M-P 240 as a vlogger camera

[setuporg]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm interested in using a single camera while traveling, and I have to record interviews with people on camera sometimes.

There are two key requirements: a way to use an external microphone, which I can do with a stereo adapter I have, and a way to monitor focus.  That's where it's hard.  I guess some kind of a camera looking at the LCD to monitor on the iPhone?...

[FrozenInTime]

Not surprisingly, M is not/was never the best solution for video.

I use Leica 9, 15, and 25mm m43 Summilux lenses with the Lumix G100D; it is very lightweight, has a flip screen, mic input, and digital image stabilisation.

Use the M where it is best - stills.

[Chris W]

SL2-S, or a completely different brand/system.

[Dazzajl]

1 hour ago, setuporg said:

and a way to monitor focus

Genuine question; do you need to monitor focus? It's not going to move from where you set it.

If the camera stays still and the interviewee stays where you put them, then they should stay in focus. 

[PhotoCruiser]

I have a limited experience with Video, but my best friend is professional video producer and he always tell me that a video camera is still the best.
Particularly the Autofocus works in many cases much better than his GH5 for example.
You may look around for a small but high quality video camera and carry it also, otherwise check the net for vlogger cameras.
From the Leica line-up the Q3 has audio input and is small in size what makes her perfect for travelling, but has a fixed focal lenght lens so you need to decide what lenght and deal with not be able to change lens nor zoom.
If you need to change lenses then the SL2-S or the SL3-S but then you will shelp around a lot of heavy gear.

Chris

[3D-Kraft.com]

Leica offered an external microphone set (and Olympus the same "SEMA-1" for 1/5 the price) to be connected via the EVF contacts on the hot shoe. This also has a female Mini Jack Plugin for Micros with longer cable ore may be wireless transmitters.

There are many shortcomings you will have to work around. Torsten Overgaard spent quite a lot of effort in it, see page 36 and 37 of his review:

https://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M-Type-240-aka-Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-36.html

https://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M-Type-240-aka-Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-37-Quality-Sound-and-Microphones-for-Leica-M240-Video-Sample-Videos.html

For focusing, you cannot use the zoom-magnifier during video. Torsten Overgaard mentions a hand grip providing additional connections (also HDMI). I have never seen that grip.

[setuporg]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think I know what the setup should be.  The multi-function grip has an HDMI out.  I can hook it up to an iPhone to check on the focus while standing in front of the camera.  The stereo adapter mike jack allows to connect proper mikes.

The reason to do it is simple -- I need an M when traveling.  Since I also need to do interviews sometimes, the setup that would allow me to use just one camera would be fun.  Of course I can get a Q3 if I have to, or use some other mirrorless camera, but I'd like to give the rangefinder a try.  Also, in my family videos on roadtrips, I found that the M240/246 videos aer fantastic, both color and monochrome.

[Steve7]

This is an interesting idea.  I read about several apps that allow use of an iPhone as an HDMI monitor (Duet Display, Splashtop Wired XDisplay, Spacedesk, ApowerMirror).  I'm sure there are others.  My iPhone is pretty old and I have not yet looked further into any of the apps yet.

I do have the multi-function grip and the Leica external stereo mic / adapter (14634 + mic).

By the way, I have used the M(240) still-capture-during-video feature a couple of times while traveling.  It came in very handy!

[bocaburger]

I get not wanting to carry a separate camera for video, but I've always got my phone and tbh I find that it (an iPhone-14 non-pro) gives me at least as good video with far less kludging than my M240.  If vlogging were integral (as opposed to occasional) to my travel photography I personally would not try to kit-up my M240, much as I love the rangefinder experience. 

[3D-Kraft.com]

vor 15 Stunden schrieb bocaburger:

tbh I find that it (an iPhone-14 non-pro) gives me at least as good video with far less kludging than my M240.

No chance to play with DoF, bokeh etc.

[bocaburger]

On 3/16/2025 at 6:31 AM, 3D-Kraft.com said:

No chance to play with DoF, bokeh etc.

Hmm.  IMBW but my tech-savvy peeps tell me there are apps (maybe even native in newer iphones) for that.  At least DoF.  Nor sure abt bokeh (but also not sure the impact of bokeh to most viewers in a moving image, esp whilst paying atten to an audio track as well.  But maybe maybe my brain has more limited capacity to process multiple nuances at once.

[3D-Kraft.com]

Looks rubbish on many photos and even worse in apps that try to apply this real time on videos.

[setuporg]

OK the first test on location, with Røde Wireless Go 3 mikes, was excellent.  Using the new 28mm Summicron for the interviews, two people in front of camera.

You have to check everything, as there's no red light that the recording is on.  Verifying the mikes and the transmitter are on.

Otherwise, the quality is perfect for the web.  You can trim the MOV files in QuickTime on a Mac easily.  

[setuporg]

On 3/12/2025 at 10:05 AM, Al Brown said:

Using M240 for video is like shooting yourself in the foot and then running the Boston Marathon. It is doable but very, very painful.

Isn't it what this whole forum is about Al?  I'm so keen on carrying only one camera, and that must be an M.  The videos are fine for occasional but necessary use!  

[Canyonet]

The files look great straight out of the camera, but I found the lack of autofocus and flip screen made it tricky for anything other than static shots where I could check framing.

[Canyonet]

On 5/26/2025 at 12:44 PM, Canyonet said:

The files look great straight out of the camera, but I found the lack of autofocus and flip screen made it tricky for anything other than static shots where I could check framing.

I ran into the same issue with the M-P 240 not having a flip screen or fast autofocus, which made it tough for anything beyond static setups. I ended up keeping it for stills and switched to https://www.insta360.com/product/insta360-ace-pro2 for vlogging. It’s small, easy to use, and I don’t have to worry about focus or framing myself anymore. Makes everything quicker, especially for solo shooting.

 

Edited June 2 by Canyonet

[setuporg]

I found that using manual focus is fine for podcasting and interviewing.  In fact, the same solution works for Q3 43, where autofocus might pick a random spot at infinity or elsewhere instead of the people in the frame.  I use DJI mics and a tripod for these interviews so checking focus is just another step.  Using a dedicated Sony vlogging camera is much easier of course, they have a standard 1/4" mic input too, as the M240 does with an adapter.  The Q3 has only USB-C input, which the DJI receiver supports too.