Used M240 (and other Leica) how to guess the level of it's wear?

[Zhenya]

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Hello friends!

Today I've bought my first digital Leica (although I have a M2 already).

A nice m240, first sold in dec.14 (according to her warranty card) and used of course. With a leather case and 2 batteries (a nice set in modern days).

I was really happy after testing it functions, and the seller said that he made less than 10000 pictures with her. Camera body looked mint (for those who like to hear music from vinyl records know what I mean) so I trusted seller.

But when I returned home and started to play with the camera, I noticed some losses of paint which were not very visible under a bright sun. The letter M has lost it's paint, plus the red dot and finally - several numbers on the shutter speeds dial. There are no visible signs of the camera age other than these.

So I'm curious was the seller honest or the camera is much more worn out than he claimed?

I mean it's mechanical wear, because I'm not really worried about exterior wear (who saw the HCB's M3 - that was a real working tool).

Of course I can't check the shutter actuations, but the image id from the last picture shows something like 000000098567 (if it means something).

P.S. The camera firmware is 2.0.6.0. Should I upgrade the firmware or skip it as I will use non-Leica lenses mostly in LTM mount (with Type I adapter)?

 

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Edited September 1, 2024 by Zhenya

[Jeff S]

Welcome to the forum. This is why I buy only from reputable dealers, with their warranty and return policy (and sometimes even Leica warranty if recently serviced). They can also answer questions about, or update, FW if needed.  
 

Jeff

[pippy]

It's impossible to assess mechanical condition with much accuracy merely judging by external condition.

Paint-loss from infilled letters / numbers isn't exactly uncommon for a ten-year-old camera nor are a few chips from paint as seen on the red dot logo.

If I were you I'd simply go out shooting with it and have a really close examination of the files / images captured looking for any hint of scratches or dead pixels on the sensor. Check out ALL the cameras functions are working as per factory spec.

Any issues send the camera back (it is NOT in 'Mint' condition); no issues then keep it and use it.

Best of luck!

Philip.

[BruceRH]

When I sell camera bodies or lenses, I try to take representative pictures so that a buyer can see exactly what they are getting. I would not buy from someone without current images of the item I am buying. When I buy used, I understand that my idea of "mint" may be different from someone else's definition so I also take that into account. If you want to buy used with the option of returning then you really need to buy from an established retailer but even they will not always accept a return. So, unless the camera is non functional, I would say go out and take pictures and enjoy it and not worry about some missing paint. It is after all a used, 10 year old camera.

[lct]

3 hours ago, Zhenya said:

[...] I'm curious was the seller honest or the camera is much more worn out than he claimed?

Depends on what  the seller wrote. Do you have any warranty?

3 hours ago, Zhenya said:

[...] image id from the last picture shows something like 000000098567 [...]

Converting hexa to decimal is of no help on the M240.

3 hours ago, Zhenya said:

The camera firmware is 2.0.6.0. [...]

Last firmware is 2.1.0.0. You can download it here (link).