M240: Current Price vs Reliability

[bayernfan]

It seems M240 prices are still declining. When they dip below $2300, I'm seriously considering the purchase of one from a reputable dealer.

A question to those that have used/owned an M240 over an extended period of time: Is the camera a smart purchase at that price, or am I setting myself up with a reliability/repair disaster?

Your feedback is helpful!

 

[Mackinaw]

I bought my M240 (used) back in 2014. It's worked flawlessly over the past five years. All kind of weather too, winter cold to summer heat. So, no complaints from me. It's my go-to digital camera.

Jim B.

 

[vladimir]

Ultimately your choice, but I would stay away from any ageing Leica bodies, rangefinders especially. If you have any M mount lenses and want to use them get yourself a Fujifilm X-T3 and a Fujifilm M to X mount adapter. I’ve had bad experience with M9 and M9P, M 240 was trouble free, but I sold it after using it for 2 years to finance SL. The SL has been a trouble free after two years of usage. For travel and walk around I use X-T3.

 

[ktmrider]

Have a MP240 which I purchased used about 14 months ago. It is my only digital and has worked fine. I have no desire to upgrade to an M10. I would recommend a purchase.

 

[Rob-F]

I don't have an M240, but several here at RFF who have had an M240 call it their workhorse camera, free of problems.

 

[bayernfan]

poll added for those that want to cast their vote. thanks for the feedback so far, gents.

 

[d_c]

I've not heard of any inherent issues with the M240, such as M9 owners have had to contend with regarding sensor decay, so I would say that it is definately worth considering. If it was me I would probably only be looking at newer examples though and I would keep in mind the cost of an additional battery.

 

[raid]

The M240 is in my opinion a great bargain for what you get. This camera works well and is very capable. The only negative aspect that is worthy mentioning is its size and weight. It is like the M5 of digital Leica cameras. You get used to it.

 

[shawn]

I've not heard of any inherent issues with the M240, such as M9 owners have had to contend with regarding sensor decay, so I would say that it is definately worth considering. If it was me I would probably only be looking at newer examples though and I would keep in mind the cost of an additional battery.

When I bought my m240 used it came with a spare. The cost of replacement batteries is expensive (no aftermarket versions) but at the same time the need for spare batteries is much lower on the m240. If you are using the RF and not chimping a lot it will easily go over a 1000 shots on a charge. I go weeks without changing/charging a battery.

As a price point I bought mine in August for $2600 in great shape with all the original boxes, spare battery, EVF and a ThumbsUp grip.

Shawn

 

[Out to Lunch]

A yesteryear camera but if you want the digital rangefinder experience, go for it. Money/performance wise, it is, in my honest opinion a bad investment. There are many more versatile cameras available today. If you are invested in M-mount lenses, just buy the appropriate converter.

 

[Godfrey]

Ignore all the tripe about adapting lenses. While many of the fly by night camera-du-jour options like Sony and Fuji can be used, nothing uses M-mount lenses as well as a Leica M camera, and the imaging results with my M-P 240 blew away the results with my Sony A7 so resoundingly I sold the Sony immediately. It's not about the stupid specifications, it's about the imaging.

I have had exactly zero problems with either the M-P 240 or M-D 262. Zero. The Sony locked up about twice a week... Piece of crapola.

G

 

[raid]

I don't own any "crapola cameras", so I cannot judge non-Leica cameras. It makes sense that a Leica digital camera works best with Leica lenses.

 

[Luke_Miller]

Mine has performed flawlessly. IMO It was Leica's attempt to create a system camera and it has features that are not in the M10. With the M10 Leica returned to trying to create a digital body that was the same thickness as the film bodies. Going thin required some compromises. Some of those compromises are loss of video, the ability to host the Multi-Function Grip which adds the ability to connect a TTL flash while using the EVF, and smaller battery with worse battery performance. I have not moved to the M10 due to its improvements (better rangefinder, EVF, and ISO performance) not being sufficiently important to me. I may move to the M10-P to get its new shutter.

Regarding M lenses and adapters - if you like wides the M offers the best image quality at the edges/corners. Better even than the SL, but not dramatically so. With other mirrorless bodies performance suffers until you get to normal focal lengths.

 

[Ted Striker]

Ultimately your choice, but I would stay away from any ageing Leica bodies, rangefinders especially. If you have any M mount lenses and want to use them get yourself a Fujifilm X-T3 and a Fujifilm M to X mount adapter. I’ve had bad experience with M9 and M9P, M 240 was trouble free, but I sold it after using it for 2 years to finance SL. The SL has been a trouble free after two years of usage. For travel and walk around I use X-T3.

Taking FF lenses from Leica and putting them on a crop camera radically changes their presentation. I would never, ever do that. I'd but the much cheaper APS-C lenses. Using Leica lenses on a Fuji camera just wastes their amazing corner performances.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Huff and Puff.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Taking FF lenses from Leica and putting them on a crop camera radically changes their presentation. I would never, ever do that. I'd but the much cheaper APS-C lenses. Using Leica lenses on a Fuji camera just wastes their amazing corner performances.

Agree. IMHO. Normal lenses on crop sensors is so yesterday from previous century 🙂.
And RF lenses on EVF cameras is gimmicky.

 

[bayernfan]

Ignore all the tripe about adapting lenses. While many of the fly by night camera-du-jour options like Sony and Fuji can be used, nothing uses M-mount lenses as well as a Leica M camera, and the imaging results with my M-P 240 blew away the results with my Sony A7 so resoundingly I sold the Sony immediately. It's not about the stupid specifications, it's about the imaging.

I have had exactly zero problems with either the M-P 240 or M-D 262. Zero. The Sony locked up about twice a week... Piece of crapola.

G

Yes, I've been down the adapted road as well. Did not enjoy the experience. Told myself the only way I'll use M lenses on digital is on a digital M. Plus, I strongly dislike EVFs and rear screens.

 

[Huss]

A yesteryear camera but if you want the digital rangefinder experience, go for it. Money/performance wise, it is, in my honest opinion a bad investment. There are many more versatile cameras available today. If you are invested in M-mount lenses, just buy the appropriate converter.

Wrong. I recently bought a Nikon Z7 with adapters and my Leica M lenses give much better results on my M240.

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I just bought a used M262 and so far I'm VERY happy with it. Not being able or wanting to buy new, I had to purchase used. But if you can find the right camera at the right price, I say go for it! I should say I was resistant to buy an M9 due to sensor/age considerations, but didn't have any real concerns with the M240/M262 in the same sense.

 

[Emile de Leon]

New M240 is 20% off now..
Wonder when they will come out with a new M250..