Buy new or used M240

[tap360]

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Hi all

 

Impossible to answer I know, but I am about to buy an M240 (having sold my M9-P) and would appreciate any advice or guidance.

 

I have come across a really clean M240 in chrome, 1 owner and about 3.5 years old but is very clean with just a few minor rub marks which is easily done on the chrome ones and looks barely used (even the Info button text is all still there!).  It is boxed and comes with 6 months dealer warranty for £3000.  The on/off switch is a little stiff and tends to easily turn straight to C other than S is my only concern.

 

I was all set to go for it, but also have the opportunity to get a brand new M240 for £4100 from a different dealer, taking advantage of the Leica £500 trade-in which expires tomorrow.  With prices rising post Brexit, these are now going for over £5k.

 

I am minded to go for the used one as it comes with 6m warranty, but so so tempting to buy 'new' at what seems a great deal.

 

Any advice/recommendations?

[franafricano]

Wait one month, the next M is coming and the price of Leica m240 will be down.

[lucerne]

Hi all

 

Impossible to answer I know, but I am about to buy an M240 (having sold my M9-P) and would appreciate any advice or guidance.

 

I have come across a really clean M240 in chrome, 1 owner and about 3.5 years old but is very clean with just a few minor rub marks which is easily done on the chrome ones and looks barely used (even the Info button text is all still there!). It is boxed and comes with 6 months dealer warranty for £3000. The on/off switch is a little stiff and tends to easily turn straight to C other than S is my only concern.

 

I was all set to go for it, but also have the opportunity to get a brand new M240 for £4100 from a different dealer, taking advantage of the Leica £500 trade-in which expires tomorrow. With prices rising post Brexit, these are now going for over £5k.

 

I am minded to go for the used one as it comes with 6m warranty, but so so tempting to buy 'new' at what seems a great deal.

 

Any advice/recommendations?

Hi

I'm facing the same predicament. Had my M9-P for 3+ years and love it but I really could use higher ISO capabilities and a better review screen. Live view isn't important. Added a Leica Q a year ago and really don't like it. Mindless shooting - just like a point and shoot! However, it is more capable at night, and it is suitable for fast captures of moving objects, so I'll keep it.

As regards the M9 replacement options we both have here in the U.K., I've begun to consider some of the variations of the M240. Do you really need video and live view. I don't.

Is the £500 discount offer going to reduce a new M240 to £3600? I'm not clear about that. If it is, then the new M240 with full warranty is possibly the way to go. Even when a new M arrives, it won't depress M240 prices too much. Leica models hold their values really well. I'll be interested in the comments of other forum members. Don't rush into anything. Good opportunities will continue to present themselves.

Good hunting....

[schmolinski]

Buy it, if you can't wait. If you are able to wait, wait. If you want to photgraph buy it. Who cares for a couple of bucks if he can shoot with the most desired item. If you want to make a bargain, we'll wait for the next opportunity. I am sure the will be one in the next couple of month. But honestly I made the experience that the M 240 is a great camera. And I had all from the M8 M9 and now own the M240. The high ISO performance at 3200 is pretty well when it comes to prints of DIN A4 size.

Just my two cents

[tap360]

I am without a camera so have decided to spring for the M240.  Thats much I know.  

 

The new one is £4100 after the £500 rebate, so its basically the question is:  "Is 'new' plus 18 months extra warranty worth £1100 extra", or "Is a new camera worth 37% more than an apparently barely used 3.5 year old one" . The photos and experience will be the same with both, the allure of new will fade once I have used it, so am still minded to stick with the used one.

 

However, the (probably false) allure of 'new' and possibility of a bargain remains....

 

One other consideration, I fancy changing the leatherette to personalise it....which would be tricky on new as it invalidates the warranty (although Mayfair say in practice Germany may well not uphold this formal line)

[Peter Kilmister]

You can always find really good M240s in the 'Buy & Sell' section of this forum. However, if you want a perfect camera then buy a new one. You'll pay the VAT and so you'll lose 20% straight away.

I bought my M-P 240 for under £3800 on ebay. It was brand new. It worked perfectly from day one. I did ask the seller for the serial number, which he provided, and then checked it was valid with Leica Mayfair.

They confirmed its authenticity. It arrived in an unopened box. No complaints but there are a load of bandits out there in ebay land so be very careful.

[tap360]

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Thanks, good point on VAT.  The used one is from Ffordes who I think are a reputable dealer offering a 6 month guarantee and who have checked the 1 owner (May 2013 model) history with Leica, so no particular concerns there...although one never knows and I usually buy used. My feeling is this camera has barely been used, but you never really know.   £1100 buys a nice lens of course.., or just keep it in reserve!

[Peter Kilmister]

@tap360: I see you are in Winchester. I used to live near Alresford. Recently I moved to West Sussex. If you wish to meet up for a chat about M cameras and a pint then I am usually around as I have retired.

Wish you luck with your purchase.

[tap360]

Thanks, that sounds a nice idea.

[Peter Kilmister]

BTW, nobody has said welcome to the forum. So I'll try to do the honourable thing by welcoming a new member. Please ask any questions on here. Everyone is very friendly, although you can get some people who spell things in a strange way.

[RayD28]

TAP360, 

 

I go through the same dilemma each time I make a major equipment purchase.  I've bought new and used equipment.  I'm very much in favor of buying used lenses so long as I can return them if I find undisclosed flaws and not pay a restocking fee.  Digital bodies are a different story because I see value in the longer warranty.  Strictly a personal decision but I like the peace of mind.  I've bought new bodies instead of used thinking I want the warranty but those new bodies never gave me any problems.  Having said that, I'd consider a used body if I can speak to the prior owner(s).  

 

To me, a warranty is like an insurance policy.  I'm more risk adverse than many so insurance companies like me.  Some here have damage and theft insurance, some don't.  It's a personal choice.

 

Holding off and waiting for a new model announcement makes some sense but I avoid that line of thought unless I am confident the next model is a game changer.  Keep in mind that this comes from a guy that bought a Nikon D800 days before the D810 was announced, and I bought a Mac a week before Apple introduced Retina for Macs.    

 

Anyway, good luck on whatever you decide. 

[earleygallery]

The new Leica has 2 years warranty. I would consider the additional cost of the new M partly in terms of the value of another 18 months warranty, which works out around £60 per month.

 

I'd price that against the cost of an enhanced insurance policy which will cover you for accidental damage/failure and then it comes down to how much worth you put in having a new product.

 

I'm very happy buying used but it is always a case of evaluating the saving against the 'risk'.

[tap360]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking ahead any views on used value of, say a 2 year old M just out of warranty vs what would be a 5.5 year old M by then?

 

Would a 3.5 years model be worth much more?

[lucerne]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking ahead any views on used value of, say a 2 year old M just out of warranty vs what would be a 5.5 year old M by then?

Would a 3.5 years model be worth much more?

So many questions.....

All answers would only be speculative. Age is definitely no indication of use in Leicaland, and you have to examine the body for signs of use or abuse. Misuse is rare inthe leica user community, but unofficial aesthetic modifications will affect resale. I've seen an M240 with a Leica handgrip but no original base. Even that makes it difficult to sell.

 

If I understand your questioning, are you considering replacing your M9 which was 3.5 years old with an M240 of the same age?

 

Much of the M9 to M240 product upgrade relates to handling and some contributes to image quality and although the M240 is established with loyal users, there again seems to be a clamour for a new model. I don't know why, but I do know that every subsequent model release has a higher price. Are you regularly producing large prints.

 

I've considered an upgrade so to help me decide, I took my Black M9-P for an outing today. Fitted a 50 Lux and fuelled her up! Outstanding results and far greater fun than my Leica Q. I even got stopped by a pensioner who wanted to talk Leica. I really believe that you would be better buying a really good new or old Lux or Chron lens, but you've let the M9 go. It's a classic! Alternatively, forget live view and get the slightly lighter M242. Less electronics to go wrong if that's your concern. Don't worry about the resale value in 3 years time. You will have had three years use.

 

Just my thoughts.!

It's your decision, and no one can predict prices in the future although depreciation is reasonably low. Mine hasn't dropped 35% in nearly four years.

[Tonkerdog]

Hi

I'm facing the same predicament. Had my M9-P for 3+ years and love it but I really could use higher ISO capabilities and a better review screen. Live view isn't important. Added a Leica Q a year ago and really don't like it. Mindless shooting - just like a point and shoot! However, it is more capable at night, and it is suitable for fast captures of moving objects, so I'll keep it.

As regards the M9 replacement options we both have here in the U.K., I've begun to consider some of the variations of the M240. Do you really need video and live view. I don't.

Is the £500 discount offer going to reduce a new M240 to £3600? I'm not clear about that. If it is, then the new M240 with full warranty is possibly the way to go. Even when a new M arrives, it won't depress M240 prices too much. Leica models hold their values really well. I'll be interested in the comments of other forum members. Don't rush into anything. Good opportunities will continue to present themselves.

Good hunting....

I have a Q and have enjoyed it. I'm very much the amateur.

 

What benefit would an M give me, apart from the obvious focal length change ability. Is the sensor really any better, or are the M lenses simply in a different league? Interesting to read a new M is on the horizon!!!!

[Jeff S]

 I don't know why, but I do know that every subsequent model release has a higher price.

 

In the US, at launch, the M240 was priced roughly the same as the M9, as I recall.

 

Jeff

[lucerne]

I have a Q and have enjoyed it. I'm very much the amateur.

What benefit would an M give me, apart from the obvious focal length change ability. Is the sensor really any better, or are the M lenses simply in a different league? Interesting to read a new M is on the horizon!!!!

Focal length change ability is a huge advantage. I have lenses from 21mm to 135mm.

On my last overseas trip I took the Q. It just wasn't flexible enough for the range of shooting. Some Q users suggest that the Q is an ideal travel camera. I'm not sure why. To be honest, the Q never misses a shot, but where's the satisfaction from being creative. It's just fast! I also wonder if satisfied Q users ever used a rangefinder.

I like the sensor in my M9-P. Images have deep character, and process beautifully in LR. In fact I go back and reprocess Raw Images often. I feel I'm selecting focus and depth of field very precisely. My M9 is not in charge. I am.

 

I doubt I'll sell my Q but I'm returning to the M9 for handheld, carefully framed shots.

Hope that helps.

[Jeff S]

The only used M I bought was a mint M8.2 that still had a nice warranty from a dealer I trusted.  It was a back-up to a new M8.2 I bought earlier.  I always carry comprehensive insurance to cover anything the warranty does not (worldwide, no deductible, full replacement value, covering all situations including my own negligence).....this is inexpensive in the US as a special rider to my premium home policy.

 

When I bought a new M240, I decided to sell off the M8.2 that I bought new.  It offered the greatest trade-in value, and the used M8.2 still operated perfectly.

 

Whatever makes you feel good.  Just do it and don't look back or second guess.  The value is in the picture taking.

 

Jeff

[lucerne]

In the US, at launch, the M240 was priced roughly the same as the M9, as I recall.

 

Jeff

Jeff

That may have been the case, but when I purchased my M9-P in the UK as the M240 was being announced, the M9 became 25% less. What a great buy it was and the original sensor is now unconditionally guaranteed.

Now we are seeing heavy price rises associated with currency movements. Any new model will be much more expensive than a 2013 to 2015 M240.

Even the Q price is now about 15% higher than the launch price.

 

Gordon

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jeff S]

That may have been the case, but when I purchased my M9-P in the UK as the M240 was being announced, the M9 became 25% less. What a great buy it was and the original sensor is now unconditionally guaranteed.

 

 

Sure, but you said "I don't know why".  When a new model is launched, the old model generally decreases in value.  Unless the new model is a dud, reasons seem clear, especially if the new model is priced the same as the old one was at launch.  Currency fluctuations are another, albeit random, factor.

 

 

Jeff