BKimelb1 Posted January 27, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 27, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am considering a spare body and own an M240. Would you get another M240, an older model or the new MP? Thoughts? I keep switching lenses and this would be convenient. I have an M240 now and love it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Jeff S Posted January 27, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 27, 2015 Define back-up. If you just want a spare camera in case yours fails, an M8.2 would be fine; I still keep mine for that purpose. But, if you want a second body to use alongside your M (which your wording implies), then there's nothing as good as another M for seamless transition. I prefer using one body at a time, and keep lens changes to a minimum (for reasons other than inconvenience). YMMV. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted January 27, 2015 Share #3 Posted January 27, 2015 +1 to what Jeff said. I used to carry 2 film M bodies, but not for using 2 lenses, it was for using 2 types of film. Digital made that unnecessary. Also the digital M's being as expensive as they are to buy and depreciate, I opted not to get 2 bodies with either M8 or M9. I went through a series of emergency backups, for which my main criteria was size/weight and cost, and none of them was really satisfying. Most recently with the M240 I got a Nex6. It's the best emergency backup I found, but still far from ideal. (Note I really dislike EVF's). Finally I bit the bullet and got a second M240, pre-owned certified. My 1st one was a demo. Between the two I saved $2700 over the cost of 2 new ones, still costly but somewhat less of a sting in the wallet. The added size and weight of these puppies over film M's adds up when you carry 2 of them though. My Hadley Small won't cut it with 2 bodies (in half-cases) and my outfit of preferred travel lenses and accessories, so I had to go up to a Pro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted January 27, 2015 Share #4 Posted January 27, 2015 If your talking about having a spare for travelling, or for work, then having a second M240 or a M-P240 would make sense Common batteries, common accessories (baseplate, charger etc) identical button placement and menus. If its just as a second camera that sits at home, to be used only when your main M240 is t working properly, then anything would work - M8, M9 or even a mirrorless like an X100, XT1 or OMD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahendy Posted January 27, 2015 Share #5 Posted January 27, 2015 I'll echo what others have said.. depends on your definition of "backup". If you need or would like another M, then there's nothing wrong with an M9 or even an M8.2 in good condition (I had one for quite a while and loved it). Personally, I have a backup camera only because I want something to shoot with if I should ever need to send in my M240 for repairs. I have an X100s and I think it's fantastic. If you're looking for a non-Leica body to use your Leica glass on, then I suppose the Sony A7 line is your best bet. I haven't heard great things about Leica glass performing particularly well on many other cameras. If you're dead-set on using those lenses though, a Leica T could be something to consider. But then that price w/ M adapter gets awfully close to used M9 territory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted January 27, 2015 Share #6 Posted January 27, 2015 OP Everyone has their own priorities ASA this subject is concerned. I like having 2 or 3 bodies for not only switching lenses, but also for having R lenses with adapter on one camera and M lenses on other body (bodies). The R lens swapout is very difficult for a one eyed user. No 3 year passport on those R lenses should you mishandle one and/or drop it. The cost of an extra body might outweigh lengthy repair times and costs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Almulla Posted January 27, 2015 Share #7 Posted January 27, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) My lens changes are at a minimum. Usually stick one on and thats it for the day so my requirements could be different. I use a Fuji X100s as a backup to my M240. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted January 27, 2015 Share #8 Posted January 27, 2015 If you need a 2nd body then the only real way to go is another M 240, if it's a back up then you have a lot of different options. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted January 28, 2015 Share #9 Posted January 28, 2015 Unless you're doing it for work I would consider having a second M body to be a luxury. I use an M8 as a spare body and I really love the different output I can get from it. There's a a crop factor with the M8 but you can easily use this to your advantage, ie less problem with depth of field, effectively better magnification ratio with your lenses etc. The most annoying part is carrying two chargers and different batteries other than that the variation of look I can get with the two cams is quite pleasing. It also lets you use your lenses as different focal lengths, so lets say you carry a 21 and 50 you can have a 28mm/50mm or 21mm/65mm combo. Obviously you can crop your M files to be the same but I personally dislike cropping my pics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Lowe Posted January 28, 2015 Share #10 Posted January 28, 2015 How about an M6? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 28, 2015 Share #11 Posted January 28, 2015 If money is not a consideration, then it is a no-brainier: another M(240). . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 28, 2015 Share #12 Posted January 28, 2015 I am considering a spare body and own an M240. Would you get another M240, an older model or the new MP? Thoughts? I keep switching lenses and this would be convenient. I have an M240 now and love it. If your sole reason for getting another body is to avoid switching lenses, then why would you not get another M240? For related reasons, you might get a different body that takes Leica lenses and so gives you alternative image quality: MM, Sony A7 etc. And you might want a second identical body for a mission-critical shoot, especially as a pro. What I do not understand (while paying tribute to the variety of human nature) is having a spare body of similar quality that lives at home, "just in case". If I'm worried my current body will break, then I'll buy or borrow another when that happens. I can think of a lot more fun things to do with £5000 than leave it in a cupboard at home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted January 28, 2015 Share #13 Posted January 28, 2015 What I do not understand (while paying tribute to the variety of human nature) is having a spare body of similar quality that lives at home, "just in case". If I'm worried my current body will break, then I'll buy or borrow another when that happens. I can think of a lot more fun things to do with £5000 than leave it in a cupboard at home. My backup doesn't live at home just in case, it travels with me just in case. Last thing I want to do on a once-in-a-lifetime trip is have to fall back on my iPhone camera or pay ridiculous price for a POS-P&S in some tourist ripoff electronics store. I agree though, a second M body is exhorbitant for that, and why until just recently I found some other, cheaper alternative. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted January 28, 2015 Share #14 Posted January 28, 2015 Define back-up. If you just want a spare camera in case yours fails, an M8.2 would be fine; I still keep mine for that purpose. But, if you want a second body to use alongside your M (which your wording implies), then there's nothing as good as another M for seamless transition. I prefer using one body at a time, and keep lens changes to a minimum (for reasons other than inconvenience). YMMV. Jeff I'm guessing he's not after a spare body but an extra body, as he writes he keeps changing lenses and is after some convenience. Money no object? M240. Usually have to spare film bodies with me to be able to keep on shooting when it gets darker. Don't have the funds for an extra M240, but then again... I can choose to shoot higher iso without having to throw waste part of my film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted January 28, 2015 Share #15 Posted January 28, 2015 When the next M comes, I keep the M 240 as a spare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted January 28, 2015 Share #16 Posted January 28, 2015 I often work with the the 28 cron asph on the Leica M and the Sony A7 with the FE55/1.8. I find this to be a great combination and both have 24mp sensors so PP is similar for both cameras Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 28, 2015 Share #17 Posted January 28, 2015 I'm guessing he's not after a spare body but an extra body, as he writes he keeps changing lenses and is after some convenience.Money no object? M240. Did you read my post? Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted January 28, 2015 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2015 When the new M comes out, I will keep the M(240) as a backup, by which I mean a second camera that I can walk around with without the need to change lenses. One camera will have a 28mm and the other a 90mm. This will probably prove to be quite controversial, but it is simply my preference--Leica lenses for Leica cameras. I bought an Olympus OMD 1D (or whatever it's called), with a Leica lens adapter as a backup (for camera failure). Used it once or twice with the Leica lenses and then just started using the Olympus lenses that were designed for it. I know plenty of people enjoy using Leica lenses on other non-Leica cameras. That's great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKimelb1 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted January 29, 2015 Define back-up. If you just want a spare camera in case yours fails, an M8.2 would be fine; I still keep mine for that purpose. But, if you want a second body to use alongside your M (which your wording implies), then there's nothing as good as another M for seamless transition. I prefer using one body at a time, and keep lens changes to a minimum (for reasons other than inconvenience). YMMV. Jeff Thank you all but this was my question. I want the second body to keep lens changes to a minimum. Not sure whether to get the another M240 (I can get a decent price now), new MP or wait for a nexgen M but who knows when that will happen or how much it will cost. I am leaning toward another M240 due to the rebate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted January 29, 2015 Share #20 Posted January 29, 2015 If you'll be shooting them together then it's nice to have identical controls and menus. As to the former, Leica will doubtful radically change the control layout in the next gen, but you never know. As small a detail as it seems, I found the change in frame line calibration between M9 and M240 annoying to have to keep in mind. As to the menus, that could be annoying too. It is likely the next gen will take an updated EVF, which may or may not be compatible with your M240, and your EVF (if you have one) may or may not be compatible with the next gen. And there is no guarantee the next gen will take the same battery, so that could be an added expense for spares, and more to carry (including a second charger) when you travel. My second M240, a pre-owned-certified in like-new condition from an authorized dealer, with Leica warranty, cost me $4750. Quite a savings over a rebated new one. You might consider going that route. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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