p.4 #1 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Desmolicious wrote:
Think about the insanity here. Leica does not care that a key part that owners need to use their cameras is not available. But they instead focus on releasing the next version of their cameras.
This reflects their attitude to customer service - all they care about is the initial sale.
It feels like a poor decision that reflects negatively on the company, especially considering the M10 series, which was Leica’s most successful. It is frustrating to see them remove a key way to power these cameras, and the delay in addressing the issue is disappointing. It seems Leica has made this a low priority, even though they continue to insist that the batteries will be made available and acknowledge there are production issues.
This issue affects not only the M10 but also M240 users. Now, used batteries are selling for twice the price of new ones on eBay. It is ridiculous!
p.4 #2 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
The whole, “It’s a small company”, bit wears a little thin after a while. I’ve got an M10-R and it’s concerning.
I’ve also got an 18 year old Fujifilm S5 Pro that I can still get new batteries for, anytime I want. For $12.99
p.4 #3 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Yes can certainly understand them locking the batteries initially, although it is greedy. However if they stop producing them or struggle to keep up with demand, why not license to someone willing to produce them?
Fred Miranda wrote:
It feels like a poor decision that reflects negatively on the company, especially considering the M10 series, which was Leica’s most successful. It is frustrating to see them remove a key way to power these cameras, and the delay in addressing the issue is disappointing. It seems Leica has made this a low priority, even though they continue to insist that the batteries will be made available and acknowledge there are production issues.
This issue affects not only the M10 but also M240 users. Now, used batteries are selling for twice the price of new ones on eBay. It is ridiculous!...Show more →
p.4 #5 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Desmolicious wrote:
They are waiting for a battery.
To be fair to Leica, I received my M-D many months ago, and they resolved all the issues. I have two batteries for this camera and rotate them regularly to maintain their health. However, unlike shooting film, digital cameras rely on batteries to function. Since Leica continues to service many vintage cameras, it would be reassuring to know that batteries will not become an issue for older digital models. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.
p.4 #6 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Xavier Rival wrote:
Not that I know of.
From the 240 series [onwards], I think there has been no third party options for digital M batteries.
Ever since the M240, the Leica batteries are chipped to prevent third-parties from making replacement batteries. It's like HP forcing you to buy their printer cartridges or toner. A consumer hostile decision and a possible avenue of planned obsolesce (though I doubt this was their initial intent).
p.4 #7 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
weatherproof wrote:
Ever since the M240, the Leica batteries are chipped to prevent third-parties from making replacement batteries. It's like HP forcing you to buy their printer cartridges or toner. A consumer hostile decision and a possible avenue of planned obsolesce (though I doubt this was their initial intent).
I believe the initial intention was to prevent counterfeit batteries, but given the current situation, controlling battery production seems like a subtle way to encourage Leica shooters to keep purchasing new cameras that use different batteries.
We all want Leica to succeed and for buyers to keep investing in their new cameras, but they should focus on creating better products rather than the clear manipulation we are seeing today. The battery issue is not new, and so far, Leica does not seem serious about addressing it. This is not reassuring for those who plan to use their cameras for an extended time, or for as long as the hardware remains functional.
p.4 #8 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
And HP also wants you to have the best printing experience possible, so they lock you into using their ink/toner to save you from the tragedy of using generic ink.
Third-party batteries are not new and there are plenty of good manufacturers out there. This is why right-to-repair laws are important. Unless someone figures out how to bypass the "DRM" in the M240/M10/M11, we're looking at expensive paperweights in 10-15 years. And M9 prices keep 📈.
p.4 #9 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Fred Miranda wrote:
I believe the initial intention was to prevent counterfeit batteries, but given the current situation, controlling battery production seems like a subtle way to encourage Leica shooters to keep purchasing new cameras that use different batteries..
I don't think it is even subtle. This is a deliberate ploy for planned obsolescence - you have to buy an M11 because you can no longer get batteries for an M10 or M240. Suddenly your $6000 camera is a brick because Leica has stopped making batteries for it.
p.4 #10 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
freddy_hayek wrote:
One of the two batteries I own for my 10-P suddenly stopped charging and is unusable, leaving me in the precarious position of a single functioning power source. Does anyone know of someone who can service these batteries? Does Leica do so?
This could be a potential solution to the issue. Finding a company that can restore older Leica batteries. I am not aware of anyone offering this service, but if someone knows of one, it would be great to hear about it.
p.4 #11 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Desmolicious wrote:
I don't think it is even subtle. This is a deliberate ploy for planned obsolescence - you have to buy an M11 because you can no longer get batteries for an M10 or M240. Suddenly your $6000 camera is a brick because Leica has stopped making batteries for it.
So far, the evidence seems to point in this direction, but I prefer to give Leica the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully, things will change if their battery production is suddenly restored, so I do not want to say with certainty that this is their plan.
I do think it is important for Leica shooters to express their discontent as a way to put more pressure on the company to do the right thing not only for their bottom line but also for their previous customers.
p.4 #14 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
eBay sellers, driven by supply and demand, naturally benefit from situations like this. For those with an M240 series body who really need a battery, the cost can reach $400 for a used one (!!), which is tough to see. I am not sure if Leica is aware of this. I do not blame the sellers, as they are simply responding to the market, but it would be reassuring if Leica could produce enough batteries to meet demand. If they decide not to support certain older cameras anymore, it would be helpful for them to communicate that clearly so we, as customers, can make informed decisions moving forward...
p.4 #15 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
Reading these latest replies is frustrating. I picked up a Q-P about 2 years ago and have really been enjoying shooting with it. It has obviously become a gateway to me purchasing a Leica M10. I had already read the issues about procuring batteries for it prior to pulling the trigger but did not realize the extent of it. Had I known it was this pervasive, I would have avoided the M10 altogether.
It's difficult to "feel" for Leica when they want $200 for a battery yet at the same time are unable to keep up with the demand. I like to have at least 2 spares but at this point I would settle for one. The lack of 3rd party options is only worsened (in my eyes) by other posters here who say they've had batteries fail. Across all of the systems I've been through (Canon, Fuji, Sony) I don't think I've ever had a battery outright die or fail. Not exactly inspiring confidence.
How likely are Leica to actually listen to consumers when it comes to allowing 3rd parties (e.g. Wasabi Power, etc) to manufacture batteries for them? I understand that there is still a demand component tied to this, but the M10 may just end up being a catch and release for me if I can't shoot for more than a few hours a day because I only have one battery. I reached out to Wasabi last week and they said they had no plans to make one.
p.4 #18 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
I was facing the same problem finding batteries for my M10, and based on a suggestion from Matt Osborne (mrleica.com) I searched for UK camera shops and lucked out with Clifton Cameras (https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/)
Thy had them on order and emailed me a few days later saying they were received. Purchased two for GBP 271.41 including DHL Express shipping. Super friendly, recommend trying them 👍
p.4 #19 · Leica M10 BP-SCL5 battery impossible to find in the US!
ssellars wrote:
I was facing the same problem finding batteries for my M10, and based on a suggestion from Matt Osborne (mrleica.com) I searched for UK camera shops and lucked out with Clifton Cameras (https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/)
Thy had them on order and emailed me a few days later saying they were received. Purchased two for GBP 271.41 including DHL Express shipping. Super friendly, recommend trying them 👍
