What's happening to the price of a used m8/.2

[jessroooo]

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Hello,

I'm new to this forum but have been following it for a few months since all the hype about the M9. I was set on the M9 until reading all the discussions on the pros and cons of the M8.2 vs M9, so I'll soon be a very happy M8.2 owner.

 

My next mission is to find a used M8.2. Back in September I was checking the prices of them on e-bay (UK) and camera shops in London (online). There were lots available and the price was around 2000 pounds sterling. Now I have made up my mind and will soon be ready to take the plunge but the price seems to have increased and the availability diminished..... is this my imagination? does it mean that the longer I leave it the scarcer they will become? I actually live in the Caribbean and there is no such place to buy a Leica for at lease 1000 mile radius, I have an address in the UK hence why I'm looking for one over there. Any suggestions on that? how well do they ship?

 

This leads me to my next question:

I use a Nikon D700 and I love it, but I don't love the weight and because of that I don't take it everywhere I go and even if I do it sometimes stays in the bag because it's just too big and time consuming to keep getting out and putting away. I do a lot of travel photography and sports (which i will always use my D700 for) (see my website http://jessicarousseau.com/ it's in the process of an upgrade) but I'm wondering about the robustness of the digital M's....I had an M6 a few years ago and it seemed to be bombproof. I'm quite hard on my gear and I'm not afraid to get wet or dirty to get the shot...can the digital M's handle a bit of heavy handed activity? a bit of moisture? dirt? are they anything like the tried and tested film M's that you can bang a nail into a wall with? drag through a bush backwards until they look like it too but it still works fine?

 

I'm very excited to get in discussion about this and I'll look forward to any comments, tips, thoughts or suggestions on the subject.

 

Cheers!

Jess

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[holgerf]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum but have been following it for a few months since all the hype about the M9. I was set on the M9 until reading all the discussions on the pros and cons of the M8.2 vs M9, so I'll soon be a very happy M8.2 owner.

 

My next mission is to find a used M8.2. Back in September I was checking the prices of them on e-bay (UK) and camera shops in London (online). There were lots available and the price was around 2000 pounds sterling. Now I have made up my mind and will soon be ready to take the plunge but the price seems to have increased and the availability diminished..... is this my imagination? does it mean that the longer I leave it the scarcer they will become? I actually live in the Caribbean and there is no such place to buy a Leica for at lease 1000 mile radius, I have an address in the UK hence why I'm looking for one over there. Any suggestions on that? how well do they ship?

 

This leads me to my next question:

I use a Nikon D700 and I love it, but I don't love the weight and because of that I don't take it everywhere I go and even if I do it sometimes stays in the bag because it's just too big and time consuming to keep getting out and putting away. I do a lot of travel photography and sports (which i will always use my D700 for) (see my website http://jessicarousseau.com/ it's in the process of an upgrade) but I'm wondering about the robustness of the digital M's....I had an M6 a few years ago and it seemed to be bombproof. I'm quite hard on my gear and I'm not afraid to get wet or dirty to get the shot...can the digital M's handle a bit of heavy handed activity? a bit of moisture? dirt? are they anything like the tried and tested film M's that you can bang a nail into a wall with? drag through a bush backwards until they look like it too but it still works fine?

 

I'm very excited to get in discussion about this and I'll look forward to any comments, tips, thoughts or suggestions on the subject.

 

Cheers!

Jess

 

Hi Jess*- welcome to the forum!

 

Concerning price level of M8-2 I don’t have a real idea about. What I can imagine however is that during the first month’s hype of the M9 many tried to sell their M8/M8-2 quickly to get e reasonable price.

 

In general the meachanical robustness of the M9 ist comparable with the analog M. However, the main issue is: the M8-2 is (as every modern camera) a computer and therefore much more prone to water and humidity. In opposite so some models from Nikon or Canon the Leicas are not water sealed. In consequence you may have trouble though there are surpring examples of what in some cases the camaras were able to tolerate.

 

Good luck

Holger

[delander †]

Jess, I dont think used M8.2s were ever £2000, they were just under £4000 new and have only been out a short time.

 

I'd love to recommend the camera to you, but I'm not sure it will stand up to getting wet (there have been examples of corroded electronics and that costs a lot to fix) and dirty like the film Leicas did. You would have to look after it and keep the D700 for the wet dirty stuff.

 

I'm not saying that it is not robust but it is not designed as a waterproof camera (although Tine Manley submerged hers in a stream and it survived).

 

Certainly it is much smaller package than a D700 and the image quality is excellent.

 

Jeff

[adan]

1) Just out of curiosity, where in the Caribbean? I worked in San Juan for 2 years, and will coincidentally be visiting some of the Lesser Antilles in early Dec. You can PM me.

 

2) M8.2 availability and pricing: I'd expect 8.2s to be harder to come by than plain 8s. Shorter production run, and newer cameras thus a bit less likely to have been traded in for M9s. I'd guess there was a price dip for used when a cohort of cameras hit the used market on the M9 announcement, which has now likely dried up. The 2 M8s I traded for my M9 were sold by the store within a couple of weeks.

 

KEH in the States has a couple of M8.2s, for (if my math is correct) around GBP 2500. I've had very good dealings with KEH over the years, including ordering in equipment when I was in San Juan.

 

Leica Digital Camera Bodies - KEH.com

 

3) Toughness: I won't bore everyone again with a picture of my "Jackson Pollock edition" M8, which was covered in whitewash during a freshman initiation rite at a local college. But you can see it in the credits at the end of this video: Ramblin’ wrecks from Mines repaint ‘M,’ themselves - Rocky Mountain Independent

 

I'd probably cover it up in one of those real Caribbean downpours - the ones with the inch-and-a-half raindrops. And I probably wouldn't hammer nails with any Leica M if I wanted the RF to stay aligned. But other than that, I personally have confidence in the M8/9 to stand up under (ab)use.

[Artichoke]

the M8/M8.2 is a wonderful camera & prices have dropped a bit with the introduction of the M9, though not as much as I would have anticipated

the main advantage (to me) of the M8.2 over the M8 is the quieter shutter

otherwise the changes are mainly cosmetic & not all that compelling

with the latest firmware, the shutter on the M8 is pretty unobtrusive since you can use discreet mode

the crop is the same (I find it nice to have my 75 Summilux capture like it was a 100 mm f1.4) and both have identical sensors

while the M8 will be more abundant and cheaper now, I suspect it will command a greater price in 10 to 15 years if kept without the upgrade as collectors will doubtless place a premium on the first digital M

I would make my purchase from a reputable dealer some of which do business on Ebay

you should check out some of the English or German used dealers as well as KEH since you will be buying from overseas

I would not be concerned about shipping

the M8s are solidly built, though tariffs may be a problem

happy hunting & good luck

[proenca]

Hi Jess,

 

I pretty much agree with everyone statement in regards of availability of the M8.2 - it was bigger just preM9 launch days, since everyone was dumping their M8 and M8.2 to upgrade to the M9. Well the folks who want to upgrade.

 

I checked prices as well, I was thinking to buy a backup to my M8 - but to be honest, I never seen M8.2 go below 2300£ ... and those are pretty used examples that go bellow that.

 

So now, in terms of options you have :

 

M8.2 for 2400£ - 2700£ , depending on the dealer and how used the is the camera

 

BUT

 

you also have the M8 ( sans .2 ) for 1400£ - 1700£ and if you press hard to find, you can find some M8.u ( with the M8.2 upgrades ) in the 1700£ region.

 

The reason a M8.2 is always more expensive than a M8 or M8.u is that the M8.2 had a much more shorter life span and therefore much less cameras are available in the market, hence the bigger price tag.

 

But honestly, question yourself : do you REALLY need all those upgrades in the M8.2 ? which to be honest, arent that many ? Yes, the quietter shutter is nice and so is the sapphire glass but ... there isnt much more than this. You ready to pay a 1000-1300£ difference on a "normal" M8 for these ? Sees a hefty price to me.

 

I dont question about the M9 though - humongus changes compared to the M8 / M8.u / M8.2 - it has full frame, lower noise, integrated UV filter, etc etc etc. Its a definitive step ahead and worth the upgrade.

 

But ... the M8.2 seemed ( looking back ) an interim solution to keep the M8 customer base occupied while they solved some M9 issues that they had a time.

 

To me, you would be much better off by buying a M8 + Leica Lens of your choice than going for a M8.2 and thats it, and we are talking about the same amount of money.

 

Well, used Leica lens of your choice !

 

As far dealers goes, I lived for few years in the UK and now relocated to Portugal : I still used my two favorite dealers : ffords.com and apertureuk.com . I do prefer ffords though - their shipping is imacculate : I've bought recently a Noctilux and a Leica MP Anthracite from them and both packages were protected to go around the world 3 times. Highly recommended. They are more expensive than aperture though.

 

In terms of robustness, I wouldnt worry much : M8's are well built and tough. Honestly , mine has been couple of times to the floor, been in I-DONT-KNOW-HOW-MANY asian downpours and still kicks but.

 

Yes, its not weather sealed but I have no problems going out with it to take picutres when its raining. I do protect the camera on the rain when I'm NOT taking the pictures - something I would have to care about when I was going around with my 1Ds for example. But now I dont have to worry about the 1Ds weight as well

 

Honestly I love travelling and I do at least 2 big trips per year. And for the last 4 or 5 years ( maybe more, heck I bought my M8 when it was launched in Singapore ) my M8 always came with me. Been in 239048209 deserts with howling winds and sand, in millions of beaches with the salt sprays comming, in thousands of asian downpours and moonsoons, few falls but.. she's still here.

 

I do have some care with her and clean her the same day I'm back to the hotel. But apart from that, she rocks on

 

Heres a tribute to her - the M8 grips is since my staple lens now is a Noctilux and the grip helps a lot for the Nocti. But right now I'm in Brazil and well, bringing a Noctilux to Brazil .. hummm... not good So my second favorite lens came : 35 Summaron, renders b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l images, its tiny and really makes the M8 looks an old camera. First lens are actually two : 50mm Noctilux and 15 CV Wide .

 

[spylaw4]

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There's a chrome 8.2 boxed with a Passport to 2011 at Red Dot Cameras in London.

[jessroooo]

1) Just out of curiosity, where in the Caribbean? I worked in San Juan for 2 years, and will coincidentally be visiting some of the Lesser Antilles in early Dec. You can PM me.

 

Hi Adan, I live in the French West indies on an island called St.Barth's (St.Barthelemy)...it's a small place but it is a free world! Where about's are you going? are you on assignment?

 

I'm unpeturbed about the robustness or not of the M8(.2), if it dies, it dies, it's expensive but the other pros of the camera far outweigh the cons, i reckon. Weight being the biggest issue, discretion being the second. I would want it to be looking as old and 'crappy' as possible so as to not draw (too much) attention in places like the slums of India or any other given scenario.

 

My only other issue is the crop factor and the ONLY reason for this is that I like the lenses to do what the lenses are designed for. And if I get lucky and upgrade to the FF M9 then I'll have to get more lenses or change them inorder to keep my preferred focal lengths.... Maybe if I procrastinate long enough the M10 will come out and the M9 will drop in value...but would the M9 drop in value? a million dollar question!!!

 

Anyway, thanks for all your comments and thoughts, I'm enjoying reading them!

 

I have another question;

to the general public, what looks the least cool/expensive/pro/tech, the chrome or black version?

 

Cheers!

[adan]

I'll be close - Phillipsburg, St. Maarten (or wherever the big ships come in). Then down to the south - Barbados, St. Lucia, etc. A working vacation to give the M9 a shot at those beautiful island towns.

 

IMHO - chrome looks cool/expensive, black chrome (M8) or paint (M8.2) looks pro/tech

[ottocrat]

Hi all - can I bump this thread with a selfish question? My local second-hand dealer has an M8.2 on sale for €2,390 (£2150, $3550 - boy, what happened to the US$?!?) and a 35/2 Summicron for €750 (£670, $1120).

 

Do these prices sound ball park correct? I think so, but I'd welcome a second opinion. (This is in Belgium, so includes 21% sales tax and an unquantifiable 'prime belge' whereby everything here costs just a little bit more...)

 

And assuming these prices are not too high nor too low, what are the things I should be looking out for before I slap my money down? I've seen them already and they look to be in fine condition, cosmetically at least.

[jessroooo]

So I've just seen an M8.2 on an auction website in the US for $3500 US that's just over 2000 pounds....should I be suspicious or should I snap it up before it goes? There is also and M8 in London for 1500 pounds....it sounds like a good deal....prices seem to be steady at the moment. I would prefer the M8.2 for the brighter frame lines and sapphire glass, but as time goes by they will be getting more scarce, no?

 

I wish I could make up my mind.

 

I have seen some very inspiring photography on this forum, but I wonder how much post production goes into these amazing images. I'm a fan of being able to do as much in the camera to save on post production as possible...I prefer to shoot than to sit on the computer so I wonder if the few upgrades aid that process and cut down on PP.... I use lightroom to make basic adjustments, straighten horizon, add contrast, change to monochrome, I'm bored of the ultra sharp images that are everywhere, I love grain and imperfections....I should just get another M6 I know, but film is impossible to get and even harder to process where I live...otherwise I would. A digital Leica is the next best thing.

 

Has anybody read the KenRockwell.com reviews on the m8 and m9?! Quite interesting!

 

Cheers