Bye M240.

[2wk]

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To me, the M9 files I have seen always had something special about them. I did not see the same, when looking at M240 files. They look more like Canon files. So, when I was looking to get into a digital M setup...I went with the Monochrom.

 

I still want an M9 though!

[algrove]

To me, the M9 files I have seen always had something special about them. I did not see the same, when looking at M240 files. They look more like Canon files. So, when I was looking to get into a digital M setup...I went with the Monochrom.

 

I still want an M9 though!

 

Mine is at Leica NJ for a final check out with certificate and then for sale.

[Ozkar]

I don't know if I should've made this thread, because I think I will get some bashing by several members here that adores their M240. Don't get me wrong, I have been using Leica's digital era since the M8. And have followed, and upgraded, to every single release they have made. The two exceptions were the M8.2, because I don't see any difference at all than the M8, and the MM - because I couldn't justify myself spending for it.

 

I have been using the M240 since it's early release, and have been lucky to even bought it preowned (YES! You heard me right). It's 6 months going now, and I have decided to sell it off to a friend yesterday.

 

Wow why perhaps you may ask?

 

Several reasons culminated and I have thought long and hard, and I decided it is not the right M for me. Be in mind you are entitled to have your own opinions as do I.

 

The M240 files are nice, they are rich and workable, but somehow I don't feel the same. The grains are different, the rendering is different, everything that it spews out, is different. Albeit not a grand huge difference, but different nonetheless. And I can notice it. It's not about "better", nor "worse", it's just a matter of preference. Somehow the ISO department, albeit nice, I am baffled as to why I am getting grains in my ISO640 shots. I even thought I set the camera wrongly and double checked the EXIF, and it is indeed ISO640. Underexposed you might ask? Perhaps - slightly, but then I also noticed it in darker/shadowy areas on my properly exposed shot. Compared to my Fuji (yes sorry it's redundant but I have to mention it), it's waaayyy cleaner. Now I have no idea why, nor understand it's technicalities, or maybe whatever - but it just beats the crap out of my mind to the question "WHY?".

 

Sure you can say "just post process it", or maybe "use a noise reduction software", etc etc, but that is not my point. For an ISO640 file, I expect it - in this kind of "era", and with 7000 USD price tag, to be - clean. Or at least much cleaner. The files are yes, sharp, but so are the files from many non AA filters sensors cameras these days. But I'm not going to do comparison bla bla, my short point regarding it's sensor is, it could've and should've and MUST'VE been better. I somehow have a niggling feeling that Leica is "downgrading" their current sensor as so they have a "noticable" update when M240.2 comes along.

 

The screen? Wow yes nice - but way too late to the party. The nice on M240, is not-so-nice compared to say the current generations of camera. Again, this is minor, but paying 7000 USD, I think it's reasonable to have the best screen available. It's like buying a porsche with generic tin rims. It's not a deal breaker but it sure hell makes it look less better! LOL.

 

The EVF? Not a solution IMHO, sure for some - but not for me. Go for Fuji style or ditch it altogether. Live view - pretty good actually, and useful in certain situations and I found myself using it every now and then - HOWEVER, shutter lag is horrible in Live view. It has a 1 sec lag AT LEAST, so if you're a moment chaser, either you press the shutter 1 sec before that moment, or you'll end up 1 sec after that moment. Which is somehow wierd to me, others can do it faster.

 

Everything else? Well minor niggles here and there and the occasional freeze. But I guess that's about it, others are too small to mention and too minor to be discussed even for my personal tastes.

 

Oh one more - the lug problem, yes I have it. And damn Leica for letting that happen. How am I supposed to send it back to Germany, while I live in a country where it's so damn difficult to ship in or out of the country of expensive things and such. And the risk of having it fall out - argh.

 

I hate that ultimately.

 

Anyways - I have sold my M240, for a price MORE than what I purchased it for LOL - and I'm back with M9. Which is now almost half the price of an M240 where I live. And hey, I find out that I love the M9 better - aside from the worse ISO performance and worse screen, I don't find myself paying almost double for a camera that is not to what I expected it to be.

 

Maybe the next M240.2 or M360.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

This post on flickr presents an interesting perspective from another ex-M240 owner. I don't agree with all his points but for potential new M240 buyers, he plays 'devils advocate' rather well.

 

Goodbye, Leica M Typ 240 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[brill64]

The IQ ...... rendering of the images seem to me to be too "evenly lit" in certain situations than those from my M9.....go figureAlexandros Demetriades - Photographer

 

...maybe try "Classic" metering mode?

[leica lux]

This post on flickr presents an interesting perspective from another ex-M240 owner. I don't agree with all his points but for potential new M240 buyers, he plays 'devils advocate' rather well.

 

Goodbye, Leica M Typ 240 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Tastes are different.

I went the other way ( NEX -> Fuji -> Leica, with manual focus lenses) and I can't imagine to go back.

 

The only thing that could convience me would be the next revolution of Optical View Finder (Fuji X100s like) with great support for M lenses and manual focus...until then: Leica M.