Why Leica Looks?

[Pelu2010]

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refreshing group here .... 

lets all show the invoice to our loved ones .... 

cheers , hicks ... 

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Stuart Richardson]

2 hours ago, David Wien said:

If the Leica look has been a constant "throughout the ages", how does this explanation apply to B&W?

David

I don't believe I said it has been constant through the ages. To answer in the best faith I can: Leica, like all the lens/camera companies, has criteria by which they strive to make their lenses and now in the digital age, to tune the output of their cameras. These are decisions that must be made. In lens design it is a balance of aberrations. Leica clearly tries to make their lenses consistent...especially with certain lines, like the S lenses, the SL APO Summicrons etc. As for exactly what those criteria are, it is a bit harder to say without being a lens designer. I have noticed, however, that they tend to be a bit less contrasty and saturated than Zeiss lenses I own, but also a bit more resolution. I have also noticed that their digital cameras for the most part have looked more natural in their color than their Japanese counterparts. But these are just feelings and not things I would say people are talking about when they say "the Leica look". I don't think it is total fantasy, but I also think in most cases people are referring to a high end imaging chain -- top to bottom high quality.

If I were being less charitable, I would say the Leica look is the look the sales team at the Leica store give each other after you step out the door having paid 10,000 dollars for a 2023 M6 and a 50mm lens.

[Simone_DF]

1 hour ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I also think in most cases people are referring to a high end imaging chain -- top to bottom high quality.

But Leica is not always in control from top to bottom. The rebadges are just that, a third party lens in a red dot package. No matter how hard I look, I cannot see any difference in the output of the Sigma 24-70 vs the Leica 24-70, or any of the Panny primes. 

[jaapv]

One of the lenses that I have that is most close to drawing what is supposed to be “the Leica Way” is my Canon 1.8/50 LTM. 

[Stuart Richardson]

17 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

But Leica is not always in control from top to bottom. The rebadges are just that, a third party lens in a red dot package. No matter how hard I look, I cannot see any difference in the output of the Sigma 24-70 vs the Leica 24-70, or any of the Panny primes. 

Well, that is again implying that there is some "decided" standard as to what the Leica look is. I don't think there is. Leica cameras and lenses as a whole tend towards a certain house look, but it is not anything that can be pointed to in any one image or definition. At least for me, I think 80-90% of it is wishful thinking, and the rest is the fact that Leica makes or sources good equipment and tunes it a certain way. The Leica look is probably a combination of Walter Mandler and his team's taste, Peter Karbe and his team's taste and since digital came out, the software team's taste.

[Photon42]

That's why it is called the "je ne sais pas quoi", which includes of course the "je ne sais pas comment" 😎

[Photon42]

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On a separate note, Leica should bring back the "M9 CCD" look. They probably could charge for it, too 😇

[Simone_DF]

3 hours ago, Photon42 said:

On a separate note, Leica should bring back the "M9 CCD" look. They probably could charge for it, too 😇

You may want to check the Cobalt profiles

[Photon42]

Thanks - it was a little tongue in cheek ... as so many claim the uniqueness of the M9 CCD colors.

[Snowman]

Leica Looks is when the customer visits the AD and ask the price of the Leica Camera or lens. The shock on his/her face is known as the Leica Look 😀