M/MP240 or M10-P

[psyclism]

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I’ve decided to jump into the Leica ecosystem, but am suffering from a terminal case of analysis paralysis. I’ve found a few camera options, one being an excellent graded M240 from KEH, another being a very nice MP240 from a private seller, and a third being a “meh” condition M10-P, also from a private seller. The M240 is $2950, the MP240 is $3100, and the M10-P is $4500.

I like the prices of the 240’s much better, leaving me more headroom for lens purchases, but I’m ripping my hair out trying to make a decision which camera to move forward with. Would the M10-P really be worth the extra $1500? I don’t care about wifi, photos app support, etc. just image quality and overall usability. 
 

Also, since the MP and M are basically the same price (but the M having the 180 day KEH warranty), would the MP be worth the small additional risk? 
 

Thanks for your input. 

Edited June 25, 2023 by psyclism

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[andybarton]

Keep lenses, sell bodies. 
 

I love my M240. I’ve had it 8 years and I will never buy another Leica. Buy one with a warranty. 

[darylgo]

Difficult choice.  Leica M bodies from my experience are best when purchased from a reliable source with a return policy.  All the cameras you mention take good images, the M240-P has a greater buffer than the M240, the M10-P has the quieter shutter than the M10 and M240's.  Other differences can be found on the web.  Attention should be paid to the rangefinder with the lens you will be shooting, an inaccurate rangefinder will reduce resolution significantly.  

[jaapv]

Another consideration is long-term serviceability. The M240 being the older model will have a shorter service span. 

[jaeger]

M240p is my first and probably the last leica.  I am all over fujifilm and nikon now and the difference is day and night.   

[psyclism]

27 minutes ago, jaeger said:

M240p is my first and probably the last leica.  I am all over fujifilm and nikon now and the difference is day and night.   

I’m going the opposite direction- I have a Fuji X-Pro3 and I’m disenchanted with the optical viewfinder and manual focus behavior using MF lenses. I like the process of making photos, and EVFs, focus patches, and such just separate you from the process - just like I prefer manual transmissions over autos. Automatics are easier, but manuals are joyful and engage the driver in the act of driving. 

[Lux50]

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I would go with the M-P 240. I have had my M-P Safari for several years and have had absolutely no problems or issues with the camera. I enjoy using it and am pleased with the results I get and have not felt any need or desire to “upgrade”.

[psyclism]

I think I’ll go the mint M-P route. Sapphire glass, potentially better high ISO performance, no red dot, bigger buffer all are big plusses for an extra $100, all things equal. The 180 day KEH warranty would be nice, but really, it’s a 10yo camera. As long as it isn’t DOA when it arrives, I should be good. Thanks for the input!

[david strachan]

Good choice.

My M-P has performed excellently over the last few years and I have no desire for another Leica camera.  The sapphire glass is great and the buffer works well.  Great colours in the DNG's.

The ISO push is easy to denoise in LR.

Need to get the viso and spare battery though...as always.

Have fun...

[Lux50]

I think you have made a good decision regarding the M-P 240.👍 Also agree with the advice of getting an extra battery. Even tho I have an extra one, I have never had to use it in a day of photographing - they are good batteries, but one always feels more comfortable having a backup.

[tedd]

I have an M-E 240 and love it. I have "better" cameras, including an SL, but it is my favourite. Disagree with needing an extra battery and Visoflex though. I do have an extra battery, it's convenient to run one down and swap in another with no down time, but I almost never take a spare out with me because they last seemingly forever in these cameras. 

I had the Viso and sold it because (I felt) it was awful. Low resolution, very obvious lag, long blackout times, no moveable zoom point. If the EVF is up to the standard of at least the original SL in my next M camera then I'll get one, but this one is worse than entry level M43 mirrorless from a decade ago (I shot with Olympus back then and they implemented this exact same Epson EVF much better). 

[tedd]

And to be fair to Leica, this system came out a decade ago too! They were just much better with rangefinders than EVFs then.