M8's on ebay

[madaneerg]

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These seem to be going for about $2100 - $2300. On the M8, what should I be making sure was addressed. I remember doing some reading that there was a recall on the first batch. I don't think I can afford an 8.2, so I'd like to get it on one of these sweet cameras.

[Neil_SI]

I guess it all depends on your level of comfort and confidence with buying from eBay.

 

The M8s on there are generally a fair bit cheaper than from buying from the dealers here in the UK, but they often do not come with any warranty or the ability to inspect the camera at close quarters.

 

There are many guides on eBay and around the internet on advice from buying from there, but I guess it's about the usual basics, such as checking feedback and past history of the person you're buying from and asking them questions as you would otherwise.

 

At this time I consider such a purchase from eBay to be too much of a risk, not just because of the potential for scams, but I think my expectation of what is in mint condition, etc, may well be very different to the sellers view. The only way to really solve that is to see the model in the flesh with your own eyes and feel it with your own hands.

 

For example, one of the dealers here in the UK has an M8 going for relatively cheap and "priced to sell". There was a mention over email of a few small scuffs to the top plate, which didn't sound too bad. But I decided to go and have a look in store anyway and while visibly they weren't too bad in the grand scheme of things, the manner of the scratches told their own story and it looked like the camera had been dropped. That made me think twice about buying it and why it was so much cheaper than the other units they had and it also required a sensor clean too. On top of that, it was the model that they were then using for demonstrations for potential buyers.

[deirdre]

I narrowly missed one in my neighborhood for $2000, but picked one up from KEH instead. They are wonderful cameras. You might want to ask if it's been back to Solms, if it's had any upgrades, that sort of thing. I know others will chime in with more useful suggestions.

[Want-a-leica]

For something like a high performance camera, I'd consider ebay risky. That being said, I've considered using ebay too (and I have, for smaller things), but the M8 I intend to buy is from a reputable Leica specialist dealer and comes with a 6 month guarantee. The extra cost (and it's not that much more than the typical ebay price) is well worth it for the peace of mind, I'd say.

 

Lenses, on the other hand, might be worth a shot if you get a seller with a good feedback score and who seems to know what they're talking about.

[LeicaMSeattle]

I bought my M8 on EBay from an owner who bought it new, used it and decided that it wasn't the camera system for them and for that I got a fairly good deal on a camera with low shutter actuations. Yes, there are the occasional scam ad, you need to to be vigilant but there are fair deals to be had too. Along with individual owners, there are also dealers that sell M8s on EBay, and like anybody that sells/buys on Ebay, you need to check out their feedback scores.

[jaapv]

Don't worry about that recall from 2006. It is extremely unlikely that there are still unmodified cameras out there, and I'm sure Leica would solder in the mass connection that was the reason of the recall even now.The total run was 1500 cameras,and after the modification they are to all intents and purposes identical to later cameras. The same goes for the T2 replacement of April 2007.

[Redridge]

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I bought my M8.2 from craigslist and saw it in person before buying..... it had 125 exposures and was never registered (I registered it since all the docs came with the purchased)... If you can, try to buy local so you can hold it before purchasing.

 

It seems that the m8 prices have stabled or have increased.... I paid $3k, @1.5 years ago.

[Leica_M_Friend]

These seem to be going for about $2100 - $2300. On the M8, what should I be making sure was addressed. I remember doing some reading that there was a recall on the first batch. I don't think I can afford an 8.2, so I'd like to get it on one of these sweet cameras.

 

Make sure you

 

1) don't get one with the "green ghost issue"

2) get one without the vertical banding issue

3) get one, not registered, so you get the 2 UV/IR Leica filter for free (still today)

 

Regards, Kay