I'm really concerned about my M8

[biglouis]

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It is three years old this week, still works and takes exquisite captures. It has had a couple of hiccoughs which it has always recovered from. I've produced two well received books from it and have had photographs taken with it published in magazines and web sites (other than the forum). I've even covered weddings and bar-mitzvahs with it - the ultimate working test :-)

 

I am very concerned that it keeps on working and keeps on producing photographs despite being so obviously inferior to the M9 and M8.2.

 

What should I do?

 

LouisB

 

PS Decided to put up an album of how poorly it has performed

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[Doc Henry]

"I am very concerned that it keeps on working and keeps on producing photographs despite being so obviously inferior to the M9 and M8.2.

"

Not Louis, no less, i'm not with you .

He (M8) does as well as the M9.

Experience of someone who has a M8 for 2 years and the M9 for less than a year.

I found in some conditions more pleasant to take pictures with M8 than M9

(see my photos in my last trip in Vietnam with the 2 cameras)

The M8 does not disappoint me !

I think Leica has done well to have two cameras and one does not depreciate the other !

Best

Henry

PS:Thanks to see my first tests M8 vs M9 here :

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/98684-m9-versus-m8-1-tests.html

[eleskin]

This Christmas I have to be very thrifty due to finances, and in the recent past, I bought a second M8 (I have one I have been using since 2007 with 70,000 exposures on it as of today and needed a second one as a backup - $2,000 USD Ebay!) because after testing the M9 4 times with many lenses, I have come to the conclusion the M9 is a small improvement over the M8 and in print sizes of 17"x22" on my Epson 3200 with Exhibition Fiber paper, I cannot tell the difference between the M8 and M9.

 

My M8 has run very strong, and like you, In have had publications and am planning on a book as well.

 

in my opinion the M9 is not worth the money. Better dynamic range and High ISO are where I want to see improvements. The full frame and Megapixel stuff is not as important to me.

 

I like the way you described being "Afraid" and "What should I do". That is funny and proves how ridiculous the nay sayers are regarding the M8 and people who have equipment bugs and holes burning in their pockets from the extra cash at hand (they should be more worried about the photos they are taking and invest in an Epson 3880 etc so they can exhibit and potentially sell prints to support their addictions,,) that most people do not have in these hard times.

 

One thing of interest: When everyone was poo-pooing the M8 with terrible reviews, I was taking wonderful photos with it and investing in used Leica M lenses purchased on Ebay. At that time used M lenses were cheaper. Today, they are worth much more than I paid. I could have bought an M9 with that money, but I feel the glass was a much better investment along with keeping my M8 going.

[epand56]

When everyone was poo-pooing the M8 with terrible reviews, I was taking wonderful photos with it and investing in used Leica M lenses purchased on Ebay. At that time used M lenses were cheaper. Today, they are worth much more than I paid. I could have bought an M9 with that money, but I feel the glass was a much better investment along with keeping my M8 going.

 

+1 (for example, the Summicron-C 40/2 i payed about $ 250, it is worth today at least double).

My M8 is going to be three years old as well and just like the first day. What a camera!

[Doc Henry]

+1 (for example, the Summicron-C 40/2 i payed about $ 250, it is worth today at least double).

My M8 is going to be three years old as well and just like the first day. What a camera!

Hi Enrico,

How are you ?

an evidence of what you said !

Thanks to see my last thread in "photo forum people" here :

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/153544-zen-people-zen-city.html

see you a difference between M9 and M8 ?

not for me : i had printed these pictures (for my friend) in 30x40 cms (on an Epson pro 9880) and i see no difference !

Best

Henry

[CharlesL]

...

 

I am very concerned that it keeps on working ... What should I do?

 

When Leica announces its next digital M camera, that would be a time to decide whether to buy a second M8, no?

 

Thank you for the album. I especially like the landscape through the grand old English window. Would like to know the lens and the aperture you used. But is there a magenta cast on the top edge of the pages of books?

[Don Morley]

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It is three years old this week, still works and takes exquisite captures. It has had a couple of hiccoughs which it has always recovered from. I've produced two well received books from it and have had photographs taken with it published in magazines and web sites (other than the forum). I've even covered weddings and bar-mitzvahs with it - the ultimate working test :-)

 

I am very concerned that it keeps on working and keeps on producing photographs despite being so obviously inferior to the M9 and M8.2.

 

What should I do?

 

LouisB

 

PS Decided to put up an album of how poorly it has performed

Hi Big Louis,

 

I have exactly the same problem! Nothing to complain about. Am I being discriminated against? Don Morley (M8 & M8.2 User)

[DES]

You wait,...Our M8's will be original collectors items in years time, worth more than M8.2's& M9's:D

[luigi bertolotti]

Your photos are excellent, your camera is a great one, and seems you have also a good set of customers... where is the problem ? If you need a backup, you can choose between another M8 that comes for (rather) cheap, or the REAL backup that is a film M....

M8 imho is MARGINALLY inferior to M8.2, but basically takes exactly the same images, and is a step under M9... ...a step that a good photographer like you can minimize thanks to your own skill. Of course, if you can afford it, BUY one... not throwing away your M8.

[stonearabiapix]

I'm thinking the m8.2-9 is marginally inferior to My M8. NO 1/ 8000 sec.No 1/250 flash sync.

T.

[lanetomlane]

Louis

 

When you work out what to do let me know, for I've just realised that my M8 is coming up to three years old (how time flies, I could have sworn I bought it last week) and like yours, it hasn't had a thing go wrong, despite one or two user errors.

 

Great images by the way in your album.

__________________________

Regards, Tom

 

 

 

Photography by Tom Lane

[LuxBob]

Dear concerned about M8,

This is deeply worrying as it sounds like a case of Jonesitis. Prolonged dalliance in this trait can lead to complete blockage of the production channel and an inability to deliver anything at all.

Having studied some of your output I would advise that you pick up your M8, go somewhere new and astound yourself and others with some similar great work.

Understand that applying unending amounts of money to this problem does not in any way lead to a solution and possibly it could lead to more damage. A swift reminder from one's loved one like "Oh I thought that credit card receipt was for a new ring for our anniversary and not an M9 - whatever that is." can lead to other more serious problems.

[efix]

I've been using an M8 for half a year, but my photos still don't look like those from [enter name of famous/popular Leica M photographer here]. Is it because I use Voigtländer optics, or should I upgrade to the M9?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist ...

[spylaw4]

Louis - just keep it, and keep shooting - it's fine!

[cesare]

Hi Louis,

 

I have had a M8 (upgraded) since 2007 which never let me down. I also have an M9 from last july and my current trend in to shoot the M8 with 50, 90 and 135 and the M9 with wide angle lenses.

 

Though I'm not yet the photographer I would like to be, the image quality i get from both is, usually, beyond my expectations.

 

As far as my experience is concerned, you have no reasons to be worried.

 

Regards.

 

Cesare.

[Doc Henry]

Louis,

 

If i was a little too frank, i apologize.

Let me explain : i stayed over a month in Vietnam with 2 M (9 and 8) cameras.

I have the opportunity to take only the M9 , but finally I also wanted to bring the M8.

Why this choice?

I thought that the 2 cameras are light enough and both are good, as I walk a lot in the heat , i decided to take two M , rather bringing my R8 bulkier and heavier.

I finally did well to go with both cameras.

The M9 is a good camera.

But to me, it seems that M8 has something , i could not explain : in my opinion, it is easier to take pictures (although the number of pixels are not the same) with M8 than M9.

I miss less pictures with my M8, while M9 sometimes a bit underexposed.

However , as I said above, the 2 cameras are fantastic , especially when you put good lens ahead like fabulous Summilux

On another forum (the french one) dedicated to Leica, some want to sell their M9 and get again M8. Unfortunately they were wrong to sell their M8 and they regret it.

 

That's what I wanted to add over Louis's thread .

Again i am sorry to offend perhaps Louis, for my frankness.

 

Louis,

I love this picture for the wonderful countryside colors :

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/members/21151-albums4434-picture5242.html

 

and thanks for the link where there are beautiful pictures.

Best to you.

Good pictures.

Henry

[biglouis]

Louis,

 

If i was a little too frank, i apologize.

Let me explain : i stayed over a month in Vietnam with 2 M (9 and 8) cameras.

I have the opportunity to take only the M9 , but finally I also wanted to bring the M8.

Why this choice?

I thought that the 2 cameras are light enough and both are good, as I walk a lot in the heat , i decided to take two M , rather bringing my R8 bulkier and heavier.

I finally did well to go with both cameras.

The M9 is a good camera.

But to me, it seems that M8 has something , i could not explain : in my opinion, it is easier to take pictures (although the number of pixels are not the same) with M8 than M9.

I miss less pictures with my M8, while M9 sometimes a bit underexposed.

However , as I said above, the 2 cameras are fantastic , especially when you put good lens ahead like fabulous Summilux

On another forum (the french one) dedicated to Leica, some want to sell their M9 and get again M8. Unfortunately they were wrong to sell their M8 and they regret it.

 

That's what I wanted to add over Louis's thread .

Again i am sorry to offend perhaps Louis, for my frankness.

 

Louis,

I love this picture for the wonderful countryside colors :

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/members/21151-albums4434-picture5242.html

 

and thanks for the link where there are beautiful pictures.

Best to you.

Good pictures.

Henry

 

Doc, offended? Never! Your comments have always been greatly appreciated.

 

BTW, that is also one of my favourite pictures of late. As a photographer once said the art to great photographers is just being there and I was very fortunate for a small point in time to be in the right place, with the right light. Luck of the draw but that's what makes photography so interesting.

 

With thanks

 

LouisB

[Guest BigSplash]

You wait,...Our M8's will be original collectors items in years time, worth more than M8.2's& M9's:D

 

I think that you may very well be correct. I remember that some years ago I was offered far more than I paid new for the M5 as it became a collectors camera...this has over the years changed somewhat and other older M's have become more fashionable.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens when the M10 eventually surfaces. My guess is that the M10 will have features that have been requested by M9 users and will be a significant improvement over the M9. Certainly the R&D spend declared in the recent half year results suggests they are doing something at Solms. I like others have a view as to what I would like to see but I shall not repeat that!

 

The point is what happens to the M9 and M8 value once the M10 is out. As far as I can see the M9 has F.Frame, bracketing and manual lens selection but has no 1/8000th shutter speed, and no frame counter / battery window all of which I like. Also I rather like the M8 finish compared to the paint of the M9.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Photoskeptic]

Big Louis. I went through the same thing as you. After three years and zero problems (other than dust on the sensor - quite annoying) I started to wonder about the shutter coming apart. I wanted an M9, but it was way over the top pricey IMO. I sold the M8, reluctantly, and went with a Nikon D700. Yes, I may have been slightly crazed at the moment it went bye-bye, but I'll wait for an M with weather sealing or sensor cleaning before buying again. And yes, I miss that little brick every day for all the right reasons. Am pondering an X1...

[pklein]

My M8 motto: Use it until it rots.

--Peter