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Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #1 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

I've been a big fan of Leica for years. I currently own film cameras, a Leica M-D, which uses the BP-SCL2 battery from the M240 series, and a Leica M10-R, which uses the BP-SCL5. Right now, both of these batteries are basically impossible to find. And when you do find one, it's often from resellers who jack up the price two to four times what it should cost.

At first, I figured this was temporary. I thought Leica would step in and make more of these batteries available. But after more than a year with no real improvement, I'm starting to lose confidence in the brand.

Leica loves to promote the long-term value of their cameras. They talk about keeping the M-mount alive for decades and how their lenses work on every body, even going back to the earliest film M cameras. They also say their gear is built to last a lifetime. And that's true in terms of materials and design. But for digital cameras, you need more than that. You need power. And without batteries, these cameras are useless.

You could argue that other parts of the camera will eventually fail too. That's fair. But batteries are different. They're the one part Leica could easily continue to support. It's not about legacy electronics or rare internal chips. It's just the one thing that keeps the whole system running!

And this isn't just about older models. Sure, my M-D and M10-R are a few years old, but look at the new $10,500 M11-P Safari. It uses the BP-SCL7. Right now that battery is available, but what about in a few years? Will people be in the same situation we're in today with M240 and M10 batteries?

For reference, I bought my M10-R Black Paint brand new in 2023. That wasn't long ago. Yet today, I can't find spare batteries for it anywhere. That's frustrating, and it makes me feel like even recent models are heading toward early obsolescence.

I love Leica. I really do. But this situation with batteries is something they need to fix. If people start feeling like their expensive cameras will turn into bricks just a few years after purchase, that's going to hurt the reputation Leica worked so hard to build.

I'm saying this as someone who wants Leica to succeed. But it's time they show the same care for their existing users as they do when launching their next beautiful product. Batteries matter. Without them, nothing else works...

May 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #2 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

All of the grief that Leica has inflicted on their loyal customers, and the batteries being the straw that is breaking the back of the faithful is funny to see as an outsider.

You'd think SL3 bodies just randomly wiping memory cards or M6 reissues scratching film would have been the big stinks. I have a feeling that all the same people that have complained about any of these issues (or batteries) will try to be first in line for the EVF M though.

Do OEM batteries not exist?

May 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #3 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

A friend of mine was in Europe last week and was able to buy an M10 battery from stock in the Hamburg Leica Store, at the regular price.

Another friend had placed an order for two M10 batteries at B&H. Both shipped in the last couple of weeks at regular price.

The Los Angeles Leica Store recently had them in stock, and I have heard of others also having them recently.

So, it seems that Leica is having them made and sending them out to their channel to be sold. They may be in short supply and you may have to get on a waiting list, but people are being successful in getting them.

I do however think that overall Leica needs to step up substantially in customer care or it will do harm to the premium brand reputation.

May 15, 2025 at 01:01 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #4 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

RoamingScott wrote:
All of the grief that Leica has inflicted on their loyal customers, and the batteries being the straw that is breaking the back of the faithful is funny to see as an outsider.

You'd think SL3 bodies just randomly wiping memory cards or M6 reissues scratching film would have been the big stinks. I have a feeling that all the same people that have complained about any of these issues (or batteries) will try to be first in line for the EVF M though.

Do OEM batteries not exist?

OEM batteries are made by Leica, which is what I�m talking about. If you're referring to third-party replacements, they don't exist for Leica M cameras.

May 15, 2025 at 01:59 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #5 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

1bwana1 wrote:
A friend of mine was in Europe last week and was able to buy an M10 battery from stock in the Hamburg Leica Store, at the regular price.

Another friend had placed an order for two M10 batteries at B&H. Both shipped in the last couple of weeks at regular price.

The Los Angeles Leica Store recently had them in stock, and I have heard of others also having them recently.

So, it seems that Leica is having them made and sending them out to their channel to be sold. They may be in short supply and you may have to get on...Show more →

Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad a few people have had luck finding batteries recently, but I think it's important not to let Leica off the hook too easily here. This shortage has been going on for a very long time now, and for many of us, it's still nearly impossible to find a BP-SCL5 or BP-SCL2 without paying absurd price for used listings. Just out of curiosity, try doing a Google search and see if you can find any available anywhere in the USA.

Even if Leica hasn't officially discontinued these batteries, their lack of consistent availability really hurts everyday users who just need a reliable backup to keep shooting. The fact that a few stores had limited stock doesn't solve the larger problem, especially for a brand that promotes longevity and loyal support.

May 15, 2025 at 02:02 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #6 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

Fred Miranda wrote:
Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad a few people have had luck finding batteries recently, but I think it's important not to let Leica off the hook too easily here. This shortage has been going on for a very long time now, and for many of us, it's still nearly impossible to find a BP-SCL5 or BP-SCL2 without paying absurd price for used listings. Just out of curiosity, try doing a Google search and see if you can find any available anywhere in the USA.

Even if Leica hasn't officially discontinued these batteries, their lack of consistent availability really hurts...Show more →

For the m10 battery try putting yourself on the list at B&H. They still sell for close to original prices there and they and it seems they ship with regularity.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=leica%20bp-scl5&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

May 15, 2025 at 02:35 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #7 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

1bwana1 wrote:
For the m10 battery try putting yourself on the list at B&H. They still sell for close to original prices there and they and it seems they ship with regularity.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=leica%20bp-scl5&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

Thanks again. I personally don't need any backup batteries at the moment. I�m just thinking about those who buy a used camera and have no way to get a backup battery for it.

May 15, 2025 at 02:49 PM

gordec
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p.1 #8 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

I'm going to Istanbul in June. If anyone wants batteries let me know, I can go check out Leica Istanbul. Not sure if they will have any in stock.

May 15, 2025 at 03:54 PM

TR3B
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p.1 #9 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

May 15, 2025 at 04:05 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #10 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

TR3B wrote:
Obviously more people than not are having little success in sourcing these batteries. What do you suppose is the reason behind the �short supply�? This topic had been discussed for months now. Where and what is Leica�s response? Crickets!

Try tracking down a new M240/M262 battery. If you find one, I�ll take it

I do agree that Leica is letting down it's users on this battery issue. I just wanted to point out to those searching that getting on the wait list at a place like B&H may offer a solution.

May 15, 2025 at 04:28 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #11 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

TR3B wrote:
Obviously more people than not are having little success in sourcing these batteries. What do you suppose is the reason behind the �short supply�? This topic had been discussed for months now. Where and what is Leica�s response? Crickets!

Try tracking down a new M240/M262 battery. If you find one, I�ll take it

B&H is still accepting orders for M240 batteries, but I've been on the waitlist for over four months with no sign of progress. No camera brand should leave customers in the dark like this. The right thing would be for Leica to acknowledge the issue, apologize, and actively work to fix it. Instead, it feels like we're just being ignored.

May 15, 2025 at 04:31 PM

Sonnar-7
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p.1 #12 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

Fred Miranda wrote:
OEM batteries are made by Leica, which is what I�m talking about. If you're referring to third-party replacements, they don't exist for Leica M cameras.

I do believe there are third party batteries for the Leica M9, I had looked if it existed when I bought my M-E type 220, just in case I would need one, I was afraid the OG ones would be too old even if unused on top of being scarce and pricey as hell.
I don�t know for the other models, but since I ponder of one day buying a M10, it would be nice for a not so old camera to be able to power it for sure.

Edited on May 16, 2025 at 03:17 AM · View previous versions

May 15, 2025 at 04:56 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #13 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

When Leica has no problems supplying batteries for its current production cameras, this
seems to be an intentional move in order to get m240/m10 users to �upgrade�.

May 15, 2025 at 05:09 PM

RexGig0
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p.1 #14 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

Yes, the battery situation hurts the brand. Having said that, I keep seeing and hearing indications that there is a trickle of batteries gradually reaching the USA. A local Leica M10-R shooter, personally known to me, was able to get a BP-SCL5 battery from Houston Camera Exchange, the local Leica dealer. He was on a waiting list, for a while, but, not long enough that he was upset about it.

I may stop in, at Houston Camera Exchange, tomorrow, when one of the more-experienced and knowledgeable employee is there, and ask about Leica batteries. I doubt they have available stock, but, it is worth asking.

Speculators may be emerging as a problem. I noticed a pre-owned BP-SCL2 listed on the evil-bay for more than the retail price of a new one, popping up randomly, in my feed. I just looked again, and �new� BP-SCL2 and BP-SCL5 batteries are being listed for almost twice the retail price of new batteries.

Josh, at Leica Store Miami, has told customers to go ahead and pre-order. Pre-orders are filled in the order they are placed. When stock arrives, they contact the next customer, in the pre-order queue, to confirm payment details. I recently (last week, IIRC) pre-ordered two BP-SCL2 batteries, which fit the M 240-series. We�ll see how long it takes.

Before I placed the order with Leica Store Miami, I received an in-stock notice, for the BP-SCL2 from Camera West. I immediately ordered some, and the order was confirmed, but then, soon afterward, received a cancellation notice, and then an apology, in separate e-mails. I think this was early last last week, or, the previous week.

I have been on the e-mail lists for stock alert at B&H for some time. Of course, everybody and their dog signs up for B&H stock alerts, so, I do not expect success.

May 15, 2025 at 05:19 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #15 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

Any Nikon/Canon/Sony/Fuji/Hasselblad/Olympus/Pentax/Pixii owners having issues getting batteries?

No?

�..

May 15, 2025 at 05:27 PM

GeorgeBo
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p.1 #16 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

FWIW, I ordered two BP-SLC2s from B&H in early December last year. One was fulfilled in February and the other the end of April. Also note they are not made by Leica or Leica branded, but are "MFG for Leica Camera AG" by Varta Microbattery Indonesia. Performance is good. Not seeing any difference from the originals I have for my M240 and M246.

George

Fred Miranda wrote:
B&H is still accepting orders for M240 batteries, but I've been on the waitlist for over four months with no sign of progress. No camera brand should leave customers in the dark like this. The right thing would be for Leica to acknowledge the issue, apologize, and actively work to fix it. Instead, it feels like we're just being ignored.

May 15, 2025 at 06:14 PM

vertigo1959
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p.1 #17 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

totally agree with the OP on this subject , i am considering buying a second M262 just to get another battery though it would also protect me from some other sort of failure on my own M262.
its just not good enough in truth.

May 15, 2025 at 07:05 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #18 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

What is astounding about this is these cameras are dead in the water w/o batteries.
So this should be a critical issue for Leica to address - after all their customers paid thousands of dollars for these cameras.

The way Leica is handling this tells you exactly how they feel about their customers.

May 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM

TR3B
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p.1 #19 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

If in fact the batteries for M240/M262 and M10 are still being produced, what could make the quantity so scarce? As has been mentioned, you can get on a dealer list and wait for notification of arrival, but, if you by chance own one battery that gives up the ghost, you�re essentially dead in the water.

I�m going to back out of the discussion for now but I�ve become a bit disheartened by what I notice about Leica�s change in philosophy regarding their customer service and in their consideration for the second hand consumer.

It could affect the future of the company if they continue to disregard or fail to address the concerns of their customers. Long repair times or multiple repair attempts, battery availability, corroded sensors, scratched film, freezing 11�s, all these combined do not instill confidence in my consideration for future purchases.

I love using my M262 and MM, but if I outlive these two, I think my Leica digital rangefinder days are complete�I think.

For all you out there needing a SCL (still can�t locate) battery, get on the list and buy a spare.

May 16, 2025 at 01:03 AM

Morg
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p.1 #20 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!

I was able to order a couple for the M10, but have been searching for months for the M240 with no luck. Perhaps everyone should write Leica's service department and put a little pressure?

May 16, 2025 at 01:37 AM

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