Leica 10771 M (TYP 240) chrome

The Leica M (Typ 240) is a 24MP full-frame digital rangefinder camera with a Leica M lens mount, Live View support, and the Maestro image processor — a landmark body that brought the classic M rangefinder experience into the digital era with serious imaging capability.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: Full-frame (24MP)
• Camera type: Rangefinder
• Lens mount: Leica M mount — compatible with decades of M-mount glass
• Image processor: Leica Maestro
• Live View: Yes — enables use with electronic viewfinder (EVF)
• Video: Yes — the first M-series digital body to include video recording
• Body material: Magnesium alloy with brass top and bottom plates
• Finish options: Black (10770) and Silver Chrome (10771)
• Weight: Approx. 683 g with battery and card
• Warranty (used): Minimum 12 months

What makes the Leica M (Typ 240) special?

The Typ 240 was a turning point for the Leica M line. It was the first digital M to include Live View — a practical upgrade that lets you use an electronic viewfinder or shoot from a tripod with precision framing. That alone opened the camera up to a wider range of shooting styles without compromising the traditional rangefinder experience.

Compared to the Leica M8 that came before it, the Typ 240 is a clear step forward across the board: full-frame sensor, better high-ISO performance, native video, and Live View. The M8 had a crop sensor and no video — useful context if you're deciding between older M bodies on the used market.

The Leica M11 takes things further with a 60MP BSI-CMOS sensor and the newer Maestro III processor — noticeably more resolution and modern sensor architecture. The Typ 240 sits comfortably below that in resolution (24MP) but remains a capable and much more affordable entry point into full-frame M photography. For many shooters, 24MP on a full-frame rangefinder is more than enough for portrait, street, and travel work.

The Leica M10 is another direct comparison point: slimmer body, cleaner controls, and an ISO dial on top. Both the M10 and the Typ 240 offer Live View, but the Typ 240 additionally records video, which the M10 dropped. The Typ 240 is thicker and heavier — which is "better" depends entirely on your workflow.

The 10771 is the silver chrome variant — a detail that matters to collectors and those who prefer the classic M aesthetic. It's functionally identical to the black 10770.

Who is the Leica M (Typ 240) for?

This camera is built for photographers who want to slow down and shoot intentionally. The rangefinder system — manual focus with a coincident-image patch — encourages a more deliberate approach to framing and focus, which many photographers find liberating rather than limiting.

Portrait photographers appreciate the quiet operation and the way M-mount lenses render out-of-focus areas. Street photographers love the compact profile and the near-silent shutter. Travel photographers get a full-frame sensor in a body that's smaller than most DSLRs, paired with a lens ecosystem that includes some of the most optically refined glass available.

The lenses to pair with the Typ 240 depend on your focal length preference. The Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH is a popular choice for low-light and general use — compact and fast. The Summicron-M 50mm f/2 is a classic pairing: smaller, lighter, and exceptionally sharp. If you want to save on glass, third-party options like the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 offer excellent value on the same M mount.

If you're coming from autofocus cameras, the rangefinder learning curve is real — but most shooters who commit to it find it deeply rewarding. This isn't a camera for sports or fast action; it's for everything else.

Buying a used Leica M (Typ 240)

The Typ 240 is a well-built camera with brass top and bottom plates and a magnesium alloy body — it holds up to daily use and tends to age gracefully. Used examples often show cosmetic wear that doesn't affect function, which is normal for a rangefinder that's meant to be carried and used.

Key things to check on any pre-owned Typ 240: rangefinder patch alignment (the focusing patch should align correctly with moving objects when you turn the focus ring), the rear LCD for dead pixels, and the battery compartment contacts for corrosion. The Live View function is a useful diagnostic tool — if it works cleanly, the sensor and processor are likely in good shape.

Each used Leica M (Typ 240) on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and professionally inspected before listing. Every item comes with a minimum 12 months warranty — the exact term is shown per variant listing. If something isn't right within 14 days, returns are accepted.

You can verify the exact body using the serial number: on the Typ 240, it's engraved on the top plate and also appears on the original packaging and delivery documentation.