Type 240MP vs M10

[Vroon]

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I will shortly be buying a Leica for street photography and reportage. I am torn between the M10 and the type 240. I am thinking a good used 240 plus a decent lens will be more that adequate for the job. However I like shooting in low light conditions without a flash, and at nights. Would the M10 therefore be a significant advantage and therefore be worth the extra cost.

 

Many thanks,

 

Simon

[microview]

Yes.

[redrider469]

Absolutely go with the M10. Definitely worth the cost.

[Vroon]

Ok keep the feedback coming !

 

Which is the best reasonably fast lens for street photography? No I am not up for a Noctilux !

[Keith_W]

If you want low light ISO performance, the M10 has an advantage over the M240. 

 

Good lens for street photography at night - probably the 35/1.4 FLE or 28 Summilux. The shorter focal length means you can get away with slower shutter speeds. 

[a.noctilux]

Simon,

 

For plenty of situations, M240 or M10 (I use both and more ), if used about (to) 3200 ISO, their files are "same output".

 

The lens is the discrimination link for all M bodies.

 

First choose your lens then the M body to go with it (or them, if you happen to need more lenses).

 

For first M, don't forget M(typ 262) = cheaper, lighter, best " direct Menu access" if need be ...

or the M-D (typ 262) my favorite of all my digital Ms, that is the "best choice for me" as I use film Ms for decades.

 

Don't forget that when "no good light", even the 1 million ISO (not for M yet) could do nothing for "good photos".

(that can be "spectacular", "unusual", or ... but maybe "not great/good photos" )

[IkarusJohn]

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Starting out, I would go for the M10 and 28 Summilux-M ASPH. I would then add the 50 Summilux-M ASPH (black chrome version) and see how I went from there. I like wides, so the next step would probably be a 21 Super-Elmar-M. At the long end, I’d the add a 75 or 90.

 

But definitely an M10 and a 28 Summilux to start with.

 

Good luck, and have fun!

[wattsy]

I am torn between the M10 and the type 240.

 

 

The M10 is undoubtedly the most refined digital Leica to date but, in the wider scheme of using camera gear to produce good photographs, the differences between models is not hugely significant. If you are working to a budget, a used M 240 is probably the best value digital Leica there has been and will free up £2-3K to spend on the lens. Spending money on lenses is rarely wasted if you use them for the long haul.

[Vroon]

The M10 is undoubtedly the most refined digital Leica to date but, in the wider scheme of using camera gear to produce good photographs, the differences between models is not hugely significant. If you are working to a budget, a used M 240 is probably the best value digital Leica there has been and will free up £2-3K to spend on the lens. Spending money on lenses is rarely wasted if you use them for the long haul.

That was my thinking....

[charleswang]

Agree with wattsy here. Some of the people here will tell you to go with the m10 without explaining why or simply say its 'worth it'. In my opinion, if you are just looking at better low light performance, the difference (mint used m-p240 go for $3800, m240 for even less) is not worth it, and this is coming from someone who recently made the switch to m10. DR improvement I believe was 1-2 stops max (could be marginal or significant depending on your usage).

 

I justify my switch due to a combination of factors: thinner body, better processor (faster frame rate, shorter black out time), better firmware/interface, better evf, and last but not least better sensor hence better iso performance. Any single of those factor would not make me upgrade but combination of them did.

 

 

Hope this helps.

Edited August 23, 2018 by charleswang

[albertknappmd]

Had the MP and upgraded to the 10 two years ago..

A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.

Would not hesitate.

Albert     

[a.noctilux]

Had the MP and upgraded to the 10 two years ago..

A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.

Would not hesitate.

Albert     

 

Albert,

How possible two years of M10 ?

Only available early 2017 for first M10 .

 

Otherwise I'm glad that you found major improvement that I agree ( less battery ! )

[01af]

I am thinking a good used M (Typ 240) plus a decent lens will be more that adequate for the job.

It most definitely is.

 

But then, the M10 is even better. Its low-light capability is better by two stops, and the ergonomics are better too. After you've used an M10 for a couple of days, you simply wouldn't want to go back to the M (Typ 240). So if you plan to acquire an M (Typ 240), do not touch an M10 or you'll be spoilt!

[Tailwagger]

As a current owner of both, neither is perfect. The M10 is not a strict evolutionary improvement on the the 240, depending on the environment you find yourself in.  In favor the the 240? Off the top of my head, far greater battery capacity, for landscape, the e-level, for street work, the C position switch which allows for continuous shooting without having to go into the menu system, dedicated ISO button vs the problematic for some dial, video capability if you're into such things and of course, its substantially cheaper.

 

On the downside, beyond what others have already mentioned, all aspects of the VF, both optical and electronic are noticeably inferior. All things electronic, save battery life, suffer by comparison. Start up, blackout times for example.  Color rendition, WB etc is not as refined SOOC. The files not quite as malleable. The interface of the M10, reduced count of rear buttons and menus are even more minimalist. While personal preference, the feel of the M10 in hand is, IMO, improved. 

 

To be honest, in my case the pros do not make a strong enough case against the cons. Though I often carry two cameras, after adding a Q, the 240 sits in third. It primarily serves as a backup, rarely in use unless theres a strong need to be able to rapidly switch between focal lengths.  All that said, the 240 remains a perfectly capable camera, built like a tank, a device for the ages. If you can get over the psychology involved, it will serve you nearly as well as the M10.   

[Jeff S]

Better weather sealing on the M10.... although neither system fully sealed.

 

Jeff

[Flu]

1 more pro to add for the M240P. It has more metering options when shooting through the rangefinder. Spot, center, and multi-field are all available without turning on the rear screen.

[Rob L]

?? Unless you are in Live View, you are limited to Center Weighted. That is not to say that you can't use the rangefinder with Live view on, with both cameras

[Jeff S]

1 more pro to add for the M240P. It has more metering options when shooting through the rangefinder. Spot, center, and multi-field are all available without turning on the rear screen.

Nope ... as Rob notes.

 

Jeff

[Flu]

There is a feature in the M240's called advanced metering. If turned on, then you can use multi-field metering using rangefinder only - no live view needed.  

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jeff S]

There is a feature in the M240's called advanced metering. If turned on, then you can use multi-field metering using rangefinder only - no live view needed.

Sort of... advanced metering requires metering off the sensor, so there is shutter lag as the shutter needs to stay open longer (the sensor is exposed momentarily as in live view). Classic mode provides more seamless action, for a more true RF experience.

 

Jeff

Edited August 24, 2018 by Jeff S