M8 cost for an amatuer - is it to expensive ?

[Enrique Santa]

Matt I think M8 is made for profesionals with some other M cams and a lot of money in lenses of M system, perhaps for amateurs with a lot of money.
M8 is a very sexy thing, but I only find reasonable to buy one if you have some lenses of the M system, in other case you need 6.000€ for a basic cam and lenses.
A pro is going to use this cam every day, and every year at last for 3-5 years, so for them this is very reasonable buy this cam. ¿How many pics do you made in a year?, ¿in five?.
Think that in five years your cam is going to be obsolete.
So for a medium amateur -not millionaire- I think dlux3 is today the best option.I´m sure in a few months, panasonic and leica will show us new compact cam -D2 like-. Vlux is 800€ and the new D-3 2.500€, I think Leica and Panasonic, must develope, in the next months some compact cams between thos two limits of price, just for advanced amateurs.
As an amateur, all that I want is the D2 with a bigger sensor and 10 mp, and while I´ll wait , I´m going to upgrade my dlux2 to a new 3.

[Findus]

There are a few things (on paper that is) that speaks for the M8. The most important one for me is size. If the size - quality ratio is good, say equal to the Canon DII then ofcourse it will be worth every penny spent on it.
I really hate lugging my canon gear about all the time, but it is after all the quality of the images that count. I rely on the M8 being able to take equally good images. I have most lenses already.
It was the same in early days when I shot with Nikon F's, I like the handling and the end result but the gear was much to heavy, then I got introduced to the M series Leica and this made a huge difference for me... weight wise, and the results were great too.
Then the final question whether it's to expensive for an amateur ... it's all personal isn't it, I for sure wouldn't even think of buying one if for one I couldn't deduct the thing on my taxes and not having to pay the VAT. Lastly I mke money with my images, and saving a couple of Kilo's will do the trick nicely.

[nemeng]

FWIW the poll I have at the bottom of my M8 Leica FAQ topic:

Leica FAQ - Leica M8 Digital

... currently has participants divided 50/50 on whether the M8's 4200 Euro price is worth it. Interestingly there is quite a large percentage of "Yes - hang the expense!"

:?)

[Findus]

heck, every bit of leica stuff I have so far has been expensive .... but in the end after years of heavy usage I found that is has been worth it, I have never wanted to exchange, only add (well excpet for the M7 that is) I love all my leica stuff, it has become part of the "furniture" bits and pieces lying about the house, it has been used, abused (son 26 mths) it has been thrown, dangled, dropped, smugged, creamed in etc... and it still functions... And if I wasn't the age I am know, but younger I could get aroused by fondling a chrome 90mm summicron ;-)

[leicapfile]

Mark,

My M7 from Leica NJ (USA) came with a 3 year Passport warranty, then to a 2 year regular warranty for a total of 5 years of coverage. Purchased March 05.

Best,

Jerry

PS So far it hums right along

[ChipNovaMac]

Originally Posted by leicapfile

Mark,

My M7 from Leica NJ (USA) came with a 3 year Passport warranty, then to a 2 year regular warranty for a total of 5 years of coverage. Purchased March 05.

And that is the biggest disappointment for me with the M8 from Leica USA. The M8 will only have a standard limited warranty; just like the rest of their current digital P&S offerings.

Regards,

Chip

[marknorton]

In which case, if they provide a total of 5 years warranty for the M7, they are being even more cautious with the M8. Personally, I'd rather have a lower price and take the risk myself. Depends I guess on how risk averse you are... my experience is that some people, especially in the US, like to cover any potential downside with warranties.

[leicapfile]

As I recall, initially the M7 was only offered with the standard 3 year Passport. Some time later, they threw in the additional 2 years. I beleive it was applied in 'retro' fashion to initial purchasers.

I'm to am somewhat surprised that Leica (at least Leica USA), apparantly doesn't offer at least a 3 year Passport on the M8. Certainly would show a measure of confidence in the product.

Best,

Jerry