WurzelbertAngenervt Posted July 26, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 26, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys! I am wondering about the shock resistance of this camera. Why?... I like to do a lot of sports, especially mountainbiking. I´d like to have a camera with me, that would not have me thinking about whether I should ride the stumpy trail or not, because of the fear that it could damage the camera or may have the rangefinder to be re-adjusted. Does someone have experience with that, or would you recommend another camera for that use? Maybe a little compact one with a big sensor? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 26, 2020 Posted July 26, 2020 Hi WurzelbertAngenervt, Take a look here M240: shock resistance?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaeger Posted July 26, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 26, 2020 3 hours ago, WurzelbertAngenervt said: Hi guys! I am wondering about the shock resistance of this camera. Why?... I like to do a lot of sports, especially mountainbiking. I´d like to have a camera with me, that would not have me thinking about whether I should ride the stumpy trail or not, because of the fear that it could damage the camera or may have the rangefinder to be re-adjusted. Does someone have experience with that, or would you recommend another camera for that use? Maybe a little compact one with a big sensor? Sigma FP is the smallest 24MP full frame still/movie cam and loads of autofocus lenses to work with too. You could use M but for that purpose... I wouldn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marchyman Posted July 26, 2020 Share #3 Posted July 26, 2020 My M 262 and a Q often live in the tail pack of my motorcycle, a bike which is sometimes used on washboard and rutted dirt roads in addition to pavement that is more pothole patches than fresh asphalt. I have yet to have a problem. That is true of any of the several camera brands and lenses over the years. Maybe I've been lucky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
52K Posted July 26, 2020 Share #4 Posted July 26, 2020 (edited) I've travelled all over the world with Leica cameras, and also carry one on a motorcycle. Have also ridden with one slung over my shoulder using a 120cm rope strap. Personally, I've never had a problem, but... it is a mechanical instrument which can go out of adjustment so try not to knock it about too much I'd say. It's also a very expensive mechanical instrument so if you ride a MTB like I do, then I'd probably opt for a more 'disposable' brand... that said, I fully appreciate the need and desire to use the Leica to take photos... I worked hard to own one, and now have a few. I simply don't like using anything else to take pictures... I ended up buying a second hand M240 primarily as a backup camera but also as it was second hand and already had a few scratches on it, I was less precious about it. I also picked up a 40mm Summicron M lens very cheap off a CL model. It's still an F2 summicron and at 40mm it's between my favourite 35 & 50mm and extremely light weight and low profile... being very cheap compared to normal Leica glass it also means I don't have to risk trashing one of my expensive Summilux lenses. So, I still get to take Leica everywhere and enjoy the rangefinder experience but do a few things to mitigate risks with my most expensive kit. I hope there are a couple of workable ideas there for you? Edited July 26, 2020 by 52K Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 27, 2020 Share #5 Posted July 27, 2020 23 hours ago, WurzelbertAngenervt said: Hi guys! I am wondering about the shock resistance of this camera. Why?... I like to do a lot of sports, especially mountainbiking. I´d like to have a camera with me, that would not have me thinking about whether I should ride the stumpy trail or not, because of the fear that it could damage the camera or may have the rangefinder to be re-adjusted. Does someone have experience with that, or would you recommend another camera for that use? Maybe a little compact one with a big sensor? The M240 (and M10) are more shock-resistant than previous models, due to an improved rangefinder mechanism. I would be surprised to see an M240 knocked out of kilter by anything less than an impact that would leave some other brands a collection of nuts,bolts and shards of plastic. Even older M cameras were pretty bomb-proof, although a really hard slam on the bottom plate could shift the vertical RF adjustment, as could really strong vibration - this was the improvement on the 240, making the shift near-impossible. Even though re-adjustment is no more than a ten-minute DIY job. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 27, 2020 Share #6 Posted July 27, 2020 One advice when riding a (motor) bike, or skiing for that matter: Don't carry the camera slung around your body. Being a seriously solid chunk of metal, it can do your spine or ribs considerable damage should it get between you and Mother Earth in case you take a spill. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted July 27, 2020 Share #7 Posted July 27, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, jaapv said: One advice when riding a (motor) bike, or skiing for that matter: Don't carry the camera slung around your body. Being a seriously solid chunk of metal, it can do your spine or ribs considerable damage should it get between you and Mother Earth in case you take a spill. One of our dear departed friends had that exact situation. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WurzelbertAngenervt Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted July 27, 2020 (edited) That is some good advice, guys... Yeah, the M is a heavy, ridgid piece. I have it equipped with a 35 lux pre-asph, but it is still something one thing, I don´t like to have in my backpack when hitting the trails with the thought of sporty activities in mind. Also the possible spinal trauma: good point, but I have no other option than a backpack. There won´t be any bags on my bike, as I go on the trails with a potent machine to shred The Sigma fp looks nice. I miss the viewfinder, and with the attached one it is more massive than the M. To be honest, I see almost no other option than an actual high-end smartphone. Is that a reasonable thought or should I get killed now? Edited July 27, 2020 by WurzelbertAngenervt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
motard Posted July 27, 2020 Share #9 Posted July 27, 2020 very reasonable! 1.000 times better than a broken backbone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted July 27, 2020 Share #10 Posted July 27, 2020 The only camera I've had that was damaged by attrition in use was a Praktica STL2, which died of dust in east Africa years ago. I fell on my M240 in a shoulder bag while walking on a slippery hill slope, and I can confirm Jaap's risk advice - I got bruised kidneys, the camera was unharmed. I would prefer something lighter than an M240 for serious activity though - a CL or TL2 with the Leica 18mm, 23mm, or 18-56 lenses, or the Sigma 45mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 27, 2020 Share #11 Posted July 27, 2020 Even a phone...My wife fell on hers when skiing in the Nokia days. She had the buttons painfully imprinted on her chest for days. Since then she uses a bum bag worn to the front. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WurzelbertAngenervt Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted July 27, 2020 Luckily the smartphones are flat and kinda flexible. My backpack has a pocket in which I can put it, so that it ist absolutely flat on my back, as I do it already with my current phone. But damn, it is a phone... It is not cool to take photos with a phone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 27, 2020 Share #13 Posted July 27, 2020 (edited) As a mountain biker my philosophy is to either go for a ride, or go for a walk with the camera. You get the best results doing one thing at a time, not both. This is of course a different scenario to having a Honda engine to drag you and your photography gear around on a motorcycle. Motorcycles have the word 'motor' embedded in the description, so not the same as a pedal bike. I would also venture that mountain biking puts far more vibration through a camera than a motorcycle on a bumpy road, not to forget the effects of rain and the minimal waterproofing that is practical for carrying a camera on a mountain bike. And if you do cocoon it in a waterproof bag it all then needs unwrapping to take a snap. So the inevitable happens, you carry a camera around all day and never take a picture. I've never met any cyclist who carries a camera and combines photography with cycling other than by a smartphone or carrying a larger camera in panniers on a touring bike. There is one practical choice for mud plugging, fast downhills, and even taking photos in a downpour, an Olympus Tough TG-6 or similar. You can drop it on the ground, in water, use it underwater, and with its environment sensors it records temperature, elevation, air pressure, etc. at the same time as the photo, so perfect for a mountain biker. If it gets muddy rinse it under a tap. Edited July 27, 2020 by 250swb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WurzelbertAngenervt Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted July 29, 2020 (edited) Just wanted to say that I got myself a Sigma fp today. Once a week I take my bike for a little cardio tour and will combine from now on these two activities. No need to be afraid... on my cardio tours I only do small jumps, a little wheelie session or practicing manuals. On the technical trails and downhills I will not put it in there, of course. Made the first run today and it felt good in my backpack, combined with my compact 35 lux preASPH. It´s a fun little combo and I am thinking about equipping it with a big viewfinder. What a nice little piece of gear. 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! Edited July 29, 2020 by WurzelbertAngenervt 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/311708-m240-shock-resistance/?do=findComment&comment=4017949'>More sharing options...
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