second M8 body - why?

[tom0511]

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I understand that pros need a second body/M8 as a backup.

I also understand thatin film times you could benefit from a second body loaded with different film.

So my question: for what reason would an amateur get a second M8-body?

And for those who own 2 M8s - how often do you carry both of them and how you use them?

Thanks, Tom

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[jaapv]

From Friday for the next month I will have two bodies with me. Essential to have backup in Central Africa, desirable to avoid changing lenses in dusty conditions, practical to be able to switch focal lengths fast when shooting wildlife from a fixed position.

[Fotomiguel]

I wish I could...

[glenerrolrd]

For me this was an easy decision. I work best with two bodies. Typically I have a wide angle on one and a normal or short telephoto on the other. This way I can avoid changing lenses for most situations. For example ..in good light..I might use the WATE on one body and say a 50mm or 90mm on the other. Cloudy or weak light maybe its the 35/75 Summiluxes. It also obviously provides backup if one body fails...particularly nasty when traveling.

[ArtZ]

Reason 1:

 

M8-1: WATE + Frankenfinder

M8-2: MATE

 

This configuration saves you changing lens most of the time. I can live with f4 most of the time.

 

Reason 2:

 

I'm sure that there's a Murphy's law which says something like that: "When you DO need really your M8, it will stop working and you will need to send it to Solms"

 

Conclusion:

 

To be honest, if I wouldn't have bought my second body if the M8 had less problems. WATE+MATE makes me also a lens backup in most of the focal range. I think in a few months I will get also a CRON/LUX 75mm, because if my CRON 90 needs service, I don't have anything to replace it.

.

[Kent10D]

To be honest, if I wouldn't have bought my second body if the M8 had less problems.

 

So let me get this straight. You're saying that Leica is selling more bodies because the M8 has problems?

That will give the marketing guys something to talk about.

[jaapv]

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Well, to be honest, though I would have bought a second body in any case, the fact that I had to send my camera in for updating in January made me buy one a few months earlier.

Another reason: one body I keep with me most of the time, so it collects most of the scuffs and scratches, the other one has been nicely engraved and is earmarked not to be sold if I ever should decide to buy a newer version in the future.

[ArtZ]

So let me get this straight. You're saying that Leica is selling more bodies because the M8 has problems?

That will give the marketing guys something to talk about.

 

Kent,

 

As I said on other posts, few years ago all my Leica film gear was stolen. When I bought the M8 I had to buy also new lenses, all from scratch. All of them are new brand (I just got a MATE last week second hand, even if it has never been used): four Leica new lenses + MATE + CV Nokton 35mm. This is a hell of money.

 

After all the problems I had since the begining, if I had just one Leica lens (or maybe two), I would have sold already my M8. But if I sell everything now, it will cost me a lot of money.

 

I though that getting a second body it will be, let's say, a "kind of less expensive" option... So here we are...

 

I wish to make this clear: I like my M8 not because is a Leica, just because it's a rangefinder. It makes me laugh when I hear people saying "Leica quality is amazing, the quality of the pictures with the M8 is fantastic, etc." Unfortunately there's not other digital rangefinder on the market right now, but I'm sure if Nikon or Canon will produce one, the quality will be probably better than actual Leica's quality.

 

 

PS: Kent, as you know (you helped me on this issue), I was looking recently for a R-D1s in Japan for a friend. I think I would have also bought another one for me to backup my M8. Yes, the 6M pixels on the R-D1s is not enough, there's also vignettings problems, 1.5x crop, etc. But this would have been good enough for a backup camera.

[marknorton]

I have three, a pair for backup and to use as others have described with different lenses (such as WATE/MATE, 28/75) to avoid changing lenses. Without nursing them too much, I take care to protect the cameras and the lenses. When we get the APO 21-28-50-75-90 Penta-Summilux-M ASPH and Leica's electronics are beyond reproach, I'll only need one.

 

The third, the one which came apart, together with a few "cosmetically challenged" lenses (mostly older lenses like a pre-ASPH 35mm Summicron IV and a pre-ASPH 50mm Summilux) is for when I dont want to be worried about the odd scratch or scuff.

 

Actually, the rough and tumble camera is bearing up quite well but definitely looks "used" now, but not abused.

[Eoin]

......After all the problems I had since the begining, if I had just one Leica lens (or maybe two), I would have sold already my M8. But if I sell everything now, it will cost me a lot of money.

I though that getting a second body it will be, let's say, a "kind of less expensive" option... So here we are...

 

So now you have 2 M8 bodies which will may be the fastest deprecating items if a new Digital M is announced. Sounds like good money after bad given your experience to date.

 

I've often thought of a 2nd body, but it's more desire over need. I would only consider digital as the option which leaves very little in the choice department. Nah! I can wait and see what comes down the road in a few years, then perhaps my trusty M8 will be relegated to a backup.

[POKO]

As I do not use the M8 for work - yet - I have not needed a back up body. (when away on a vacation, I bring my MP as a back up) I am still getting comfortable with the files, and do not want to use it (the M8) exclusively for work until I am. I recently used it for smaller shots along side my P45/Hassy V body combo and when reproduced, the files had a similar “feel” to them. I was very pleased!

 

If I eventually get a second body, it will be as a back up only. I tend to prefer shooting with a single body and lens, not changing lenses very often. I will not use the second body unless my main bidy fails, so that when and if a M9 is released, my user body will become my back-up, and the “new” back up body will be sold to pay for the M9. I figure the money lost in the transaction is the cost of my insurance to be able to keep a back up.

 

P

[ArtZ]

So now you have 2 M8 bodies which will may be the fastest deprecating items if a new Digital M is announced. Sounds like good money after bad given your experience to date.

 

I've often thought of a 2nd body, but it's more desire over need. I would only consider digital as the option which leaves very little in the choice department. Nah! I can wait and see what comes down the road in a few years, then perhaps my trusty M8 will be relegated to a backup.

 

Eoin,

 

On April 17th 2001 I had a terrible motorbike accident. A car ran into me and send me to hospital for 5 long years. 9 surgery operations, many times (after each operation) in reeducation centers, pins in my leg for 18 months... Even like this, I kept travelling around the World with my Canons, white lenses, etc, etc. In 2003 (between two serious operations) I did a 11 month trip around the World... Now I have a knee prothesis. Doctors manage, exceptionally, to keep my leg. In a way, I was very lucky.

 

If this wouldn't have happened, I will keep travelling with my Canon gear. For long trips, I usually do it with someone because my walking capabilities are highly restricted. He/she carries my bags when the pain becomes unsuportable. And this is not going to change in the future, because I should change my prothesis in a few years time... Unfortunately, they don't last for ever.

 

Comming back to the rangefinder has a lot to do this. I love photography but I cannot take with me 25 Kg (60 pounds) gear all the time. In Paris, or during short trips, or when I travel with someone, I still take my Canon gear.

 

It will depreciate, I know, but I have to live with that. I hope this may clarify the situation.

.

[jaapv]

So now you have 2 M8 bodies which will may be the fastest deprecating items if a new Digital M is announced. Sounds like good money after bad given your experience to date.

 

I've often thought of a 2nd body, but it's more desire over need. I would only consider digital as the option which leaves very little in the choice department. Nah! I can wait and see what comes down the road in a few years, then perhaps my trusty M8 will be relegated to a backup.

 

Hmmm. A Leica M8 body costs far less than one of my jaunts into the dark continent - as such it is an <admittedly expensive> reasonable extra cost.

[Eoin]

Manuel, I don't wish to appear indifferent to your physical condition and reasons for choosing a Digital Range Finder, I too have had several major operations over the years to patch up bits of me damaged due to motorcycle accidents (none of which were my fault I may add).

 

But what surprises me is given your comment that "I wouldn't have bought my second body if the M8 had less problems". I just can't understand the logic, I'd have returned the original camera to Leica for repair or replacement and kept doing so until I was 100% satisfied and confident in the camera. Then this would have negated the need for the 2nd body. I certainly wouldn't be buying a 2nd body if I lacked confidence with the original body.

[marknorton]

Hmmm. A Leica M8 body costs far less than one of my jaunts into the dark continent - as such it is an <admittedly expensive> reasonable extra cost.

 

...particularly if you like to charter planes to get from A to B. LOL.

 

I've just had to pay M8 money to have new catalytic converters fitted to a car and I know which gives me greater utility... and it's not the one which will save the planet.

[Eoin]

Jaap, having not been to a dentist for quite a number of years due to the fact that my prior history with them seems to indicate they seem to have a physical life span of 3 years after I become a patient. My previous 4 dentists have all departed this world. But I would suspect given the fees I'm being quoted now for dental work a 2nd M8 could be funded quite easily from the surgery petty cash! Enjoy your trip, I'm sure you deserve it

[marknorton]

Eoin, I'm sure Jaap will cut you a deal... but I'd leave it a few weeks for him to get back into practice after he comes back from his trip...

[jaapv]

Jaap, having not been to a dentist for quite a number of years due to the fact that my prior history with them seems to indicate they seem to have a physical life span of 3 years after I become a patient.

 

 

In that case I'm certainly not taking you on as a patient....

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[Eoin]

No way!, Mark, Jaap is a valuable member on the forum, I'd hate to shorten his lifespan, people would never forgive me,

[ArtZ]

But what surprises me is given your comment that "I wouldn't have bought my second body if the M8 had less problems". I just can't understand the logic, I'd have returned the original camera to Leica for repair or replacement and kept doing so until I was 100% satisfied and confident in the camera. Then this would have negated the need for the 2nd body. I certainly wouldn't be buying a 2nd body if I lacked confidence with the original body.

 

Eoin,

 

When I got my first, first, body on Saturday 9th June, it was for my trip to Moscow and Baikonur on Friday 15th June (my best friend is a cosmonaute and he invited me to a parabolic flight). I didn't want to take with me Canon gear for this trip. 24 hours later, SDS. Finally, on Tuesday everything was arranged. I got a new body. Leica was indeed very pro-active.

 

I started reading this forum after buying my first M8. It seems that many people here have send their M8 to Solms (one, two times...). I believe that my M8s will go need also to Solms... even if I hope not!, so I wouldn't like that happens just when I have planned to go somewhere.

 

And as I stated before, for the moment, the only digital rangerfincer on the market is the M8. I was not going to sell of my new lenses plus my first M8 because I would have lost a lot of money. If I bought my second body last month, it was also because it was 600 € cheaper than its actual price and I was told that the "October bodies" will be the same than the previous.

 

So I don't see many possibilties other than having a backup body.

 

Addition:

 

When I was travelling with my pins (Australia, Canada, Africa, US...) I had to pay for two plane tickets (plus the ticket of the person comming with me!) because the Air Company had to use the seat in front of me (putting down the seat back) to be able to place my leg which I couldn't bent. You might think (as me) that's not fear... but if I wanted to travel, I couldn't do it otherwise.

 

Sometimes we have no choice... and we must accept things that we would refuse in the absolute.

.