M8 servicing...what happens?

[steve_g]

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A bit of a lurker for a while here but a long time Leica user Loads of interesting info on the forum so first of all thanks to everyone who has made it so!

 

My question (and I feel slighly guilty that my first post is a question) is:

 

I'm thinking of buying an M8 but having read lots of the less-good stories about reliability I'd want it serviced in addition to the 6 month shop warranty. For the money I'm spending I want a camera that'll last me a good few years without worry (like my M6).

 

I've asked Leica and am still waiting for a reply so thought I'd ask here for the experience you all have. If I bought an M8 and sent it to Leica for a service how much would it cost? What would they do? (Assuming nothing is wrong with it.) And what warranty would I then have as a result of the service against future failures?

 

I'd rather spend more money on a way of extending the warranty and have a worry free experience than save cash and be paranoid it'd fail just after the shop warranty ran out.

 

Thanks in advance.

[k_g_wolf ✝]

You won´t get an extended warranty for the M8 anymore, if you are desperately

after very long warranties it´s got to be a fresh M9, Iám afraid.

 

LEICA will supply you with a 12 months warranty in case of a factory service

for the M8. Considering you can shoot as many pics as you like during this period,

not a bad deal. Costwise: no precise idea. If nothing seriously is found

not more than EUR 175.00 - 225.00 as a guess.

 

Just ring them: 0049 6442 208- 189

 

 

Best

GEORG

[earleygallery]

There's not much for them to service. If you buy from a dealer they should give 6-12 months warranty. As long as the camera is working fine, and you have that warranty period, there's not much point in sending it to Leica for a 'service'.

 

Leica are also pretty fastidious about cameras sent into them for repair and tend to want to send them back out 'as new'. If they were a car company they'd fit a new engine and gearbox, and respray every car as part of the annual service.

 

So you might find your 'service' costing as much as the difference for a new M9!

[ErikP]

I found an M8 that was Leica Solms Certified at the dealer Wibergs, Stockholm. It looks like new after service in Germany. Very happy with this purchase. It should be possible to find refurbished copies at major dealers.

 

I will use Wibergs again when its time for a new body.

[steve_g]

Thanks all. I might see then if the shop might extend the warranty from 6 to 12 months for peace of mind (and for a small extra fee!)

[Neil_SI]

Does anybody know whether they will repaint letters back on?

 

For example, on my M8, the paint for some of the letters on the back of the camera have slightly rubbed away (such as where it says "Delete", "Info", "Set" and "Menu"). It affects the tips of some of the letters and at its worst, most of the letter "e" in "Set" has rubbed/worn away.

 

It's only marginal and cosmetic of course and I did buy it in that condition in the first place, but have always been curious as to whether I can get the lettering paint restored.

[jaapv]

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Yes they will. They will do that even for 1920-ies cameras.

[tobey bilek]

Digi cams pretty much work or not. There is not a lot of prevenative service.

[Neil_SI]

Yes they will. They will do that even for 1920-ies cameras.

 

Thanks jaapv.

 

The nice folks in Red Dot Cameras in London very kindly took a look today and while they don't offer such a service, they tried repainting these letters for me and did a pretty reasonable job.

 

If I ever send my M8 to Leica though I'll request it's properly done there.