Leica M8 price [Archive] - Rangefinderforum.com

09-01-2006, 12:57

Just got word on the M8 price. Obviously this can change. But according to my source, the is the sell price:

The M8 will be $4795

kshapero

09-01-2006, 12:58

Do you do loans?

SolaresLarrave

09-01-2006, 13:24

Not surprised. Thanks a lot, Jorge!

Nemo

09-01-2006, 13:25

That is 3,800 euros, 4300 VAT (tax 16%) included. A lot of cash.

Matthew

09-01-2006, 13:43

That may be a lot of cash, but entirely worth it to me.

Not to mention a lot less expensive than the pro film and video equipment I've grown used to pricing in the past couple of years. Working in the film world really does screw up your perspective on what bits of metal, plastic and glass should cost.

Mackinaw

09-01-2006, 13:47

A lot of cash.

A lot of cash, yes, but actually a few hundred U.S. dollars less than first rumored.

Jim Bielecki

nikon_junkie

09-01-2006, 14:11

Is it the Nikon D200 sensor? Is it something else?

I have never thought of the crop issue after using my Nikon gear with the 17-55mm and it can be adventageous at times with primes. However, I find my 35mm Lux not wide enough at times, and I don't want to think of it as my "new" 50mm Lux. Though I guess that would make my 50 Lux ... a 65mm....

For $5000 I think I will stick to my D200 and Leica film. Llet the sensor improve, allow someone else to be the test pilot.

Nemo

09-01-2006, 17:05

I will buy one, anyway. However, I am considering to buy a wide-angle lens, and the total amount will be 6,000 euros or even more.

FrankS

09-01-2006, 17:09

I may get one eventually. Name one digital camera (that was not discontinued) that did not go down in price after a few months.

sdai

09-01-2006, 19:35

Erl

09-02-2006, 03:13

In fact, I have given my "first" spot to a close friend and am planning to buy an used one instead ... once a Japanese Leica aficionado has written - buying a Leica firsthand ... just makes no sense. ;)

The 'sense' of course is only applicable to the 'Japanese Leica aficionado'.

As an Australian 'user', I see it quite differently, as I expect will many other individuals who think for themselves.

sgy1962

09-02-2006, 04:20

If Leica can price this thing under $5k, then they will probably capture a lot of sale from people sitting on the fence. Five thousand seems to be that magic line of demarcation what is acceptable, albeit with a stretch, and what is just too much.

greggebhardt

09-02-2006, 04:21

hth

09-02-2006, 06:08

I may get one eventually. Name one digital camera (that was not discontinued) that did not go down in price after a few months.

The Epson RD-1 I would say. It was always priced a safe way outside my comfort level. How is the price holding for the DMR? (I do not know, it is an SLR so I am not interested, but it should be an indication, though I think the M8 will do much better).

I think the M8 will hold value extremely well for some years as i cannot see that there will be any real competition to it.

/Håkan

Matthew

09-02-2006, 06:39

I think the M8 will hold value extremely well for some years as i cannot see that there will be any real competition to it.

/Håkan

I expect it to hold value as well. Perhaps not as well as film Ms have held their value, but the fact that (as you say) the camera has no real competition, appeals to a niche market but a significant niche, and will have enough MPs that any anticipated increase in resolution will be only incremental (no one will be feeling Megapixel envy), leads me to think that the M8 won't suffer from the sort of price depreciation we saw in the beginning of the the DSLR boom.

Flyfisher Tom

09-02-2006, 06:51

Jorge,

Is that the official US price (like at B&H) or will greymarket dealers like Tony Rose, or Rich Pinto have a lower street price?

harmsr

09-02-2006, 11:42

Tom,

I have heard that price rumored for Leica USA cameras with Passport warranty. I have one ordered assuming that it is going to produce files as good as or better than the DMR.

However, I would be extremely reluctant to purchase a grey market version of this camera without the warranty. On any digital/electronic apparatus which is a new release, I think the warranty is very important. My suggestion is buy from a Leica USA dealer and get the passport warranty.

Best,

Ray

P.S.: Tony Rose is a Leica USA authorized dealer.

Harry Lime

09-02-2006, 11:57

Just got word on the M8 price. Obviously this can change. But according to my source, the is the sell price:

The M8 will be $4795

Ouch. That's pretty steep.

I have no real need for a digital camera right now, so I will pass.

HL

09-02-2006, 20:07

Harry, its cheaper than a d2x and will probably hold its value since there wont be an m9 in 6 mnth like canon and nikon do :)

Flyfisher Tom

09-03-2006, 06:43

Thanks Ray :)

Just got word on the M8 price. Obviously this can change. But according to my source, the is the sell price:

The M8 will be $4795

Jorge,

Is your source telling you this is the USA/w/warranty price or greymarket?

thanks

ClaremontPhoto

09-03-2006, 06:52

there wont be an m9 in 6 mnth like canon and nikon do :)

I predict we'll see the 'M8-2' within two years.

sgy1962

09-03-2006, 07:37

I expect it to hold value as well. Perhaps not as well as film Ms have held their value, but the fact that (as you say) the camera has no real competition, appeals to a niche market but a significant niche, and will have enough MPs that any anticipated increase in resolution will be only incremental (no one will be feeling Megapixel envy), leads me to think that the M8 won't suffer from the sort of price depreciation we saw in the beginning of the the DSLR boom.

Increased or different digital technology will undoubtedly cause depreciation. And technology will change whether it is needed or not, because that's how you create sales. Digital changes have slowed somewhat, but changes still proceed on a vast scale. And if the M8 is a good seller, then you can expect Zeiss and possibly Ipson or Cosina to get into the game. And you can expect Leica to tweak the M8 as technology changes. These facts and suppositions coupled with the tendency of many M users to have the latest and best, and the disposable income to do so, will mean some degree of depreciation. More then you probably expect, but less then other companies.

If I were going to get the M8, then I would get it with the intention of keeping it no matter what advancements or changes are made in technoloogy.

greggebhardt

09-03-2006, 08:32

What most are wondering is if you buy the M8 and in two years the M9 comes out, what will the M8 be worth.

My thoughts are less but it will depreciate much slower than the typical DSLR. If Leica puts the quality into the M8 it hold it's own in the used market. I think that 10mp is more than enough for me for years to come.

What I want is QUALITY pixels in a QUALITY peice of hardware that will hold the best glass I can get my hands on. I am beting that the M8 is as close as I am going to get for years to come!

Received my first shots, developed from my new M7 this am and I must say I could not be more happy. After looking at these, I know I made the right choices in this purchase!:)

Matthew

09-03-2006, 09:04

...If I were going to get the M8, then I would get it with the intention of keeping it no matter what advancements or changes are made in technology.

I agree and based on the specs we've seen so far the M8 will be "enough" for most users. Whatever the level of depreciation it's not as though you will have to upgrade to feel as though you're getting good image quality as was often the case a few years ago.

Harry Lime

09-03-2006, 11:29

Harry, its cheaper than a d2x and will probably hold its value since there wont be an m9 in 6 mnth like canon and nikon do :)

True, it's cheaper or no more expensive than the big guns from Canon or Nikon.

For me the issue is that I really have no need to shoot digital.

Last October I purchased a Canon 5D. I used it a few times and then it ended up on the shelf. In the end I sold it because it was depreciating rapidly and it wasn't generating any income or getting used enough to justify its cost. Nowadays I simply rent a DSLR when I need one.

I rarely shoot color. Instead I'm a Tri-X kind of guy.

I don't have to meet insane deadlines or deliver pictures via satellite phone from the field.

When I do shoot a paying job, one of the reasons why people hire me is because I still shoot black/white film.

I'm really not that crazy about how digital looks.

I have a really good scanner, so in a sense I am digital while enjoying the benefits long-term analog storage.

BUT, there are certain issues that would compel me to buy an M8:

- If traveling with film becomes absolutely impossible.
- If I landed a job that demanded digital and would pay for the camera.
- If I really needed a difgital camera for work on a consistent basis.

But regardless I wish that Leica had been able to price the camera at $2999. Perhaps that is only possible if they moved production to China or somewhere, but nearly 5k is really pushing it out of reach for a lot of people who would otherwise buy one. In conjunction with a 28mm lens you are looking at about $7000 - 8000. That's pretty crazy, even by Leica standards and I'm not even sure if it is enough 'camera' to justify that kind of price.

HL

Harry Lime

09-03-2006, 11:29

Harry, its cheaper than a d2x and will probably hold its value since there wont be an m9 in 6 mnth like canon and nikon do :)

True, it's cheaper or no more expensive than the big guns from Canon or Nikon.

For me the issue is that I really have no need to shoot digital.

Last October I purchased a Canon 5D. I used it a few times and then it ended up on the shelf. In the end I sold it because it was depreciating rapidly and it wasn't generating any income or getting used enough to justify its cost. Nowadays I simply rent a DSLR when I need one.

I rarely shoot color. Instead I'm a Tri-X kind of guy.

I don't have to meet insane deadlines or deliver pictures via satellite phone from the field.

When I do shoot a paying job, one of the reasons why people hire me is because I still shoot black/white film.

I'm really not that crazy about how digital looks.

I have a really good scanner, so in a sense I am digital while enjoying the long-term benefits of analog storage.

BUT, there are certain issues that would compel me to buy an M8:

- If traveling with film becomes absolutely impossible.
- If I landed a job that demanded digital and would pay for the camera.
- If I really needed a difgital camera for work on a consistent basis.

But regardless I wish that Leica had been able to price the camera at $2999. Perhaps that is only possible if they moved production to China or somewhere, but nearly 5k is really pushing it out of reach for a lot of people who would otherwise buy one. In conjunction with a 28mm lens you are looking at about $7000 - 8000. That's pretty crazy, even by Leica standards and I'm not even sure if it is enough 'camera' to justify that kind of price.

HL

jaapv

09-05-2006, 15:43

Whisperings-whisperings: Introductory price 3925 Euro plus VAT. In the shops from the 2nd or 3rd week of November. For what it is worth.....