Leica Forum: Only Leica pictures or also L-Mount?

[UliWer]

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Can anybody who wishes the poll‘s third option „Special threads or sub-forums for pictures taken with L-mount cameras or lenses from other manufacturers“explain the difference to what we already have:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/306-other-l-mount-products/

Both threads running since 2019.

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[LocalHero1953]

9 minutes ago, UliWer said:

Can anybody who wishes the poll‘s third option „Special threads or sub-forums for pictures taken with L-mount cameras or lenses from other manufacturers“explain the difference to what we already have:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/306-other-l-mount-products/

Both threads running since 2019.

A question directed better at Andreas.

[fotografr]

2 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

 

*Though some of those may be dead.

Or at least appear to be. 😉

[evikne]

12 minutes ago, F-train said:

I definitely would like to prohibit boring pictures, lookatmypet pictures, pictures that need explanations and so on. 

But who decides what is a boring picture? I often think pet photos can be nice, and a landscape photo can be boring. It's not the subject that decides, but the way it's taken.

[fotografr]

13 minutes ago, UliWer said:

Can anybody who wishes the poll‘s third option „Special threads or sub-forums for pictures taken with L-mount cameras or lenses from other manufacturers“explain the difference to what we already have:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/306-other-l-mount-products/

Both threads running since 2019.

The difference is that currently images taken with any L mount camera can be posted anywhere on this forum--not just in the L mount section. 

[LocalHero1953]

FWIW, when I started this thread, it was with no intent that it should be the only place where Sigma fp photos should be posted, but a convenient place to do so for the purposes of sharing experiences - with or without Leica lenses.

[fotografr]

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3 hours ago, jaapv said:

Why should we allow unrestricted M mount posting? The M mount is an open mount that Leica has no connection with, except by being the original designer...

The same is true for the L mount, which is an open mount originally designed by Leica. If unrestricted posting is allowed for one, it should be allowed for both.

[LUF Admin]

13 minutes ago, fotografr said:

If unrestricted posting is allowed for one, it should be allowed for both.

Not necessarily.

In my experience this kind of „if this than it would be logical if that“ leads to rules which do not fit the needs of the community.

[jaapv]

40 minutes ago, fotografr said:

The same is true for the L mount, which is an open mount originally designed by Leica. If unrestricted posting is allowed for one, it should be allowed for both.

Sorry, no. it is a patented mount restricted to Alliance members and license holders. 

[Carlos cruz]

7 minutes ago, LUF Admin said:

Not necessarily.

In my experience this kind of „if this than it would be logical if that“ leads to rules which do not fit the needs of the community.

And what are the needs of community?  

[jaapv]

That is what Andreas is trying to find out. 

[Richardgb]

Having dipped into the replies rather than having read and considered deeply every utterance, apologies if this or a similar point has already been raised...

I have no problem with images made via lenses of any manufacturer (Leica, L-mount, or other) being shown on this Forum provided they are identified as such. In fact, AFAIK, I can't recall seeing an image which was not so labelled, so members appear to be doing fine as it is.

There is a grave danger that restricting images to only those made by Leica, L-mount or some similar 'official' collaboration, would lead to an increase in the already intense navel-gazing seen in certain quarters of the Forum that blinkers the vision of what's happening in the non-Leica (etc.) world. And as others have said elsewhere, Leica themselves are not above putting their name on other manufacturer's products, nor has every Leica design been superlative.

[lct]

3 hours ago, Carlos cruz said:

I have a question that may clear up or muddle current problem. What was luf policy back in early 2000 towards Epson rd1 photos taken with voigtlander lenses?

As far as i recall (2004) i could post my R-D1 pics with Leica lenses but not with ZM or VM ones. The criterion was simply Leica in body and/or lenses. If i had a Pixii today i could do the same. Easy to understand. Little point in changing anything IMHO. There are other forums for non-Leica gear.

[dkCambridgeshire]

There will likely always be types of lenses not currently offered / manufactured by Leica but which can be used via adapters on Leica ICL cameras – or offered as L-mount optics. In fact, this has often been the case in the past, e.g., with shift and tilt/shift lenses – irrespective of the fact that nowadays, 'perspective correction' can be incorporated into cameras' OS. Such lenses are likely more versatile and capable, and certainly more WYSIWYG, than Leica's and Adobe's 'software / firmware' PC solutions'. Professional architectural and product photographers require shift and tilt/shift lenses covering 'ultrawide' to 'long' focal lengths. Shift lenses previously offered by Leica Camera AG were manufactured by Schneider but in 28mm and 35mm focal lengths only. Canon and Nikon still offer a 'whole bunch' of specialist shift & tilt-shift lenses because there is a demand for same – notwithstanding the fact that the latest Leica Pocket book states that their appeal is virtually non-existent! Furthermore, specialist photomacrography lenses 'have their place' (witness the Laowa L-mount offerings) but appears unlikely that Leica would ever manufacture or badge engineer same. The days when professional photomacrographers reached for their favourite Leitz Photars or Zeiss Luminars are long gone. Leica Camera AG did not hesitate in the past to approach other lens manufacturers to 'badge-engineer' popular specialist camera lenses. Now that L-mount has proved its worth, they do not necessarily have to – but when they do, the optics are exorbitantly priced. Perhaps such alleged 125% QA* (IYKWIM) manufactured offerings mainly satisfy the: 'But I, only use (stroke?), my beautiful Leica lenses!!' fraternity?  

Restricting Leica Forum images to include " .... only pictures taken with Leica equipment" would be far too limiting.

The suggested three options are also limiting and at first sight appear too dogmatic, if, e.g, a forum member or potential member, wishes to use what he / she considers to be THE finest Leica M lens of its type on his / her non-Leica mirrorless ICL camera – because the camera offers something that a Leica camera does not. 

"Mix and match" potentially offers better, and more, photo opportunities. 

BW, dunk 

*written 'tongue in cheek, but there's maybe some truth in the assumption? Some Leica enthusiasts would never ever use non-Leica branded hardware. Other enthusiasts, maybe with 'less deep' pockets, have a more measured approach for their Leica imaging. 

 

[Simone_DF]

3 hours ago, jaapv said:

Up to Andreas - you could always request a separate subform. 

Nah, my post was more to point out just how blurred the lines can be in 2025 between software, hardware, rebadges, “certified by Leica” and whatnot. 

[andybarton]

12 minutes ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

Some Leica enthusiasts would never ever use non-Leica branded hardware. Other enthusiasts, maybe with 'less deep' pockets, have a more measured approach for their Leica imaging. 

I don’t use any other branded cameras. It’s due to having less deep pockets than some others.

[S Maclean]

3 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

So, no pictures made with the Leica Lux app?

I wouldn't, or maybe just have a lux app images thread. But really, I would put the main restrictions on hardware. Use a Leica body with any ens, use a lieca lens with any body, and disclose what the equipment is so we can all enjoy and discern the different Leica options and how they fit into the world of photography.

[dkCambridgeshire]

5 minutes ago, andybarton said:

I don’t use any other branded cameras. It’s due to having less deep pockets than some others.

When I first acquired a relatively cheap s/h Sony A7S for 'low light' imaging, its 'black cat in a coal cellar' imaging capabilities compared to my s/h SL601 were a revelation.  

Horses for courses. 

BW, dunk 

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[S Maclean]

I think the first option allows for mix and match. Pictures taken with Leica Camera OR Leica Lens

9 minutes ago, andybarton said:

I don’t use any other branded cameras. It’s due to having less deep pockets than some others.

It's not really only about that, it's about character, user experience and what reflects the intended capture best.  I have a few non Leica Lenses, not as a compromise, but because I really think they give me a better result, or one better suited to what I am looking for.  Voigtlander is a perfect example. The Nokton 1.  the 75 1.5, even the 35 Nokton etc, they have a very specific signature that, paired with my M11 works well for me.  And I have or have had the 35, 50 loux and the 90 apo and the 50 aPo or the steel rim etc etc, and the SL3 system with pretty much all the primes and a couple of zooms, and the Q.... so I am not trying to save money, just get what I want.

That is why I think we should alow mix and match, because it reflects the real use of the Leica equipment by a community that appreaciates what the brand brings to their craft, and uses it in different ways to achieve their goals.

@Andreas, I guess it comes to "is the forum about Leica equipment and brand" in which case it is right to restrict, or is the Forum abiout the "Leica photographers community", in which case a more flexible approach can be taken as long as it related to Leica and it's use by this community.

[S Maclean]

22 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Nah, my post was more to point out just how blurred the lines can be in 2025 between software, hardware, rebadges, “certified by Leica” and whatnot. 

And it's a valid point.