steinzeug Posted June 3, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is buying a 4-5 year old M8 still a viable choice? and are 7000 accuations a lot? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Hi steinzeug, Take a look here Is a 5 year old M8 still a viable choice?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest jarski Posted June 3, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 3, 2011 //deleted Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted June 3, 2011 Share #3 Posted June 3, 2011 yes no Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 3, 2011 Yes, you'll likely buy it at a bargain price. Doing the math: 7,000/5 = 1,400 actuations per year. 1,400/52 = 27 actuations per week end. 7,000/4 = 1,750 actuations per year. 1,750/52 = 33 actuations per weekend. The above being average values just to get the idea. I think it's safe enough. Furthermore, you can always subscribe in part or all the upgrading to almost M8.2 @ Solms starting with replacing the shutter and benefit from a full year warranty. Cheers, Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steinzeug Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted June 3, 2011 Thanks Bruno price is 1800 EUR and according to the repair history, there has been none (which i am not sure if its good or bad?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 3, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 3, 2011 My Digilux 2 is over seven years old and still performing like it was new! If the price is right and there are no obvious signs of distress or reduced functionality, a 5 years old M8 should continue to perform to its original specification. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Price's a tad high. You could have one already upgraded for that price. Vanilla M8 should command a price between 1,500/1,700. This one's already gone, but you'll get the idea: http://www.newoldcamera.com/Scheda.aspx?Codice=LU1529&Tipo=CO&Sql=+HIKNlAITN8UUbvAeTXmfwrd2l8IxoXjJFHEYQSdFn+3Y19Vs/E9i82Owe5OxgCjpvB17URNvX1y9Frg/gJmEz9YbSJsXEHtgLVrs15Zjrv449mue79ZdHPNXD4UppLCq1y1hjNAmItS2Z78VGvZY8KA0ypNcwX20dfq1THx7OnQ2Z3xWF3kmG3plXZ1/hkYF2ngK27oPVS1VceNrd8xOQ== Pls bear in mind that with electronics once the infantile mortality is over, if they're good they're good for a long time. I bought mine used in 2008 and never had a single hiccup. So for me no repair means still good shape. Based on the numbers I crunched before, the camera is still young but tested. But as usual, you try before you buy. Are you buying from a private or from a shop? Does the seller offer any form of warranty? Can you return the camera if something's odd with it? See it. Is it pristine or scratched? Bumped? Handle it. How does it feel in your hands? Hear it. Any strange sounds? Look into the viewfinder. Is it bright and well contrasted? Is the image in the rangefinder patch perfectly aligned? Carefully inspect the sensor's surface. Any visible spots or scratches? Test it. Take test shots with a lens you know very well and review them at home. Try shooting at very uniform and even surfaces - a clear wall, the cloudless sky. Any spots? Is the image even or there's irregular/fading luminosity that is not vignetting-related? Any color banding? Try shooting something at various distances. If your lens was properly focusing before and now it is not it's likely that the rangefinder needs some trimming. Hope this helps. Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted June 3, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 3, 2011 Yes. No. I'd want a warranty at €1800 - too high a price without. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 3, 2011 My M8.2 has been bought early last year. It had already ~20000 actuations. It has now more than 30000 actuations I checked the camera thoroughly for all known issues, I could find and check via reported problems over the internet. The camera runs like new, never had a problem and will likely stay a long time with me still, even though, I play with the idea of trying a M9 soon. These cameras are well build and tough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steinzeug Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted June 3, 2011 Price's a tad high. You could have one already upgraded for that price. Vanilla M8 should command a price between 1,500/1,700. This one's already gone, but you'll get the idea: Newoldcamera - Scheda prodottoPls bear in mind that with electronics once the infantile mortality is over, if they're good they're good for a long time. I bought mine used in 2008 and never had a single hiccup. So for me no repair means still good shape. Based on the numbers I crunched before, the camera is still young but tested. But as usual, you try before you buy. Are you buying from a private or from a shop? Does the seller offer any form of warranty? Can you return the camera if something's odd with it? See it. Is it pristine or scratched? Bumped? Handle it. How does it feel in your hands? Hear it. Any strange sounds? Look into the viewfinder. Is it bright and well contrasted? Is the image in the rangefinder patch perfectly aligned? Carefully inspect the sensor's surface. Any visible spots or scratches? Test it. Take test shots with a lens you know very well and review them at home. Try shooting at very uniform and even surfaces - a clear wall, the cloudless sky. Any spots? Is the image even or there's irregular/fading luminosity that is not vignetting-related? Any color banding? Try shooting something at various distances. If your lens was properly focusing before and now it is not it's likely that the rangefinder needs some trimming. Hope this helps. Bruno Thanks again, yes i will check thoroughly, unfortunately private = no warranty http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/images/smilies/frown.gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 3, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 3, 2011 If I were buying an expensive second hand digital camera I would only buy from a dealer with a 6-12 month warranty (I would try to seek out those offering 12 months). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJDrew Posted June 3, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 3, 2011 So far, much of the conversation has been on reliability. sure, the M8 - in general - is a finicky camera. the truth is, it's more of a liability than, say a Canon 40D with 7,000 actuations. That's just the way it is. But - the bigger question is whether the M8 is a viable photographic tool today. For all real purposes - it's the same thing as the M8.2 - your photos will be no different (except you still get 1/8000sec to get that nice, wide open look on your wickedly expensive lenses). The verdict? It's an older digital camera with a pretty noisy sensor, odd battery management, colors that take endless tweaking - and I love it. Here's a more in-depth post on the matter: 16.5 bangin’ reasons it’s okay to get a Leica M8 in 2011 | Leica BOSS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #13 Posted June 3, 2011 Boss, however said that I love the M8 too, I'd respectfully point out the following: So far, much of the conversation has been on reliability. sure, the M8 - in general - is a finicky camera. the truth is, it's more of a liability than, say a Canon 40D with 7,000 actuations. That's just the way it is. An M8 has less moving parts than a DSLR, therefore it should be more reliable. But - the bigger question is whether the M8 is a viable photographic tool today. For all real purposes - it's the same thing as the M8.2 - your photos will be no different (except you still get 1/8000sec to get that nice, wide open look on your wickedly expensive lenses). Upon theoretical basis the M8.2 shutter is more relaxed than M8's, therefore it should be more reliable. The verdict? It's an older digital camera with a pretty noisy sensor, odd battery management, colors that take endless tweaking - and I love it. The sensor is not that noisy, the battery only suffers from cold and colors don't need much tweaking. At least on my sample. I love it too. Also checked your essay. I believe you forgot one more reason, namely the 1.33 crop actually improves the rendition of your lenses because it leaves out the outer zones that are generally weaker than center. So make it 17.5 reasons... Cheers Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientCityPhoto Posted June 3, 2011 Share #14 Posted June 3, 2011 I hadn't bought an M8 because of all the negative buzz and "issues" it had. I wanted one since the day they were released though. I finally just caved in to passion and bought a used one on ebay last year. It made me wish I had bought one sooner. Best camera ever and I don't regret buying it at all. After a calibration, this became the best camera I have ever used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #15 Posted June 3, 2011 Boss, however said that I love the M8 too, I'd respectfully point out the following: An M8 has less moving parts than a DSLR, therefore it should be more reliable. …Cheers Bruno I think, I would say, that is a bit of a stretch ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #16 Posted June 3, 2011 I think, I would say, that is a bit of a stretch ;-) A (D)SLR has the mirror mechanism which the rangefinder camera obviously don't have. Plus the leverages governing the lenses aperture and the autofocus motor. As Henry Ford used to say, all that is not there can't break. Hence my assumption of greater reliability on a theoretical basis. Cheers Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted June 3, 2011 Share #17 Posted June 3, 2011 Despite the passage of time, the M8 is still a fine camera. Certainly not on par with the M9, but fully useable and capable of making lovely images. It's a great camera to use and a great entry point into DRF photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted June 3, 2011 Share #18 Posted June 3, 2011 … Hence my assumption of greater reliability on a theoretical basis. Cheers Bruno Bruno, I buy it on the above distinction ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted June 4, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 4, 2011 Despite the passage of time, the M8 is still a fine camera. Certainly not on par with the M9, but fully useable and capable of making lovely images. It's a great camera to use and a great entry point into DRF photography. Agree 100%. I sold my first one and regretted it almost as soon as I'd posted it off to the dealer selling it for me. So much so I bought another one 6 months later and unless I win a free M9 there's no way I'm parting with it again. Most vital points have already been covered above but "for me" I would say it is imperative to buy from a good dealer with 6/12 months guarantee. If for nothing else but peace of mind alone. I just bought another Nikon F2 at a bargain price, needs a complete strip-down and service to correct a number of issues - Cost = £120 from Sover Wong, Mr Nikon Repair so no biggie at all. How much would a modern high end digital camera like an M8 cost for similar repairs? It doesn't even bear thinking about! Unless you plan on making VERY large prints 10 MP is all you'll ever need so don't fall into the same pit that so many constant upgraders in the digital computer camera age either. M8 resolution is just great. It's not a perfect camera by any means but most problems have been sorted and so long as you accept the few limitations such as crop factor, frameline innacuracies at some distances etc it is a very, very fine camera indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted June 4, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 4, 2011 Bruno, I buy it on the above distinction ;-) Thanks Menos, but just don't take it for granted. If you compare a Zorki or FED rangefinder vs an Alpa reflex your outcome might slightly differ I should have more properly added "All other factors being equal"... Cheers, Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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