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

[jaapv]

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Never forget to do the first pass with your blower. 

[jaapv]

Visible Dust appears to offer the most comprehensive range of products.  But my advice: ask your dealer still stands. 

[Jskywalker]

4 hours ago, lawman said:

Which model NITECORE do you have - BB2/BB21 or the original model? Did you use one of their brushes? If so, which one?  And, of course, how well did it work? Thanks

I bought the BB2, along with the sensor cleaning kit and an extra filter. I don’t use brushes. For cleaning the sensor, I use the blower several times, then use the sensor cleaning brush. Check by taking a few pictures, then clean again till spotless.

[tedd]

It's irrelevant now, but for future people looking at this thread: an M240 doesn't have to be old. Mine is newer than a lot of M10's out there (M-E 240 from 2019). It barely cost any more used than an original Typ 240 in March 2020. 

The battery lasts forever (I have two, but I've never had to replace one in a full days shooting - including paid event work). Mine has frozen once and required the battery to be removed to get it going again. I have had a 'black frame' issue half a dozen times when shooting fast and, seemingly, not hitting the shutter hard enough. 

ISO is fine (for me) up to 1600, but you can go higher with noise reduction software, including LR. The EVF is rubbish. My printer goes up to A3+ and the camera does not struggle with this size at all.

With the 50mm Summilux ASPH is takes the best pictures of any camera I have ever owned, including much newer and "better" mirrorless options. It is all about the lens at the end of the day (and the person behind it). 

My next big purchase will be a 35 Lux FLE to compliment my 35 Summarit 2.5 (not replace, it's tiny and I love it), not an M10 or newer. 

[jaapv]

The M240 had a heat-freeze issue when when using the EVF in very hot weather. There was a firmware update,but it only solved the problem for 95%

[Jskywalker]

I seldom have to use EVF except when I'm using the 7Artisans 75mm. Have not met with any freezing yet 🤞

[lawman]

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20 hours ago, Jskywalker said:

I bought the BB2, along with the sensor cleaning kit and an extra filter. I don’t use brushes. For cleaning the sensor, I use the blower several times, then use the sensor cleaning brush. Check by taking a few pictures, then clean again till spotless.

Thanks for the reply; but I don’t understand your comment re brushes. You said you “don’t use brushes” but then you say “then use the sensor cleaning brush” - so please explain! Are you referring to the optional soft white brush from NITECORE or from someone else? Thanks

[jaapv]

Probably the Arctic Butterfly, this is the most common stand-alone brush solution. I think that the Nitecore brush  idea is not optimal. There is always the risk of dragging a sharp grain of sand over the sensor with such dense brushes  if you do not blow it off with something like the Rocket Blower. And if you do so, the use of the brush is superfluous.

Always start with blowing the sensor with the camera facing downwards  

NEVER USE CANNED AIR!!  The residue it leaves is near-impossible to remove, you can blow dust under the glass and in an extreme case you might freeze and crack the cover glass. 

[Jskywalker]

Sorry, I meant I don’t attach any brushes to the blower. But after blowing the sensor several times, I would use the sensor cleaning kit (liquid and the brush provided), if there’s still dust on it.

[jaapv]

Just to round off my posts: 

for “daily” use if I see spots I use the Eyelead Blower and the Eyelead stamping tool ( blue for Sony) I do not pull it off straight but I wobble it. 
For greasy spots ( eg. a droplet of swear) or sticky Pollen I use Sensor Swipes and Smear Away. Once or twice a year I do a window wash with VSGO fluid on the wipe to remove the general haze from air pollution like exhaust fumes, industrial smoke, etc. 
As an aside, Nitecore would not be my first choice. I stick to tried and tested. Disclosure: I have been cleaning my sensors since 2003…

[lawman]

On 9/12/2023 at 5:09 PM, jaapv said:

Probably the Arctic Butterfly, this is the most common stand-alone brush solution. I think that the Nitecore brush  idea is not optimal. There is always the risk of dragging a sharp grain of sand over the sensor with such dense brushes  if you do not blow it off with something like the Rocket Blower. And if you do so, the use of the brush is superfluous.

Always start with blowing the sensor with the camera facing downwards  

NEVER USE CANNED AIR!!  The residue it leaves is near-impossible to remove, you can blow dust under the glass and in an extreme case you might freeze and crack the cover glass. 

Thank you for your wise counsel (as always).  Do you use the Arctic Butterfly - do you like it? Thanks

[jaapv]

I have it but never use it. Not that I think there is anything wrong with it. It is just that I prefer the Eyelead stamping tool. I understand that some people find it scary to use. 

[Patarei]

On 9/11/2023 at 1:33 PM, Kushal Das said:

I just bought my first ever Leica, a M240 here in Sweden 2 weeks back. I am so far super happy with the output. Though I will have to send the camera once for dust removal from sensor.

Here is a shot from a low light live performance.

 

 

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

I am happy to hear about your M240.

I also started with a Leica M240 a couple of years ago. I live in Sweden, but bought the M240 from Leicashop in Austria. 

Sold my M240 a year later and bought a M10 from Leicacenter in Stockholm. My M10 is unfortunaly a lemon, and had to be send to Wetzlar two times, and it still doesnt work as it should be.

I also have a M246 which i bougt here in Sweden. I really love this camera.

[Kushal Das]

On 9/16/2023 at 6:07 AM, Patarei said:

I am happy to hear about your M240.

I also started with a Leica M240 a couple of years ago. I live in Sweden, but bought the M240 from Leicashop in Austria. 

Sold my M240 a year later and bought a M10 from Leicacenter in Stockholm. My M10 is unfortunaly a lemon, and had to be send to Wetzlar two times, and it still doesnt work as it should be.

I also have a M246 which i bougt here in Sweden. I really love this camera.

Sorry to hear about your M10 trouble

I got the 240 from the Leicacenter in Stockholm.

[kalle]

My favorits since 2010/2022:

Non-identical twins

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. . . in nice outfit.

Edited October 13, 2023 by kalle

[Chuck C.]

On 5/17/2023 at 11:34 AM, catacore said:

Just quoting myself from 2 months back, I have to say today that I got completely fed-up with this Leica M system ("experience"). The only joy I had using it was the focusing using the rangefinder (funny enough, this was the very reason I was most worried about before buying my M240). Everything else was just frustration.

What about simplifying the photographic process? Well, this is a joke, in my view. One cannot simplify something by adding more limitations. Funny enough: the more money one pays for better/newer camera models (like M10-R or M11) the more limitations one gets (lesser battery, increased shutter speed needed due to more Mpx for the lack of IBIS, etc.).

In hindsight, I would have never bought my M240, or any M camera, for this reason. So glad I refrained from "upgrading" and losing more money in the process. But again, one needs to experience this. Just reading on the web the pros and cons does not help at all.

Just my other 2 cents...

So, here is my two cents worth.  I completely disagree with your two cents worth.   I have had several state-of the art cameras - Nikons, Canons, Sonys, and as great as these are, I can tell you that the Leica Rangefinders strike the right cord with me. I also own an M8, M9, M240, and M10-R, and I have produced wonderful photos with the M cameras.  If you know what you are doing, you will quickly understand how to use the Leicas, which do indeed simplify the process.  I recently, came back from a 1 month trip to France, and only took two Leicas, including the M240.  I have no regrets.   The photos are terrific.  I love the rangefinder experience, and feel more in control of the photographic process.  And that is no joke (contrary to your comment about it being a joke).  Leicas are not rocket science and can be quickly used - again, if you know what you are doing.

And, by the way, I will never sell my M240.  If you understand it’s limitations (which are few, and not detrimental to getting quality photos), you won’t be disappointed with what the M240 can do.  Excellent camera.

[Chuck C.]

On 5/13/2023 at 2:51 AM, Ernstk said:

The RF is extremely good for wide angles. They're the natural sweet spot for a rangefinder.

Despite what you say, anything beyond 50mm has no place on a rangefinder. Using the framelines, the 28 and 35 are way more natural to use than a 90 or 135.

My 21mm Elmarit (used without external VF) practically lives on my M-P 240 and I also use my 'Lux 35 pre asph. Using lenses like these defines the rangefinder experience.

Ernst

What in the world are you talking about?  Lenses beyond 50mm have no place on a rangefinder?  Absolutely not true.  Any lens from 28 or even 21mm up to 135mm is satisfactory for rangefinder use.  Maybe you don’t appreciate or understand this, but it has always worked for me.  There are many on this forum who would disagree with you.

[Coppereye]

I came from a Canon background where I used L series lenses a 24-70 and a 70-200.  Switching to Leica also gave me the same chance to move to Primes.  
 

what I did find was that the focal length of 90mm was adequate and I even used a 135mm but my most used lens was the Summilux M50mm -  i don’t know if it’s still the same but the 50mm was the below average “kit lens” of the household name cameras.  
 

saying that Leica only uses 50mm and below is Ill-informed and perhaps they ought to try the summicron 90mm a beautiful lense

 

[espelt]

For me personally, the long focal lengths on the M are too unwieldy, too big, too heavy. Yes, I've even used the 135mm Elmar myself. But somehow that wasn't really comfortable.
For me, the M is a reportage camera, a travel camera in the sense of being lightweight. 75mm is the limit for me. For me the system shows its strengths of 28 - 50 mm. But that is a question of principle. Has nothing to do with the 240 - applies to every M for me.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Tinbird]

On 3/10/2023 at 5:25 AM, hjddd said:

I hope Leica can update a new firmware for the series of M240. please raise your hand if you have the same idea 

✋🏽 (...but not holding my breath...)