fotografr Posted June 13, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 13, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) The other day I started thinking that since my M8 is now over six years old and has over 23,000 shutter actuations, that I should probably sell it and get something more "current." So I listed it in the Buy & Sell. This evening after a big storm, I stepped out in the back yard with it and shot two frames with the 24 Elmarit. It was quite dark, so the exposure was 1/20th at f/4.0 at ISO 320. Later on, I opened the images and now I'm thinking I must be crazy to sell it. Why would I ever need any better image quality than this? And with 23,000 shutter clicks, there is likely at least that much left. Now I'm trying to decide whether to pull the ad. Any recommendations? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/206729-must-be-crazy/?do=findComment&comment=2347255'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Hi fotografr, Take a look here Must Be Crazy. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
sermed Posted June 13, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 13, 2013 Pull the add, i love my Leica M8 and have no plans to upgrade, i think it still gives me the old film camera feeling and excellent result of today digital world Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted June 13, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 13, 2013 If you use it - keep it. I'm very satisfied with the image it produces. Sometimes the UV/IR filters are annoying me due to flare or reflections but thats the only thing. If and when I need more pixels i take out the D3X Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfhrased Posted June 13, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 13, 2013 I want to say it depends on what you replace it with, but I still regret selling mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 13, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 13, 2013 If you don't need more resolution and/or less digital noise there is no serious reason to upgrade unless you miss fast wides or the M8 shutter sound is too noisy for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orient XI Posted June 13, 2013 Share #6 Posted June 13, 2013 Numerous posts on this forum testify to the fact that most people regret selling any Leica gear — even if they never use it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted June 13, 2013 Share #7 Posted June 13, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I sold both my M8.2 and Leica X1 and every time I look back at shots taken with both cameras I regret having sold them. And I say this even though they were replaced by an M9-P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted June 13, 2013 If you don't need more resolution and/or less digital noise there is no serious reason to upgrade unless you miss fast wides or the M8 shutter sound is too noisy for you. I actually don't need more resolution and the shutter noise has never bothered me. What I had been thinking was that perhaps I was pushing the limits on the shutter clicks, but having done more reading on the subject I think the camera has considerable life left in it. This is particularly true since I now use the MM far more often than the M8, so my thinking now is to pull the ad and keep the camera. If the shutter fails, I'll just have a new one put in and start all over. I sold both my M8.2 and Leica X1 and every time I look back at shots taken with both cameras I regret having sold them. And I say this even though they were replaced by an M9-P. That a strong statement and pretty much confirms my thinking. I've always considered the M8 to be the most film-like digital camera available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted June 13, 2013 Share #9 Posted June 13, 2013 the only camera i would sell the M8 for at this moment is a Monochrom.....but the B&W is so good on the M8 that even that i'm unsure of considering how much extra $$$ the Monochrom costs. The M9/ME is of course a great camera....but i can't even get myself motivated to sell it for that. Summary: KEEP IT! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 13, 2013 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2013 I know of a couple of M8s with over 300.000 clicks on the counter and still going strong... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 13, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2013 I wanted an M9 because it was full frame, my wide lenses will work as wide, and a 90 mm portrait focal is available, and the colors are a bit funky with the M8 even with the uv/ir filters. My biggest objection was the colors and I solved it last week when I finally took the time to install and set up the Adobe DNG profile editor. I set it up with the Color checker, 2800 k and 6500 k. Then I set up ACR to apply that profile every time I open photos from that serial # camera. Gone are the funky colors. So if you are happy with the lens selection and how they work, I see little reason to move up. Besides new M seen to be out of stock. I prefer natural colors and contrast, but based on your sample you seem to like more saturation and contrast. Apply the profile, then adjust saturation and contrast to your liking, and save a new camera raw default in ACR. Close and open PS and every photo from the M8 will have your customized profile and you will have little to no work to do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieterpronk Posted June 13, 2013 Share #12 Posted June 13, 2013 It really is a special camera. I was planning to "upgrade" but in the end decided that I just love the character of the M8. It's actually impressive that the M8 seems to gain in popularity. Not so much in the market value, but it seems the evaluation of the M8 is becoming more positive as time goes by. The black and white performance is getting more and more recognition as something special, and even the colors and sharpness seem to get recognized as having it's own character (while not necessary accurate). I had money ready to hand over to my dealer for the new M, but to be honest I still have to see if the M10 has even half as much magic as the M8. In the used market I would say it's the best buy in the Leica category. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted June 13, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 13, 2013 Brent, I think it took the M9 release to demonstrate how good the M8 really is. First of all the M8's 10.2 mp punches well above it's weight. The very thin low pass filter and lack of an AA filter account for some of this as well as the finest bw conversions are possible with this body. Secondly, you can blow up the images way past what a similar mp'd DSLR can do even with a crop. Thirdly, I'm still selling images made with my original M8 and still producing good stuff with the M8.2. Yes, I'll have a Monochrom whenever it arrives, but for different reasons and there is still no reason to ditch the M8.2. Fourth, for some strange reason the M8 had a lot less problems than the M9 and interestingly enough Puts rates it above the M9. I know when I sold my M8 (for all the wrong reasons, I might add) I didn't miss it at first. But after a few months went by I knew I had to have one again. Good luck with your decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 13, 2013 Share #14 Posted June 13, 2013 I not only kept my M8.2 after testing against an M9, but I bought a second one as back-up. The color is fine with filters and profile, the b/w output suits better, and I prefer the 2m frame lines and sapphire screen. The cameras have also been perfectly reliable. But some features of the new M have appeal, especially weather sealing, quiet shutter, better processor and longer battery life. The illuminated 2m frame lines are a plus, and LV can assist with focus calibration checks. I'll eventually test the new M, just as I did the M9. But if I end up buying the new camera, I will no doubt keep one (possibly both) of the M8.2s, not just because of back-up, but because it's just that good for my needs. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblrifle Posted June 13, 2013 Share #15 Posted June 13, 2013 While I don't have any comments about your dilemma, I have no intention on selling MY M8 till it dies. However I do have nothing but favorable comments about your backyard and I'm not referring to the picture but the yard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted June 13, 2013 I know of a couple of M8s with over 300.000 clicks on the counter and still going strong... Now that is impressive! Yours? I wanted an M9 because it was full frame, my wide lenses will work as wide, and a 90 mm portrait focal is available, and the colors are a bit funky with the M8 even with the uv/ir filters. My biggest objection was the colors and I solved it last week when I finally took the time to install and set up the Adobe DNG profile editor. I set it up with the Color checker, 2800 k and 6500 k. Then I set up ACR to apply that profile every time I open photos from that serial # camera. Gone are the funky colors. So if you are happy with the lens selection and how they work, I see little reason to move up. Besides new M seen to be out of stock. I prefer natural colors and contrast, but based on your sample you seem to like more saturation and contrast. Apply the profile, then adjust saturation and contrast to your liking, and save a new camera raw default in ACR. Close and open PS and every photo from the M8 will have your customized profile and you will have little to no work to do. Thanks much. That is a great suggestion! I appreciate the explanation and will definitely follow through. I also tend to prefer natural colors but got a bit carried away with the image above. The image below is the color right out of the camera (DNG to jpeg in ACR). While I don't have any comments about your dilemma, I have no intention on selling MY M8 till it dies. However I do have nothing but favorable comments about your backyard and I'm not referring to the picture but the yard. Thanks! I'll pass that along to the gardener (who is also my wife). It sure beats mowing lawn. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/206729-must-be-crazy/?do=findComment&comment=2347986'>More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted June 13, 2013 Share #17 Posted June 13, 2013 My M9 has close to 50K on the shutter and still going strong. I recently did a show of travel work of which 90% of it was shot with the M8 (I sold mine when the M9 came out). It always did and always will take great pics. I just preferred full frame and the extra 1.5 stops of iso the M9 gives me (and I have absolutely no plans to upgrade to a 240). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted June 13, 2013 I'm chalking this up to temporary insanity and have decided to keep the M8. Thanks everyone for helping me see the light. M8 TO THE DEATH! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted June 13, 2013 Share #19 Posted June 13, 2013 Brent, pull the ad. Best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 13, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 13, 2013 Now that is impressive! Yours? No - I am a single shot person - my shutter counts are probably considerably below average. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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