MD 262 simplified internal?

[nolove]

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Hi everyone, 

I recently acquired a used MD 262 and I absolutely love it! So much so that I need to start my first post (I joined the forum probably 10 years ago at the peak of my GAS)!  I have personally owned M8, M8.2, M9P, CL, TL and pretty much most M film cameras in the past. In the last couple of years, I usually shoot film with M2 & MA but recently I start enjoying the convenience (and the sense of control) of printing from home. The MD262 provides the perfect bridge for me.

I can't help but wonder, in making the MD262 (or the M60) does Leica removes all unnecessary electronic components/circuit boards from the standard M262? Or does those extra functions (which are not need in the MD) are simply disabled but the original M262 hardware/circuit boards remains?

Has anyone seen the internal of a MD and compare it with the M240/262?

 

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[padam]

Welcome. The weight seems exactly the same as the M240 (that has the similar brass top plate), so they probably don't remove anything else than the LCD (and the attached cabling).
The rest is still necessary to produce the image and the body was designed to house these electronics, so I don't think that there is any reason to change it, it would just become harder to service.

[a.noctilux]

Me too, I think that Leica removed only the LCD and associated electronics part.

Strange thing when I weigted my M-D (typ 262) at 686 g or 591 g no battery orSD,

while my M(typ 240) a tad lighter at 587 g without battery.

I don't have M-P (typ 240) which the M-D is the closest (field select lever, but no cut-out at top as M-D) to compare the weight.

Plain M262 no bat. is 500 g so very light indeed, with heavy lens (Noctilux 1.0) it's a bit unbalancing comparing to heavier M.

We are a bit picky, as all of these can take very nice pictures.

[nolove]

a.noctilux, thanks for the weight data. 

I am just curious to know how far does the MD 262 (and M60) concept of minimalism goes. I guess the reduction in functions should usually correspond to a simplification of internal electronic components/modules, and probably more than just the LCD delete. Logically, more simple/less electronic components would probably means better reliability and longevity.

I agree M240, 262 and MD all take great photos though. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by nolove

[a.noctilux]

Leica factory would take out only the necessary amount of components,

not to compromise reliability of the M-D.

 

For me M-D (typ 262) is very well worked out, nothing more, nothing less, with the not seen before in M ...very long life battery

to begin with.