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 enthusiast and professional photographers work. The M8 is designed to deliver professional results over many years. With the M8 Upgrade Service you have the option to upgrade your LEICA M8 with some of 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. And a redesign of the bright line frames in the viewfinder to allow more precise determination of the picture frame for longer distances. All these product features will be available as separate upgrades. The camera's warranty will also 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.
Please note that the delayed shutter cocking feature available on the M8.2 is not available via this M8 upgrade.
Extra waranty cover
If the camera sent for upgrading is still under warranty, the latter will be extended by a full year for the whole camera, even if we upgrade only one element. If you send a M8 which is not under warranty anymore, we will give you one year warranty on the whole camera after upgrading.
Starting from 01/10/2008
You can commission the upgrades either through your Leica dealer or directly through Leica Customer Service from 01/10/2008. An additional registration on the Leica Camera AG Homepage will not be necessary, your order will be handled just like any other service commission. The payment will only be due before your camera is sent back to you.
To avoid unneccessary waiting time please contact M8 Support before sending the camera.
Upgrades in authorised LEICA M8 Service Centers:
Fitting the sapphire glass cover, the shutter and the bright line frames will commence as of 01/10/2008 in Germany. It will also be possible in all other authorised LEICA M8 Service Centers in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. Please note 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 upgrade-options now available will cost:
| Upgrade-options | Prices in € |
|---|---|
| Shutter/Sapphire glass/Bright line frames | 2000,- EUR |
| Shutter/Sapphire glass | 1700,- EUR |
| Shutter/Bright line frames | 1500,- EUR |
| Sapphire glass/Bright line frames | 1450,- EUR |
| Bright line frames | 1000,- EUR |
| Shutter | 1200,- EUR |
| Sapphire glass | 1150,- EUR |
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
E-Mail: M8.Support@leica-camera.com
