Why Leica?

[elmars]

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I'm a Leica fanboy - even if I don't like the word because it suggests an uncritical relationship. But enthusiasm and closeness are already there. Nevertheless, I sometimes get annoyed with Leica, like the other day because a good three quarters of a year after the release of the M11 some bugs have still not been fixed. But then I remembered why Leica - unlike my car or my computer - is something special to me. Of course, it's the cameras and lenses that appeal to me, but it's also the story that connects me to Leica. I would like to tell this story briefly.

In the past, an M camera was never an option for me. I thought: it can't do anything compared to the Japanese autofocus all-rounders. That was back in the days of film. But even then I was always bothered by the fact that SLR cameras were big and heavy. When I picked up an M6 at a photo dealer and noticed how compact the camera was and how well I could manage manual focusing through the rangefinder, the thought of such a camera began to work in me. In the end it took me three years to buy an M6 TTL. I have never regretted it and have never missed another kind of camera.

During the three years of consideration I had a first very nice contact with Leica. At that time there were still the Leica Experience Days, where you could borrow a camera for a whole day. I had signed up, but my son got sick and I could only go to Solms late, after I had been to the paediatrician. But Suela Martin, who still works at the Leica Academy, had waited for me and I was allowed to return the camera later than originally planned so that I could try it out in peace. Such friendliness creates a bond and the extensive trying out contributed a lot to my decision to buy an M. 

I joined the Leica forum quite early. Over the years, there were several legendary forum meetings in the Hessenpark, which were very much supported by Leica. Oliver Richter from the Leica Academy always provided plenty of equipment to try out and the now sadly deceased product manager Günther Osterloh, who also wrote a very well-known book about the M-Leica, regularly offered workshops. Stefan Daniel gave us an insight into the background and product development, and we were also able to ask questions. In this way, some of us developed a personal relationship with the Leica staff. Stefan Daniel is certainly one of the most important people at Leica today and is still open to questions and suggestions from the user community. Such things are in no way self-evident.

Olaf Wolf is also one of the special Leica people. Hardly anyone is as willing to help as he is. During a product presentation at a photo dealer, I once told him about a problem with a lens. He offered to take the lens to Solms and took care of everything there. After a short time I had the lens back repaired. 

Finally, something that is unlikely to ever be available elsewhere. In the beginning I had two Leica M6 TTL, one for black and white and one for colour, and was very sceptical about digital photography. At one of the forum meetings I spoke about this to the son of the Hermes CEO, who was working at Leica at the time. To dispel my scepticism, he spontaneously offered to lend me his Leica M8. My objection that I would be going on holiday a few days later for three weeks and could therefore only return the camera after four weeks was no problem. So I was able to try out the M8 for the whole holiday, overcame my digital scepticism and the photos I brought back are still some of the best I have ever taken. 

My story with Leica continued, of course, but I don't want to bore you. Do you also have a story that connects you with Leica? Please write it down here.

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Finally, a recent photo of my son (Noctilux @ 0.95). This is because I started thinking about a Leica shortly after he was born. That is 25 years ago.

[jakontil]

I dont have much interesting story how i connect with leica but i see you being critical with leica despite being a fanboy, i aint sure if i am, but definitely im a purist lol, and demanded leica to be always at their best

may be someday we chat over a cup of coffee, but one thing certain, leica is more than a tool to me 🙂

[elmars]

vor 54 Minuten schrieb jakontil:

may be someday we chat over a cup of coffee

😀

vor 54 Minuten schrieb jakontil:

but one thing certain, leica is more than a tool to me

Yes!

[Segal]

Most people consider Leica a very impractical camera and kind of a toy for people with money, but I stick with Leica partially for purely practical reasons. I like to travel and take pictures and I never check in luggage. So, regarding cameras, my choices are pretty limited - it's either Leica or Fuji, and for me, Leica provides better image quality.

I also noticed that despite having other cameras for other purposes (Sony A7R3, Sony A1), I get more keepers with Leica Q/Q2 and now with Leica M11. I print my photos to hang at home, and most of my prints are from Leica.

And, finally, the experience of shooting a Leica camera is pleasant - I don't feel like I'm fighting the camera as it happens with Sony. I always feel in control. 

I am not a professional photographer. I do it for myself and as a way to relax. But I used to be a photojournalist long ago, and I think if I had to do it again, I'd prefer to use Leica for my professional assignments if I had a choice.

[Jeff S]

More first Leica stories…

Jeff

[Dsauro]

Why Leica is meaningful to me

 

My Grandfather was an architect during WWII.  During that time, my ancestors were displaced by the ravages of the war, and work was impossible to attain.  My grandfather, walked from town to town scratching for any work to feed, shelter and clothe my mother and uncle.  During that time, his only way to make any money, was using his Leica to make pictures of portraits, families, etc.  

Because of Leica, I am most likely alive today.  I will always support Leica with eternal thanks, as an instrument for providing for my family during that time.

Yes, is this a sentimental tip of the hat…..of course.  And as such, I am honored to share this story with a company, by a company, that allowed my family to exist.

 

thank you Leica 
 

[Guest]

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45 minutes ago, Dsauro said:

During that time, his only way to make any money, was using his Leica to make pictures of portraits, families, etc.  

I am currently reading Ulf Richter's book about Oskar Barnack. He mentions that Oskar Barnack did the same thing during WWI, swapping pictures for food etc. 

[Guest]

Why Leica? Short answer: size and stellar lenses of the M system. Long answer: I started photography in 1986 with a Nikon FG, a Christmas gift from my parents who had no interest in photography and certainly never even heard of Leica in their lives. Over the next ten years, I accumulated a lot of Nikon gear, several F2 camera and many lenses and shot a lot of Kodachrome 64. I sold everything to finance a switch to medium format (Pentax 67II) and Velvia 50 in 1998 because I was mostly interested in landscape photography at that time.

Five years later, I moved from a small town in Germany to London and needed a smaller camera to move around in the city. I bought my first Leica, a 2nd hand silver MP with a silver Tri-Elmar in 2005, because of its size and the reputation of the M lenses. I did not even bother trying an M camera before buying. I just knew it was the right camera for me. I also liked its simplicity including the absence of autofocus, which I never got used to. I was equally skeptical about the benefits of digital technology. I finally bought a Leica CL with M-Adapter L to give it a try. But I missed the rangefinder and the wide angle lenses and eventually bought a 2nd hand silver M10.

I am very happy now with M10 and MP (and the CL dedicated for close-up and macro photography with enlarger lenses). I also developed an interest in Leica's history, became a member of Leica Historica and added two screw mount cameras (II and IIIa syn).

[jakontil]

5 hours ago, Segal said:

Most people consider Leica a very impractical camera and kind of a toy for people with money, but I stick with Leica partially for purely practical reasons. I like to travel and take pictures and I never check in luggage. So, regarding cameras, my choices are pretty limited - it's either Leica or Fuji, and for me, Leica provides better image quality.

I also noticed that despite having other cameras for other purposes (Sony A7R3, Sony A1), I get more keepers with Leica Q/Q2 and now with Leica M11. I print my photos to hang at home, and most of my prints are from Leica.

And, finally, the experience of shooting a Leica camera is pleasant - I don't feel like I'm fighting the camera as it happens with Sony. I always feel in control. 

I am not a professional photographer. I do it for myself and as a way to relax. But I used to be a photojournalist long ago, and I think if I had to do it again, I'd prefer to use Leica for my professional assignments if I had a choice.

In line with what i experienced since i had my first M, other come and go, the M stays

im too comfortable with leica i probably go beyond just simply being a fanboy or militant or whatever ppl name it 😂

Edited September 12, 2022 by jakontil

[Herr Barnack]

Quote

Why Leica?

 

 

In no particular order -

 

M cameras and lenses are:

Classically beautiful

Unique

Inspiring

Well designed and engineered

Of the highest quality

Enjoyable and relaxing to use

Small, portable and easily carried

Capable of producing phenomenal results (in the right hands)

Light in weight (except for my M-P 240)

Excellent for travel photography

Outstanding for documentary and street photography

Lifelong companions (if you are perceptive enough to not sell/trade them)

[Santos]

For Me Two main reasons other than the first Professional Camera I shot at the Age of 12 was my Grandpa's M3. At the time I despised it and preferred my disposable Kodak's (of course because I missed focus and exposure). 

First Reason being In the process unification of the Emirates, H.H Sheikh Khalifa (may He rest in Peace) met the current ruler of the Emirate which I was born and raised In. The location chosen was my Grandpa's Café, and the Photo my Family owns and revere was taken using a Leica. The Second Reason (And maybe the most Important) is because I watched Euro Trip at a younger Age. If You are familiar with that Movie just a Heads Up (Pun intended): False Advertisement.

I could not afford One when I started taking Photography seriously. Hence, I bought a beat-up  X-Pro and used an M-Mount Voigtlander Lens (I still use It every once in a while and I Love It) . The first Thing I had purchased once I built Myself up was a 262MD and a 90mm Elmarit In Brass. I hate Myself for trading in my 262MD for an M10D (Although it is way better), and the Person who got it does not want to sell it back (I am patient, no One lives forever). Still own my Elmarit and It is the only 90mm Lens I use it needs calibration though (but first Leica please give me back my 28 lux Its been 3 Months for a loose focusing Ring. I dread sending Anything to Germany but that's a whole other Thread though). 

Santos.  

Edited September 13, 2022 by Santos

[elmars]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Al Brown:

The bigger their 2.8 zoom, the more I enjoy sharing my Leica love.

So it is with me. A Leica M is unobstrusive.

[Ouroboros]

Mainly for the lenses but there's no question a Leica M is an iconic camera for many photographers.   

I bought my first new film Leica in 2006, a Leica MP which has travelled widely with me.   I've used it to create many memories of places I've visited and people I've met along the way.  Time and past adventures continually add to the pleasure of using it.

My first digital M is an M10-R which I bought in November '21.  I had little interest in all previous digital M's for various reasons until the M10-R, which I think  makes a seamless and convenient digital alternative to my MP.   The two cameras are operationally and visually similar which is a significant reason I chose the M10-R over the M11, which does not appeal to me. 

In the time I've had my M10-R, it has been with me on two extended journeys; the whole of February '22 cycle touring and backpacking in Sri Lanka and July/August '22 cycle touring and camping through National Parks in Namibia.  It's proving to be a reliable and very capable camera for travel and I'm pleased with the output, but it is a digital camera with a finite lifespan that cannot rival my MP.  The main advantage of my M10-R for travel is that I have no concerns about my films being damaged by security scanners.

We have more travel plans arranged for 2023/24; trekking in Nepal, backpacking in India and cycle touring Botswana, Eswatini & South Africa and the M10-R will be coming too. 

You buy and use a Leica M with your heart, not your head and that's where the bond begins.

 

[MikeMyers]

I bought my first Leica, a M2 with Summicron 50 in the 1970's, replacing my Nikon SP.  To me, it was just a tool, but a nicer tool than my Contax and Nikon RF cameras.  Later I bought a few more Leica bodies.  Then I gobbled up an M8.2 despite what I read about it, and after thinking about it forever, an M10 right before Covid put an end to most of my activities.

To me, it's just a tool, nothing "special".  I don't get wrapped up in all the hype that I'm constantly reading.  Used properly, it helps me do what I want to do, but if I mess up, so does the camera.  My Nikons were better for sports photography, but the Leica seems to let me express myself and my feelings better.  I've just sold my two Nikon D750 DSLR cameras, and until I get back home I'm using my Fuji X100f.  Once I'm back in the USA, I intend to use the M10 as my daily camera, for whatever it is I want to do.

I've been watching all the Red Dot Forum programs, gaining lots of useful information I never knew before.  My goal is to use the M10 now, just as how I used the M2 a lifetime ago, thinking what I wanted, and (maybe struggling) to get the camera to do what I want.  Those forum shows have a goldmine of useful information.  I might even visit their store in Miami.....

(I've also got my M3 perfectly restored by DAG Cameras, and Don made it like new - I also want to start shooting that camera again, if I can remember what's what with film.....)

[Ray Vonn]

Because they're perfectly weighted and very simple, ie just 2 choices for focusing being through either the rangefinder patch or hyperfocal calculation, then ISO, shutter speed, aperture, that's it, hardly any other bells and whistles.  What this means is responsibility is put on you and not the camera for image output.  This is obvious of course, but I only mention this because the upside for me is that said responsibility often results in better images than I could get with, say, an autofocus camera.  A bad picture is down to me and no one else, but a good picture, well that's also all down to me with little or no 'assistance from the camera' and for that, the sense of achievement is often very pleasing.

Edited September 13, 2022 by Ray Vonn

[elmars]

Well said!

[materry566]

After being a Canon user for many years (5D MIV, 1DX MII,EOSR, EOSR5) I personally got tired of all my work really looking like the masses. There's obviously editing techniques that one can apply to stand out but in the end it's a computer graphics picture. I  brought a Q2 to see what the Leica look was all about.  After uses it for a few weeks and having people tell my pictures look so pure I was convinced.  Sold the majority of my Canon gear and got the M11 as well. Went to a model shoot to really see if I made the right choice and needless to say I have. The editing of the files were so easy. Right out of camera for both Q2 and M11 was amazing.  The models were shocked that I returned the work so fast and was really pleased with the results.  Currently I'm using Voigtlander lenses but will eventually get all Leica glass. Am I a fan boy, yes.  In the end the camera is the tool. I just choose the tool that makes me stand out just a bit more.

[Tailwagger]

Why Leica?  The answer is... simple. 

 

[lct]

Why Leica? Best IQ in a compact package. My first Leica was an M4 aka "The Think Camera" with a Summicron 50/2 v3 in the seventies. I was a student then and i had to sell both to fund my studies. My only Leica sale in half a century, i always regretted it. Got an early 50/2 v4 with M4-2 in the eighties, then M3 DS, R4s and M6J, my last film body, with various M and R lenses. Negative films were not my cup of tea. What i liked most were Kodachrome transparencies that i watched with a Leitz Pradovit. When digital appeared i got a Digilux 1 in 2002 and entered the Leica forum the same year. M8.2, M240, digital CL and M11 were my later Leica bodies and i still use some M lenses of my youth on them. My favorite focal length is still 50mm, my favorite 50 is still an Elmar and i still use a tiny Leica combination case from the seventies. Boring story, i know, i know...

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Edited September 14, 2022 by lct

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[MikeMyers]

Regarding Leica, at the end of the day, and you take your memory card to your computer, how is life different based on which camera or lens you used?  

A Ferrari is more fun to drive than a typical American car.  Is that the difference we are talking about here?