Leica Monochrom M246

[coelacanth]

I need some advice. I am currently a 100% film shooter in all formats up to 8x10. For street I shoot Leica and TLR. I have decided to replace 135 film with digital or at least supplement it with digital because I am attracted to high ISO capabilities. The Monochrom is the only digital camera that has any interest to me. Now that the CCD version is being replaced I need to make a decision whether to jump now or wait for the new model to fall a bit in price. I have shot with Canon digital a decade ago and hated the plastic skin so decided to stick with film. Exactly how common is the CCD corrosion problem? I can get a mint CCD Monochrom for $3k less than the new camera. Since I have had very little interest in digital until this decision I have not been following the CCD issue so please forgive me for asking this question.

I don't think I can give you exact number/percentage of corrosion problem, but I was debating about jumping on to the original Monochrom vs M246, and went for the original MM for much lower price, and coming from shooting Tri-X regularly, I don't need any better high ISO performance than the original MM. I've had 5 or 6 M9 based digital M including original black chrome MM, 3 M8 variants in the past, and none of them had corrosion issue. I do live in pretty dry NorCal though.

Since Leica said that they'll replace the sensor with corrosion problem regardless of the age (and likely keep offering trade-in option as well), I figured I can live with the chance of corrosion happening and dealing with it when it happens.

Just my $0.02.

That said, I'm very much interested in what M246 can do, and will consider when the used market price becomes "reasonable" (read: $4K range).

 

[Rayt]

Thanks for the replies. I will wait for the new version. I am sure there will be plenty of used Monochroms in the future. I had a broken Leica CM once and Leica said they can't fix it and instead offered a trade in deal for their crappiest rebadged digicam. I don't want to be in that same position when they run out of CCD replacement sensors and then offers peanuts for a Monochrom against list price for a new camera. I don't want to take the risk.

 

[mod2001]

when they run out of CCD replacement sensors

The sensor is still in production, next batch will be ready in July, current batch is sold out (guess who bought it?).

I still prefer the CCD MM over the new one, has imho much more 'character' than the CMOS stuff. It's like comparing Tri-X with T-Max. Also, the body is smaller and closer to the original M's, and for the saved money I can buy easily a Cron 28.

Yogi

 

[Vince Lupo]

I still prefer the CCD MM over the new one, has imho much more 'character' than the CMOS stuff. It's like comparing Tri-X with T-Max. Also, the body is smaller and closer to the original M's, and for the saved money I can buy easily a Cron 28.

Yogi

I'll let you guys know if the 'character' of the new MM is vastly different to the CCD MM when I make some prints. It may possibly be overblown by online chatter. We'll see!

 

[Dante_Stella]

I still prefer the CCD MM over the new one, has imho much more 'character' than the CMOS stuff.

Based on?

Dante

 

[Keith]

...I still prefer the CCD MM over the new one, has imho much more 'character' than the CMOS stuff. ...

Based on?

Dante

Seems a little early for such statements I think. The initial samples I saw from the CCD MM didn't impress me that much! As time went on and people got comfortable with post processing they came alive for me! 🙂

 

[mod2001]

...I still prefer the CCD MM over the new one, has imho much more 'character' than the CMOS stuff. ...

Seems a little early for such statements I think. The initial samples I saw from the CCD MM didn't impress me that much! As time went on and people got comfortable with post processing they came alive for me! 🙂

Ok...currently prefer the CCD MM over the new one...

Yogi

 

[Peter_S]

Well, I just saw Ragnar Axelsson's work with the Monochrom M246, and that is the first b&w work in awhile that impresses me. Sure a proof too that the photographer matters, but if samples of a new camera have ever impressed me - then those of him have
(and I am biased towards film and his previous work).

 

[mcfingon]

Steve Huff has got one too, and early samples look good (including one with humble J8 FSU lens):
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2015/05/18/new-leica-monochrom-typ-246-1st-look-video-samples/

 

[seakayaker1]

Thanks for the replies. I will wait for the new version. I am sure there will be plenty of used Monochroms in the future. I had a broken Leica CM once and Leica said they can't fix it and instead offered a trade in deal for their crappiest rebadged digicam. I don't want to be in that same position when they run out of CCD replacement sensors and then offers peanuts for a Monochrom against list price for a new camera. I don't want to take the risk.

..... I replaced my M9 with a corroded sensor with the M-P 240, the credit offered to move from the M9 to the M-P 240 was 67% of what I paid for a used M9 that I owned for 4+ years. I found that to be good value for a used 4 year old camera. I did have the option of waiting for a new sensor.

I recently picked up the original version of the monochrome with the 2 year warranty at a great price and once again found great value. There are a lot of current MM owners who love the original version and have not had any problems. If a problem occurs in the future, I have confidence that Leica will stand by their Sensor replacement program or offer a compatible upgrade path.

 

[mdg137]

IN hand, just delivered.

 

[airfrogusmc]

SWEEEEET Congrats

 

[mdg137]

SWEEEEET Congrats

Credit to Tamarkin. I called them months ago when the rumors first started, and asked to be put on the pre-order list. Their response was that there wasn't even a list yet--

 

[airfrogusmc]

Here in Chicago?

 

[Godfrey]

IN hand, just delivered.

Ah, stark and simple ... Just like the M-P. Enjoy it!

G

 

[mdg137]

Here in Chicago?

Not sure if you're asking about Tamarkin, or me-- they're in Chicago, I'm in Detroit.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Yes that's why I thought that you might be a Chicagoan. Anyway CONGRATS....

 

[Vince Lupo]

The big screw on its forehead is my favourite 🙂

BTW Here's an interesting comparison between an M4-P body and the new Monochrom 246:

M4-P -- 18.65 oz, 31mm deep (baseplate), 137mm long, 76mm high, instruction manual 31 pages.

Monochrom 246 -- 26.10 oz, 36mm deep (baseplate), 137mm long, 80mm high, instruction manual 124 pages per language.

So the Monochrom 246 is 7.45 oz heavier, 5mm deeper, same length, 4mm higher, and 93 more pages to read!

 

[airfrogusmc]

The big screw on its forehead is my favourite 🙂

BTW Here's an interesting comparison between an M4-P body and the new Monochrom 246:

M4-P -- 18.65 oz, 31mm deep (baseplate), 137mm long, 76mm high, instruction manual 31 pages.

Monochrom 246 -- 26.10 oz, 36mm deep (baseplate), 137mm long, 80mm high, instruction manual 124 pages per language.

So the Monochrom 246 is 7.45 oz heavier, 5mm deeper, same length, 4mm higher, and 93 more pages to read!

So New Mexico soon?

 

[Vince Lupo]

No gotta wait until next February (I'm a workin' stiff right now, dontcha know). Two weeks then though - for my 50th birthday.

Maybe Corfu later this year, but I don't think that will be a 'Monochrom' trip.