Am I going to regret selling my Leica M8 for the M240?

[Rangeman133]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Can’t afford to keep both, so planning to sell the M8, to help with the purchase of an m240.

I feel this may be a natural progression for a number of M shooters. Has anybody regretted this? Or rather, do you wish you had ‘upgraded’ sooner?

What I’ll miss - there is no doubt that the m8, at base ISO, produces files that look very very good, more film like than digital imo. But to shoot with an M8, means to tolerate its nuances - the loud shutter, and also the buffer… I do shoot more slowly and deliberately because of this, but I know I have to work around it. Also, the camera above 1600 ISO, it’s a no go for me most of the time. 

What I’ll look forward to with an M240 - I can’t get on with the crop factor for my 50mm summicron on the m8. My 35mm skopar is great on the m8, but sometimes I do wish for a true 35mm FOV.  Getting a 240 will be like getting “new” true 50mm and 35mm lenses, despite the fact that I already have them. And I’ll be using the 50mm a lot more. 

As for everything else on the m240, ergonomics, usability, ISO, shutter sound, framelines (I wear eyeglasses, but recently bought some Diopters), etc etc, I’m not sure where to set my expectations.

would love to hear from current m240 users, especially those who have had experience using the M8,

Thank you

 

[Advertisement]

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

[a.noctilux]

Hello,

First thing that you would notice, when you lift one M240, is the feeling of thicker body than M8.

Then you would notice it's a bit heavier.

After a while of using M240, you would notice "better feeling", quieter shutter (less vibrations allowing slower shutter speeds), the viewfinder without crop factor

is great to use 50mm.

Same magnification at x0.68 on M8/M9/M240, these two allowing 28mm framelines, so 35mm is comfortable, lines of 50 with 75 as usual..

Battery lasts "for ever" comparing to my former M8/M9.

 

I bought also before M240, the nice photo-only M262 which is about 90g lighter than M240, and even quieter shutter.

In use, I think that M262 is the logic ( if possible ?) continuing of M9 CCD (so M8) with a bit more resolution CMOS sensor.

 

Arnaud

[Jeff S]

I initially went from M8.2 to M240; both fine cameras, but in addition to points mentioned, I was also happy to lose the UV/IR filters.  Both of these had frame lines optimized for 2m, which I would vastly prefer to the stock M8 lines, which are most accurate at .7m. No regrets. My favorite focal lengths changed from 28/50 to 35/50. Go figure.  Now prefer the M10 bodies.

Jeff

Edited November 19, 2021 by Jeff S

[Rangeman133]

Thank you for your responses, I’ve also spent some more time looking at reviews, I think it will be worth the upgrade. Like you mentioned, I’ll enjoy using the 50mm lens a lot more, and the 35mm too. I’m like you in that sense…a 28mm on the m8 was the way to go. For my preference, on the m8 crop, 50mm is too narrow for me, and to a certain extent, so is 35mm. I’m happy to hear the frame lines are the same too, thanks again!

[Jeff S]

1 minute ago, Rangeman133 said:

I’m happy to hear the frame lines are the same too, thanks again!

Same as the M8.2, not the original M8 (unless they were later upgraded as an option).

Jeff

[cboy]

With the better handling of the m240 youll lose out on the beautiful way the ccd renders, which is irreplaceable no matter you try to tweak the files in post. If i had to choose today either m8 or m240 id  choose the former.

[david strachan]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm a staunch supporter of the M8...i have two which I still use.  But today use the M-P typ 240 more really.

Both great cameras.  I do like the M8 for the crop factor and the "pop" of M8 images due to cropping the best part of the lens...the edge defects of many lenses show up on the M-P.

Also no Italian Flag problems with wide angle lenses on the M8... but definitely a problem with many wide angles on the M-P. 

 The UV/IR filters required for the M8 never worried me.

 

I'd move heaven and earth to try keeping both.

...

[pippy]

I loved my M8.2 very much and, in some ways, I wish I still had it but having used an M-D Typ-262 (essentially an M240 without a screen) there's absolutely no question about which camera will produce superior images. And it wasn't the M8.2. Not by a very long way.

IMO, of course.

Philip.

Edited November 20, 2021 by pippy

[Herr Barnack]

Quote

Am I going to regret selling my Leica M8 for the M240?

@Rangeman133 - None of us here can predict the future - your future - if you sell your M8 and replace it with an M240.

I never had an M8, but I have shot with an M-P 240 for 5+ years now.  It really is a great camera, with the modest top ISO of 6400 being its Achilles Heel IMO.  I have found that in some circumstances I can get away with using ISO 1600, which helps.  The 24mp sensor is capable of making exhibit quality prints up to 24x36 inches in my experience.  16x24 inch prints are contrasty and razor sharp, with the 24x36 inch size prints showing just a whiff of softness when viewed side by side with a 16x24 inch print. 

I started out with an M240 and upgraded to the M-P 240 for the 2x larger buffer capacity and the sapphire glass rear screen.  The larger 2 gigabite buffer is a huge relief, as my M240 would freeze up when the buffer got overloaded from rapid shooting, requiring the camera to be switched off and the battery to be removed in order to resolve this fault.  Another plus for the M240/M-P 240 compared to the M8 is increased battery life. 

If you decide to sell your M8, I would urge you to look for a good used copy of the M-P 240 rather than the first generation M240.  I have a hard time seeing how you would be disappointed with an M-P 240.  YMMV, though.

Edited November 20, 2021 by Herr Barnack

[cobbu2]

I've been down this road before (twice actually). First of all, I absolutely love using the M240, it's versatility makes it a useful tool for a vast amount of situations. It's easily my flagship camera (including my DSLRs). Then I sold my M8. Before long, I realized I missed the easy handheld IR capability, the "look" of its B&W files and its overall ease of use (simple menu structure, etc.). I found a way to scrape for another M8.

I'm not trying to sway you from making the switch, as the M240 is a "better" camera in so many ways (once you start using it, you'll see what I mean, you won't regret it). But there's "something" about the M8 that keeps you coming back.

Edited November 20, 2021 by cobbu2

[Hicks]

Hi Rangeman, I still retain my original M8 today. I did move onto an M9P and then "traded" it for an M262 about 5 years ago when the sensor went bad (again).

By the way the M240 and M262 render differently. They may have the same sensor but the files are different. I had a loaner M240 for a few months when my M9's sensor got replaced the first time round. IMHO the M262 files are more contrasty than the M240, maybe a little more filmic? I often find myself turning down the contrast in post with the M262. With the M240 it was the opposite.

I kept the M8 for the same reasons you mentioned.

So how often do I use my M8? Honestly? Rarely. The handling of the later camera just makes the M8 feel like a dinosaur. It's the battery life that really kills it for me. If the M240 battery lasts "forever" then the M262 lasts "forever and back again"! I can just grab it and go and I only have one battery!

The M8 handling speed, crop factor, ISO performance and screen are not that big a problem for me. I always have review turned off anyway and use the shutter in discrete mode (or whatever its called).

I always felt there was a magic about the M8 files that even the M9 didn't have. But when I go out and shoot with it now, I can't really see it. Even B&W JPEG.

For me the camera should get out of the way. That I believe is a key part of the Leica Philosophy. Honestly speaking, compared to later M camera's the M8 gets too much in the way for me.

Recently I bought a Fuji x100v because I wanted something smaller, lighter and cheaper than the Leica but with similar handling. It is a universally praised camera and it does take really nice pictures. But compared to the M262 it's just horrible and confusing to use. It feels like using Microsoft Windows to take pictures!

I would happily sell my M8 now if I had a serious buyer with reasonable money, i.e. enough to make it worthwhile to sell and not just keep for posterity.

Jeremy

 

[LocalHero1953]

I never had the M8, but I moved from the M9 to the M240. In addition to some of the comments above (quieter shutter) I also noticed:

• Far better image review on the LCD. Images on the M9 LCD were too embarrassingly bad to show anyone else.
• Better colours: this is the divisive issue of CCD vs CMOS. IMO the M9 colours were over the top saturated, the M240 colours were natural.
• Ability to check and calibrate the rangefinder using liveview. I found this to be a major step forward.
• Ability to use longer and wider lenses, and macro, using liveview and/or the add-on EVF (which personally I found too clunky and unresponsive for regular use) 

Personally the extra thickness of the M240 never worried me. I always found it a bit heavy for carrying around though. (For light carrying I now have a CL and M4.) I never switched to the M10, so I don't know how much better that would have felt (I tried the M10 at launch, but some of these impressions only come after long term use).

[Alberti]

I agree with the points regarding ergonomics, ease of using all lenses, nastiness of the UV filter (it scratches easily, and in my time, no 40.5 filter was available) -

but I would like to add to Davis S saying he likes ' the "pop" of M8 images'

• The M8 is able show infinite small highlights, like on a wet stone or glass surface. On the M240 this does not happen (highlight sensitivity is reduced, maybe because of video) and picture do not have that crispness any more. They are detailed and but it lacks that little magic. The M-262 might be better, hadn't thought about that.

[lookbook]

.. i had the m8 - the m9 monochrome and now the m246.
the 240 leica is arguably the first to deserve the leica name for digital cameras.
i am very happy with her.

 

[benqui]

I had the M 8.2 and it was my first Leica ever. I liked it a lot und had never any problems with it. But as mentioned above color photography without a filter was bad. B/W was very good. But the M240 was really a much better camera. Better ISO capability and I liked the colors a lot. The more you will use the 240, the less you will miss the 8.2.

Let‘s be honest, for sure we are all a bit bit crazy with our M cameras: old fashioned, slow, too expensive, rangefinder…..but at the end they are just machines to take photos. And your capability to take good photos will be better with the 240

[Rangeman133]

Thank you all for your posts. I’m happy to see others also do enjoy the uniqueness of the m8, it will be difficult to see it go, So I might just hold onto it a little longer before I regret selling it. Having said that, I’m definitely convinced that I’ll get more out of the upgrade to either the 240, mp240, or 262.

But as pointed out, I also think once I use an ‘upgraded’ M, then I won’t use my M8 much. I agree so much about not letting the camera get in the way. I’m happy to replace the m8, instead of buying a new camera to complement it (I had originally planned to add an x100f to use along side the m8)

[Rangeman133]

58 minutes ago, benqui said:

 

I hope you don’t mind, I’m just quoting a small part of your post, because it resonates with me so much. The look on my friends/family’s face when I explain how the M camera’s work is always priceless. 

But you are so right, they are just machines in the end - it is a good reminder, because it is so easy to sometimes get attached to things, and then they start becoming something more than just machines (which can be totally ok too)

Maybe a bit of a side track here, but some of my best/most meaningful photos were taken when I bought my first DSLR, it’s was an entry level Nikon D40! There was no pressure to make good photos, I can only remember the pure enjoyment and excitement of taking photos during that time. But then I upgraded to the D90, and then the Sony mirrorless, then got into the M system with the M6, and then M digital, then added the original x100 and a GRii. Looking back, I definitely got ahead of myself. My Gear increased, but on honest reflection, my enjoyment of photography started to decrease.

I want to enjoy photography again, like I did when I had my Nikon d40. I hope I’m not falling into another trap with a M240 (better is more, and vice versa). Time will tell, but I think my awareness of this issue will definitely help. Whatever camera I use, I may get attached to, which I’m okay with. But in the end, it’s just a machine that takes photos. I guess I’m just rambling, I think the moral of the story is that I need to pick up a used Nikon D40 - Im adding this before someone else beat me to it lol! (But yes, I need to view them more like machines/tools, I totally agree with you on this)

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by Rangeman133

[tom.w.bn]

I had the M8 from 2008 - 2014. Took a lot of memorable photos of my daughter growing up. Looking back, these images make me easily forget the negative aspects: difficult wideangle because of the crop factor, no live view, worst display in the world, super limited dynamic range which results in either blown highlights or unwanted black regions. For landscape I struggled a lot with the camera.

I never had issues with the cut filters but I also never discovered any "CCD magic". Working with the files is more complicated for me compared to M9 or M240. Much harder to achieve my target colours. 

Like someone else wrote here, the M8 was in the way a lot. That was also true for me with the M9. The M240 was my first digital M that felt right. I still don't see a reason to upgrade from M240 to something newer.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

On 11/20/2021 at 9:51 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

Personally the extra thickness of the M240 never worried me

Maybe because the difference was 0.5 mm?   

[LocalHero1953]

4 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Maybe because the difference was 0.5 mm?   

😁