Cruewell Posted December 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) When the M8 first came out I was very much tempted to get a new one, but after reading reviews and being aware of it's faults, I finally chickened out and went for a Canon 5D. In fact I had not been into this forum in ages. But I never got rid of the "rangefinder bug", which I've had since I enjoyed a tiny Minox 35ML for a long time a few years ago. I got the Minox due to a bicycle tour I undertook with a friend some 15 years ago -no digital photography yet- and because of obvious weight and space advantages. But that's a different story... Now the M9 is coming out prices for second-hand M8's are somewhat reasonable, and Leica cameras are built to last for a long time, so I decided to treat myself to a used M8 and see if there's something of a photographer left in me. If all goes as planned, a trek through Bhutan in May 2010 will be a great test for the M8 and me. But all that is wishful thinking so far since I am still looking for an M8 here in Madrid. I expect to check soon an M8 with a 35mm f/2.5 Summarit. Does 2500 euros sound reasonable for this camera and lens combination and with little use from an amateur? Is it wiser to look for the body and lens separately? The prices I see in Spain are around this range and I've no idea about current prices for second hand M8's. PS- As soon as I do get it I'll update my signature. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Hi Cruewell, Take a look here Finally getting an M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Daymadi-T Posted December 2, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 2, 2009 "....I expect to check soon an M8 with a 35mm f/2.5 Summarit. Does 2500 euros sound reasonable for this camera and lens combination and with little use from an amateur? Is it wiser to look for the body and lens separately? The prices I see in Spain are around this range and I've no idea about current prices for second hand M8's...." Yes , you can ! And you was completely right, now, looking for a M8 : you have the Quality and your money saved . Photos blow up to A3 format , difficult to distinguish which one is from M8 or M9...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted December 3, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 3, 2009 I sold my 2 M8s to fund an M9. The M9 is a great camera...but so is the M8. While I have no regrets, I think the value ratio of image quality/price makes the current M8s a terrific investment in high quality photography. Go for it!! best...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 3, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 3, 2009 Actually you'll find out what you missed out on these years 2500 is on the high side, but if the camera is a mint M8.2 from a reputable dealer is is OK imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted December 3, 2009 2500 is on the high side, but if the camera is a mint M8.2 from a reputable dealer is is OK imo. Really? I think prices may be different in Spain since not many Leicas are sold here -we are poor, ignorant and only semi-developped. I've been going nuts searching through the Net and there are few on offer and seem to sell fairly fast. The "reputable dealer" here in Madrid asked me for 2300€ for a body with no lens at all; they do guarantee the camera and I would make sure they have checked it in depth, cleaned the sensor and/or any other maintenance needed, but it still sounds expensive. The person I talked to selling the M8 + Summarit lens will not lower the price since then it would be equal to what he was offered by that same reputable dealer. It's a small world here. I'll buy a few photo magazines and see what's advertised in them, it's the only other source for used M8's I can think of, since I want to buy from a local owner. Oh, and I cancelled the trip to Bhutan. I could almost buy a M9 for the price! So I'll settle for the much more reasonable but less exotic Camino de Santiago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 3, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 3, 2009 Sorry-me bad. I didn't notice there was a lens with it. In that case: go for it If it is an M8, you might consider getting an upgrade from Leica - pretty expensive, but it will gain you a full year of guarantee as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted December 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Bah, the evil guy selling the M8 + summicron now says he is re-considering since he is unsure he will be able to afford the M9, in which case he would like to keep the M8. I should have expected something like that, this being Spain. Other cameras seem to have been sold already. And zero M8 second-hand adds in the magazines I have checked so far. Maybe Fate wants revenge after I rejected the M8 a couple of years ago? Definetely a time for me to show some patience, something I have lacked for the first 45 years of my life. Shame, shame, shame. I posted this thread too soon. But at least I didn't change the signature yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted December 3, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 3, 2009 Don't be discouraged. I'm sure you can find a used M8, even in Spain. Lots of people are selling to make room for an M9. It's a wonderful camera and while I also sold my two and am switching to M9s, if you make normal or even moderately large prints you'll be thrilled with the results from the M8 and Leica lenses. It's a shame mine are sold already, I'll be in Madrid in January so you could have bought mine:D I wouldn't bother with an M8.2, the extra price isn't worth it in my opinion. And when choosing lenses don't forget the crop factor. If you like a 35mm on your 5d you may want to go for a 28mm on the M8. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 3, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 3, 2009 Don't despair. There is one European M8.2 in the buy and sell here, I happened to notoce one at ffordes'website last week if you are looking for an utterly reliable dealer, and there are more around. It does not neccesarily have to come from Spain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted December 3, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 3, 2009 ...I wouldn't bother with an M8.2, the extra price isn't worth it in my opinion.....! Or alternatively; consider the M8.2. You may find the framelines far more user-friendly than the M8, you may also find the shutter sound noticeably quieter in the M8.2 than in the M8 [i did], you may also come to suspect [as a few here do] that the slower, quieter shutter in the M8.2 is more durable than the M8's. Starting where you are, and spending your money; I'd opt for an M8 upgrade, or an M8.2, rather than an M8 original. Unfortunately I have my money and therefore an M8! Good luck. .............. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted December 5, 2009 Given the scarce offer over here I will need to check European owners or dealers, thanks for the information. Yesterday I had time to go see the used camera offered by the local reputed dealer, and was quite disappointed. The exterior did not show a lot of wear (silver finish, hard to see the same kind of wear one can see in black ones), but the LCD glass was strongly scratched, the hard-to-reach areas between to top buttons was filthy, and the inside -right behind the lens- was full of huge dust specs. It didn't look to me like the owner was the kingd of person that treasures his Leica -I've owned more fragile cameras for many years and they looked much newer. I was surprised to find out how a reputed dealer thinks his job is limited to increasing the price of an old customer's used camera and then waiting till a new owner shows up. I expected them to make the camera look as good as possible before showing it to potential buyers. At the store they said they'd be happy to clean the sensor for me if I wanted, though they had seen no need to do so (?). After seeing their sloppy job with the camera, I didn't even consider buying it. I have never bought a used camera before, so maybe this is normal. Their M9 waiting list an expected 2-3 months until you get the camera (60 people so far), and price is 5.480 €. Edit: I forgot to add the previous M8 owner has kept for himself both UV filters, since he exchanged his silver M8 for a black M8.2 and kept his lenses. A pain in the butt for the new owner for sure. Is this common practice? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruewell Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted December 5, 2009 It's a shame mine are sold already, I'll be in Madrid in January so you could have bought mine:D I wouldn't bother with an M8.2, the extra price isn't worth it in my opinion. And when choosing lenses don't forget the crop factor. If you like a 35mm on your 5d you may want to go for a 28mm on the M8. Good luck! Bring me a used one from the U.S. and I'll buy you drinks, introduce you to Spanish "señoritas" and shamelessly praise your amazing photographic talent? In fact, if I ever consider seriously getting an M9 I will probably do it in the U.S., since I have money there I can dispose of and my sister travels there often for business. The Madrid dealer said they had had an M8 avalanche when the M8.2 came out, but that was not happening now the M9 has been released. Maybe after the initial M8 troubles people want to see how the first M9 owners fare before switching? Anyway, nothing to doat this point but be patient. I know about the conversion factor (1.3) for M8 lenses, and how it does not occur with the M9, that's why I want to stay within a range that will work with my style -if I can call it that, and yes, about 35 mm. by "old" standards- on both cameras should I ever lay my hands on an M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 5, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 5, 2009 I think M9 owners are hanging on to their M8s as backup cameras - an their are not that may M9s out there yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted December 6, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 6, 2009 Prices of used M8 are dropping down. In early may 2009 I still paid Eur 2,500 for mine, body only, in mint conditions. Now my favourite Leica pusher is selling M8 and M8.2 bodies at around 1,7-1,800 Euro, but being black bodies they were a bit less pristine than mine (chromed). Another shop I know of in Milan even dropped down to Eur 1,5-1,600. So do not despair. Time is on your side. I believe that if and that's a huge "if" I'll ever decide to sell mine, I'll be lucky if I'll make out a couple hundred Euro. This digital thing makes cameras turn obsolete faster than yellow pages... Cheers, Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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