Thinking about a digital M...

[thorcaption5]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've been lurking here reading about Leica M digital rangefinders. They have always been a curiosity of mine. My quick history is that I started shooting with Nikon DSLR's (D50, D700) then moved through various mirrorless setups (Olympus and Panasonic) and then was with a Fuji X setup for years (X-T1 and X-Pro2). On the X-Pro2, I absolutely loved using an all manual lens, Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 and the manual controls on the X-Pro2. I ended up recently selling the Fuji gear to get into a Sony A7iii since I'm doing more video work, which the Sony is technologically awesome. Eye-AF, AF speeds, burst, video controls are all top notch.

I type this just because I'm losing the desire to just go out and shoot for fun. Photography is becoming boring and has lost it's fun factor for me. I'm looking back fondly of the X-Pro2 and the Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 and enjoying 1 focal length, manual controls, manual focus and just shooting with that.

Which brings me back around to a Leica digital M. I've been doing a lot of research into either a Leica M10 or typ 240 (used for both) and a 35mm f/2 ASPH Summicron. I'd love to try a combo out and truly experience a rangefinder setup (since the X-Pro2 isn't an RF) to figure out if a setup like that would be fun to shoot with again.

Does anyone have any advice on where to buy used (KEH, UsedPhotoPro, B&H, Adorama or even eBay), what kind of things to look out for and if this idea is crazy or not? Thanks for any help.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jaapv]

Not eBay, if you have no experience. I've never heard of usedphotopro. The rest are fine.

[Jeff S]

One option is to rent first and see if you bond with the RF experience.  Just be sure your eyes are first corrected for any astigmatism or distance issues (focus patch is set at 2m). Diopters are also available.
 

https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/cameras/photo/leica?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgbOKydzm6gIVlY3ICh3RBAlREAAYASAEEgJj4fD_BwE

Many good dealers.... Leica Miami, Popflash, Tamarkin, Camera West, Leica SoHo (except recently looted), etc.  Buy from a trusted dealer with warranty and return policy.

Jeff

[rivi1969]

If the moderator allows me, I would suggest Tamarkin camera, they usually have a few used-Ms in top condition, fully warranty and freshly CLA. Buying a $5000 used Leica to an unknown person is something I wouldn't dare to do. 

Now, for a first dive into the M-system, I also recommend an M240 or M262 and see how do you like it, in my humble opinion there is not much difference between those 2 and the more expensive M10 in terms of usability and shooting experience. Personally, I wouldn't trade my M9-P plus an extra $3000 to "side-grade" to an M10. 😉

[Jeff S]

38 minutes ago, rivi1969 said:

If the moderator allows me, I would suggest Tamarkin camera, they usually have a few used-Ms in top condition, fully warranty and freshly CLA. Buying a $5000 used Leica to an unknown person is something I wouldn't dare to do. 

 

Read post above.  Dealer related comments posted regularly.

Jeff

[Fontan]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Not eBay, if you have no experience. I've never heard of usedphotopro. The rest are fine.

Private eBay sellers are sketchy at best, I agree. I would not make that expensive of a purchase from eBay for sure. Their money back guarantee isn’t bullet proof. But - once I bought a M240 from Adorama on eBay and that went well. My M10 I got it from AFGCamera from Hong Kong. Quick shipping, and it was a beautiful M10 that was second hand, and I’m very happy with it. 

[jdlaing]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Leica Miami.

[CosmoM3]

Leica Miami

[Charadis]

On 7/24/2020 at 3:21 PM, jaapv said:

Not eBay, if you have no experience. I've never heard of usedphotopro. The rest are fine.

 

On 7/24/2020 at 4:45 PM, Fontan said:

Private eBay sellers are sketchy at best, I agree. I would not make that expensive of a purchase from eBay for sure. Their money back guarantee isn’t bullet proof. But - once I bought a M240 from Adorama on eBay and that went well. My M10 I got it from AFGCamera from Hong Kong. Quick shipping, and it was a beautiful M10 that was second hand, and I’m very happy with it. 

Can’t vouch for all private sellers, but I have a pretty good feedback rating and experience 😏 

 

  if you do find a camera you’re interested in on eBay being sold by a camera store, also try looking for their store or their own online site. They’ll usually have that same camera on their own site and sometimes at a lower price, and no tax

[Mikep996]

I agree that it's best to purchase used gear from a known camera supplier if they have what you are looking for and the price is satisfactory. The advantage is that with a camera dealer you will usually get some sort of warranty on the gear.  And you may get as good or even better price than Ebay.  I just (today!) purchased a grip for my M10 from Leica Camera UK that was less expensive than any I found on Ehay!    However, I have had good luck with Ebay so read on if you are interested:

Over the years I have bought and sold a good bit of fairly expensive gear on Ebay, from guitars to watches to vintage electronics, to camera gear, etc, etc.  Most recently I purchased my M10 and several Leica lenses.  The current Ebay policy is very buyer-friendly (and rather seller-UNfriendly) so I don't worry much about it as far as receiving an item not being as expected or faulty.  

However, I do not purchase from anybody with a rating below 99% or from a seller with few transactions.  I read the description very carefully multiple times/look at all pics, and send the seller any questions I have.  Also, if necessary, I ask for additional pics.  If there is any hesitation by the seller re more pics or weasel-wording answers to questions, I won't buy that (or any other) item from that seller.  

Of course, an item could have a problem that either the seller was not aware of, forgot to mention, or was caused in shipping.  In the case of my M10, the rangefinder was slightly out of calibration.  I contacted the seller and he immediately agreed to take it back or refund the amount necessary to have it re-calibrated.  However, with the help of this website, it was very easy to calibrate the rangefinder myself so I did that, advised him, and did not ask for any money back since I had gotten an excellent price on the camera in the first place.  I could have returned the camera regardless of what the seller said because the camera was not as described - in perfect operating condition. NOTE that a seller saying that they don't accept returns on the listing is irrelevant.  If you receive an item that was not as described, you can return it/get your money back from Ebay.  OTOH, CAREFULLY read and reread the description to be sure there is not something in there that would allow a seller to dispute a return.  For example, had the seller said something like, "Rangefinder calibration not checked" or "Rangefinder may need calibration," etc, Ebay would probably not make a refund based on "rangefinder out of calibration."

As far as buying Leica gear, the price of two M10's in equal condition could be dramatically different if one has the original box and all the paperwork, etc whereas the other is just the body (and charger/battery).  I have never cared about having a box laying around anyway but if resale is the idea, having it is useful.  OTOH, since you pay less for body-only, selling it for less when the time comes is as it should be, IMO.

 I purchased four Leica Cameras over the years - M2, M6, M7, and my current M10. I have purchased a total of 9 Leica lenses.  Of that gear only three lenses were purchased new.  I sold all my previous Leica gear on Ebay in the early '00s - the M2, 6, 7 and the 5 lenses I owned at the time.  I  bought all my current Leica gear (M10, 4 lenses) on Ebay this year.  Other than the calibration needed on the M10 - took maybe 15 minutes - the camera looked/functioned as new as do the lenses.  

So...what I'm saying is that I have had no issues with purchasing gear on Ebay.  Of course, YMMV!