Leica's Hidden Gem?

[@HeathHolden]

My first M was a 262 and I absolutely love it, it's everything one needs and the colours are delicious.

[@frame-lines]

There's definitely something special about the colour. I remember seeing my first images out of an m240 with the zeiss planar and the colour looked so pure with no tint/casts.

[@dennisvloedmans]

Agree, i own the 262 also. In combination with de summicron 50mm rigid f2 . Absolute awsome! I love the simplicity of the camera, the purest form of photography! A filmic feel in a digital body.

[@frame-lines]

I’ve tried a bunch of summicron 50s but never the rigid. How is it on the 262?

[@dennisvloedmans]

@@frame-linesa gem also! And i like the look of the silver lens on a black body. The lens has a unique character. I love it. And it is reasonable affordable…

[@ankerwiedemann]

You're right. It's the closest you will get to an analogue experience. That's what I also appreciate som much about my M10

[@lensman5762]

I really do like my old M240. It produces simply beautiful images.

[@frame-lines]

Another great camera. I had the mp 240 for a while and loved the results from it. In fact some of my favourite M shots were from that camera and the 50mm summicron type iv.

[@mvonwalter6927]

@@frame-lines M8 has a little mojo but it also has IR contamination (if you step foot outside you got to have the IR cut filters) and a shutter mech that feels like a tiny side-by-side shotgun.

[@paulsehstedt6275]

Thanks for sharing. I stick to my M240 and M240P plus the Elmar M 3.8/24, Summilux 1.4/50 and Summarit 2.5/90. 🤓In November, a bought a brand new SL2s because it was on discount for less than 2,500 GBP. It's mostly for my R-lenses. Keep on rolling.

[@Simon-ol6pv]

Totally agree with everything you've said here. I have one and paid a similar price for it a few years ago. I never even look at my shots on the screen during the course of a day's shooting, preferring to just treat it as I would a film camera. You can make that battery last for days and days. I'm a glasses wearer and I shoot both 50 and 28, not worrying too much about precise framing but rather just working on 'feel'. It's a great set-up all round.

[@frame-lines]

It really feels more like a film camera than any other M that I’ve tried. With the added backup of being able to check images if you need to. What 28mm are you using? I’ve thought about popping an external VF on it for 28mm…

[@tonyklein6499]

Totally agree - a great camera, however I prefer my M240 because of live view. Your M262 has the same sensor as the M240 so it’s the identical IQ. Live view allows for adapting an endless number of very cool vintage lenses.

[@50cron]

Made the switch from an M7 to an M262 3 years ago and never shot film again. Had a CLA from Leica recently and it’s as good as new. Only other camera I’m interested in is the Monochrome Typ 246. I for one love the bigger form factor and incredible battery life.

[@frame-lines]

Ah damn. I’ve never tried a monochrom - I do wonder what it would be like to restrict myself to b&w for a while… Isn’t the battery life wild? I often leave the house with a battery on 30% knowing it’ll be plenty for the day.

[@ankerwiedemann]

What a great video and ditto camera and lens. I guess it's what you would call a best buy. I have an M10 myself, and it was the double price and for many newcomers to the eco system a deterring investment. Voigtländer lenses are absolutely great, and you can worthy alternatives in their range to most Leica lenses. I have a few of both brands.

[@frame-lines]

It's such a shame that the main topic around Leica cameras is their expense. They offer such a unique way of shooting that I think everyone should try at least once. I'm guessing it would be against their branding but if they offered a new stripped back Leica M with a 24mp sensor for 1500 to 2000 it would be one of the most popular cameras on the planet.

[@ankerwiedemann]

@@frame-lines Agreed, I have never found the same amount of sheer joy of taking photographs. The camera is so simple in handling and with no distracting superfluous features. And ergonomically accomplished like no other.

[@davidmurray5926]

Can’t find one anywhere in the UK for less than £2,500, so I don’t know where you’re getting £2,000 from…. And you got yours for £1600!

[@frame-lines]

There’s one on ffordes ebay right now for £2250 and open to offers so it could be nabbed for lower. I’ve seen them go for £2k to 2.5

[@ruben619448]

In the US they are going anywhere from $3200 to $5000

[@iKickstand]

Nice video Shane. If I ever try a 35mm on the M10, the skopar will be it. Small, sharp, affordable and presumably light as well. The only thing stopping me is I like having a clear distinction with 28mm & 50mm and scared to throw another focal length into the mix 🤣

[@frame-lines]

35mm really suits the m10 very well 👀

[@David-rc8fb]

Great Vid, totally agree a Gem. Robust, discrete and simple. Keep well & Stay safe 👍🇬🇧

[@haymobachmaier]

Nice Review about my 262📸🍀👏🏻

[@MikeMcDermott-wv7ew]

I picked up an MD 262 at release and have never wanted for any other digital M since. 24 megapixels is the sweet spot and very few photographers will even need more megapixels. Any variant of the 262 will be a great camera to own. I’ve always been a 28mm and 50mm guy but was recently gifted a 1956 35mm 2.8 summaron and what a revelation it has been. I’d always thought of 35mm as being a halfway house that when compared to 28 and 50, didn’t give me the benefit or either or. How wrong I was. It’s currently the only lens I’m using at the moment which may just be novelty but I’ve got a feeling it’ll become my permanent lens choice for most applications. Time will tell. Great video 👌

[@frame-lines]

Yep, 24mp is absolutely more than enough unless you're cropping all the time. It's taken me a while to warm to 35mm - i think the key was finding a lens so small and enjoyable to use. Then forcing myself to take a few steps forward when i'm framing.

[@BrunoChalifour]

Have you compared your M262 at 1600 or 3200 ISO with any ulterior Leica M model? That and its bulky size (compared to the M6s, M7s, and M10s) made me definitely upgrade. That and the small buffer making the camera stall if not freeze while writing files.

[@shereemaebalangue1296]

I really enjoy your guys’ content!! Keep up the great work! Hoping to get my hands on the next issue :) Cheers from Redondo Beach, CA

[@frame-lines]

Thanks! The new issue has a theme which you might find close to home 👀

[@ReimannPembroke]

Great video! I have the LTM version of the color Skopar and it’s a great lens!!

[@frame-lines]

It really shouldn’t be so good eh. It’s better than lenses that cost 5 times as much.

[@johnwaine56]

Very tempting! Great video. Thanks

[@frame-lines]

I'd like to apologise to your bank account

[@gerryhardman9060]

On my M3 the frame line lever was handy for previewing which lens to use for a given scene which is like having a zoom on a modern camera. So it was quite handy and until you mentioned it as a con I hadn’t noticed it wasn’t there. But I’m new to Leica Digital and I enjoyed your review as I didn’t know this camera even existed. Looks like a great camera but in North America they go for over $4000 so not for me. Mirrorless allows me to to take silent pictures which when I owned my M3 separated a rangefinder from the clunk of the SLR. I also like seeing my depth of field so I never replaced it after it was stolen. Regards Gerry

[@tofulosophy]

thumbs up for the Pavement LP in the background

[@frame-lines]

Ok this will be a new game. Spot the album in the background.

[@pametex]

Got along fine with my beautiful M-E 240, but found that it clipped the highlights rather quick. So sold it in the end to buy an M11, which I don’t regret although it’s not as beautiful as the old M-E 240. Battery life of the M11 is in the same league though. Traveling a the moment with three Color-Skopars, the new 28, 35 and the new 50 f2.2. Super light weight and capable! Keep up the good work with your magazines. I’m enjoying them immensely.

[@frame-lines]

You’re the second person to mention the 50 skopar. I need to give that a try!

[@pametex]

@@frame-linesThe thing is tiny and weighs next to nothing. I recommend checking out Fred Miranda for an extensive reports on it.

[@frame-lines]

Will check that out, thanks!

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Although I have seen many YT videos about the 240 and 262 as a cheaper competitor to the M10 and M11 it is always nice to get your point of view too, which is almost equal to the opinion of others (that is other Leica shooters that know what they are doing hehe) so it's more or less confirms the point. Now I am glad you showed the invoice cause the prices you were talking about were all GBP (British Pound) which is 1.2 to the Euro and 1.3 to the US Dollar. Maybe you could repeat that more often. Than there is a glitch at 3:40 were you were comparing the battery of the 262 to the one in the 240, but you said people would shoot video with an M10 (which was not out there yet) so you meant 240. Yes I pay attention. Thanks for sharing your opinion, it is appreciated.

[@frame-lines]

Ah yes, of course i meant the 240. Good catch! :)

[@paulojfalves]

Almost 2 years with a M262 with a Summicron C-40. Happy with the results.

[@frame-lines]

That's a great combo. Very light and great optics I'd imagine?

[@BrunoChalifour]

Why a 40 mm when the camera does not support Live-View or an EVF? For the price of the 40 mm you could get an excellent 35 or 50 mm more recently designed (even in China), with better optical specs.

[@markielinhart]

Great vid, my first Leica was an M8 that I sold to buy a Q1. Zero regrets…✌️

[@frame-lines]

I love the Q- I’ve taken some of my favourite photos with both the original and the Q2

[@markielinhart]

I do however, miss the shutter sound ‘kerklunk’ because shooting it as you rightly said means being up close and personal with the viewfinder…✌️

[@wheezzy101]

I use the frameline lever to check composition before swapping lenses to determine what I want to swap to or if it is worth it to swap.

[@frame-lines]

That’s interesting. I rarely carry more than one lens so that would never occur to me.

[@wheezzy101]

@@frame-lines I typically carry only one lens as well. I've really only done that while hiking. I started taking a 90mm with me along with the 35mm.

[@martinleblanc4814]

@@wheezzy101 I carry many lenses and always keep a 21 or 24 viewfinder on my Leica. I'm not saying I use the framline lever or the viewfinders every minute but when I do, I appreciate that this is a substantial advantage over SLRs or mirrorless.

[@wheezzy101]

@@martinleblanc4814 I really need to pickup a 21mm viewfinder. I shoot 21mm somewhat often and I just shoot it blind. On occasion I’ll use live view but not often.

[@martinleblanc4814]

@@wheezzy101 Yes you do! Those things, like everything Leica, have become ridiculously expensive these days but still, I am in love with the viewfinders... they remind me of Jeanloup Sieff, my idol when I started photography, around the end of the 70s... he had that black Leica MP (I guess it was an original MP) and a 21 Super Angulon with viewfinder that just made me drool... anyway yes, pickup one and be happy!

[@theonlyredspecial]

I’ve a lot of cameras and the sensor in this is special. I’ve a few of them. Still use them and I have quite a few modern Leica too

[@oliverkeyscine]

Great video Shane! Funnily enough I’ve also just picked up an M240 with the color skopar 35mm and have also been very impressed with the experience and the image quality. My only slight issue is that I’ve been experiencing quite a lot of strong purple hues on the edge of the frames which apparently is quite common with wider angle non Leica lenses on these older Ms. still trying to workout which lens profile deals with this best in the camera. Thanks for sharing!

[@frame-lines]

Oh that's interesting. Is it the M39 mount version? Mine is the M version 1 (there's a ver 2 also but i'm not sure how much of an upgrade it is)

[@thew0nster]

Try the 2/35 ASPH profile, it adds a bit of "green cast" to offset the optical purple cast. If you don't care about the wrong EXIF info, then 24mm profiles tend to do even more.

[@oliverkeyscine]

@@frame-linesyer mines an m mount v2, maybe I should switch it for the V1… anyway great video as always!

[@oliverkeyscine]

@@thew0nster ahh thanks for the tips, I’ll give this a go!!

[@frame-lines]

Interesting tip. I use the color skopar profile in Lightroom and I haven’t seen any cast.

[@codyallen3729]

Excellent review Shane; if I ever committed to trying a Leica that might just be it! Review for 6d mk ii next please? It's the polar opposite which would be interesting and I'd love your full take since it got so much hate on release.

[@frame-lines]

Do you think there'd be much interest in the 6D 2? I can for sure say it doesn't deserve any hate and in a lot of ways it's much better than the original 6D and I even prefer it over the 5D IV

[@codyallen3729]

@@frame-lines hard to say, I just really enjoy the street videos with DSLRs :)

[@GrahamBridgemanClarke01]

I agree. I had an M262 and loved it. Sold it for my M11 and though the M11 is better, I miss the M262

[@frame-lines]

That’s interesting. What do you miss about the 262? There are a few small things I didn’t mention, like the shutter feeling very precise and sounding great- and the delight of using the brass baseplate vs the eject style battery.

[@GrahamBridgemanClarke01]

@@frame-lines I like the heavier weight, colour from the sensor and It was basic. As you said no Love view. Never have used a camera for video so would never miss it. Got mine for £2,000 about 4 years ago and they were never really promoted by Leica. In fact when I took It with me on a Leica M11 try out day the camera was effectively poo pop’d by the staff member. It was reliable and never had a days out with it. Unlike my M9s, X and Q which all had issues, the M9s with sensor corrosion and the Q and X with dust inside the fixed lens.

[@frame-lines]

@@GrahamBridgemanClarke01 It feels like an M that they've stripped back to basics and by simplifying it, it's become more robust and reliable.

[@jklphoto]

Nice one Shane. A proper rangefinder indeed.

[@frame-lines]

I’ve noticed people calling the x100v a rangefinder 😅

[@zand]

Great video but I would argue that you will get a better experience both for price and results with a comparable M240 + 35mm Summarit M 35 f2.5. Have you tried these? And live-view as you have on the M240 lets you focus correctly on some older affordable and incredible vintage lenses that don't have rangefinder coupling or a faulty one.

[@frame-lines]

I thought so too, and that's why I went for an M240 P last year. I did have concerns about missing live-view on the M262, but I honestly haven't missed it at all. Don't overlook that Voigtlander color-skopar f/2.5 btw - it's sharper and smaller than the summarit. Check out these results: www.picdrop.com/stefanrandlkofer/WFf3YbxZDn

[@justcallmesando]

Looking forward to get one. Prices are going up lately thanks to this type of content I know, but we all love this and share the guilt so it´s cool for me. Need to save more but I think it´s a beautiful M. The M for me I think.

[@frame-lines]

On one hand, I think it’s great to share knowledge of these cameras and get people who otherwise wouldn’t try an M, to give it a bash. On the other hand, yes I’m sorry for contributing to the price raise 😅

[@justcallmesando]

@@frame-lines we all do and it's ok. Let's hope prices don't get too crazy 😅

[@SourPlanet]

M262 is a perfect camera, imo. Just a fixed M240. Leica basically went "uhhh... sorry about that!" And dropped a hardware update. Fwiw, the M240 gets the great battery life too. Supposing you avoid movie mode and liveview, as one should. If you ever get a chance, try the M39 Voigtlander 50/2.5 Color Skopar. Perfect on that body and as a complement to the 35/2.5.

[@frame-lines]

Exactly! I never run into any buffer issues on the m262 (unlike the original 240). The body and weight also feels much nicer. The voigt 50 sounds tempting. If it’s anywhere near as good as the 35 I’m sold. I prefer f2 or f2.5 lenses over faster lenses these days.

[@SourPlanet]

​@@frame-lines Yeah, same. Once you use that Voigtlander 35/2.5 or something like the TTArtisan 28/5.6, it's hard to go back to the chunky boys.

[@frame-lines]

@@SourPlanet totally - I really love the smaller lenses. I’m using a thypoch collapsible 50 f/2 at the moment. Very small and light even when extended. Sharp wide open. Doesn’t flare and it has buckets of character in the f2-f2.8 range.

[@BrunoChalifour]

an M39mm lens on a Leica M... what use is the rangefinder then? That is when LiveView and EVF may come handy, don't you think?

[@SourPlanet]

@@BrunoChalifour LTM lenses are rangefinder coupled. They function identical to M mount lenses.

[@JohnRicard]

Great review, and you are correct, the M262 is the forgotten Leica. They should have given it the 2Gig buffer though. I have a feeling it wasn't produced in high quantity. As for the frame lever, you are correct, it is pointless. Most Leica shooters only have a couple of lenses to begin with, so what's the point of having a preview level to see what other lenses should do? And if you've been shooting for a few years, you should already know what each lens will do.

[@frame-lines]

Maybe it's my style of shooting, but I don't really miss the 2gb buffer (coming from the mp240 and m10). It would be nice though :) I think the frame lever is more for aesthetics than anything else. So the camera looks more consistent with the film cameras.

[@BrunoChalifour]

Yes, the buffer is quite a plus on any M10 compared tp the M240/262 which have repeatedly frozen me while writing files on the SD card because of their small buffers.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I agree that the M240/M262 is a sleeper. The colors do not have the CCD "pop" but with a strong color lens like what CV make it balances out well. I like the CV 40mm f/1.2 but have also used the 35mm f/1.4. You are right this a sometimes demeaned but still a wonderful "sleeper". With the EVF it is an SLR.

[@frame-lines]

It’s definitely a sleeper. I didn’t even realise it existed when I first was shopping for an m10. I have a soft spot for the 35 1.4 CV - that was my first M lens and I’ve taken a lot of my favourite photos with it- despite it being often maligned.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

@@frame-lines The CV 40mm f/1.2 is nice. Good IQ and color and the "natural" perspective. It's brightness also marries well with the CMOS M240/M262.

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@frame-lines]

Thanks Martin!

[@moniquewallace4456]

This is my combo and I love it.

[@frame-lines]

it's so good and so underrated eh?

[@rexgigout1472]

Well-done! Thanks!

[@frame-lines]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jan-Gess]

colors look amazing!

[@frame-lines]

The files are very easy to edit and the auto white balance is some of the best I’ve seen on a camera

[@JJCPhotography]

Leica really is a great choice!

[@frame-lines]

I agree :)

[@VariTimo]

Honestly. As a film shooter, I’d rather have the M240 with the live view for high or low angles. But then again, I’ve been doing fine with these on film too.

[@frame-lines]

That was my only reservation before getting the 262, but like you said, I treat it like a film camera. It forces me to be in the viewfinder which I think is a good thing.

[@mvonwalter6927]

I've been through an M8, M240 and an M4. The M262 resolves all of my issues with previous Ms. (The buffer, weight and chilly blue rendering of the screen on the M240) There are times when I want a proper live view but for the difference in price to get an M10 I could just go out and get a used Z6 or a Sony for adapting lenses, etc or like two Canon 6D or 3 Nikon D600s lol.

[@frame-lines]

I would like to try an M8 at some point to see what the fuss is about those CCD sensors. I get your point about the live view but I miss it less than I expected to. I never liked live view or the hotshoe EVF on the m10.

[@christianscholz93]

I'm happy with my m10 so far... but the lens looks tempting. I have the 28mm version of the lens and I really like it😊 Unfortunately I'm a 50mm photographer. So i rarely use it

[@frame-lines]

I feel ya. I’m a 50mm photographer too but I will say 35mm is a bit easier to adjust to from 50mm. The framelines for 35mm are very nice in the m10 and 262 too.

[@ola_strandberg]

I moved from a Leica Q straight to an M11, which I really didn’t get along with. Sold it and got a 262 (which the previous owner had gotten officially customized with a black Leica dot), and I honestly think it is my favorite Leica M. Unfortunately, the shutter is really loud, which bugged me to the point that I moved to an M10-R. I still miss the 262, which I think really perfectly embodies the Leica credo of ”Das Wäsentliche”.

[@frame-lines]

How do you find the m10R? I’ve always wanted to try one out to see how the dynamic range, and shutter sound compare.

[@ola_strandberg]

@@frame-lines The dynamic range of the M10R is noticeably better, and it is not quite as sensitive to blowing the highlights as the 262. Also, with the 40mp sensor, one can crop more comfortably, of course. The shutter sound of the M10R is similar to the M10M, i.e. very quiet, and feels very reassuring with a more muted ”clunk” than a higher frequency ”click”. I was told by someone who knows way more about Leicas than myself that they have the quietest shutter of all models. I very rarely use liveview, but it’s a nice to have that comes in handy in certain situations. Didn’t miss it on the 262 though. I also really liked the preview function on the 262, that displays it as long as the shutter button is pressed.

[@BrunoChalifour]

@@ola_strandberg Preview on an M262. I must have missed that possibility, could you explain?

[@jonasfloriani]

love mine! only drawback is that the continuous shooting is quite slow...as is the writing time into the card...apart from that, amazing

[@frame-lines]

That’s something I only use if I accidentally turn the power dial to C accidentally 😅 It’s quite impressively how quickly it can take 2 photos tho eh?

[@최진수-g7z]

Great thanks & impressed your review. Could i ask you... The information of hood??? I knew formal one is... round shape.

[@hfeldt]

Great video on the 262 - was wondering what lens hood is on your Voigtlander 35 color skopar - I have the same lens but circular hood...??

[@paulanderson24]

What is the lens hood? Looks very nice

[@frame-lines]

It’s the Haoge LH-VM12 - nice build and quality

[@IDaumI]

I assume the 262 uses the same sensor as the M240 which to me looks better SOOC than the M10/P. The M10/P files feel too cool for me and I'm always left wishing I took it with the M240 so I don't have to deal with editing the photos. I tried to pick up the 35 color skopar in while I was in Japan last month. They were going for around $250 USD but were sold out at all 3 camera shops I visited. I'll stick to my 40mm Cron C for now.

[@frame-lines]

Yep it has the same m240 sensor- which looks very organic to my eye. It also has excellent auto white balance. How do you find using 40mm on the m10? I’ve always been curious about trying one.

[@brianaitkenhead4526]

recently I have been suffering GAS :D I keep looking at the M3 or M2... but I simply can't justify buying a Leica Film camera and a lens at the moment, I really enjoyed your video by the way the images are lovely

[@frame-lines]

Thanks Brian. I was in the same boat and went for an M3 a few months ago. I ended up selling it because film is so punishing to shoot now. I decided to go with the M262 and try harder to emulate film.

[@dbkoala]

Sold my x100v recently and will be putting the funds towards an M262

[@frame-lines]

You won’t regret it. Do you know what lens you’ll pick up? The skopar is great but I’d also recommend the ultron

[@dbkoala]

@@frame-lines I was looking at the either the Ultron, Nokton 1.5, and the Light Lens Lab 35 f2 8 element.

[@shereemaebalangue1296]

May I ask what brought you to let go of the Fuji? I’m curious. I really enjoy Leica. I have a Leica MP film camera and I’ve been slowly saving up for a digital Leica.

[@dbkoala]

@@shereemaebalangue1296 I love the brand, the simplicity in operation, and the true rangefinder/manual focus experience. I shoot mostly film but want a similar manual feel in a digital camera. I have two photography friends who let me borrow their Leica M240 and M6s. I just fell in love with the experience of photographing with an M.

[@samboncoin9498]

You should consider the M10. leica stopped servicing the M9 and soon they will do the same with 240& 262... Dynamic range on M10, better than 262. More expensive but the resale price is higher too. Good luck

[@FlyDriveShoot_It]

I owned the M262 and sold it buy the M10, sold that for the M11. I wish I had kept the M262. I get great images from the M11 but the M262 just had that special something in the images that’s hard to explain.

[@MiladJP]

the cheapest on mpb in germany is currently 3k. otherwise around 2800-2900 on ebay germany. you are pretty lucky... I love this camera.

[@frame-lines]

oh i got super lucky alright, and I was talking GBP :) Surely M10's in germany are a lot more expensive?

[@MiladJP]

@@frame-lines unfortunately we are the world’s capital of being screwed. Our products are often more expensive in our own country than in others. Tax and tariffs

[@leedeleon2745]

I miss the 262’s half press preview a lot

[@frame-lines]

half-press preview?

[@leedeleon2745]

@@frame-lines yeah! I believe it’s unique to the 262. When I took portraits or try to confirm focus on static subjects, I fully press the shutter button but don’t let go halfway. Try it out! Should give you a preview of your image.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Its a full press "image review". There is no half way press "preview"

[@leedeleon2745]

@@taneltinnuri8985 cool, thanks!

[@PaulAlabama]

Thanks for the video! Can you please tell me which exact version of Color Scopar 35mm you are using? As I know there are variations

[@frame-lines]

I’m using the color-skopar f2.5 version 1 M mount.

[@PaulAlabama]

@@frame-lines thanks!

[@Streetphotog-dn1zy]

Very nice review. I just bought a yashica 35cc with a 35mm and rangefinder to try out the rangefinder style of photography. If i like it a lot i will get to leica for sure since everyone raves about these cameras but i didnt want to experiment with 4000euros or so. Which film leica would you suggest for a glasses wearer to use with 35mm ?

[@frame-lines]

I’d recommend the Leica M2 to begin with, and get a cheap light meter. It’s perfect for 35mm and 50mm framelines with plenty of relief for glasses wearers. They’re also amongst the cheapest Leicas. Or if you want to splash out and want an internal meter then an M6 :)

[@paulwright5042]

I’ve wanted an M 262 for a while now and not interested in an M10/M11, and kicking myself for not pulling the trigger so far. I guess my only real concern stopping me is the age and parts availability in the unlikely event something does go wrong.

[@frame-lines]

I guess much older cameras are now repairable so I’ve never thought of that as a concern. I’ve also never heard of an m240 or 262 failing.

[@jyangphotoatx]

That’s so good to know this sensor can handle iso 3200! I am using the m240 and technically with the same sensor it should be able to handle 3200…(right?)

[@frame-lines]

Absolutely. 3200 is fine. I regularly use 1600 so I can keep the lens stopped down in overcast light.

[@kb5ql]

I have a typ240 and have an M10-P. One thing that annoys me about 240 now is speed is definitely sluggish compared to m10. But crazy to say now I want an M11 for one reason, USB-c so I don’t even need to bring any battery charger 🔌

[@frame-lines]

Usbc would be nice but then again, the battery in the M262 is so good that I don’t bring a charger on trips. 2 batteries lasts 3-4 days of fairly heavy shooting.

[@bernardlesperance742]

Tell me where I can get an M10 for "3 1/2 grand" (US $) !!! In my neck of the woods (Canada/US) they go for close to double that on eBay ! Even better than the M 262 in my view is the M-D 262 (the 262 without a screen), making it the most stripped down M 240 and film-like rangefinder there is. As much as I like my M6 (original), film and processing are a pain and an increasingly expensive pain, so the M-D 262 provides the perfect solution. Great video, thanks !

[@frame-lines]

I was talking British pounds. We’re a UK channel :) That’s very interested about the MD262. I haven’t looked into it. The battery must last forever?

[@bernardlesperance742]

@@frame-lines Yes, the battery lasts much longer. However, the worry with all of these older digital cameras is that their batteries eventually die and eventually have no replacements . . . and the cameras are then essentially useless, except perhaps as curiosities on our bookshelves. P.S. Note that the D version of the 262 now sells for an average of double the price of the regular 262 on ebay. Crazy !

[@frame-lines]

I wonder why the D version is more expensive? Limited production numbers maybe? Makes no sense.

[@bernardlesperance742]

@@frame-lines Yes, very limited production and now relatively highly sought after. High demand and limited availability = high price. (See how many you can find for sale). It has been the same story with all the 'D' iterations, including the M10-D. Little doubt that it will be the same with the M11-D in time (i.e. once it is no longer available new). The 'D' models have held - and surpassed - their initial value more than any other M model. Buying a new M11-D very likely would be a true "investment" in that its price over time most likely will only go up. If I had the money I would snatch one up, no question.

[@mackdj43]

Wait, I feel I'm out of the loop, I thought Shane had the M10? What happened to it? That being said, I feel that from the M240 - M10 is the sweet spot of a digital M.

[@frame-lines]

I sold the m10 to get a Q2 a few months ago because I wanted to try taking 28mm seriously (the results are in our latest mag btw) Then I went back to M with this 262.

[@mackdj43]

@frame-lines ah, so the vicious cycle of the red dot continues... Just kidding. I appreciate these "informal" reviews of cameras and it's always amazing to see both your journey as well as the experimentation of different cameras

[@thedarkslide]

Just get an M10 and be done with it. The M10 is the forever Leica. Mature, stable, robust. No crashes. Fairly affordable. Outstanding sensor performance. No compromises.

[@frame-lines]

It's easy to say, but an M10 is £1000 to £1500 more, which is a lot for most people. No arguments about the M10 being a great camera however - i think it's one of Leica's best.

[@pinkfatcap]

I got no idea where are you getting these prices from.

[@wh0tube]

I always suspected Leica had hidden gems that justified the price!

[@frame-lines]

Out of all of them, this is my favourite. The 240 line are also great but the body doesn’t feel as modern.

[@jeffstephens5266]

I prefer the M240 over the M262 because it is weather sealed. No other reason. Made me laugh when I saw my birthday books pop up on the Discord segment 😁😁😁

[@jvermillion1052]

I thought it looked like an interesting camera until you got to the part about no live view. I have not used a viewfinder in more than 20 years, I just do not see with them properly. Oh well I love my original Q I bought last June.

[@frame-lines]

The Q is very hard to beat. One of my favourite cameras for sure.

[@checkmybadself]

Nice sign off haha. Seems like a good deal for those two, it’s mad how much of a discount that cosmetic chip got you.

[@frame-lines]

It’s said with a certain amount of affection :) The discount was crazy- and from mpb of all places.

[@checkmybadself]

@@frame-lines I’m half Irish (Sneem/Kerry) so have heard that many times! I guess it’s sometimes good to have a chip off the old block!

[@franzjosefhuttner1462]

Sold my m262 to buy a M10-R and i really miss the battery life of the gut old M 262 😢❤

[@frame-lines]

I'd really love to try the M10-R - if only to see what the dynamic range is like compared to the M10 and M262

[@etismyname]

Biggest issue is maintenance. Sensor rusting or shutter failing

[@devroombagchus7460]

If it's a Leica with electronics, no thanks. I've had too many issues. The only one I kept was the MP. Old fashioned Leica mechanics with a shutter from the fifties or sixties for speed and flash. No fuss simple light meter which I can ignore. And I love my voightländer lenses.

[@frame-lines]

Some of my favourite lenses have been voigtlanders. They may not have been the most clinically sharp but for whatever reasons I enjoyed using them and loved the photos from them.

[@jonathanparkes1603]

Nearly bought one but as a glasses wearer, I thought I’d get along better with a Q. Really I need to afford laser eye surgery and a Leica😂

[@frame-lines]

I’ve started wearing glasses occasionally and to be honest, even the 35mm framelines are hard to see with them on. It’s ideal for 50mm tho.

[@jonathanparkes1603]

@@frame-lines I got the original Q; for the second time🙄. Had one when they first came out and regretted selling it. Now gone full circle and bought another……I think the Q is absolutely sublime to shoot. Don’t see the need for a Q3, who needs 60MP?? I sure dont

[@StevieZF]

Agree, sold my Ms due to glasses not allowing full value from viewfinder. Yes you can get an evf attachment but then what’s the point. Switched to Q and whilst I miss better distance focusing with an M, I appreciate a full viewfinder.

[@frame-lines]

@@jonathanparkes1603 you're talking to someone who's bought the Q 3 separate times, and then a Q2. It's a fantastic camera (and lens) but i keep coming back to the optical finders of the M :)

[@Leicashootr]

😂

[@jimmcd1101]

I thought the 240 family had too much magenta cast and I was always having to correct skin tones in post. Everyone looked red.

[@frame-lines]

That's interesting. Were you using lightroom? I've been fairly happy with the colour cast on it so far.

[@jimmcd1101]

@@frame-lines yeah Lightroom. Switched to an SL 601 which did not have that problem, has a wonderful EVF, and is now even less money used. That’s the real hidden Leica gem I think.

[@davegball]

Slán abhaile my friend. Good review.

[@frame-lines]

Cheers Dave. I was wondering how many people stuck around for the end :)

[@CreativeLeadershipwithDaniel]

Why did you have to go telling everyone about this one lol I’m still trying to find one now.

[@frame-lines]

I am SO sorry. It was a secret too good to keep.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Oh no, don't make me miss mine...

[@frame-lines]

They’re impossible to quit. It’s just too damn enjoyable taking pictures with an M.

[@fotojobo]

The Leica rule, never sell your Leica because you will always regret it

[@Simon-ol6pv]

Zeiss Biogon 28mm

[@yagoruizphoto]

This costs on average 2500 GBP, so your price is a lucky one. On the other hand, it is a fenomenal camera, I own one...

[@frame-lines]

Oh yeah. I got very lucky, but I’ve seen a few go on eBay for £2000-£2200 which is still a great bargain imo.

[@Brooklyncameraclub]

I wish I bought that M-D 262 for 3k when I had a chance. Now there’s no way I would pay 5k it.

[@frame-lines]

5k for an MD 262 is wild

[@weiliu7319]

M10 is 660g. Typ 262 has two versions, the lighter one is 600g.

[@frame-lines]

Ok you made me google it. :) The 262 is 680g including the battery. The M10 is 660g including the battery. There are 2 versions of the 262 but one of them is a special edition 'red' version- the only difference being the paint job.

[@weiliu7319]

@@frame-lines wiki info is wrong. Search Leica site for original pdf of the aluminum top plate version and the brass top plate version.

[@GuitarVocalHEroes]

I got myself a leica cl for around 900 usd with rubber torn off the viewfinder but thats prety much the only issue there was. Beat my sony a6400 to a pulp. Dont see how 262 would be a descent buy for 2.000 euros though.

[@frame-lines]

That CL is a great bargain. The 262 is a very different camera though, in that is has rangefinder optics.

[@ThoughtFission]

Think I'd go for the Sigma FP-L save a grand and buy an extra lens. Same geourgous Leica Look in the images.

[@frame-lines]

The sigma fp-l doesn’t have a rangefinder tho. That’s a BIG deal :)

[@ThoughtFission]

@@frame-lines True but it does have 60 meg images!

[@taneltinnuri8985]

1. M262 weights 600gr and its lighter than both M10 and M240 2. Your Color Skopar is V2 People nowdays trust too much google and internet. But your M on the scale and see it yourself. Its a small detail for some but still..

[@frame-lines]

You’re really going to make me bust out my kitchen scales aren’t you.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

@@frame-lines😂

[@forgiveness_denied]

Are those edited or SOOC? I wanna see the unedited picks😅

[@frame-lines]

They’re edited but the jpgs actually look really solid from it

[@horaciomillan4181]

Shouldn’t you be preparing number 9? I have my 8 with me!

[@frame-lines]

We’re working on it! (and we have 10 underway too)

[@sebastianrich9711]

And now of course the price will rocket on MPB. Be aware MPB are great value selling but trading they are like 1960 east end london car dealers 😂 The trade in price for the gear you are selling will be astronomically low.

[@frame-lines]

Oh yeah this isn’t an endorsement of MPB at all. I got very lucky :)

[@TheLiamGordon]

I bought this exact setup in 2021 and it has worked great for me - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJa9m3mBnKh8iNE

[@frame-lines]

I think I was pretty late to the game on the 262 because I went straight for an m10. I wish I saw your vid sooner :)

[@TheLiamGordon]

@@frame-lines I was jealous of your M10 😂 the 262 does seem to fly under the radar.

[@yojimbo-jack]

Well now it’s not anymore. Gonna up in price again

[@frame-lines]

If only we had that much influence :)

[@hanssvenssn2516]

Congrats to that steal but its more like 3k (€) everywhere i look.

[@frame-lines]

I should have been more clear that I was talking UK pounds :)

[@mikflores]

Sshhhhhhhhhh

[@frame-lines]

I’m so sorry 😅

[@ManualFocusJunkie]

No Leica is a hidden gem. Don't get me wrong here. Leica's are great but also greatly overpriced. You have to buy them with gems. I can't justify a Leica when their low end offering costs more than my Sony A7R v.

[@frame-lines]

A Sony A7R V is a completely different style of camera though. Leica are the only company in the world that makes digital rangefinder cameras and most people assume they cost £3500-£8000 - so getting one for around £2000 is indeed a hidden gem.

[@ManualFocusJunkie]

@@frame-lines ohh, I know they're different. I just don't see the value for money from them. I actually understand the value of an old film rangefinder much better from a nostalgia standpoint. Digital rangefinders though just make no sense to me especially at the insane boutique prices the command. Even for the oft argued street photography, you can get higher resolution, just as sharp of an image, 5 axis IBIS, completely silent electronic shutter, and higher resolution in a mirror less for 1/4 the price.

[@frame-lines]

Have you ever used a rangefinder viewfinder? It's a completely different experience to shooting with a mirrorless EVF. That's where the value comes in - you're paying for the viewfinder not the sensor tech :)

[@ManualFocusJunkie]

@@frame-lines I have. Like I said, nostalgia sure, but film makes more sense to me there. Less tech. I like my Nikon DF...not much to focus on other than composition. It's honestly just the cost of them...Leica is providing pretentiousness. I'd rather buy a Hasselblad I guess. Pretentiousness with value closer to the cost? As I said though, Leica's are great, just not equal to their price in my view.

[@frame-lines]

@@ManualFocusJunkie I get that they're expensive but it's a unique system, with a unique focusing method (that's very expensive to manufacture). It's fine to disagree but I think they're worth £2500 :)

[@paulstevenkelly]

£2000 for a 10 year old digital camera? 😂

[@frame-lines]

Yes Paul

[@evertigo]

How Skopar can be one of the best if it produces Italian flag over your shots and colorizes corners of snowy photos?

[@BrunoChalifour]

This is a strange video: on the one hand you declare having or having used an M10, and on the other hand you assert that the M262 (a watered-down version of the M240 as you rightly mention) is the same size as the M10... hmmm, having used Leica M since the 1980s one of the key reasons I exchanged my M240 for an M10-P was in fact the difference in sizes. The M10 has almost the same size as the M6 (film). Compared to them the M240s/262s are bulkier if not uncomfortably too thick. There is a world of difference between the capacity and speed of an M10 to write files and those of an M262. I have had both an M240 and an M262 freeze on me while writing files requiring my removing the battery to stop a never-ending process. A plus for the M240/262 sensor: Straight out of the camera I must concede that the colors of the unique (as the collaboration with its designer and its manufacturer ceased with the M10) M262/M240 sensor are very pleasing but the sensor offers a shorter dynamic range and lower ISO threshold than the M10, which cannot be fixed by using a different color profile or in an image-processing program. Conclusion 1: the M262 is definitely not "90% of an M10". The M10 is a very different tool compared to the M262, on many levels, and the gap keeps on widening with the M10-P and the M-10 R. Then, why sneer at the video/live view capabilities of the M240... who can do the most (M240) can do the least (M262) and I feel confident to say that the opposite is not true. Having those capabilities allows the photographer to use them when needed (not forgetting the EVF that is quite necessary for close-ups or just to test the accuracy of the range-finder as well as the exposure in real time). Conclusion2: The only good point about the M262 is its price-that is why it was designed, to boost the sales of the last M240 bodies and sensors before the release of the M10 which crushed the M240/262 in terms of size, ergonomics(linked to size), shutter, buffer size and above all ISO capacity. Shooting anything above 800 ISO with the M240/262 is exposing oneself to debilitating noise. That type of noise would takes far higher ISO selection on the M10. 800 ISO noise with the M262 = 3200 or even 6400 ISO noise with the M10. You could argue "who needs 6400 ISO"... the fact is some of us do need the possibility of using anything between 1600 and 6400 iso, and what is more use it (in the same way that there is nothing shameful or heretic in using Live View and video on a M240)... and some of us did (contrary to your assertion that no-one did). Back to rule 1: who can do the most can do the least, ...and who only does the least cannot do the most. That simple. Final Conclusion Recap: , ok unique color rendition, for affordable price and for considering the M262 (and 240 by the way) as entry cameras for the Leica M system, anything beyond that is fantasy or self-justification for spending that kind of money, especially if you already own and use an M10.

[@TheChosenOne_]

I'd argue the hidden gem is the M-P 240. You can get it in black paint, have liveview, brass top. The 262 is great too, but usually more expensive and lacking the aforementioned features. But obviously choose the one where you get the best deal.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Its about same price. I had mp before and i prefer m262. Lighter. Thats enough.

[@frame-lines]

The MP240 is a great option - I used one for a few months but it is noticeably heavier and bigger, with poorer ergonomics.

[@TheChosenOne_]

@@frame-lines interesting point. I thought bodywise they were identical except weight due to different materials