Tyranoquake Posted September 19, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have an offer from someone that sell a late m8 model, silver Nr. 33303xx (I think that's the last batch for the M8's) he told to me that he want to trade with my older Black Nr.31014xx (still in the original "stuff" no upgrades)...both shutter count near 10k.. about 8k-9k he said that late model is better.. I haven't see his M8 yet, but I curious, it's still have problem that early M8 does? It's still have the same framelines,noisy shutter and all the stuff? Oh, and luckily both still in pristine condition, never been serviced, almost reach 10k count!.. I ignore the colour, black or silbern it's just the same.. Any advice? Thanks all!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Hi Tyranoquake, Take a look here It is true that the late M8 model is better?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ho_co Posted September 19, 2011 Share #2 Posted September 19, 2011 There were minor hardware changes during the M8 lifetime, aimed at improving reliability. The later cameras left the factory with the later hardware. On the other hand, whenever a camera is sent to Leica for repair, Leica automatically brings it to latest specification; so if an earlier camera is sent for repair, it will be updated to the latest standard and will become identical to the later camera. Thus, as M8s go in for repair, the difference between the earliest and latest is removed. One change was to one of the transistors, T2. What the other changes were and when they were made, others will know better than I. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted September 19, 2011 Share #3 Posted September 19, 2011 Depends. I like the early version, since the shutter goes to 1/8000s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holybasil Posted September 19, 2011 Share #4 Posted September 19, 2011 Depends. I like the early version, since the shutter goes to 1/8000s. Not what he ment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyranoquake Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted September 20, 2011 So, they doesn't change the shutter mechanism,framelines... Only few electronics stuff (capacitors,and other guts).. Okay then... thanks all I prefer older model.. First batch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 20, 2011 Share #6 Posted September 20, 2011 So, they doesn't change the shutter mechanism,framelines... One either needs to get the M8 upgraded (through the Leica upgrade program), or else buy an M8.2, for these features. A sapphire LCD is the third upgrade you didn't mention. The 1/8000 speed remains unless the shutter is upgraded, or with the M8.2, in which cases 1/4000 is tops. There were also firmware updates along the way, which of course can be downloaded at any time to put older and newer cameras on more equal footing. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 25, 2011 Share #7 Posted September 25, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm in no doubt that later M8s are better. My two (the well known third having thrown in the towel) came back from upgrade transformed. During the intervening period, Leica had refined the manufacturing and especially alignment processes so that later M8s focus better. This forum used to be awash with posts about how this or that lens didn't work with the camera; no more, I think Leica changed the position of the sensor relative to the lens mount so that lenses focus better. I have no evidence other than my two M8s - and my M9 - now focus better than the M8s did before upgrade. So, a late M8 (M8.2 era) is likely to be better than the earliest M8s which is what my two were. Edit: as HC says, sending the camera in for a health check is the best thing you can do for an early M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted September 25, 2011 Share #8 Posted September 25, 2011 I'm in no doubt that later M8s are better. My two (the well known third having thrown in the towel) came back from upgrade transformed. During the intervening period, Leica had refined the manufacturing and especially alignment processes so that later M8s focus better. This forum used to be awash with posts about how this or that lens didn't work with the camera; no more, I think Leica changed the position of the sensor relative to the lens mount so that lenses focus better. I have no evidence other than my two M8s - and my M9 - now focus better than the M8s did before upgrade. So, a late M8 (M8.2 era) is likely to be better than the earliest M8s which is what my two were. Edit: as HC says, sending the camera in for a health check is the best thing you can do for an early M8. I would guess that the late M8 refurbs are in the same category? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted September 26, 2011 Share #9 Posted September 26, 2011 In general, manufacturer wouldn't tell you but always buy latest batch is my advise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted September 27, 2011 Share #10 Posted September 27, 2011 Yes it is better, there were minor glitches that were solved and some minor hardware problems are replaced. However, I think you will not notice the difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted September 27, 2011 Share #11 Posted September 27, 2011 Mine is a late run M8. Others have looked at my ISO 2500 shots and remarked that their M8 never delivered such good results. I suspect the late run Kodak sensors were improved once the manufacturing process was well established. Or- I just got lucky. ISO 2500 shot- noise, ye. Less than Kodacolor 800. - but no signs of sensor non-uniformity. ISO 1250, long exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted September 27, 2011 Share #12 Posted September 27, 2011 I don't think I'm buying some of this fluff... I have one of the earliest M8s and I can't say I've ever had issues. High ISO performance has always been... "Up to M8 standards" (which doesn't say much, admittedly). But it's always "focused just fine." Never had a sensor issue (e.g. vertical line). I think as long as you apply the latest firmware update(s) you'll be happy. Granted, some of the hardware updates have been worthwhile - like the frameline mask and focus optimization changes. The shutter update is debatable; from a longevity standpoint, the newer one is better because it stresses the shutter less; regardless I prefer the option of having 1/8000s. The sapphire screen and black dot, well... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 27, 2011 Share #13 Posted September 27, 2011 I don't think I'm buying some of this fluff... I have one of the earliest M8s and I can't say I've ever had issues. If ALL early M8s were said to have problems, then I think your conclusion would be significant. The issue is more about the likelihood of issues with oldest versus newer bodies. Most M8s, whether new or old, are probably just fine. Statistics are funny that way. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 27, 2011 Share #14 Posted September 27, 2011 I suspect that the generations in processing software (and user skills!) are more significant. There have been no changes in noise performance during the whole producttion run of the M8/M8.2 Mine is a late run M8. Others have looked at my ISO 2500 shots and remarked that their M8 never delivered such good results. I suspect the late run Kodak sensors were improved once the manufacturing process was well established. Or- I just got lucky. ISO 2500 shot- noise, ye. Less than Kodacolor 800. - but no signs of sensor non-uniformity. ISO 1250, long exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittyphoto Posted September 28, 2011 Share #15 Posted September 28, 2011 I notice M8 from serial 332xxxx up shutter is more quiet than earlier version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted September 28, 2011 Share #16 Posted September 28, 2011 If ALL early M8s were said to have problems, then I think your conclusion would be significant. The issue is more about the likelihood of issues with oldest versus newer bodies. Most M8s, whether new or old, are probably just fine. Statistics are funny that way. True, true... Lies, damned lies and statistics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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