Trade M9 for M-P 240?

[djmay]

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I have been offered a new M-P 240 at 50% off, in exchange for my M9. That means I pay 50% and give my M9, for a brand new M-P 240 with full warranty. For those of you who have used both, what is your advice?

 

Jesse

 

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[wda]

If you have mastered your M9 and it does all the work you need, make sure you really want the live-view and video that  the M-P 240 would give you. The only other consideration is the M9 sensor issue. Leica has guaranteed  support in the event of sensor failure so the risk is minimal.

 

Many photographers prefer the colour rendering of the M9 and have regretted making the change. Some have reverted to the older model.

 

It is a vexed question which only you can properly assess, noting experiences of others.

[jdlaing]

Do it. Never look back.

[jaapv]

But the colour thing is very personal. After spending a bit of time on tweaking my postprocessing, in the end I find I am more than happy with the 240 colour.

I  doubt whether many users have reverted. A few, yes - but large numbers? I see no sign of that.

[matlep]

I have been offered a new M-P 240 at 50% off, in exchange for my M9. That means I pay 50% and give my M9, for a brand new M-P 240 with full warranty. For those of you who have used both, what is your advice?

 

Jesse

 

Sent from my Lenovo YT3-850L using Tapatalk

 

3200 Euros is a good price for trading in a used M9.

[Bill Livingston]

I agree... completely.

 

You are unlikely to get that much for your M9 in the future and don't take any notice of those who like to make the point about video and live view as the 'benefit' to upgrade (or not)... they are NOT the reasons for going with the M - P... 

 

Those comment do a massive disservice to the 240 series of cameras. They are a much more complete M digital camera than the M9 (lovely as it is) and if it were me... I would go for it before they change their minds.

 

The 240 absolutely fabulous camera series... THE best digital M... and the later sub-models derived from it are all pretty damn good too... from the P version, to the 246 and then the 262. All very good and very solid.

 

I have a M-P 240 and wouldn't change it for the world..

[bocaburger]

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To me the quieter action of the M and its derivatives alone is worth the price of admission over an M9, which I did have.   I just never felt like that whizzbang whirring was commensurate with a Leica, or any camera costing that much, when every entry-level consumer DSLR was much quieter.   

 

Being in your shoes however, I would sell the M9 privately and look for a Leica demo or certified pre-owned M240 non-P at this late jucture in that series' product run.  The cost would be significantly less, both at purchase and in terms of depreciation toward the next upgrade. 

[LocalHero1953]

LV is of practical use:

- checking rangefinder/lens calibration

- using lenses outside the 28-90 focusing comfort zone

- using the OUFRO etc for close-up

 

I upgraded for the first and third of these, plus the infinitely better review screen (too embarrassing to show anyone on the M9), the more subtle and accurate colours, wider DR, higher ISO, quieter shutter. If the money makes sense* then go for it.

 

* this requires a total suspension of the critical faculties for Leica owners. Bear in mind that your other half will not do this.

[darylgo]

After using the M240 and then picking up the M9 I find the weight of the M9 to feel significantly less....advantage M9.  All other advantages to the M240 however there are intangibles that make me keep both and continue to love the M9.  Imaging is not so different that slight differences can't be offset in post processing with some exceptions.  

[Jeff S]

My advice is to try it and see what you think.  A reputable dealer will be able to make arrangements.

 

Only you know your needs, style and preferences.  Both cameras are capable of producing terrific files for use in a disciplined print (color or b/w) workflow. With myriad workflow variables to consider, no two users will produce the same results.....thankfully.  But there are other user considerations, too.

 

I don't use video or LV (except for focus calibration checks), but find the M240 to be a superior camera based on MY criteria.  I appreciate, for example, the improved RF, improved weather sealing, faster processor, better battery, quieter shutter motor re-cock, smoother shutter release, 2m frame line optimization (compared to 1m on the M9), more MP for larger prints and/or cropping, internally lit frame lines, etc.  

 

The M240 is, for me, a more robust and refined RF machine.  I especially appreciate the general reliability of the M240 from the start, certainly better than the early M9s that experienced sensor cracks, SD card issues, red edge issues, buffer problems....and later on, of course, the sensor corrosion issues.  People forget, too, that the forum was full of angry posts regarding M9 color when the camera was introduced.  These color issues tend to subside once software catches up and users make workflow accommodations....and adjust to what they're seeing.

 

Some view the CCD versus CMOS sensor distinction as a deal breaker, one way or the other; I don't.  I also don't use lenses wider than 28 or longer than 90 on my Ms.

 

As always, YMMV.  

 

Jeff

[dpitt]

3200 Euros is a good price for trading in a used M9.

I faced the same dilemma a few weeks ago. In the end decided not to upgrade. I am happy with the pictures I get out of the M9. Regret a bit not having live view, but paying more than 3000 euro's just for that is too much IMO.

If I want to have a M240, I will probably buy a second hand one for about the same , and then I will still have my M9 with perfect sensor replaced by Leica.

 

Of course my M240 will not be new then, but I never bought any M body new anyway

[djmay]

I faced the same dilemma a few weeks ago. In the end decided not to upgrade. I am happy with the pictures I get out of the M9. Regret a bit not having live view, but paying more than 3000 euro's just for that is too much IMO.

If I want to have a M240, I will probably buy a second hand one for about the same , and then I will still have my M9 with perfect sensor replaced by Leica.

 

Of course my M240 will not be new then, but I never bought any M body new anyway

I thought about the second hand option also. However, I do not need a second M, provided Leica can sort out the various problems with my unreliable S system. I have a running dialogue with them on that topic and so far they seem to be taking me seriously and making the right moves.

 

Jesse

 

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[eujin]

I would go for this deal. If you're getting 50% off the price of an M240-P for your M9, that's a cash value that you're unlikely to see if you sell it privately. Use the M240-P and get used to it. If it leaves you pining for your old M9, you can probably sell it for more than the cash you put down. You can always go back to the M9; as used prices continue to come down, you'll be ahead on that end as well. 

[sblutter]

My experience was "the M9 can do anything I want, don't need the 240", until 1 day I found my bank balance higher than expected.  Got a very clean used 240 with 1 yr warranty at a decent price.

 

Within 1 week the M9 seemed out of date - was eventually sold off to a shooter with a lot M glass underused on 3/4 sensor bodies.  An M-E with very low shutter count (324) went to an Asian collector

 

Everyone happy

[sblutter]

My experience was "the M9 can do anything I want, don't need the 240", until 1 day I found my bank balance higher than expected.  Got a very clean used 240 with 1 yr warranty at a decent price.

 

Within 1 week the M9 seemed out of date - was eventually sold off to a shooter with a lot M glass underused on 3/4 sensor bodies.  An M-E with very low shutter count (324) went to an Asian collector

 

Everyone happy

[MT0227]

I would echo most of Bill's comments on the M-P 240, it was my first Leica and I have no vision of getting rid of it any time soon.  Live View is an option to think about, along with the ability to add an EVF into the mix.  If you plan to do wide angle shots wider than 28mm, or if your eyes are starting to go a bit for those shots 90mm and out...LV and the EVF can be helpful/useful.   

[Jean-Michel]

Greetings to all. 

Well, sometime later today the doorbell will ring andI will take delivery of a new M-P 240. I have an M9 (which will be sent for a sensor replacement later this week).

I wil be keeping both cameras. The one thing I miss from my film days – I  have an M3, M4 and M6 – is to simply for the camera /lens that I want rather than stopping to change lenses on the one body I have. With both an M9 and M-P I will be able to easily carry two most used camera/lens combinations; with two less used lenses in my small camera bag.  

It is an unfortunate expensive choice, but I finally decided that in my case it was worth it.

Jean-Michel 

[MT0227]

Take out the M6 while the M9 is getting fixed 

 

Greetings to all. 

Well, sometime later today the doorbell will ring andI will take delivery of a new M-P 240. I have an M9 (which will be sent for a sensor replacement later this week).

I wil be keeping both cameras. The one thing I miss from my film days – I  have an M3, M4 and M6 – is to simply for the camera /lens that I want rather than stopping to change lenses on the one body I have. With both an M9 and M-P I will be able to easily carry two most used camera/lens combinations; with two less used lenses in my small camera bag.  

It is an unfortunate expensive choice, but I finally decided that in my case it was worth it.

Jean-Michel 

[Bill Livingston]

Greetings to all. 

Well, sometime later today the doorbell will ring andI will take delivery of a new M-P 240. I have an M9 (which will be sent for a sensor replacement later this week).

I wil be keeping both cameras. The one thing I miss from my film days – I  have an M3, M4 and M6 – is to simply for the camera /lens that I want rather than stopping to change lenses on the one body I have. With both an M9 and M-P I will be able to easily carry two most used camera/lens combinations; with two less used lenses in my small camera bag.  

It is an unfortunate expensive choice, but I finally decided that in my case it was worth it.

Jean-Michel 

 

 

Actually, I completely get that. I was used to having two Nikon F2 bodies (although at the time it was mostly one B&W and one colour) and having two different focal lengths ready to go was invaluable, especially when I was doing stuff for music magazines at gigs and needed to be fast...

 

I think that at some point in the future I will pick up a really scruffy M-P 240 to go with the one I have to do the same... I would prefer it that way than an M9 because there is a difference, not least batteries and chargers... and my little brain will be irritated with having to switch between two different camera bodies due to the different layout and ergonomics... and the possibility of using an EVF on one and never being able to on the other would drive me mad... even if I hardly use it...!

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