Would you sell your M8 or your M8.2 if you get a M9?

[GMB]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I know there are a few guys on the forum who, like me, own a M8 (in my case non-updated) and a M8.2. The reason why I kept my M8 when I bought the M8.2 was (1) back-up and (2) the desire in certain situation to shoot with 2 bodies in order to avoid having to change lenses (although I did this less often then expected).

 

Assuming for the sake of argument that the M9 is so good that one cannot resist the temptation, the question would arise whether to sell or not to sell the M8, the M8.2, or both.

 

Keeping both seems to make little sense, as I cannot see the need for 3 bodies. So one would have to go, even if it means taking a hit. Also, they are unlikely to increase in value.

 

The M8.2 has better frame lines, the sapphire glass, a quieter shutter, and (in my view) looks better). Also, it is still one year under warranty. So this would suggest keeping it.

 

On the other hand, the M8.2 is likely to fetch a higher price now but will further depreciate over time. The M8 is unlikely to depreciate much further. It also has the charm of being the first digital M and, who knows, may be a collectors item in 20 years. If you have 2 bodies, the fact that the shutter is a bit more noisy is not such an issue, as you can take the M9 when you need a quiet shutter.

 

So assuming there is a 500-1,000 Euro price difference, I would probably sell the M8.2 rather than the M8.

 

Another idea is to sell both. But that means no back-up (other than a film M7), which may not be such a brilliant idea.

 

I reckon that the decision is a very individual one and depends on several factors, in particular, needs and financial means) but would still be interested.

[dpattinson]

I'll probably sell my M8, only because I rarely carry two cameras and it would almost certainly spend its time in a cupboard if I kept it.

[gwelland]

I sold one M8u & 28 'cron combo recently, albeit with coincidental timing to the M9 story really firming up. I may well sell my M8.2 as well on the basis that I've certainly found with DSLR's that having a crop sensor backup camera alongside a FF one pretty much sentences the crop backup to the camera bag or shelf. I can live with my M7 as a film backup for the foreseeable future.

 

I found the ideal with my FF DSLR's was to get two cameras (D700 & D3X) but I'm certainly not going to spring for TWO M9's at this time though.

[ronaldh]

 

The M8.2 has better frame lines, the sapphire glass, a quieter shutter

 

And it appears that two out of these three much touted reasons for buying the M8.2 in the first place do not apply to the M9. I wonder why.

[scott kirkpatrick]

I don't think so, at least not while both my M8.2 and my M8u are still under warranty. I like the idea of figuring out which lenses belong on FF and which on 1.3X and leaving them there. It will take some time experimenting with the two viewfinders and accessory viewfinders to sort that out.

 

scott

[GMB]

[

 

And it appears that two out of these three much touted reasons for buying the M8.2 in the first place do not apply to the M9. I wonder why.

 

To leave room for a M9.2 ?

[Ecar]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would keep at least one M8/M8.2 body, and not only for backup purposes. Here are my thoughts:

• the M8 will still make great pictures for the next foreseeable future and I don't like the idea of taking a loss when there's still a good deal of excellent photographic mileage to go (although I admit I may think differently if I really wanted the M9 and needed to sell the M8 to help fund it);
  
• despite what everybody is saying, I'd rather be safe than sorry and allow for a possible recall of the M9 if any teething issues emerge on the first batches - in this case, keeping an M8 would enable me to continue using a rangefinder while the M9 is in Solms;
  
• an M8 will be useful in "unsafe" street or travel situations, where you don't want to be (too) worried about the value of the equipment hanging around your neck;
  
• I love the rendering of some of my CV lenses on the M8, but somehow have a feeling that they may not hold that well, particularly in the corners, when matched to a much more demanding FF sensor (I'd love to be proven wrong, though...);
  
• somewhat related to the above is the fact that I can't see myself mounting/dismounting UV/IR filters when switching cameras - assigning the "lesser" lenses with their filters on to the M8 may be a workable solution.

Just my 2c.

[UliWer]

I am not going to buy a new M9 so soon, but rather will think many times before i do so.

 

Though, even if i should decide to buy it one day, i won't think once of selling the M8. I kept the M6 when I got the M8 and I have added a few screw-mounts and historical Ms since. Besides "romantic" reasons there will always remain some practical ones: the crop format adds a few focal lengthes i won't have on FF: e.g. 24 from 18mm; 120 from 90mm and 180 from 135mm. And it will be fun to compare.

[chrism]

Being nothing more than a dabbling amateur, I don't need a backup, and given the awkwardness of taking off and putting on the UV/IR filters (especially on large objective lenses; it took me many tries to get the threads started correctly on some of the larger sizes) I would be inclined to sell the M8.2. The only reasons not to do so would be if I wanted to abandon the filters and reserve the M8.2 for B&W (but why not simply use the M9 for this too, and after all, 85% of my photos are B&W), or if I had to keep the M8.2 for Visoflex usage. Even if the M9 has exactly the same dimensions and will fit the Viso, the M.8 makes those lenses seem even longer - but I can get the same results by cropping the FF M9 photos. So in the end, as far as I am concerned, there is no really good reason to keep the M8.2 outside the need for a backup, which I personally can't justify.

 

Chris

[chris_tribble]

Sold my M8.2 - kept my M8u (I had framelines, shutter, glass) - I prefer the lack of S mode(!) + the black chrome - and oddly, my upgraded M8 had a quieter shutter actuation / re-cock than the M8.2!

[hjorlsrgn]

I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my stock, non-upgraded M8 having only owned it for 8 months. Of course I'm also still in the learning phase making the switch from DSLR to Rangefinder.

 

I think most of us would think it great to be able to snap our fingers and turn our M8 into an M9 instantly, but I will continue to learn and perfect my technique with my M8, as I am having a great time with it and still have over a year left on warranty, too.

 

Ultimately yes, I think most of us will consider an upgrade to the M9, but it would be a year or two for me. At that time the value of an M8 in good shape may not be worth the $ I would receive for it. That would probably be the main factor in selling because I wouldn't want to "give it away". As an amateur I'm not sure what the value of a back-up would be to me, though.

 

In the mean time it will be fun to follow the forum and see the initial impressions of the "improvements" and who knows, we may find that the "improvements" are really not enough to warrant the extra expense of upgrading. After all, we still get to use that wonderful Leica glass with our M8.

 

Regards- Hal

[luigi bertolotti]

Being nothing more than a dabbling amateur, I don't need a backup, and given the awkwardness of taking off and putting on the UV/IR filters (especially on large objective lenses; it took me many tries to get the threads started correctly on some of the larger sizes) I would be inclined to sell the M8.2. The only reasons not to do so would be if I wanted to abandon the filters and reserve the M8.2 for B&W (but why not simply use the M9 for this too, and after all, 85% of my photos are B&W), or if I had to keep the M8.2 for Visoflex usage. Even if the M9 has exactly the same dimensions and will fit the Viso, the M.8 makes those lenses seem even longer - but I can get the same results by cropping the FF M9 photos. So in the end, as far as I am concerned, there is no really good reason to keep the M8.2 outside the need for a backup, which I personally can't justify.

 

Chris

 

Exactly my feeling too : I don't feel the need for a 2nd body with the added "confusion" of focals, and I have sufficient film bodies for backup. WHEN I'll do the exchange is a nice question on which, at the moment, I don't think of.

[ronaldh]

Sold my M8.2 - kept my M8u (I had framelines, shutter, glass) - I prefer the lack of S mode(!) + the black chrome - and oddly, my upgraded M8 had a quieter shutter actuation / re-cock than the M8.2!

 

Am I the only one who will miss the black dot?

[jlancasterd]

Am I the only one who will miss the black dot?

 

I doubt it - I'm already wondering how much it will cost to replace the red dot on the black paint M9 with a black one... IIRC they have a self-adhesive backing and are easily removed/replaced.

 

Looking at what the M9 is likely to cost (€5,500 - £4,800) I may have to sell my M8, and various other pieces of rarely-used kit, if I decide to upgrade.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Don't like selling camera bodies. just seem wrong.

 

.

[colorflow]

Definitely will have to sell either M8 or M8.2 depending on how much more I can get for the 8.2. I've been also toying with the idea of selling some lenses to help cover the cost of the M9 since the M8/M9 combo will double the focal length coverage. I could sell my 35 Lux and 24 Elmarit and keep the 28 Cron and 50 Lux combo which still gives me 28, 37, 50, 67mm. Or, I could sell the 28Cron and 50 Lux and use 21 Elmarit and 35 Lux combo to get 21, 28, 35, 47 mm. This of course comes with the price of swapping lenses and IR filters, but hopefully not too often.

 

BTW, how come there hasn't been any talk of a 28 Lux?

[Steve Ash]

I told my wife that there is a new digital Leica M called M9. She surprisingly replied without hesitation why I do not sell the M8.2 to partly finance the new one. I still like my M8.2 and would expect too much loss in selling it. Thus I rather prefer to convince her that it is good to have second body as backup.

 

Regards

Steve

 

PS: When I think of a backup than I consider to use it for any telephotos images, i.e. to avoid swaping lenses.

[tollie]

I am hoping that Leica will offer some kind of trade in option to owners of the M8. There was an implied promise that the M8 would be a lifetime camera... Now I recognize that an upgrade of the existing body is not possible but an upgrade path via trade in would make sense.

 

Its in Leica's interest to induce me to put down money on the new product. If I hold on to my M8 until it gives up the ghost there is no financial benefit to the company. If the company can make some money selling me a new camera (albeit not the full dip) I don't see why that does not make sense. Profit for Leica, customer loyalty seems like a win.

 

Perhaps this trade in program might also include the purchase of a new Leica lens as full price which would sweeten the deal for Leica.

 

Well I can hope.

[johnbuckley]

If it is possible to do through the dealer with whom I've placed an M9 order, I intend on trading in the m8.2 I bought from him, and keep my M8(u). I think the M8(u) is terrific, it's still under warranty, and I'd imagine the M8.2 will fetch a higher trade-in price.

 

Having learned the hard way that you needed to have a back-up to the M8, I will unquestionably keep one or the other, and the M9 will have a little cropped-sensor understudy.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[BerndReini]

I think I'll keep my M8u as backup and for reportage situations. In that situation, I will have a long lens mounted on the M8 and a wide on the M9 since in my opinion, close-ups do not necessarily need the extra resolution. The M8 itself is too sharp for many a model's face.

 

Now, when I go out with only one camera, which is 98% of the time, this camera will be the M9 (if everything goes well). I always want the highest quality possibly for that shot that might be a keeper.

 

The longer focal length with the M8 will not be a factor since cropped, the M9 will still deliver the same amount of pixels at equal focal length as the M8.

 

When the M8.2 came out, I briefly considered getting a used M8 as a backup camera. Well, now I have one.