Most reliable digital M

[uhoh7]

I can say the M9 is much tougher built than the Sony A7, and I would trust it as much as as a single digital machine can be trusted.

M9s have been in the wars, to antartica, and many wild places. They've been dropped and generally beat up.

When one does go down, you tend to hear about it, so there is some impression "it's not reliable"

so far, not my experience.

Even the freezes, which I used to often get, are now a thing of the past. I found some memory cards it likes, and I know when to let it "catch up". Haven't need to remove battery as a "reset" for months and thousands of frames.

I don't baby it much:

L1019234 by unoh7,

 

[john_s]

...... 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.

Could not agree more! My experience (two unfixable Rolleis with non-functioning meters, a Gaggenau double wall oven with no parts available in the world, a VW with multiple "sensor failures" but I'd have to admit that the SAAB was much, much worse and it's not German of course).

But I do have a Ricoh GR1v with unfixable display without which it's impossible to know what mode it's in, and unfixable Stax electrostatic headphones too (both Japanese).

My VW service manger at the official distributor told me that if I want a reliable car to buy a Honda or imported Toyota. Honda is my next car as Toyota have had a few too many recalls lately.

I cherish my two film Leica M6, one rather old and second hand, but I wouldn't touch a digital Leica. I can't afford to take the risk.

 

[Pablito]

So I'm not your friend?😛

Some people are just lucky, I guess! 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

But I do have a Ricoh GR1v with unfixable display without which it's impossible to know what mode it's in

FWIW when I asked Ricoh Japan about this problem, they replied that 9 times out of 10 its caused by a bad circuit connection and is repairable in most cases without the need for a replacement LCD panel.

 

[x-ray]

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 would have thought they would learn from the M8 disaster but I don't think they did. Hopefully the M240 proves to be better.

Thinking about it the two worst cameras ice owned were electronic German cameras. My Rollei 3003's had mechanical issues and the M9 electronic. I used all mechanical Rollei SL66's for nearly 30 years. I put tens of thousands of rolls through 3 bodies and never had a problem until 28 years after buying them. I figured I just wore them out. My Rollei TLR's have never been a problem but I've not put as much film through them.

I had a several German cars and had fantastic experiences with them. My luck with Japanese has been good too. My biggest problems were with American cars.

 

[Godfrey]

I bought my Toyota Prius new in 2006. Very few problems with it. I sold it at 73000 miles, still in good shape.

I bought my 2000 Mercedes SLK 230 in 2012 with 122000 miles on it. At that age and mileage, I had to clean up a few minor issues, one electronic. In 30,000 miles since, no problems at all, and it's more solid than the Toyota was new.

Never had any problems with my DSLRs: Canon, Pentax, Panasonic, or Olympus. Still have my 13 year old Olympus E-1, still operating as if new.

None of my Micro FourThirds cameras have had any problems... Panasonic G1, GF1, Olympus E-PL1, E-M1. Nor my Ricoh GXR. The Sony A7 neither.

Nearly all of my ancient film cameras (Nikons, Hasselblads, Robots, Voightlanders, Balda) have needed service, but neither of my Leicaflex SLs. Or the R8.My M4-2 needed a view/rangefinder cleaning and collimation, that's it.

The M9, bought as a demo in 2012, has worked flawlessly. If I were buying another Leica now, I'd buy an M Type 240 happily.

G

 

[x-ray]

Could not agree more! My experience (two unfixable Rolleis with non-functioning meters, a Gaggenau double wall oven with no parts available in the world, a VW with multiple "sensor failures" but I'd have to admit that the SAAB was much, much worse and it's not German of course).

But I do have a Ricoh GR1v with unfixable display without which it's impossible to know what mode it's in, and unfixable Stax electrostatic headphones too (both Japanese).

My VW service manger at the official distributor told me that if I want a reliable car to buy a Honda or imported Toyota. Honda is my next car as Toyota have had a few too many recalls lately.

I cherish my two film Leica M6, one rather old and second hand, but I wouldn't touch a digital Leica. I can't afford to take the risk.

I bought a new Porsche a few years ago and a beetle diesel and never had a problem. I put over 125,000 miles on the Porsche. I'm planning on getting another though they've has some serious problems in the past few years. The Boxster, Cayman and 911 had issues with a seal and bearing failing and resting in catastrophic engine failure. There was a class action lawsuit and Porsche replaced a lot of engines. Many of the engines failed in the first 35,000 miles. They used a sealed bearing on the intermediate shaft that was designed for a photo copy machine. Hard to believe!

I have two Hondas and have 285,000 miles on a crv. Generally it's been goo but there have been 5 recalls. My wife's Accord has been recalled several times. Honda is bad about not recalling widespread issues. The CRV had electric lock failure and was never recalled. Every actuator on my car failed just after it went out of warranty. My wife's accord windshield wipers failed. Her car is a 2 door and they met the federal recall requirements by only recalling a small number of 4 doors. Honda would not stand behind wiper issues with 2 door models. Most of my complaints about Honda have been with the corporation.

 

[CameraQuest]

Leica improves each generation of digital cameras.

The M240 aka Leica M10 overall is likely more reliable than its digital predecessors.

Now only if Leica hired people knowledgeable enough about the company's history to intelligently name its cameras!

I can hardly wait to find out the Leica ME is replaced by the Leica ME-TOO or the Leica MEH.

Best,
Stephen

 

[maddoc]

Now only if Leica hired people knowledgeable enough about the company's history to intelligently name its cameras!

I can hardly wait to find out the Leica ME is replaced by the Leica ME-TOO or the Leica MEH.

Best,
Stephen

... don`t give them ideas! 😉😀

 

[__--]

...The M240 aka Leica M10...

Sorry, the M240 is not "also known as" the M10 — seems to me that it's only RFF that uses thes "M10" nomenclature. The "M10" name was used on camera forums for speculative discussions of the successor to the M9. I don't know whether Leica ever used the M10 name before the M240 came out, but perhaps someone who knows could let us know. In any case, the M240 really should not be identified by the M10 name, even in the "aka" mode, as that is simply wrong.

—Mitch
Bangkok Hysteria [Portfolio]
Download link for PDF file for 30-shot portfolio

 

[Lss]

I have an early production M8 that has been basically problem-free since new.

My M8 has also been free of problems. I have one broken baseplate, though. The camera was hit hard from my hands against the pavement, and it went rolling a few meters. Some people. The thin part of the baseplate slot did not like such treatment. Luckily, insurance covered about half of the baseplate price. And more importantly, the camera kept working just fine.

Aside from anecdotal complaints, has anyone managed to determine which digital M (8, 9, ME, M240) is the most reliable.

Considering reliability, I would go with the new M. It will likely be (manufactured and) serviced the longest from now, whatever Leica and consumer laws say.

 

[Godfrey]

Sorry, the M240 is not "also known as" the M10 — seems to me that it's only RFF that uses thes "M10" nomenclature. The "M10" name was used on camera forums for speculative discussions of the successor to the M9. I don't know whether Leica ever used the M10 name before the M240 came out, but perhaps someone who knows could let us know. In any case, the M240 really should not be identified by the M10 name, even in the "aka" mode, as that is simply wrong.

I agree, Mitch. Even the shorthand "M240" is certainly not the authorized name for the M.

Leica has streamlined the naming of their cameras, that's all. When they refer to the M, they mean the current model ... not the M3, M2, M1, M4, M5, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6 TTL, M7, MP, M8, M8.2, M9, M9-P, or M-E. The M, and the new variant M-P, are both type 240 cameras.

This is exactly analogous to my car, a Mercedes SLK, which is type 170 made in year 2000. Type 170 SLK models include the SLK 200, SLK 230, SLK 230 Kompressor, SLK 320, SLK 320 Kompressor, and other variants with sport kit. The SLK line was updated to a new chassis and body style in 2005 called the type 171, and was again updated to a new chassis and body style in 2012 called the type 172. But the whole line can be simply referred to as the SLK and everyone knows what that means.

Leica has just organized the M model line naming similarly. Just because it's different from the old way of naming doesn't make it wrong.

G

 

[__--]

I agree, Mitch. Even the shorthand "M240" is certainly not the authorized name for the M...

Godfrey - Certainly, and that is the reason for using "M240" — referring to it as the "the M" has the problem that we also speak of "M-lenses," referring to M-Mount lenses for all past Leica-M cameras, to differentiate them from, say, Leica screw mount lenses.

—Mitch
Bangkok Hysteria [Portfolio]
Download link for PDF file for 30-shot portfolio

 

[Pioneer]

But when a company suddenly changes their naming method that has continued for over 50 years you have to admit it might take some time for people to get used to it. I could be wrong but I doubt that even the vaunted Mercedes lines have naming traditions that go that far back.

 

[faris]

I don't know about all.

But I have used 2 M8s since they came out. One had to go to Solms once.
Over 30,000 on each. All around the world and still going fine.

The ME has seen its share of travels. Still going strong.

But anything can fail..specially electronics.

My Nikon D700 had to go back once. Still going strong .

What does it prove ?.

Nothing.

Buy from a reputable dealer and enjoy.

 

[jaapv]

Leica improves each generation of digital cameras.

The M240 aka Leica M10 overall is likely more reliable than its digital predecessors.

Now only if Leica hired people knowledgeable enough about the company's history to intelligently name its cameras!

I can hardly wait to find out the Leica ME is replaced by the Leica ME-TOO or the Leica MEH.

Best,
Stephen

Only AKA on this forum, I fear, nowhere else....😛

The name of the camera is Leica M, or if desired more precise M (Typ240)
The latest version is known as the M-P(M-P (Typ 240)), not to be confused with the Leica MP.

I am convinced you are talking about the M10 all the time, but I was not aware it was built by Leica...

 

[john_s]

FWIW when I asked Ricoh Japan about this problem, they replied that 9 times out of 10 its caused by a bad circuit connection and is repairable in most cases without the need for a replacement LCD panel.

Thank you. I was aware of that but I can't repair it myself. The local agent (Australia) says it won't touch a film camera these days. It's not the first Ricoh lemon that we've had. I should have learned the first time, but the GR1v was such a beautiful design I had to have one.

 

[jaapv]

But when a company suddenly changes their naming method that has continued for over 50 years you have to admit it might take some time for people to get used to it. I could be wrong but I doubt that even the vaunted Mercedes lines have naming traditions that go that far back.

Mercedes follows exactly the same naming convention as Leica, adding a type number to the general series name.

For instance you have the
SLK typ R170 from 1996
SLK typ R171 from 2004
SLK typ R172 from 2011
SLK 320 from 1930
SLK 540 from 1934

See Godfrey's post.

 

[Godfrey]

But when a company suddenly changes their naming method that has continued for over 50 years you have to admit it might take some time for people to get used to it. I could be wrong but I doubt that even the vaunted Mercedes lines have naming traditions that go that far back.

Mercedes' naming and type scheme goes well back into the 1930s. It has been very consistent. Leica's has not been so consistent other than that they've produced few enough models that everyone remembers what all the models are and relates to them as one thing.

Apple did the same thing about a decade and a half ago. The proliferation of model names was confusing customers, rationalizing the naming to two lines of desktops and two lines of laptops focused the company and cleared up the confusion.

G

 

[uhoh7]

LOL OK I admit the M240 is MEH to me 🙂

Sony much sillier about names, nex-6 turns into A6000.

Nex name is dropped altogether i think.

so much for branding.