Snakepottery Posted January 2, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 2, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I'm looking to get a used M8 to go with my M6. I've had a quick scan through this forum and there seems to be a recurring theme of expensive shutter issues! (Should never read forums really!!) Is this actually the case or is that a couple have failed out of thousands? I will likely get one from an authorised dealer like Red Dot, so that I should have some kind of warranty. It seems that the later ones are greatly improved? Don't want to buy one and then have to shell out £500 for a new shutter assembly. Probably just being paranoid but it is a lot of my hard earned cash! Thanks Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 2, 2010 Posted January 2, 2010 Hi Snakepottery, Take a look here Looking to buy an M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wilfredo Posted January 2, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 2, 2010 I've never had a shutter issue. Once you get this camera, and all goes well with it, you will probably not put it down. Don't forget the UV/IR cut filters for your lenses. You probably already know you will need these if you are shooting for color. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted January 2, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 2, 2010 I will likely get one from an authorised dealer like Red Dot, so that I should have some kind of warranty. Andy, Do get some form of warranty--the longer the better. The M8 has had all kinds of well-documented and reported issues--shutter problems, sensor problems, etc., etc.--along with plenty of forum members sending their M8s on trips to Solms or Leica NJ. It is unclear *what percentage* of M8s are actually affected. You could assume "a lot." But, truth is, nobody knows proof-positive what the actual sample size in the forum is. It could be 1% it could be 10%. We just don't know. So, the warranty covers the "if it happens to you," with the caveat that it's not clear how actually likely percentage-wise it is to happen to you. If you want to be completely conservative, you can always make the assumption that you will pay $1K to fix something in the next two years and factor that into your purchase price. Good luck! Thanks! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakepottery Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted January 2, 2010 Interesting. Thanks gents. I think I will get one anyway and get as much warranty as possible. The results I have seen from them are excellent. Currently I have an M6 (which I love!) and a nikon D200 which quality wise, is great too, just it's a big bit of kit with more buttons and wheels than you can shake a stick at! What I love about the M6 is its simplicity, small size and the fact that it is fabulous to use, but I also like the digital image from the D200. So I thought the M8 would be the best solution. So I think an M8 but from a dealer not from Ebay!! Just need to get the cash together. There's a nice 90mm F2 lens on Buy and Sell if anyone is interested!!!! Not sure about the price though. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakepottery Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted January 2, 2010 Thanks Alfredo, I'll pick one up from Ebay when I get the camera. I have a 35mm F2 ASPH so that will make a nice standard lens for the M8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted January 3, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 3, 2010 find a dealer that will give you at least 3mnths warranty if it makes you feel better but that could add extra $$$ onto the price of your m8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islandmike Posted January 4, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 4, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Andy, Wilkinson Cameras, (IMHO an excellent auth. dealer) in Preston are still advertising on their web site the M8 at a price not significantly much above the price of a top-dollar secondhand model. Worth a thought, maybe. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted January 4, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 4, 2010 So I think an M8 but from a dealer not from Ebay!! Just need to get the cash together. Don't rule out ebay... I got my M8 from a dealer on ebay with a (small) warranty. Some camera stores that aren't in huge cities sell on ebay for more exposure. Even Adorama is on ebay at times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 4, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 4, 2010 Ffordes in UK list several secondhand M8s at prices somewhat lower than prevailed the month the M9 was launched. As to service history, the M8 suffered a bad press soon after it was launched because of unsolved issues like cyan fringe (cured by UV/ir filters) and some shutter faults. After that initial batch, which were recalled for free servicing, the M8 settled down as an essentially reliable camera. There are many very satisfied owners who are choosing to retain them rather than upgrade. Much was made of the 'noisy' shutter which the M8.2 partly cured. However I have the original M8 and quite like the sound of the shutter which is not significantly noisy. A little story: Last summer I was taking some pictures in Lacock of the filming of the recent Christmas episodes of Cranford for BBC TV. (some of the pictures are on my website in Leica portfolio). Space was at a premium and I found myself rubbing shoulders with local media photographers. I was shooting with my M8 and 75mm lens. One of the pros turned round revealing a huge DSLR outfit and when I had finished shooting said, " My, that's a quiet camera. Oh, it's a Leica!" So perhaps the M8 is not as noisy as some people claim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyspedden Posted January 5, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 5, 2010 I've never had a shutter issue. Once you get this camera, and all goes well with it, you will probably not put it down. Don't forget the UV/IR cut filters for your lenses. You probably already know you will need these if you are shooting for color. Wilfredo I respect your experiences with the M8 but I have had two shutters just "EXPLODE" and of course had to be replaced. I took a different approach, having Leica replace one of the shutters in warranty (which I later sold) and the other I upgraded to the M8.2 specs. This camera I will keep as it has the new shutter,frame lines, sapphire cover, and vulcanite covering. I love the look and feel and the camera is up to state of the (leica) art at the moment. I would not think of selling this wonderful imaging machine at the current M8 selling prices. I have the M9 and love some aspects of this camera but they still have a long way to go in terms of time to format etc. The M9 issues will all be dealt with I am sure, just not sure when! So I will keep taking pictures with my venerable M8, upgraded to the max, and love the results. Woody Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted January 5, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 5, 2010 The M8 is a great camera, but I would worry about the shutter. If you can find a new or demo model with a warranty for a good price, I'd say it's worth it. My shutter blew with about 10K actuations if I remember correctly. In the middle of an assignment it just broke up. Luckily it was still under warranty:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted January 5, 2010 Share #12 Posted January 5, 2010 I am another one of those who has never had any problem with their M8. I got mine about 6 months after initial release and most of the bugs were already fixed. It has proven to be a stellar performer. Good thing, since the trade in allowance on a M9 is ridiculously low and I will be keeping the M8 as a backup, long lens and IR camera. Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakepottery Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks for the advice. I liket he idea of a new unit as the price isn't hugely more than a mint secondhand model. It seems they now come with 2 years leica passport. problem is finding a silver one! lots of black models at around £2300. No silvers though. Typical, just as I'm about to get the old card out too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakepottery Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share #14 Posted January 7, 2010 Ebay have this one going. It's a silver M8, 5 months old registered with Leica. Price seems a little high but given it is so new and only had 10 actuations could be worth it? 110452773831. I'm quite tempted... Anyone any thoughts? Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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