Looking to upgrade my M246

[Life By Stills]

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Hi all,

Hope everyone is well. I am a happy owner of an M246, and I am looking at trading up to a Q2 Monochrom or an M10 Monochrom, but I am umming and ahhing between the two, and wondering if you lovely folks here could give me an idea of your experiences. I can see the pros and cons of both systems: the Q2M is weather sealed, has autofocus, has more megapixels; the M10M has an optical view finder, but all manual focus which potentially could mean missed shots.

I think one major concern I have with the Q2M is the grid-patterned sunstars which seem to have been reported by some users here and the boys over at DP Review when they looked at the Q2M. In practice though, does it happen every time I want to shoot against the sun / want sunstars?

I guess another question I have really is over the Q2M's weather sealing vs M10M non-weather sealed status. I know about M lenses not being weather sealed etc, so it's not a question of whether it the M10M can be weather sealed, but I guess practically what does that really mean from your experiences. Have you guys "abused" your M10s before, and how did it hold up?

Also, if you had the choice, which would you get, an M10M or a Q2M? Would love to hear your reasons as seeing your helpful opinions before have helped me make a choice, and so I would again turn to you all.

Many thanks in advance. 🙏🙇‍♂️

[Nimar]

Both cameras are technically great, i’d not pick based on specs even if one had better specs than another. 

Do you like using a ranger finder with OVF or and mirrorless with an EVF. 

Personally I don’t like EVFs, and sold the Q within a few months of buying.  I didn’t enjoy looking through the screen or dealing with focus peaking/zooming etc  Autofocus wasn’t for me. 

This particularly GAS therapy session has run its course multiple time on this forum  

 

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[ramarren]

I have been using Leica Ms alongside other cameras off and on since 1972. Now, the M10 Monochrom and M10-R are the two cameras that I use the most. I've looked at the Q and Q2 several times, and the Q2 is appealing, but I always ask myself: Why do I need a camera with a non-interchangeable lens? What advantage does it give my photography that I don't already have?

• If you're "a happy owner" of an M246 and want to trade up, then the M10 Monochrome is the way to go. The M10-M is a stunningly wonderful Leica M and a solid advance over the M246 in terms of dynamic range and resolution.
• If you never change lenses and want more automation, then the Q2 Monochrom is an option. It is NOT a Leica M, it is a fixed lens EVF camera with an excellent lens and sensor. 
• I've never found any issues using any "non-weather-sealed" Leica M. In inclement weather or on a boat/at the beach, I keep the camera reasonably protected from rain and dousing. It's never been a problem in any way. 

It's really that simple. 

G

Edited March 12 by ramarren

[dem331]

In 10 years time, when the Q2 is an outdated relic you will not have a lens to show for your investment.
 

My 2O+ year old Leica lenses are worth more than what I paid for them new. 

[RexGig0]

My reason for adding the Leica M system, five years ago, was the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH lens. I would never be satisfied with just a Q-series camera body. One could argue that  a ~28mm images can be cropped to an equivalent of 50mm, but, well, I find 28mm rather uninspiring, so, am not sure how well that I would be “seeing at 50mm,” while framing with the Q’s viewfinder. Then, there is my preference for seeing the world through optical glass, rather than looking at a small TV screen. So, assuming there are just these two choices, I would opt for the M10 Monochrome.

The presence of “weather-sealing” is not the same as having an actual rating for environmental sealing, or for submersion. Q or M, I am going to want to protect the equipment. 

It would be convenient to have a Q, in addition to an M, in my opinion, but, not at the price I would be paying for the Q. 

I am going to try to remain happy, for as long as possible, using my M10 and M Type 246 Monochrom cameras. In 2022, I opted to upgrade lenses, rather than camera bodies, while knowing that I might well be unable to afford to add a new M camera in 2023. This does not mean that I am advising against buying an M10 Monochrom. It does mean that I would rather upgrade lenses, before upgrading cameras. 

[sometimesmaybe]

16 hours ago, Life By Stills said:

Also, if you had the choice, which would you get, an M10M or a Q2M? Would love to hear your reasons as seeing your helpful opinions before have helped me make a choice, and so I would again turn to you all.

M10M for me, but that's because:

1. i shoot portraits
2. my subjects are happy to pose for me (no decisive moment for me)
3. i mainly shoot in 35mm and 75mm focal length (cropping is just not the same)
4. i like experimenting with vintage FSU and M42 glass
5. i use my phone for documentary stuff and my pocket digicam (with a wifi SD card) for anything nostalgic  

i accept my use case is prob not that of the typical M user.  

[Jeff S]

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What are you missing with your M246?

Jeff

[Life By Stills]

On 3/13/2023 at 4:11 PM, Jeff S said:

What are you missing with your M246?

Jeff

Even more extreme low light performance. I prefer shooting at f/5.6 or f/8, and prefer slow lenses due to their smaller sizes, so I would prefer the higher and cleaner high ISO capabilities of the M10M / Q2M over the M246.

[Life By Stills]

Marking this thread as resolved now. Thanks everyone for your helpful thoughts. Seems like most of you guys are on the M10M team. Happy to report decided to M10M, my choice partly informed by an amazing offer for an ex-demo at £2k off new retail price!

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, Life By Stills said:

Even more extreme low light performance. I prefer shooting at f/5.6 or f/8, and prefer slow lenses due to their smaller sizes, so I would prefer the higher and cleaner high ISO capabilities of the M10M / Q2M over the M246.

The M10 Monochrom and Q2M are insanely good low light performers..

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2021/02/bw-iso-showdown-2021-leica-q2-monochrom-vs-m10-monochrom-vs-q2-vs-m10-r/

Two totally different tools, however.  Very easy decision for me, irrespective of cost. But these are personal choices. 
 

Jeff