I just bought a M262. And I rediscovered the pleasure I had experienced when I shote with my first Leica (M6, 20 years ago). The sound of the shutter is so smooth, the focusing so cool, and the colors so bright. I really love this M, my third one. It's a playful and rewarding camera witch allows you to slow down and to relax when shooting.
I recently jumped from Fujifilm to a Leica M240 using Voigtlander and TTArtisan glass and couldn't be happier. The menu seems just right and I don't spend anytime in it. This system just slows me down and I enjoy it more...
totally agree with your intro. I went a bit further and got a M10-D. pure analog Leica mood with the convenience of digital. started with a M6, then got a M8 and later M240. The M10-D is close to perfection 😉
@@bybenoit5593 This camera kind of fell in-between two chairs. A very inconvenient tilt screen. And many menus you have to go in to change the settings. Not comparable with a M10-D.
This is a f****** great, original review. You covered features most people don't usually talk about and I love how you talk about how it affects your wider approach to photography, not just technical stuff. Sub'd!
I bought my M262 for exactly the reasons you say - I wanted a film type experience albeit digital whilst needing to work slow and think, I did't want autofocus as i wanted to earn my image through technical ability.
So people who use autofocus don't earn their images through technical ability? Not sure I agree with that, but I can sort of see where you're going with it and I might agree with the sentiment.
If you really want to slow down get an M9.. Very film like CCD.. Low max iso.. No live view no chimping..beautiful DNGs and the sound is so clunky and old school.. Just make sure you get one with an updated sensor.. I love my one..
I understand the whole "not-on-a-spec-sheet" sort of appeal. I shoot an Olympus OM-1 camera and I can't imagine shooting anything else. I love the feel and the elegance, there are cameras out there with advanced exposure modes, high-end metering technologies and a wider range of shutter speed. But I will always stick with my Olympus because of that intangible beauty it holds to me. I've shot with numerous Leica M cameras and they never did it for me for some reason, but I really appreciate your passion! Loved the video!
I've always wanted to try an OM1. I had an OM4Ti for a bit but stupidly sold it. Now the price has climbed and it's unlikely I'll be able to justify the cost any time soon. Keep shooting! 👍
I bought an almost unused M-P240 early this year and sold my M8 and 9. The larger buffer offers all the write speed I need for the way I shoot. The camera is spectacular once you figure out the limitations of the metering in certain circumstances. The EVF I subsequently bought opens up an new world for my M experience as I can use Leica L glass as well as some of my legasy lenses like my 50mm f1.4 Nikkor. I doubt I will ever seek to replace this camera.
I love the m262/mp240/m240 sensor. Some say its dated, but to me it has a unique Kodachrome look. B&W conversions look amazing as well. If I had one complaint, I wish it handled higher iso a bit better. Its not the noise, but the banding which I find difficult to get rid of in some situations.
Agreed. I was shooting inside a pub (remember those?) and needed to boost the shadows in a dim room to compensate for some heavy backlighting from daylight through windows and it did NOT go well. Banding and colour noise everywhere. Though to be honest, no camera’s image would have looked perfect in that situation, though certainly whatever 24mp BSI sensor Sony is selling to everyone would have been better. I guess a more prepared photographer would have brought a flash and some much faster lenses. Though of course this wasn’t a job, so no worries on final quality. Just turned them black and white and called it a day 👍
I agree, I love my m240. Regarding the iso I don’t shoot over 1600 in daylight and when it gets dark I switch from DNG to black and white jpg. I can then shoot up to 3200 iso and I find the noice much nicer, almost grain like (almost). Using a fast lens helps as well, I use f1.2 to compensate for the camera old age 😉
ey, watching this as a M-D user and I love its imperfection. And mine is even simpler, no screen and no buttons and it does the Job :), I bought it new many years ago and as someone who loves to take pictures, it has been so difficult for me to part with it as the brain says its getting old and new stuff is around but the heart doesn't let go as the pictures it makes are beautiful. Good to see I am not not the only one still stuck with this forgotten beauty. Btw, how come no new videos? How is the journey going with the 262?
Thanks for the video. I have owned every digital Leica up to the M10, still own the M10, but I just purchased an M6 TTL. Maybe I should have watched your video first 🙂. But I guess we all have to go through the motions to figure out what’s best for us. I still want to shoot film at times, that’s where I started 20+ years ago. And I do get more sense of appreciation from producing good images where I’m limited in ability/function, but can control the process end to end. Anyway, we’ll see. The great thing is that these cameras hold value if it’s not for you. Cheers!
Quite right! There certainly is something special about shooting film, and we’re so lucky that we get to have both it and digital to feel that difference. Sounds like you’re well set up!
3:42 Olympus has their own take on the test shot feature in their mirrorless cameras. It's not mapped to the shutter release, but it can be mapped to any button where you hold it as you press the shutter button. The front two buttons on the E-M1 mark ii, for example, are easy candidates for such simultaneous button/shutter pressing. Admittedly, the one on the M262 in the video is more streamlined.
I have the Leica m262, this is my 10th Leica and it is excellent. Only critics I would say is that if you want the best from your Leica use Leica glass not substandard Chinese 7Artisans you have on that body.
Ha, I Guess when one goes Leica one would put aside any concern about budget. Maybe one day I’ll replace it with a summicron, but for now I’m surprisingly happy with the 7artisans. They make lenses with... character, shall we say? For the money they’re fun toys, and I recommend playing with them if you haven’t. Especially their weirder lenses, like the noctilux copies.
Great video ! I have the x pro 3 and m6… I always use the m6 then go to my x pro 3 and wish to emulate that analog m6 experience on my xpro 3… it’s just not the same…always wanted to try out a Leica range finder that would be similar to m6… someone told about 262 and here I’m ! Great video
I love that shot of your friend looking out the window with the orange flare swirl. Those and others from your Japan journal are quite film like coming from this M Typ 262.
Nice review. Each one has their own preference, I have never owned a Leica, had some hands on experience at stores, couldn't tell what was special about them. And even if I wanted to buy one, I can't afford one :(.
Nice review... thank you. The camera reminds me of my M4-p. Like the shots of Cornwall. May sound strange but it’s a camera that suits such landscapes/regions ... 🤷🏼♂️
Having owned an x pro 1 back in 2013, I can say for sure I prefer the Leica across the board. But for the tiny cost of an x pro 1 now, if it appeals to you, it’s a brilliant buy.
Not quite the same comparison, but I've really enjoyed shooting with the Fujifilm XE-3. I swapped my beloved GX80 for an XE-3 body, and all I've used with it is a Pergear 35mm f.16 which is surprisingly fantastic. I Think the XE-3 is still a good option if things like Leica or higher end Fuji's aren't accessible cost-wise. Even the XE-2s is still good if someone want's a rangefinder style camera. If I ever had the money, I'd definitely get a Leica - but I'm surprised how much I liked the XE-3, initially I wasn't very keen on it as my rangefinder and it stayed in the box. After taking it out a few times it's always out on my desk and ready to rock 'n' roll whenever. Nice review also - quite enjoyed the more laid-back speaking instead of all the screaming and yelling most RU-vidrs do nowadays with cheesy and nauseous editing.
Oh and thank you for the kind words. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of that style either especially for review videos where it’s like “dude, just calm down and tell me about the thing!” 😅
Thanks for the video,. I got an M7 and I'm enjoying it, but I wanna try a digital Leica too. I think the 262 seems it would be a great companion to my M7.
I have an M6 TTL for film (and a Canon AE-1 Program) and a Sony A7S for digital. I’m on the fence on swapping the Sony for a Fujifilm X Pro-2 or selling the M6 to get an M 262. The Fujifilm reminds me of the Voigtlander R3M for the controls. I loved how it worked, but hated the focus accuracy. I’m struggling on picking a path.
If it’s any consolation, if you’re watching these videos and anything like me, you might never be TRULLY happy with your set up. I’m running: canon eos r for work, Leica for fun, Pentax LX for film, and still, still I’m look back at Fuji and old film Leicas lustfully... it’s a curse.
For me, the only negative with the 262 is that Leica didn't use brass for the top and bottom plates. Who doesn't love the patina of brass showing through on a black paint Leica?
Hello George! I’d have to dig out some DNGs from the archive, but in the mean time I’ve got a bunch of pictures on my website from the camera, in the journal section. www.benoitga.com/journal/japan-nov-19/ Having recently handed back an m7, I have to say I don’t regret it. The flexibility the 262 offers along with its careful restrictions is very unique.
I had M10. But sold it last summer. Now i want to get m262 and thinking will i be dissapointed. After trying M240 i did not like that it was heavy and a bit fatty side.
@@taneltinnuri8985 If you sold your M10, disappointed by the M240 that is a bit thicker don’t try the typ262 which is an M240 with an M9 top. Maybe it’s time to look at another brand ;)
Sadly I've not used the 240, though as I understand it, the 240 is a more complete camera with live view and video. But that might not be what you're after when you're considering buying a Leica. I bought the 262 exactly because of the features it lacked, not what it had. That creates a very different experience to the modern cameras I use for work, and goes some way to justify the high cost. Hope that helps!
Nice video. Everything you've discussed I can relate to, except for me, you substitute the M262 for a Fuji X-Pro1. This camera is on my radar for the same reason I shoot the Fuji. Sub'd :)
The x-pro1 is a lovely camera, for sure. I owned one back in 2014, and I took it everywhere. The one thing that did my head in about it was that the optical viewfinder wasn't really what they advertised at the time. It isn't at all a rangefinder, and actually feels more like the Contax G viewfinders, where you never know if you nailed focus or not. So I ended up using the EVF all the time, but then I could be using any camera! If you're looking for an actual digital rangefinder experience, sadly Leica is the only game in town.
@@bybenoit5593 Yeah, the OVF isn't amazing, but I do enjoy using it when I'm practicing, or just messing about. Usually if I'm practicing Sunny 16, the OVF comes into it's own. The M262 is everything I want in a camera, but just out of my price pint at the moment. Seeing some nice M8's though.... so who knows.
@@derrenleepoole indeed! Though I find it tough to follow this advice myself (hello LUMIX S5...) it’s always best to make do with what you have in hand and just create stuff. At least, what’s what I’m trying with this channel! All the best.
The only Leica I will buy will be analog. Digital doesn’t hold value and also 10 years from now it will be worth 1/5th the price and parts may not be available. In saying that hopefully film will still be around and the parts for say an M-A/M-P
@@bybenoit5593 I own the MD262 and M10D. As both capture DNG files, you have all the flexibility you need in post-processing. The cameras are very deterministic in their operation, yielding the results you expect if you have worked on your technique to where you know what to expect from your choice of metering and sensitivity. Think of it akin to shooting slide film back in the olden days. No previews or post-views, just a real attention to the scene and metering appropriately.
@@JLStreetDoc Yes, for me it was horrible. That's what an opinion is. Sure, I'm sure, or rather, I know, that a huge number of people love the camera. But that's not my opinion. You have your opinion and I have mine. Try not to get so uptight.
