I spent a year with an M240 and I learned a lot from the experience. Easily the best value on the used market for anything with a red dot on it. But damn that thing was heavy. 262 fixes that and gives you a screen with more accurate color and contrast. Sold it to finance Fuji glass but it held 100% of the value I put into it. Basically it was a year long rental for free.
Glad to hear another person recognize the 262 as one of the best digital M's. I've had mine since it was introduced. That Zeiss ZM 35 2.8 is a KILLER lens and balances so well on the 262. I now worry that batteries for the 262 will get hard to find.
Well done. A Leica is a Leica...and each camera has a uniqueness that its owner embraces. I started with the M9 and moved up to the M10 even though the M11 was available. Love both; the M10 is my #1. That being said, 262 owners do love their Leicas.
The M240 made me leave Leica after being the owner of two M9’s. The M10 restored some confidence in the company and the M11 Monochrom made me invest in the brand again fiscally.
Great camera. I can not afford a new Leica, but somehow got me an old Leica X1, to this day it still surprise me on how it works. Thanks for your work!
Good presentation. My “fat” Leica M camera is an M Type 246 Monochrom. The long-lasting battery is a wonderful asset, and the difference in body thickness, compared to the M10, is quite subtle, to me. (Size L hands, medium-length fingers.) 24MP are, indeed, enough, at least for personal shooting. The M Type 262 has a minimalist coolness that, visually, I find very appealing. I actually started rangefinder shooting with an M10, but after a mishap, when I thought my M10 may well have been totaled, I quickly bought a pre-owned M 246, to get back onto the horse that threw me. (The M10 was, thankfully, repairable.) So, I am experiencing Leica batteries for both the M10-series and 240/246/262 series. The performance/longevity difference is very noticeable.
Got your arguments, but for me, it’s the M10 (even more the P or R, for that shutter sound). Never liked the feel of the M240-246. The thickness is not comfortable for me. The weight of the M10 is the right weight balance with size to my taste. Just a matter of personnal feelings. Not bitching the M246, it’s a great camera too. 😉 I shoot at night with a M9 and a 2.8 lens, and got lots of great shots… not easy and need to work on it, but not that nightmare if you know what you are doing. 😅
There is not one best camera. The best camera is the one that makes a photographer happy. Making these comparisons is so NOT what photography and creating is about. It is it a gear race 😅 Please everybody be happy with what fits your needs, love and wallet. I wish you all good light 👍🏼
Totally agree, and also the M-P 240 in that mix, the reduced features on this camera make it better in lots of ways, i don’t need Video on my M-P. The vibe you get is great, I’m not fussed either away about brass but agree less weight is good. . I personally love brass top plates and don’t mind either way but I agree weight is an improvement . M-P gives you frame lines no red dot if you want to stay ninja. M-P gives you live view as an option, this can be handy in some instances and i personally am impatient and like to see what I’ve taken . The 240, 262, M-P ARE ALL GREAT OPTIONS IN 2024. One word…” Vibes”
Hmmm... and here I thought I was the only one that knew the Leica M Type 262 was it. Simplicity with excellent image quality. Bought mine new and no plans to sell it or supposedly "upgrade" since nothing would really be an upgrade. The 262 is my M6 with a digital sensor and a rear screen, convenient for the small things like dealing with a very simple menu.
Large hand gang checking in. Definitely miss the insane battery life of the m240 that I had. Love this video -- no excuses, we all just need to get out and shoot. It's all more than good enough
I use both the M10 and M262, both are outstanding. I prefer the 262 for a lot of things but I use the m10 a majority of the time because I just find it more capable with low light and dynamic range and its physical handling is a little more pleasant to use. But overall, I would agree the 262 is the superior camera. Colors are really gentle and more unique if you know how to work with the camera to get a good exposure, the bigger body is actually more comfortable if you're holding the camera all day long, shutter is quieter and less abrasive, and finally - the battery is unstoppable. I have 3x m10 batteries and will cycle through all of them before going below 50% on the 262
"The best for YOU". For me personally I like to use the M cameras without using a screen during shooting and I can't do that any digital M prior to the M10, because ISO. On the M10 on the other hand I can. That's why for me the M10 is perfect. The sound of the 262 is nice though :)
I have the m240 and theres something about its limitations and the way the sensor renders colors that i much prefer. i hear the 262 isnt too much of a difference from the 240 so i get your point.
Not a Leica shooter, but the battery and low res argument resonated a ton with me. I've missed more banger photos due to me forgetting the battery in it's charging pod than due to having an 18MP sensor. Also, since when is the MP count important? I've printed A3 size a 3MP photo and you couldn't see a pixel even if you looked from an inch away. (yeah, that was kind of extreme... i was actually testing just how extreme I could go). Besides, if you had to crop your photos then it's not the camera body's fault, it might be the lense fault or most likely your own incompetence to get closer or choosing the better lense for the task.
You're not wrong 🙂. When I take photos just for myself, I take my M-262. Professionally, it has limitations but even then: studio portraits with the (old!) 90/2 summicron still look sweet. I'm keeping mine!
I've got an M8 which I love... but also love the idea of getting something a bit more future proofed. This seems like the natural step, but I'm afraid I'd miss the sensor. Any thoughts on that? Thanks Dee!
You neglected to mention that this body as well as the m240 (same sensor) has a green cast in the shadows. If it did not have that i would have kept it but once i discovered it and realized there was nothing i could do i returned it for the m10. that was the only reason but i knew i would be fighting with that forever.
@@DeeRosa The green shadow cast was a major issue for me and it for me was impossible to really fully resolve in post in some instances.. I had my retoucher look at it and we agreed it would be impossible to use with this issue for someone shooting the way I shoot. There was a guy who made a software fix for the issue but sadly he passed away and the plugin he made was not updated for m1 Mac so I could not use it at all. If it did not have that green casting issue i would have been very happy with it. it's also worth noting that the Q has (for me) the best ibis of any camera leica ever made and arguably of all time. i have shot this thing at 200 iso at night and because of the insane ibis i have never really needed to ever go above 800 and often shot it at 200 at night. Leica had never made an ibis body pre Q so they actually took that feature away ( the strength of the ibis) in the Q-p and the Q2. Happy shooting and great video and work.
Agree. I run a couple M’s both film and digital. BW film for darkroom prints. I also use an xpro2 and it’s a camera I can’t let go of. The battery in the 240 series is ridiculous. I don’t give a shit about brass or aluminum. I got a MP240 due to the 2gb buffer. I THINK it’s the same buffer as the m10. Does the 262 have that as well? If the ISO noise bothers anyone, just run it through DXORaw and it’ll clean it right up. Absolutely no need for an m10/m11.
I have a Leica M 262 and the M11. Regret you are wrong in that the M11 is a far superior camera and the best digital Leica I have ever used and I have done the M8, M9-P, X1, D-Lux 6. It has so many features, which are useful, that the M 262 doesn’t have. However, the M 262 is much better value. I got mine for £2,000 used but the M11 was £7,600. Not thinking of getting rid of the M 262 any time soon.
Yeah, have to agree with you. M11 is far superior. M11 with my 35 1.4 is all I need. White balance is much improved, ability to crop 61 MP and use small, medium and large raw files, internal memory, no bottom plate and great battery. If you want to save $6000 then yes the m262 is still a great camera.
Far superior if the only thing you value is image quality. But if that was the only thing you valued there are much better cameras than the m11 for much less money. I had the m11 black, and it was built nothing like my m10p, m-p 240, m246 or even my sl2. Sent it back after a week. I couldn’t stand the Nikon/Sony files off that thing.
Never have bond with M10 and newer one. The M240 files made me switch to Leica for good. Sometimes better camera in features is not what you’re looking for, for me personally I like taste better, so I found that the best image Leica camera can produced came from the M9, M240 second. I can appreciate more than M11 files.
For me the excellent colour files of a Leica started with the M8 and finished with the M9. I tried the M (Typ 240) and the M10-R. Both are a joke and the files look like from any other CMOS body colourwise. Simply nothing to keep or use for a longer period of time.
i’m a Sony and Canon owner and I also shoot film with my Canon AE-1 and F1, but I’ve been contemplating purchasing a Leica , but it has to be the “right” one . Let’s see what happens . Great review btw
I love shooting with my pair of M240s all the time. The size and weight to me are perfect and that battery life is to die for... I don't do video at all and just disable that in menu, but I wish I could assign the button to do something. The M240 has the same shutter hold down review feature. I am interested in the M-D 262... Great video.....
@@DeeRosa Because it’s mainly about each other’s taste and given your attitude, it won’t be interesting ? Have fun shooting ! Glad this one was the one for you 👌
Thanks for your thoughts on the 262. I still have my 240 and loving it and seeing no need to upgrade. I carry my 240 over my Nikon z7II. I just love the leica.
We like them thicc around here #bighandgang. I knew from jump you’d be THE owner this gem deserved! I definitely miss that big ass battery and half-press image preview. The M10 has been lovely but you’re onto something here. Amazing breakdown of a knockout of a camera and with imagery to boot. Great job, brother.
I completely agree, we’ll I think the m10p is the best camera Leica has ever made. I had the m11- sent it back after a week. Image quality isn’t the only thing Leica owners value. We value the entire experience. The Leica m11 is a step backwards in my book.
I agree, great camera but for me I prefer the 240. Weather sealed and brass. I wish Leica kept the brass on all their cameras. The 80g weight difference is really no big deal. Great images out of both.
Beautiful photos, nice colors and soft contrast but with sharpness. Your video is one of the best advert for Leica digital camera. I do appreciate the aluminium vs brass for weight but the fact you don t have live view is a pb for me. Not to take photo with the screen like all the iPhone shooters (I hate taking photos without a viewfinder) but to take benefit of the electronic view finder for short Tele. I love the 75 and the 90mm and honnestly after 40 years of reflex it s difficult the focus correctly without it. So except the fact it s heavier I do prefer the m240 which gets the same colors as yours but offer the possibility of using a vf-2. My dream would be that Leica delivers a special serie of m240 in aluminium… but it would be very expensive.
I like your comment about video. I understand why manufactures do it. But they should build "SOME" camera that are dedicated photo cameras. I almost never use the video features on my cameras. Most of the time I reach for my iPhone or GoPro for quick videos.
Great video. Agree with you 100% on the M262 being a great camera. In addition to the features you mention, the camera has a very simple menu system compared to M240, M10 or M11. Finally the BW JPEGs are quite good as well straight out of camera where high ISO yields a very film like image.
You said many good things but you are wrong about color at high iso. How can you not see that colors wash out above iso 2000 ? Having said that I sold my m10 and went back to an M. I did not dislike the body of the m10. Honestly I believe you need a thumps up (or a clone of that) on either digital M. But I could not see that I needed anything from the m10 that an M could not do for me. But most important is the output. Not the features. The m9 was unique and I love it to this day. The m10-r is now my camera of choice. Not for its resolution but for the output. Colors look sooo nice and overall rendition is just awesome. Prefer it over anything else. Did not shoot with the m11 though. Don’t like how people often times process their m11 images so maybe it’s not the cameras fault that I am not drawn to it.
Hell yeah. I quit shooting film at the beginning of this year after I got this camera and I love it. Tbh if it broke I’d just replace it with an M/M-P 240. Have you ever shot the SL Typ 601? I’m curious how it compares since those are even cheaper than these “older” digital M bodies.
Christian, I think the images that come out of that thing look incredible. The ergos and handling are a pleasure to experience. The only real complaint (minor) is that I’m spoiled by the 262/240 battery. Haha. In true mirrorless fashion, you’ll have to pack extra for the SL. Overall, awesome camera! Video ain’t too bad either but the SL2 or SL2-S outclass that department 1000000%. Hope that helped!
The convenience of the M11 is unparallel to previous M body. No removable bottom plate and USB charging, I can travel the world with just one cable that huge for me(don't worry iphone Type C will come next year)
lol this is one of those videos that I love to see because it confirms my opinions about this camera.... but as someone that is saving up to snag one of these for a lower price I hate you hahahah. Great video, this camera is a sleeper forsure. I hope to get one in the near future.
I love my M-P 240 but get really frustrated by its penchant to massively underexpose any time there’s a light source in frame and by its crappy AWB. I have older Nikon point and shoots that do both better. They’re the main reason I’m thinking of a switch to an M10P…
Oh buddy - the M10 didn’t really improve its exposure readings lmao. You have to get an M11 to be able to get spot & average as a selectable metering system. One of the worst things about Leica is they stuck to that crappy metering system for years out of stubbornness.
Nice review of the m262. It really makes me wish that I kept 262 as I really miss the larger capacity battery vs the M10 battery… I carry at least a couple of extra m10 batteries with me when I’m out. Leica never made many 262 bodies and they are really difficult to find now on the pre-owned market.
No man, you're not crazy at all, enters the sexy underrated m8.. lol. Always appreciate your thoughts and man, I need to see where I can get my hands on American quid. Happy New Years Bud!
Amazing camara, had the 240 and upgraded to M10, there are some things true...some not sure...first off, for me the best 2 M digital cameras for an analog/digital expierence are, by far the M8 and M9, for many reasons, for starters that amazing colors from their CCD Kodak sensor trying to imitate the amazing Kodakchrome, then M8 is almost useless if you push more than 800 ISO and I woud not go up to more than 2000 ISO on the M9...in film who really uses more than 2000 ISO..., that for the analog thing. Now about the M10...love the 240 and 262..but men they are FAT, not so sure if they are what you really want for street, ISO is much much sexier, simpler and just better on M10, better dynamic range. M10 is just more pocketable than 240/262, I didnt really see a huge difference on the pictures, for me those 2 sensors give same quality nice photos, just with the M10 you can push a little more your ISO. Also true battery is amazing on 240/262, but again its a lot wider than M10 so its logic. I dont think there is a better Leica than another I guess it depends how much are you willing to spend, what you really want and thats all, you want something that looks like film and has a nice FF sensor to print bit, there is no better than the M9, you want battery life go for the 240, you want power and a more pocketeable camera M10 or go nuts and grab a M11...I agree with the Mega Pixels thing, I have a M10 and Q2 Monochrom, Q2 has almost 50 MP on an insane amazing 28 summilux lens, and its very sharp, still even with my M8 or M9 sometimes I have more than enough, I have 1 meter prints done with my M8 with its "poor" 10 MP ane not FF sensor and they look geat!!
How has your experience been with using this leica model on not so great weather days/nights? I know sometimes camera companies won’t come out and say a camera is totally weather resistant to the harsh elements… but wondering if this camera can be used and not die or fall apart from some rain or snow.
I got it soaked by beer and water shooting an Austin FC (MLS) playoff match for a magazine this year. It was fine. Just wipe it off and don’t leave it sitting in rain or water. Even “weather resistant” gear will malfunction when left in constant moisture. Only Olympus makes a fully weather SEALED body.
@@DeeRosa appreciate your response and info. I got my eye on a couple of used 262’s if the $$$ trade in’s work in my favor later this year for my birthday.
It’s the same. Edit: it’s the same but only because idgaf about it between the two. Never compared it. Two different sensor types. They both take photos.
I remember when you hated leica and claimed that fuji was superior. Glad you’re enjoying the fruits of the leica experience, more views, more enjoyment with shooting and more happiness.
Never hated. I specifically said in those videos that Leica fanboys were annoying and comparing Fuji cameras to M bodies was dumb because Leica has a APSC body to compare it to and also in every aspect the Fuji out performs it and there isn’t a difference in image output. I still stand by that but also when I made those I had ALREADY used M, SL and Q bodies lol
Save, save, save. Stop wasting money on unhealthy and unnecessary things, every cent it’s a soldier and you need an army! Stay on course and don’t steer of your goal! You can do it, when you think something it’s expensive you quit to yourself, don’t! Believe
Whichever camera you think is the best then it's the best for you. But you have to have rocks in your head to say the M10 and M11 aren't better cameras. I have an M9. Love it, I won't upgrade and I don't need to. Mostly because I can't afford it. the m9 does everything and it's still a Leica m. the M, M10 and M11 are better cameras, even if I don't like the M at all.
I mean yeah I’m intrigued but when I tried to buy one the turnaround time was too long. Again, I’m very interested BUT I haven’t used it so I don’t want to speak on it because I honestly haven’t had time with it. I feel like that would be disingenuous.
Would you suggest this camera to a jpg only shooter? I am craving for this camera but coming from Fuji and their wonderful jpgs makes me nervous to pull the trigger for the Leica M 262.
What I like about theses videos is that, when an argument makes sense, it destroys almost all bs out there. If the best Leica has an aluminum top plate and that is a good material, why people say that Leica has a superior build than an X-Pro for example? A lot of dumb statements just to keep the Leica club going.
Interesting but I disagree, the M10 is the best in my opinion, the .dng files are astounding. I am not looking for a lighter camera, I am looking for a better camera I can use for client, paid, work. High iso is excellent. The M10-P is even better with the in body perspective correction, touch screen and electronic view finder. In fact the M10 is so good, I purchased every model variation.
I subscribed after this video. Today, as I sit putting my film on rolls one of your older videos showed up in my feed. The video that came up in my feed was about how leicas are overated and for posers, not real working photographers... Then I watched another video of yours about shooting film in 2021. I have to say the anger hate and vitriol you directed at those who enjoy shooting film was well uncalled for. You also misinterpreted the quote from the Ilford photographer she said (or meant) she felt more connected to her photos. She was not saying there was a connection for anyone else. You sounded very boomerish, with your get off my digital lawn rant. I don't want to repeat all of your arguments. It was tiring to listen to unfortunately my hands were busy rolling film onto reels to leave your video. FYI, not that it means anything, but I'll be unsubscribing. Get well soon.
The best camera is the one that you have to Take pictures. If you took that amazing shot on x camera instead of y camera, its still there. Go take pics people! Go get the shot. Stop whining start shooting. Your camera is good enough!
any so called Quality that you might be getting from your camera here, is totally wasted on these images that have very little redeeming qualities. Yet you rattled off a ton of 'clients' you shoot for. It's insane how Getty put so many serious photographers out of business when digital came into being, yet here is a kid with money to own leicas 'teaching' the world. It's ass backward! Photography is just about DEAD.