Considering a used M8: few questions

[N_Architect]

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Hello all,

 

After 15 years of shooting with a wide variety of SLRs and dSLRs, I am ready to make the leap into the red dot world.

 

Last week I traded an almost unused Sony A7 & grip, 2 batteries plus the 55/1.8 Zeiss for a well used but very clean v4 35/Cron. Now comes the hard part - choosing a Leica M body to go with.

 

The options I have are three:

 

1. Get a used M8 now. Camera has 10.2k shutter actuations, box, papers, Thumbs-Up grip. Careful owner (as far as I can tell), camera is also cosmetically very good.

 

2. Get a used M-E (abt 4-6k shutter actuations), and simply wear my 35/Cron on it plus buy a Thumbs-Up (which I love using).

 

3. Hold off for a month, then get the M-P Typ 240 new, and again mount my 4th gen 35/Cron on.

 

4. Hold off for a month, then buy an analogue MP, brand new.

 

Here I will ask a few questions pertaining to option no. 1.

 

(a) If I get the used M8, do I have to do 6-Bit coding for my lens first?

 

I have seen some comments that the coding can also be done DIY. Regardless and without doing any coding first, will it be hard for the camera to safely recognize this lens through the menu, once on the body?

 

( As I am fond of the 35mm focal length but want to try this rangefinder first, I am thinking of getting a Voigtlander 28/2.8. Do CVs or Zeiss lenses have potential issues when mounted on the M8? Referring to focus calibration issues, etc.

 

Or shall I take the plunge and go straight for a new Leica Elmarit 28/2.8? Leica glass is never a bad photo gear investment, but for my case if I need to add glass now, I might as well get a FF body and get started with my 35/Cron...

 

© What is the probability I may have a sensor issue with the M8?

 

For info, I do understand well that the workflow for the M8 shall be different to that of an M9 or M240. I also understand well that beyond ISO 640 things are not like my 1D Mk II N or 5D Mk III. But I do not mind.

 

I have been reading as much as I can here and there, and especially on this forum. What I see is that the M8 is a camera with tremendous character, so if I can establish solutions for lens incompatibilities / calibrations / pp workflow then I would not mind entering the 'red dot camp' via the M8 gate.

 

Alternatively of course I could forget about all above and just go buy an M240 or M-P (Typ 240), which is a very well proven and tested tool, and take it from there.

 

Would welcome any comments, apologies for the long post...

[bla]

Hello,

 

seems you got even four options to choose from. Lucky man!

 

I'll try to shortly summarize my opinion:

If you go for M8 you'll be able to get really excellent results if you handle it right. I do not know if you can live with the crop factor though. Most people crave for full-frame and cannot see that the moderate crop of the M8 has it's advantages, too (quality wise). I like 50mm focal length, so a 35 cron is quite perfect, but for the 35mm equivalent the 28 2.8 Elmarit is often recommended. (I'd be very unhappy with a maximum aperture of f2.8, but again that's my view)

 

As with every rangefinder lens camera and lens should be shimmed and built correctly that the image will be sharp where you focused it. There's no guarantee, so the best thing is to buy and test. If it doesn't work, sell again.(I'm assuming the camera is focussing correctly) So I have/had lenses from Voigtländer and Zeiss and focussing was not a problem.

 

6-bit coding might be helpful, esp with wider angle lenses. Do it yourself with a sharpie pen. If you don't change the lens, it won't rub away and you'll be fine.

 

Sensor issues seem to be more of a problem with M9 right now. With the M8 afaik a hot pixel (necessitating a sensor remap) here and there and some high ISO banding can be a little bit annoying. But nothing serious. The LCD screen can show a discoloration, but this seems to go away on its own after a while. And of course if one reads some negative reports always keep in mind that the satisfied customer rarely writes a review...

 

I have the M8 and A7, so for you too late, but for me the perfect combination. M8 for fun and coolness and A7 for fullframe. Both share the same lenses, it's ideal and maybe not a steal but still quite possible to pay for.

 

If you know what to expect you'll be (positively) surprised by the M8.

 

Have fun buying stuff,

Arvid

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[N_Architect]

Many thanks Arvid.

[farnz]

Welcome to the forum, N!

 

To add to what Arvid has written, if you're considering shooting colour with an M8 don't forget that you'll need to use UV/IR filters, which can be an irritation.

 

If the LCD in your M8 fails then unfortunately it's bricked because Leica has no spares. The 1/8,000 the shutter can fail suddenly although the 1/4,000th shutter seems pretty good. If the shutter fails then be prepared for a painful bill. It may sound like I'm anti the M8 but I'm not - if I was anti the M8 I wouldn't have bought back into it and I wouldn't have (today) paid the £600 bill to have my second M8's shutter repaired.

 

The M8 also offers the opportunity to shoot infrared handheld, which is the main reason i bought back into it.

 

I also have an M240 and without a doubt it is the favourite of all the M's I have owned and used (M2, M3, MP, M8, M9-P) because of its superb, improved rangefinder and the quietness of its shutter. If I could only choose one of an M8 and an M240 it would be the M240 every time, not least because it is full frame.

 

Regarding the Voigtlander 28/2.8 that you mention I wasn't aware that there is one and presume you meant the Voigtlander 28/2 Ultron. I was very underwhelmed with this lens and returned it because of back focus and focus shift. I now have an older 28/1.9 Ultron, which is a solid performer but not spectacular. My first M lens was the Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit asph and I would choose it over any of the Voigtlander 28's every time. Having said that I would choose a Leica 28/2 over the Elmarit every time too.

 

Pete.

[N_Architect]

Thank you Pete.

 

I am aware of the strong IR and b&w capabilities of the camera (M8).

 

On the CV, yes, was referring to the Ultron 28mm f/2.

 

I am viewing a used M8 (10k sc) tonight (S$1,700) but at the end I may go for a brand new M240 with an EVF. The latter has undoubtedly been a solid model.

[-Lss-]

Seeing that you can get the new Leica M, the only potential benefit of the M8 is the IR sensitivity. It's an older, cheaper camera that is almost as good. In some applications the difference is not significant, but generally the M is just better. If price is not really an issue, the choice seems quite obvious.

[N_Architect]

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Indeed.

 

As price is not an issue, I finally made up my mind and ordered a black M240 a while ago.

 

Many thanks for all your inputs. I shall be continuing my participations on this forum to the other board, for M240 bodies.