Old M8 owner... worth keeping now that I have a FF M?

[ShivaYash]

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Hello,

 

I'm torn, while the M8 has been my single camera since 2008, I now have the M-E and have not used the M8 since. It breaks my heart but at the moment it's just an expensive paper weight.

 

I have 28, 35 and 50mm lenses, but only one IR filter in 39mm, so it will only fit the 35 and 50. 

 

M8s are being given away on eBay at the moment, getting around £700-900. My example is a one-owner, no issues, 11k clicks and working LCD, boxed of course. 

Should I keep it? My head is saying NO... thought I'd canvass here to obtain some opinions.

 

 

[wda]

Have you considered regarding your M8 as an IR camera by adding a IR filter? (Search for several useful discussions on this topic) Alternatively, the M8 is an economical standby which can be taken out for change rather than leaving it in the cupboard. I have been asking myself the same question. It remains a highly competent and reliable camera which could bear one lens while your FF body uses another focal length. Only you can decide on its future worth to you.

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[ShivaYash]

I've not considered it as an IR camera. What would that give me? I use to do IR photography on b&w film during my university days and it was more novelty. I just think having two bodies is over kill but can stand up to the fact of suffering from digital rot.

[koray]

I think the decision depends on the depreciation of your camera's value over seven years of use. You have probably made most of it while you owned it and now M-E renders it off-use. Unless you prefer a backup body, I don't buy the idea of having an extra M camera with crop-factor since you can always crop the FF sensor output with the exact pixel count. If I were you I would sell it right away since it will become an even harder decision as the price for a second hand M8 is bound to fall...

 

Just my two cents.

 

K.

[Wayne]

Having both the M8 and the M9 makes every one of your lenses two different focal lengths.

[Kloss]

...  I on b&w film during my university days ...

 

So what is it you are shooting mainly nowadays? B&W or colour?

 

If it is B&W I would keep the M8 since the M8 is superior

to the M-E if it comes to B&W photography imho (and you will

not need any IR/Cut filters for B&W with the M8).

 

If you mainly shoot colour and do not miss the extra the M8 can offer

in B&W I would sell the M8 if you can't keep both cameras.

 

But considering the low price your M8 might fetch if you sell her,

I would keep her as a backup (or use her for B&W while using the

M-E for colour)

 

BR

Thomas

[fiftyonepointsix]

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It's always good to have a backup camera for anything important. Any camera can fail. Any trip or outing that is important to you, have two cameras. The M8 is a great backup to the M-E, uses the same battery and charger. Makes packing easier.

[ShivaYash]

So what is it you are shooting mainly nowadays? B&W or colour?

 

If it is B&W I would keep the M8 since the M8 is superior

to the M-E if it comes to B&W photography imho (and you will

not need any IR/Cut filters for B&W with the M8).

 

If you mainly shoot colour and do not miss the extra the M8 can offer

in B&W I would sell the M8 if you can't keep both cameras.

 

But considering the low price your M8 might fetch if you sell her,

I would keep her as a backup (or use her for B&W while using the

M-E for colour)

 

BR

Thomas

I love b&w so will try it. The crop factor is annoying but let's see. The 28 will probably be ok.

[ShivaYash]

Just put the 28 on the M8 after a month of shooting daily with M-E and boy does the shutter sound loud and harsh! The B&W white files however are rather nice. Prior to getting the M-E I'd never used a coded lens before so I think that helps the image in general. The M8 does not need to be sold so long as I can find a use for it. Perhaps I just have. Thanks once again. I'll review the situation again in a month or so. Never thought I'd ever be lucky enough to have two digital M bodies and three lenses but here I am!

 

This was just shot moment ago, my attic study around 5pm. London. LR edit and VSCO Agfa Scala 200 filter. Heaven. Comments sought on the best B&W settings for the M8, a poor man's MM, or at the very least, my new MM.

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[Jeff S]

Having both the M8 and the M9 makes every one of your lenses two different focal lengths.

No it doesn't... narrower field of view can be obtained by simply cropping any M9 (M-E) pic....focal length remains the same on either camera.

 

But, back to the OP's question....I keep my M8.2 as back-up to the M240 in case of operational problems, but never use the two simultaneously.   Some of that is because I find the M240 to be a superior camera, but also due to my preference to travel light rather than juggling two cameras....if needed, a second lens in a pocket works fine for me.

 

Jeff

[dpitt]

Have an M9 for a few months now. It is true, the M8 sits in the bag more than before. But I always liked the idea of having 2 different focal lengths ready in the bag. e.g. I have it ready with my 90mm for example when I have the 35 on my M9.

 

If you have to crop the FF anyway for more reach, using the M8 makes sense and can produce the same quality as the M9.

 

Also, shooting B&W jpegs on the M8 still feels special compared to the M9.

 

I think these two reasons more than justify keeping it in my bag.

[enboe]

I would, and am, keeping my M8(s).

 

In addition to the aforementioned B&W and IR-B&W capabilities of that sensor, it also is a near-zero marginal depreciation additional body.    In other words, it costs almost nothing in depreciation or lost interest on the equivalent cash in the bank, to keep the camera from month to month.  You've already absorbed the depreciation, now maximize the benefit you receive for your investment.

 

One other angle - the M8 makes a great camera to take when conditions and crowds are less than ideal.  A nick or scratch on the M8 is a lot less traumatic than the same on a newer body.

 

Eric

[david strachan]

I like the M8 so much; I bought another.  I don't have full frame.

Two M8's are a very affordable system...consistency...and with different lenses.

 

I'm on holiday at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island , South Australia.

 

And using the 10 lenses I brought down, with wonderful photography. From 15mm to 135mm the system is working well

 

It is still a great camera...hardly any megapixels...simple...uses the "lens sweetspot". 

Noone ever complains about the printing capabilities...it's sumptuous B&W's and lovely IR's(custom color balance).  It shows well on the web. The colours out of camera, are very nice. The files are easy to work.  Using colour channels allows amazing B&W control (not available in an MM)

Herein a 3 snap B&W jpg stitch, with CV 15mm f4 straighten in  CS4... overlooking sea weather and shipping, with late winter sun streaming in.

 

cheers  Dave S  

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Edited August 30, 2015 by david strachan

[luigi bertolotti]

I am in the same situation (better to say, almost... M8 + M240) : M8 si unused, ok, but same applies to my M4 (16 years of use) and IIIc (7 years, before M4) and the few money I could fetch selling doesn't worth the sentimental value...  ...add that M8 was my first experience with digital photo...a milestone: I find the way to use it 1-2 times a year, and probably there will be a day in which I'll feel myself older than it...

[ShivaYash]

I'm still trying to sell it but won't lose too much sleep. It's reached the bottom of its value now and all still works. I have used it an a poor mans MM and the files are nice but I prefer my M-E. Perhaps when my children are older they will use papa's first digital camera. Although I did flirt with the Rd-1 for a bit but quality control issues meant it did not last long.

[ShivaYash]

The shutter is crazy loud!

[ShivaYash]

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M8 self timer. 28f2.

[sc_rufctr]

At around around £700-900 I'd keep it. Still a good camera.

[ShivaYash]

At around around £700-900 I'd keep it. Still a good camera.

Been offered £520 by a dealer. I'd rather keep. Hopefully a working example will in years to come be prized. Unlikely but one can dream ;-)

 

Examples in poor condition going on eBay for around £800ish. I don't need to sell but could get another lens for this type of cash. An early 50mm for example.

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[lct]

You could miss your M8 if some of your lenses perform well with the 1.33x crop factor. The 35/1.4 pre-asph, for instance, is a unique "50" on crop cameras. Getting such a glow at f/1.4 is impossible on my 50mm lenses so far. The Sonnar 50/1.5 is fine but has no glow at all. Same for the  Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph. So the 35/1.4 pre-asph has become a standard lens for soft portraits on my M8.2. And what a pleasure to use the latter's 35mm framelines instead of 50+75 ones of full frame Ms.