Leica M-E

[Out to Lunch]

Leica M-E...anyone remember that offering? Now on sale at big discounts from Leica dealers in Europe. Would you buy one? If not, would you share as to why you would not? Thanks for your feedback, Peter

 

[kshapero]

I have the M9. What's not to like?

 

[Pioneer]

If I did not already own an M9 I would certainly find the current pricing on the M-E to be very hard to resist. The M9 is a terrific camera and there is no reason to believe an M-E would not be just as good.

 

[Huss]

I had an M-E, recently sold it. I loved the images it made, and the way it looked in that cool bauhaus inspired dark grey.
But the sensor failures, with the 4 month wait to be repaired within the first year, with the second failure... I lost faith in the CCD program that Leica currently runs and sold mine, and bought an M240 demo privately.
I bothers me that Leica is still selling these CCD cameras knowing that the sensors are flawed.

But, I do miss mine for the images have more of a snap than my M240 ones.

 

[bobby_novatron]

That's the only objection I could see as well -- what Huss said.

Unless you could get some kind of iron-clad guarantee from Leica that they would take care of any problems with the M-E down the road, I just wouldn't take the chance. The Leica repair wait times are just so long, and the CCD issue is a chronic one.

Too bad because otherwise it's a great camera for the price.

If you're patient you can get a previously-owned M 240 for about the same price, and no CCD problems.

 

[seakayaker1]

I recently upgraded to the M-P 240 after Leica determined that my M9 had a sensor that needed replacement. I had four plus years of use after buying the camera used from the original owner who had it 6 months. The credit for the M9 was very attractive and decided I rather have a new camera in hand then wait for the repair.

If they could have replaced the sensor in a timely fashion I would have kept the M9.

I did take advantage of the the current Leica discount offering and picked up the M-Monochrome which has a CCD sensor. I do have faith that Leica will fix any problem that comes up with sensor if needed.

I would not hesitate to pick up the M-E.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Ronald M]

Buy a camera with known defect regardless of promises. `fraid not.

Love my M9P, but I treat it with care. Blow off the sensor with airbrush that has filtered and dried air, then a Sensor Loupe & lens pen to pick off pollen that does not come off with air, and use the Pentax sticky wand if still trouble. So Far the wand is unused. I will avoid wet cleaning.

The loupe has a cut out for the pen so you just touch the offending spot. This is the best cleaning system I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. Not for oil however. Can be had for
$45. Freight to Leica is more than that.

Anyway I do not want to get into a box where there are no sensors and they offer $1000 credit towards a new camera. I would just buy the new camera now.

 

[Kwesi]

Leica M-E...anyone remember that offering? Now on sale at big discounts from Leica dealers in Europe. Would you buy one? If not, would you share as to why you would not? Thanks for your feedback, Peter

Don't know what the price differential between used M240 and discounted ME is in Europe but unless its at least 2000 Euros, i would take the M240.
It really doesn't make much sense to buy a new ME today. Leica has moved on. Not just in terms of High ISO, but simple things like firmware updates to fix existing issues aren't being addressed.

 

[Pioneer]

You guys are a tough crowd.

Let's see? New M-E with Leica new camera warranty plus sensor replacements or a used M240 with no warranty.

Sorry but I will take the new camera with the warranty!

Of course if you intend to pay the premium for a new M Type 240 then that is a different kettle of fish.

 

[Godfrey]

I used the M9 from 2012 to this past January when the sensor had its problems and Leica deemed it time to replace it. I took the upgrade to an M-P. While I enjoyed the M9 and found it made excellent photographs, it was never in love with it. It always felt sluggish and unresponsive to me.

Having used the M-P since February, there's no way I could go back to using the M9 or M-E ... I feel the M-P is simply a much better camera in every way. This camera I actually do love, it's responsive and feels better when I'm shooting, and it motivates me to do more with it every time I use it.

I would only buy new (or used/demo with Leica refurbished warranty; that's how I bought the M9) for this costly a camera. I'd rather wait until I can afford that then risk buying used and having to pay for repairs. But that's a matter of how much risk you're willing to take on, a personal decision I'm sure.

G

 

[Huss]

Let's see? New M-E with Leica new camera warranty plus sensor replacements or a used M240 with no warranty.

Sorry but I will take the new camera with the warranty!

I picked up a like new, demo, refurbished M240 with full Leica warranty after I sold my M-E.
Full warranty demo M240 for less than a new M-E. No brainer for me.

Bought it from Kenmore Camera.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Doing a bit of research, it seems like the M-E warranty from Leica is only 1 year, while the other CCD camera, the Monochrom, has a 2 year warranty. Am I reading that wrong? I'd be a little concerned that the M-E's sensor might go bad AFTER the first 12 months.

 

[adamjohari]

I don't see the discounts that u mentioned. Any links?

Thanks.

Adam

 

[Out to Lunch]

http://www.leica-store-berlin.de/de/details/kategorie/m-system/produkt/leica-m-e-1.html

M-E for Euro 3.800 including VAT + free shipping within Europe.

 

[Vobluda]

It is cheaper here in CZ at ca 3650 EUR and I do believe that if really interested price could be even better.

 

[robert blu]

As camera it could be interesting for me but afraid for that "sensor affair" I prefer to wait for when I could afford a 240 or ...
robert

 

[jsrockit]

Even with the discount, the camera is effectively 6 years old and it shows it technology wise. Especially now that used M9 prices are falling below $3000 US routinely, I could never buy a M-E new.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Many thanks for your honest appraisals and best advice. I'll give the M-E a pass and hold out on the Leica digital rangefinders a little longer.

 

[IdealCamera]

Many thanks for your honest appraisals and best advice. I'll give the M-E a pass and hold out on the Leica digital rangefinders a little longer.

The ME is a terrific camera. Had one for more than a year and a half and it's been the most fun I've had with a camera. Incredible resolution and unmatched colors. Always prefer it to my A7. In fact, I like it so much, half a year ago I got the Monochrom.

This hysteria over sensors is ludicrous. If it breaks, have it fixed. 4 weeks turn around and it's free. You get the camera to take gorgeous pics with it, not to fret over whether there are microbe droppings in the upper left corner.

 

[Huss]

This hysteria over sensors is ludicrous. If it breaks, have it fixed. 4 weeks turn around and it's free. You get the camera to take gorgeous pics with it, not to fret over whether there are microbe droppings in the upper left corner.

Mine took 4 months to fix, not 4 weeks. After owning it for only 8 months.
And that was before the initial announcement of the issue.

So, yeah, so much for fretting.