Are all m8 and m8.2 the same, except for firmware?

[jdsvt]

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Are all m8 or m8.2 electrical and mechanical components the same? Are the only differences firmware? If there are differences is there anyway to tell by the serial numbers?

I am in the market and wondering if date of manufacture makes any difference in the performance.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

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In a word, no. Firmware can always be updated, so it doesn't play a role in distinguishing the cameras.

 

Check the M8 / M8.2 brochure & specs available for download at Leica Camera AG - Photography - M8 & M8.2.

 

Some features of M8.2 can be added to M8.

 

M8 higher max shutter speed, higher X synch, noisier shutter with more vibration. Camera can be upgraded to M8.2 shutter.

 

M8 looser finder frames coverage. Camera can be upgraded to M8.2 frames, the tightest Leica has offered.

 

M8.2 sapphire glass coverplate for rear LCD. M8 can be upgraded to the sapphire plate.

 

M8.2 more direct means of controlling exposure compensation.

 

M8.2 Snapshot Mode.

 

Different color of "Leica" dot. Different color of flash shoe. Possibly other differences as well.

 

Since many M8s underwent one or more of the upgrades possible, some will be more similar to M8.2 functionality. Since all M8s that get repaired will be updated to current standard circuitry, all are potentially up to date.

[jdsvt]

In a word, no. Firmware can always be updated, so it doesn't play a role in distinguishing the cameras.

 

Check the M8 / M8.2 brochure & specs available for download at Leica Camera AG - Photography - M8 & M8.2.

 

Some features of M8.2 can be added to M8.

 

M8 higher max shutter speed, higher X synch, noisier shutter with more vibration. Camera can be upgraded to M8.2 shutter.

 

M8 looser finder frames coverage. Camera can be upgraded to M8.2 frames, the tightest Leica has offered.

 

M8.2 sapphire glass coverplate for rear LCD. M8 can be upgraded to the sapphire plate.

 

M8.2 more direct means of controlling exposure compensation.

 

M8.2 Snapshot Mode.

 

Different color of "Leica" dot. Different color of flash shoe. Possibly other differences as well.

 

Since many M8s underwent one or more of the upgrades possible, some will be more similar to M8.2 functionality. Since all M8s that get repaired will be updated to current standard circuitry, all are potentially up to date.

 

Thanks for the reply, very useful information, my post, however, should have been clearer.

Do all M8s use the same mechanical and electrical components throughout their production life? Or were their upgrades or changes folded into the production line starting with certain serial numbers?

 

Do all M8.2s use the same mechanical and electrical components throughout their production life? Or were their upgrades or changes folded into the production line starting with certain serial numbers?

 

Changes for example could be obsolete components that were no longer available and therefore equivalent components from different manufacturers were used. Those types of changes are less relevant to me, my main intent was to ascertain if there is any functional difference in a M8 based on serial number, similar question on the M8.2

Thanks