firststream Posted March 8, 2008 Share #1 Posted March 8, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Salutations all - first time posting... Many thanks for all the invaluable information in this forum; it was very helpful for my purchasing decision. The body and lens has been ordered but not delivered, thus the 'virgin' reference in the title. Rather than the obligatory "ohh/ahh" post of a first-time user, this thread is about my purchasing decision in the post-upgrade, post-Lee era of Leica. This forum has been largely silent on how these issues affect future buyers. Entry to the M-system is expensive - in this era of rapidly depreciating value of DSLRs, the financial gamble can be risky. Prohibitive costs no doubt hinder entry sales, especially to the amateur market. Depreciation on the optics are minimal, or at least acceptable on a capture/cost basis, but the run down on the body can be scary. Lenses can be resold at a minimal loss - not so much the body. Lenses are investments; bodies are expenses. The upgrade program is a brilliant stop to depreciating uncertainty. Before this, I was willing to pass on this system. With it, enough uncertainty was eliminated that I went ahead with the purchase. Kudos to Solms. I will not go ahead with the upgrade - in fact, the term 'upgrade' may be misleading. A better term should be 'option', because for some a quieter shutter with a reduced speed is not an upgrade; it can actually be considered a downgrade. Ditto the flash speed. I do not choose this option, but I'm happy that I have the choice. However Leica has made a huge error in the timing of the upgrade announcement, and in the implementation of the programme. For potential buyers who want the upgrade, it is a ridiculous notion that the upgrade cannot be purchased in the initial buy. No doubt the announcement was made for marketing purposes, but Leica should have been ready to roll out the upgrades now for future buyers. Recommendation - immediately offer all future M8 buyers the August upgrades at part cost only, with no charge for re&re. Offer all future M8 buyers after August the upgrade at a nominal premium price at the time of purchase. Anyway, these points have been better discussed in other postings; I just wanted to add the persceptive of a new buyer. As an aside, I met an acquaintance earlier this week at my fishing club. He is a new G9 owner, who is doing extensive research into retrofitting a viewfinder onto his hotshoe. I mention this only because I think the rangefinder approach is greater than the manufacturers believe - even though my observation has no statistical relevence whatsoever. Hopefully, Leica's future is secure. (The origins of my Leica-lust can be found here: Stealth in Paris: Leica Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review You may wish to skip this part. Suffice it to say the M-system was chosen for its stealth, portability, build/lens quality and optical viewfinder.) Thanks, Jeff Hladun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 8, 2008 Posted March 8, 2008 Hi firststream, Take a look here Musings of an M8 virgin. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
george + Posted March 8, 2008 Share #2 Posted March 8, 2008 Welcome Jeff, you will hopefully like it. I had mine since November 06 and have not regretted my decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_tanaka Posted March 8, 2008 Share #3 Posted March 8, 2008 Welcome to M photography, Jeff. I hope you have many years of enjoyment from your camera. One suggestion: Abandon notions of value and "depreciation" with regard to these cameras and lenses. Yes, if required, you may be able to one day sell your kit. But unless you are a vocational photographer, these are fundamentally impractical purchases from the heart. Just enjoy the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thai.charlie Posted March 8, 2008 Share #4 Posted March 8, 2008 Enjoy the camera, it's not an investment. As to your friend doing "extensive" research in "retrofitting" a viewfinder on his G9, it is simply sliding a 35mm viewfinder into the hotshoe, or if he can find a vintage varifocal VF 35 to xx to slip in there. That's pretty much it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted March 8, 2008 Share #5 Posted March 8, 2008 Welcome Jeff. By the way it is not forbidden to photography people in the streets in Paris. No stealthiness necessary. Just that in some case publication may be a problem. Best way to hold a M8, as some wrote in Stealth in Paris: Leica Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review double knot [lark knot ?] of the strap around the wrist. Hold the M8 with hand and arm against chest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted March 9, 2008 Share #6 Posted March 9, 2008 I agree that the upgrading plan has been mismanaged (I have independently expressed this opinion). There should have been a Leica M8-2 introduced as a successor or a parallel model – as with the Leica I–Standard–II–III in 1931–33 – with the option to upgrade from one model branch to another. The Standard, II and III were produced in parallel until WWII and had successors even after it. And there should be an M8-3, and 4, when they come up with new worthwhile changes. just as there was a Leica IIIa, c, d, f and g from 1935 to 1960. There was at least a limited ugrading option available to all models, except to the g for obvious reasons. And later, you could upgrade an M1 into a M2. But remember, all these were valid models, sold as such over the counter! This was the way to build customer confidence. The old man from the Age of the IIIa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted March 9, 2008 Share #7 Posted March 9, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Lars, Leica cannot make the upgrade the standard path, because for some people 1/8000s and/or 1/250s flash sync is preferable to the quieter shutter. It is more of an option. I do think they should make some of each, and let people choose at the time of buying. Maybe that is what you mean? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted March 9, 2008 Share #8 Posted March 9, 2008 I think this is precisely Lars' point and surely should be the way to go. The variants make huge sense depending people's style and need. I'd give my back teeth for a quiet shutter, others wouldn't. How sensible for Leica to be able to offer the variants - possibly as a made-to-order option so that dealers wouldn't have to carry parallel stock. M8-n (normal), M8-q (quiet) + .72 / .85 finder equivalent options for both of these - and why not M8-ff for those who want it if and when it can be done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 9, 2008 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2008 I'd give my back teeth for a quiet shutter, others wouldn't. Appointment in August on your way to Solms? You can take them in a little jar.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted March 9, 2008 Share #10 Posted March 9, 2008 ... and leave an arm and a leg to cover the bill!!! And hey - there are plenty of dentists here who could maybe slip me some used molars so I can keep my own.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.