[Leica] Re: M8 - collectible status

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

I once looked at buying a Mercedes, and the salesman had a good way of 
looking at the user/collector issue:  His advice was if you are looking to 
buy a Mercedes for its collector value, then you are waisting your money, 
you should look at buying it for its user value, as its collector value is 
very allusive at best.  I have never looked at owning a Leica for it 
collector value in the far future, the same for my Ham radio equipment.  If 
I own it, I use it, if not I get rid of it or never buy it.  Will the M8 
keep its value like a M8 or iiif?  Don't know, Don't care.  I only care that 
it works, and I enjoy using it, with excellent images.  It does that for me.

gene

-------------- Original message from "D Khong" <dankhong@gmail.com>: 
-------------- 


> Friends in the LUG 
> 
> Part of the Leica rangefinder appeal was it's collectible status. A fine 
> mechanical Leica M3 for example passed from hand to hand, over its 
> lifespan. 
> Saved for the need to have the occasional CLA, the camera was virtually 
> indestructible in good hands. 
> 
> An average digital camera is like an extension of the computer. It is a 
> use 
> and discard item. The cost of repairing older digital cameras is often not 
> considered worthwhile. The M8 is somewhat different, it has the advantage 
> of 
> coupling with a vast variety of lenses originally designed for the earlier 
> M 
> cameras. Owning and using the M8 has additional meaning in its own right. 
> 
> Its price is too high for it to be treated as another use and throw away 
> camera. On the other hand, it is a matter of time when the M8 will go the 
> way that digital cameras do. Electronics and electricals as I understand 
> deteriorate with time. Only time can tell whether it is worthwhile doing 
> an 
> digital "CLA" on the M8. In the same line of thought, one must also decide 
> whether it is worthwhile to buy a used M8 that has done some mileage. If 
> there is disquiet about the wisdom of buying a pre-owned M8, then this 
> will 
> have a bearing on its collectible status. 
> 
> Happy snaps, 
> 
> Dan K. 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> Leica Users Group. 
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information