To buy M8?

[Locokid67]

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Hi folks

I'm new here but not new to photography or rangefinder use (I use among other cameras a Mamiya 6 and an old Yashica 35mm rangefinder). But I feel it's time for me to consider bringing Leica into my professional workflow.

 

I have been offered an almost new (under 500 actuations) M8 body for £1200. I'm still not convinced it wouldn't be more of a hindrance than coming into the system at M9/M-E level?

 

I have no M lenses so would be looking to buy something new or newish either 35 or 50mm Leica lens to with, particularly as I do a lot of portrait and documentary work, so the saving on the M8 would afford me a lens.

 

Your experienced thoughts greatly appreciated.

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[earleygallery]

Hi and welcome!

 

I'm assuming you know about the crop factor, requirement to use UVIR filters if shooting colour, 'coffee stain' etc., on the M8, if not you can use the search function here to find out about all the user points.

 

You also need to be aware that Leica can no longer repair the LCD should it fail. They will offer a trade in value against a new camera.

 

As long as you're OK with these issues there's no reason not to buy one.

[Locokid67]

Thanks earleygallery

 

Yes, I'm aware of these quirks and I guess it's those (and others I've read about) that are keeping me resistant in terms of pro use. I've seen some really beautiful results with the M8 so it's not so much image quality I'm concerned about (at least nothing that some post-processing won't remedy where necessary) but more how it operates in practice and whether it is just too frustrating to make it a viable pro option even when married to a great lens or two?

[-Lss-]

how it operates in practice and whether it is just too frustrating to make it a viable pro option even when married to a great lens or two?

What exactly is your concern? I can't think of any surprise factor that would make it a frustrating camera.

[pgk]

..... I'm aware of these quirks and I guess it's those (and others I've read about) that are keeping me resistant in terms of pro use ...... I'm concerned about ..... how it operates in practice and whether it is just too frustrating to make it a viable pro option even when married to a great lens or two?

There is no denying that the M8 is an idiosyncratic choice of camera with plenty of quirks to keep the bitterest internet whinger satisfied but (as a pro myself) it is anything but frustrating in use, provided of course that you don't want the ultimate speed of use offered by current pro dSLRs. I have both M9 and M8-2 and still use the M8-2 extensively. Its a great camera and one with 500 actuations is hardly used. It sounds like a cheapish entry into Leica digital rangefinders.

[earleygallery]

Also, as the price seems to be about the going rate, if you try it and decide it's not for you, you can sell it on again and not lose much or anything. Same goes for a s/h Leica lens.

[Jeff S]

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Recommendations: buy from a reputable Leica dealer, with warranty, and keep insurance on all your gear to cover other instances. Actuations are nice to know, but not the only factor, and the future is unpredictable. Still, the M8 should serve well. (I assume you know about the 3 upgrades that were offered, separately or together, and the M8.2.)

 

Jeff

[wda]

Hi folks...I have been offered an almost new (under 500 actuations) M8 body for £1200. I'm still not convinced it wouldn't be more of a hindrance than coming into the system at M9/M-E level? ...

If cost is not an issue, as you intend to use it for professional work, I would not hesitate to recommend you go straight to the M-E and add one or two new Summarit lenses (35+75 or 50+90) . Either would be very useful, depending on your field of work. And Welcome!

[Jeff S]

I'm convinced that the only camera that can deliver better B&W images than the M8 is the MM.

 

Having owned 2 M8.2s, and selling one recently to get a new M, the latter is a much more refined machine than the M9 (or MM or M-E, which are based on the M9 platform), and the b/w results are outstanding.

 

The benefits of the M, when used as a traditional RF camera, include a better RF mechanism, a better shutter release, no motor re-cock disturbance, better battery life, faster processor, and weather sealing. LV, even if never used for taking pics, allows for quick check of lens/camera focus calibration. And the M has the same great 2m frame lines as with the M8.2, only with illumination. Plus it still allows for use of color channels for PP.

 

My second M8.2 is relegated to back-up if needed. I can still recommend the M8 (or M8.2) for the OP, but the M is a more user-friendly camera IMO when used as a traditional RF. I tested the M9 against the M8.2, and preferred the M8.2 for my style and needs; not so with the new M.

 

Jeff

[dblrifle]

You will get as many different answers on these forums as you get responses. My reason was quite simple,I wanted to return to full rangefinder use (I also have a film M3SS I've had for many years) from using Nikon D2x's and full complement of lenses. The reason was mostly arthritis in it's various forms (I'm 79) and just plain weary of the heavy weight. The reason for the M* was quite simply cost,there was no way I could afford any M9 or later either new or used. Sale of the D2x and lenses allowed me to eventually buy 2 M8 bodies. Then I was presented with lense costs as I had long since sold the lenses I had for the M3. I easily solved the problem by buying a Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 for one body and a Voigtlander 21mm f4 for the other with B&H uv/ir filters for both. I am blessed with the inability to really see any difference between these lenses and Leitz equivalents. I know many others can point out all the magic but the truth is I just plain can't see it. Lucky I suppose. Having used Dsx's for many years the crop factor was nothing new and since the M8's don't lend themselves to long lenses it's not a problem. Would I eventually like a full frame body,not really as the edge sharpness seems to be better with a crop factor lense,at least to me and I really see no real reason otherwise. If the M8's last I will be perfectly happy with them from now on. If I WERE to go to a Full frame it would be to an M-E as it has exactly the features I would use. I have yet to see a used one advertised but probably could not afford it even if it were available. I have been perfectly pleased with the performance of the M8/Lense combination and it is almost a reasonable investment although it does slightly stretch a financial point for my resources.

[doolittle]

From my perspective for portraiture the 1.33 crop factor would not be a disadvantage. For wide-angle use of course it works against you.

 

I would factor in a new Leica brand battery and the right selection of SD-Card.

The M8, in my experience, isn't any more quirky than the M9 or ME. The M240 does seem less quirky than its predecessors.

 

Warranty would be a valid consideration buying second hand. I wouldn't shy away from using an M8 for paid work, but I would bring a back up!

[jazzwave]

You can choose M8/8.2 , M9 or Monochrom...depend on your budget and purpose.

Don't bother with crop factor, frame line..you can can learn and adaptive witih your new Leica.

 

Lucky me , M8,M9 never give me problem....Welcome and good luck for your new exploration in Leica world.

 

~ron~

[wilfredo]

The M8 is a fantastic tool. Check out the M8 photos on this forum in the "Other" photo section!

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/112892-m8-photographs-post-them-here.html

[hepcat]

I'm also a working pro. I shot Leica film gear for years, but sold all my film gear when I switched to digital years ago. I returned to Leica exclusively about a year ago and dropped my DSLR gear altogether. Having shot Leica film equipment for years, I'm completely used to all of the eccentricities of shooting professionally with Leica, so shooting digital Leica for all occasions was no problem for me.

 

I have an M9-P, an M8, and an M4-P. As long as you know and accept the few quirks explained in the posts above, the M8 will do you really well. The pace of shooting Leica digital is very much like shooting Leica film bodies.

 

The other thing I'd recommend are the large-aperture CV lenses. The optical quality is superb, the mechanical quality is superb and they sell for 1/5th to 1/10th the price of the comparable Leica offerings. They are superb image makers in their own right, and they'll save you a ton of dollars which is important when you're making your income with this equipment. I've bought all my glass used, and saved even more. My current lineup is the 21, 28, 35, 50, and 75 from VC and Leitz Canada Summicron 90, Elmarit 135, and a Viso 65.

 

An M8 will serve you well.