Shall I hold off > ? < $$,$$$.$$ USD .Buy it NOW!

[genen]

I am not an expert on Leica, I like the Leica Brand, I like the quality, never owned a Leica M.
I liked the Leica “image” of a quality product until I scanned the M8/M9 forums.
I decided I would pick-up ( @ far less than ½ the cost of a new) a Demo M8.2 with full warranty; a camera I knew had an inborn design fault. I can live with that for a few years until I determine if the Brand is for me. Then purchase whatever is the current Leica M digital. I like shooting IR landscape anyways! 10 vs 18 MP isn't night and day in quality with the same Kodak sensor. Id like to try a M8.2 with 28mm & 50mm.

Over the past weeks I see more and more issues with the Brand and their M8’s and M9’s. I don’t need to list them, the forums list them out. Even in this day of instant feedback around the world in seconds –should I have concern? I’m no entry level shooter, been doing the photography/imaging arts thing for 50+ years, Minox to 8x10 view and digital systems since I got my MFA 20 years ago.

Is this a really good product? (M9), it is selling well … I’d like one too. I am sure there are a lot of happy uneventful M digital owners out there not making noise. All these firmware updates to correct this and that, I guess it gives me cold feet about dropping ($) 10 Grand for a body and a couple lenses.
Some might say … “then don’t!”

I guess I’m reaching out for the happy and satisfied owners to confirm my initial interest in the Leica M Brand.

Thanks for taking a few seconds to consider my concern.

[chrishayton]

If it has a warranty then yes its a good camera to buy. It has beautiful image quality and is supremely sharp due to lack of AA filter.

I love my m8 and cant see me selling it at all.

[genen]

I like your 17FEB work, the shadow and wheel chair make a strong image with your sense of line and space. You shoot from the hip on a lot of the street peoples?


Thanks for the positive feedback on your M8, that is my second (gear)option an M8 full (new Demo) warranty and a polished M4-P, 28 2.8 & 50 f2. It is just "gear" which is needed to feed an addiction.

[ampguy]

Get a good one, try it first, ask your dealer or the seller to back it up.

A Lexus running well with 150K on it with one owner is likely to be more reliable than one with an unknown history, but with recent fixes/repairs/lemon issues, IMHO.

[Roger Hicks]

There are lots of complaints about EVERYTHING on the internet. Some are fully justified; some are from people who whinge about everything as a matter of principle; some are sour grapes; some are pure hearsay.

Put it this way: the only reason I have found NOT to use an M8.2 as my primary digital camera is an M9 (MP remains the choice for film). Check my web-site for M8-8.2-9 reviews and lots of pics taken with M2, M4-P, MP, M9, M8.2, M9: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/photo%20school%20index.html

Cheers,

R.

[tbarker13]

I've had my share of issues of the various M8s that I've owned. But nothing that has convinced me to give up the camera. It's a wonderful photographic tool.
As has already been suggested - buy one with a warranty.

[MCTuomey]

c'mon in, the water's fine. you might have a problem or two, you might not. the camera is worth the risk, imho. as tim says, and his M8 work shows, it's a great tool.

as to lenses, i think a 15-18, a 28-35, and a 50 are nice focal lengths for the M8.

[jaapv]

Only one way to find out, just buy the darn thing. - I have two M8 cameras from before day 1. Nothing but the "normal"problems, i.e. the factory recall of the first batch, which went flawless, and the need for IR filters - the vast majority is without any problem. And if you get warranty - what do you have to lose?:confused:

[genen]

Thanks for all the "jump-in" comments.

My M8.2 and 28mmf2 should be here tomorrow or Wednesday, good way to start the summer.

Can't wait

Thanks

[jaapv]

The only real risk is the possiblity that you'll go to M9 sooner than you anticipated ;) Have fun!

[genen]

The only real risk is the possiblity that you'll go to M9 sooner than you anticipated ;) Have fun!

So far I like it ... In future Years? ...perhaps M9.+ or M10? The test in following months will be - does the camera do what I NEED? If I should need more pixels or another vast improvement.
Print size is OK with the M8:
I considered an M9, save a few dollars more than half of a new M9 with the M8.
If I need 40x60 prints I'll use a Hasselblad.
Print size differences with a M8 vs M9 @300pixel per inch
13x9 inch M8 and
18x12 inch M9.
Not a night and day difference.

There may be a 60MP sensor in the next generation, there is always a new and improved - ... thank goodness!

[jaapv]

It is not the resolution/print size part of the story - even M8 files will easily print to 1 meter wide - it is the smoother transition between contrasts and colours that makes the difference.

[gshybrid]

Print size differences with a M8 vs M9 @300pixel per inch
13x9 inch M8 and
18x12 inch M9.
Not a night and day difference.

There may be a 60MP sensor in the next generation, there is always a new and improved - ... thank goodness!

I've printed cropped M8 files 13x19 and they look great....

[ampguy]

Is this something that can be seen only in print? If so, at what sizes/settings? Thanks.

When the a digital M comes out with IR capability, less overscan, 1/8000 shutter speed, weaker IR filter, no weird red lines, I'll take a look.

Oh wait, that's the original M8!!

It is not the resolution/print size part of the story - even M8 files will easily print to 1 meter wide - it is the smoother transition between contrasts and colours that makes the difference.

[genen]

I just did a couple 20x30 inch prints from my M8.2 and they do look great.
(Canon ipf 9100)

Leica is great gear and I'm sure the M9 has quality improvements. For the money I got in with a M8.2 and used 28mm f2 and I'm a shootin and a shootin ! Loving IT ! After 50 years of doing photography - I'm 8 years old again!

[jaapv]

Is this something that can be seen only in print? If so, at what sizes/settings? Thanks.

Where else than in print can you see quality differences?:confused:. Basically the differences are small, but they are there, at all sizes of print. Of course in the unlikely event you are printing a billboard and looking at it from 25 cm, the difference in resolution will count.

All this cannot be , imo, the sole reason to prefer an M9 over an M8. The difference in IQ is too small for that. The whole package is convincing, and is more than a sum of the details.
And I have never seen weird red lines on my M9 - once on an M8, but that disappeared again after a few shots, never to return.

[gdi]

Where else than in print can you see quality differences?:confused:. Basically the differences are small, but they are there, at all sizes of print. Of course in the unlikely event you are printing a billboard and looking at it from 25 cm, the difference in resolution will count.

All this cannot be , imo, the sole reason to prefer an M9 over an M8. The difference in IQ is too small for that. The whole package is convincing, and is more than a sum of the details.
And I have never seen weird red lines on my M9 - once on an M8, but that disappeared again after a few shots, never to return.

I am a bit surprised at your assessment of the quality difference, Jaap.

I find that the image quality is greatly improved to my eye and is quite obvious on screen as well as in print. I had read and re-read reviews, and looked at images online and was prepared to see little difference between the two. In practice, however, the image differences were immediately apparent - color reproduction, tonal transitions, and detail. Combine the image quality with the vastly improved usability and full sized sensor and there is really no contest, the M9 is a far better camera. (I know that some testing sites show little advantage - Puts for one - while others show a pretty large one - DXOMark- so I think one can choose the tests that supports one's pre-conceived conclusions and ignore the rest.)

In my case, the M9 has exceeded my image quality expectations and I have happily passed the M8 along to another photographer to enjoy. Yes, the price is higher, but, IMO, well worth the extra $1000 over what I paid for my M8 3 years ago.

[jaapv]

Well, I have a clear preference too, but in quantifying these things one has to take care not to raise expectations to unrealistic levels. A fine balance, and I may have been slightly overcautious.

[gdi]

Well, I have a clear preference too, but in quantifying these things one has to take care not to raise expectations to unrealistic levels. A fine balance, and I may have been slightly overcautious.

I thought so. ;)

As you may or may not recall, I tend to be generally skeptical regarding new camera hype and attribution of "magic" qualities. But the M9 has left me quite impressed, vis a vis the M8 ( the top DSLRs may be a different story, but I rarely shoot those).