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M8 Today?


ktmrider2

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I have an M2 and five M lenses and I also have a Fuji X100. I love both and thinking about either an M8 or Fuji XPro1. Do you think an M8 is still a good buy? I know it has problems at higher ISO which is where the Fuji shines.

 

So, the the M8 worth the money? Will it be serviced by Leica into the future? Let's hear the opinions. Thanks, Rich

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As my M8 is being serviced for a broken shutter in Solms, I certainly miss having it around. I'm used to carrying my M8 around daily. For now, my old M2 is back in action, and the rolls of exposed film are piling up.

 

As for high iso capability, you have that covered with your X100. The X100 would complement well with an interchangeable lens camera. As you already own five M-mount lenses, you're already more than halfway invested.

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If you still like to use your M2, to say you enjoy the photographic way of a classic VF/RF with frames, a M8 is imo a good buy (and it can become more economical when, probably, M10 will be announced in September); there is no reason for Leica won't be able to service it for a decent number of years to come, even if, objectively, one has not to expect, from any digital, the long life af a film M... :o. I have had a M8 for 5 years and some months, and till now have felt no reason to change it.

 

The only factors you must consider with some attention (evaluating, as a more costly alternative, a used M9) are :

 

- The NEED of UVIR filters... you have 5 lenses and is probable you have to buy at least 3 or 4 (for difference of threads and/or for avoiding the hassle of changing lens AND move the filter...). Is definitely an addon cost to be accounted for.

 

- The 1,33x crop factor of M8 is respect to M2 (roughly, 35 "becomes" 50, 90 "becomes" 120 etc...) which could result in an "unbalancing" of your lenses' set : probably not a great problem with a choice of five... but remember, if you have not a 21, you won't have a "real" wideangle, and if you have one, you'll need one more external viewfinder (unless you still have a 28 VF, of course)

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There are no work arounds for the distorted colors and purple blacks except for UV/IR filter and then you get cyan edges so then you need to code the lenses or use corner fix.

 

The camera is quite nice once you jump thru all the hoops, garbage before. Some older lenses may not code properly if they do not have screw on lens flanges. For Screw mount lenses, you just get a replacement screw to M adapter from Jinfinance on EBay and paint in the code.

 

If you want , Leica will code the lenses for you at $250 per lens.

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