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You sold your new Leica M (type 240) because...?


~lumiere

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If after purchasing a new Leica M 240 you decided to sell it, what was the main reason....?

 

Did you buy a different camera after selling the M240 (e.g. Sony 7R, Fuji...)?

 

Did you had an M9 and decided that the M9 was more than adequate for your photographic needs (within the digital rangefinder domain)?

 

Other reason...

 

Thanks for responding...

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Had it briefly when first released. Wasn't shooting much color and the black and white conversions were very good but not up to par with the Monochrome and I wasn't shooting enough color to justify it.

 

Great camera and I just ordered it again, this time for use in the studio (and color :p)

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I didn't actually purchase the M240. I refused to plunk down that kind of money for an unknown.

 

Instead, I waited until I could get a demo. Thanks to my dealer, I was able to work with a M240 demo for a few weeks back at the end of 2013. I have done the same thing before, the Leica S2 being another example of "try before you buy".

 

While the M240 camera itself is undeniably an improvement over the M9s that I used for years prior … better rangefinder, better LCD, quieter, better this and that, more versatile, etc., etc. … the only criteria that really mattered is the subjective evaluation of the image quality and image qualities … especially when shooting people.

 

I also have a M Monochrome, so color rendering was the only real criteria in my subjective image characteristics evaluation.

 

I sent the M240 back at the end of the demo period.

 

This is NOT a forever decision. While I use a Sony A7R in the interim, at heart I'm a die-in-the wool rangefinder shooter … so I'm watching to see how the M240 may improve on the color rendering with FW and software improvements as time goes on. Or I'll wait for the M2XX in future.

 

Meanwhile, the M monochrome provides that rangefinder experience.

 

 

- Marc

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Well I didn't have enough money to buy an M9 in the first place so I bought a discounted irregular M, without the number. The catch is, only every second picture works out. OK at first, but every now and then I would forget to press the shutter twice. Worse, occasionally I would get in the wrong sequence and if I forgot to chimp I would then start pressing it twice and every frame would then be blank. I tried to ring Leica about it but the same shop had sold me a discount phone which is missing the number 5. So I can't get through. I went down the Leica store and they asked me, "how long has that being going on for?" But I couldn't tell, my calendar is missing the 15's so it's hard to say.

 

So I sold the camera and bought an iPhone 5. It smells a bit like pickles but it has all the numbers and all the pictures work out.

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If I do, it will be because of my Monochrom. When I've been out in the last few months, the M has stayed at home, in the main. The MM has been my choice.

 

Even on a recent trip to Berlin, when I took both, the MM took by far the most shots.

 

Of course, this is highly personal, but I haven't greatly warmed to he M, wonderful though it is (oh, that shutter). And from the above, it can be deduced that I love B&W above all.

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Dear Lumiere,

 

I have a M after enjoying a M9 and several analogue Leica M cameras. To me the M is a significant improvement over the M9. I have not considered non range finder camera's as an alternative to the M. A rangefinder is really different from other systems. Though I do have considered other cameras as a back up/alternative to my Nikon (longer lenses). Because of weight and very quickly improving capabilities and quality of the mirror less system cameras and their lenses.

 

Why are you asking?

 

Kind regards,

Lars

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I've never warmed to the M though I've had it for half a year now. I just like it because it is a practical choice in the sense that it works flawlessly in most light conditions. But it doesn't inspire me much to be honest.

When my son was born a couple of weeks ago I used my Monochrom. And whenever I shoot for myself I use my Monochrom. I guess that says it all.

So if I would sell my M it would be because I find it kinda uninspiring.

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I didn't actually purchase the M240. I refused to plunk down that kind of money for an unknown.

 

Instead, I waited until I could get a demo.

 

Same here. I did not find any of its improvements compelling enough to take the $3500 hit on my M9, plus another eventual $3500 hit on the M240. I would never use live view, EVF or movie mode. I don't like the lack of a frame preview lever even though I've been using an M for 45 years and can guess the different coverages by experience. For 7 grand I don't think I should have to. 18mp is plenty for me, I rarely ever shoot above ISO 1000, and then only in a pinch, usually those end up b&w conversions, and a little noise of the M9 CCD variety is acceptible. And since adjusting my rangefinder myself (it came from Leica completely out of whack) it is spot-on, including with my 90/2 50/1.4 and 135/4 wide open at closest distance. So if my M9's rangefinder is already perfect, I don't see how the M240's rangefinder could be more than perfect.

 

Someday I will probably have to get an M240 or its successor, as my M9 will probably fail at some point and be uneconomical to repair. But until then I'm good.

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They only thing I must say is about the rangefinder. Leica does not market it as such, but even for happy rangefinder-users-up-till-now like you (and me!) the difference is quite marked…

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I would have bought it for the new rangefinder, shutter sound and framelines and i don't regret it as a classic shooter. More speed and electronic framelines could persuade me to upgrade eventually but i'm not in a hurry

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... because I got fed up with waiting for a FW update that would change the Auto-ISO behaviour...;)

Just kidding: my M240 has turned 13 months today and, despite a couple of glitches, has performed flawlessly and will stay with me for a long time.

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8 months today and still in love! Maybe I will sell when a big improvement comes along, but for now, its the best camera Ive ever had. I have tried many different cameras and formats. But this feels right for me. hope you find yours, what ever that might be!

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