JeffS7444
Well-known
Best to also ensure that new batteries can still be had, or explore the possibility of rebuilding existing ones: In a recent blog posting, Kirk Tuck mentioned that M240 batteries are now being sold as service parts.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I still like and use my M9. One of my absolute favorite cameras. Just sayin'
Godfrey
somewhat colored
If I still had mine, I'd have no problems using an M9. But I personally wouldn't buy one now ... I'd save a bit more and buy an M typ 240 at least. I never saw much special about the M8 or M9 raw captures, and thoroughly disliked the M9 in-camera JPEG engine: its color rendering simply didn't appeal to me at all. (I almost never turn on JPEG output on any camera I use, btw. A waste of time and space for my purposes.)
If I were going to buy any older digital M model than what I have now, the one I'd pay a premium for is the M-D typ 262. I regret selling that one.
That's my opinion. I don't say it's the right thing for you, but it's how I feel about it.
G
If I were going to buy any older digital M model than what I have now, the one I'd pay a premium for is the M-D typ 262. I regret selling that one.
That's my opinion. I don't say it's the right thing for you, but it's how I feel about it.
G
It is easier to find batteries for the M8, M9, and M Monochrom- lots of third party batteries available. The M240- no third party batteries.
Richard G
Veteran
I bought three new M9 batteries from Leica a couple of years ago. Clearly marked made in China. One failed early. I have four in rotation for two cameras. I’ve also had to replace both original chargers. Any suggestions on a good third party supplier of battery and charger?
yossi
Well-known
I am using this third party quick charger - NITECORE ULM9. Very efficient and reliable charger.
You can get it at eBay for about $70 plus shipping.
Dual USB Battery Charger for LEICA BM8 M8 M8 M8.2 M9 ME M-E 14464 BLI-312 Camera | eBay
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I just bought this one. I have the same charger for my M240, and it works well.
I bought two new Leica branded M9 batteries for a premium from B&H in 2022. One of them runs itself down to 0% when left for a while. I routinely charge it. The catch: at 0% the Leica charger would not charge it as the Smart Circuit was off, my guess. I put it in my third-party charger for a few minutes. Then I could use the Leica charger to bring it to full power. It was so checp- it came free with two third-party batteries.
Richard G
Veteran
Thanks guys. Maybe my dud battery can be brought to life with one of those.
Roastchestnuts
Established
its a good call on the batteries. I had not really though about that. I do see in searching lots of aftermarket m8.2,m9 batterys but not a lot for the m240 series. this is kinda snobby but I hate the look of the bigger red dot on the m240 and accross all the m240 bodys I hated that evf connector thought it was an easy place for crud to get in. I had a mp-240 in black and actually really loved it sans the evf connector. I taped over mine.
my mind has not been made up yet and in-fact I have made it worse for me. I have added possibly a m262 in the mix as possible buys. I actually liked those thicker leica digital bodys. and the battery life was crazy good. It rarely got charged. The 262 does take away all the crap I never used like the evf and video. my only qualms with the 262 is no frame-line switch, led framelines, and the aluminum top plate. I can get passed that for a good price though.
I cant afford a m-d 262. I always loved those though.
any thoughts on the m262?
I am going to purchase somthing soonish.
On the M240: I use the Hot Shoe cover that came with my Olympus, and serves as a cap for the EVF connector. The EVF is perfect for testing and calibrating lenses, so I really like it.
I would never turn down any Leica camera! But- between the M240 and M262, the latter would not serve me as well. I have the M9, M8, and M Monochrom and use all of them.
I would never turn down any Leica camera! But- between the M240 and M262, the latter would not serve me as well. I have the M9, M8, and M Monochrom and use all of them.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The typ 262 sensor is a minor improvement on the typ 240 sensor so if the other capabilities of the M240 are not interesting to you, sure: the M262 is a very good camera. Stripped to its absolute basics in the M-D 262 (no menus, no JPEGs, no LCD, just raw files), it was in its ways my perfect conception of a digital Leica M ... "my M4-2 with a digital sensor rather than film."
Sheesh ... I should hunt for another. Maybe next year. LOL!
Good luck with whatever you end up with! They are all good cameras.
G
Sheesh ... I should hunt for another. Maybe next year. LOL!
Good luck with whatever you end up with! They are all good cameras.
G
Roastchestnuts
Established
yeah I go back and forth. I like the fresnel frame line illuminator of the m9 and m8. (I loved it in use too) unique to digital m. yeah the live view for lens callibration is actaully pretty good.
My whole reason for buying another digital m is to stop shooting film as much. I thought the hasselblad cfv would do that for me but it kinda sucked on the 500cm . It did work really well on the SWC cameras But you loose any sort of framing for the smaller sensor. the 50c model was not very good with native lenses either. just a little too unrelable and finicky to get focus.
I will be sure to let everyone know what I end up with. I think I rulled out the m8.2 at lest just because of the crop. I like seeing vingetting on vintage glass. One of my favorite lenses I use digitally is my nikkor 5cm f1.4 with amadeo adapter. Its just fantastic and dreamy. its like a poor mans summarit 50 f1.5.
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"Poor Man's Summarit 50/1.5"... When RFF was new, the Summarit went for under $200 and the Nikkor-SC 5cm F1.4 in LTM went for about the same.
Glad I bought way back when.
Glad I bought way back when.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Hmm. I installed the CFV 50c focusing screen into both of my Hasselblad 500CM bodies. It has scribed markings for the CFV format (both full and square) and the focusing screen surface seems to have better 'tooth' to help more accurate focus too. Having that makes using the digital back on the V body easy. Never noticed any problem with the V lenses on the CFVII 50c sensor either ... They're not tuned for the same kind of optical crispness that the XCD lenses are, but they produce beautiful results.
netted
Orchid Triple Blossom - Santa Clara 2023
Again, good luck with whatever you decide upon!
G
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I obtained one of the new "Heliar Classic 50mm f/1.5 VM" lenses recently. It's a lovely, and moderately inexpensive, lens with very classic rendering behavior. Reminds me of a 50mm version of my 1972 Summilux 35mm f/1.4 in many ways.
Of course, "inexpensive" in 2024 terms is a hugely different concept from what it was 20 years ago.
G
$95 for an LTM Nikkor 5cm f1.4 and $135 for a Summarit- even 20 years ago considered inexpensive.
And the $70 Collapsible Summicron. Those were the days.
And the $70 Collapsible Summicron. Those were the days.
Roastchestnuts
Established
haha true story. I bought a m6 back in 2008 for 600$ and I feel like remembering that was expensive back then. I sold that same camera for 1800 before covid and feel like i should have waited. I also had a leicavit black chrome that I sold for 500 and I should have kept that one......
Roastchestnuts
Established
I just didnt like it in practice to be honest. I found myself most of the time just using a regular film back. I also have that same screen in my 500cm. bought it from bh when they still had them. focus was not my problem it was the weight and a few other things i did not like. I think I would sell almost all my camera equipment if they came out with a 6x6 sensor in the 907 series.Hmm. I installed the CFV 50c focusing screen into both of my Hasselblad 500CM bodies. It has scribed markings for the CFV format (both full and square) and the focusing screen surface seems to have better 'tooth' to help more accurate focus too. Having that makes using the digital back on the V body easy. Never noticed any problem with the V lenses on the CFVII 50c sensor either ... They're not tuned for the same kind of optical crispness that the XCD lenses are, but they produce beautiful results.
netted
Orchid Triple Blossom - Santa Clara 2023
Again, good luck with whatever you decide upon!
G
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JeffS7444
Well-known
Sometimes prices rise, and sometimes they fall: I recall ~20 years ago that Nikon SP prices were much higher than they are today, while Leica 3G, M2, M3 and M4 look about the same in terms of $, but when you factor in inflation, they almost, but not quite, begin to seem like bargains.
Roastchestnuts
Established
Nikon Rangfinders seem to fluctuate a-lot. not a great investment but they are fantastic cameras. I have a s3 2000 and my 3.5cm f1.8 that I traded a leica lens for along with a few other things from a forum member. the nikkor 3.5cm f1.8 is my favorite lens I have ever owned. I wish I could adapt it to a digital M a little easer. I have a 3.5cm f2.5 that I will use on a digital m when I get another.