Buying an M10 - which one to choose ?

[colonel]

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Hi,

I am buying an M10. I have a choice of three, all good value:

1. Black: Excellent condition except for a scratch on the corner of the viewfinder outside glass, does not effect viewing

2. Silver: Excellent condition except for 3 scratches on the LCD. Can not be seen when on.

3. Silver: Good condition but M10-P (£450 more then the above two). Some light scratches and marks around the body (none deep), two micro nicks on the front top edge. Pitting to the lens mounting plate (at edge).

Which one of these compromises would you get ?

I don't need to, but I wonder how much it would cost to change the front VF glass or the lens mount plate (the circular piece of metal the lens attaches to on the front of the camera)

Many thanks

Edited February 23, 2024 by colonel

[evikne]

I would probably have gone for #3 because of the quieter shutter. I now have the regular M10 and the sound of the shutter sometimes annoys me a bit.

[Maarten]

Pitting of the bayonet flange: I would always ask myself where it has come from. The expense of a new flange will be substantial because it would mean calibration of the flange-sensor distance. On the continent many M10 cameras are for sale. Perhaps different in the UK but I recommend to be patient and find a nice, light used one.

[otto.f]

2 hours ago, Maarten said:

Pitting of the bayonet flange: I would always ask myself where it has come from. The expense of a new flange will be substantial because it would mean calibration of the flange-sensor distance. On the continent many M10 cameras are for sale. Perhaps different in the UK but I recommend to be patient and find a nice, light used one.

I would go for an M10-P indeed and wait till the copy without questions has found you

[hepcat]

39 minutes ago, otto.f said:

I would go for an M10-P indeed and wait till the copy without questions has found you

Wise counsel. I have a silver M10-P.  I wanted the near-silent shutter and the touch screen.  Small things not worth upgrading from the M10 for, but if you're buying fresh, they're significant enough features to spend the extra cash for.  You won't be sorry. 

[colonel]

Leica has got back to me on a few things. Lens flange is euro 700 + vat, so I'll give that a miss

maybe I will wait for some more copies to come up. Look for good value ......

I have seen a perfect M10 with a cracked eye glass. Leica has told euro 170 + vat, so that is also an option now

In the UK, M10 prices are relatively stable. M10-P are wild and all over the place. So for an M10-P I would need to wait longer. ho hum...

 

Edited February 24, 2024 by colonel

[RexGig0]

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If starting from zero, I agree that the quieter shutter in the M10-P would be desirable, but, as already discussed, the pitting would be a significant concern. I, too, would seriously wonder what caused the pitting. This would eliminate #3, if I were buying, and had to choose one of these three.

Minor scratches on an LCD will probably disappear from view, if a protective cover glass is applied.

Silver-chrome presents a two-tone appearance to onlookers, which can potentially start pleasant conversations, and may present a more innocent appearance, to some folks. (This is based upon my having used a silver-and-black Nikon Df, a DSLR that appears retro, except on the rear surface, that faces the shooter. My M cameras are black-chromed.)

Being in the USA, I have no informed opinion on UK price spread between pre-owned M10 and M10-P cameras. I did recently notice that there is wide variance in M10-P prices being asked, in the USA, but have not inquired further.

Personally, I do not need to buy an M10 or M10-P, but, if I did, option #2 seems as if it might have been relatively gently-used, plus, it is silver-chromed. An LCD might have been scratched by the buttons on clothing, or by a buckle on a strap.

[brickftl]

On 2/23/2024 at 8:52 AM, colonel said:

Hi,

I am buying an M10. I have a choice of three, all good value:

1. Black: Excellent condition except for a scratch on the corner of the viewfinder outside glass, does not effect viewing

2. Silver: Excellent condition except for 3 scratches on the LCD. Can not be seen when on.

3. Silver: Good condition but M10-P (£450 more then the above two). Some light scratches and marks around the body (none deep), two micro nicks on the front top edge. Pitting to the lens mounting plate (at edge).

Which one of these compromises would you get ?

I don't need to, but I wonder how much it would cost to change the front VF glass or the lens mount plate (the circular piece of metal the lens attaches to on the front of the camera)

Many thanks

I'm a brand new M rangefinder owner, and bought a mint M10. Because I haven't heard the shutter on P model I have nothing to compare the shutter sound on my M10. For what it's worth, I don't find the M10 shutter sound loud at all, and indeed sort of like the nice click sound it makes. Almost all the time I'll be shooting outdoors or indoors like bars/restaurants where the shutter sound is irrelevant and drowned out by ambient noise. If you aren't going to be shooting indoors where the ambient noise is low (such as a church service or performance), the I recommend going with the M10. The touch screen is, to me, unnecessary.

[mujk]

On 2/23/2024 at 5:12 PM, Maarten said:

Pitting of the bayonet flange: I would always ask myself where it has come from. The expense of a new flange will be substantial because it would mean calibration of the flange-sensor distance. On the continent many M10 cameras are for sale. Perhaps different in the UK but I recommend to be patient and find a nice, light used one.

Fully agree. I don't think the lens flange plate is a typical place showing pitting as part of normal wear. This could therefore be a sign of exceptionally rough use or corrosion. In both cases there could other, hidden damages as well.

[costa43]

For me the m10p without a second thought. The shutter is worth it alone. It’s a thing of beauty 😀

edit : I know nothing about flanges though so the advice above is more sound! 

Edited February 28, 2024 by costa43

[newtoleica]

Definitely wait for the right M10-P - its a future classic.

[kivis]

I found a black M10 with the tiniest nick under the LCD frame. Saved some big bucks because of it. Super happy.