Is the M262 the perfect camera for me? Curious for your input!

[bcapphoto]

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Hi there! I posted an intro post over in the Leica M Monochrom forum, but thought I'd say hi here too ... 👋

I've been a full-time professional wedding and portrait photographer for 15 years. I have been teaching photography (and the business of photography) to professional photographers for the last 7-8 years. I'm also the CEO and Founder at Sprout Studio, a studio management suite for professional photographers. You can check out my site at bcapphoto.com and my IG at instagram.com/bcapphoto. 

So - intro out of the way ... a bit about me and photography now. 

I've added film to my repertoire, personally and a bit professionally, for the last ~ 2 years. I shoot with a Leica M6 (35mm Summicron v3 and 50mm Summicron Collapsible), a Rolleiflex 2.8C, a Contax T3, a Shen Hao 4x5, an Olympus Pen EES2 and a handful of others. Here are some film images I've made in that Leica M Monochrom forum intro:

Anyway - I'm comparing the various Leica M digital bodies for what I'd like to get to see what will fit my preferences. Currently, I shoot with Fuji gear, digitally - a pair of XT3s and an X100V. I love my Fuji gear, but I also really love the experience of shooting with my M6 (rangefinder, manual focus, etc.) and I adore the character out of my 50mm Summicron Collapsible. 

I'd be shooting a digital M mostly personally, but I'd probably also start to incorporate it into my professional work and bring it to weddings for parts of the day and bring it for more documentary portrait work at my portrait sessions. Thus far, I've been between an M240, the MP240 and the M246 Monochrom. But tonight I came across the M262 and I think I'm sort of in love. 

• No EVF - no problem, I wouldn't use it anyway. 
• No video - perfect, I'd rather have less features in a camera. I'd never use video on a Leica M digital body. 
• Simpler menu system from what I can read. No problem! I'd rather have less features/functions/buttons - more akin to shooting with my M6. 
• Smaller buffer - no problem, I won't be spraying-and-praying anyway. 

Is there anything else I'm not seeing? What other downsides are there to an M262 vs. an M240 or MP240? Does it sound like a good fit for me? Curious as to your experiences!

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[Guest]

I have an m262 and for the same reasons as you its perfect for me.

In fact its a bit sad that there is no m10 version of this for me to aspire to own.

The M10 cameras all have stuff i dislike like touchscreen and live view.

Ps i do like the screen to review images so the M10-d does not appeal to me.

[Jeff S]

As before, compared to M262, the M10 has a better VF (higher magnification, larger opening and better eye relief), fewer buttons, better low light/higher ISO capability, built to higher tolerances and with better weather sealing, and slimmer. But the M262 is quieter than the M240. And the M10 has less battery life.  

Since the M10 is now discontinued, and the M10-R has prompted some M10 trade-ins, there are deals both new and used.

Jeff

Edited October 6, 2020 by Jeff S

[tom.w.bn]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb Jeff S:

Since the M10 is now discontinued....

Jeff

Is this correct?

[a.noctilux]

Bcap,

I've purchased the M262 when it was launched/available in early 2016, having the Monochrom for a while to have "color companion" to it.

What I appreciate in M262 * is more or less 100g lighter than M240 which I didn't have by then (but later on as second hand I couldn't refuse).

I'm very sensible to balance of the M body+lens in my hands, so "same weight" is "a must for me" to use them with comfort.

 

This M262 was my prefered for it's "lightness" in everything (quieter, menu without LV/video, dedicated WB button).

Maybe, this M262 was not a Leica succes story, for me it is one of the best creation for digital M user as me.

 

*M262 at 595g is same as my film ex-MP,  MM1 590g

[tom.w.bn]

When I decided to buy a M240 again, I stumbled over a nicely priced M262. I thought it was an M240 without video but it is without video and liveview. Luckily I got the information before I bought it. For me liveview is a must for wideangle landscape stuff.

[a.noctilux]

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very few M262 lovers !

continuing with more infos, here

in which we can see some "solutions"

 

 

Edited October 6, 2020 by a.noctilux

[cboy]

Imho the m262 / md262 is the hidden gem/sleeper in leica's m lineup. Seemingly the budget M but in fact it is the quintessential leica camera for its features or lack of thereof, which is an appealing trait. Leica is known for is its simplicity and the m262 is indeed simple as it harkens back to the basic analog features of leica film camera.

However the lack of features also limits the professional imho. Especially the lack of evf will hinder use of lens larger than 50mm for critical focus or framing. Unless he/she uses an magnifier, which can be cumbersome to to put on or off, itll be difficult to rely upon on in a professional setting imho..

All best Op

 

Edited October 6, 2020 by cboy

[elmars]

The M262 is the most beautiful digital M after the M10. Very pure design. And - very important - she is about 100 g lighter than the others. This is much. So I Wood say: M10 or M262, but no M240.

[Jeff S]

2 hours ago, tom.w.bn said:

Is this correct?

Yes.

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/07/leica-m10-p-price-reduced-m10-m10-d-discontinued/
 

The silver version had already been discontinued prior to this announcement.  
 

Jeff

[pippy]

43 minutes ago, elmars said:

The M262 is the most beautiful digital M after the M10. Very pure design...

I'd say that, due to the lack of rear screen and all those pesky buttons, the M-D Typ-262 is an even more pure design - both in terms of the visual aesthetic and also from the user-experience - and is (IMO) the finest digital M Leica has ever made or is ever likely to create.

I'm not in the majority.....

Philip.

[Charles Morgan]

I'm toying with dipping my toes into a Digital M, and the 262 seems to have the greatest appeal (and the best weight/price/longevity trade off). If I need a viewfinder for a lens (whether EVF or accessory) I'm unlikely to use it on a camera, but having a screen is important (if I want the film experience with all its limitations I'll shoot film). 

Any issues to look out for?

[a.noctilux]

15 minutes ago, pippy said:

I'd say that, due to the lack of rear screen and all those pesky buttons, the M-D Typ-262 is an even more pure design - both in terms of the visual aesthetic and also from the user-experience - and is (IMO) the finest digital M Leica has ever made or is ever likely to create.

I'm not in the majority.....

Philip.

Philip, I'm with you,

not really film M experience with digital M, but very close 😇

here we have some lovers of the screenless M-D (typ 262)

I don't know why ( maybe top plate non-aluminium or metal back in place of LCD ? ) without screen the M-D 262 is so heavy at 686g (weighted mine a while back),

almost 100g more than the plain M262.

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

I was going to look for an M9, but now that replacement sensors are no longer available, I think the M262 fits the bill for me.  Not that I'll stop using the M8.

If I want lots of buttons and options/settings I have a Nikon Df to confuse me!

[marchyman]

18 hours ago, bcapphoto said:

Is there anything else I'm not seeing? What other downsides are there to an M262 vs. an M240 or MP240? Does it sound like a good fit for me? Curious as to your experiences!

The downside is no live view. That could limit use with some lenses.   Since I don't use such lenses I am perfectly happy with my M 262.  My M usually has a 75mm Summicron attached.  Once in a while I'll swap the 75mm out for a 35mm lens, but mostly use my Q for the wider angles.

[pippy]

5 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

...not really film M experience with digital M, but very close 😇...

Yes. As an M2 user since 1980 I was surprised to discover just how similar the shooting experience was. The M-D isn't for everyone, obviously, but for some of us there really is nothing quite like it - the limited release 'Edition 60' apart.

Philip.

[rpsawin]

I've hd mine for about 1.5 months and love it. I also wanted to avoid a lot of the (IMHO) digital overkill and clutter packed into many Leica models. For my purposes this is an ideal solution.

[LMBSGV]

I purchased the M262 in 2016 and replaced it to due to water damage (insured fortunately) with another 262 even when I could have purchased a used M10 for about the same price. I went with another 262 due to the battery life, weight, lack of EVF, and the other reasons cited by others. I have had no focusing problems with an Elmarit-M 90mm lens. The M262 image quality is fantastic. It’s set to auto white balance and I have almost never had to adjust white balance in Lightroom. To me, it is nearly exactly like using my M7 except it’s digital. As others have pointed out, it's probably the best Leica-M digital unless you want or need the resolution of the M10-R.

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[Guest]

1 hour ago, marchyman said:

The downside is no live view. That could limit use with some lenses.   Since I don't use such lenses I am perfectly happy with my M 262.  My M usually has a 75mm Summicron attached.  Once in a while I'll swap the 75mm out for a 35mm lens, but mostly use my Q for the wider angles.

Just get a external viewfinder,its fine.

[Guest]

7 hours ago, pippy said:

I'd say that, due to the lack of rear screen and all those pesky buttons, the M-D Typ-262 is an even more pure design - both in terms of the visual aesthetic and also from the user-experience - and is (IMO) the finest digital M Leica has ever made or is ever likely to create.

I'm not in the majority.....

Philip.

With the M10 D i think you have to use an app or something to use the self timer which defeats the whole idea for me but i suppose with the M-D 262 you can still put the self timer on manually?