Who's leaning less on their Leica and more on their iPhone/etc.?

[elambo]

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I know, it's practically blasphemous to ask the Leica community such a thing, but it's something most of us have to consider from time to time: bring the Leica for the day or just use the phone camera? I have the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max and there's no denying that it takes very good images in a wide variety of situations. Of course it's not even remotely the same experience as a dedicated camera... but it's just remarkably handy and for many things its images are more than adequate.

With all that said, I find myself using the CL less. Not proud of it, but that's how things have panned out. The other day I even looked at MPB.com to see what it's worth.

Anyone else using their Leicas less often?

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[erl]

Shame on you. The Naughty Corner for you. 🫢

Wait until Leica bring out their new camera, with included phone. 😇

[LeicaR10]

Elambo,  I too have a iPhone 17 Pro Max.   Even though as you wrote the phone camera captures good images, it IMO is like apples and oranges when it comes to using a camera.  In my case, its the Leica M and SL2 systems.  First, I find great pleasure hiking and even the pain carrying my gear to remote locations.  Second, I take my time to enjoy the landscape(s) and capture what I see.  There is something to be said about using a camera vs iPhone to create a photograph of what one visualizes.  IMO, the iPhone and camera have their place and functionality.  It also depends on what is important to the photographer....using the camera gear, creating an image that one sees or simply doing the same with an IPhone and moving on.  For me, the iPhone is merely a tool to potentially capture quick images of family environments.  Sometimes, I use the iPhone to help frame my scene and view before using my camera gear.   As for the camera(s) and lenses, these tools help me create something special to me and or for my clients.  Different needs and utility for everyone.  Just my 2 cents.  r/  Mark

[pippy]

44 minutes ago, elambo said:

...Anyone else using their Leicas less often?...

No.

'Phones are convenient things to have when you really need to speak to someone, urgently, who isn't standing next to you and might even be miles away. But other than that?

No.

Philip.

[Chris W]

Me neither. I do take photos on my phone, but it's utilitarian. For actual images I want to keep, it's any camera of any type. A CL would be fine.

[LocalHero1953]

No. If I'm out for routine activities, like shopping, then I'll use my phone (iphone 13) if I see something I want to record. But if I'm out for anything in the leisure category I'll have a camera with me - usually Q3 43 - or film if I've gone out mainly to take photos. This has been my practice for a long time now.

Edited Tuesday at 07:46 AM by LocalHero1953

[Markey]

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No .... never even think of using my phone for stills although I do for videos.

[Archiver]

I only use my phone for practical photos and video, or as a secondary record of location and event with GPS coordinates and time. Real cameras always get priority for photography.

[elambo]

As I'd mentioned, to me (and certainly most here) there's simply no comparison between experiences and the potential for better results. BUT, sometimes convenience wins the day. And it's getting to a point where I can't immediately and reliably tell if one of my past images was the CL or the phone. So as dirty as that concept may be for those of us who love the art of photography and all its facets, I think there are times when this latest tech is acceptable, even if the idea isn't acceptable to all. By no means do I, personally, need each photo that I take to be studio-quality and expertly composed. Unexpected sunset shots while out getting groceries or spontaneous funny moments with the family are decently captured by this latest iPhone. I less often think, 'if only I'd had the CL.' I suppose that was the genesis of this post. And of course none of us can have our Leicas at all times, though that would be wonderful.

[LocalHero1953]

If I can't tell my iphone 13 shots from any of my Leica shots (M9->SL2S/Q3 via CL) just by looking at them (and I normally can), then the moment I start editing it is obvious. The iphone images just don't stand up to any post-processing.

[BWColor]

I often sit on my iPhone, but never lean on it.

[DenverSteve]

No. Never. I'm a photographer. I'm not a telephoneographer.  I use my watch to tell time, my telephone to take irritating spam calls and my cameras to make a living. 

[DenverSteve]

On 10/13/2025 at 5:11 PM, elambo said:

With all that said, I find myself using the CL less. Not proud of it, but that's how things have panned out. The other day I even looked at MPB.com to see what it's worth.

Anyone else using their Leicas less often?

MPB shows what "their" CLs are worth with a 6mo warranty and retail value.  What it's worth without all that is their trade-in value (personal sale).  If you have a mint/near-mint CL you decide to sell let me know.  It's not a camera I'm going to use less or stop using for any reason.  You'll regret selling it. 

[lykaman]

As has already been stated, cell phones are for telephone conversations.. Real cameras are for photography..  🍻

[bobtodrick]

Nope.

I have a watch that tell time and I have to wind every day and I would buy one of the non-smartphones if they would come up with one that was easier to text with than the flip phone style they sell.

[elambo]

22 hours ago, DenverSteve said:

MPB shows what "their" CLs are worth with a 6mo warranty and retail value.  What it's worth without all that is their trade-in value (personal sale).  If you have a mint/near-mint CL you decide to sell let me know.  It's not a camera I'm going to use less or stop using for any reason.  You'll regret selling it. 

Yes I'm definitely considering selling the CL, and it's in pristine condition. Babied and without a lot of use. With Elmarit 18/2.8 and Sigma 24-78 f2.8 Art lenses that would also be sold.

I'd certainly regret selling it, but I also regret letting it sit there unused. I'm just not taking as many photos as I'd hoped I would, having nothing to do with the camera and everything to do with my schedule.

[elambo]

On 10/14/2025 at 2:01 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

If I can't tell my iphone 13 shots from any of my Leica shots (M9->SL2S/Q3 via CL) just by looking at them (and I normally can), then the moment I start editing it is obvious. The iphone images just don't stand up to any post-processing.

Absolutely true. Starting with a better source should, and typically does, render a better result after processing.