m8 or 8.2

[ashtray1976]

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Heh peeps.Im about to raid the bank and upgrade from my dlux4 to either m8or 8.2....Im just wondering what the big difference is, which im sure it is,between the auto mode on the m8 and the snapshot mode now available on the 8.2.Im looking forward to going back to a manual option which has been many years but would like the option of having to concentrate more on the subject in certain situations......Please help and I hope ive not been to ignorant of the facts that are on Leicas site...many thanx!!!!!!;-)

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[Jeff S]

Heh peeps.Im about to raid the bank and upgrade from my dlux4 to either m8or 8.2....Im just wondering what the big difference is, which im sure it is,between the auto mode on the m8 and the snapshot mode now available on the 8.2.Im looking forward to going back to a manual option which has been many years but would like the option of having to concentrate more on the subject in certain situations......Please help and I hope ive not been to ignorant of the facts that are on Leicas site...many thanx!!!!!!;-)

 

Actually, there are 3 options...M8, M8 upgrade(s) and M8.2.

 

Here are some upgrade options...Leica Camera AG - Service - M8 Upgrade

 

Some features of the M8.2 are not included in the M8 upgrades...discreet shutter advance, vulcanite cover, black paint of M8.2 vs black chrome of M8, black dot (on black camera) and snapshot mode. (Different covers and black dots are, however, available elsewhere.)

 

Regarding the snapshot mode...forget it, waste of time and not consistent with Leica tradition.

 

One opinion...M8 or M8.2?

 

Here's another opinion... I love my M8.2.

 

Jeff

 

PS Welcome to the forum

[menos I M6]

I have hovered over this decision for many months, while straying to film M bodies and also an EPSON R-D1 during the time.

 

I still have and use all of them and mainly wanted to resist the M8/ M8.2 because of the stories, floating the internet regarding technical issues.

 

I got weak and bought a M8.2 a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier.

After some using, these are some points, that I though different about, before getting a M8.2:

 

- I did not run into the occasion of "needing" the faster shutter speed of the M8

- I am very thankful to have the "less noisy" shutter of the M8.2, which is even more improved by the discreet mode, which I love (you really shoot the M8.2 more in "film mode", having exposure and transport disconnected, while noise is subjectively reduced/ delayed).

- I hate, that Leica wasted the space on the shutter dial for the "S" mode - indeed this mode is defective, as it blocks certain vital shooting settings, when accidentally engaged

- I love, how my M8.2 wears - some spots on the body brass quickly (baseplate edges, right index finger position, etc.)

- I love the more understated look of the M8.2 with black hot shoe, black dot and removed white M8 paint - the first camera, I do not tape actually

- I really like to not worry about a scratched screen, as I don't use any cases and throw the camera around a bit - this fits beautifully, how I treat my Nikon cameras - they do have similar rugged LCD glass

- the leatherette of the M8.2 is just perfect - I don't care for looks of leatherette any more (I liked the "look" of the sand paper actually) - the M8.2 leatherette is absolutely perfect for hot, humid climate and sweaty fingers - plenty of traction without cramped fingers ;-)

- the M8.2 has a stronger detent before going to the self timer position - this would even be more useful, if the detent between "S" and "C" would be as strong or stronger, to quickly flick the camera on into "S"

 

I have written some thoughts right after my purchase with an eye on other cameras regarding my M8.2 as a first impression here:

 

equipment (see: "about the Leica M8.2")

 

I don't do reviews, just noted down some thoughts, which might be of interest for "people on the fence" ;-)

 

Good luck with your decision! When you buy one, make sure, to check for the known issues, to get a good sample, and it will be very, very rewarding - guaranteed.

[luigi bertolotti]

Welcome to the forum ! M8 has only 2 advantages over a M8.2 :

 

- 1/8000 sec : can be questionable..., personally I happen to use it, sometime: not a "must have"...a "fine to have".

- Price : surely, in the mean, a used M8 can be acquired for less, given that, trivially, is older, but the real age is measured in shutter actuations, which can be read out in the camera's file.

 

If you plan to keep your M8 for a rather long time, and not a brief step towards a FF, I think that a M8.2 with a good warranty is the best option.

[Clook]

I use an M8 along with an M8.2. I find that I am using the M8.2 with a 28mm lens for street and a couple of photo-documentary projects that I'm working on. I find that the quieter shutter allows me to get closer to the subject, which is what I want while using the 28mm lens. I'm using the M8 with a 50mm as my main set-up for studio portraits, where the shutter noise isn't such an issue.

Taking the practical requirements of the shoot out of the equation, I have to say I prefer the M8.2. When you press the shutter release you'll know what I mean!

[SiOnara]

I purchased my New ex demo M8 for £2250 from RG Lewis in London.

 

I thought about getting the M8.2 but in the end I am glad I opted for the M8. I saved quite a bit of money which went towards a lens.

 

The shutter noise is fine, sure its louder then the M8.2 but its not that bad.

 

I purchased a decent screen protector for the LCD screen. Cost me about £12 off eBay and its great.

 

I have not really struggled with the frame lines as yet. Can never be 100% accurate with a RF camera but I get pretty close.

 

I actually prefer the leather coating on the M8 to the M8.2.

 

Jei

[August_West]

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Welcome! I'm relatively new here as well.

 

I went through months of toil over the same issue you are going through. Played with both the M8 and 8.2, weighed the differences and made up my mind. I ended up purchasing a "Demo" M8.2 for about what a used M8 AND a new 50mm Summicron pkg would've cost me.

 

While I would love to have 1/8000 on the dial instead of the "S" (which I've never used) I really like the brightline on my M8.2, the leatherette is much preferred to me over the vulcanite, and my favorite feature is not having to worry about scratching the LCD. In my tests I didn't the shutter sound was a factor in my decision.

 

In the end I feel that the features of the M8.2 were worth the money. But it can't be overstated that you will be delighted with either one!

[Jeff S]

the leatherette is much preferred to me over the vulcanite,

 

The M8.2 covering is called vulcanite.

 

Jeff

[ashtray1976]

The M8.2 covering is called vulcanite.

 

Jeff

 

cool...thanx Jeff...Im sure I'l still spend a few hours annoying the sales assistant as he gets leg ache while i ponder over the choice and most likely I'l probably get a 2nd hand m8.2 and lense too as im sure like may things a while later when ive got some more pennies saved I'l be saying to myself why didnt I get the 8.2 not the m8......I love the simplicity of both and couldnt dream of getting some big bulky SLR...many thanx

[ashtray1976]

wow thats a lot of advice...many thanx and 8.2 it looks like..Ive only had a manual old praktica in the past and a d lux 4 so its great to get some sound advice..many thanx!!!

[ashtray1976]

Welcome to the forum ! M8 has only 2 advantages over a M8.2 :

 

- 1/8000 sec : can be questionable..., personally I happen to use it, sometime: not a "must have"...a "fine to have".

- Price : surely, in the mean, a used M8 can be acquired for less, given that, trivially, is older, but the real age is measured in shutter actuations, which can be read out in the camera's file.

 

If you plan to keep your M8 for a rather long time, and not a brief step towards a FF, I think that a M8.2 with a good warranty is the best option.

 

Welcome! I'm relatively new here as well.

 

I went through months of toil over the same issue you are going through. Played with both the M8 and 8.2, weighed the differences and made up my mind. I ended up purchasing a "Demo" M8.2 for about what a used M8 AND a new 50mm Summicron pkg would've cost me.

 

While I would love to have 1/8000 on the dial instead of the "S" (which I've never used) I really like the brightline on my M8.2, the leatherette is much preferred to me over the vulcanite, and my favorite feature is not having to worry about scratching the LCD. In my tests I didn't the shutter sound was a factor in my decision.

 

In the end I feel that the features of the M8.2 were worth the money. But it can't be overstated that you will be delighted with either one!

 

Cool I think I'm going to do a similar thing and try to get an ex demo or 2nd hand one ...thanx for the tips..cheers!!!!

[ashtray1976]

Ha just to confuse things I wish I could get an m7 too but that would make me homeless...anyhow mucho grando thanx to all the advice and it looks like I'l be pestering someone in red dot or RG Lewis very soon and any other places I can grab a 2nd hand one or ex demo version of a M8.2 very soon!!!!!!;-)

[August_West]

My apoligies Jeff S, I juxtaposed my Leica terminology. Either way, I like the covering of my M8.2 more so than the M8 cover

 

As a side note, my Boop and eyecup showed up today, as did the used mint 50 'cron that I purchased from ebay. Consider this your warning Ashtray...accessorizing these beautiful boxes is addicting and QUITE costly.