M8 Upgrades still available?

[jlm]

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i wonder if going for the simpler upgrades only (Vulcanite) still gets the alignment, CLA, etc. and extends the warranty another year? hard to believe

[marknorton]

I agree, hard to believe, which makes the vulcanite upgrade a tad expensive. Are we surprised, we are not. The Camera Leather equivalent (OK, I showed the grotesque grey version a couple of year back) is a close equivalent.

 

It's interesting that the black M9 (with vulcanite) and grey M9 (with M8 classic cover) are sold at the same price, so there's hardly likely to be a difference in material cost. That makes the $300 upgrade cost seem even more expensive keeping in mind the standard cover will need to be replaced as a matter of course when any of the split-the-camera upgrades are done.

 

As we all know, the price charged for something has often little to do with the cost of supplying it. I think there's a Hermes approach to pricing at work here.

[hoppyman]

Actually I paid 1500 EUR for the shutter and framelines upgrades. I decided to keep using a good quality glass LCD protector instead of paying for the sapphire glass. I was just quoting the current price to show that Solms have reduced the prices since the M8 was discontinued. All of the prices for different options are available on their website. Here's the link for you. Each upgrade centre would set its own prices and policies. Obviously you have to use your own judgement on whether you think it is worth spending the money on your camera vs.acquiring an M8.2. Don't forget freight and insurance as well.

Leica Camera AG - Service - M8 Upgrade

 

Combining options is cheaper than having them done individually. You can see that there would be a saving in disassembly. Remember that your whole camera is checked and calibrated and you receive an extra year's warranty on the whole camera. One of the things that came out of that for me was that the sensor positioning is measured and adjusted with great accuracy which helps ensure that critical focus is superb.

[gwelland]

This was certainly the rationale I followed when I had my M8 upgraded over a year ago. I decided that I'd have the framelines & LCD cover updated, with the option to add other upgrades later as I wanted and to extend the warranty at each upgrade for another 12 months. As it turned out I sold it to a friend of mine before the 12 month 2nd upgrade decision would have been decided.

 

Whilst the upgrades are expensive, I do understand the time & labour element for both the upgrade and CLA that has to occur at that time too.

 

It certainly would be interesting to know if Leica extended the warranty just for a Vulcanite upgrade. I suppose that if the camera is going to get a CLA as part of the recovering process then maybe the warranty extension makes sense.

[Jeff S]

I'm glad I opted for the M8.2 last year. Came with discreet mode and black dot as well.

 

Jeff

[jlm]

$350 for a one year extended warranty, alignment and CLA seems about right...and they throw in the vulcanite

[marknorton]

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Yes, if you have the vulcanite by itself and get the 1 year warranty, I agree it's fine. If you're having the other upgrades done and it's just a question of this cover or that one, it seems expensive.