M10 Batteries. Availability (merged thread)

[codocee]

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Elaborate please

[jdlaing]

1 hour ago, codocee said:

Elaborate please

 

Varta, a German battery manufacturer, has been experiencing significant financial difficulties, leading to restructuring efforts and a potential delisting from the stock exchange. The company has faced challenges including dependence on major customers like Apple, global economic downturns, and supply chain issues. To address these issues, Varta has implemented a restructuring plan, including debt reduction and a possible capital injection, with Porsche playing a role in the process. 

 

Key aspects of Varta's financial troubles: 

• Restructuring:

  Varta has initiated a restructuring plan to address its financial challenges, including a significant debt reduction and a potential capital injection. 

   
• Debt burden:

  The company's debt has been a major concern, with plans to reduce it substantially through debt restructuring and potential creditor waivers. 

   
• Delisting:

  As part of the restructuring, VARTA AG is considering delisting from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, meaning that existing shares would lose value. 

   
• Customer reliance:

  Varta's dependence on a single major customer, Apple, proved to be a significant vulnerability when the US company sought alternative suppliers. 

   
• Market conditions:

  Global economic downturns, high inflation, and competition from the Far East have further impacted Varta's business. 

   
• Porsche involvement:

  Porsche is reportedly exploring potential investments in Varta, with the possibility of taking a minority stake or providing funding. 

   
• Supply chain issues:

  Varta has also faced disruptions due to global supply chain problems. 

   
• Energy storage business:

  Lower-than-expected demand for energy storage solutions has also contributed to Varta's financial woes. 

   

 

[pgh]

On 4/19/2025 at 6:19 PM, crf59 said:

As I said before, this is just plain brand arrogance. If enough people complain, maybe they'll get the message. Coddling them and just saying "it happens" is poor recompense for what has become an epidemic at Leica. 

Leica has had decades and decades of brand arrogance and have seen no reason to change. This was on display well before the battery issue and in fact is a marketing strategy that is explicitly employed. No reason to think the attitude wouldn’t permeate every facet of the brand. They literally trade on their image as much as their tools. I don’t think complaints will matter much - the vibe is “you’ll take what we give you and you’ll like it” and more or less, they make a killing on that as it is. Why change?

Which sucks, because the tools are unique and useful. I love my M10’s and I hate that nothing else is like them. I’d prefer to send my money to Pentax or Fuji or something, but they can’t make something that hits the same notes. 

Anyways, for my part, I gave one of my preferred retailers a heads up 6 weeks ago I’d like a battery when one comes. I’ve got one now. I didn’t panic or try hard, just waited a little and sent one email. I’ve seen other signs of the supply issue easing. But of course no word from Leica, and no real word to their dealers either, which is just an extra level of it all. 

Edited April 23 by pgh

[Crem]

I see comments that this is a shipping issue or a supply chain issue, but is there any actual proof of that? I find it impossible to believe that Leica couldn't find a way to ship larger quantities of batteries to the USA if they really wanted to do so. Especially since they are trickling in. They have now had something like 2 years to figure it out. It's clearly being done with intent at this point. Sony, Canon, Fuji, Panasonic, the M11, the SL3, etc all somehow end up with plenty of batteries here in the USA. The constrained supply is being done with intent. I assume the M10 battery is now considered a spare part instead of a regularly stocked item. A good nudge to encourage people to upgrade. Then the dealers can resell the M10 with a new batteries that they buy as spare parts.

Edited April 24 by Crem

[Ronazle]

On 4/9/2025 at 7:48 PM, jplomley said:

This is beyond idiotic. I do not expect my M10-R and M10M to become obsolete because Leica can’t pull their finger out and supply batteries. Give me a break. 

My 10R is still on extended warranty. I bought it new from Leica USA and they cannot at this time supply me with a battery to replace the spare that failed. A poor situation.  I am on the will notify when available list,,,,how about a real explanation and action by Wetzler?  Regards, Ron

[pgh]

^ Leica’s lack of communication leads to legitimate speculation about any number of potential problems. Their marketing department knows that this is what happens in the absence of good information and must clearly prefer that be the case. Your reasoning is as plausible as any. That would be disappointing. I do not like, nor have any needs for an M11 series body and would hope they would avoid such planned obsolescence for a camera body that is (on the outside at least), meant to last.

But, if there’s one thing that luxury brands excel at it, it is planned obsolescence or convincing a consumer the perfectly good thing they have is indeed trash and in need of more more more newer better etc. 

Edited April 24 by pgh

[Crem]

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19 minutes ago, pgh said:

^ Leica’s lack of communication leads to legitimate speculation about any number of potential problems. Their marketing department knows that this is what happens in the absence of good information and must clearly prefer that be the case. Your reasoning is as plausible as any. That would be disappointing. I do not like, nor have any needs for an M11 series body and would hope they would avoid such planned obsolescence for a camera body that is (on the outside at least), meant to last.

But, if there’s one thing that luxury brands excel at it, it is planned obsolescence or convincing a consumer the perfectly good thing they have is indeed trash and in need of more more more newer better etc. 

The thing is it’s not just lack of communication. It’s two years of it. It’s communication about years of record profits. Communication about luxury watches. Plenty of comms during that time. Dealers get traded in M10 cameras all the time and then resell them. I’m positive those dealers can get new batteries through the spare parts department so they can resell those trade ins. We see the batteries trickle in, but not stocked so it’s the most plausible explanation. I just don’t buy the supply chain issue being it. Or shipping issues. The most likely case is they don’t consider it all that important of a problem to solve or else they would have solved it by now. It also has a side benefit of pushing people to the M11. 

Edited April 24 by Crem

[charlesphoto99]

2 hours ago, Crem said:

I’m positive those dealers can get new batteries through the spare parts department so they can resell those trade ins. 

I doubt most are even doing that, and just selling on with the traded in battery as-is. I'm not even sure (actually totally doubt) if Leica USA has them available as a spare part. Look at the replacement parts pages on Leica Miami and 90% of it is out of stock (I'm looking for a front protection ring for my 35 2.5 Summarit, rare as hen's teeth).

But hey, you can always get a $500 teddy bear or pencil set....

[Crem]

50 minutes ago, charlesphoto99 said:

I doubt most are even doing that, and just selling on with the traded in battery as-is. I'm not even sure (actually totally doubt) if Leica USA has them available as a spare part. Look at the replacement parts pages on Leica Miami and 90% of it is out of stock (I'm looking for a front protection ring for my 35 2.5 Summarit, rare as hen's teeth).

But hey, you can always get a $500 teddy bear or pencil set....

New batteries in boxes trickle into the USA, but availability isn't a problem in other countries? So they must be making them and sending them here in small volumes? I really doubt the entire world is living off old new-stock batteries for the last two years. I can't prove it though. If Leica showed interest, I'm sure a 3rd party battery company would make batteries for the M10, but they won't allow it.

Miami lists tons of spare parts for pre-order that you can't actually buy. I tried to buy a M10-D base plate last year (Miami pre-order). Josh was very honest with me saying he had no idea if/when it would ever arrive. I very much doubt Leica will ever produce another batch of M10-D base plates. Miami also list the leatherette battery cover for the MP. The newest MPs don't come with it anymore due to battery laws in the USA. After some back and forth the parts department mailed me one for free (thank you Miami & NJ customer service). I doubt those Miami pre-orders will ever ship due to the law changes. I think it's likely the parts department can get a M10 battery shipped out with the proper authorization.

Either way, at some point I might have to buy the teddy bear and put my M10-R on it as a reminder to why I shouldn't buy a new digital Leica.

Edited April 24 by Crem

[pgh]

@Crem yes - we’re singing the same song. I have no love for the garbage luxury hype and Leica’s desire to be more akin to Rolex or Louis Vuitton than a company that makes physical goods for photographers. Again, such deep and true irony when considered against the mission of the socially concerned documentarian that they love to tout their historical association with. I know it’s jewelry for most now, but some people actually still use these things for the reasons they were initially developed. The closed battery system thing is just another notch on the arrogant belt. 

Whatever the case is, nothing will push me to an M11 - it’s just too much resolution and expense for the camera style it is IMO (If I want that I have an x2d) - and if Leica makes sure to dry up supply lines when perfectly usable and good M10s are all around I’ll become more and more vocal about how cynical and shitty they are and how I wish my M10 had a Pentax or whatever logo on it, but damnit Pentax doesn’t make something like that. 

Edited April 25 by pgh

[Kiwimac]

I’m looking at an M10-P to go with my X2D for the times I really don’t need 102MP (which really is most times in fact. I wish it had the multiple resolution like the M11) and this battery business is the biggest negative. 
 

It’s possible I may skip the M even though I love them dearly and buy a Q3 43 to fill that role. I’m sure one day I won’t be able to get the batteries for those either but at least I’ll only be the owner of a NZ$13,000 paperweight instead of a $19,000 paperweight. 

Edited April 27 by Kiwimac

[weatherproof]

On 4/24/2025 at 9:54 AM, Crem said:

Either way, at some point I might have to buy the teddy bear and put my M10-R on it as a reminder to why I shouldn't buy a new digital Leica.

Leica will soon follow the Hermes model where you need to buy five commemorative Steiff bears over five years before you're granted the privilege of buying the 100 year pencil. Once you buy the pencil, they might invite you to the backroom to buy an M10 battery.

[weatherproof]

@Al Brown is there a shortage in Europe as well now?

On this side of the pond, Adorama lists June 2025 on their page, but this might be pushed back every few months: https://www.adorama.com/lcbm10.html

[Crem]

8 hours ago, Al Brown said:

I have read through several sources that BP SCL5 batteries are coming back in stock.

Next up I hope these sources tell us that Leica is bringing back the M10-P with an upgraded 24MP sensor from the SL2-S. Non joking, I'm very glad to hear somebody is telling us the batteries will be back in stock. Perhaps this 4 page thread helped make it happen.

[mort linder]

greed surfaces . m10 batteries are $400 on eBay . when m10 batteries are available again ???? i hope they will be better 

than the present stock which loose their charge even when not being used . is this acceptable for a $200 battery ?

[pgh]

Last I looked batteries under retail on FM forums and US retailers getting some in stock. Just tell one you want one and wait a little bit. It’s stupid, Leica has been really stupid about all of this (as they do), but the batteries are out there and it’s really not hard to find one - it’s just not quite as easy as an Amazon overnight order, which seems to be the threshold these days. 

[Reciprocity]

Been awhile since I have been on here, had no idea about the battery shortage until this thread. Arrived at a job here in Boston last night with my my Nikon Z8, Z9, Hasselblad X2D and M10-P. Went for a walk to the Leica store earlier today with the M10-P in tow to see if the sales guy could dig up the shutter count for me which he did, 102898 cycles since I got it new. 

I have three batteries already that seem to be working great but they had them in stock so I walked out with a new M10 battery to get a fresh one. Maybe give them a call if you need one, talk to Donald Pepple? 

Edited April 29 by Reciprocity

[lekitr]

8 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Been awhile since I have been on here, had no idea about the battery shortage until this thread. Arrived at a job here in Boston last night with my my Nikon Z8, Z9, Hasselblad X2D and M10-P. Went for a walk to the Leica store earlier today with the M10-P in tow to see if the sales guy could dig up the shutter count for me which he did, 102898 cycles since I got it new. 

I have three batteries already that seem to be working great but they had them in stock so I walked out with a new M10 battery to get a fresh one. Maybe give them a call if you need one, talk to Donald Pepple? 

 

8 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Been awhile since I have been on here, had no idea about the battery shortage until this thread. Arrived at a job here in Boston last night with my my Nikon Z8, Z9, Hasselblad X2D and M10-P. Went for a walk to the Leica store earlier today with the M10-P in tow to see if the sales guy could dig up the shutter count for me which he did, 102898 cycles since I got it new. 

I have three batteries already that seem to be working great but they had them in stock so I walked out with a new M10 battery to get a fresh one. Maybe give them a call if you need one, talk to Donald Pepple? 

Nona available on their web page.

[roydonian]

On 4/24/2025 at 5:54 PM, Crem said:

I tried to buy a M10-D base plate last year (Miami pre-order). Josh was very honest with me saying he had no idea if/when it would ever arrive.

Spares for such a recent canera ought to be available. I lost the stainless steel accessory shoe cover from my Series 60 camera. I wondered if it would still be available as a spare part a decade after the camera was built, and in late November  asked Leica Mayfair to order a replacement. It arrived in mid-January.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[7enderbender]

On 4/25/2025 at 10:38 AM, pgh said:

@Crem yes - we’re singing the same song. I have no love for the garbage luxury hype and Leica’s desire to be more akin to Rolex or Louis Vuitton than a company that makes physical goods for photographers. Again, such deep and true irony when considered against the mission of the socially concerned documentarian that they love to tout their historical association with. I know it’s jewelry for most now, but some people actually still use these things for the reasons they were initially developed. The closed battery system thing is just another notch on the arrogant belt. 

Whatever the case is, nothing will push me to an M11 - it’s just too much resolution and expense for the camera style it is IMO (If I want that I have an x2d) - and if Leica makes sure to dry up supply lines when perfectly usable and good M10s are all around I’ll become more and more vocal about how cynical and shitty they are and how I wish my M10 had a Pentax or whatever logo on it, but damnit Pentax doesn’t make something like that. 

I get what you’re saying but I don’t think it’s 100% accurate. Yes, a lot of people treat these cameras as jewelry for the big name and big price tag. Same issue really with watches, including Rolex, since you mention it. That doesn’t take away from the fact that both are very solid tools built with purpose (unlike a silly overpriced bag made in China). 
The battery issue: yes, it’s annoying that for whatever reason those are hard get here in the US. On the other hand, I’m glad that Leica keeps tight controls since I don’t want to deal with the same kind of nonsense again, that I had to deal with with Canon - where you have to be very careful not to buy counterfeits even through the big photo stores. I was able to get another backup through Leica Germany which I will pick up at a friend's house when going to Europe in the Summer. This should be easier. 

Edited April 29 by 7enderbender