p.2 #1 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I do believe there are third party batteries for 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.
Indeed, I had some third party batteries for my (now sold) M9. I never had a complaint about them. I would be unable to say whether they lasted a bit less or a bit more than the stock battery, they just performed as expected.
But the time of available third party batteries ended with the M9 (and I think the M262 could also use them, but I am not sure). The absence of third party solution for any of the subsequent cameras, added to the regular availability issue and the outrageous cost when one can find them are a real problem for all recent Leica cameras...
p.2 #2 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
I’m with Fred, this has been a persistent problem and is both frustrating and disappointing.
RexGig0 wrote:
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.
I’ve had a pre-order into Leica Miami for at least 3-4 months. Still waiting. Not their fault by the way.
p.2 #3 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
I’m a huge Leica fan and I’ve been burned by Leica multiple times now. This battery situation is just icing on the cake. They could have solved this battery problem in multiple ways, but they choose not to do so. The brand also isn’t particularly apologetic when they treat customers poorly.
It took two years to get the m11 bugs worked out. A year to release a sl2 firmware update to bring back a feature they removed in a firmware update. It took me months to get my steel rim reissue fixed via warranty when it was defective out of the box. I sent a newly purchased MP film camera to DAG for CLA (my expense) because it had rangefinder issues and I didn’t want it sitting in Germany for a year to get warranty work. DAG had it returned in a couple weeks. This stuff happens while I see them post articles about record profits.
p.2 #4 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
chadrem wrote:
I’m a huge Leica fan and I’ve been burned by Leica multiple times now. This battery situation is just icing on the cake. They could have solved this battery problem in multiple ways, but they choose not to do so. The brand also isn’t particularly apologetic when they treat customers poorly.
It took two years to get the m11 bugs worked out. A year to release a sl2 firmware update to bring back a feature they removed in a firmware update. It took me months to get my steel rim reissue fixed via warranty when it was defective out of the box. I sent a newly purchased MP film camera to DAG for CLA (my expense) because it had rangefinder issues and I didn’t want it sitting in Germany for a year to get warranty work. DAG had it returned in a couple weeks. This stuff happens while I see them post articles about record profits. ...Show more →
The record profits might well be part of the issue here; if they sell everything they can make at exorbitant prices then why bother improving service and support?
Luckily it seems the Q2 can use Q3 batteries so I am not worried about that one but I sure am glad I picked up spares for the M10 while they were readily available. (edit: at least one camera dealer here has them in stock now)
p.2 #5 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
The record profits definitely seem to be the issue. Supposedly they are training up new people as fast as they can to solve the repair backlog. That said, there is no excuse to justify the battery situation, firmware issues, and quality control problems. What really annoyed me was when I was dealing with these things and they decided to make watches and tv projectors. That’s when I knew this is all about driving private equity profits over customer service. I still love using the products so here we are.
p.2 #6 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
I bought two batteries when I bought my M246 a few years back - so far, so good.
However, it is astonishing how complacent Leica has been on this battery problem, and how negligent they are about reliable and long-term customers. It really should damage their reputation, their lack of response on the problem is so typical. Remember, it is a German company, and they never apologise. Shameful!
p.2 #7 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Battery availability and longevity always looms over us with digital cameras. Can't get new original batteries for the GFX 50S/R when the R was only discontinued in 2021. Watson still makes a third party battery for it at least.
One option is to buy a second body as a backup off eBay. There are always listings that include two or three extra batteries at what seem like no extra cost versus one without the batteries.
I guess eventually I'll need to duct-tape a USB-C power bank to the bottom of my M11 and wire it up to a solar panel on my backpack
As for Leica's role – the wait time to get a battery fits perfectly with their repair times. So when it goes off for repair, order some extra batteries and everything will be ready at the end of that 6-12 month window
p.2 #8 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
We are not in the Covid era where everything is in short supply.
There are no chip shortages.
There are no Li battery component shortages.
This is a deliberate ploy from Leica, they want to render obsolete past gen cameras by cutting off battery supply. Remember they have no problem supplying batteries for current gen cameras.
p.2 #9 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
chadrem wrote:
….Supposedly they are training up new people as fast as they can to solve the repair backlog...
I don’t believe that for one second. Their repair times have been outrageous for years now - so what happened to all these techs they were training? They just decided to train a bunch yesterday?
No other mfgs have issues w repair times or lack of techs. There is no secret here, Leica does not care about the after sales service, just making the sale.
p.2 #10 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Since it is only the Li-On cells that wear out, if someone has an old dead M10 battery we should open it up and see the cell count and layout. It should be easy to buy new cells, replace them, and maintain all the protective circuitry. Probably cost just a few dollars to do it.
p.2 #11 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
I didn't start this thread to bash Leica. That wasn't my intention at all. I just wanted to bring attention to something that's been frustrating for many loyal customers. We're simply photographers who want to keep enjoying the cameras we love, and for a lot of us, that means using models that aren't the newest releases.
As Leica users, we're not asking for much...just continued support for something as essential as the batteries that keep our cameras running.
That said, I do hope this thread catches Leica's attention. If someone at Leica searches for "Leica battery shortage", they'll likely come across this discussion.
p.2 #12 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Fred, this thread isn’t bashing Leica but a reality check.
I love using Leica gear - I have nine film Leicas (!) and the 10r. For me nothing is more enjoyable than using an M apart from maybe my Holgas. (Not kidding about that…)
But Leica has been taking advantage of the goodwill of their customers for way too long now. They have conditioned us to accept appalling service as part of the experience.
Enough is enough.
p.2 #13 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Fred, I totally get your point and it's a fair one. The problem is the M10 battery shortage (in the USA) has been a real issue for 1+ years. Many people are done with being patient and I promise you that Leica corporate knows about the issue. I'd love to see Leica continue making new batteries for old models, but at minimum they could work with a 3rd party (like Watson) to take over. It's 100% their choice to keep these batteries locked down and simultaneously not meet the demand for new batteries. Thus the frustration that leads to bashing. This message is coming from a die hard Leica fan boy that has spent plenty with the brand.
p.2 #14 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
1bwana1 wrote:
Since it is only the Li-On cells that wear out, if someone has an old dead M10 battery we should open it up and see the cell count and layout. It should be easy to buy new cells, replace them, and maintain all the protective circuitry. Probably cost just a few dollars to do it.
I sure hope this is true. Refurbishing old batteries for all sorts of cameras could end up being a real business in the future.
p.2 #16 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Looking at the M10 battery I don't see how one would open it up. I'll check YouTube out of curiosity. If the cells can be replaced that would really ease a lot of fears. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
p.2 #17 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
After doing a bit of research I did find one fact to cut Leica some slack. The battery is manufactured by Varta in Indonesia. Varta appears to be in some serious financial trouble and was removed from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. So perhaps Leica really is in a pickle here and can't get Varta to make more of them. I still don't think it's an excuse though. I'm willing to bet that Watson would make them given the appropriate permission from Leica.
May 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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p.2 #18 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
p.2 #19 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
chadrem wrote:
After doing a bit of research I did find one fact to cut Leica some slack. The battery is manufactured by Varta in Indonesia. Varta appears to be in some serious financial trouble and was removed from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. So perhaps Leica really is in a pickle here and can't get Varta to make more of them. I still don't think it's an excuse though. I'm willing to bet that Watson would make them given the appropriate permission from Leica.
From what I just read, after reading your post, it appears that yes, Varta was in trouble and went through significant restructuring. The restructuring eliminated all share capital, which is what resulted in its removal from the stock exchange.
The restructuring was in part driven by Porsche and their interest in Varta's V4Drive battery subsidiary. I haven't found any information about how the restructuring affects Varta's production in other areas and for other customers, such as Leica.
Leica could certainly have handled communication around this better. By transferring it from retail to spare parts listing, and not providing any communication, it would appear to have been discontinued because it would no longer be available through regular retail channels. To end users this would appear to be an indication that significant support for the M240 series had been dropped.
Looks like you might have to copy/paste the full links above, including everything after the question mark, to go to the correct post in the LUF thread.
