khazaril Posted October 12, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 12, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm both a freelancer and a student (BA Visual Communication). My current gear is all Nikon which I need to keep as professionally I shoot a lot of 360 VR's. Whilst I find the image quality great, the system is very heavy and hardly inconspicuous. I have a couple of Olympus film rangefinders which I enjoy using but I always wondered about a Leica. I will get one but am torn between the M8 and M9. Budget is one consideration but I'm more concerned with getting and good reliable camera. I'm UK based and would appreciate any buying advice. eBay is one option but I'd be happy to buy from a reputable dealer if that gave me some sort of warranty. As far a lenses go I'd start off with one. I've done some research and personally I tend to shoot with a 24-70mm on my full frame Nikon predominantly towards the wide end so I'm thinking of either a 35 or 50mm summicron. So, does anyone have any advice for me please? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Hi khazaril, Take a look here Seriously thinking of getting a Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SmithyT Posted October 12, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 12, 2014 I cann't help with choice of Leica, but when I was looking into getting my X1 I spent a couple of weeks trawling the net from ebay to shops to research prices etc. I have bought and sold on ebay before but in this case I got the Leica from Red Dot Cameras in London, which ended up being cheaper than ebay with a 6 month warrenty as well. They were very helpfull and happy to answer questions too. I hate to say it but if spending that much money I would go for a shop for the peace of mind if nothing else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 12, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 12, 2014 M9 is my choice because it is a full-frame sensor. More pixels, of course, and no lens crop-factor as there is with the M8. Also, no extra filtration in front of the lens is required with the M9. I do not know how serviceable the M8 is today. While there are M8 enthusiasts, I feel the M8 was a work-up to the M9. I have no complaints and have had no problems whatsoever with the M9. Deal with a UK shop and be happy. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted October 13, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 13, 2014 Dealers in London in no particular order, RG Lewis, Red Dot Cameras, Richard Caplan plus a decent independent Aperture Photographic, cheers Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 13, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 13, 2014 khazaril, Welcome to the forum! I have both cameras and enjoy using both, but for different purposes. If you choose an M8 remember the crop factor. For full-frame 35mm you would need to buy a 28mm or 24mm lens. I recommend buying a good M9 from a dealer who will give you a warranty. It is worth making the effort to visit a recommended dealer and meet face to face and start to build a good relationship. It will be worth it in the long run. Outside London I have dealt with Stevens in Manchester who are specialists and who normally have good stock. Red Dot in London support this forum and have an excellent following. Look at M9 with 35mm Summicron or Summarit lens. Let us know how it goes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton C Posted October 15, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 15, 2014 I take it that a,film body is not up for consideration? N+1 here for Red Dot. I'm a repeat customer. I've been beyond delighted with my M3 and Summicron 50/F2. I know I'm trying harder to take better pictures compared to when I had an SLR... But the range finder attributes really seem to nelp me actually capture better pictures. If digital, I'd save my pennies for the M9. I'm no expert, but I love the Summicron, and it does have a rather good reputation. You surely won't go wrong with that lens choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted October 17, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 17, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Defenitly M9, the m8 is not supported anymore, in case sensor is dead, bye bye camera. M9, on the other hand, is still fully supported and Leuca AG told me they will even open an M9 to M9P upgrade program starting January 2015. I've used the summicron 35 side by side with the summilux 35. The Summicron is one magnificent piece of glass. Go for it if you're getting only one lens at bigening, you'll love it even for portraits! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted October 17, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 17, 2014 the m8 is not supported anymore, in case sensor is dead, bye bye camera. That is news to me. When has this been anounced? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted October 17, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 17, 2014 Weeks ago . I'm new M9 owner too... Amazing camera, I would buy a second body if possible Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted October 17, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 17, 2014 Here's my review using a 50mm summarit http://rodriguezahr.blogspot.com/2014/09/rangefinder-system-rediscovering.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 30, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 30, 2014 If you're happy to use one lens, maybe consider acquiring a s/h Leica X1 which has the equivalent of a 35mm lens and can be purchased for c.£600 … there is one currently listed by a UK dealer for just £375 complete with a warranty for anyone who does not mind having a camera with a broken but usable/functional battery cover door. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torgian Posted October 30, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 30, 2014 Don't do it! If you do, you'll be addicted and your wallet will become a black hole. If you do fall for the Leica, then I suggest the M9. Or, save more money for a longer time and buy whatever new iteriation of an M camera comes out. Or, save more money and spend it all on a used M240 and a couple of Leica lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted October 30, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 30, 2014 35mm f2.8 summaron and 50mm f2.8 Elmar. Both are excellent quality. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 30, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 30, 2014 I will get one but am torn between the M8 and M9. Budget is one consideration but I'm more concerned with getting and good reliable camera. If budget is a consideration you're barking up the wrong tree with Leica About reliability...I have had an M8, M9 and now M240. For the record, I never had to have my M8 or M9 repaired. But others have. If the M8 was going for $500 I would say it's worth the risk, but at 3x that price I personally wouldn't get involved with a camera that can't be repaired economically (or at all, depending on what goes wrong). The M9 has its share of sensor issues but at least Leica seems to still stock them and replace them free unless user-damaged. So far the M240 seems to be the most issue-free of the Leica M digitals overall. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted October 31, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 31, 2014 If budget is a consideration you're barking up the wrong tree with Leica... Unless you are willing to shoot film, that is. $1000-1500ish USD will get you a clean used film M camera. A nice used 50mm or 28/2.8 can be had for around $1000 to go with the body. I would agree with not getting an M8 - if it can no longer be repaired within reason in terms of cost, it seems like not a good purchase; everything breaks, sooner or later. As far as used gear, the M9 is worth considering, but it is not exactly a budget camera; they seem to go for $3000+ USD on eBay. So now we are back to a clean, used film M in the $1000-1500 range. ... So far the M240 seems to be the most issue-free of the Leica M digitals overall.Or you could say damn the torpedoes, take out a loan and get the M240. In the long run, this might well be your best course of action. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 31, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 31, 2014 Unless you are willing to shoot film, that is. $1000-1500ish USD will get you a clean used film M camera. Well the OP mentioned only that he was thinking M8 or M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted November 1, 2014 Share #17 Posted November 1, 2014 Well the OP mentioned only that he was thinking M8 or M9. True; I was just offering him some food for thought. If it's between an M8 and an M9, I would say spend the extra money for the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted November 2, 2014 Share #18 Posted November 2, 2014 I was reluctant to move up to the M240 but I found a like-new full-factory-waranteed demo for $1000 less than a new one. I don't use live view or movie mode, and it took some getting used to the different feel of holding it, and not having the frame preview lever, but I will admit the quietness is like having a film M back again, and I'm appreciating that I'm not constantly checking the sensor to see if it has cracked. Personally if I were in the market now I would do whatever I had to to lay my hands on a used one rather than an M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 2, 2014 Share #19 Posted November 2, 2014 Weeks ago .By whom? Source please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted November 2, 2014 Share #20 Posted November 2, 2014 By whom? Source please. My local Leica Dealer. He's the one for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. I asked him for my M9 and he emailed Leica AG. Leica AG got back to us via email with the news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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