m8 now or wait for the m9?

[dchalfon]

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i know this is the M8 forum, and there are tons of M8 vs. M9 posts, but in reality buying the M9 these days is almost impossible because they are out of stock in every place.

 

considering this reality, and the fact that i live in Brazil where a Leica camera price is prohibitive, the chance i have to buy one is when i travel abroad.

 

i am going to London this week, but already checked some shops (classic camera, red dot, richard caplan and the M9 is backordered until june.

 

second option is M8/8.2, the question is: is it worth the investment? or should i wait my next chance to travel (maybe in august) outside brazil and get the M9??

[twolniewicz]

This isn't an easy question. There's a lot of factors to consider. Do you already have Leica M lenses? Are you buying new glass?

 

I'd rather have better lenses and not a top of the line camera then the greatest camera with crappy glass.

 

T.

[Redridge]

+1.... Invest in glass (better investment) if you plan on sticking around the Leica world.

[yanidel]

Get a used M8.2 and a nice lens then trade it in for a M9 in August or next time you travel abroad. You'll lose a couple hundreds bucks but at least you will know better if you need full frame or not.

[bmc]

+1.... Invest in glass (better investment) if you plan on sticking around the Leica world.

+2 glass is the biggest challenge. new to the m8 and leica and only have one lens, i might have to sell my body to afford the second piece of glass that i so desperately need!

[Jeff S]

Have you tried either? Have you used a film M or another rangefinder? Is price a consideration? Do you plan to print large? As others have asked, do you own M glass?

 

A bit of context will generate better and more appropriate responses.

 

Jeff

[dchalfon]

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thanks everybody. here is more info about the topic.

 

this is going to be my first rangefinder, so i don't have any glass.

 

usually i don't print anything that will need something bigger than 10mp (today i use a canon xsi)

 

price is not the biggest issue since i have saved for an M9, but i can't find them in London anyway.

[Jeff S]

In that case, I recommend you find a reputable dealer who will let you try out a demo M8 or M8.2, or sell you one of these in good condition. You'll get started sooner, and likely won't lose out on a trade to M9. If you start with a 28 or 35, you'll likely find it useful in either cropped or full format. I suggest using one lens only to start...the frame lever will allow you to explore alternative FOVs.

 

Jeff

[MikeMyers]

...M8/8.2, the question is: is it worth the investment? or should i wait my next chance to travel (maybe in august) outside brazil and get the M9??

 

 

If you're just starting out in RF cameras, and don't have a need for huge files, make up a list of what you can do with an M9 that you can't also do with an M8. (Make up the list the other way as well, as both lists will have functions the other camera can't do.) If you don't see that the M9 can do something YOU need, that the M8 can't, then get the M8.

 

Unless you have a business, it's not an investment; it's a tool. The only thing that really counts is the images you'll be getting from it, and both cameras have features that the other camera lacks. Both can make superlative photos, IF you do your part properly. That's going to be the biggest factor, as you've now got to learn to work with an RF camera.

[Jeff S]

Mike, I agree with all you said, except I think your analysis applies as well to whether he should upgrade to an M9 from an M8. In the meantime, since he's never used a rangefinder, his answers to your good questions might be limited. He may not even like the RF experience...some do, some don't. That was the basis for my recommendation as a first step.

 

But, I don't think he'll lose much value either way...on a used M8 or a new M9... if he doesn't like the experience.

 

Jeff

[dchalfon]

thanks everybody, now a silly question... but maybe ok for a newbie. on the m8 the frame lines consider the crop factor of the sensor? i mean if i use a 35mm glass it will deliver me something around the actual field of view of 46mm or they represent the 35mm???

[Redridge]

thanks everybody, now a silly question... but maybe ok for a newbie. on the m8 the frame lines consider the crop factor of the sensor? i mean if i use a 35mm glass it will deliver me something around the actual field of view of 46mm or they represent the 35mm???

 

yes, the frame lines represent the crop factor. Just frame and shoot. WYSISWYG.

[jaapv]

The framelines indicate the angle of view of the lens mounted, not the focal length.

[A. Cheng]

The joy of shooting RF, with Leica lens, does not matter the sensor is full frame or cropped, IMHO. There is no difference between M8/u/.2 and M9 in this aspect.

 

Picture quality? Well, no proof so far that M8 is behind M9.

 

Sense of ownership? Depends if you are the kind of person who loves to own and/or to be seen with the latest model or not (the newest would soon become old anyway).

 

Use the savings to build an arsenal of Leica lenses will bring you more fun.

 

Get a M8/u/.2 and enter as quick as possible to this wonderful world of RF. Just my 2 cents.

[wda]

All of the above suggestions makes eminent sense to me!

[blimey]

buy 35 cron asph and 50 cron. at least your are future proofing yourself when the m9 comes.

[Redridge]

I was in the same dilemma a month ago.... the way saw it.... I can have:

 

a. M9.... $7K + tax

 

or

 

b. Used M8.2... $3.2k with 140 actuations, used 50mm f/2 asph 6 bit, $1100. Used 21mm f/2.8 asph 6 bit, $2600 = $6.9K

 

Ill get the M9 another day.

[Guest Chris M]

well if I were you? I'd borrow and or rent a Demo with Leica glass too see if you really even like the style of shooting a (Rangefinder) camera, unless your already familyer with them, and then have a full understanding of the costs and idiosynchrasy's of the M8's and M9's functions. I would do intense searches and a lot of reading here in this forum first. Then after, that theirs the high cost of that (DELICOUS) Leica glass. After all of the mulling over of (ALL) of that, then I would probable buy a used M8 and a couple of peices of leica glass and practice, practice, and practice untill the New M10 comes out, you will have already become a master with rangefinder camera's by then and hopefully you have been (saving money) because the M10 will probably set you back around $7500.00- $8500.00 US

 

hope this helps, you will answer your own question only after thorough research, is the ticket worth the fair? only you can answer that.

 

chris m.

[GFONG]

If I were you, I would wait for the M9. The consideration of getting lens for M8 and M9 are difference because of the crop factor.

 

Just ask yourslef "Do you really need to camera NOW?"

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[dchalfon]

the glass on the end of the day is what stays... bodies come and go, at least in my experience with slrs and dslrs.

 

with the m8.2 what should be a good combination to start? a 28mm + 75mm? if i go for less than 28 now the m9 later won't give the framelines, right? (i would not want to hang around with adapters...)