Almost an MP 240 owner.....but I have one concern

[ECohen]

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I was hoping this knowledgeable form could calm a concern I have. 

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an MP240 and a couple lenses. I'm thrilled with the current technology and everything about the camera. But..... lets say a new model comes out next year? Is there any chance it will weigh 20 to 25% less than the current model? For me a lighter 240 would be worth waiting for. You all know the history of Leica and how it designs its cameras.......What are the odds?

 

I'm very excited to join this group and look forward to abandoning Japanese camera menu's and all those useless features forever!   

 

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.  

[ducstar]

Live for today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. :-)

Seriously though I doubt the next Gen Leicas will get lighter.

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[Peter Kilmister]

One of the most difficult decisions in life ... when to go ahead or pull out.

 

The M240 is bigger than the M9. Who knows, the next model could be even bigger.

 

Does the M240 meet your needs? If No, then don't buy. If yes, then you'll probably get a bargain.

[earleygallery]

Does 20% weight difference really make that much difference to you? 

 

Could you lose that weight instead? 

 

Unless Leica start using plastic bodies I think you're stuck with the weight issue.

 

Get on the Slim Fast diet!!!

[ECohen]

HaHaHa I love this group You must admit this is a heavy camera to carry around all day....How old are you? I've got 40 years in photography I want the lightest camera that does the job 

[bocaburger]

Obviously impossible to answer the question authoritatively.  Beta testers of the next model are unquestionably under strict contract not to reveal details, so anything you read will be pure speculation.  Leica could make the next model lighter in weight by using lighter materials such as plastic, titanium or aluminum for the parts currently made of brass, but there are other factors at stake with any of those, such as cost, adhesion of plating and/or paint, and buyers' perception of quality (plastic).   If there were new technology allowing them to get the same or more computing power out of miniaturized electronics and/or a smaller, lighter battery, that might shave a few grams.  Honestly, given the size and weight of mirrorless FF digitals, even the film M's no longer seem as compact and svelte as they once did by comparison to other top-tier 24x36mm cameras. 

[mjh]

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You must admit this is a heavy camera to carry around all day....

Really? I didn’t think so. In any case I don’t expect the next M to be much lighter.

[Jeff S]

I also have 40 years in photography, and I like the weight…and size…of the M.  After using medium format and large format view cameras, as well as SLRs, the M is no sweat.

 

Buy the M….and a gym membership.

 

Jeff

[ECohen]

Thanks to all for quickly making me see that the trade off of a few ounces is plastic parts which will never happen. I'm placing the order tomorrow AM and I promise  my next questions will have more substance. I knew I could count on you guys to straighten me out. Thank You!

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello ECohen,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I think a substantial portion of the increase in weight from the M9 to the M240 had to do with the increased weight of the M240's battery which has a significantly increased capacity.

 

Perhaps the question might be: Will there be improvements in battery technology which will lighten the battery's weight while maintaining or extending the capacity?

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[digger1914]

I must admit that I never worry about the new model.  If I make a purchase for something with functionality I am happy with, then that's good enough for me.  I don't quite understand those people who rant about being somehow robbed when a new model come into being!

 

Get it if you want, and enjoy it!

[Mornnb]

Pfft, Rabbitohs. West Tigers I say!

 

 

 

Anyway. Just remember that Leica cameras, even digital ones, tend to hold value rather well. Meaning that you can upgrade and sell without losing a fortune. Leica M9's are still going for around $4000 second hand, that's a 6 year old digital camera.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I wish the M were lighter. But not at the expense of the improvements over the M9. Only a couple of days ago I weighed my M and 50 Summilux ASPH and compared it to the kit I started with which was my M9 and Nokton 1.5 ASPH. The weight increase is 30%. I mumbled stuff. I groaned. But I left the house with an M and my Summilux.

 

I would seriously consider upgrading if the camera shed some weight and maintained its build quality. But I don't think it will happen. But I don't think the new one will be much heavier. The biggest difference to the M was the new battery, which i think they'll keep for the next one.

 

Gordon

[mahakalaka]

Not sure if posting links to rumour sites on here is considered taboo? If so I apologise and please remove at will. But anyways, I found this a little while ago. I don't know anything about the site or how much in the know they are, but they seem to think a lighter M is on the way. http://lavidaleica.com/content/future-leica-m-cometh

[bocaburger]

Thanks to all for quickly making me see that the trade off of a few ounces is plastic parts which will never happen. I'm placing the order tomorrow AM and I promise  my next questions will have more substance. I knew I could count on you guys to straighten me out. Thank You!

You might want to seriously consider looking for a demo or certified-pre-owned from an authorized Leica dealer.  They have been completely gone over and refurbished where necessary, typically look like new, come with a warranty and all the accessories and original packaging.  I bought one of each and there is no way I could have told them from new if I didn't know.  You will save yourself a heap of cash.  This close to the likely end of it's product life cycle remember a new one will depreciate just as much for you as for the guy who bought it when it first came out.  If that matters.

[lct]

I would never buy new a soon-to-be-replaced product personally but it's just me.

Edited May 28, 2015 by lct

[Jennifer]

I would never buy new a soon-to-be-replaced product personally but it's just me.

 

Don't be so sure as to the "soon-to-be-replaced" part of your contention. The next iteration could well come in late 2016

[lct]

l'm not sure of anything Jennifer, i simply say that i would never buy new in circumstances like that... But YM (and wallet) MV of course!

[algrove]

 

I was hoping this knowledgeable form could calm a concern I have. 

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an MP240 and a couple lenses. I'm thrilled with the current technology and everything about the camera. But..... lets say a new model comes out next year? Is there any chance it will weigh 20 to 25% less than the current model? For me a lighter 240 would be worth waiting for. You all know the history of Leica and how it designs its cameras.......What are the odds?

 

I'm very excited to join this group and look forward to abandoning Japanese camera menu's and all those useless features forever!   

 

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.  

 

This reminds me of Apple threads where people wonder if they should wait for the next model and what will it have in it that's better than the current model, etc., etc. The longer you wait the higher the chances of a new model getting closer to being introduced.

 

You will get replies to your question, but from all the wrong people-the ones that speculate with rumors.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Echo63]

HaHaHa I love this group You must admit this is a heavy camera to carry around all day....How old are you? I've got 40 years in photography I want the lightest camera that does the job 

My M is the light, little camera i carry around all day ! Im 32 - and my job involves carrying a pair of Canon 1DX with f2.8 zooms - which might be the reason i think the M is light and easy to carry.

 

 

my X100 is lighter, but after using the M it feels cheap and Plasticky - I do love its built in 3stop ND and flash-sync-at-any-speed leaf shutter though (if it had a proper rangefinder, i may have never bought the M though)