Thinking of buying an M8 (again)

[Nick De Marco]

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You may have seen from my other threads I have been doing these Rangefinder Chronicles every day for over a month now and am loving always having, and using, film rangefinder cameras.

Rangefinder Chronicles

 

I used to have a Leica M8, and although I loved and hated it in equal measure, the main reason I sold it was that it was not a perfect digital camera, and for certain things (professional work, studio, using fast, high ISOs), I found the 5D mk II to be a better camera. I felt I could not justify owning an M8 if it was not my main camera - and sold it.

 

Now I keep thinking how much I would appreciate a digital M again. This time not to be my main, or most used camera, but more to compliment my film Ms, try M lenses on etc.

 

I could not justify an M9, unless I sold half my film cameras and only wanted to use digital. And that's not the case. Also, having borrowed an M9 for a day, I didn't like using it that much. Apart from the full frame (of course) none of the other improvements mean much to me, and so I don't even think of getting an M9.

 

But I'm figuring, if an M8 can still do what it did before, and if it can hold its value after a year (as they seem to so far) so I could sell it when something new comes out I want without loosing too much money, then an M8 might be a good idea.

 

What do digital Leica owners think? Would you buy an M8 as your only digital M now, considering it is not going to be the only, or main, camera you use every day? Are they likely to last another year or so and still have good resale value?

 

I have seen a few for under 2k from good dealers. The M8.s is usually another £500 on top of that, and I'm not convinced that the improvements would be worth the extra for what I would use it for, although I have seen an upgraded M8 for 2k. I don't know whether chrome or black is better, or just aesetic (I have and like both in film Ms). And I saw a M* limited edition panda for a couple of hundred or so more than other users and liked the look of it and wondered whether it might attract a better resale value.

 

Any hints, tips and advice greatfully received. I should add that I have long since realised that you can't take better pictures by having more or 'the best' cameras, another reason the M9 does not excite me too much. The M8 would be more for use alongside my film cameras for those occasions when it is just more convenient to choose film over digital.

 

Thanks

 

Nick

[pklein]

Nick: The M8 *is* my only digital M camera. I occasionally supplement it with a Panasonic G1. Now, I'm not a pro, so I don't have the same requirements that you do. But I found that once I had the IR cut filters, life was good. The image quality was superb, up to ISO 640 was good, and I had a lot of fun using all my lenses, including legacy lenses for a retro look.

 

If I was primarily a wide-angle shooter, I'd probably prefer an M9. But I'm not. I was always a 50mm kind of guy with film M's, so I became a 35mm kind of guy with the M8. And I actually found that in many ways I like 35mm on the M8 better than I like 50mm on film. It's just a little wider, and a little more forgiving in terms of DOF. I never bought into the hairsplitting hermaneutics of whey full frame was the only true faith. I got used to the M8's slightly different fields of view in a few days, and kept shooting.

 

I just took the M8 as my only camera on a trip to Israel, and came back very happy with my pictures. I used the 35 Summilux ASPH as my principal lens, supplemented with a 50 Summicron, and VC 28/3.5 and 90/3.5 lenses. No complaints, and it was an outfit I could carry all day without any complaints from my body.

 

So why not? If you like the RF way of shooting, the M8 is now a very reasonable way to have that digitally.

 

--Peter

[eleskin]

I have news for you. I am a professional and I have 2 M8's (I also use DSLR's on occasion and have larger film formats for what they are good for. Why? The M rangefinder is really where my heart is in terms of what type of camera I like to interact with and create images. The quality of the M8 files, as far as I can tell, are not that far behind the M9 . I tested the M9 4 times t come to this conclusion) and are producing prints I could only dream of in my film days with 35mm. I generally print 17"x22" on my Epson 3800 on Epson Exhibition Fiber. For the life of me, I cannot tell the difference between the M8 and M9. If there is a difference, it is not worth the thousands of dollars more the M9 costs over the M8. I bought a second M8 recently on Ebay for $2000 USD and have no regrets. My first M8 I bought new in April 2007 and since then I have taken over 80,000 exposures with no major problems at all. All of the cash I have reserved for any Leica M equipment has gone towards lenses and I am very pleased I invested when the time was right (I bought a Noctilux 2K less than where they are now in the used market. I also purchased other used Leica gems on Ebay as well as the outstanding Voigtlander 15mm Super Wide Heliar and the 35mm F1.2 Nokton).

 

I remember the days I lugged around my M6, M4-2 around the world with hundreds of rolls of film. Many of the shoots were in places like the Gaza Strip, etc,,, From what I see from My M8, I would have done anything for this quality. Essentially the same as I would get from a Fuji GSW 690!!!

 

Get the M8 again!!! A great buy!!! And forget the M9!! Wait for the M10!!!

 

PS: The Fuji X100 looks great! Not a replacement for my M cameras, but for under $1,000 USD, how can you go wrong!!!

[zlatkob]

It makes sense to me. I understand you liked it the first time, but the investment was too high for a non-primary camera. Now the investment is much less, so it doesn't need the same justification. I expect the biggest hits to the M8's resale value have already been taken, at least until the M10 is introduced and the M9 drops to the M8's position.

[Doc Henry]

Nick,

Welcome (again) in the digital world M

You're right. See here:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/154186-im-really-concerned-about-my-m8.html

According to my tests here:

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

M8 still has a bright future ahead of him

and still makes great pictures.

 

I took an M8 (and M9) on my last trip to Asia and I'm not disappointed !

impressive collection of rangefinders that you showed !

As second back up i have my R8

Regards

Henry

[ishkra]

...the main reason I sold it was that it was not a perfect digital camera, and for certain things (professional work, studio, using fast, high ISOs), I found the 5D mk II to be a better camera.

 

M8 still remains not a perfect digital camera...and 5D mk II still remains a better camera

 

I don't think you'll be able to find a "perfect camera" and above all the "perfect camera" will not allow you to get "perfect pictures".....so just follow your dreams

[mbray]

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I don't see any problems with using different cameras for different situations. I bought my M8.2 for holidays - a great travel camera where quality of image is very important to me, but being able to carry it around for a day is as important. However, I would not take it up a mountain in winter (for obvious reasons) so a Canon G10 fits the bill nicely, still producing good quality images. And then, when someone wants some school play publicity shots done, indoors, with or without flash, then the 5D with a zoom and an EX flash gun comes into its own. There is still a perception from the subjects that a large digital SLR with zoom and flash is a "proper camera" which commands their attention - i.e. the opposite of the Leica, which I like for its anonymity. However, at the end of the day, when I choose to go out to take my kind of pictures, it's the Leica!

[Lontano]

Nick,

 

I have recently bought myself a mint pre owned M8, with a summicron 35 ASPH. It is a wonderful camera and I am delighted with the images I am taking. I sold off some Canon lenses to fund it but kept my 1D and a lens or two. I doubt the 1D will see too much usage as at the end of the day, portability wins every time for me. My M8 camera goes with me everywhere and as a result I take far more pictures than I have ever done.

 

The used price makes it affordable and not a huge depreciating asset - I have done that on too many other toys. I would definitely go for it. One happy camper here.

 

Adrian

[pgk]

I have 2 x 5D2s and 2 x M8s (actually 1 is an M8.2 bought at a very reasonable price with passport warranty). Both are excellent cameras although both are far from perfect. I look on them as yielding quite different results and requiring a different mindset to use.

 

You can get used M8s for ~ £1.5 to £1.7k from some UK dealers with a warranty. I doubt the the M8 will drop dramatically in value, as it will represent the entry into digital M unless Leica produce something uncharacteristically cheap in the future. As you have had one before you will be aware of its limitations and abilities. Although I own one, I am unsure of the genuine advantages of the M8.2, given its increased cost, unless you can get a good deal on one.

[RichardM8]

Both are excellent cameras although both are far from perfect

 

Are you really saying the M8x is not a perfect camera?!?....

 

 

 

Choosing between the M8 and 8.2 is mostly a matter ot preference and taste imo. For me the quieter shutter is a big plus but others value the 1/8000sec of the M8 more.

 

The Sapphire glass is nice but doesn't make a better camera. The frame-lines of the 8.2 are widely seen as an improvement. Some value looks too. I do and although personal I think the M8.2 is the best looking M of all. But then, I bought one...

 

Imagewise they are identical.

[Guest BigSplash]

Ilike my M8 very much and especiaaly like the chracteristic film type quality of the images. I think that the price difference of the M9 compared to M8 is huge for what is essentially giving FF and that can be addressed for most of us by buying a super wide angle lens. At some point when a M10 ia available I suspect M9 prices will drop signficantly wheras this has already happened to the M8.

[paragon]

I have just bought a used M8 and really enjoy using it. I was aware of all the reported problems and RF characteristic before I bought it. I have a couple of M film cams.

 

I have a D300 and G1/EP-1 plus I have just replaced my P & S with a Canon S95. I have quite a lot of legacy glass which I use with my D300 and G1. I have a 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lens which I use with the M8, (once I have purchased UV/IR filters for the 35mm and 50mm).

 

I am an enthusiastic amateur

 

I enjoy using all the cams that I have and which one I take is situational with me, except the S95 which is always in my pocket.

 

To me it is all about enjoyment and the (used) M8 and my other photographic equipment provides this.

[pgk]

At some point when a M10 ia available I suspect M9 prices will drop signficantly wheras this has already happened to the M8.

I have seen very little drop in used M8 prices over the last 2~3 years and the lower priced ones that I have seen have usually been decribed as being rather less than mint. A quick look on dealers websites reveals prices from £1600 for a less than mint to £2000 for a mint one. Wear and tear seems to have had a pricing effect rather than the M9 as far as I can see.

[Nick De Marco]

I bought a very nice M8.2 used from Red Dot (and previously belonging to a very good photog here on LUF).

It's great and going to find a place in my Rangefinder Chronicles which will no longer be exclusively film