[Jager]

Welcome to the forum, Bert.

Your Nikon D200 is a wonderful camera (I have one). It can take wonderful images. And there's no question that a DSLR system is far more versatile than a rangefinder. The thing is this...

A rangefinder - and a Leica M in particular - just seems to work better for a lot of us.

Modern DSLR's are as much computers as they are cameras. They have a ton of functions, most of which are buried amongst multiple layers of menu selections. That contrasts sharply with the spartan interface on the M8, which has been pared to just the bare essentials. The ideal is to "lose the camera", to become so familiar with its controls that they become automatic, allowing your photographer's eye to work unhindered. That's a lot easier achieved with an M8 than a D200. When I bought my first rangefinder years ago (an M6), I found that my hit rate of good images increased quite a bit. There's just something about the Leica ethos which lends itself to successful photography.

And, of course, there's that size and weight thing. You'll hear it mentioned many times, but it's absolutely true. The unobtrusive nature of a Leica M is not nearly as intimidating to most people as is a modern DSLR. A couple days ago I was at Arlington Cemetery for a military funeral. There's no way I would have felt ok carrying a big camera. But the M8 was fine. It's small, discrete appearance, relative quiet, and lack of flash gave me access to something I otherwise would not have been able to capture.

By all means treat yourself to this wonderful camera.

Jeff