Why M240 users will (not) switch to M10

[Martin B]

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Continue using my M-E 240: bigger battery capacity is great, don't care for the ISO dial in the M10, camera thickness here doesn't bother me either. And yes, there is the price difference - used Leica M10s still go for $4K whereas very good M 240 series cameras can be obtained for $2.5K. Both the M 240 and the M10 easily clip highlights which was only better resolved with the M11. IMO the M 240 has the much better price/quality ratio. 

The M10-R or M11 on the other hand would be a more reasonable upgrades for a high price uptick. More modern sensors here with higher resolution even I love the colors produced in my M 240 (not sure if they are similar with the newer sensors). 

So far I haven't found even one occasion where I could have taken a photo only with a newer Leica M than my M-E 240. If I didn't get the shot right, it was caused by my own error. Okay, the M10 and M11 have better high ISO performance - but I rarely shoot in conditions where I require ISO > 1600. 

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[catacore]

Regarding M10-R and M11 at 40-60 Mpx without IBIS - this is a no-go for me.

I noticed there are more M10-R's for sale on the used market than the sum of all the other digital M's. That must have a reason, and I suspect it is the one I mentioned above. Shooting at 4x FL is not an option for me (like never going below 1/125-1/250s).

[Martin B]

2 hours ago, catacore said:

Regarding M10-R and M11 at 40-60 Mpx without IBIS - this is a no-go for me.

I noticed there are more M10-R's for sale on the used market than the sum of all the other digital M's. That must have a reason, and I suspect it is the one I mentioned above. Shooting at 4x FL is not an option for me (like never going below 1/125-1/250s).

Reason is mainly that users upgrade to the M11 from the M10 or M10-R. Not what I personally would do if I were a M10-R owner, but many fall on the hype of the presumably "better" M11. I agree though that IBIS is something I also wished to see latest in the M11. But I shoot adapted M lenses with Sony 40 MP MLCs and have no issue with the higher resolution when using the right ISO and exposure time. 

[mmanda]

I’ve had my M240 almost 12 months I think.  I love the thing.  As an Australian to move into a M10 I’d be dropping nearly $4000 on top of what I’d get for my M240.  I just can’t rationalize that expense.  
 

I also think I’ve go so much to learn both in taking photos and post processing.  The M240 is perfect. I love the huge battery. 
 

i wonder how this photo of my son could be better if I had better ISO capabilities but then again I still captured a lovely moment of him sleeping under his fave night night lamp. Other than those small stars the room was pitch black.    Isn’t that what it’s about?  I’m just having fun! 
 

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Edited May 7, 2023 by mmanda

[sometimesmaybe]

5 hours ago, mmanda said:

i wonder how this photo of my son could be better if I had better ISO capabilities

if you use LR already, adobe has a new AI noise reduction algorithm.

i use DxO PureRaw. both LR and DxO totally transform the m240 at high ISO

the following images come from the m240 at ISO6400, the second image comes from DxO (only works on DNG)

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[mmanda]

1 hour ago, sometimesmaybe said:

if you use LR already, adobe has a new AI noise reduction algorithm.

i use DxO PureRaw. both LR and DxO totally transform the m240 at high ISO

the following images come from the m240 at ISO6400, the second image comes from DxO (only works on DNG)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I use an iPad for my photos and LR. I need to find something iOS compatible.  I don’t think DxO is. 

[Boojay]

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7 hours ago, mmanda said:

I’ve had my M240 almost 12 months I think.  I love the thing.  As an Australian to move into a M10 I’d be dropping nearly $4000 on top of what I’d get for my M240.  I just can’t rationalize that expense.  
 

I also think I’ve go so much to learn both in taking photos and post processing.  The M240 is perfect. I love the huge battery. 
 

i wonder how this photo of my son could be better if I had better ISO capabilities but then again I still captured a lovely moment of him sleeping under his fave night night lamp. Other than those small stars the room was pitch black.    Isn’t that what it’s about?  I’m just having fun! 
 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

It's absolutely what it's about.. capturing wonderful memories and moments like this!

[sometimesmaybe]

1 hour ago, mmanda said:

I use an iPad for my photos and LR

i dont know if it's available on LR Mobile, but the changes are pretty amazing

 

[jmahto]

On 3/13/2023 at 10:21 AM, catacore said:

Resurecting an really old thread, while trying to resist GAS 🥺

Any news regarding the topic's title, now, that we have M11 alongside? Still around 2000 EUR difference between used M240 vs M10. Or 3000 EUR for M240 vs M10-P.

I just hope I will resist, just need some reasons. Please help! 🤣

Can’t believe I started this thread and it is still going. 🙂

I would like to add my update. I am still with M240 and haven’t felt the urge to upgrade. I may upgrade in future but there is no rush 😀

One factor in my decision is shooting more film in last few years (acquired M2, IIIc and some more film cameras instead of digital upgrade). Film gets you off the mega pixel obsession.

I still shoot with M240. There is always a charged battery in my camera. I am still with my original two batteries and have never picked up my camera with a depleted battery (or ran out of battery during the day carrying my M240). I think that is the biggest strength. There should be no range anxiety wrt battery.

It is also that I shoot with it much less than I used to but it is still satisfying (shooting as well as the output). 

Edited May 30, 2023 by jmahto

[jmahto]

On 5/24/2019 at 10:04 AM, jmahto said:

My thoughts exactly. It seems I am done with upgrading unless a larger MP/lighter/betterEVF M appears on used market for half the initial price.

Thet means 2029

It is still 2023!! 😀

[jmahto]

And the proof that I am still shooting with M240. It is still easy to shoot, carefree and bombproof camera for travel photos. 
 

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by jmahto

[mmanda]

On 5/7/2023 at 10:07 AM, mmanda said:

I’ve had my M240 almost 12 months I think.  I love the thing.  As an Australian to move into a M10 I’d be dropping nearly $4000 on top of what I’d get for my M240.  I just can’t rationalize that expense.  

I  managed to get a M10 afterall   I didnt end up spending that, I had a bunch of stuff I traded to get into the M10. No regrets for the 2 years I've had it!

Edited August 6 by mmanda

[jmahto]

On 8/6/2025 at 3:46 PM, mmanda said:

I  managed to get a M10 afterall   I didnt end up spending that, I had a bunch of stuff I traded to get into the M10. No regrets for the 2 years I've had it!

I am still using M240. My desire for more megapixels had gone once I starting shooting on film in parallel (M2). Even on film, medium format (I got Mamiya C330 last year) exceeds 25mp, therefore I don’t need more megapixels. And between M2 and M240 I can use all the excellent lenses I acquired over the years. When I want to shoot digital then M240 battery has never let me down for whole day of shooting. I only have two batteries and I keep rotating them. I bought the camera in 2014!!

This is Leica’s fault for creating such a damn good camera! 😃

[Luke_Miller]

I started with the M8.2, then M9 and now the M240.  It does everything I need an M to do.  While the M10 has features I wouldn't mind having, they are not enough to get me to purchase one.  I have no interest in an M11 and if Leica continues to evolve the M into a modern camera I will have no interest in future models.  I already have plenty of computers with lenses.

[Lelmer]

14 hours ago, jmahto said:

I am still using M240. My desire for more megapixels had gone once I starting shooting on film in parallel (M2). Even on film, medium format (I got Mamiya C330 last year) exceeds 25mp, therefore I don’t need more megapixels. And between M2 and M240 I can use all the excellent lenses I acquired over the years. When I want to shoot digital then M240 battery has never let me down for whole day of shooting. I only have two batteries and I keep rotating them. I bought the camera in 2014!!

This is Leica’s fault for creating such a damn good camera! 😃

Indeed, it is 🙂

[Martin B]

15 hours ago, jmahto said:

I am still using M240. My desire for more megapixels had gone once I starting shooting on film in parallel (M2). Even on film, medium format (I got Mamiya C330 last year) exceeds 25mp, therefore I don’t need more megapixels. And between M2 and M240 I can use all the excellent lenses I acquired over the years. When I want to shoot digital then M240 battery has never let me down for whole day of shooting. I only have two batteries and I keep rotating them. I bought the camera in 2014!!

This is Leica’s fault for creating such a damn good camera! 😃

Liking or disliking the M 240 series reminds me a bit on forum discussions about 10 years back in time when Sony released the first A7 series mirrorless FF cameras. Many complained that the camera with its handgrip was too small - Sony later changed to a bulkier grip which I personally never liked. I still have the original A7R with its small grip, and it is perfect for my usage. The M 240 was always seen as the bit of ugly duckling in Leica's digital M line due to its thicker body - ignoring that already the M7 had about the same thickness (only 4 mm thinner to be exact) where this was for whatever reason much less of an issue. The thinner/thicker camera body never bothered me. Biggest practical limitation compared to newer M cameras is in the usable ISO range and in potential highlight clipping - but I can easily use ISO 3600 on my M 240 which was always sufficient for my needs. The 24 MP FF sensor is more than enough to allow me printing on 18x12" paper size, and it probably can go much larger than this without visible loss in quality. I have three batteries - one from my M-E 240, another one from my MM 246, and a spare one. I can easily switch batteries between these camera bodies, and they last for a very long time. 

[catacore]

On 3/27/2023 at 10:46 PM, catacore said:

Regarding M10-R and M11 at 40-60 Mpx without IBIS - this is a no-go for me.

I noticed there are more M10-R's for sale on the used market than the sum of all the other digital M's. That must have a reason, and I suspect it is the one I mentioned above. Shooting at 4x FL is not an option for me (like never going below 1/125-1/250s).

Since my last comment, I have sold my M240 in frustration (due to unrealistic expectations, when coming from the Sony mirrorless system). Then (re)-bought an M240-P earlier this year, and now with the "adjusted" expectations (given the rangefinder limitation), I just love this camera. Did not touch my Sony ever since. Also I have bought an M3 even before this M240-P.

Life is full of surprises!

And, as a bottom line, I don't think I will ever need anything fancier/more advanced than this camera with a 24MPx sensor. I have 5 batteries for it 🙃

 

 

[mmanda]

On 8/18/2025 at 12:50 PM, jmahto said:

I am still using M240. My desire for more megapixels had gone once I starting shooting on film in parallel (M2). Even on film, medium format (I got Mamiya C330 last year) exceeds 25mp, therefore I don’t need more megapixels. And between M2 and M240 I can use all the excellent lenses I acquired over the years. When I want to shoot digital then M240 battery has never let me down for whole day of shooting. I only have two batteries and I keep rotating them. I bought the camera in 2014!!

This is Leica’s fault for creating such a damn good camera! 😃

Well the last 6 weeks has seen me go through some camera drama.  I managed to get scammed out of a Q2.  Then somehow ended up trading my M10 plus cash my way for a Q2. Had the Q2 a month and barely used it (got a few nice shots on one occasion) but the desire to pick it up just wasn't there.. next thing I have traded it on a MP240 Safari.  I was using the MP240 for a few hours today and I love the thing.  There's something more magical about the images out of it than the M10.  Sure the M10 is thinner, better ISO capability and many other features  but when looking in LR at the images from my old 240 vs M10 there was always something I enjoyed more about the M240 images.    Many lessons learnt in this camera dramarama!   M240 here to stay  

Edited October 4 by mmanda

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Hallo,

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