly not to shoot B&W), a qualified maybe.

For digital, I think the M8 converts to B&W well.

 

[dfoo]

Personally, I don't think any digital converts to B&W well. However, my experience is limited to the Canon/Nikon DSLRs. Perhaps the M8 is different, but I doubt it.

 

[jaapv]

There is a large difference between the B&W conversions from an M8/9 and the ones from Canon/Nikon, probably due to the lack of an AA filter. It is better than scanning-printing film digitally. But nothing can beat a B&W print using a fully chemical process.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I did!! M8.2 and a 28mm Summicron. Love it

 

[tlitody]

There is a large difference between the B&W conversions from an M8/9 and the ones from Canon/Nikon, probably due to the lack of an AA filter. It is better than scanning-printing film digitally. But nothing can beat a B&W print using a fully chemical process.

Not even an M9 image printed at 400ppi via a lambda to Ilford digital Fibre based paper? (serious question)

 

[MelS]

Why not buy it immediately and start using it. Warranty is a factor. A second battery is a must. The tech stuff won't make your images better. And the filter is needed, so what. It can misbehave, but maybe the new firmware will correct that. In all the camera is a great trip.

 

[_mark__]

Apologies for my M8 bashing, I had some very negative experiences with one and I'm allowing it colour my opinion of them all, which is unfair, they are after all a leica M.

 

[jaapv]

Not even an M9 image printed at 400ppi via a lambda to Ilford digital Fibre based paper? (serious question)

I would have to see it. Obviously there will be a point where the quallity of digital surpasses film. I don't know if it has been reached yet, but in "normal" processing I think not. In general my feeling is: If it has to look like film, use a fully chemical process.