New Leica M 240 + M-P at dump prices, end of M 240?

[Paulus]

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Foto Leistenschneider in Düsseldorf sold all it's new M-P Leica 240 for the price of € 3750,- The last two new with 2 years of warranty  M 240 are standing in the shop ( at least as I saw it this weekend ) for € 3000,- they expect to sell them these days. 

 

I understand from the salesmen, that the M 240 type is not coming to the store again. Only M 10 are standing "on the counter" if you realy want an M 240 you have to order them. 

 

 

I believe this could be the end of the M 240 ( P ) . The Photokina will IMHO probably show a new Monochrom M10 based  + an M 10 P  but there is still no evidence being presented. 

[wda]

Understandable. That follows a pattern with the flow of new models.

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[wattsy]

Yes, some UK dealers are also selling the M-P and M 240 quite cheaply (£3999 and £3499 respectively) at the moment. I imagine that this is being done with the full consent of Leica who will want to clear the channels of these models.

[Paulus]

I understand from an eyewitness that Leica is producing only M 10's at the moment. The production of M240 seemed to have stopped. A few dealers I spoke did not seem to see a reason to have any M 240 in stock anymore , because they would not sell them anyway. 

 

IMHO this stops the discussion if a M with video still will be needed, because the reaction of the dealer obviously say "no" . 

 

All in all I did not think such a good camera could loose its value in Germany in 4 years more than half of the new price. 

 

"We sell them cheaper new, than they are advertised "used" on Ebay at the moment." a shopkeeper said. 

[plasticman]

This is about half the price of the camera in Sweden right now, and less than I've seen them locally used.

[wattsy]

This is about half the price of the camera in Sweden right now, and less than I've seen them locally used.

 

 

For my sins I've just ordered a vanilla M 240.  I thought I was "done" with M digitals nor do I like the colour of most of the photos I've seen taken with this camera. It's also too fat and was launched over 5 years ago (which, I guess, makes it antediluvian in digital camera terms). However, I do have an excellent Nikon system that I use only rarely and never for personal pleasure and I think I'd get more utility now out of having a Leica M digital that I use only rarely and never for personal pleasure. Whilst the M10 feels much better in the hand and is no doubt "better" in every measurable quantity, the discounted price I just paid for the M 240 is the most I'd consider paying for a digital camera so the latter will have to do. Somewhat perversely, I'm quite looking forward to seeing if I can use it to take a photo that I like.

[bocaburger]

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I got my 2 M240s as demo and certified, so someone else took the biggest depreciation it.  I enjoy these cameras, have tried the M10 and don't see anything compelling me to shell out the extra dough.  Plan on keeping my 240s until they break and can't be repaired.  Then buy demo or used of whatever model is then one generation back. 

[Peter Kilmister]

I agree with @bocaburger. Having tried the M10 on a visit to Brussels I couldn't find enough to tempt me to upgrade.  Two years ago I bought an M240-P for a good price (lower than dealers' new price now) and hope to keep it for years. It will probably outlast me ... but I think that is a good thing. It is all about quality.

[steamboat]

I checked on line here in USA including Leica USA and no sign of dump prices. I haven't spoken to anybody however. It might be if one talks to a store you'd get the dump price. 

[david strachan]

It's natural that the latest model users will deride the previous model.

A lot of photographers are fickle.

I still like my M-P (240), which i really only bought for live view so could do macro/close-up. (My love is the M8...horror!!)

 

It still takes a good picture and the files are very useable in LR and PS...very maleable.

 

It's not the prettiest camera...but then you have to go back to the early range finders film cameras for a very pleasurable photographers camera...that feels so superb in hand.

 

 

...

Edited February 10, 2018 by david strachan

[wattsy]

I checked on line here in USA including Leica USA and no sign of dump prices. I haven't spoken to anybody however. It might be if one talks to a store you'd get the dump price. 

 

 

Yes, just to be clear, the prices available in the UK at the moment are not anything like as cheap as those reported from the German dealer but are nonetheless the lowest prices I've ever seen here for a brand new M-P or M 240. I wouldn't describe the UK prices I quoted in post #3 as "dump prices" but prices that aim to clear current inventory fairly quickly.

[Lonescapes]

Depreciation on expensive cameras is a bummer if you bought high, but honestly I applaud the fact that the 240 is finally reaching a point where more and more people can buy into the digital M system. Sure, a 240 does much less than, say, an A7 Mk II body, but it's at least nice that people can choose between the new Sony and the used Leica at roughly the same price.

[Rupert Greenwell]

I bought a new M262 from a Leica dealer in London yesterday, it is now my second M262 and will replace a M10 which I have not 'warmed' to.  The price of the M262 has come down since I bought my first one, the dealer said that they had not had anything official from Leica regarding the ending of production of the M240 etc.

[lct]

M240, the only M called M ... Too soon for an epitaph as it still does infinitely more than any Sony or Fuji camera thanks to its genuine rangefinder which is the best ever made or the second best after the M10 for those who prefer the latter. For the rest the M240 is an outdated camera the same way as other M's have always been since the M3 more or less. Good news for newcomers if it can be had for less. Not so good for M240 users but they can keep it if they don't need a fast EVF. Well exposed pics are still clean up to 3200 iso with the M240 and a new camera like the CL can hardly do better aside from banding above 3200 iso. Been shooting recently with both M240 and CL with no problem at all and the M did the same work with one battery than the CL with a couple of ones. 

[Gregm61]

Just nabbed an almost mint black paint M-P 240 from Tamarkin to shoot alongside my M262, reduce lens changes and create a two-body, one type battery system bag. I couldn't be happier and can't wait to get it.