Leica M240 series battery scarcity

[splitimageview]

Parts: just try to find a new battery for a Leica M240. No third-party, and none available from Leica. I bought a used one from KEH. This is unforgiveable.

Check this out:

leica bp-scl2 battery | eBay

<p>Used but hold full charge. Original Leica batteries ð </p>

www.ebay.com

 

[JeffS7444]

Try ordering that battery as a service part from a Leica Store as per a Leica fan's blog post from a few months back. IIRC, his price for a new battery was <300 USD. They seem to dribble out in batches from time to time, perhaps a bit of supply management aimed at keeping those prices high.

But for me personally, I'm a DIYer and would want to explore re-celling the things, because inside is likely nothing more than a couple of off the shelf lithium cells plus a charge controller.

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, I've seen that reference. Apparently only 1 per person per serial number if ordering from parts, and long lead time.

But if they can sell batteries direct to consumer in this manner, why can they only support 2 independent Leica techs?

Why can't they simply enable the batteries to be ordered through their dealer network?

Leica being Leica. 🤡

 

[JeffS7444]

Yes, I've seen that reference. Apparently only 1 per person per serial number if ordering from parts, and long lead time.

But if they can sell batteries direct to consumer in this manner, why can they only support 2 independent Leica techs?

Why can't they simply enable the batteries to be ordered through their dealer network?

Leica being Leica. 🤡

I think of it as a little reminder from Leica that even the newest M10s are now around 5 years old, and they'd really like for owners of those older cameras to consider moving to the current models! And here, the limited production and exclusivity of the product can work against the camera owner in terms of no 3rd party alternatives and the more competitive pricing it brings. Compare this to offerings for Sony NP-FZ100-compatible batteries and you'll see what I mean. If anything, the latter are likely more difficult to clone because they incorporate more than a simple charge regulator.

 

[raydm6]

Startling contrast against 100-year old Barnacks that are still humming along…

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'm surprised that the Chinese have not reverse engineered the Leica battery and sell copies of it.
Sad that I can get Batteries for my M8 so easily, but not the much newer M240.
This is a cowardly way to render a perfectly usable camera as a paperweight.

 

[boojum]

I'm surprised that the Chinese have not reverse engineered the Leica battery and sell copies of it.
Sad that I can get Batteries for my M8 so easily, but not the much newer M240.
This is a cowardly way to render a perfectly usable camera as a paperweight.

I agree 100%. The Trolls of Leitz are worse under Herr Doktor Kaufmann. When the X2D came out it was a dollar competitor against the M10 or M11, whichever, What one received for the about equal sum of money was quite different. The M's cannot offer an image to compete with the X2D, they have no IBIS and they have noisier images. Color and IQ are better in the X2D. The size/weight difference is not that great unless one is backpacking up the Appalachian Trail.

In my pinheaded opinion the Trolls of Leitz are playing a short game. If they continue with treating customers like captive sheep they may well see the herd shrink. I bought a Q3 43 and while it is a pretty good camera the Trolls of Leitz are playing the battery game with it. The factory battery is $200. For a battery! OK, the aftermarket battery for the Q2, two of them with a charger, is less that $200. Granted it has less power but it works just fine. So you give up say 50 shots. No big deal. I do hope the Chinese come to market with a Q3 battery.

Over on the cult Leica-Forum board I mentioned aftermarket batteries and criticized the Leica repair service. I also had the temerity to suggest that the SOOC JPG's were for all practical purposes about as good as what one could summon up with computer software. The chants of "Burn the witch" started up pretty quickly. So there is a cultish core who will underwrite all the Leitz BS regardless. But I think more and more people are getting tired of what Herr Doktor Kaufmann has done. Let's face it, cameras are not what is keeping the lights on in Leitz. No pun in tended.

 

[splitimageview]

Sounds like a business opportunity. Should be fairly straightforward to emulate the factory battery circuit, then it’s just a matter of form factor.

Alternatively, refurbish the factory battery.

 

[boojum]

Sounds like a business opportunity. Should be fairly straightforward to emulate the factory battery circuit, then it’s just a matter of form factor.

Alternatively, refurbish the factory battery.

The refurbish is a solution. But that requires some understanding of LiIon batteries and how they work. Few of us have that. The best hope is for someone in the PRC to start cranking them out. I think PRC has covered it with the Q2 compatible battery which works in the Q3 as the Q family battery solution. The M240 battery situation is awful. And the Trolls of Leitz could end it in short order. But they do not. Leica digitals have become a consumer item. When it breaks throwing it away is becoming an option. I do not know if I will be in the market for another camera. I doubt it. But I would shop Sony pretty hard. The A7M III is pretty good. With the 24 - 240 it pretty much covers about all I need. With the 55 f/1.8 Zeiss I have it covered with that camera. Yeah, Leica is becoming bling.

 

[aw614]

The battery DRM sounds a lot like the maddness printer companies got away with ink replacements...jeez

 

[boojum]

In retrospect I might have been wise to go with the Sony A7CR. It has autofocus that is very good, it has IBIS that is very good, it has pixel-shift which offers a 240MB image and its color science is pretty good. And they have good customer support and the batteries are aftermarket cheap. The downside? Yeah, they cost half as much with a Sony 40mm lens and goodies package from B&H. I am used to having to eat the occasional shit sandwich but the steady diet from Leica has just gotten to the point that I am done. I am just not masochistic enough to keep on putting up with the sadistic capriciousness of the Trolls of Wetzlar. The Q3 43 is nice but repairs are a crap shoot. I wouldn't buy a car like that. Or a washer/dryer or TV or stereo or any other thing. No, Leica is just not that charming. Sony has the AF and the market uses their sensors. There you go. I have to see of the M-mount bayonets can work on Sony's. If there is one I will really be unhappy.

Later. E-mount lens so I can use the two A7M III lenses and with my A7 adapter for M-mount use all the M-mount lenses. Yeah, maybe I should have saved that $3,500 for black cigars, strong drink and loose women. Drat! My A7M III offers up really good images. The A7CR has an improved sensor. Noyes, what were you thinking?

 

[boojum]

Back to M240 batteries. I could order one for my camera. I have two now. But they do not last forever even though as honking large as they are they do not need recharging often. Why can't the Trolls of Wetzlar have a common battery, as does Sony? Leitz is as difficult and arrogant as Apple. And the Leica battery dilemma is sort of like a closed architecture system a la Apple. Yet Apple sells a lot of gear. They sell the sizzle not the steak.

 

[JeffS7444]

Strictly speaking, Leica isn't merely selling optics and cameras, they're selling "The Leica Experience", and they are correct in thinking it has considerable value to a select audience. Apparent shortages and wait times are classic strategies used in the luxury-products sector, because nothing makes a product seem so desirable as being told you can't have one (at least not without jumping through a few hoops) 😀

 

[hap]

Thanks for the Creator....as the batteries for a 240 generally last a long time.

 

[Miles.]

After seeing a few of these eBay listings I did a bit of research and made some calls. Here's what I learned:

1. For some reason that's not clear yet, this seems to be mostly a U.S. issue -- dealers in HK, London, and Germany have them readily available, and because of customs issues with lithium batteries, those dealers tend to not ship to the U.S.

2. A Leica rep in the U.S., who I trust, confirmed that more are on their way.

3. Leica has made no reference to discontinuing M240/M10 series batteries.

I'm sure this has been very frustrating for M240/M10 users but it seems this is not the battery apocalypse that many have suggested, and thank goodness for that!

 

[Godfrey]

I'm sure it's been very frustrating for Leica as well. Whatever the cause of the shortage, I'm sure it will be taken care of at some point, hopefully soon.

Remember: Leica wants to sell products, all kinds of products. And batteries are pretty essential.

G

 

[Freakscene]

After seeing a few of these eBay listings I did a bit of research and made some calls. Here's what I learned:

1. For some reason that's not clear yet, this seems to be mostly a U.S. issue -- dealers in HK, London, and Germany have them readily available, and because of customs issues with lithium batteries, those dealers tend to not ship to the U.S.

2. A Leica rep in the U.S., who I trust, confirmed that more are on their way.

3. Leica has made no reference to discontinuing M240/M10 series batteries.

I'm sure this has been very frustrating for M240/M10 users but it seems this is not the battery apocalypse that many have suggested, and thank goodness for that!

I have received various conflicting versions of yes/no/maybe from different people from Leica. I have also been told that Leica messed up some import paperwork for a large shipment of product to Australia and that large shipment is in import limbo somewhere. Frankly, I have heard enough contradictions that I am not sure that I believe any of them. I started hoarding BP-SCL5 batteries for my M10 as soon on as they showed signs of scarcity, and I think I have enough.

As long as you have a battery that still makes a circuit, the M11 can be powered externally using a battery and a USB-C cord. That is nice redundancy prevention.

 

[boojum]

Strictly speaking, Leica isn't merely selling optics and cameras, they're selling "The Leica Experience", and they are correct in thinking it has considerable value to a select audience. Apparent shortages and wait times are classic strategies used in the luxury-products sector, because nothing makes a product seem so desirable as being told you can't have one (at least not without jumping through a few hoops) 😀

For the rest of us who believe the camera is a tad better, all this folderol is a pain in the butt. It has soured me over the years to the point that I really find paying the extra money and putting up with the hassle is of little value. I can get good IQ and color with the A7M III. And there are improved Sonys. I really feel that the spell has broken.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have added my Pentax cameras and I know what a Nikon Z can do with my M & LTM lenses if my only 240 battery goes south.

I _like_ my Leica. But I've always known it's the last one I'll be able to afford to own. I'm not going to find an M10 to replace it for $275 like it's near contemporaneous then flagship from Pentax K-3 DSLR with barely 20k ticks on the shutter (and it uses the same batteries my other one does). And that's just the way it is.

 

[Godfrey]

I find all this hysteria and Leica bashing kind of absurd. Particularly as Leica is the only manufacturer of rangefinder cameras, both digital and film, left, and this is supposedly the "Rangefinder Forum". 🙄

Get a life.

I have five fine Leica cameras. I could use another BP-SCL5 for the two M10s, but I have three batteries between them and I've never been caught out for lack of power. I'll buy another battery when they become available again. I see no reason to disavow my dedication to Leica—as if I had one!—and have several (if not many) other fine film and digital cameras to use even if I did run out of battery power temporarily for the M10s.

I would never spend *all* my money on one expensive camera, no matter how good, and say "I'll never be able to afford another." That's just the high of dramatic nonsense, and makes no sense at all. If that's your situation, sell the Leica and buy two of any other quality camera so that you have backup and a good tool if anything untoward occurs.

The photographs I make are more important to me than *any* particular camera. 🚀

G