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Beginner - M240 vs M262?

Loomis77

By Loomis77
in Leica M (Type 240 / 262)

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Loomis77

Loomis77

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Morning all

I am looking to get into the Leica M system have been on various of the Leica Fora, discussing the merits of an M9 / M9P. As @Jeff S kindly pointed out (when I asked about the M262), this might be a better place to seek views and opinions on this model. Thank you @Jeff S for this and also your sage comments re not having to use video and not having to use LV on the M240. 
Whilst I fully get that it is down to personal preference, I just thought I would ask the question: M240 (or it’s E and P variants) or M262? My budget is c. £3,000 for the camera and lens. For example, I have seen an “as new” M240 from a Leica Store for £2,495 and a Voigtlander Ultron 50mm for c.£700. 
Any help you learned people would be able to give me as to M240 vs M262 and a good lens would be invaluable and very much appreciated.

Thank you all!

Ben

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a.noctilux

a.noctilux

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Hello Ben,

as first digital Leica M, I'd take M (typ 262) but if the M (typ240) is cheaper, go ahead.

M262 is simple M240 less some features not necessary to still picture but in M240, those features can be ignored.

I use along the two M240/262/etc. (and more M ) when I look at results, there is no difference as they share same sensor.

M262 can be more pleasing in use as lighter with longer lasting battery and a bit quieter than M240.

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TomLong

TomLong

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Hi,

There’s very little real difference between the two cameras so it really depends on what you can find to suit your budget - I certainly wouldn’t hold out for one if you can find the other in decent condition.

Leaving aside the video recording, the main difference is the simplified menu of the 262 v the live view of the 240. I’ve got a 262 and I really like the fact that it’s completely stripped back to just the basics. I’ve turned off the automatic image review and hardly ever need to go through the menu - and for the few times that I do so I appreciate the very simple menu structure so it’s easy to find what I’m after.

That said, I do miss the live view feature. I like to do a lot of still life and some close-up and macro work. I’d prefer to do this with the Leica as it’s the camera I use most often and so the battery is always charged with space on a memory card. I would have bought a 90  Macro lens if I had live view on the camera even though I’ve already got a Nikon with 105 Macro.

Otherwise, the two cameras are similar since the 262 is really just a pared-down version of the 240 and if it’s mainly the rangefinder experience that you are after then you can’t go wrong with either. I would have thought that the overall condition of the camera is more important and would suggest that in the long run the choice of lens will make more difference to the pictures and enjoyment you can get out of it.

I hope this helps,

Tom

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cboy

cboy

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A m262 is limited to the lens choice as it rangefinder view only. Limited to 75 - 35/28mm. And thats pushing it. At 0.68 magnification itll be hard to push to 75mm without a magnifier eyepiece x1.25 or x1.4.

Without a magnifier piece...comfortable view is 50-35mm

If you dont plan to use ur leica more than that range of focal lengths then M262 is right for you.

No one ever uses video functionality of the240 anyways

 

Edited by cboy
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a.noctilux

a.noctilux

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25 minutes ago, Loomis77 said:

Morning all

Thanks a lot for your replies.: very useful. I think I am veering towards the M262 with the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm. Can’t quite stretch to the Summicron or Summilux at the moment...

All the best and, no doubt, I will be on here again soon with myriad questions!

Ben 

You are welcome Ben.

Old thread concerning M262 size here

if not read yet, I love M262

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marchyman

marchyman

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How important do you think live view will be for you?  It was un-important to me; I own an M 262.  As cboy pointed out above, that may limit lens choice.  I typically use a 75mm lens on my M 262.  I did eventually get the 1.25 viewfinder magnifier to go with it.

If live view/video is a don't care then buy the lower cost camera.

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epand56

epand56

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On 12/27/2020 at 11:24 AM, a.noctilux said:

in M240, those features can be ignored

Of course they can, but you have them. And sometimes they could come in handy. I love the M240, didn't feel to switch to the M10. I sometimes shot movies and it was amazing. They've been even used in a documentary made by a friend of mine. And the EVF is a very helpful feature sometime. And if you are not interested in movies or EVF, as a.Noctilux said, you can ignore them.

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a.noctilux

a.noctilux

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To make pictures, those are good bodies to be used with good lens.

Funny thing that while the M10 launched, I ordered one early 2017 thinking this may be the M I waited for.

Then out of curiosity, I've bough at fair price ( sh price dropped when M10 came, I couldn't resist) former digital Ms (M240, M-D, M246).

My M262 already purchased before M10.

As I don't need money selling them "cheap", I'm happy to keep them all for what they are, using each one equally.

Good thing, I don't need to upgrade further, as those are plenty enough for many years to come.

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Loomis77

Loomis77

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Afternoon all and best wishes for a happy 2021!

Thanks a lot for all your helpful comments. I have purchased an M262 and, given my budget, a Voigtlander Ultron 35mm (which I have read is actually a really good lens). Didn’t have the budget to stretch to a Summilux/Summicron/ Summarit. Both should arrived this coming week and so I am getting very excited! 

Best wishes to you all and thanks again for your help. I am very pleased to be in a forum with so many helpful people.

Ben 

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  • 7 months later...
yura

yura

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On 12/27/2020 at 12:24 PM, a.noctilux said:

Hello Ben,

as first digital Leica M, I'd take M (typ 262) but if the M (typ240) is cheaper, go ahead.

M262 is simple M240 less some features not necessary to still picture but in M240, those features can be ignored.

I use along the two M240/262/etc. (and more M ) when I look at results, there is no difference as they share same sensor.

M262 can be more pleasing in use as lighter with longer lasting battery and a bit quieter than M240.

Hello. Can you advice,please, if you still own both cameras: why some people says that m262 perform better colors? As I understand technically m240 is similar to m262 (only some features, but not sensor). May be different sensor calibration? Or pictures are completely similar? Can you compare side by side, please?

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kivis

kivis

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I wanted an M262 for all the reasons above but found an M-P 240 for a really good price and just turned off all the video and live view. But the I needed a 21mm for crowd shots and discovered the live view is awesome for this. So I am very glad I got the 240 version. BTW the battery life of a charge is awesome.

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a.noctilux

a.noctilux

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1 hour ago, yura said:

Hello. Can you advice,please, if you still own both cameras: why some people says that m262 perform better colors? As I understand technically m240 is similar to m262 (only some features, but not sensor). May be different sensor calibration? Or pictures are completely similar? Can you compare side by side, please?

Yura, I still use both with other M along.

Never came to me idea to compare them side by side, sorry.

In my view the lens in use IS much more important than a bit colour differences M240/M262/other Ms.

Sometimes, colours from M262 can be a bit more saturated than from M240, but as I use them only in recording DNG, post work can do what I want.

 

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