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

[~lumiere]

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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

 

I am asking because I am considering selling my M9 to buy an M240 but it concerns me that people are already selling the M240 when it seems like there were waiting lists just a couple of months ago. So I was trying to get some insight from people who had and already sold M240s.

[chris_tribble]

I think most of the sales (and I've no idea how many there are) can be broken down into two or three categories.

 

1. Buyer regret. Someone who wants to have the "best camera in the world" whatever that is and buys the Leica. They then discover that they can't work out how to focus it / don't know how to process RAW images / can't work out how to get the camera strap on the right way round etc... They sell.

2. Early profiteers. Someone who spots that there's a shortage, manages to get an M close to the release date and sells at a profit to someone desperate to get their hands on one (who may then have a bad case of Buyer Regret and sell - but that's another story).

3. Disappointed R user. Someone who was desperate to use their exotic R glass on a Leica body and who thought the EVF would solve their problems. Their disappointment leads to an early sale...

 

IMHO very few experienced RF users will have sold the M240 as yet. If you've got some Leica M or other good M fit glass and want a digital RF camera, I see the M240 as the obvious choice. I'm happier with this iteration than any of the previous M digitals I've owned (M8, M8u, M9).. All these were excellent cameras in their own ways - but they just didn't satisfy me to the extent that the M240 does.

[Rick]

I am asking because I am considering selling my M9 to buy an M240 but it concerns me that people are already selling the M240 when it seems like there were waiting lists just a couple of months ago. So I was trying to get some insight from people who had and already sold M240s.

 

~lumiere,

 

My advise to you would be to stop listening to the gismo-folks that take pictures of technical stuff like black camera bags and other irrelevant stuff, then post them here as some sort of proof. Instead, listen to the members that post amazing photographs here or have links in their signature to actual M photographs.

 

I would suggest placing less importance on those that have only looked at internet photos from the M, borrowed or owned the camera for a week, or sold it before they had a chance to evaluate it.

 

The M9 is the legacy camera to the M. The M represents the next generation of technology and image quality. In my opinion the M is much improved from the M9 in every way, including image quality.

 

As you must know, your M9 is a fantastic camera at base ISO. But, you just get a little bit more from the M.

 

Looking for insight from people that sold the M may be polling the group least likely to understand it. Maybe, you should be asking the people that sold their M9, why they sold it after they bought the M?

 

Rick

[Avatar]

I got my M when they first were released. I used it for a day or so and sold it. I was lucky enough to get one early and wanted to try it out. I wanted to see for myself how the BW conversions compared to my Monochrome and as we all agree, the Monochrome is significantly better in that regard.

 

I sold it and just bought another one a couple of days ago, as I have a project that is color and I am starting to shoot in the studio and need color.

 

I've owned the M9 and still own an M8 and the M is better in the same way the new Porsche's are better..but that's for another thread..

 

I am happier than I expected with my new M but have to remind myself not to ignore my Monochrome.

[mwilliamsphotography]

~lumiere,

 

My advise to you would be to stop listening to the gismo-folks that take pictures of technical stuff like black camera bags and other irrelevant stuff, then post them here as some sort of proof. Instead, listen to the members that post amazing photographs here or have links in their signature to actual M photographs.

 

I would suggest placing less importance on those that have only looked at internet photos from the M, borrowed or owned the camera for a week, or sold it before they had a chance to evaluate it.

 

The M9 is the legacy camera to the M. The M represents the next generation of technology and image quality. In my opinion the M is much improved from the M9 in every way, including image quality.

 

As you must know, your M9 is a fantastic camera at base ISO. But, you just get a little bit more from the M.

 

Looking for insight from people that sold the M may be polling the group least likely to understand it. Maybe, you should be asking the people that sold their M9, why they sold it after they bought the M?

 

Rick

 

Rick, wholesale discounting of opinions counter to your own in such a dismissive manner is a bit uncalled for and smells of Leica Jingoism. The OP asked a reasonable question, and people answered it as honestly and forthrightly as possible … just because you don't agree doesn't relegate an opposing opinion to the trash heap just because you say so.

 

But, two can play that game of critiquing opposing opinions:

 

Gizmo-folks? Really? It doesn't take a genius to make the leap from IR contaminated camera bags to magenta contaminated formal wear at a wedding or black-tie event shot in less than ideal artificial ambient lighting … or anything else that features such elements.

 

I secured a loaner and shot with the M240 with the latest firmware for two weeks in all sorts of situations relevant to me, and found the color rendering and skin tones not to my liking in too many instances to warrant buying it at the time. Not that one can't do almost anything in post to fix color aspects they do not like … but it begs the question of just how much of that do you want to deal with, or just how good one is at doing that sort of CC, or at what point is it a burden on time sensitive assignments?

 

IMO, needing more than 2 weeks of fairly intense shooting to evaluate a new tool seems to point to something being amiss for what an individual needs the tool for in the first place. Your counter to that is to actually purchase the M240 and use it for an extended amount of time beyond where it can be sent back … then take the financial hit IF or WHEN it doesn't meet one's expectations or tastes. Sound's like "Let them eat cake" sort of logic to me. I suggest securing a demo, or renting if necessary if one is in doubt.

 

"Amazing Photographs" are taken with all sorts of cameras, the question is how does each one of them fit your specific needs and tastes whether it sports the red dot or not.

 

"Least likely to understand it?" How dismissive can you get? I am hardly a Leica basher … I have a fortune tied up in S equipment, and a M Monochrome with a hefty compliment of pretty exotic M optics. I've used a Leica Rangefinder from the M4 on for well over 30+ years. The M240, while a wonderful ergonomic evolution of the M concept, is the first one that I didn't click with from an image making POV … as it stands now.

 

For me, the first criteria is the image, not necessarily how incrementally easier it may be to take it.

 

Not to mention that I have not dismissed the M240 out of hand forever. I continue to watch and evaluate.

 

- Marc

[Avatar]

Rick, wholesale discounting of opinions counter to your own in such a dismissive manner is a bit uncalled for and smells of Leica Jingoism. The OP asked a reasonable question, and people answered it as honestly and forthrightly as possible … just because you don't agree doesn't relegate an opposing opinion to the trash heap just because you say so.

 

But, two can play that game of critiquing opposing opinions:

 

Gizmo-folks? Really? It doesn't take a genius to make the leap from IR contaminated camera bags to magenta contaminated formal wear at a wedding or black-tie event shot in less than ideal artificial ambient lighting … or anything else that features such elements.

 

I secured a loaner and shot with the M240 with the latest firmware for two weeks in all sorts of situations relevant to me, and found the color rendering and skin tones not to my liking in too many instances to warrant buying it at the time. Not that one can't do almost anything in post to fix color aspects they do not like … but it begs the question of just how much of that do you want to deal with, or just how good one is at doing that sort of CC, or at what point is it a burden on time sensitive assignments?

 

IMO, needing more than 2 weeks of fairly intense shooting to evaluate a new tool seems to point to something being amiss for what an individual needs the tool for in the first place. Your counter to that is to actually purchase the M240 and use it for an extended amount of time beyond where it can be sent back … then take the financial hit IF or WHEN it doesn't meet one's expectations or tastes. Sound's like "Let them eat cake" sort of logic to me. I suggest securing a demo, or renting if necessary if one is in doubt.

 

"Amazing Photographs" are taken with all sorts of cameras, the question is how does each one of them fit your specific needs and tastes whether it sports the red dot or not.

 

"Least likely to understand it?" How dismissive can you get? I am hardly a Leica basher … I have a fortune tied up in S equipment, and a M Monochrome with a hefty compliment of pretty exotic M optics. I've used a Leica Rangefinder from the M4 on for well over 30+ years. The M240, while a wonderful ergonomic evolution of the M concept, is the first one that I didn't click with from an image making POV … as it stands now.

 

For me, the first criteria is the image, not necessarily how incrementally easier it may be to take it.

 

Not to mention that I have not dismissed the M240 out of hand forever. I continue to watch and evaluate.

 

- Marc

 

So when exactly are you ordering your M240?

[leica lux]

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...because I wanted to carry some extra weight with a DSLR tele-monster

 

...because I like to buy the latest crap from Canikon every year again.

 

...because I lost my mind

 

 

choose one

[Ozkar]

So when exactly are you ordering your M240?

 

Hold off a little while longer. M240 prices continue to head south.