M8 owners: Are you glad you held off on the M9 for the new M? - Page 2

zvos1 · 09-20-2012

I am happy with my M8. I shoot only B&W with it and the files clean up nicely in LR4 even at ISO1250. I didn't even bother with the IR cut filters. I think your lens choices are important for M8, my elmarit 28mm 2.8 is a perfect fit and it stays on the camera 90% of the time.
If I want all the bells and whistles on new M, I'll just use a DSLR. I also use nex 5n which compliments M8 nicely.

Vince Lupo · 09-20-2012

I never considered an M8, as the crop factor would have driven me nuts. I bought the M9 a bit more than two years ago, and have discovered that I'm primarily using it for b+w work. The Monochrom seems like the perfect camera for my personal needs, while the newly introduced M seems a bit much in terms of bells and whistles (particularly that I just got a D4!). Do I have any regrets at all for having purchased the M9 now that I'm likely to sell it in favour of the Monochrom? Of course not -- I'd likely not have gotten the photos that I've gotten with it had I been using some other camera.

maggieo · 09-20-2012

I'd love a Momochrom, but my M8 is showing its age (or mileage) and the M9 or M9-P is looking pretty good right now, especially at their new, discounted (by Leica standards) prices.

Calzone · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggieo

I'd love a Momochrom, but my M8 is showing its age (or mileage) and the M9 or M9-P is looking pretty good right now, especially at their new, discounted (by Leica standards) prices.

Good to hear that you got a lot of use out of your M8. Perhaps you still have the option of holding out for the Monochrom if that's the best camera that best suits you, since you still have the M8.

Also nothing wrong with taking advantage of the deals on M9's and M9P's.

Cal

maggieo · 09-20-2012

I've ridden my M8 pretty hard for the last five years and it's done right by me all this time, tho' the dreaded vertical line is now starting to creep into under-exposed ISO 320 shots now and then.

I reckon it's time for an upgrade, since an out of warranty repair would be nearly $2000.

froyd · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggieo

I've ridden my M8 pretty hard for the last five years and it's done right by me all this time, tho' the dreaded vertical line is now starting to creep into under-exposed ISO 320 shots now and then.

I reckon it's time for an upgrade, since an out of warranty repair would be nearly $2000.

It's comments like these that always make me snatch my hand back every time I reach out. Dante's camera in the classifieds --for instance-- is mighty tempting, but if reliability ever becomes an issue, I don't know I'd be able to afford the repairs.

maggieo · 09-20-2012

To be fair to Leica, many vertical line repairs have been done for no to little cost to the owner. I just haven't tried my luck yet, if at all.

Fraser · 09-20-2012

As much as I liked my M8 and sometimes consider buying one again, in my opinion the M9 is a big jump in image quality especially shooting raw. High iso is fine and quite usable at 1600iso I'm not really sure why people complain about it. My slowest lens is f2 which is a stop quicker than all my DSLR lenses so thats like shooting 3200iso. Maybe I will upgrade my M9 one day but I'm quite happy with it and feel like keeping it until it gets nice and brassy!
So yes I'm glad I changed from M8 to M9 (even though I sometimes wish I kept the M8! to use with my M9).

raid · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Love Film

You will be startled at how much more often you will want to pick up the M9 and use it as opposed to the M8.

The M8 was really a beta product, a stopgap not ready for prime time. The M9 is a mature camera with very few flaws.

I am being practical about it. I can buy a used M9 but I cannot buy a used digital M. Therefore, I bought the M9. I am really doing this to gradually transition to digital.

Kingsfan · 09-20-2012

i only held off on the M9 because of the cost. if cost was not an issue i'd be getting a Monocrom over an M.

Nicolai · 09-20-2012

I am happy with my M8 and will not upgrade to a m9 in the nearest time. But I must say that it is a bit tempting to do so.

What is going to happen with the prices on the M8? Are they going to drop as much as the m9?

raid · 09-20-2012

I think that $1500 will be the price of a used M8 and that $3500-$4000 will be the price of an M9 within the next three months.

semordnilap · 09-20-2012

It's an interesting question... I've taken thousands of frames on my M8 since I bought it in 2007, and it's been just a super camera for me. The M is tempting, largely because of, as mentioned by others, potentially better high-iso capability. Plus I like the usability of that rear thumbwheel, and that it has other metering options, at least in live-view, and better processing.

But I'm an rf shooter, so it is tempting to find a discounted M9 and just go with that, as an M is just a lot of money. So we will see... but I am with those who are worried about their M8's long term viability. So for now it's save and see what the future brings.

Tim Gray · 09-20-2012

I've waited. Never bought a digital M in the first place. The M9 was interesting to me, but the ISO performance and the issues with many wide angle lenses put me off - way too much money for me for a camera with those issues.

The Monochrom and the new M both appeal to me. I've been saving since 9/9/09

so I can actually afford one of them now. I'll wait and see how the new M turns out and then make a choice.

hausen · 09-20-2012

I really didn't like my M8, love my M9 and am already on this list for the new M. Reason for me is simple all of things I dislike about M9 have been resolved and if I ever need an SLR the M9 can effectively transform into that with the accessories and then revert back to lean RF camera when not required. Match made in heaven for me.

robklurfield · 09-20-2012

Find some for me, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damaso

I am glad I waited. Now I just need to find the money to buy one!

kbg32 · 09-20-2012

Why wait when you can use what is available. Things progress so rapidly now that the day you unbox your new Leica M, it will be on the decline.

LTN · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Love Film

You'll be dead soon, buy what you want and enjoy it before you kick the bucket and the government or greedy relatives take everything you worked so hard for, and they sell your best stuff for fifty cents or throw your cameras in the garbage.

I've heard it said, "my greatest fear is that after I die my wife will sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it!"

Ben Z · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbg32

Why wait when you can use what is available. Things progress so rapidly now that the day you unbox your new Leica M, it will be on the decline.

All my experience with Leicas has taught me I don't want to ever be an early-adopter. I may very well get an M, but not till its been out at least a year.

LTN · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by zvos1

I am happy with my M8. I shoot only B&W with it and the files clean up nicely in LR4 even at ISO1250. I didn't even bother with the IR cut filters. I think your lens choices are important for M8, my elmarit 28mm 2.8 is a perfect fit and it stays on the camera 90% of the time.
If I want all the bells and whistles on new M, I'll just use a DSLR. I also use nex 5n which compliments M8 nicely.

Indeed! I also have the M3, M6 and same lenses. Just purchased an M8 that was recently gone through by Leica. Looking forward to using the 28 2.8 on that M8! Of course I will carry a film camera as well. But I also have the Canon 5D MkII so if I REALLY need image quality - landscapes, etc. I will bring the DSLR along. But my day-to-day shooting really matches well with rangefinders, so that is what will be in my bag.

And, like many of you, I will be very interested to see what happens with prices but I will be surprised if they drop significantly. I think we will find the ME a bit of a compromise keeping the M9 prices up. I had a chance to handle/shoot a MONOCHROM this past weekend, and that is the camera I will be saving for!

Nicolai · 09-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid

I think that $1500 will be the price of a used M8 and that $3500-$4000 will be the price of an M9 within the next three months.

Well, that is just what I paid for mine so I can live with that.

Nicolai

jsrockit · 09-21-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid

I think that $1500 will be the price of a used M8 and that $3500-$4000 will be the price of an M9 within the next three months.

I agree. Some M9s have already sold for $4000 on ebay.

raid · 09-21-2012

No matter how good a digital camera is, its price will drop significantly year after yeat. When we pay $4000 for a camera, plan on a $500 depreciation per year, or even more. Think of it as the cost of leasing a camera, and we pay $500-1000 to use the camera for one year. We better use the cameta a lot.

jsrockit · 09-21-2012

I think of it as the same price as film and developing would be if I was using it during that time raid.

EdwardKaraa · 09-21-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I think of it as the same price as film and developing would be if I was using it during that time raid.

I calculate the same way. Each frame about 1/3 $, that's what I pay here in Bangkok for Provia+processing. After a few thousand frames, the camera is free. Any price I get for it is pure profit