Leica M8 vs M8.2

[Would You]

Finally decided to chop in one of my old M6TTL bodies to buy a digital M body..

Are the additional features of the 8.2 worth the premium over the 8. I reckon a used 8 could be had for about 1500-1800.. used 8.2s seems to be about a grand more...

Anybody moved from an 8 to an 8.2 and felt underwhelmed..?

Or is it worth the extra....?

[bobfrance]

I have an M8 which I think is a superb camera. The additional features of the M8.2 really don't seem worth the extra money and add little to the experience.
I mean who wants snap mode on a Leica M? No wonder they took it off the M9.

Spend the money you save on glass.

You'll find a lot more info (and very helpful people) at www.rangefinderforum.com

Bob.

[Bacardi]

Have a hunt around here too, loads of info...

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8...
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8...

[Would You]

Some good info there.. Thanks..

I quite like the idea of a sapphire crystal screen... hmmm..

[bobfrance]

Buy a secondhand one - wait untill the warrany runs out if it has one - get the screen upgrade done at Leica (750 EURO) and you get the peice of mind of a new one year warranty.

I don't know where you are in the UK, but Stephens Leica in Manchester are very good. I bought my ex-demo M8 with 2 years warranty from there for £1900, and that was before the M9 came out. I saw a pristine one with warranty remaining not long ago for £1800. I'd definitely recommend buying from a good Leica dealer as opposed to private.

Here's a link to Leica's upgrade prices...
(They've just reduced them BTW)

http://en.leica-camera.com/service/service_and_rep...

Bob.

Edited by bobfrance on Tuesday 6th October 09:26

[_dobbo_]

Out of interest - how much are you asking for your M6?

[Would You]

_dobbo_ said:

Out of interest - how much are you asking for your M6?

Bought by myself in 2001
0.72 finder M6TTL
Chrome body
All boxes and manuals.
Immaculate unmarked condition.

£999 in Classic Camera, or Richard Caplan..

or
Black Chrome M6
with Leitz Red Dot. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GMBH on top plate.. Bought used 2003 ish..
No boxes or manuals..

Both in perfect working order..

Make me an offer...

Will keep one for myself...

[_dobbo_]

Tempting... However I've just this morning dropped £800+ on a new lens, so I'm not sure I could get this one past "the management".

[urban_alchemist]

Best bet would be to find yourself a good upgraded M8 ("M8u" in the Leica community lingo). But check it thoroughly as it will have some/all of the following upgrades:

1. 1/4000 shutter (you lose a stop, but the gain in noise/vibration is instantly notable).
2. Sapphire Screen (as opposed to the plastic that must made a return on the M9) - much less scratchable.
3. Frame-lines accurate at 2m instead of 0.7m - makes the famelines much more accurate when shooting at or near infinity.

Overall, I'd say 1 and 3 are really essential upgrades, as they turned my M8 from a frustration to a wonderful piece of kit (I did 2 as well and go the 'sharkskin' cover redone to Vulkanite, but that's just icing).

Coming from film Ms, though, remember that you ARE buying into a 30% crop-factor. 28 becomes ~35, 35mm becomes ~46mm, 50 becomes ~75, and a 90 becomes borderline un-usable. Also, if you're starting again, remember that if you ever upgrade to an M9 (or any subsequent digital M), your lenses won't be 'your lenses' any more, but 30% wider.

Anyway, it's a great camera - M9 or not...

[Would You]

I picked up a mint black paint M8.2 on friday. Still has 17 months or so left on the passport. There was an M8u in the shop too with a year left on the passport, but the anodizing was quite worn on the top plate, with heavy brassing on the corners.. I also preferred the vulcanite on the 8.2.. Very happy with my purchase..

Spent today playing with it..

Haven't really used my film Ms for a year or so.. I'd forgotten just how good M lenses really are..

Apart from a dmc-lx1 i use when i ski, Its my first real foray into digital though, so still figuring out RAW etc. I'm guessing iphoto on the mac is no substitute for the Capture One 4 that Leica give away.. What do you guys use..?

The crop factor issue is a small annoyance, but the flip side is it gives me a valid excuse to get that 21...

[urban_alchemist]

Would You said:

I picked up a mint black paint M8.2 on friday. Still has 17 months or so left on the passport. There was an M8u in the shop too with a year left on the passport, but the anodizing was quite worn on the top plate, with heavy brassing on the corners.. I also preferred the vulcanite on the 8.2.. Very happy with my purchase..

Spent today playing with it..

Haven't really used my film Ms for a year or so.. I'd forgotten just how good M lenses really are..

Apart from a dmc-lx1 i use when i ski, Its my first real foray into digital though, so still figuring out RAW etc. I'm guessing iphoto on the mac is no substitute for the Capture One 4 that Leica give away.. What do you guys use..?

The crop factor issue is a small annoyance, but the flip side is it gives me a valid excuse to get that 21...

Congrats - you've got a great camera there! Mine is basically a black-chrome M8.2 (I got the full caboodle upgrade including vulkanite and a black dot) - they're great. If the lense-crop doesn't bother you, then double yay - it's really the only reason to not like the camera...

As to Capture One vs alternatives, it's pretty much a given that for RAW handling and export, there is little to touch Capture One. That said, the software is an absolute and complete pain! For the most part I use Aperture (I couldn't stand the older version of iPhoto's database so steered very clear), although Lightroom was also quite good - I found the choice to boil down to the way you work: more random workflow freedom (Aperture) vs regimented and highly organised (Lightroom). I find they both give decent RAW export, but with less detail and colour-accuracy than Capture One (Lightroom is especially problematic with reds). My advice: for make-or-break images, handle in Capture One; for all others, just stick to either Aperture/Lightroom.

[urban_alchemist]

If you're an M6 owner, you probably already know, but I'd head over to www.rangefinderforum.com .

So much knowledge in one place...