I am about to buy an M8!

[raid]

I will buy an M8 within the next 24 hours.
Is there something you feel you want to share with me about buying versus not buying this camera?

Compare it with the Fuji X Pro 1 or similar at the $2500 price range.

[Bingley]

Remember the line from the Inferno, Raid: "Abandon Hope, all ye who enter here..."

[raid]

I am prepaing for Dooms Day when film becomes too expensive to use.

[DennisPT]

Things that you might have already known like dead pixel and line, RF alignment, shutter count, warranty, avoid the early batch, checking baseplate to ensure its secure, check battery and SD card slots, LED display...that's what I can think of and good luck and enjoy the new toy Raid.

[raid]

Ipad with no problems. I corrected the "few" typos.

[raid]

Originally Posted by DennisPT

Things that you might have already known like dead pixel and line, RF alignment, shutter count, warranty, avoid the early batch, checking baseplate to ensure its secure, check battery and SD card slots, LED display...that's what I can think of and good luck and enjoy the new toy Raid.

Thank you for the tips, Dennis. I am shooting for a mint M8. There is one for $2500. Popflash has one for $2300 in 8.5 out of 10 conditon.

[jazzwave]

If you are not high ISO chaser, M8 is the best....the image result so crispy (in good way) compare to Fuji or M9.

And it's real RF, so you will get similiar "feel" with other M (M2-M7).

Good luck with your shopping



~ronni~

[raid]

Thank you, JSU.
It is difficult to do such checks with cameras being listed online unless I ask the seller to perform such a check. I can certainly do it after getting the camera. There is one camera with "between 200-400 actuations" according to the seller.

[raid]

Originally Posted by jazzwave

If you are not high ISO chaser, M8 is the best....the image result so crispy (in good way) compare to Fuji or M9.

And it's real RF, so you will get similiar "feel" with other M (M2-M7).

Good luck with your shopping



~ronni~

No, I am not a high ISO shooter at all. If you go by film cameras, I mostly use ISO100 film in the Florida sun.

Thank you, Ronni.

[custom875]

I sold my M8 for the Xpro and I do miss it a little. They are both great cameras but I have a feeling I will be selling the Fuji and some other cameras for a used M9 one day.

[Jubb Jubb]

2-400 actuations is very good. You will be very surprised at the files at ISO160. Absolutely gorgeous. Glassy, rich in detail, beautiful colour.

Best of luck raid. It's a camera I love.

[raid]

I am torn between buying from a dealer and get an extended warranty (if available) or go with a very clean M8 from a private seller.

The M9 costs at least twice as much in used condition. I mostly take photos of my family with 50mm lenses, so the 1.33 crop factor is OK in the M9. I can use the 28mm and 35mm lenses as my normal lenses.

[Bingley]

Sounds like the M8 will work for you, Raid. I'm holding out for an OMD, since I'm happy w/ the m4/3ds format and the Panasonic lenses I've got.

[custom875]

Yes popflash has one that I would buy if I were in the market. Seems like its in good condition and comes with some filters. I think I sold mine for around 1900 on eBay a few months ago with 7k actuations and a few blemishes.

[raid]

Steve,
The M4/3 system is great. The M8 adds the Leica touch to it, with also less cropping.

[raid]

Originally Posted by custom875

Yes popflash has one that I would buy if I were in the market. Seems like its in good condition and comes with some filters. I think I sold mine for around 1900 on eBay a few months ago with 7k actuations and a few blemishes.

I have asked Alex if they offer an extended warranty or not. Is this a crucial factor?

[Glass Addict]

I skipped M8 and went to M8.2 and been on M9 for a while now.

Reasons I went with M8.2 over M8 (saved up a bit more to get the M8.2)
Most of the reasons are user experience really.

- shutter feel. I didn't like the shutter sound on the M8. To me, M8.2 was definitely quieter, felt slightly less vibration.

- Covering, I like the rugged covering of M8.2 better for grip

- LCD screen, M8.2 has sapphire screen, but there are screen protectors that you can slap on the M8

- Charger, I hate the M8 batter charger, it's just too big. I also heard that the charging time on the M8.2 charger is shorter.

- I don't need 1/8000 shutter speed.

- frameline issues.
The only really smart change is the adoption of frame lines that are related to the scene representation at a distance of two meters. The M8 has frame lines that relate to the scene framing at a distance of 0.7 meters. The idea behind this choice is to be sure that the photographer gets every part of the scene that he sees on the sensor at every possible distance. But the downside is the fact that at longer distances the sensor captures much more of the scene that the photographer assumes he gets based on the selected frame lines in the finder.
(http://www.imx.nl/photo/Analysis/page121/page121.html)

Easier to change ISO
Useful too is the option to change the ISO speed when you press the release button and turn the selection wheel. The change in EV value is visible in the finder. Not the best of solutions, but given the limited opportunities for change, this is quite acceptable.
(http://www.imx.nl/photo/Analysis/page121/page121.html)

- I like black paint of M8.2

If your budget is fixed at $2500, you may still get lucky and find an M8.2. Sometime 1-2 years ago, I think I sold mine for a few hundred more.. Not sure how much they sell for these days.

[raid]

Thanks for the information on the M8.2. I will give it consideration. I wish that I could use an M8 for a week to find out myself if I like it or not.

[custom875]

I haven't purchased a camera from them but I like that they have a 30 day warranty. Seems safer than purchasing from a stranger but I guess you never know. To be honest a big reason why I sold mine was because I felt it would need a repair sooner than later and I had no warranty on it. That being said I never had any problems with it.

[tmfabian]

Originally Posted by raid

Thanks for the information on the M8.2. I will give it consideration. I wish that I could use an M8 for a week to find out myself if I like it or not.

hey raid...you're a floridian...if you want to borrow an m8...shoot me a line....granted i'm way down south from you...but i could probably have one of mine up to you within a few days to test and whatnot

[raid]

I am not memphis.

[lam]

I feel if I were to do it again, i'd probably go for an M8.2... ( I may just still in the .. far future! )
Not to say I don't trust Leica electronics or anything, but it's just me.

Plus M8.2's are pretty close to asking price of what you're finding M8's at now, for a much quieter shutter and all aforementioned perks.

[tmfabian]

Originally Posted by raid

I am not memphis.

sorry...had a shot from memphis in my mind when replying (plus a bottle or three of wine)...offer still stands if you need one to test...

[raid]

Originally Posted by tmfabian

sorry...had a shot from memphis in my mind when replying...

No problem. Do you have more than one M8? How do you feel about using such a camera?

[raid]

Adorama has an M8.2 for $3300. Is it really worth it to upgrade?