The concept of the M8 is the result of a great deal of care, many years of experience and an in-depth understanding of how professional photographers work. The M8 is designed to deliver professional results over many years. With the M8 Upgrade Service you have the possibility to upgrade your LEICA M8 with the latest technological developments: The fitting of a scratch-resistant sapphire glass LCD screen cover as well as a shutter that is quieter; one that is closer to a well-tuned classic analog Leica M. Both product features will also be available as separate upgrades. The camera's warranty will be extended by another year after an upgrade.
Only diamond is harder than the sapphire glass used by Leica and Leica is the only camera manufacturer who has succeeded in using this material for the coverglass of their LCD screen. The advantage of a surface immune to scratches from contact with metal, stone or sand speak for themselves: an undisturbed, brilliant view on an LCD screen that looks new even after years of use.
The new electronically controlled metal-blade slotted shutter offers the benefits of a more discreet sound. We recorded and compared the sound of a standard camera and that of an upgraded M8 in real life situations and these files are available as a download on this page for you to compare. The new shutter involves less kinetic force, especially during the opening of the shutter, which results in even more sharply defined hand-held exposures at slow shutter speeds. To see the evidence for yourself, please see our download section.
Starting from mid of September 2008
You can commission the upgrades either through your Leica dealer or directly through the Leica Customer Service as of mid of September 2008. An additional registration on the Leica Camera AG Homepage will not be necessary, the order will be handled just like any other service commission. The payment will only be due before your camera is sent back to you.
Upgrades in authorized LEICA M8 Service Centers:
Fitting the sapphire glass cover and the shutter will presumably commence as of mid of September 2008 in Germany, and it will also be possible in all other authorized LEICA M8 Service Centers in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Switzerland. Please observe that sending the camera to a Service Center is carried out at your own expense. Within the EU, you may call upon our Quick or Express Service for the upgrades.
The three upgrade-options now available will cost:
- ex 1120,- EUR for both the shutter and the sapphire glass cover
- ex 750,- EUR for the sapphire glass cover only
- ex 800,- EUR for the shutter only
The stated prices include VAT and are valid ex Solms. Regional differences to these tariffs are possible. For more details on upgrades in the US, please visit this page.
LEICA M8 Support
Tel. +49-(0)6442-208 - 165 or - 189
E-Mail: M8.Support@leica-camera.com
