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Buying a used M8: advice and tips?


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I'd like to get an M8u or 8.2 to accompany my film MP body. I can't afford to buy new old stock, and probably not a demo, either. It will have to be used (what was it Herr Kauffman said about your first Porsche being second hand?).

 

Reading these forums can easily give the impression that M8s are highly problematic and require frequent trips to customer service. I try to keep in mind that it's impossible to judge overall reliability on an internet forum because satisfied users rarely tend to start their own threads. But still, it's enough to create some hesitation.

 

For those who bought a used M8, did you experience any issues that required a trip to the shop? If so, what was the repair cost?

 

And maybe more importantly, who here bought a great, trouble-free used M8? Am I worrying over nothing?

 

Lastly, are there any specific tips for buying a used M8? What to check for? What questions to ask? What to stay away from?

 

Thanks,

Mike

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For those who bought a used M8, did you experience any issues that required a trip to the shop? If so, what was the repair cost?

 

The used M8 I purchased did not require a trip to Solms. My original M8(u) has been in twice--once for a failing sensor, once for the shutter eating itself.

 

And maybe more importantly, who here bought a great, trouble-free used M8? Am I worrying over nothing?

 

You are not worrying over nothing. I would say that you should reserve $1,000 USD (or thereabouts) to deal with any service issues that arise in the first year--sensor starts to go, shutter implodes, etc. This is my general advice about the used M8 market: Buy it used, set aside a grand "just in case."

 

My used M8 has been well behaved. :D

 

Lastly, are there any specific tips for buying a used M8? What to check for? What questions to ask? What to stay away from?

 

You're probably asking about the camera, but I want to mention about the transaction. I purchased my used M8 via this forum--figured that was the "safest way" to go.

 

In terms of the camera? Get the boxes, the papers, (repair slips, too, if it's been to NJ or Solms), etc., etc., for the M8 from the seller. I got those with my used M8 (including a few spare batteries and an E39 filter), so that was a real plus.

 

Cheers!

Will

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hello

 

Well I bought a second hand M8 off ebay, it came with the charger but no box and I paid around £1300 for it. Yes I felt worried about the whole thing. That was about 3 month ago. I have used the camera quite a bit and had no problems, lets hope it stays that way. I bought a couple of S/H UV /IR filters off a friend who had upgraded to an M9. I have checked as much as I can at different ISO settings and while it produces very different looking images to my nikon D2xs, the photos are great. And more importantly I really love using it. I can use all my glass from my M6 which had almost become redundent.

 

Buying S/H camera equipment off none dealers is always a risk and Digital has a lot more in it that can go wrong, but as you hint in your original post it is usually only people who have had problems that let the world know about them.

 

Good luck and if you do go for a S/H M8 I hope you enjoy the experience I have found it a great camera.

 

Some image from the M8 are on my blog

www.glendell.co.uk

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Hi, i am Dirk from Germany so sorry for my bad english. I just bought a used M8 updated to M8.2 and i am absolutly happy with the cam. No trouble. At the "Buy and Sell" part of this forum there is a M8.2 for 2000 € with warranty till 12/2010. I can only recommend the cam, i am so happy with my used one. I think the forum concernig problems shoudn`t overestimated cause normally only people with problems complain in a forum, not the other thousands without any problems.

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Hi again, here my first snap of my daughter taken with the used m8!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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Hi Mike,

 

Just to say that the M8.1 is a very good camera and I am very satisfied.

I also have an M9 * but I prefer the M8 * (the shutter noise does not bother me)

This camera M8 takes great pictures. Thank you for looking at my profile and the photos I posted

It is my impression during my last trip to Vietnam on August

(* That may be a bit off topic but this confirms my tests)

 

A tip if you allow :

If you can buy from a Leica dealer, it's better because you can still have the warranty

or here (cuttent offers)

Try to have a camera with less shutter actuations if possible

Look at the status of the range finder ,dust on sensor .....

Try to take some pictures with the M8 if purchased at the dealer

Dust is clearly seen on a picture of blue sky

* http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/98684-m9-versus-m8-1-tests.html

Regards

Henry

Edited by Doc Henry
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Hi Mike,

 

I bought my M8 from B&H in NYC. That would be my only advice: get it from a reputable dealer (I agree totally with Henry). They almost always offer a warranty period (like 60 days), if things don't work out you can return the camera. And, these places check out and evaluate and rate the condition of the camera all of which helps in determining what you are getting for your money. I've had mine for a year and a half with no issues whatsoever. I love it.

 

Good luck,

Ece

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I bought my used M8 from Ffordes Photographic ffordes photographic : Main Index and their used items come with 6 months warranty.

 

Happily I can report that the camera is in great working order and I'm very pleased.

 

Ffordes also stock a very good range of used lenses etc.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Colin

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I bought my M8 as a demo, have been using it for about a year and a half and it's now my primary camera so sees moderately heavy use including lots of travel. It's a user, not babied at all. It's worked flawlessly, not the slightest hint of a problem.

Edited by Knomad
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Reading these forums can easily give the impression that M8s are highly problematic and require frequent trips to customer service. I try to keep in mind that it's impossible to judge overall reliability on an internet forum because satisfied users rarely tend to start their own threads. But still, it's enough to create some hesitation.

 

For those who bought a used M8, did you experience any issues that required a trip to the shop? If so, what was the repair cost?

 

And maybe more importantly, who here bought a great, trouble-free used M8? Am I worrying over nothing?

 

Lastly, are there any specific tips for buying a used M8? What to check for? What questions to ask? What to stay away from?

 

Have all the paper work and box indeed. Try to get a newer serial 33xxxx. Look what firmware it has. 2.00x. (newest 2.005) and ofcourse take pictures at all speeds and modes (S C autorelease). Try the auto diaphragm at all stops (bring a lens you know well with you). Check the chip on visable damage (clean sensor in menu). Take a picture without lens of a white wall. Have a closeup view on the camera (best on pc if possible) and look for lines or broken pixels. You can use profile 0 for that (basic settings and jpg full format). And ofcourse the damages on the body (if it has fall), has scratches on LCD or body. All can make you deside.

If possible take a laptop with you and get the actions by getting the eixif info and a hex calculator. everything under 10000 and above 1500 is fine. If it didn't fail within 1500 actions it keeps doing it fine. above 10000 is not bad, but starts to be used...

 

I bought one and have no problems what so ever.

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Guest Holy Moly
cause normally only people with problems complain in a forum, not the other thousands without any problems.

 

sorry, most people who are writing about the M8 failures are members for a quite long time with analogue Ms. I can follow their happiness about the new (used) M8 and a very high percentage of them gets problems. Look at their posting numbers - they are not 'freshmen' here......

 

As written before, a certain amount of money should be put aside in the kitchen cabinet.

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Guest Holy Moly
I started using a M and CL when I was 12 years old and had my first post here when I was 31. So that posting number doesn't say anything... :D

 

ohh, what a hard childhood......:D

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If possible take a laptop with you and get the actions by getting the eixif info and a hex calculator. everything under 10000 and above 1500 is fine. If it didn't fail within 1500 actions it keeps doing it fine. above 10000 is not bad, but starts to be used...

 

Of course you should mention that if it has been Upgraded with at least the new shutter, it doesn't really matter because the shutter is brand new, and Leica brings everything else up to factory standards before they issue the one year warranty extension.

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I am a retired Pro photographer and have had three M8's (or rather two M8's and a M8.2) staring with a very early one which I bought several years back with considerable trepidation, but had no problems with it whatsoever and thought the results truly stunning, so I then bought myself a new one to go with it, then finally added the M8.2.

 

I only bought that because the M8 was discontinued by then so I could not buy another M8 or I would have as the M8.2 cost a lot more and does not take better pictures, an since then I have loved them all and could not reccomend them highly enough.

 

As to why three? Well M8's M8.2 and M9's suffer more than most with drt getting on the sensor, so although they are not difficult to clean, and most dust just blows of with such as a Arctic Butterfly, I still prefer having three bodies and leaving one specific lens semi permanently fitted to each.

 

My lens choice for what its worth being the 18mm Super Elmar (Fantastic lens!) permanently on one, the 28/35/50 Tri Elmar on the next, and 90mm f2.8 Elmarit on the last, and though I also have a 35mm Summicron Asp and the latest 50mm f2 Summicron, I find in practice these hardly ever get used.

 

Anyway go for it, buy one, I do not think you will be disappointed. Regards. Don.;)

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sorry, most people who are writing about the M8 failures are members for a quite long time with analogue Ms.

 

I think that the point that was being made was that it's more common for people with problems to post than it is for people without problems. That makes the size of any problems look bigger than they actually are. It's a bit like sitting in A&E all day and thinking that everone in the world must be ill.

 

I've had my M8 for almost 4 years and it's not had to go back to Solms or be 'fixed' in any way. The only camera I'd consider replacing it with is an M9 - when finances allow. If it were to die on me tomorrow I'd get another M8 without a second thought.

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I shoot professionally, so it's important for me keep up with technology. That said, I am still using the M8 I bought 4 1/2 years ago and am still extremely happy with it. The camera has never malfunctioned in any way and I love the look of the images it produces. With my Canon and Nikon dSLRs, I haven't used a body for more than 2 years before feeling the need to upgrade.

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