What to test when buying an old M240 - MP240 ?

[mottykytu]

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After asking here, I want to buy an M240 for usability the problems is I don't know if M240 - M240P have Any major flaws (Like the CCD problems on M9 or the Ring on M10 )

What do I need to focus when testing the old , pre-owned M240/MP240 ?

And for 600 usd it is worth upgrade M240 to MP240?

many thanks

[Chris W]

I don't think there is anything specific. I guess shutter count?

Other than that, a scuffed worn camera will have been used a lot, whereas a clean looking camera has probably been well looked after.

[andybarton]

Mine is scuffed but well looked after.

My dealer describes M240s (and their family members) as "bullet proof".

[mottykytu]

16 minutes ago, andybarton said:

Mine is scuffed but well looked after.

My dealer describes M240s (and their family members) as "bullet proof".

I have heard they have "White Balance issues" which make the final photo more yellow in Jpeg ?

[andybarton]

I never use jpg, so can’t comment on that. 

Some colours can seem a bit saturated (red and greens), but that’s easily adjusted in post-processing. 

[LocalHero1953]

All cameras have slightly different colours, and tastes vary. I would describe the M240 colours as both warmer and more realistic than the M9. But until recently Leica's colours and how they were interpreted by raw developers were never entirely happy in their first year. In that time I usually made my own custom dual illuminant colour profile, Typically by the end of the first year Adobe and/or Leica had sorted out the profiles ('Adobe Standard') to my satisfaction. I haven't had to do that with the SL2-S or Q3-43 (I bought both at launch): I liked the colours from the start.

At one time, you could check the shutter count in the menu of a M body, but I can't remember if they stopped allowing that in the M240 or M10.

I would agree with Andy's dealer's comment about 'bullet-proof'.

Edited May 1 by LocalHero1953

[costa43]

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If it turns on and takes pictures then I would just ensure the rangefinder is calibrated well and the dials/buttons work and then go shoot. 

Only you can decide whether the 600 is worth the upgrade. For me, I probably wouldn't bother and pick up a nice Voigtlander lens instead. 

Edited May 1 by costa43

[andybarton]

40 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

they stopped allowing that in the M240

Correct

[pippy]

As far as I remember the difficulty with knowing the number of shutter-actuations with the M240 series was due to the fact that these cameras had Live View and Video capabilities; both of which actuated the shutter but in the case of Live View an image had not been recorded.

It is therefore impossible to determine shutter actuations through the standard file-numbering route even assuming that the file numbering had not at any time been 'zeroed'.

Philip.

[84bravo]

The MP-240 has a larger buffer, which makes it worth the $600 premium IMO. I shoot only DNG and the buffer fills fast on the standard M240. Plus I'm a sucker for the Leica script on top.

[steve edmunds]

check that you can get a spare battery 

[mottykytu]

18 hours ago, steve edmunds said:

check that you can get a spare battery 

Why? you can add one anytime ?

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

1 hour ago, mottykytu said:

Why? you can add one anytime ?

From other posts here it would seem they are difficult to find now...

[Carlos cruz]

I wouldn’t pay much attention to paintwork it’s supposed to wear off, two batteries (and nitecore usb charger) got me through a month with very limited power sources. Generally it’s really built like a tank, never encountered any freezing or need for some hard resets. I rarely used it past 1600 isp. Sensor wipes could be useful I have a feeling it gathered dust easier than m10. If you treat it well it’s a great camera apart from video, and Italian flag syndrome when using wide non retro focus lenses.

[steve edmunds]

On 5/7/2025 at 5:55 PM, mottykytu said:

Why? you can add one anytime ?

great, let me know where in the UK and i will buy one , I am on MPB waiting list if a used one turns up.

thanks in advance for your help.

[vkdev]

I had four M240 cameras. One of them wouldn't record files at +5C and below. The second one would freeze at random times. The third one's filter started to corrode a bit (not like the m9, but like any other camera). and one works perfectly.

I currently have a m246 that looks like it's been shot a million times, but it works great. I don't think it's very important to know the shutter count, you're unlikely to shoot another 500,000 times. If the camera looks like it's been used little, it doesn't have a million shots.

It's hard to check for smudging issues. It's easy to check the sensor, just take a few shots at f16. also you may be able to see micro scratches that appeared from cleaning the sensor.

Edited May 21 by vkdev