Dose Leica M8 worth its price?

Question

Hey,
I'm a student in Highschool who is just interested in photography.
Well for me my 'dream' camera is one of Leica cameras.
I heard there performances are legendary.
I'm mostly interested in film cameras but, well i'm in highschool and it is impossible for me to proccess the pictures in the way i want.
Therefore i want to get a Leica M8 which contains same system as M series.
But would it worth to spend $4000 for body and $1000 for the lenses?
What would you recommend?

Answer 1

The Leica M8, like all Leica cameras are meant for people who live in a sort of 'tradition'. Leica owners act differently. A photography teacher put it simply: Leica owners are like Rolls Royce owners.
Yes, it is a great camera. Yes, it looks awesome. Yes, it is extremely durable camera. Would 'I' pay $4000 for it, along with a $1000 lens? No. If I'm going to spend $4000 for a camera body alone, I'd buy the Nikon D3, or the Canon 5D, along with an exceptional lens.
Why get a Nikon or Canon? It's because, the lenses will be much cheaper, with longer ranges. Leica glass is legendary, but, you can only get a handful of lenses, which are exceptionally expensive, and hard to come by.
Though, if you have the money, get the Leica.

Answer 2

Used Leica M8

Answer 3

Leica M8 For Sale

Answer 4

If I had the money, I would buy a Leica. I've been shooting for almost 40 years, and I've been very happy with my Nikons. Leica is a great camera.

If you are looking for a full camera system, that is several bodies, lenses, electronic flash units, and other accessories, be prepared to spend a lot of money if you choose Leica. You can get a lot more bang for your buck, so to speak, if you start with Nikon or Canon or one of the many other manufacturers. (I mentioned those two by name because those two are probably used by 90% of the pros.)

Would it be worth it to spend $5,000 for a camera and lens? Remember one cardinal rule of photography. It's not the camera that makes a photograph, it's the photographer. A good camera and lens combination are only tools in the photographer's hands. I would challenge anyone to look at a half dozen photographs taken with a half dozen of the world's top camera's (in the same class, i.e. digital, 35mm, medium format, etc.) and tell which one was taken by which camera.

Answer 5

There is certainly a mystique surrounded by the Leica camera and those who use them love them for many reasons, mostly for their superb optics. Now $4000 is a huge investment in a rangefinder digital camera. If I were in your shoes I would buy either a used M series 35mm or a Leica scremount camera and in addition to this, a film scanner. If you love the way rangefinders work, then consider the $4000 investment. On the other hand if you buy a leica and dont like the way they handle, then buy yourself a used Hasselblad v series camera. If performance is an issue hasselblad cameras are a work horse and have the versatility of shooting digital or film based on the back. Additionally as you may know the larger the negative, the better the quality which is why when it comes to film I shoot primarily 4x5 or 6cmx6. Check out keh.com it is a good place to go to get a camera.

Answer 6

I have a friend who has sung the praises of Leica for years - as any sane person would - and I finally saw some of his photography. I am talking about things that he was proud enough to hang in his office on display. It was pure crap, but he was proud of it. I died a little inside thinking what a waste of a fine camera it was to let him even use a Leica.

Personally, even if you are in the Royal Family of England, I think it would be crazy to buy Leica equipment. First of all, I'm sorry to put it this way, you don't deserve the equipment. My friend with 50 years of experience doesn't deserve the equipment. Second of all, and this is part of the thought behind the "first of all" comment, Leica is not known for being easy and intuitive to use. You have to actually know something about the nuts and bolts of photography to get the best results out of this equipment. You have to understand photography to even navigate the menu system. They do offer an "AUTO" position, but the only other setting I see is "MANUAL." That's sink or swim territory. Not that there's anything wrong with manunal focus, but that's your only option on the Leica.

For all the money you spend on the Leica, the M8 is still criticized for its image processing software. One review I read recommended that you bypass the camera's software, shoot everything in RAW, and do the work yourself. Man, this is quite a challenge for a beginner. Once again, Leica assumes that their buyers will be experienced photographers who understand the fine points of getting the most out of their cameras. "My way or the highway."

I'd buy a Leica film camera in a heartbeat, but there are many digital cameras that I would choose over the M8.

Answer 7

The Leica M8 is way more than you need as an amateur. I get the feeling that you think an expensive camera is going to make you a photographer. That's like a Cessna pilot wanting to jump right into a 747.

I'd strongly suggest taking photo classes, finding a professional to work for a few years, prove that you have the talent and eye it takes to know what a good photograph is, then improve your camera gear as you get better.

Answer 8

If your parents are independently wealthy and prone to indulge your fantasies buy the Leica M8. Otherwise, look for a good used Nikon, Canon or Minolta film camera.

Yes, Leica has a legendary reputation and ones 30 or 40 years old command premium prices even in today's digital world. Those older Leicas were the product of old-world German craftsmanship. I'm not too sure, however, if the current generation measures up.

Leica lenses were long considered as the best available. That began to change in the 1950's when photojournalists discovered Nikon lenses. Stopping over in Japan on their way to cover the Korean War, these pros found Leica mount lenses by Nikon to be as sharp and well-made as the Leica lenses and considerably less expensive. Nikon later began providing complete kits to pros for free. Using these pros in their advertising the words "professional photographer" and "Nikon" became closely associated.

In the mid 1970's Japanese camera companies were moving ever more into automation. The introduction of the AE-1 by Canon in 1976 was a shock. It was the first 35mm camera to set both shutter speed and aperture. Needless to say the other companies were scrambling to catch up. Minolta introduced the XG a year later. It matched the AE-1.

At the same time, Leica was experiencing labor problems and falling behind in technology. Their SLR line wasn't selling very well. So they turned to another leader in the Japanese camera industry - Minolta. Minolta developed the XE-7 which used a shutter designed by Leitz with Copal. With a Leica lens mount and metering system the Minolta XE-7 became the Leica R-3. The next generation was the Minolta XD-11*, the world's first multi-mode 35mm SLR. It offered Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual Metering. It became the Leica R-4 & R-5.

Leica had also fallen behind in the expanding market for zoom lenses. Once again, they called on Minolta. The Minolta designed and built 35-70mm f3.5 and 70-210mm f4 constant aperture zoom lenses became the Leica Vario-Elmar series. Leica also used Minolta's 16mm f2.8 fisheye. I have seen the Leica mount 16mm offered for as high as $999.00 used; the Minolta MC ROKKOR-X 16mm usually goes for under $300.00. Big price difference for a lens mount.

Are today's Leicas comparable to the earlier ones? I honestly doubt it. However, you must make your own decision.

* To stop the spread of "gray market" cameras, Minolta sold the camera as the XD-11 in North America, the XD in Asian countries and the XD-7 in Europe. A "gray market" camera is one bought in one country and sold in another. Its a genuine product but if bought in, say, Hong Kong and then resold in the USA, there is no USA warranty coverage. The warranty is only good in the country its sold in.

Answer 9

Hmm, I sold my Leica several years ago to begin my Nikon Toy System. Instead of keeping my camera on a pedestal, I've been busy using my equipment to improve my skills and to create images for my own use and the benefit of others. Much of my Toy time is spent taking pictures for charities and community non-profits. As for drooling, I save that response for a well prepared gourmet meal. "And of course I don't rely on it being status for creativity" Perhaps some refresher English classes at your local community college are in order. Unlike you, I like to think that I've outlived my ego.

Answer 10

Pick up an OM-4T and a couple of prime lenses like the 24mm f2, 35mm F2,50m f1.4 (s/n >1,5000,000), 85mm f2. Shoot it until it's the camera and lenses holding you back from being a better photographer . Take the fortune you've earned from mastering the set you bought and buy the Leica then.