Leica M240 series battery scarcity

By and large, for every digital camera I've purchased in the past 25 years, I've bought one or two spare batteries when I bought the camera. Two batteries are more than enough for even a heavy shooting session, for me, and I've never "worn out" any batteries. And Leica has always provided the batteries I needed so far, even now. They may be expensive, they may not always be available at a moment's notice, but I've never been caught out without a battery to use (unless I went out with one nearly exhausted and didn't carry the spare....).

If you're not going to buy something because the batteries are proprietary in some way, then you're not going to buy many modern devices.

G
 
One issue is that when they made the decision to put these batteries back into the accessories flow they took them away from the repair side - right now you can’t get a BP-SCL2 out of Leica at all. No M-P 240 for vacation next month for me.
 
Ken Ford said:
One issue is that when they made the decision to put these batteries back into the accessories flow they took them away from the repair side - right now you can’t get a BP-SCL2 out of Leica at all. No M-P 240 for vacation next month for me.
Click to expand...
You mean you have no batteries at all?

G
 
Godfrey said:
You mean you have no batteries at all?

G
Click to expand...
Nope. I’ve never needed more than a single battery for this camera, and mine quit accepting a charge. I’m going to try and Hail Mary it using an aftermarket charger if it ever gets here.

I wish they would have continued supplying them through repair until they were available as accessories.
 
Ken Ford said:
Nope. I’ve never needed more than a single battery for this camera, and mine quit accepting a charge. I’m going to try and Hail Mary it using an aftermarket charger if it ever gets here.

I wish they would have continued supplying them through repair until they were available as accessories.
Click to expand...
Leica USA just sent me a note saying that batteries for the M10 are now available on the web store. I imagine that M typ 240 batteries will follow soon.

G
 
My batteries life is slowly getting shorter. Beginning to regret now not getting a spare.

So eventually, I take it I'll have a electronic brass door stop?!
 
Last edited:
MNS said:
My batteries life is slowly getting shorter. Beginning to regret now getting a spares now.

So eventually, I take it I'll have an electronic brass door stop?!
Click to expand...
I think they will be available again shortly unless Leica USA is blowing serious smoke up our collective skirts. Whatever Leica AG product manager allowed this situation to happen needs to retire.
 
I keep reading Leica BP-SCL2 battery is now discontinued.

I emailed Leica UK and the reply was 'product no longer available' so presumably the same answer from Leica in Germany.
 
Last edited:
MNS said:
My batteries life is slowly getting shorter. Beginning to regret now getting a spares now.

So eventually, I take it I'll have a electronic brass door stop?!
Click to expand...

I do not know if you have tried this or if it will work for you, but letting the battery run all the way down and then charging it can sometimes make them work. I try to let mine get down to where the camera starts to complain.
 
boojum said:
I do not know if you have tried this or if it will work for you, but letting the battery run all the way down and then charging it can sometimes make them work. I try to let mine get down to where the camera starts to complain.
Click to expand...

This was standard protocol with the older Nickel Cadmium batteries but I don't think this is recommended Nickle Metal Hydride or Lithium batteries. It would be best to check with the manufacturer or ask your local friendly AI.

See: Deep Cycle Battery vs Lithium-ion Battery: A Comprehensive Analysis-Ritar International Group Limited
 
As the advice I was given regarding the care of a Li-Ion battery, I try to keep the charge level between 20% and 80% and never leave it charging for to long or let it fully discharge. Frankly, I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has. This camera was a demonstrator from the Leica Mayfair store in London and I dread to think what abuse it had before I got my grotty paws on it.

I'm regretting selling my M4 now ...never use to have this problem. 😁
 
MNS said:
As the advice I was given regarding the care of a Li-Ion battery, I try to keep the charge level between 20% and 80% and never leave it charging for to long or let it fully discharge. Frankly, I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has. This camera was a demonstrator from the Leica Mayfair store in London and I dread to think what abuse it had before I got my grotty paws on it.

I'm regretting selling my M4 now ...never use to have this problem. 😁
Click to expand...

I just had my M4 out today for a walk at lunch time. Battery life was great ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom