Leica M240

Leica M (Typ 240)

The Leica M (Typ 240) marks the most significant technological leap in the digital M lineage since the introduction of the M9. Released at Photokina 2012, it was the first M-camera to abandon the CCD sensor technology in favor of a modern 24-megapixel Full-Frame CMOS sensor developed by CMOSIS. This shift allowed for the introduction of Live View and Focus Peaking, enabling photographers to focus with precision directly on the rear LCD or through an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF-2), a massive benefit for users of fast lenses (f/0.95) or wide-angle architectural lenses.

Physically, the M240 is famously robust. It is slightly thicker (42mm depth) and heavier than both the M9 before it and the M10 after it. This increased volume accommodates a significantly larger battery (BP-SCL2), which offers the best battery life of any digital M camera, easily lasting for a full day of heavy shooting. It also features a weather-sealed body with rubber gaskets, making it a reliable workhorse for travel and documentary photography in harsh conditions.

For the first time in M history, the Typ 240 included 1080p Full HD video recording, accessed via a dedicated movie button on the top plate. While this feature was controversial among purists and eventually removed in the M10, it made the M240 a versatile tool for multimedia journalists. The traditional bright-line framelines were also updated to LED illumination (red or white), replacing the ambient light window mechanism of previous models, ensuring visibility even in total darkness.

History

The Leica M (Typ 240) arrived during a transitional era where Leica sought to modernize the rangefinder concept without losing its identity.

The CMOS Revolution (2012) When launched in 2012, the camera was simply named "Leica M," intending to follow a naming convention similar to Apple products (e.g., "iPad"). However, the community universally adopted the internal code "Typ 240" or "M240" to distinguish it. The move to CMOS was critical for improving high ISO performance (usable up to ISO 3200/6400) and enabling the use of the R-Adapter M, which allowed legacy Leica R SLR lenses to be mounted and focused via Live View [1].

Variations and Evolution The Typ 240 platform proved to be extremely durable and spawned several variations:

• Leica M-P (Typ 240) (2014): The "Professional" upgrade with a 2GB buffer (doubling the continuous shooting capacity), sapphire glass screen, and the removal of the red dot logo in favor of a top-plate script [2].
• Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) (2015): A dedicated black-and-white version based on the M240 architecture, offering improved ISO performance over the original CCD Monochrom.
• Leica M (Typ 262) (2015): A lighter, photography-purist version that removed Live View and Video features and used an aluminum top plate to save weight [3].

Legacy The M240 was succeeded by the slimmer Leica M10 in 2017. While the M10 returned to the classic form factor, the M240 remains a cult favorite for its incredible battery life, "maverick" color science (which differs from both the M9 and M10), and its unique ability to shoot video [4].