Most reliable digital M

[presspass]

I have an early production M8 that has been basically problem-free since new. Now I'm ready to add another digital M, but the repeated complaints on this and other forums has me concerned. Aside from anecdotal complaints, has anyone managed to determine which digital M (8, 9, ME, M240) is the most reliable.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's like asking for the most reliable pair of dice to roll snake eyes 😛

Just Kidding.. The M240 mkes the most sense. It has the most modern engineering and build techniques to date.

 

[Calzone]

It's like asking for the most reliable pair of dice to roll snake eyes 😛

Just Kidding.. The M240 mkes the most sense. It has the most modern engineering and build techniques to date.

Andy,

I disagree. I say the Monochrom because it is the least complicated and is simplier.

In another post I mention that my MM is about two years old, but it is displaying heavy wear from use. It now has a patina on the top plate and because I use a grip the vulcanite is getting smoother and worn away.

Cal

 

[jaapv]

The Monochrom is not really simpler than the M9. And I suspect the electronics on the 240 are more integrated. At any rate the M240 has the most reliable and shock-resistant viewfinder.

 

[Kwesi]

I have an early production M8 that has been basically problem-free since new. Now I'm ready to add another digital M, but the repeated complaints on this and other forums has me concerned. Aside from anecdotal complaints, has anyone managed to determine which digital M (8, 9, ME, M240) is the most reliable.

I think only Leica Service can give you a non- anecdotal answer. Have you tried asking them?
Although I have and love my M9-P, my gut says go for the M240

 

[furcafe]

Having owned the M8, M9, & M 240, I would say the M 240 is the most reliable in use (maybe not if I used the 240's live view or EVF more often). As far as defects from the factory, only my M9 didn't need service. The M8 had to go back to the fatherland right out of the box for faulty AE/electronics & the control wheel needed to be replaced after 2 years. The 240 was recalled for the strap lug problem (not sure if anything actually needed to be replaced/repaired), but has presented no mechanical problems.

 

[aeturnum]

The M9 / MM / M-E is certainly the camera Leica is most familiar with repairing. However, any lessons they learned in making the M9 line of cameras would have been applied to the design of the M240. I expect it will need fewer repairs than the M9 line, but the quality of service on M240s may be somewhat lower due to the learning curve.

 

[Clark.EE]

Not the M8 or M9 for me.
Problems with both.
Big enough problems to move away from Leica to Fuji.
But I still have not found my ideal Camera.

 

[presspass]

Just an update. The MM is not in the running; if I want dedicated black and white, I shoot film. The only reason for a digital M is to accompany the film cameras so I can use the same lenses and not carry two kits. I already have a DSLR Canon kit that I use for work and when I know I'm going to be shooting sports, etc. Sorry for the early confusion.

 

[x-ray]

Not the M8 or M9 for me.
Problems with both.
Big enough problems to move away from Leica to Fuji.
But I still have not found my ideal Camera.

Fortunately I didn't have a m8 but my M9 convinced me never to buy a Leica digital product again.

 

[VertovSvilova]

my M9 convinced me never to buy a Leica digital product again.

Same here. I'm sticking with mechanical film Leica (and mechanical Leica lenses) only. Too many issues with the M9. And also for the M-E and Monochrom since they are basically the same cameras with the same electronics.

But I'd venture to say that the M240 is probably more reliable overall. And each new digital M should be getting better as Leica learns its way in the electronic photography era. But having owned other German products besides cameras, electronics seem to be their Achilles heel (e.g., German cars versus Japanese cars in respect to reliability.) German mechanical stuff is great however.

 

[Kwesi]

I have an early production M8 that has been basically problem-free since new. Now I'm ready to add another digital M, but the repeated complaints on this and other forums has me concerned. Aside from anecdotal complaints, has anyone managed to determine which digital M (8, 9, ME, M240) is the most reliable.

Forums are where people go to complain - and sometimes gush about their cameras. For the most part its a great place to moan about how you've been wronged.
Go with your instinct, experience and wallet on this.

 

[jaapv]

Same here. I'm sticking with mechanical film Leica (and mechanical Leica lenses) only. Too many issues with the M9. And also for the M-E and Monochrom since they are basically the same cameras with the same electronics.

But I'd venture to say that the M240 is probably more reliable overall. And each new digital M should be getting better as Leica learns its way in the electronic photography era. But having owned other German products besides cameras, electronics seem to be their Achilles heel (e.g., German cars versus Japanese cars in respect to reliability.) German mechanical stuff is great however.

I have a Mitsubishi Don't get me started. This myth is so far from the truth....

 

[VertovSvilova]

I have a Mitsubishi Don't get me started. This myth is so far from the truth....

It's not a "myth" and I don't think it's far from the truth. There is certainly verified data (Consumer Reports, JD Powers, and many car magazines, etc..) which report that the main issues with modern German autos are electronic bugs. I think there's a reason that Japanese autos overall have a record of higher reliability.

I much prefer German autos for the sheer pleasure of driving them. But they do seem to need more attention and quirky electronic issues are not uncommon. That you have had an issue with a Mitsubishi doesn't mean that it's all a myth. It means that Mitsubishi isn't up to standards of other Japanese makers (and that is pretty well known if you check Mitsubishi reliability over the years. It's not a brand I'd personally recommend as an example of Japanese build quality.) But still, the statistics do place Japanese built cars as more reliable in general compared to US or European made autos. Pool all the data and I think that's why the general consensus is that Japanese cars are the most reliable on average.

That all said, my 18 year-old German car has been incredibly reliable. But then again it's also not laden down with lots of electronics (except for the immobilizer module that is a PITA and something Porsche should have never implemented 😡)

I'll also say that modern German cars are getting a lot better now than in the past when they were first implementing lots of electronics. And I feel that it's the same with Leica. They are relatively new to the game of digital but are definitely getting better with each new model.

 

[shadowfox]

I'm surprised to read a lot of problems with these expensive cameras.

My M4-P is *the* most problem-free camera I ever owned (and I used it a lot).

What happened to the reliability when it comes to these digital ones?

 

[Pablito]

If you consider digital M equipment to be built to professional standards, then surely their reliability has been shown to be well below that of the professional Nikon or Canon DSLRs. I have many friends and colleagues who have owned them - nobody reports trouble free use. Only you can judge if the risk is worth it to you.

 

[jaapv]

So I'm not your friend?😛

 

[jaapv]

It's not a "myth" and I don't think it's far from the truth. There is certainly verified data (Consumer Reports, JD Powers, and many car magazines, etc..) which report that the main issues with modern German autos are electronic bugs. I think there's a reason that Japanese autos overall have a record of higher reliability.

I much prefer German autos for the sheer pleasure of driving them. But they do seem to need more attention and quirky electronic issues are not uncommon. That you have had an issue with a Mitsubishi doesn't mean that it's all a myth. It means that Mitsubishi isn't up to standards of other Japanese makers (and that is pretty well known if you check Mitsubishi reliability over the years. It's not a brand I'd personally recommend as an example of Japanese build quality.) But still, the statistics do place Japanese built cars as more reliable in general compared to US or European made autos. Pool all the data and I think that's why the general consensus is that Japanese cars are the most reliable on average.

That all said, my 18 year-old German car has been incredibly reliable. But then again it's also not laden down with lots of electronics (except for the immobilizer module that is a PITA and something Porsche should have never implemented 😡)

I'll also say that modern German cars are getting a lot better now than in the past when they were first implementing lots of electronics. And I feel that it's the same with Leica. They are relatively new to the game of digital but are definitely getting better with each new model.

Wel,, the firmware of my Japanese car has tenfold the bugs that my Jaguar had, and that is not even German....

 

[Pioneer]

If I had to choose a digital camera on reliability I would go with Canon. My 5D has been chugging along faithfully since I got it for my birthday in March 06. I don't use it quite as much now, and it looks very rough, but it still hasn't stuttered once.

Though I can't yet give it as big a vote of confidence, my M9 was purchased lightly used in Sept 2012, so it is celebrating two years problem free.

I hope it continues like this because I intended to keep it until it died when I bought it. Then I intended to have Leica fix it and keep on shooting for as long as it would live. Should be good for at least 20 years before the dreaded lead (EDIT: tin) whiskers get it. 🙂

 

[maddoc]

Manufacturing electronic parts is a global game, nobody (except for the manufacturer of course) really knows where the core parts are made, where further assembled, and where tested before being integrated into the final product.

Leica Camera AG had problems from the beginning when they started to integrate electronic components into their cameras, c.f. the problems with early M6 light-meter circuits, M6TTL battery draining problems, M8 sensors etc.

German industry was always focused on the mechanical engineering part, Japan and later Korea focused from the beginning onto small integrated electronics as a supplement for complicated and difficult to manufacture mechanical solutions.