M8.2 and M8 water resistance

[MikeMyers]

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Since the M8, and then M8.2 came out at a time when people were finding ways to shoot in the rain, are those cameras any better or worse than the newer cameras that came out later, the M9, M10, and so on?  As I recall the M8 cameras were certainly not "waterproof", but taking photos in the rain was accepted.

Here's a thread from back in time:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/37490-m8-in-the-rain/

It's now many years later, and all of us, along with Leica, have learned a lot.  I get the feeling that it's safe to shoot in light rain, but not in a downpour, and while we should do our best to keep the camera acceptably dry, it's rugged enough to get the photos like were done in the old days.

I wonder if the M9, then M10, and so on, improved the camera's ability to deal with inclement weather, or whether all the newer and high-tech electronics made it even more risky to shoot in the rain.  I'm also wondering which lenses are better for this, "vintage" lenses, or the newest lenses?

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[jdlaing]

The M-8 and M-8.2 are not water resistant nearly as good as the more modern cameras. The lenses and mounts are the weakest point

[Rodgers]

For heavy rain, snowstorms and other times when the weather is too wet for a Leica-M, I'm on the safe side with a waterproof Leica X-U.
But it is also ideal for snorkeling in warmer waters.

[jaapv]

We did have a dunked M8 club on the forum Tina Manley was a member, she drowned her M8 in a raging river. I was as well, mine got swamped in Lake Nyasa. Both without ill effects. There were other members but I forget who. 
The only camera that I recall suffering fatal moisture damage was as an M8 left in extreme moisture conditions over a whole day in Greeland. It would probably have killed off a “weatherproofed” camera as well. After all, weatherproofing on cameras is basically limited to a bit of spray, nothing more. 

[MikeMyers]

From what you write, if it is "drizzling" outside, I should probably feel safe taking photos.  Thanks!  My attitude has been if it's drizzling, don't use the camera.

I know in the days of the M2 and M3, moisture wouldn't kill the cameras.  All those M series cameras used in Vietnam during the war got wet, and got muddy, but they continued to work as intended.

To be honest, I have no idea how my M10 would do in a "drizzle", and even less of an idea for   a M11 without having the base plate.

Leica cameras were expensive back then, but even Charles Bronson (Man With a Camera TV series) used one reliably.

I'd like to "shoot in the rain", but I don't.  Maybe that's a shame.  I won't even take it out on a boat with me, because of all the "spray".  I guess I'm being a "wimp".