mike_leviste

<p>My recent experience which mimics yours OP...<br /> <br />M8 - Purchased approx 4 months ago. I purchased it used with the original firmware and early serial numbers. I upgraded the firmware to the latest and be on my way shooting with it. This is my first anything Leica RF and absolutely enjoy the rangefinder concept. Things that scared the bejesus out of me when I bought M8:<br /> <br />1. Serial number was one of the early batch that exhibited some problems. However, the one I sold did not have any of the reported problems eg. vertical lines in high ISO, shutter failure and etc In fact, I was very lucky? The M8.2 should have been the M8!<br /> <br />2. M8 are discontinued items and does not carry any warranty. Fronting out $2000 - $2500 for a used camera that maybe prone to problems and is out of warranty worries me. The unfortunate part is if it requires repair, be prepared to pay extra $$$$. I was in essense thinking long term but opted on selling it. Don't get me wrong, there are ALOT of M8 users that never had any problem. Reading the forums and articles probably scared me. I wanted to make sure the $ is well spent and not become an expensive paper weight.<br /> <br />Viable solution is to purchase an M8.2. I know this is still stocked at dealers where it carries warranty period. I think the warranty is good to have for peace of mind specially with digital M. <br />Reason for selling the M8 - Peace of mind. I almost bought an M8.2 from popflash with warranty but the price was almost nearing the M9.<br /> <br />At the present, I used the money to get a super minty M6 Classic for $1000.00. The remaining $1300 was used to purchase a 35mm lux pre-asph (well I added more $). The M6 is just as good as the MP at a lesser price point. The MP is really an M6 with added improved features but it is priced close to M8.2. It that's the case, you might as well get an M8.2? Only you can decide. The immediate plan is use Dlux4 for digital, use M6 for film. I want to improve my skills so I might as well go learn film and then work on digital. At a $1000 price point the M6 can be part of your gear that will last you a lifetime. At least you can have a piece of Leica history where Leica was synonymous to film camera excellence.<br /> <br />Going off tangent a bit - Sherry (someone asked who she is? Sherry is famed Leica repair person; when you dont want to give business to Leica, Sherry can do it cheaper and a "little" faster) does not like the M7 because of the reliability. It is the first electronic shutter and it was mentioned it is not reliable compared to the mechanical Ms. The M7 was the first Leica I've ever seen. It was from the movie "Euro Trip" which I enjoyed a lot. I was young then and my research on price for the M7 was out of the question. Now, all grown up, hobbies like photography is doable especially when you travel to different parts of the world and the only memories that you have are your pictures. Granted, it can be achieved using P&S which I used in my first Euro trip in 2005 and regretted it because I had a 2-megapixel camera. Fast forward to 2009 and I was back for Eurotrip 2 with the Dlux4 and was very thankful. It's a P&S but very capable of awesome images. In between those years, I had dSLR Nikons and got bored with it due to weight. <strong></strong><br /> Future plan is to save up for an M9. I plan to take a photography class so I can take advantage of the student discount. =)</p>

<p>Time for OP to drink the cool-aid. The price is a major complaint for non-Leica and Leica purists alike. I recently came back to photography after a long break. As a hobby, I found it very expensive. I had Nikon then and sold it after it was just collecting dust and losing touch with my photography buddies. I started editing pictures from the past and reminded me how fun it was. So, I tried the Leica M8. I got a used one and my joy for photography came back again. The joy would have been the same if I had purchased Nikon again? Most likely. But, I wanted to learn rangerfinders and plunged for the digital Leica M. The M8 has/had many problems. Right now, the M8 is priced decently in the used market. One should also be vigilant when buying one because of the many reported problems that plagued the M8. One should not pay more than $2000 for the rangefinder. Coupled that with a Zeiss ZM lens and try it for yourself. You may love it or hate it. One can always sell it back because there are lots of curious people out there especially in Asia where Leica seems to be targeting. Interesting enough, the M8 was listed for sale. A father and son (Asian) contacted me about my listing and came to my place to look at the camera. I asked what interested them on Leica. The boy flat out said "Leica is the best". I then, gave him the camera to play with. The boy did not know what he was doing. He just said that he heard it is the best therefore he had to have it. I do believe it has become more for status because of my experience with the buyer. In addition, what upsets me are the prices for used lens. I am talking about lens made in the 1960s and they are priced substantially high because of the digital Leica revolution. It is April now, and awaiting for the M9 to be available ubiquitously. Do I find it worth it? Maybe. Do I enjoy/love it? Yes. Do I find it expensive? Very much so! The keyword is love/enjoy, therefore I've already made up my mind on saving for one. When I have the funds, I may change my mind about it. If I do, at least I am $7000 richer. =)</p>