M-E (typ240)

[Emile de Leon]

Will this be a sell out...as in...all 750 sold..
Or like the old M-E...languishing in dealers stockrooms unsold..
And if/or..after 750 sold..
Will M240 prices recover..?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Will this be a sell out...as in...all 750 sold..
... And if/or..after 750 sold.. Will M240 prices recover..?

The M-E 240 is a better camera when compared to the M240, so YES and NO (the, although limited, used M-E 240 cameras will ensure this).

 

[Out to Lunch]

Apart from a mention in a non-Leica blog, has anyone been able to confirm that only 750 cameras exist? I find it all rather unbelievable. Why would any company produce an entry level camera with a cap of 750 units...it doesn't make sense.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Apart from a mention in a non-Leica blog, has anyone been able to confirm that only 750 cameras exist? I find it all rather unbelievable. Why would any company produce an entry level camera with a cap of 750 units...it doesn't make sense.

Dump remaining parts..
Prelude to an M250..

And..cant say for certain..but with the gun metal finish..sometimes thats a tactic to clear out cosmetically challenged left over metal parts..
Coat em in a rusticated grey finish..covers up problems..
Hence the low price..


As this is exactly what the Gretsch drum company did with their defective metal parts back in the 90's..
Cant say for certain though..just speculating here..

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... has anyone been able to confirm that only 750 cameras exist? ... Why would any company produce an entry level camera with a cap of 750 units...it doesn't make sense.

Yes, I've confirmed this from at least two reliable sources close to Leica. It makes plenty of sense because they're using the model as an opportunity to blow out excess M240 parts.

 

[benlees]

Dump remaining parts..
Prelude to an M250..

And..cant say for certain..but with the gun metal finish..sometimes thats a tactic to clear out cosmetically challenged left over metal parts..
Coat em in a rusticated grey finish..covers up problems..
Hence the low price..


As this is exactly what the Gretsch drum company did with their defective metal parts back in the 90's..
Cant say for certain though..just speculating here..

Standard procedure for many companies, especially guitar companies. If your guitar has a solid colour finish... then... Rickenbacker, Fender, Gibson have done this since the beginning.


More troubling is if this is a blowout of parts then what will be left over to service the 240 in the future?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Standard procedure for many companies, especially guitar companies. If your guitar has a solid colour finish... then... Rickenbacker, Fender, Gibson have done this since the beginning.


More troubling is if this is a blowout of parts then what will be left over to service the 240 in the future?

I doubt Leica makes many parts and components by themselves.
"Bended fenders", maybe. But not electronics, shutters and sensors.

 

[benlees]

I doubt Leica makes many parts and components by themselves.
"Bended fenders", maybe. But not electronics, shutters and sensors.

My comment referred to the previous poster comments regarding covers. The guitar companies still put good electrics in 'em, whether they come back for black or show some nice grain.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

My comment referred to the previous poster comments regarding covers. The guitar companies still put good electrics in 'em, whether they come back for black or show some nice grain.

I'm not aware of guitar been stamped. Prince guitar with lights was 3D printed, but even this wasn't cheep. Are guitars you have listed are getting just molded or hand made? If later, then I understand thier practice you described.
But masking defects on stamped metal top and bottom plates.
Common, it cost so little once you have stamp itself....

 

[jsrockit]

🙄 OK.


If I want new, in the fancy Leica box and with fancy new camera registration digital M body for as low as possible price?
Which body I'll get?

"Very old camera for..." is not the argument with Leica. It is never been an argument.

M8 used costs more than "very old" new back then A7 and "very old" A7 mark something. Used "very old" M8 still close to the "who still needs it?" new Xpro2 and "already forgotten" new RF.

In 2016 I had choice which body to get for $3000, I was able to find original new M-E (due to exchange rate). It is 2019 and I'm happy every time I hold it in my hands. I had many cameras in my hands and I didn't have motion to own and use them. All of those X, Z, R and Whatelse are only new then they are reviewed by first time in DPR. But once they are in the stores, they are nothing but "yesterday". Just like any "new" hondyota.

I think you missed my point. $4,000 bargain was the point. If $4000 is truly a bargain to someone, surely they can go all out for a M10. I get it though if you want a Leica, only a Leica will do. I’ve been there and done it. I’ve moved on.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I think you missed my point. $4,000 bargain was the point. If $4000 is truly a bargain to someone, surely they can go all out for a M10.

M10 is 7295 USD, M-E MKII is next to twice less. You missed the point. 🙂 It is like saying "if Tesla E is 40K USD, you could go for 75K USD Tesla X". It is just some monthly numbers in the CCS. Right?

 

[jsrockit]

M10 is 7295 USD, M-E MKII is next to twice less. You missed the point. 🙂 It is like saying "if Tesla E is 40K USD, you could go for 75K USD Tesla X". It is all just some monthly numbers in the CCS. Right?

I’m not going to argue. I get what you are saying while still holding to my opinion. I just find Leica to be a money pit for me.

 

[Bingley]

I have not heard that the M240 series has had a lot of problems, unlike the M8 and M9, so the "money pit" issue may have changed. The other thread on the reliability of the M240 line seems to bear that out. Of course, you never know with a digital camera what could go wrong, but that's what a warranty is for.

Having a digital camera that allows me to use all my Leica M mount and LTM lenses at their intended focal lengths (i.e., a "full frame" digital camera), and that is weather sealed, seems like a gamble I'd be willing to take for $4000, but not for $8000. The cost of getting color film developed and scanned is going up all the time, so if the new M-E is as reliable as the M240 line has been, the cost of shooting color will pay for itself over time. And the results I've seen from the CMOS sensor in the M240 line look pretty darn good for bw as well as color. I prefer the rangefinder form of camera to the Sony A7 series so Sony was never an option for me. At $4000 with a warranty, the new M-E is the first digital M camera that interested me, and I've put my order in... We'll see. I may be back here crying in my beer over this extravagant purchase... but it may work out too. Fingers crossed.

 

[Mcary]

Have no interest in shooting video so I'm see how the release of the 240 ME effects the used M262 market/price before deciding whither to upgrade from the M9 to the M262 or to just hold off a couple more years until the price for an M10 drops to what I'm comfortable with spending.

 

[jsrockit]

I have not heard that the M240 series has had a lot of problems, unlike the M8 and M9, so the "money pit" issue may have changed.

My comment was not in regard to quality...(I like Leica) but in regard to how much money I spent on Leica cameras and lenses when I used it. Now that I've moved on, I'm happy and have more cash in the bank. 😉

 

[Gadfly21]

This might not be the best deal on the market, but for a new M it sure feels like one (but that is the heart talking louder than the head). Pragmatically, considering that M6's go for $2k body only, M-A's and M-P's are $4500 new, and used M240-P's go for $3300, this seems like a fairly reasonable price to me. Rumor is the rangefinder mechanism alone costs a few grand is the major cost in producing these cameras.



I do also happen to like the simple and unpretentious grey finish, so that is only a plus.



I drive a cheap Honda that costs around the same as this camera, and I bet I look silly pulling into the parking lot of a Leica store, but that is fine with me 🙂


So yes, I placed my order. I wonder how long the wait list already is. I imagine this is going to be pretty popular with the younger crowd. I can't wait.

 

[Bingley]

My Leica M-E 240 arrived today. Charging the battery now.... Will post photos of the camera and by the camera soon...

Question: what’s the workaround if you want to use LTM lenses on an M 240 with the usual adapter? Obviously, the LTM to M mount adapters are not coded...

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... Question: what’s the workaround if you want to use LTM lenses on an M 240 with the usual adapter? Obviously, the LTM to M mount adapters are not coded...

LTM to M adapters milled for 6-bit coding can be purchased on eBay for around $20.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6-Bit-...=283434824762c5131e6ddf634aed87b0873515dc8570

 

[dourbalistar]

LTM to M adapters milled for 6-bit coding can be purchased on eBay for around $20.

B&H also sells at least two different L39 to M adapters that can be 6-bit coded.

I don't have a digital M, but I have a few of these Fotodiox Pro adapters. They work fine on my M5:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1238916-REG/fotodiox_l39_lm_50_75_p_leica_m39_lens_to.html

This Metabones adapter has the cutout for lenses with an infinity lock close to the mount:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...es_mb_l39_m_50_75_l39_mount_50_75mm_lens.html

 

[Bingley]

Bill and dourbalister, Thanks very much! As you might have guessed this is my first Leica M digital camera so the world of six bit coding is a bit foreign to me.