gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 19, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone know if Leica are still providing the M8 upgrade service? I haven't heard or seen anything about this for a while and some of the weblinks (Leica NJ upgrade) seem to have gone dead. I'm picking up a backup M8 and I might be interested in updating it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 19, 2010 Posted March 19, 2010 Hi gwelland, Take a look here M8 Upgrades still available?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
brill64 Posted March 19, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 19, 2010 most m8 users here on this forum will have the most recent m8/m8.2 update (v.2.004) and would gladly send it to you if asked. a new m8 update has been strongly rumored to be in the pipeline, on this forum but no one knows for sure when or whether one will be released.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted March 19, 2010 hardware upgrades for shutter/viewfinder/LCD cover ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 19, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 19, 2010 I think so. Call or email NJ and ask. Below are the contacts for technical data; you could also ask for Customer Service. From their web site: 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/115820-m8-upgrades-still-available/?do=findComment&comment=1265155'>More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted March 19, 2010 I'd already email'd actually but I figured someone here might have used the service recently ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted March 19, 2010 Update to close the thread off - as of 3/19 Leica NJ are still offering the hardware upgrades. Leica in Solms passed my details to Leica NJ and they in turn have confirmed that the upgrade programme is still in operation. Call customer service at 201-995-0051 x223 for details. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twolniewicz Posted March 19, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 19, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) FYI, I recieved an email a few days ago from Leica regarding the pricing for upgrades. It is as follows: Shutter + Sapphire Glass + Rangefinder Mask $2,150.00 Shutter & Sapphire Glass $1,850.00 Shutter & Rangefinder Mask $1,600.00 Shutter Only $1,300.00 Sapphire Glass & Rangefinder Mask $1,550.00 Sapphire Glass $1,300.00 Rangefinder Mask $1,100.00 Signature Engraving on top plate (Must attach signature on a white sheet of paper. Signature must be in black ink.) $ 510.00 Personal Engraving on top plate $ 325.00 Vulcanite Leatherette body $ 360.00 All prices are in USD. T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted March 19, 2010 Eeek ... no bargains there these days! It wasn't cheap the first time around with first M8 upgrade but they've racked up these upgrade costs significantly. This is only for a back up camera so I think I'll probably pass. The nameplate options look interesting though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twolniewicz Posted March 19, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 19, 2010 Yeah the individual prices on the invidivual upgrades are quite high. But if you bundle them, you get significant discounts. ie the sapphire glass is 1300 and the rangefinder mask is 1100. But for 1550 you can get both! The math is a little odd there. Currently on the website however I was only able to find european pricing. T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted March 19, 2010 If I recall correctly, when I had the rangefinder mask & sapphire glass upgrade on my M8 it was $1100 or so. Quite a bit cheaper than today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted March 19, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 19, 2010 The maths is not odd at all. There's a fixed charge for labour and then incremental costs for each of the individual upgrades. I don't think the labour is much different whichever upgrades you have because the camera goes through a realignment and check. Roughly (and they're not completely consistent here): Labour/Warranty/Logistics: $800 Viewfinder Frames: $300 Shutter: $500 Sapphire Glass: $500 Expensive, for sure, but they transform the camera (and, incidentally, give the same shutter speed dial as the M9). That $500 figure for the sapphire glass might be used to justify not putting it on the M9 as standard. In fact, when you have the upgrade, you get an entire new rear casting included with the glass so it's clear if you net off the cost of the casting plus the discarded cheapo plastic window, putting the sapphire glass on as standard would not have been a big deal, and it is so much better. I expect a kind of trans-atlantic whining out of NJ that the M9 could not possibly be sold for more than $7k lead to the unfortunate cost cutting that blights the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted March 19, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 19, 2010 I guess I'm surprised that the materials cost for the sapphire glass upgrade is as great as the cost for the shutter unit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted March 19, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 19, 2010 Or, turn it around, that the shutter only costs as much as a piece of glass. I think you have Copal to thank for that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twolniewicz Posted March 19, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 19, 2010 How is the rangefinder mask different from the M8 standard one? I understand the differences for the others. Shutter is quieter but slower with only a 1/4000 speed. Glass vs plastic But I don't quite understand the differences on the mask. T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesk8752 Posted March 19, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 19, 2010 How is the rangefinder mask different from the M8 standard one? I understand the differences for the others. Shutter is quieter but slower with only a 1/4000 speed. Glass vs plastic But I don't quite understand the differences on the mask. T. The framelines on the M8 are set for a distance of 1 meter, and become progressively less accurate at longer distances and longer focal lengths. The M8.2 and LUP frames are set for a distance of 2 meters, which gives better accuracy over all (worse at shorter distances, better at longer ones). The consensus seems to be in favor of the new framelines. Regards, Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted March 19, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 19, 2010 I don't know about Leica USA prices, but I can speak from experience regarding pricing from Solms as I got the shutter and framelines upgrade last year. When the M9 was announced and the M8 discontinued, Solms reduced the prices for the upgrades. In the case of the shutter and framelines the price was 1500 EUR ex Solms and was then reduced to 1000 EUR. That is not a complaint. In my case I was provided with express service (next business day delivery!) at no additional charge and also about 300 EUR (plus whatever international freight costs would have been) of additional work (2x lens servicing and calibration) at no charge too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share #17 Posted March 19, 2010 The framelines on the M8 are set for a distance of 1 meter, and become progressively less accurate at longer distances and longer focal lengths. The M8.2 and LUP frames are set for a distance of 2 meters, which gives better accuracy over all (worse at shorter distances, better at longer ones). The consensus seems to be in favor of the new framelines. Regards, Jim If I recall, wasn't the M8 set to focus at 0.7m, and then the upgrade matched this with the M8,2 at 2m. The M9 is now at 1m again which matches the film cameras. I did this upgrade before so that my M8 & M8.2 would match each other. I wonder if there is an option for the viewfinder to match the M9 now instead because that would be my personal choice these days. When the M9 was announced and the M8 discontinued, Solms reduced the prices for the upgrades.In the case of the shutter and framelines the price was 1500 EUR ex Solms and was then reduced to 1000 EUR. At 1000 euro I could be interested. At $2150 I'd be looking for an M8.2 instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicafan! Posted March 19, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 19, 2010 Surely it's just cheaper to buy a used M8.2 now than upgrade an existing M8 at these exorbitant prices?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 20, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 20, 2010 If I recall, wasn't the M8 set to focus at 0.7m, and then the upgrade matched this with the M8,2 at 2m. The M9 is now at 1m again which matches the film cameras. ... That's what I recall as well, Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twolniewicz Posted March 20, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 20, 2010 At 1000 euro I could be interested. At $2150 I'd be looking for an M8.2 instead. He paid 1000 euro for shutter and range finder mask. He didn't get the screen. That upgrade is $1600 USD. Euro exchange rate to USD is 1.35:1 so its only about $250 more. T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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