Need help for my new old M8.2

[rageon09]

Hi all, I just splurged on a used M8.2 (late 2008 M8 upgraded to M8.2 with extended warranty till 2012!) and i have a few questions to ask all the Leica gurus here.

1) I know there are self-coding 6 bit kits out there but they seem to cost like USD$70?! Does anyone here know where to get a cheaper one locally? I have a couple of CV lens to code before I can use on my new camera. Also I read that lens above 50mm don't really need coding because there is not much vignetting to offset, is that true?

2) I can't decide whether to get a decent halfcase, recover the horrible non-vulcanite M8 "leather" with real leather from cameraleather.com or just leave it naked... yikes! Does anyone know who can provide recovering service here? Cos cameraleather can mail the pre-cut M8 leather via post and all I need is some expert to do the recovering for me.

3) Where can I find/buy good condition used Leica lens in sg? New ones crazy expensive and can't trust eBay for lens.

4) I read that the M8 can only take SDHC cards up to 4gbs. Is that true?

5) Lastly, my fave lens on my R-D1s is the CV 28/2. It gives a 42mm film equiv, but it somehow feels "right" for that camera. Apparently, a lot of the folks at RFF feel the same way too... funny. Anyway, was considering whether to stick with this or get a 35mm as my normal walkaround for the M8. The 28mm = 36mm while the 35mm = 45mm for the M8. Any personal experiences with both focal lengths and preferences?

Sorry for the lengthy thread and all the questions! But any help will be appreciated.

 

[gommy]

First welcome! Then Go read the sticky thread started by CactusJack "So you want to RF?"
Don't miss my answer to your questions below.

Hi all, I just splurged on a used M8.2 (late 2008 M8 upgraded to M8.2 with extended warranty till 2012!) and i have a few questions to ask all the Leica gurus here.

1) I know there are self-coding 6 bit kits out there but they seem to cost like USD$70?! Does anyone here know where to get a cheaper one locally? I have a couple of CV lens to code before I can use on my new camera. Also I read that lens above 50mm don't really need coding because there is not much vignetting to offset, is that true?

You don't really need to code before you can use the lens-go ahead & shoot first. You can pm me if you want to code your lens, I have a lens coder kit. FL greater than 50mm do not need coding unless you want FL info encoded in exif.

2) I can't decide whether to get a decent halfcase, recover the horrible non-vulcanite M8 "leather" with real leather from cameraleather.com or just leave it naked... yikes! Does anyone know who can provide recovering service here? Cos cameraleather can mail the pre-cut M8 leather via post and all I need is some expert to do the recovering for me.

This you have to decide for yourself. But a half case is nice as well.:bsmilie:

3) Where can I find/buy good condition used Leica lens in sg? New ones crazy expensive and can't trust eBay for lens.

CS buy & Sell, local second-hand shop. Hey, there's more to RF lenses than just Leica:bsmilie:

4) I read that the M8 can only take SDHC cards up to 4gbs. Is that true?

I have been using SDHC 8GB, no problem. I think it can take 32GB if you have the latest firmware. It used to be non-SDHC 4GB in the beginning.

5) Lastly, my fave lens on my R-D1s is the CV 28/2. It gives a 42mm film equiv, but it somehow feels "right" for that camera. Apparently, a lot of the folks at RFF feel the same way too... funny. Anyway, was considering whether to stick with this or get a 35mm as my normal walkaround for the M8. The 28mm = 36mm while the 35mm = 45mm for the M8. Any personal experiences with both focal lengths and preferences?

My fav is 50mm. I prefer 28mm over 35mm.

Sorry for the lengthy thread and all the questions! But any help will be appreciated.

 

[lokewl]

Just to add, I am using a Sandisk 16GB SDHC Extreme III on my M8. So far no problem encountered.

My favorite lens is a 28mm which give me close to a focal length of 35mm.

 

[gommy]

Welcome! (incidentally Gommy was the first one that sent me a welcome note here on CS also..) CS buy & sell is a good area to start yr lens collection, this is definitely a great portal to most RF ques! i learnt alot just by reading some gurus' replies & threads. Dont worry abt M8's capacity.. i for one have not downloaded any upgraded firmware since 07.. am still shooting with 2GD capacity today, but i have 5x 2GD cards.. i mostly shoot with 28mm, 35mm+- equivalent on M8. Just pack another 50mm with u, that's quite enough for me in my opinion..
6 bit thingies is a good to have, then again, technically i dont know if there are more to it.
Maybe others can shed light on this..

Should upgrade to latest firmware-improvement in WB.

 

[rageon09]

Thanks every one (esp Gommy) for all the info.

I've been trolling the B&S but haven't really come across many Leica lens (or at least not ones that I'm interested in). Will keep looking. Can anyone tell me which shops sell 2nd hand lens? I guess most of them are at Peninsular area?

Oh, one more question. Does Mr Philip Tay from Decamera Consultant do recovering service? I intend to get the pre-cut leather shipped over from cameraleather.com.

Welcome! (incidentally Gommy was the first one that sent me a welcome note here on CS also..) CS buy & sell is a good area to start yr lens collection, this is definitely a great portal to most RF ques! i learnt alot just by reading some gurus' replies & threads. Dont worry abt M8's capacity.. i for one have not downloaded any upgraded firmware since 07.. am still shooting with 2GD capacity today, but i have 5x 2GD cards.. i mostly shoot with 28mm, 35mm+- equivalent on M8. Just pack another 50mm with u, that's quite enough for me in my opinion..
6 bit thingies is a good to have, then again, technically i dont know if there are more to it.
Maybe others can shed light on this..

Thats what I intend to do, shoot mostly with a 28 and pack a 50 in the bag. I'm using 2GB cards on my R-D1s too but keep changing very mafan lah! haha now I can use my 8GB card.

 

[gommy]

Thanks every one (esp Gommy) for all the info.

You're most welcome!

I've been trolling the B&S but haven't really come across many Leica lens (or at least not ones that I'm interested in). Will keep looking. Can anyone tell me which shops sell 2nd hand lens? I guess most of them are at Peninsular area?

Why not put a WTB ad? :sweat:
Prime next to CP at PP; P&G, Ben Photo at PSC (where Peninsula Hotel is)

Oh, one more question. Does Mr Philip Tay from Decamera Consultant do recovering service? I intend to get the pre-cut leather shipped over from cameraleather.com.

I'm sure Mr Tay will do & will do it quite well too. BUT he will probably tell you: "No guarantee hah!":bsmilie:

Thats what I intend to do, shoot mostly with a 28 and pack a 50 in the bag. I'm using 2GB cards on my R-D1s too but keep changing very mafan lah! haha now I can use my 8GB card.

Enjoy RF!

 

[gazkw]

Thanks every one (esp Gommy) for all the info.

I've been trolling the B&S but haven't really come across many Leica lens (or at least not ones that I'm interested in). Will keep looking. Can anyone tell me which shops sell 2nd hand lens? I guess most of them are at Peninsular area?

Oh, one more question. Does Mr Philip Tay from Decamera Consultant do recovering service? I intend to get the pre-cut leather shipped over from cameraleather.com.



Thats what I intend to do, shoot mostly with a 28 and pack a 50 in the bag. I'm using 2GB cards on my R-D1s too but keep changing very mafan lah! haha now I can use my 8GB card.

just wondering - what colour/leather u intend to get?

 

[hookonclassic]

just wondering - what colour/leather u intend to get?

Get the new Hermes Orange look if you have the silver chrome M8... young dynamic look.. hehe

 

[rageon09]

Enjoy RF!

I will check out those shops you mentioned. Thanks! And I have confidence in Mr Tay, so I guess he's my man for the job.

just wondering - what colour/leather u intend to get?

My camera is black so I'm looking at the new "restoration" black leather. Supposed to look like it "belongs" on a leica body or the black lizard skin... I really like that look! but dunno if its to over the top... haha had thoughts of red leather too but I think that one confirm too much... You interested in ordering too?

Get the new Hermes Orange look if you have the silver chrome M8... young dynamic look.. hehe

Too bad my camera is not chrome! I prefer the chrome ones, but too bad, the black one was so so much cheaper... ah well... when I get a M9 :sweatsm: I'll get it in sliver! hahaha

 

[hookonclassic]

I will check out those shops you mentioned. Thanks! And I have confidence in Mr Tay, so I guess he's my man for the job.

My camera is black so I'm looking at the new "restoration" black leather. Supposed to look like it "belongs" on a leica body or the black lizard skin... I really like that look! but dunno if its to over the top... haha had thoughts of red leather too but I think that one confirm too much... You interested in ordering too?

Too bad my camera is not chrome! I prefer the chrome ones, but too bad, the black one was so so much cheaper... ah well... when I get a M9 :sweatsm: I'll get it in sliver! hahaha

Na...orange does not go with black M8.... stick to the Chacoal Black Griptac then.

It is in fact not difficult to replace it yourself, done it on one of my battled M2.

 

[gazkw]

My camera is black so I'm looking at the new "restoration" black leather. Supposed to look like it "belongs" on a leica body or the black lizard skin... I really like that look! but dunno if its to over the top... haha had thoughts of red leather too but I think that one confirm too much... You interested in ordering too?

i was considering ordering some dark brown leather as well but my wife kinda says no...