Jman95 Posted October 2, 2020 Share #1 Posted October 2, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought an M8 a few weeks ago and now I’m wondering if I should keep the camera anymore. I know Leica doesn’t replace the sensors on the CCD models anymore and parts for this camera are in short supply so I was wondering if it’s worth keeping or moving to a Fuji X100F. I love the camera but I don’t want to be stuck with a paperweight if anything goes wrong. I also can’t afford an M240 and they aren’t easy to find here in Canada. The M8 is my only camera at the moment so that’s why I’m concerned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 2, 2020 Posted October 2, 2020 Hi Jman95, Take a look here Is it still worth keeping an M8? Is it serviceable?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted October 2, 2020 Share #2 Posted October 2, 2020 Can you buy insurance in Canada that would cover that circumstance? My US policy provides peace of mind for all my gear. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted October 2, 2020 Share #3 Posted October 2, 2020 The M8 is not serviceable for the sensor or the LCD screen anymore. Can be repaired otherwise but the cost of repairs is expensive generally. My M8.2 got the "coffee stain" syndrome a couple years ago but it disappeared by itself and the camera works perfectly since then. I'll keep it as long as it works but i don't plan to have it repaired in case of serious breakdown. If i were in your shoes i would ask to myself if i need a rangefinder. If yes, enjoy it and touch wood. If not, get the Fuji. Just my 2 cts . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 2, 2020 Share #4 Posted October 2, 2020 8 hours ago, Jman95 said: I bought an M8 a few weeks ago and now I’m wondering if I should keep the camera anymore. I know Leica doesn’t replace the sensors on the CCD models anymore and parts for this camera are in short supply so I was wondering if it’s worth keeping or moving to a Fuji X100F. I love the camera but I don’t want to be stuck with a paperweight if anything goes wrong. I also can’t afford an M240 and they aren’t easy to find here in Canada. The M8 is my only camera at the moment so that’s why I’m concerned. There is no way to tell whether anything will stop functioning in the near future, including ourselves, but chances are that it will keep working for many years. Would you give away your dog because you fear that it might die tomorrow? 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted October 2, 2020 Share #5 Posted October 2, 2020 11 hours ago, Jman95 said: I bought an M8 a few weeks ago and now I’m wondering if I should keep the camera anymore. I know Leica doesn’t replace the sensors on the CCD models anymore and parts for this camera are in short supply so I was wondering if it’s worth keeping or moving to a Fuji X100F. I love the camera but I don’t want to be stuck with a paperweight if anything goes wrong. I also can’t afford an M240 and they aren’t easy to find here in Canada. The M8 is my only camera at the moment so that’s why I’m concerned. I wonder why you bought the camera in the first place, it seems you are way too worry about the shutter, service, parts, if it will become a paper weight etc... usually those questions come before the fact. Buyer’s remorse perhaps? I enjoy mine and if it fails, it fails. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman95 Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted October 2, 2020 43 minutes ago, rivi1969 said: I wonder why you bought the camera in the first place, it seems you are way too worry about the shutter, service, parts, if it will become a paper weight etc... usually those questions come before the fact. Buyer’s remorse perhaps? I enjoy mine and if it fails, it fails. I bought it because I always wanted a digital rangefinder, I had an Epson rd1 earlier this year that randomly stopped working so I assumed the M8 would be less problematic. I only wrote this post to get an opinion, I’m still loving the camera and it hasn’t given me any issues. I just didn’t want to write this post in dpreview because I know people would just bash the M8, even though they haven’t owned one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman95 Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted October 2, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 3 hours ago, jaapv said: There is no way to tell whether anything will stop functioning in the near future, including ourselves, but chances are that it will keep working for many years. Would you give away your dog because you fear that it might die tomorrow? Thanks for the reply, lol jaap I would not give away a dog in fear it may die, that’s ridiculous, But if anything happened to it and the cost to repair was $1000 and I paid $1600 for it that’s a camera in the trash. I’m enjoying my time with it and I plan to I’m just getting an opinion from fellow M users. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted October 2, 2020 Share #8 Posted October 2, 2020 I hope the dog does not die tomorrow. But better photograph it today, just in case. 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 2, 2020 Share #9 Posted October 2, 2020 My M8 from 2006 is still going strong in the hands of my brother. My M9 and MM1 from 2009 and 2012 are still current cameras. We would not dream of selling. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
84bravo Posted October 2, 2020 Share #10 Posted October 2, 2020 (edited) I use M10 bodies for my daily work, however I love the M8 cameras for BW personal work. I purchased a few M8s used fairly cheap (in Leica dollars) and treat them as disposable cameras. When I saw a working one for under $1000 I bought it. Meaning that if one goes down and needs a costly repair, it's more economical to just pick up another one and run it until the wheels come off. A non working M8 can be easily sold for $500 on ebay. I use my cameras hard, and touch wood, I've had no serious issues with them (yet). Use your M8 until it stops working, then just get another one. Prices have inched up in the past year, but I think they'll level out and come down again. 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! Edited October 2, 2020 by 84bravo 4 Quote 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/313824-is-it-still-worth-keeping-an-m8-is-it-serviceable/?do=findComment&comment=4056017'>More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted October 2, 2020 Share #11 Posted October 2, 2020 9 hours ago, Jman95 said: I bought it because I always wanted a digital rangefinder, I had an Epson rd1 earlier this year that randomly stopped working so I assumed the M8 would be less problematic. I only wrote this post to get an opinion, I’m still loving the camera and it hasn’t given me any issues. I just didn’t want to write this post in dpreview because I know people would just bash the M8, even though they haven’t owned one. Most members at DPR Forums sign in just for trolling and discouraging other people to enjoy their gear. But there are nice, experienced people like JDLaing too. Just separate the wheat and enjoy your camera! I will never sell mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted October 5, 2020 Share #12 Posted October 5, 2020 Mine has about 5000 exposures and takes fine pics. I used it this AM. My son has one that probably has 10x that and it still works. 10/12 mp or whatever it has is plenty for most all uses. To double length or width of a print file, 40 MP are required . Have a decent computer. I have taken some M10 files at 24 MP and looked at them on my large screen computer at 2x3 feet enlarged with CS6 and they look as good as small images so you can always use PS to make them larger. 16x20 should be easy. I have been playing with Leica 4 decades now and it has always been expensive. Used stuff seems to always need some repair so any great savings are not there. 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! Quote 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/313824-is-it-still-worth-keeping-an-m8-is-it-serviceable/?do=findComment&comment=4057869'>More sharing options...
oudjunk Posted November 2, 2020 Share #13 Posted November 2, 2020 I just bought it last month (October 2020) and the cosmetic is great with fully box and accessories. Thanks for the ex-owner keep it best. I understood you. if you have only one camera and you concerned about that. i recommend to sell it. We won't know the future. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommonego@gmail.com Posted November 2, 2020 Share #14 Posted November 2, 2020 My M8 is a 2007 that I bought about a year ago, it was well taken care of and I like infrared, but color and B&W are nice too. I keep singing the Bobby McFerrin tune, "Don't Worry be Happy" while I use it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham (G4FUJ) Posted November 3, 2020 Share #15 Posted November 3, 2020 16 hours ago, tommonego@gmail.com said: I keep singing the Bobby McFerrin tune, "Don't Worry be Happy" while I use it. I can't sing (in tune ), but that sounds like a perfectly reasonable idea to me! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boojum Posted November 5, 2020 Share #16 Posted November 5, 2020 My M8.2 is functioning just fine. I have compared its images to those of an M240 of the same thing at the same time. The M8.2 has the better image as I see things. I am getting close to the end of the road and hope to not leave too much cash behind. If this M8.2 were to fail and not be worth repairing I would be prowling for another. I did not realize the subtle superiority of Leica imaging until I ran the recent test. And from my limited experience the M8.2 is the best image from an electronic camera by Leica. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted November 11, 2020 Share #17 Posted November 11, 2020 What will your M8.2 do if you die before it stops working? (....but you should probably pick up something to have available just in case it has an issue.) To the group - there used to be a very good camera repair shop in NYC, "Professional Camera Repair". I used to go there when necessary. This is 50 years ago, or more. On this forum, is there a list of appropriate camera repair shops, to know of, just in case? There is a huge Leica dealership in Miami - I guess if anything happens, I would go there first to ask what to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boojum Posted November 11, 2020 Share #18 Posted November 11, 2020 34 minutes ago, MikeMyers said: What will your M8.2 do if you die before it stops working? <snip> I do not know. Maybe get another if only as a parts donor. I am just using it and enjoying it. I try not to let my life be dominated by unlikely hypotheticals I am living in the now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSee Posted November 24, 2020 Share #19 Posted November 24, 2020 On 11/11/2020 at 10:06 AM, MikeMyers said: To the group - there used to be a very good camera repair shop in NYC, "Professional Camera Repair". I used to go there when necessary. This is 50 years ago, or more. On this forum, is there a list of appropriate camera repair shops, to know of, just in case? There is a huge Leica dealership in Miami - I guess if anything happens, I would go there first to ask what to do. Greets! Dunno for digital M innards, but these two have serviced my film Ms, including lens calibration & swapping out a fogged viewfinder (M6). http://www.dagcamera.com/ http://www.sherrykrauter.com/ Maybe best to check with Miami first ;) hopes you & yours are, and remain healthy, Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradS Posted November 24, 2020 Share #20 Posted November 24, 2020 This is the problem with all digital cameras...they eventually die and become expensive bricks. The Fuji will eventually meet the same fate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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