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New to Leica-question about m8.2


JPizzzle

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Hey all,

What a great forum, happy to finally hop on board. Unfortunately, I do not yet own a leica. I've originally been a nikon dslr user, and recently started shooting with the fuji x100. After shooting with the fuji and reading different things online I started to really like the M9 and m9p, but can no way afford the bodies. So i'm thinking about purchasing an 8.2 m to use for primarily street photography (it would be my number one regardless). I will be selling of the fuji and prob my gibson les paul that i haven't picked up in over 2 years. So..what is a fair price for these things? I emailed ken hansen, and he replied stating that he has an m8.2 in mint condition with all included accessories and box for $3900, which seems a little high. What do you guys think I can pick the body up for (I'll worry about the lens later, prob pick up 28mm of some sort)? I do prefer the silver-not sure if they go for the same price. Thanks in advance, and hopefully I will be able to be part of this this great club. Thanks

 

JP

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JP, the M8.2 is still a very nice camera to use.

I keep mine, even if not used so much anymore these days.

 

I would not go for a mint, like new camera, as these are priced to high for the value in my opinion.

I would go for a nice sample with slight marks of use, solid warranty from a dealer, which sell for about 2200 − 2300 EUR.

 

I bought mine a bit over a year ago second hand for this price. Prices on M8.2 seem, to stay stable so far, which surprised me a bit.

Standard M8 bodies fair already at about 1500 − 1600 EUR from dealers - a great value for the money, if you ask me.

 

As these cameras get old now (for a digital) with the known issues, especially with the earlier M8, I would buy from a dealer with warranty.

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After buying new several years ago, I picked up a second mint body (chrome) last year at Dale Photo for $3400; one that had just received a full check by Leica. At the time I found differences in price up to $1000 for seemingly similar condition cameras. Places like Tamarkin were on the high end; others like Dale or Popflash far more reasonable.

 

The market may have picked up a bit, however. I just checked Dale's site and only saw a few cameras, one an upgraded M8 in Exc condition for $3200. If this is now typical, then $3900 may not be as far out of line for a top M8.2 as when I purchased.

 

There are lots of good dealers (check the Leica site by state), many that deal internationally. I would only buy from a good dealer, unless I knew the previous owner personally. But even then, a dealer relationship is good to have in case of any issues.

 

There are dozens of shops you might call (as I did)...even some small ones...and don't hesitate to see if they are willing to bargain just a bit.;) It took me a few months to find the right one. Timing is everything, but you need to be persistent.

 

Jeff

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Welcome to the forum. Got a mint M8.2 with one year warranty for EUR 2,200 (USD 3,100) a couple of months ago and another one went for EUR 2,300 (USD 3,200) in the classifieds here. On e**y, prices seem to settle around USD 3,500 so USD 3,900 is a bit high indeed unless the body has very few actuations. I would ask your dealer the number of actuations, also what kind of warranty he offers.

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Ken Hansen is an official Leica dealer and he is really good. I bought all Leica stuff from him and always with good prices. you can ask why it has higher price than others. He has a answer or price might be go down.

It is worth to consider to establish a good long relationship with trustful dealer especially for Leica stuff and he is one of them. I will not go details but I had many good experiences with him.

 

As Jaap said, M8 may be a good choice if budget is tight. You can use money for better lens or save for M9s/M10.

SATOKI

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I think it's a bit overpriced - I suggest to check ebay for a longer time, sometimes a good option will pop up. I bought my Black M8.2 with 3000 shots and 1 year warranty with an UV filter for 1700 EUR (2400 USD). Maybe I was just lucky...

 

You were just lucky ;-)

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Besides stock M8 and M8.2, there are upgraded M8s, and these can come with a range of upgrades including shutter (in which case 1/4000 will apply), frame lines (2m lines are the best in my 30 year experience), and/or sapphire screen.

 

Prices for these models generally vary somewhere between M8 and M8.2 prices, though as I said earlier, prices are all over the map anyway.

 

I've had no problems with 2 M8.2s, something early M8 owners (and now even many M9 owners) can't say. I think second generation products are generally better sorted than first models, and my limited experience, while not statistically significant of course, has been positive. Upgraded M8s will have been sent to Leica for service, so presumably these, too, might have some advantage, including extended warranty.

 

Pictures will not change either way (unless 1/8000 shutter is required), so as Jaap said, they are basically the same cameras.

 

Jeff

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