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I'd appreciate your thoughts on this purchase decision

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vahidfar

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Hi all

I used to own Nikon D750 which I sold it last week after 3 years of shooting and I've been shooting with Fuji X100F for a while now and really enjoying it.

I've always wanted to experience shooting with Leica and I've found a type 240 in mint condition (almost new) without any single sign of use, censor cleaned 6 months ago with extra battery in silver for £2500. I think it's good deal and hopefully I would not lose much money if after a year or 2 I decided to sell it. what do you think on this?

I know using range finder has a getting used to it period and etc but after that period regardless of money spent on the camera what matters to me is a tool not to miss a shot in street, high image quality (I do not mean high iso performance etc) , pleasure to use it and hassle free ownership, I hear sometimes they need to be sent to Germany for range finder calibration or maybe other things which might take 4-6 weeks and other things that you all know, how common is that?

So what is you opinion on buying this Leica or just stick to the X100F for a while and maybe later get xpro2 ?

Many thanks
 
Used Fuji XT-1 then X-Pro2, really enjoyed both. The X-Pro 2 a lot actually, for its simplicity, build quality and image quality. Made me wanna go out and capture stuff. The viewfinder was not a that pleasant to use for me (interesting from a tech point of view, but not really useful in real life for me anyway), but if you're used to the x100, then it'll work just fine for you.

Now, I've always wanted a Leica, and that X-Pro 2 is what pushed me over the edge. Kinda like an upgrade in a way. And so I got a Leica Q, and it is very hard to describe the overall experience until you shoot with one for a good week. I had considered a Leica M but the Q's macro, auto and manual focus won me over. I really liked my X-Pro 2 but the Q's IQ, VF and overall experience are outstanding. And the fact the lens is fixed is actually less 'headache' for me, no thinking, just go out, frame, and shoot. Does it have weather sealing, no (disappointing considering its price point), does it have SDHC II (no, also disappointing given i have a few 300MB/s cards). Video, i don't really care, I use my Sony A7 with a Rode mic for that .

My advice: if you're happy with the X100 then get the Leica Q (unless you like to change lenses) but skip the X-Pro 2. Sure you'll gain weather sealing, better LCD and the ability to change the lenses. But the X100 does land itself very nicely for street, more so than the X-Pro 2 due to its light weight and pancake lens. Leica M are stunning, but i prefer the Q for its simplicity. My next Leica would probably be the SL to replace my A7. Probably in a few years though due to its high price point...

I use my Sony A7 with two primes only for headshots and video. Leica Q for everything else, it's always with me. I use a wrist strap with the lens hood and a filter, no lens cap.

Hope that helps.
 
vahidfar said:
Hi all

I used to own Nikon D750 which I sold it last week after 3 years of shooting and I've been shooting with Fuji X100F for a while now and really enjoying it.

I've always wanted to experience shooting with Leica and I've found a type 240 in mint condition (almost new) without any single sign of use, censor cleaned 6 months ago with extra battery in silver for £2500. I think it's good deal and hopefully I would not lose much money if after a year or 2 I decided to sell it. what do you think on this?

I know using range finder has a getting used to it period and etc but after that period regardless of money spent on the camera what matters to me is a tool not to miss a shot in street, high image quality (I do not mean high iso performance etc) , pleasure to use it and hassle free ownership, I hear sometimes they need to be sent to Germany for range finder calibration or maybe other things which might take 4-6 weeks and other things that you all know, how common is that?

So what is you opinion on buying this Leica or just stick to the X100F for a while and maybe later get xpro2 ?

Many thanks
Click to expand...
Hi!

Sounds like a very similar path to me. I used a Canon DSLR before going to a Fuji X100T. I loved the Fuji - the fixed lens and colors and the smaller / simpler life of carrying around way less stuff.

But, I then made the mistake of tying a friend's Leica M240 with a 35mm f1.4 lens. When I downloaded the images I was blown away by what the lens could produce. The sharpness mixed with wonderful bokeh - love :D

The good thing about having a chance to play with this camera first was I instantly found that I loved the rangefinder. I used the optical viewfinder with manual focus on the X100T and enjoyed it, but this was WAY more fun. It is however something you will love or tolerate/not enjoy. So something to consider. If you are worried about missing a shot in the street as you say, just know it will take time to get fast at focusing. You will miss the autofocus to begin with. But with time and practice I found that I much prefer the rangefinder and manual approach of slowing down.

Honestly, for me, the main reason for selling the Fuji and getting the Leica was the lenses. I constantly found when looking at images online, the ones that really spoke to me were taken on a Leica. I love the look the lenses produce.

I have used my M240 for the last 2 years nonstop and taken 10's of thousands of images and not had any problems with calibration or alignment. Yes it can take time if needing to send it to Leica. I don't know how common this is honestly as its not something I have had to worry about. If you don't need to sell it, keep the Fuji as a nice little backup in case this ever happens.

So my opinion is - buy it! That price for a mint 240 sounds great and as you said, if you don't like or need to sell it, I cant see you losing much money on it at that price.

So the only thing I would now be worried about is - which lens!? :)

Hope this helps, and if its of any interest, I have written in more detail my transition from Fuji to Leica on my website here:

https://photobasecamp.com/reviews/

(also has some lens reviews on there too).

Let us know what you decide and hopefully we will see some Leica images posted by you on here soon!

Mike
 
that sounds like a reasonable deal to me. I would ask the seller if its a business to offer some kind of return privilege and some kind of assurance for three months or so.

the selling price for this camera new is about the same as the M ten is now and the price is less than half the list.

I had mine for three or four years and it was and still is a fine camera but I traded it today for an M10
 
bosjohn21 said:
that sounds like a reasonable deal to me. I would ask the seller if its a business to offer some kind of return privilege and some kind of assurance for three months or so.

the selling price for this camera new is about the same as the M ten is now and the price is less than half the list.

I had mine for three or four years and it was and still is a fine camera but I traded it today for an M10
Click to expand...
 
I own and use the X100F and M240, among other items in the herd as well. They are two different shooting experiences.

The X100F is a nice do-everything for you camera with a smidgen of lag for the AF. Files are great, especially from RAW, lens is nice at f/5.6 and beyond, a little softer wide open, just generally a good package. I have owned all four X100 variants to date, and will not hesitate to look at the X100-V when it comes out in a few years.

The M240, as with all M's, is a photographer's tool, with direct control over all of the inputs, ISO, shutter, aperture, and focus. Once you build muscle memory, you can focus very fast, and have tactile as well as visual feedback on the results. LiveView is a nice and useful add-on for the 240, 246, and M10 types. All that said, you will have a learning period and some frustration until it "clicks" for you. Then all will be well.

May I suggest a rental or borrow of an M from a friend or store? See if you like the experience before you make the big investment.

Eric
 
Sounds like a good deal, go for it. Once you get over the learning curve, you'll love it.
 
Last edited:
Ok guys, Thanks a lot,

I have got it today! I played with it with the seller's 35mm 1.4 leica and it was amazing. now left to decide what lens to buy for myself.

I don't think I'd like to go wider than 35mm . So I'm looking for a 35mm or 50mm from Leica, Zeiss or something else that doesn't create a hole in my pocket.
 
vahidfar said:
Ok guys, Thanks a lot,

I have got it today! I played with it with the seller's 35mm 1.4 leica and it was amazing. now left to decide what lens to buy for myself.

I don't think I'd like to go wider than 35mm . So I'm looking for a 35mm or 50mm from Leica, Zeiss or something else that doesn't create a hole in my pocket.
Click to expand...
Nice! Congrats!!! Looking forward to seeing images from you.

If it were me - I'd get the Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux FLE. Most amazing lens. The f2 for the 50mm (along with the 1.4 as well) are both two of the best leica lenses ever made too.

Let us know what you end up getting!

Mike
 
Thanks a lot, some one my works are here although not with Leica yet https://www.instagram.com/vahidfar7/

I'd love to get zeiss 50 zm 1.5 but bit reluctant because of the focus shift, so considering leica 50 f/2 summicron . I think my first lens for this would a 50mm to begin with and see how it goes.
 
vahidfar said:
Hi all

I used to own Nikon D750 which I sold it last week after 3 years of shooting and I've been shooting with Fuji X100F for a while now and really enjoying it.

I've always wanted to experience shooting with Leica and I've found a type 240 in mint condition (almost new) without any single sign of use, censor cleaned 6 months ago with extra battery in silver for £2500. I think it's good deal and hopefully I would not lose much money if after a year or 2 I decided to sell it. what do you think on this?

I know using range finder has a getting used to it period and etc but after that period regardless of money spent on the camera what matters to me is a tool not to miss a shot in street, high image quality (I do not mean high iso performance etc) , pleasure to use it and hassle free ownership, I hear sometimes they need to be sent to Germany for range finder calibration or maybe other things which might take 4-6 weeks and other things that you all know, how common is that?

So what is you opinion on buying this Leica or just stick to the X100F for a while and maybe later get xpro2 ?

Many thanks
Click to expand...
I did nearly the very same thing you did (though I had an X-T2), so I hope we both made the right choice :)

I picked up a used 35mm Summicron ASPH (not the newest version), which was by far the most expensive lens I've ever bought, but it's incredible. I think I'd be most happy with the Summilux, but I'll just have to wait to save up for that.
 
Has anyone had any experience with ZEISS Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZM?

I heard this one doesn't have focus shift problem and it's an amazing lens
 
vahidfar said:
Has anyone had any experience with ZEISS Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZM?

I heard this one doesn't have focus shift problem and it's an amazing lens
Click to expand...
I've owned most M-mount 35mm and 50mm lenses at one point, including all the Voigtlander and Zeiss glass. I currently shoot with the 35 Summilux FLE, 50 Noctliux .95, and 50 Summilux ASPH. As you can probably tell, I'm a sucker for fast glass :P

The 35 Distagon (slighly) beats the 35 FLE in IQ but it's much larger, blocking a good portion of the finder. You also lose 6 bit coding and the focus tab with non-Leica lenses. Leica lenses are more intuitive and hassle-free in actual use.
 
I use the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 M on my Leica M7 and Sony A7II (Ultra Thin converted by Kolarivision) and it is fabulous. I do not have a comparison with any Leica lenses but several reviewers claim it is as good (whatever that means) as any of the Leica equiv lenses. Lens hood is extra though!

As the above poster reported, it is a long lens and blocks a portion of the viewfinder on my M7 so I assume it will do something similar on other Leica bodies. I've not found in use a significant framing problem once one gets used to it.
 
I'm thinking to get 50mm summicron f/2 with bult-in hood which i found in mint condition for good price and then see whether I want Ziess zm 35 f/1.5 or something els
 
I am new to M, about 4 months. Personally, going with Leica to me was going with Leica... body and lens. They are made for each other. The Leica look comes from them. So that is where I started. For me the 35mm f2 Summicron is the perfect lens. Light, depth of field/field of view appropriate for street, landscape, cityscape etc. Not incredibly expensive. Perfect place to start and learn how the system renders... then you will have a reference point to interprete the reviews on other lenses... Zeiss vs Leica, 50mm vs 28mm. I have found everything is different from my Nikon and Fuji gear... the focal length I use, the f stops I use... what I value in the lens characteristic... everything. All this points to entering the world slowly and methodically, letting your values change before getting lots of lenses, they will be there when you want them. But my recommendation, start with Leica. JD
 
Thanks everyone, since I am more a 50mm person, I bought a mint, almost like new actually , 50mm summicron f/2 (2003) in silver. as my camera is also in silver anyway. in very reasonable price and seriously I love it.

I just can't get enough of shooting with it so far.
 
vahidfar said:
Thanks everyone, since I am more a 50mm person, I bought a mint, almost like new actually , 50mm summicron f/2 (2003) in silver. as my camera is also in silver anyway. in very reasonable price and seriously I love it.

I just can't get enough of shooting with it so far.
Click to expand...
awesome!! :)
 
Just wanted to give a quick update on my first day experience of actually shooting with the system.

Just note that I've never been a Leica fanboy or any other brand in that regard.

But I've fallen in love with the whole thing, this morning was the first day of actually taking the camera out in the street and shooting. All my initial concerns about missing a shot or not feeling comfortable, etc are all gone. image quality been amazing, focusing has been a pleasure, etc

I'm not sure whether it's the lens or the sensor or both but I love the images I see and the experience and that what matters to me. Also pp is minimal in compare to what i had to do before.

Thanks
 
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