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So, is Leica M 240 still worth buying?


Alan Aurmont

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That's not exactly accurate. There are thousands and thousands of R-mount lenses that R-owners have been crying for a digital body to mount them on since the demise of the R9. This camera is NOT aimed at the already-established base of M owners... it's aimed at the already-established base of R owners. it won't take anything away from the M line, and likely the M line will benefit from the technology introduced in the SL.

Only interested iin this R solution if automatic diaphram integrated with the adapter. Otherwise......

Edited by lm_user
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Only interested iin this R solution if automatic diaphram integrated with the adapter. Otherwise......

Presuming that the EVF compensates for changes in aperture, what is the point of having an automatic diaphragm now?

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IMO yes, if you want the benefits the M brings. The SL and the M are at different points in the camera hardware evolution and created for different purposes. I've found the M lets you play and experiment far easier than any other camera  system I've owned. Thats why I eventually gravitated to the MP 240. It does all I want, has a selection of the most fantastic lenses available. Its tactile and beautiful to hold and use. maybe I'm just out of the market at the moment for a new camera!! Anyway  I think the SL reinforces the unique nature of the M...so its horses for courses...I can't see myself with the SL, because the M fits me like glove and helps me take wonderful images and the way I want to take them...

 

That all said you can't help but be a little excited about reading about the SL and more importantly looking at the images....but thats just pure curiosity...

 

Long live the M and long live the SL! Most importanty get out and about and use the camera...M, SL, Q or whatever floats your boat... :)

Edited by AJFlowers
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perhaps I'm dense, but why should the launch of this brick of a camera in any way cannibalise on the M-line?  if anything, in my mind, it solidifies the M's unique position as a full frame and pocketable-ish camera with great and small lenses

 

I left the dslr-world to go small and simple, how would returning to the SL maintain those qualities?

 

but, perhaps you're right and gear-heads will sell off their M-stuff to my delight 

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To be honest I think some of the replies have missed the point of the SL, in thinking the camera is supposed to be for the average LUF photographer. It isn't, it is a professional camera and it has all the necessary ingredients to pull the rug right from under Canon etc. in the video field, to offer a great studio camera, do some specialist work, and the rest of it's customer base will be amateurs with R lenses. The dribs and drabs will be mopped up by curiosity. It isn't supposed to be a competitor to Nikon and Canon in the mainstream DSLR world, and it isn't a replacement for the M.

 

For what you get the price is reasonable considering all the lenses you can use on it, you need only buy one camera body.

 

Steve

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To be honest I think some of the replies have missed the point of the SL, in thinking the camera is supposed to be for the average LUF photographer. It isn't, it is a professional camera and it has all the necessary ingredients to pull the rug right from under Canon etc. in the video field, to offer a great studio camera, do some specialist work, and the rest of it's customer base will be amateurs with R lenses. The dribs and drabs will be mopped up by curiosity. It isn't supposed to be a competitor to Nikon and Canon in the mainstream DSLR world, and it isn't a replacement for the M.

 

For what you get the price is reasonable considering all the lenses you can use on it, you need only buy one camera body.

 

Steve

 

tbh, I don't think anything Leica puts out will put a dent in either Nikon's or Canon's sales. Leica is a niche product with too few peripherals and supporting systems to grab the attention of professional users. it's not just the camera itself, it's the safety of knowing that if it fails, a professional service agreement helps you replace the gear immediately, not having to return it to Wetzlar with a 5 month turn-around time (if you can even live with the inevitable wait to get one in the first place and the teething problems it _will_ have, knowing Leica).

I'm also pretty much certain that the IQ coming out of this will in no way better existing products to the extent that anyone invested in a system (e.g. CaNikon) will make the switch (the sample photos already out suggest terrible noise handling).

 

as usual, I don't get Leica's strategy, but perhaps they've got pre-sales to every schejk in Saudiarabia  

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No, I don't think this camera appeals to M users because of this

 

_1060918.jpeg

 

 

Christ! this IS terrifying! What were they thinking??? You can also use it as a Bomb!

 

 

A picture truly seeks a thousand words ...

 

Been trying to come up with pick up lines for that behemoth but they all have something to do with size  :blink: . Compare it to an M and I'm getting inferiority complex  :lol:

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Yes! Not so far in price and size from the S.

So why a professional would not jump to MF instead?

I'm not sure some are aware of the significance. I will buy this, not as my only camera, but as an additional tool that I can also use with my M Lenses and medium format lenses too. Even with motion. It's a total eco system now that you can achieve consistency across all platforms, tools and disciplines. When I need a small camera, it's there in the M.

Edited by Paul J
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It is fun to speculate, but only time will tell.  My speculation:  The market for M cameras can't support the retail store overhead, which is why we are seeing this flood of new models.  I don't see the M disappearing soon, but I think it is becoming an even more niche camera.  As the EVF gets better, the range finder experience will appear to fewer and fewer people.  Although it may become more vinyl like in its appeal.

 

As for me, I purchased the Sony A7rii and am very happy with it so  far.  With Zeiss behind the Sony lenses, I am not inclined to pay for the new Leica zooms, which strike me as very expensive--we will have to wait to see whether the results justify the price.  I do have the adapter for my existing Leica lenses and am learning to rely on magnification and focus peaking to make them work on the Sony.  The Leica glass may be better, but I have serious doubts as to whether Leica can go head to head with Sony on the electronics.  Nevertheless, Leica's entry into the market is a good thing for all camera users.  I suspect you will see the next version of the Sony with 2 SD card slots.  Even if Leica's EVF is now better than Sony's, I have no doubt that Sony will remain competitive.

 

The one thing that strongly favors Sony is service.  The large camera manufacturers are much more responsive when it comes to repairs, although Leica has improved.

Therefore Canon ends Service after some years and Leica repairs very old cameras. It's only because bigger companys have the better service.

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No, I don't think this camera appeals to M users because of this

 

_1060918.jpeg

 

Surely for a professional is different, but, as for me, accustomed to go around like this, the idea to have an SL with the 24-90 at my neck is not so appealing... B) :

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This camera is really not designed for the typical LUG amateur (of which I am one)

Its a pro camera

Lets see if the pros like it. looks pretty good to me

No real difference in price to the 1DX or D4S after VAT anyway, at least the body ...

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That's not exactly accurate.  There are thousands and thousands of R-mount lenses that R-owners have been crying for a digital body to mount them on since the demise of the R9.  This camera is NOT aimed at the already-established base of M owners... it's aimed at the already-established base of R owners.    it won't take anything away from the M line, and likely the M line will benefit from the technology introduced in the SL.

 

I've successfully used all my R lenses on Leica M. What advantages will SL bring to the table that M doesn't have as far as R lenses are concerned?

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This camera is really not designed for the typical LUG amateur (of which I am one)

Its a pro camera

Lets see if the pros like it. looks pretty good to me

No real difference in price to the 1DX or D4S after VAT anyway, at least the body ...

 

The biggest difference however, is the ecosystem around the professional system. This is where the SL falls flat on it's face.

And then, there is the professional services that support the ecosystem. No professional can send their SL for service to Leica with a 2-3month turnaround time. Canon and Nikon have professional services located all around the globe, and if you have those services you are guaranteed to be able to do your job, even if the gear fails. Not so much with Leica...

 

Maybe in 3-6 years can we decide if the SL has failed or not. The system needs A LOT equipment and accessories, as well as lenses, in it's ecosystem before it can be judged a success or failure. Professionals won't dive into a new system that easily. They need the flash equipment, they need the lenses, they need the services, and if one of those elements are missing, they can't switch, even if they wanted to.

 

As of today, the SL system only caters to the hobbyist "pros" that have very basic needs.

Edited by indergaard
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The biggest difference however, is the ecosystem around the professional system. This is where the SL falls flat on it's face.

And then, there is the professional services that support the ecosystem. No professional can send their SL for service to Leica with a 2-3month turnaround time. Canon and Nikon have professional services located all around the globe, and if you have those services you are guaranteed to be able to do your job, even if the gear fails. Not so much with Leica...

 

Maybe in 3-6 years can we decide if the SL has failed or not. The system needs A LOT equipment and accessories, as well as lenses, in it's ecosystem before it can be judged a success or failure. Professionals won't dive into a new system that easily. They need the flash equipment, they need the lenses, they need the services, and if one of those elements are missing, they can't switch, even if they wanted to.

 

As of today, the SL system only caters to the hobbyist "pros" that have very basic needs.

This is not my experience at all.

 

My M9 had a sensor replaced, the rangefinder recalibrated and matched to all my M lenses which I sent off too, they also repaired my 75mm Summilux's broken focus at the time too, all within three days, the whole time I had a loaner kit to use while working. The service was brilliant and super friendly with great communication. The camera came back with an extended warranty for 1 year and looked like new with a replaced leatherette and guts.

Edited by Paul J
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