[Leica] Re: M8 - collectible status

[don.dory at gmail.com (Don Dory)]

Dan,
Electronics have a very long life once they pass through their "burn in"
period.  This is of course subject to normal high risk activities for
electronics like going swimming or the usual high G maneuvers.  The only
other area of concern would be the new shutter which is probably in the
100,000 to 200,000 frame MTBF rating based on similar shutters in Nikons and
Canons.  Of course with a digital camera you can usually check the number of
frames taken so you have some idea of usage.

I think the biggest area to be concerned about is battery availability.
Most Li ion batteries are rated at something like 1000 charge cycles before
they begin to or fail.  So in heavy use you should expect to replace your
batteries every three or four years.  But that is the trick, can you buy
replacements in three or four years when the manufacturer has moved on to
another design?  So, for all of us who use an M8, I would suggest acquiring
a couple of batteries every year or so; run them through a couple of charge
cycles to verify that they are good ones; then put them away well labeled.
As the first batteries begin to no hold a charge you recycle them and go to
the next set.

This should not be a huge concern as the mercury batteries that ran our
1970's Leicaflexes ran out of NOS only about a year ago.

On 8/30/07, D Khong <dankhong@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
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>



-- 
Don
don.dory@gmail.com