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The new or used question!?

itsjakob

By itsjakob
in Leica M8 / Leica M8.2

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itsjakob

itsjakob

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I am finally going to get a M8 and start my life long adventure with Leica. Well I have a D-LUX 4 already (& a non-Leica DSLR). If there is a thread that answers this then please feel free to point me to it. I have searched but not really found the info I was after.

 

I can find used M8's for around £1800-£2000 here in the UK. Should I stump up the additional £900 and get a brand new one or put the £1000 saved on a used M8 towards the Lens?

 

I know new is new! You get a passport etc which is great but if I buy from a authorized Leica reseller I'll get a warranty, and be fairly confident that its a good system, right? Not considering eBay really...

 

What do you think, is it best to buy new or used?

 

Thanks for any input.

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wstotler

wstotler

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Have a look at this thread, which provides a variety of perspectives that address your question:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/111270-looking-buy-m8.html

 

This thread has some thoughts on the economics of used pricing, which might be a factor for you:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/110676-when-buy-used-m8.html

 

My general opinion is that if you're going to buy an M8, put aside $1K for the *eventual* service/fix that the camera will need. Whether you get a warranty or not.

 

So I don't take criticism on this, bear in mind that I am not "naysaying," nor am I commenting on build quality, etc.

 

It is a fact that eventually, your M8 *will* need service. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. But it will need it.

 

With that in mind, consider buying the cheaper thing now and putting the money you "saved" into an interest-bearing "in case of service" fund. Seriously. :D

 

I'm making the assumption that if you buy used from a forum member, the camera will have been treated well during its past life and also be OK when it arrives at your door. If you buy it used from a dealer, the dealer would let you return the camera if it was DOA.

 

Others will have a variety of opinions on the matter.

 

Cheers and good luck!

Will

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Chrishayton

Chrishayton

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I am finally going to get a M8 and start my life long adventure with Leica. Well I have a D-LUX 4 already (& a non-Leica DSLR). If there is a thread that answers this then please feel free to point me to it. I have searched but not really found the info I was after.

 

I can find used M8's for around £1800-£2000 here in the UK. Should I stump up the additional £900 and get a brand new one or put the £1000 saved on a used M8 towards the Lens?

 

I know new is new! You get a passport etc which is great but if I buy from a authorized Leica reseller I'll get a warranty, and be fairly confident that its a good system, right? Not considering eBay really...

 

What do you think, is it best to buy new or used?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Id say used.

Id recommend Stephens Leica in Manchester. You get a free UVIR filter and 12month warranty. Red Dot also seem great.

If you get a years warranty then test it for any known m8 issues then you are good to go.

 

With the saved money you can get a 35mm cron or something lovely like that.

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dchalfon

dchalfon

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i was in the same doubt months ago. got myself an used boxed m8 in mint condition at richard caplan (london). save yourself some money to get at least to lens (i got a 28 cron and 90 summarit).

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itsjakob

itsjakob

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Thanks very much everyone! Very helpful stuff so far.

 

I'll consider a used one then. I'll visit some London shops and have had a look online at the sites. Seems like I can get used M8 black from £1650 - £1950 so maybe I'll do that! and put the other £1k to good use or save it for the "Service".

 

I'll research more tonight and visit some shops on Monday,

 

Cheers

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Bluefairy

Bluefairy

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i was in the same dilemma as you just a couple of weeks ago - but decided on a used m8. unfortunately, my used m8 had the vertical line problem, so i had to send it back to solms. do make sure you check that sensor are ok and problems are fixed befoore you pick up your m8.

 

good luck:)

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Black

Black

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I visited Stephen's in Manchester today - wonderful little shop. The two guys there (Alan and some other helpful, more mature bloke) were really approachable. They had three M8's in stock, one still with a year left on its Passport.

I think I'll be visiting again. Might even trade in my M6 towards on of those lovely M8's ;)

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itsjakob

itsjakob

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Thanks to everyone for all your help. I went to a shop yesterday. Fell in love. Bought it today and am picking it up tomorrow. Very happy!!

 

Thanks again & I look forward to being part of the community,

 

Cheers,

Jake

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andybarton

andybarton

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I visited Stephen's in Manchester today - wonderful little shop. The two guys there (Alan and some other helpful, more mature bloke) were really approachable. They had three M8's in stock, one still with a year left on its Passport.

I think I'll be visiting again. Might even trade in my M6 towards on of those lovely M8's ;)

 

Are you sure it wasn't David and Ian in the shop?

 

Regardless - it is a great shop.

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marknorton

marknorton

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I'm still a big fan of the M8 and if you can find an upgraded camera (shutter, framelines, LCD glass), you will be more than happy. Makes no sense to buy a new M8 (not sure any new production was upgraded) so I would go for the best used M8u you can find and put what you've saved towards a lens which will be a keeper, a 28 or 35 Summicron.

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rpsawin

rpsawin

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A used M8 in "Good" or better condition for sale in the $2,500USD range represents, arguably, one of the best values available in the used camera market...IMHO.

 

Best regards,

 

Bob

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peapodesque

peapodesque

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I hope you guys will be "happy " for me ,,,,I am a new deliriously happy m8 (used) chrome,with chrome 35mm asph summicron,,and feel very pleased as i got both for a reasonable ( i think) price with 6 mos warranty,5200 (and filter)I hemmed and hawed about the x1 but ultimately,would rather go into debt to have some "control" manually ,,,and the possibility of other lenses.I dont care how nice the image quality is on the one fine lens, i resent not being able to use others,and also ,feel that the manual quality brings me "back" to a kind of gestalt with photography,that is why I fell in love with photography to begin with ,,,.Now to hopefully pay it off soon,,,get those airline miles,,!!

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peapodesque

peapodesque

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actually the total for camera and lens was 4700,,,quite a bit different,,dont know why i put 5200,,anyhow,,,even though Leica has ceased making these,,,I know it is the perfect next step.Like the fellow at the top of the forum,I have a dlux 4 that is just out of this world and started me with my first real passion for a cameras' unique integrity ,,in many a moon.I loved my d80 and macro lens,but the size and weight.AND<,,,I have been in India for 2 months and the unobtrusive nature of the dlux 4 ,is barely seen.This country and the dlux 4 is why I have decided to take the plunge..Look forward to chatting about it!

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peapodesque

peapodesque

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Thanks to everyone for all your help. I went to a shop yesterday. Fell in love. Bought it today and am picking it up tomorrow. Very happy!!

 

Thanks again & I look forward to being part of the community,

 

Cheers,

Jake

 

what lens did you get Jake,,I too have a dlux 4 which is what started me on my Leica life, I bought the 35 summicron,asph camera and lens in chrome,which is pretty retro cool look too i think!

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shootinglulu

shootinglulu

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I think you made a very good choice, i absolutely love my M8. I'm toying with the idea of getting the X1 too, i think it could be handy at times to have a quality iq pocket camera, but the M8 is my main squeeze. I love using it,,, the manual focusing, the view through the finder and the way it feels to use. It's also rather nice dreaming of Nocti's and Lux's...Oh, and it can take a fantastic photo too!

Have fun :)

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peapodesque

peapodesque

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I was really keen on the x1 I just feel it is too limiting,I am sure it is a great camera though,,(for the price ,I admit it).Also,,,I am still thinking of telling the dealer to use the m8 money and hold,for an m9,,,i dont know though,,it will take over a yr to pay for.hm,,,what do you think about the voightlander nokton f 1.1 as a fine choice for a fraction of the price of the noctilux???

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itsjakob

itsjakob

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I saw a M8 Panda (well it could be a anti-Panda!! not sure..) at Richard Caplan in London. It's all Black with Silver dials and has the Black Leica dot. I suppose it's a limited edition but I won't be keeping it as a collectors item, it'll be seeing a lot of action. I know it might not be to everyones taste but I love it and it was a very personal purchase.

 

I looked hard at the Zeiss 2.8 (new £675) but in the end went for the Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Asph. 6-bit Black with a UV/IR E39 (new £1400 ish). Very happy with it so far. It's funny, you learn how to operate it fairly fast! BUT you then have to improve your knowledge of photography! I am a fast learner and keeping it by my side all day long so am already surprisingly fast with it. Still a long way to go though.

 

I think the D-Lux 4 is so so. Not totally happy with it. I tended to use my a700 instead. I'll sell my DSLR now I have the M8 but may keep the D-Lux 4. I don't think I'd want a X1 & M8 combo but the D-Lux & M8 is not bad.

 

Right now it's still the honeymoon phase with the M8. But it's very hard to imagine not capturing moments with such a phenomenal piece of engineering. I have no desire to use anything else (other than maybe a M9). That was part of my decision process. I said to myself. If I bought 2x more lenses for my a700 how would I feel? If I switched to Nikon DSLR's how would I feel? If I bought a Leica M how would I feel? I had my answer.

 

Its interesting thinking about it now. I went to a BBQ last night and I didn't think about the camera much. Just the moments.

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