Is the 240 still a good choice to get started with a M?

[Anthony Miller]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

A timely thread. Debating between an M9 and a 240. I own the original Monochrom now so sharing batteries and charger is nice (although I will rarely be using both bodies together) and I like the CCD sensor.

I don't need live view and will never use video so again the M9 makes sense. Being several years newer the 240 does seem more sensible though and as age sets in and eyesight declines maybe live view and an EVF would be options down the road. Might be nice to also have a CMOS sensor too as the 240 images I see are wonderful.

Is the extra 1/8" thickness really noticeable?

Budget (being retired) is in the M9, 240. 262 range.

I do mostly shoot jpeg, never print and just view on my laptop and social media.

Edited June 8, 2023 by Anthony Miller

[tsleica]

I actually like the slightly bigger M240 body. As it is just fine..and thats coming from an M3 and M6 user. LV and video comes in real handy...moreso than you might imagine because if it is there...you have options.

[Jskywalker]

8 hours ago, Anthony Miller said:

Is the extra 1/8" thickness really noticeable?

Yes, it is noticeable. It’s not only the size but also the weight. I also shoot mostly jpeg and transfer them to my phone for quick sharing. The M240 produces wonderful pictures with amazing color.

[Coppereye]

On 6/7/2023 at 8:05 PM, maidenfan84 said:

The OP went to buy the M240, but of course, it sold out quickly for that price. I ended up taking my time and looking at the M240, 10, and 11. Each one seems to have it's pros and cons from the research I did. The M11 is out of the question because of too many issues with it. Not going to spend that type of money for something that needs a battery pulled out and put back in to work, etc. M10 is a nice sweet spot but not feeling the price is worth the cost of admission considering its age. M240 seems to be the best choice for me, overall. I'm keeping my eyes open for one and will lean for either the 50mm Summicron f2 or a Voigtlander lens of similar length. I don't plan to use it for anything other than daily carry everywhere and traveling on the motorcycle with it taking photos of the bike, the mountains and scenery, family snaps, etc. I rarely shoot over 6400 and noise doesn't bother me at all, I actually like a bit of grain in my photos, so that's no big deal either. I'll be sure to keep the thread updated as to what happens! I appreciate everyone's feedback and insight, it's very helpful!

I had the M10 along with a 21mm Leica f2.8 Elmarit Alas , both got sold during my GAS spiral and a brief dalliance with the Hassie X1D.  After realising that the grass isn’t greener on the other side I looked to go back to the Leica M.  I was lucky enough to get a fabulous M-P 240.  In the pre owned market there is very little difference in price.  As for lenses I never sold my 50mm Summilux.  It stayed on the camera 90% of the time.  The managing the wide angle and macro.  I really missed the 21mm but to buy another was out of my range.  I looked at the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm.  I went to purchase one through a dealer and they had a hiccup in their systems and they sold it twice and even though……. Enough; let it go 

I then had a look at Zeiss, I had used the 17mm with a Canon 5D mk ii and the results were always superb.  I never bought one just loaned it.  I did see a ZEISS Biogon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZM - Leica M Fit for sale and snapped it up.  I still have it and use it on my M3.  
 

I try to be pragmatic ( now I’m out of my out of control GAS spiral ) and will spend the extra money for what I will use mostly. I took a decision when moving from Canon to Leica that I would use Prime lenses only.  
 

Im just going through the images from that period ( had physical illness and mental health issues ) but when I get sorted I will post images from the Zeiss

 

Paul

[Ernstk]

On 6/9/2023 at 2:01 PM, Coppereye said:

I had the M10 along with a 21mm Leica f2.8 Elmarit

Welcome to the forum.

I use my Elmarit M 2.8/21 (pre asph) on my M-P 240 where it's used probably 80% of the time, along with my 35 'Lux pre. I really like the way that this combination renders.

Ernst

[jto555]

On 5/29/2023 at 12:18 PM, Casey Jefferson said:

It's not color accuracy, it's the variety of color hues captured, which can't be done with color profile alone to bring back what's not there (correct me if I'm wrong but I doubt it can be done).

Go to observe a tree, under natural light, and observe how many shades of greens and yellows (and contrasts) on the small portion of the tree, then take a picture, and see how well a camera reproduce that, with or without processing.

My M-P240 gave me rich color hue variance while my Q2 give less. I can profile and color match them close enough but can't reproduce the richness of colors. Sometimes you see a picture and can tell it's more "digital" because of lacking in variety of color hues and contrasts.

I don't mean that it will equalise the colours but it will get them closer too each othe. 

[Alberti]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I traded in the M240. GAS syndrome.

But note that it is a great camera.  It is so versatile. And true to color.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Besprosvet]

I have nothing to complain about my M240, except its bulk. But I don't know if this would be a good reason to upgrade to an M10, I'd lose 1500/1800 euro in the switch.

[overexposed]

On 6/7/2023 at 9:05 PM, maidenfan84 said:

The OP went to buy the M240, but of course, it sold out quickly for that price. I ended up taking my time and looking at the M240, 10, and 11. Each one seems to have it's pros and cons from the research I did. The M11 is out of the question because of too many issues with it. Not going to spend that type of money for something that needs a battery pulled out and put back in to work, etc. M10 is a nice sweet spot but not feeling the price is worth the cost of admission considering its age. M240 seems to be the best choice for me, overall. I'm keeping my eyes open for one and will lean for either the 50mm Summicron f2 or a Voigtlander lens of similar length. I don't plan to use it for anything other than daily carry everywhere and traveling on the motorcycle with it taking photos of the bike, the mountains and scenery, family snaps, etc. I rarely shoot over 6400 and noise doesn't bother me at all, I actually like a bit of grain in my photos, so that's no big deal either. I'll be sure to keep the thread updated as to what happens! I appreciate everyone's feedback and insight, it's very helpful!

since you rule out the M11 due to possible issues, why not also consider the M10-R, in my opinion the best color M

[Lelmer]

On 3/5/2023 at 10:41 AM, andybarton said:

I've had mine since January 2015 and I have no intention of selling it for anything else. It's a great camera.

I entirely agree...I'll never replace it until it dies.

[psyclism]

I recently purchased a lightly used M-P 240, and I love it. This is coming from a consistent string of recent Fuji cameras (X-Pro3, X100t/v, etc). The *only* thing I wish the 240 had was wifi for easy access during meals when out, but I just carry a small SD->lightning adapter and pull the pics in via Lightroom Mobile on my phone or iPad instead. 

While the M10 or M11 series are tempting as a future upgrade, the practically inexhaustible battery in the 240 make any technical upgrade a major compromise in usability. Being able to leave the house with your camera, one lens, and nothing else while having absolute confidence that you will not need a second battery is refreshing to say the least. I'd have to bring 2-4 spare batteries for my Fuji cameras to get through a full day of walking the streets. Plus the images this thing puts out -- I can't imagine anything better. I don't need more megapixels, that only equates to larger files and the associated storage costs, and I'm fairly confident that none of the images I take will end up on billboards... so 24MP is fine for the rare print I make for the basement wall. I'm happy with the ISO performance of this camera -- dark scenes generate noise which Lightroom is very adept at removing in post (and I love filmic grain, especially on B&W, which is my primary output).

I'm 100% happy with my choice in camera. Now I just need to settle on lenses. I've gone a bit nuts on CV lenses, and need to curtail my habit somewhat.

Edited July 31, 2023 by psyclism

[scrollt]

I'm dreaming of a M camera since I used a friends M8 many many years ago. I own a Lumix S1 and love it, but it's huge and, most importantly, not a range finder

A brand new M is out of my range for now. So I looked into used ones, and the M or M-P (type 240) are the ones that could maybe be a possibility. But I don't know much about these cameras and they are getting old now. The M10 seems to be the better/newer camera, but is also much more expensive.

So is it a stupid idea to get one of these? I would want to use it with a 35mm lens in the beginning I think, maybe a 50, too. (no idea what yet, though). I want to use it in the city, on the streets and in holidays hiking in the Alps for example.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all very much

[dugby]

As you mentioned “out of your (price?) range”,
 

An M240 with either a Zeiss Biogon 35mm or Zeiss Planar 50mm would be an outstanding step into the M world, and you would be thrilled with the images.

[scrollt]

 

Thank you two!

 

vor 12 Stunden schrieb Al Brown:

A M10 is much much much better. But yeah, M240 would still do...

I understand that a M10 is the better camera, but the price difference is noticeable. Didn't search for too long but it seems to be around 1500€ more in the same condition.

 

vor 8 Stunden schrieb dugby:

As you mentioned “out of your (price?) range”,
 

An M240 with either a Zeiss Biogon 35mm or Zeiss Planar 50mm would be an outstanding step into the M world, and you would be thrilled with the images.

Yes, price range, I can't justify spending 10.000€ on a camera with a lens right now. Thanks for your recommendations then, I'll see what I can find about the lenses

[TeleElmar135mm]

I got a M262 two years ago used very mint - more M (analog) feeling than with a 240 - and I don't need Video. It's a workhorse for me and the sensor quality is very good up to 1600 ISO. 

[espelt]

I think the M 240 is still an excellent start. It may be that it has one or the other weakness compared to newer models. But I can live with them very well. In any case, there is nothing wrong with the quality of the pictures. And the technology seems to be robust. In any case, it does its job very reliably. Try to buy from a retailer. Most offer some warranty if the camera has a service. You can try it with relative certainty to see if you can cope with the principle. And if you don't like the M after all, you can certainly sell it again without a great loss. You can always upgrade later. Look for an M-P. Compared to the normal 240, it has a larger buffer. Or, if you don't like video, the 262.

[scrollt]

vor 15 Minuten schrieb espelt:

I think the M 240 is still an excellent start. It may be that it has one or the other weakness compared to newer models. But I can live with them very well. In any case, there is nothing wrong with the quality of the pictures. And the technology seems to be robust. In any case, it does its job very reliably. Try to buy from a retailer. Most offer some warranty if the camera has a service. You can try it with relative certainty to see if you can cope with the principle. And if you don't like the M after all, you can certainly sell it again without a great loss. You can always upgrade later. Look for an M-P. Compared to the normal 240, it has a larger buffer. Or, if you don't like video, the 262.

I'll only buy one with a warranty considering the price, that's for sure. Plenty of possible dealers available, from Leica itself, to MBP or other camera shops here in Germany. Calument for example.

 

I don't need video at all, my iPhone is way too good at it for what I use videos, but I don't want to give up Live View and a display. The P sounds good, good to know they improved the internal buffer in this one. Thanks! 

Edited September 6, 2023 by scrollt

[espelt]

vor 15 Minuten schrieb scrollt:

I don't need video at all

I thought so too... Until I tried it. It's a very nice toy.
And on top of that, the M-P looks simply stunning with black lacquer and brass that is now shimmering through. The battery performance is also worth mentioning. You can only drain the battery in one day with a lot of live view. In normal operation you forget that the camera has a battery. No problem if you forgot a replacement at home. Lasts extremely long. In addition, the M-P has an image area selector, which is missing on the M240 and 262. But simply belongs to the M and is very practical.

[mfunnell]

I still have and use my M typ 240 (bought when it was "the latest and greatest").

I haven't been using it as much as I should (because of work; it's always work - but I'm fixing that). I've used it again recently, refamiliarising myself with the camera (I'd not forgotten anything: it came naturally back to my hand and eye) and recalling how much I like it. I've been thinking about getting a newer M (an M11M maybe?) but I'm starting to think I more likely won't. I can get the photos I want (to the extent of my ability, anyway) with the quality I want (M type 240 photos would easily print to larger sizes than my printer can, which is A3+).

I've always found my M typ 240 an easy and enjoyable camera to use. I can print what I want to from the photos it takes. What's not to like? I'm far from sure that spending more would get me anything much more than that.

While it's just a sample snapshot, taken locally while I test myself with B&W conversions from the M240, this prints nicely to any size I'd be interested in printing.

   ...Mike

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited September 7, 2023 by mfunnell
punctuation

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[scrollt]

Thanks for the help!

I talked to my wife and she was like: do what you love and what makes you happy, not what saves you some money. I guess I'll look for a used M10 (P or R) then...