[Leica] How to get an M8 for $3200...

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

The whole issue of camera value, worth, etc. has been going on for
years. It's like apples to oranges. Some people photograph for a living.
For others it's a hobby. Some people like studio work. Others like
documentary, reportage, etc. Some people like digital processing. Some
don't. And so on. 

It never bothered me when someone called me a fool for paying so much
for a Leica M. OTOH, I wouldn't pay $3,200 for an M8. I had an
opportunity to get one for less but I turned it down. However, if I
wanted one I'd pay $5,000 and not blink an eye. 

The reason I don't want one is simple. It's the F word. Film! Film is a
lot of work, but it has its rewards. It's like working out. It's
difficult to get motivated to do it, but when I force yourself to do it
I realize that it's rewarding on several fronts. The analog process is
exciting and challenging. Heck, just reading about it is fun.

I rode a bike to work for a year because my wife and I shared a car. I
gave my car to my son when he turned 17. Finally, after two bad wrecks
in one week while commuting 12 miles at night in the rain, I bought a
new car for rainy days. But my cycling days pretty much ended. A digital
camera is like a car. I'll use it if I have it, because it's easy.
Fortunately DSLR and P&S photography sucks enough that I only use those
cameras when I need to. Buying an M8 for me would be like buying a
<insert the name of your dream car>. I don't want to go down that road
yet. 

DaveR