JBC Posted August 25, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am flying to New York on the 4th of september. I live outside USA, and this is an only chance to buy a Leica in a recognized retail store for me. I have nikon f801s, nikon f100, nikon d200. To heavy know, and always wanted a leica. Should I go for a used mp, since the m9 is coming. Should I go for used m8 Should I go for new m8 or 8.2 money is not an obstacle but I would not like to buy a new m8.2 and the next day that the m9 appears, the m8.2 goes down in price. I like to shoot b&w film, but also like the digital color form the m8. thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 25, 2009 Posted August 25, 2009 Hi JBC, Take a look here I have to buy a Leica on the 4th of september. Which one?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shootist Posted August 25, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 25, 2009 When are you flying out of the USA. Are you coming and going on the 4th of September? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 25, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 25, 2009 There is no pat decision-making algorithm that can be applied here. You have to go by your gut feeling. If you like shooting and processing and printing bw film, then the MP is of course a wonderful camera, and as for a M8 or M8-2, the to-do about 9/9 may well be all hot air. Nobody has expected a M9 that soon. Your decision will be made unconsciously. But you will have to have at least one lens for the M, any M, and whatever Leica will launch in the near future, that lens will remain an investment and a gem. So my best advice would be to buy a good used M, any M that suits you, and at least one Leica brand lens for it. The old man from the Age of the M2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcuthbert Posted August 25, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 25, 2009 Go with a used M8 and get a good lens. If money is no object, look at the Summilux lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBC Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted August 25, 2009 thank you all for your advice. I will be arriving on the 4th of september and leaving on the 7th of september. This means I will be out of the USA and still dont know about new technologies (m9). I think the used MP or used M8 is a better option, plus I will still need good money for a fine lens (summilux I believe would be a great investment and choice). I hope soon to poste some of my new photos with my new leica. thank you all, Jüergen Böehmer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted August 25, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 25, 2009 Seems you never had a Leica - right ? So -----> go for a used MP or M6 , Leica is better to be approached as a film device.... digital is the 2nd step Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 25, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Extend your trip by a couple of days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_m Posted August 25, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 25, 2009 Buy a 50 mm f1.4 ASPH lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitnaros Posted August 26, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 26, 2009 Since film seems to be an option, I recommend going for a M7 or MP. They keep their value for you and on the used market. Btw, B&H and some others ship worldwide. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbfilm Posted August 26, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 26, 2009 To keep your attention and vision on the bustling city, go film. M7+50 Lux and a 21 if you can afford it. I am frequent visitor, last visit was last weekend. I always shoot film in Gotham, It seems the natural thing to do. Take time to walk the Brooklyn bridge early morning. Have fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwind Posted August 26, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 26, 2009 Don't over look the dlux-4. Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erg Posted August 26, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 26, 2009 Go digital if you want to see and compare your results immediately without getting involved with films and scanners. Try to get a bargain for the soon to be replaced M8 and buy Summilux or Summicron lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtenay Posted August 26, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 26, 2009 The old aged question of waiting for the latest bit of digital equipment! If the M9 is announced prices of older equipment will probably fall, however how long will it be until talk of the M10 starts! At the end of the day it's what you do with the camera and the images you take. There are plenty of people taking great photographs with equipment which is quite old and some not such great stuff being done by people with the latest stuff. I have just returned to Leica and frankly love my M8.2, if the M9 comes along I will not change for the time being, in the same way, I don't change my computer everytime Apple brings out a new model or Photoshop releases a newer version. A great camera with good glass will produce great photographs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted August 26, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 26, 2009 Your case is a bit difficult: you want to make that purchase no matter what, but you also makes clear you want to skip film and th hassles. I think, your best bet would be to keep costs as low as possible, while waiting for a full frame M. For this reason a good second hand M8 is a cool option. Lenses are also an issue, even if they present a timeless invest, in that M8 is cropped, while the full frame is not. Pick a lens according to your application visiting this: Leica Camera AG - Photography - Lenses And check that 24 elmar, a new lens small, light and easy to use... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljclark Posted August 26, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 26, 2009 First, don't buy lenses based on shooting in New York. Buy the lens(es) you need for shooting at home. Your "mission" in New York is to get the camera as soon as you can, learn it, check out the results, and resolve with any problems in the few days you have "on the ground". Digital vs. Film. Do you shoot mostly with the F100 or the D200? Do you have a darkroom? Do you have a scanner? How do you like the film-digital workflow? If you are comfortable with shooting film and converting to digital as needed, then a film M may be a good option. In that case a used M6, M6 TTL, M7, or MP will do just fine. Any of those, as long as the camera is in good shape and the seller backs it up. There are plenty of 1-hour photo places in NYC. If you want all-digital, then you're looking for an M8/M8.2. Used will save you some money. But you have to dive a little deeper up front with an M8/M8.2. You need to get the IR cut filters, and you may need to get coded lenses. Will you have access to a computer and decent software while you are in New York? You'll need one to check out results from a digital M. Which lens? First of all, what focal length do you use the most with your other cameras. If you shoot with a 50 on them, then a 50 for a film M and a 35 for a digital M is where you should go. If you tend to shoot a little wider, then perhaps 35 film, 28 digital. (Some folks tend to prefer a slightly wider lens with a rangefinder than they do with an SLR.) For a second lens on the wide side, look for a 35, 28, or 24/25 for film, and a 24/24, 21, or 18. Consider the point at which you need to use an external finder. If you don't like external finders, or don't want to mess with them at first, that will influence your lens choice. Search this forum for advice on coding lenses for M digital. The cutoff appears to be around 35mm, with some claiming it is not necessary at 35mm, and others claiming it is. And you can always use Cornerfix software. Keep in mind that Leica service centers will not be able to code some older Leica lenses, though some private repair shops can. Enjoy your visit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimboom Posted August 26, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 26, 2009 I am flying to New York on the 4th of september. I live outside USA, and this is an only chance to buy a Leica in a recognized retail store for me. I like to shoot b&w film, but also like the digital color form the m8. Hi JBC, a month ago I bought a new M8 and a second-hand M6 Classic with 2 lenses, 28mm Summicron f/2 ASP and a 50 Summicron f/2, I’ve got the best of both world, Film & Digital. My advices get a new M8 or Used M8.2 good lens, and have some fun! Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpstjp Posted August 26, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 26, 2009 I am flying to New York on the 4th of september. I live outside USA, and this is an only chance to buy a Leica in a recognized retail store for me. If you're going to B&H they're closed on Saturdays. They do seem to have a couple of used M8s. Don't forget the sales tax. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 26, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 26, 2009 ljclark's advice is comprehensive and excellent. Whatever your choice, do check it out thoroughly while you are in New York. Sorting out localized guarantees is not easy when you return to another country. Good luck in your choice. Make sure you are entirely happy with it; impulse buying carries considerable risk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saloti Posted August 26, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 26, 2009 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/96190-i-ordered-m9-today.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBC Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted August 26, 2009 thank you again. All the input is very helpfull. My desicions are going more like this: 1. buy MP used 2. buy new leica lenses 28mm 2.8 elmarit or, 50mm 1.4 summilux. Both lenses I will like to have anyway (I can handle de crop factor in case I buy a M8 in the future). 3. M8, if I do not see any important decreasee in used equipment, I will wait. thank you for the advice. JBC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.