As a working photographer for 51 years I got my first Nikon in 1974 as a gift when I entered film school. It was a Nikon Ftn. I still have it. I was a Nikon shooter until I was on assignment in LA and had time to go out street shooting with a friend from NBC. It was 1998. He handed me an M6 and said, "Here shoot with this." I asked him why would I shoot with a doctor's jewelry? He laughed and told me just try it out. When I got back to Atlanta and developed and printed the Leica shots I was stunned. Shortly thereafter I was back in LA, went to Samy's Camera and bought a used Leicaflex and two lenses which was very affordable. I wanted to make sure there really was a difference. That did it. Afterwards I've had two "R" cameras, Leica M6TTL's, M8 and M9 and now I use a wonderful M-P Type 240 and a Lumix S1R with my R lenses.
Great video. I enjoyed listening to your transition to Leica. I am also new to Leica and have purchased the Q3 a month ago. It is now my personal camera and I use all my Sony and canon gear for work.
Amazing! Loved the story! Some similarity to my own. I’m back down the line from you currently owning the Nikon Z system but looking for my first Leica and leaning heavily towards the Q3. Really enjoyed your story, thank you for sharing
Sorry English isn‘t my mother tongue but I used to be a NIKON shooter, bought a Leica Q, sold all my NIKON gear and endet up with buying a Leica M240 and a few lenses. So kind of the same story to this very interessting video.. now I have to like and subscribe for more content 😎
@@flofroschmayer So far I own only Voigtländer lenses. 21mm for landscape, 35mm as an alrounder, 40mm for traveling and street and 75mm for portrait and also for street.
Thank you for the cool Video i got my First Leica 2 weeks ago the M10 with the 35mm summicrom asph. I love it and will keep investing in the System altought i really can relate…. Its not the easiest Camera but i‘ll keep on working
Thank you Florian for you honest and very interesting transformation to the Leica brand. I and am sure all your followers are looking foreward to your adventures with the SL-3. i own a Q2 and agree with you with the Leica look.
The first part of this video made me remember all of my Nikon gear. But i loved your switch to leica, and the reasons why. I own a q2. I also own a complete cl system. But after years of hesitation, i just bought an M10P and a 50 lux, so i relate entirely. Am so pleased with the decision. The quality, size, ergo, human interface, etc., makes me just love everything M. I just found your website, and am watching thru the rest of your videos. Thanks for your experience!
Thanks for your explanation. I am a long time nikon user and shoot with the nikon D850. It is an excellent camera but I am also exploring switching to Leica.
the Leica Rabbit hole is a slippery slope. I gave up all my canon gear for the SL2 with the 24-90 and the 90-280. I want to walk around with this camera all day long. It just feels amazing. I love your story... but damn you have had a lot of camera's. LOL
Thank you for your insightful views, which in some ways parallel my own experiences with camera systems (subscribed). I came to Leica by way of Nikon. I love my Leica SL2-S, but frankly the tracking autofocus leaves much to be desired. Even my Pentax K-3 III (a brand not renowned for its autofocus performance) outpaces it and gives me many more keepers when photographing my energetic spaniel and other active subjects. That said, when I don't ask it to track moving subjects the SL2-S gives amazing results and and the lenses are superb. The 24-90, in particular, is an outstanding lens, but it weighs about the same as a dustbin filled with lead shot. I am waiting to see what Leica does with its next iteration of the SL line. I fully expect it to have autofocus on par with the leading brands, which I think is not unreasonable given the price of the camera bodies and lenses. If not, I think I might reluctantly part with it and go all in on a Nikon Z8 (I still have a Z6 and a number of Nikon lenses). I won't want to do that as I love the interface and the design of the SL series cameras and the SL lenses. I won't be parting with my M10-P, though.
I love Leica for the simplicity of things compared to other camera brands. Doesn’t always have the assistance of other cameras in its class (makes you work for the image!), better built, doesn’t have a new version every year, resell is great, simple menu, manual controls etc… they are fun to use! Usually when I’m out someone will stop me and say nice camera and spark up a conversation about photography, no one ever does that when I take my lumix haha.
True... ;-) And I think you are absolutely right regarding the resell value of Leica stuff... This is an aspect I did not mention in the video. Yes, they are expensive, but when you sell them you get the much higher value then for a camera of a brand that releases new bodies every 18 months.
@@flofroschmayer yup! It’s expensive to get into but if you don’t like it, it’s easy to get back almost if not all of your money. It also helps buying used so that you can save a little. In my experience too talking to the seller and having a discussion on cameras or whatever it may be, they will be happy to see it go to a good home and will make you a better deal. Worked like that for me when I bought my most recent Leica.
A long journey, and I appreciate all of it! And, I get it. I'm a former Nikon F, then Olympus, and SONY, and then Nikon Z shooter and finally went all Leica. I had the Leica Q, which convinced me during my SONY and Z days, and now shoot a Q3, Q2M, and SL2. Had a CL and the Q before, selling them for the Q3 and never looked back, keeping some of the CL (TL) lenses for the SL2. Brilliant lenses, by the way. And 20mp with them on the SL2 is not a problem for me. I did have an M9 and then a 240 for a while, but I'm older than you with aging eyes and gave up the rangefinders. Would own them if my eyes were better. Nevertheless, it's easy to ignore all the rolling eyes and shaking heads because I get what you did, and what I did. All of it. Thanks again.
Thank YOU! Yes, I also get what you did... let them shake their heads... ;-) / I never tried out CL lenses, but it is on my bucket list as well! Congratulations to the Q3... sometime in the future I will be able to talk about it ;-)
Interesting story, As a student I had a Zenit B, then Nikkormat FTN and a Bronica SQ. As professional I used Nikon F, F2, F3, Mamiya RB67. When I stoped professionally, for my personal cameras, I had Canon A1, then EOS (as a change to Nikon) but lost a lot of interest when digital came around... until the Nikon D100, then D300, D700, D4 and now a D850 and 7 lenses. Bought a Q2 at the end of '22. Recently went on a touring holiday in Ireland and took the Q2 and the Nikon D850 and 24-70mm f2.8. The Nikon never came out of the bag, so I have decided (probably) to sell all my Nikon gear but I do need something for my project photographs which are normally done with the 850 and 14mm to 24mm. Considering an M11 and 21mm Elmarit. Most of my project shots are ultra wide, nature of the subject, and considered... just not sure how I'd get on with the rangefinder (although having said that, i"d need a visoflex or work form the rear screen with the 21mm) anyway but no doubt I would get a 35mm or 50mm for it as well. Love the quality, heft of the cameras, the Leica menu and the look of the mages. I need to scale back so that I use the camera more than I do. I also have a Nikon D1J5 in the car all the time, just in case. Interesting camera.
Have you considered looking at the SL system? There is a Leica 14-24 available and plenty of 3rd-pary L-mount lenses… I had a 21mm M lens, which was fantastic, but I did not use it that much because the Visoflex is good to have but not fun for everyday use. I'd instead take an SL.
@@flofroschmayer Funny you should say that. I stopped by the local Leica store in Manchester this morning (Stephens Cameras) and they recommended an SL3 with the 14mm to 24mm f2.8. Basically a mirrorless replacement for the D850 and 14-24 but I'd have to sell all my Nikon kist to get that one camera and lens. Having said that, if I don't use it why keep it. I also tried and M11 and 21mm Elmarit but not sure. Love the lightness but... maybe the SL3 is the right one. They also have good deals on the SL2 and SL2S at the moment, for obvious reasons.
Well I kicked off with a Kiev iv, Zenith EM, then Nikon, Sony, and now the Leica M series and Q2. So, having started with a range finder, I’ve come home (but I’m older, wiser).
Great video Florian. I han a very similar way to Leica. Im sooo happy with my system now. I have the Sl2 with 24-90 ( insane optics) the 50 summicron SL and a 20mm Sigma f2 I series for nit escapes. Ive owned the M10-monocrom for some time and love it. have a 28 summilux, 50 summilux black chrome and a 90 elmarit. For most of my work I don't need fast autofocus, as long as it's accurate. And the SL2 autofocus is very accurate, so that's me a happy camper 😀
Cool... I am bit jealous of the 50 Summicron ;-) I hear it is fantastic. I also have a Sigma 85mm for portraits. Very cool lens. You are right, the focus is accurate. For photo work it is totally working for me.
My journey in photography as an enthusiast is similar to yours. I started with the Nikon F80 and moved to D70, then the D700 with a couple of F2.8 lenses and i was happy with that for a good ten years and then as i got older i wanted a lighter set and quicker autofocus. I moved to the Sony systems with the A7IV and A7RV and have build out a considerable kit of lenses and my passion to click photos got reignited in many ways. I turned 50 in December and wanted to celebrate it and have been looking at the Leica as a way to mark the milestone. I am thinking about the M11P and still trying to figure out which should be my first lens.... should i go for a 28, 35 or 50 and a F2? Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated. I think i will keep my Sony kit as have some great Gmaster lenses there., but you never know maybe i may fall in love with leica and get rid of all them in the end. Thank you for your video Florian.
I always loved the f1.4 - Especially with the M 35mm... If you are not going for the apo I would recommend at least go for the 35mm Summilux FLE! It is a fantastic lens... I also think you'll get it used for a good price... Wit the M11 and the 60MP sensor the regular Summicron is not sharp enough... at least this is my experience with the M10R. I also love the 50mm Summilux... So I would recommend start with those two... maybe used... or if you want to go with a new one... It is hard to say... I probably would start with the 35mm Summilux if I could do it all over again ;-) Let me know what you decide! // And yes... keep the Sony... If you are get addicted like I did it G Masters are a good source to generate money to maybe buy into the SL system to still have the an AF camera... ;-)
@@flofroschmayer I must thank you again for your inputs. I picked up the M11P today and the SUMMICRON-M 28 f/2 ASPH III 11618 (0.4m minimum focusing) from the Leica store in Hong Kong. Hope I picked up a decent lens to start off with.I have lots to learn and your channel is going to be my primary source of information to come up to speed. I was torn between which lense to start off with. Hope I picked a decent one to kick off, maybe the 50mm 1.4 will be the next one I will get someday.
Haha! In 2020 you bought a Leica and I bought a House. 😂 I think it got pretty expensive for both of us. ;-) But you definitely have your fun with gas, I see. What a journey. I came from canon, but till 2011 I was student and therefore poor. 😅 from 2011 to 2019 I got the original Canon 5D and then changed for the Sony A7III. Just now I started looking into the Nikon Z system, which is so incredibly versatile. You can adapt everything on it and it works soo good. I wonder, why I did not check into that system before. 😊
Z System is phenomenal! It was late. Sony was first, I think this is why a lot of Nikon and maybe even Canon DSLR people switched to Sony. And true, you can adapt it very well!
I never thought I would buy into the Leica train especially when I was happy with my Nikon Z9/and pro S lenses. Plus my Fuji GFX100s medium format was also great. Bought Leica SL2s early this year since their promo that got me interested. Had to sell the GFX100s and 3 expensive lenses to out fit my new Leica with Leica 24-70 & 90-280, sigma 85/1.4 and 105/1.4. Now I’m broke but happy with Leica system. Can’t wait till sl3 comes out but will be a big loss in value for SL2s.
Oh wow... Never had the GFX100s in my hands but I am always thinking it could be my next camera... your comment actually calms me down a bit... I recently got the Sigma 85 1.4... I think it is a fantastic lens! - Being happy is more important than being rich and miserable. ;-)
@@flofroschmayer i was impressed with Sigma 85/1.4 and used it more than the 105/1.4 due to lighter weight. But 105 is also a great lens for portrait work, you just need to lift some weight to hold it. Looking forward to more of your Leica journey as a new subscriber to your channel. Goal fir 2024: q3 or 24-90mm or both 😮 Aloha from Hawaii 🌺🌺🌺
I’ve owned many Leica cameras and lenses from their TL and Sl series. I just don’t connect with the rangefinder now even though I shot a Mamyia 7 for years. At this juncture the lumix L Mount bodies for me are ultimately more ergonomic the the leica SL. The leica glass is great. Interestingly I picked up a gr3, and it’s incredible and my want for the Q that I once owned has vanished. The Q series of cameras are wonderful. For me easy access to the camera and less weight equals more interesting and better photos
Funny to learn, how many photographers are buying and selling their gear after just a short period of use. After 30 years with Minolta SRT-101 and some years with Leica R 6.2, I tested a Canon dSLR, which I found awful. The next step was a Sony dSLR, a real catastrophe. Then Leica launched the Digilux 2 and later the M8. Today I stick to my M240 and MP240 plus three M-lenses and some R-lenses. There's for me no reason to downgrade to an M11 or get at SL. The latter weights much more than the M. But anyway: thanks for sharing and keep on rolling.
True… I just like to try out new stuff… it is something that is great fun for me… but I totally understand keeping gear… keep on enjoying yours! Sounds like a fanatic set!
@@paulsehstedt6275 There is a major difference and a major issue with the M240, and I am not speaking of the bigger files, faster recording of images (my M240 often stalls if I take 3 or 4 images in too short a succession) available on the M10 and M1. I am not speaking the low res. EVF, the extra thickness of the body which I found bulky coming from an M6, either. My major issue regarding the M240 is with noise showing up as soon as 800 ISO, almost problematic at 1600 and impossible with banding at 3200. The only advantages to the M240 are 1-when used between 100 and 400 ISO, the colors which I find less flashy, more pleasing straight out of the camera than with the ulterior models, 2-and the possibility to be able to shoot video if need be. But since I invested in an M10-P, the M240 is history as the M10 solved all the drawbacks of the M240 mentioned above.
Lovely video. I had similar experience, but from a Canon perspective instead of Nikon and Fuji instead of Sony. Now have the Leica M10-R, with 35mm summicron and Voigtlander 50mm f1.2. I have thought about the monochrom version, but I think that I may actually be more like to get the M6 TTL and try black and white film. Leica M is a different thought process, and it’s expensive to get into, but I don’t think any other camera gear holds its value better than Leica.
Why Leica? Because I want to encourage and invest in quality in optics and camera design, and excellence in craft. Because I want to have a tool that is efficient, that is a pleasure to use, that gives me the results I need, that will last and not disappoint me. Because I am a photographer... and definitely not rich. I bought my first M, an old battered M2 with an old collapsible 50 mm, while my bank account was in the red because it looked like a bargain. I still have them and I do not regret the plunge. I borrowed money for my M6, then did reproductions of old photographs, printed and spotted them in order to get my 35 summicron (both bought used). They have served me well and I am still glad I did (in fact I wish I had done that earlier without the fumbling and the cost fumblings bring ;o) Now I am better-off and I got my first new Leica, an M10 monochrome, to shake myself out of COVID torpor... and it worked: two exhibitions and a book so far.
@@BrunoChalifour you and I care about cameras, that rich guy obviously didn't. I have given up on owning a Leica or even a Leica lens. I have owned a Sigma SD10 which everyone was enthusiastic about just like Leica, but had in fact too big flaws. Then I thought about a Summicron R-Lens, but after an honest review compared it with an Industar lens I've decided to bury the idea.
As Florian answered, many people, essentially those who have never owned and used a Leica camera, especially an M model, often challenge Leica owners for their choices without understanding them in depth. I suppose Florian, as I did, had objections before starting using Leicas, the financial one is usually the major that we tend to obfuscate, even for ourselves, with bad reasons... before actually owning and using one (I have also been a Nikon user since my first Nikkormat in the 1970s, I have used FE, F3, F5 then D2oo and D3... until in the late 1980s when I had a chance to use a Leica M6 and was converted. Leica M and Q have become my #1 cameras even if I still own a Z7 (to give my Nikon lenses some use and when I need a zoom or work with flash).
Klasse Erfahrungsbericht von dir Florian. Ich bin mit meiner SL2S leider noch nicht so warm geworden in den paar Wochen wo ich sie besitze. Bei der Q war das anders, direkt verliebt und immer wieder begeistert. Mir fehlt am SL System zB ein professioneller Aufsteckblick und verlässlicher Autofokus. Gerade bei Reportage-Fotografie. Hast du vielleicht einen Tipp oder Ratschlag für mich? Nutze das Sigma 24-70 sowie Lumix 50mm 1.8 an der SL. Denke darüber nach sie ziehen zu lassen und Aufträge wieder nur mit der Sony zu bearbeiten. Beste Grüße aus München Adrian
Mit Blitz habe ich leider keine Erfahrungen. Ja, der AF ist halt was er ist... ist halt ein System von 2019 und damals schon nicht besonders inovativ. Ich mag die Kamera halt auch wegen dem Menu und vor allem dem Haptischen... für spielt der AF auch nicht so eine Rolle, da ich sowieso immer single modus habe und auch den Augen AF nicht brauche... Ich habe seit ein paar Wochen (vor allem für Video) die Lumix S5II - ich würde Dir sehr empfehlen die mal anzuschauen. Der AF ist super, auch für Video. Hab mit dem Sigma 85 1.4 schon gedreht... super... Ich denke, dass Leica diesen AF in zukünftigen Kameras einbaut. Ist ja bei der Q3 auch schon drin... Ich denke, das wäre bei der SL2 auch nachgerüstet worden, wenn es nicht ein Hardware Problem wäre. - Lumix S5II ist ja praktisch die SL2s mit besserem Autofocus... und Du kannst Deine Objektive weiter verwenden... ich werde in den kommenden Wochen ein Video machen, wo ich die Qualität der beiden Kameras (SL2/S5ii) vergleichen möchte.... dauerte aber noch einen Moment.
@@flofroschmayer danke für deine Ausführliche Antwort. Tatsächlich hatte ich die S5II mal für eine Woche, das Menü und die Anzeigen auf dem Display haben mich allerdings recht gestört. Wäre schon eine gute alternative, habe eben auch manche Jobs wo ich verlässlichen Autofokus brauche und eben mit Aufsteckblitz.
Used Leica for 25 years .Digitally its a 246 , a CL and an SL2s. Love the first two but the SL2s auto focus is so poor and I haven`t invested in any native Leica lenses for it . Instead I use a Pany 70 -200 and my CL lenses .I only really need the SL2s for equestrian shots but of course when things start moving it often lets me down. The 246 has become my daily carry.
Thanks for sharing your Leica journey! I really enjoyed your video a lot! You've gained a subscriber for sure! I have been on a similar journey myself. I started with Canon, then went Fujifilm for a good while, then eventually over to Sony, and now I'm slowly migrating over to Leica. I have acquired a similar kit to yours. I have the M10-R, Leica Q3, Leica Q2 Monochrom and recently picked up the SL2-S. Struggling with the SL2-S's AF a bit but love the image quality a lot! I still have a small Sony and Fuji kit, but considering selling it all and just committing to Leica full-time. It seems like after you committed to Leica, you seem happy with the performance and image quality. Do you feel confident enough with the SL2's AF for now?
I am absolulty 100% confident with the AF for photos... under certain circumstances. I do spot or field metering and move the field in the place I need the focus... works for everything expect very fast moving objects... and I mean objects that are moving around in my frame... this is basically the way I worked with AF for the past 3 decades... the iAF with eye detection etc is not working for me. First the SL2 is always spot on and second the squares around the eyes confuse me... when I then have to decide which eye and move the "active" field back and forth... I feel I am just faster with field metering und putting the field in the right spot. // Thanks for subscribing... And so cool that you have an Q3 and Q2 Monochrom! Sound amazing!
Very thoughtful. The Leica look is very particular. Working with rangefinders can be clunky. The SL2 seems to be a good all-rounder I would definitely try. I own one Leica camera and I don't use it but the little QL camera you showed would be something that I'd like.
Working with a rangefinder is definitely not clunky, one could almost say it is the opposite, it's a real flow. But agreed, as Florian mentioned, it requires practice and the process does not agree with everyone. If it agrees with you then it is really a pleasure.
Really interesting vidoe! MAy I ask what didn't you like on the Sony cameras? I have aa A7iii for a few years and while it takes great picture, I always feel that something is off and I can't put my finger on it.
Quality wise I was not necessarily unhappy. My problem was the menu and especially the shape of the buddy. I do not have big hands but the bodies were just that 5-10% too small and I never had a comfortable feeling holding them. Also the buttons… I was somehow always searching or pressing the wrong one. - The feeling of something off describes it actually very well.
Having the 24-90 and now the 90-280 gives me more flexibility because i have the 280 as highest focal length. The lens feels actually that bulky. In fact, it is only a 280 grams heavier and about 3cm longer... and it has a very good grip. The 70-200 2.8 from Panasonic is a fantastic lens. I was very happy with the results. In the end it was the possibility to have 280 and to complete my Leica set.
I can relate to what you described, Florian. Used to shoot Fujifilm, then switched to Sony because of the outstanding autofocus. Then earlier this year I decided to stop most of my professional photography and focus on a lighter package which suits more my increasing travel and desire for lighter gear. Coming from Sony A7-IV I was mislead with the idea, that the all new Fuji X-H2 would be an easier way back to Fujifilm, as it has a very similar way to use it. A couple of weeks later I realized, that I had more lenses than before and neither cut the weight nor the size of the equipment - and made a hard cut, selling most of it and got a Q3. Since then the journey was quite similar to yours, got myself a M10-R and a bunch of lenses. Loving it very much - very lightweight system with an outstanding image quality. And it reignited my love for photography again - instead of using tools to fulfill a job ;-) Merry Christmas
@@flofroschmayer my recent favorite is the LLL 35/2 8-element, waiting for the LLL 50/2 ELCAN..But I also own the Voigtländer Color Skopar 21/3.5, a Nippon Kogaku Nikkor SC 50/1.4 and a Summicron 90/2
Wow - impressive amount of gear. You must be rich man, because just one of those bodies is $10,000 here in Australia and the lenses about at least half of that. You buy and sell them like oranges, so they are obviously a bit cheaper in your country, but still many thousands of dollars. Except for the new Q3, the thing that killed Leica off for me is that none of their cameras have a flip up screen. Especially for my street photography, but even my event photography and even weddings, I shoot the majority of my shots on my two Nikons, with the flip up screen out (not using the viewfinder). Each to their own though, I'm glad you are happy.
No kids, but Leicas ;-) I circle around everything I buy for quite some time and I always try to finance most a new purchase by selling existing stuff… but yes… I like camera gear…
Well a Z9 is around AUS $ 8,000 and as for the the flip up screen, it might be a way to operate stealthily but definitely not the way most street photographers operate for many reasons. Personally I definitely prefer the eye-level view-finder which helps tremendously in terms of the precision of composition (yes, true, I am a masochist and I have established a self-discipline of never cropping or over-shooting and I use manual focus over AF in such instances. As a conclusion, Leica Ms (or more affordable but limited to a 35mm equivalent lens, a Fuji X Pro100) or any Q model are my preference for street-photography.
So ist es mir auch gegangen! Jahrelang sitze ich an einem dieser brandneuen Rechner. Doch dann fällt mir ein, dass ich noch den guten alten Bernsteinmonitor aus den 80zigern im Keller habe und den Computer dazu. Von wegen Automatik! So ein Quatsch! Endlich wieder die alten Befehlszeilen fürs Booting zu schreiben - Zeile für Zeile -, was für eine Wohltat. Und auch das Internet: Kann ich glatt drauf verzichten!!! Wofür gibt es schliesslich Freunde. Kaffee gratis und kurz ins www einmal im Monat. Das reicht doch vollkommen! Nun zur Leica: 1. Es sind die schönsten Kameras der Welt Punkt 2. Aber: Manuell fokussieren mit offener Blende, sagen wir 2.0 bei einem 75er, wenn sich das Motiv bewegt? 3. Und dann: Immer wieder Staub im Strahlengang, im Gegensatz zur Zeiss Batis Reihe (um nur mal ein Beispiel zu nennen). Leica Q2/3: Ja! Leica SL: Ja! (Wenn auch viel zu schwer und teuer) Leica M digital: Nie wieder.
I'd rather shoot Fujifilm and spend my money on travelling the world, in the end no one really see the difference in prints up to 70cm. I even sold a 120cm print to a Leica photographer who thought it was shot on medium format. That was shot on Fujifilm xt2 and the kit lens
@@flofroschmayer for the price of a new Leica Summilux 50mm1.4 you gould get 2 great Fujifilm cameras and their 10 best lenses used. The XF35mm1.4 even better than the Leica.
FUJI is a totally different experience. First they are lens makers and their lens are definitely good if not excellent BUT they do not manufacture any full-frame cameras, their attempt at a "range-finder" experience is interesting but does not match Leica Ms in seriousness and sturdiness of camera bodies, and definitely not the experience. As for medium format for all their technology qualities and their price, I would choose a Hasselblad X series camera over any Fuji equivalent (50 or 100 Mp).
@@Swingkid14 Yes, and for the price of a Michelin star meal you could get lots of hamburgers. Obvious these are two different things. You can also get used Leica cameras and lenses. They are more expensive, granted, but they are also for full-frame cameras. As for the XF 35mm f 1.4, the first version was not that great (and I went back to the more compact f2 version); the latest f 1.4 has definitely been improved but is definitely no match to the summilux 35. [PS: I have used these 3 lenses and speak from experience not from hear-say]
@@BrunoChalifour I love the xf35mm1.4 more than any lens incl Leica lenses I've shot. I had the 23, 35 and 50mmf2 but only kept the 50mm. The rendering on the new 33mm1.4 is too clinical, same as the new 18mm1.4. All of a sudden the Fujifilm images look just like Nikon or Sony. These days I only use 18mmf2, 35mm1.4 & 55-200mm. For paid portrait work I use the 50mmf2. I sold of all my other Fujifilm lenses.
Why Leica? Well why not, especially if you can afford it. I want one, if I had the cash. Yes you guys complaining in the back, we all know owning Leica cameras don't turn us automatically into Cartier-Bresson, Martin Parr, Lee Friedlander or ... (put your favourite iconic Leica master shooter) :p
What about them...? Please give more insight about those looks. And why does a photographer need two identical bodies? I would say this is a bit of a blabla note as well... ;-) a photographer should have the right tool(s) for what's right for the job.
"Bought and sold after 6 months..." That's called a rental fee. Try it out and sell at a slight loss. And then you know. And Leica lenses last 70+ years.
I don't get it. Even if you have the greatest glass on the planet and the af is not up to the task (no or not as good eye af) or not available at all you'll get not as sharp pictures. This has happened to me with the Leica M: Great glass, but only soft pictures of anything that was moving. Doesn't make any sense at all to get the sharpest lenses, if the pictures turn out soft in the end. So I sold all my Leica equipment, never looked back and I'm now very happy with my Sony Alpha 1 and A7rV.
???? Having motion-blurred images has STRICTLY nothing to do with the quality of the lenses used but with the knowledge and experience of the photographer. All it takes is using a higher shutter-speed!!?? Learn and practice more it may help you avoid bad experiences and financial mishaps... as well as soft images. ;o)
@stefan_becker Then if you have 50 years of experience, it is not "soft" but out-of-focus. "Sharp" and "soft" are usually used to describe the optical qualities or flaws of lenses, with a 50-years' experience you should know that. Here it is a focusing problem, not a sharpness/softness problem. Solutions: 1-you anticipate on the movement and focus where the moving subject is going and wait for it to be there, 2-you use the hyperfocal distance and the appropriate aperture, 3-you position yourself so as to minimise the movement regarding depth, 4-you learn to focus faster, 5- if that does not work, you do not use your M in such situations which are in fact rather limited. That is what 50 years of experience have taught me, and that I have learnt, and probably that is why I am still using M cameras in most situations (I also choose to use them in situations that suits them). Now that they are not the most versatile tools, agreed (no AF, no zooms), but I would not use a Porsche to go to the baker's half mile away and back or to track a trailer for that matter ;o)
Leica digital cameras are essentially all designed and made by Panasonic now. Leica don’t contribute much on the cameras but only have a few engineers in Japan for quality control. Panasonic also made similar models but the high end one in the Leica brand. Even the L- series lenses are made by Panasonic and some by Sigma but with the best and most expensive glasses. The M series are still made by Leica but so expensive. Germany couldn’t design good electronics for the cameras. Even Hasselblad is using Sony sensor. For the money or much cheaper, I would rather buy Nikon Z8 with Z lenses. It is not the legendary Leica from the 1930’s. It is just the Japanese Panasonic.
@@ForeverBrooklynNYC Sigma is also part of the L- mount alliance and they make lenses for Leica too as well as Panasonic. The Sigma expensive ART lenses are the best so they also make similar lenses for Leica brand and sell them for double the prices. Most Leica lenses are made in Japan by Sigma and Panasonic except the M- series. Panasonic also can make good lens too.
Mhm… The chips are probably Sony… I agree that S5 and SL2 are having some similarities… l love Nikon… as laid out in the video… I see significant differences to the Leica… especially regarding the glass! I never tried a Z8… but I had Z glass. As far as I know M lenses are made in Germany and some in Portugal… the newer less expensive SL lenses are rumored to be manufactured by Sigma… a lot of secrets there! ;-)
Except they are handmade in Germany. Think you might be confusing the L-mount alliance lenses with everything Leica. They literally give tours of the factory in Germany where there are 2nd and 3rd gen workers!
If you have worked for over 30 years both professionally and personally with a Leica, you cannot say that, definitely. not. Quality and satisfaction, pleasure too, way over prestige. But let us be honest, well-deserved prestige may not be a bad thing and the inventor of 35 mm photography has won it, haven't they?
Yes but happy! ;o) Good tools for good work does that, don't you think? What is money for anyway, if not to improve one's environment and for a photographer...
All fine but you spent so much money for all this over expensive Leica stuff therefore I adore Nikon which is top gear for an affordable price and on the picture you dont see the difference or you are a pro
It is an opinion, obviously not shared by many Leica users world-wide and prestigious photographers too. And nobody is wrong. Just take the right tool, for the right job, for the right people. There is no competition here.
@@flofroschmayer I got one. I’m impressed. Personally, I still prefer Nikon imaging above others. Also ui and ergonomics. Zf feels very premium and hefty. I could be in the minority. No joystick but I never used it anyway. Leica is too rich for me. It’s above my bracket but maybe sits right with yours ✌🏽
You should sell your Leica gear.... And buy a Fuji gfx gear!... for half Price you Will get a medium format System!.... the 24 90mm leica is so Expensive.... and the quality not Great....
Archaic in what? Leica invented 35 mm photography. They are the only brand in the world still producing a decent range-finder with the latest technology and excellence in optics (again with the latest technology) that many value over some hyper technological cameras that offer too many useless and unused options, menus where one gets lost, impractical design. Brands that have lost sight of good craft, quality and durable products, that just produce goods for the market, multiply models whose difference are not so notable just to occupy the advertising and buzzing space, brands that export. their factories and labor to countries that underpay, do not protect, in other words exploit their labor force. Is that the world you want to live in? Everything has a price, every choice consequences. Think of it with that angle and decide.
Why "Leica-Look"? What's wrong with your own artistic "look"? Surely as an artist, you aim to express your own vision as opposed to a brand's vision. I'm not convinced that Leica lenses are any sharper or better performing than any other modern lenses. I have personally compared Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 on a M11 with a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G lens on a D850. I must say Leica didn't impress me at all; the colour aberration was pretty bad. The only aspect of Leica that I personally admire is its physical aesthetic and form factor; everything else other manufacturers do better.
Nothing wrong with my own artistic look... I just like the colors the Leica DNG file provides out of camera... which is known as "the Leica look". D850 and 35mm 1.8 sound like a fantastic combination... but the 35mm Summilux on the M11 sound also like fantastic combination ;-)
@@flofroschmayer fair enough🙂 but how do you justify that price tag on the Leica camera and lenses? (A genuine question - not trying to be an a$$) It just doesn't perform on parr with its price tag.
@@azadpeymaparham I would say it is probably a mix of their overall minimal market share, meaning the number of units they produce is probably significantly smaller than Canon, Sony, or Nikon. Then, the fact that they do most of the manufacturing in Germany and not China... They do QC of every item before it goes out to the customer. And I think they use very high-end materials (this is not knowledge, just a feeling) compared to other brands.
@@azadpeymaparham Leicas are designed in Germany, most of the parts are also manufactured there. They are assembled in Germany. This means a highly skilled labor force paid through conventions with the trade-unions (to maintain good working conditions, a decent salary and social benefits (health insurance, retirement) under German/European laws). Most employees are just proud to work there. The emphasis is on craft and quality, durability. There have also been major investments in the early 2000s by the new owners (the Kaufmann family) to rescue Leica and give it its visibility back; including, agreed, investment in restoring its image (Oskar Barnack awards, versatility of looks [which tend to tap into the luxury market rather than the photo market)], Leica galleries world-wide, and new dedicated stores world-wide. All this has a price. It is quite high, agreed, but it is what it is, unique. Only Hasselblad in Europe has managed to stay alive with almost the same strategy, not quite. As a result, less visibility, less sales than LEICA, and FINALLY they have been bought by non-European investors. Leica has remained 100% German with its tradition of excellence in optics and craft (as well as its legendary ethos, such as its behaviour toward its Jewish employees during WW II). Definitely unique, almost a modern legend. ;o)
@@BrunoChalifour I partly agree with you but at the same time Nikon and Canon are also designed in Japan that has similar working conditions and almost all Prosumer cameras/lenses are made in Japan. Leica's design for M cameras have not changed much for a very long time so there won't be much design cost involved. It's all manufacturing, material and labour cost. There have been some software improvements/enhancements but then again that's just some poor software developer bashing away codes. Another point that you made is Leica's employees are proud to work there. That's wonderful but that doesn't mean customers have to pay for that. That's a contract between the employer and its employees; nothing to do with customers. Leica's build quality is great so is Canon's, Nikon's, and Sony's. The main reason that I say Leica M cameras are over-priced is because they don't have the most important and expensive part of modern cameras; auto focus systems. As such their price theoretically should be lower than equivalent cameras with advanced auto focus systems but it is not. If you listen to what Andreas Kaufmann has to say about Leica cameras, then you immediately see where this crazy pricing model is driven from! Bottom line, as a customer, I want quality and performance for a fair price and that's where Leica fails. Just because it was manufactured in German doesn't mean I have to pay 3 times the price. Just because of its history, doesn't mean customers are required to pay 3 times the price! As a photographer, I need a camera that can do the job for me perfectly which Leica is a very good candidate but when it comes down to the price, I'm not convinced Leica delivers value for the money.
…funny how non line shooters thinks that… If I would not like it, I just would sell it. Good thing about Leica… you do not loose that much money when you decide to sell your stuff.
Funny how noone ever says the same about any other brand. Despite selling a Leica means loosing a lot less, than any other brand :-) Btw - also took me 30 years of photography to finally try and really get it ;)
I think the obvious reason is that it took most of us years to make the jump (especially financially), and when we made it we may not have been fully convinced-it took a friend of mine to lend me his M6+summicron 35 and for me to compare the images taken with it with the ones I took with my F3+35 mm f2 to start understanding the difference)... so once we have experience the Leica experience we tend to realise why our gut-feeling (in the end) pushed us over the cliff, but we understand it after the fact. Just a thought.
Yes, they are expensive, especially when you start buying into the system. But you get a good resell value, so once you made the step, upgrading is not so expensive anymore. But sure, I understand your point, I think it is the main reason that it is still a niche product.
Quality has a cost and yes these are specialised tools. Some "average' people have made and will make the jump though for that little extra that quality and efficiency give, not mentioning the pleasure of using a well-designed tool with a legendary past. In the same way some average people invest in BMWs or Audis, or SUVs to go to work or buy their daily bread, huge TV screens for a small rooms, expensive motor bikes, or even simple expensive bikes. Who needs gold ring for a wedding? To do what with it? ;o)
Seems like a guy who doesn't know what he wants. All this repeated buying and selling and buying again looks exhausting. GAS is a low hanging fruit, but to each their own. I figured very early on in my photo journey that my focal lengths are 28 and 50, and I've stuck to my guns. It's interesting that someone who has done photography for so long still does not know what focal lengths and body types work for him! I picture you soon selling all your Leica stuff to move onto Hasselblad or Fuji medium format, before selling it all again to come back to Leica. Wish you the best!
Oh no... I know exactly what I want... to explore, learn und be curious... me not settling on certain cameras or focal length has more to do with exploring and actually working outside my comfort zone.... and yes you are right... there is a big possibility I will sell one of the Leicas to explore the medium format world... but as of now, I am not finished with exploring my existing set of Leicas.
As a working photographer for 51 years I got my first Nikon in 1974 as a gift when I entered film school. It was a Nikon Ftn. I still have it. I was a Nikon shooter until I was on assignment in LA and had time to go out street shooting with a friend from NBC. It was 1998. He handed me an M6 and said, "Here shoot with this." I asked him why would I shoot with a doctor's jewelry? He laughed and told me just try it out. When I got back to Atlanta and developed and printed the Leica shots I was stunned. Shortly thereafter I was back in LA, went to Samy's Camera and bought a used Leicaflex and two lenses which was very affordable. I wanted to make sure there really was a difference. That did it. Afterwards I've had two "R" cameras, Leica M6TTL's, M8 and M9 and now I use a wonderful M-P Type 240 and a Lumix S1R with my R lenses.
Thank you for sharing! Wow… I never tried out an M6 until now but it is definitely something I plan to do in the near future…
Great video. I enjoyed listening to your transition to Leica. I am also new to Leica and have purchased the Q3 a month ago. It is now my personal camera and I use all my Sony and canon gear for work.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video. Congratulations to the Q3! I bet it is fun!
Amazing! Loved the story! Some similarity to my own. I’m back down the line from you currently owning the Nikon Z system but looking for my first Leica and leaning heavily towards the Q3. Really enjoyed your story, thank you for sharing
Oh… you are at a very exiting point… you’ll have some fun times ahead of you… enjoy!!
Sorry English isn‘t my mother tongue but I used to be a NIKON shooter, bought a Leica Q, sold all my NIKON gear and endet up with buying a Leica M240 and a few lenses. So kind of the same story to this very interessting video.. now I have to like and subscribe for more content 😎
Thank you!! Content will keep coming... // What lenses do you have?
@@flofroschmayer
So far I own only Voigtländer lenses. 21mm for landscape, 35mm as an alrounder, 40mm for traveling and street and 75mm for portrait and also for street.
Thank you for the cool Video i got my First Leica 2 weeks ago the M10 with the 35mm summicrom asph. I love it and will keep investing in the System altought i really can relate…. Its not the easiest Camera but i‘ll keep on working
Thank YOU! I am glad you liked the video. It is not the easiest, but very rewarding. Have fun with your Leicas!
@@flofroschmayer exactly, and living in a big city (Vienna) makes it even more interesting/ and difficult in times I really have to be quick
Thank you Florian for you honest and very interesting transformation to the Leica brand. I and am sure all your followers are looking foreward to your adventures with the SL-3. i own a Q2 and agree with you with the Leica look.
Thank you for your kind words.... and have lots of fun with your Q2!
The first part of this video made me remember all of my Nikon gear. But i loved your switch to leica, and the reasons why. I own a q2. I also own a complete cl system. But after years of hesitation, i just bought an M10P and a 50 lux, so i relate entirely. Am so pleased with the decision. The quality, size, ergo, human interface, etc., makes me just love everything M. I just found your website, and am watching thru the rest of your videos. Thanks for your experience!
Thank you so much for sharing! Welcome on the ride!
Man i had the same camera Nikon F 70, i still use it and the same mobile phone. What an era ....
Fantastic! Exactly, what an era… remember my hot ear after 15 mins of being on the phone 😀
Thanks for your explanation. I am a long time nikon user and shoot with the nikon D850. It is an excellent camera but I am also exploring switching to Leica.
... a dangerous thing to do... ;-) Let me know what happens!
the Leica Rabbit hole is a slippery slope. I gave up all my canon gear for the SL2 with the 24-90 and the 90-280. I want to walk around with this camera all day long. It just feels amazing. I love your story... but damn you have had a lot of camera's. LOL
Yes… that’s what my mom used so say and now my wife always is saying ;-)
Thank you for your insightful views, which in some ways parallel my own experiences with camera systems (subscribed). I came to Leica by way of Nikon. I love my Leica SL2-S, but frankly the tracking autofocus leaves much to be desired. Even my Pentax K-3 III (a brand not renowned for its autofocus performance) outpaces it and gives me many more keepers when photographing my energetic spaniel and other active subjects. That said, when I don't ask it to track moving subjects the SL2-S gives amazing results and and the lenses are superb. The 24-90, in particular, is an outstanding lens, but it weighs about the same as a dustbin filled with lead shot. I am waiting to see what Leica does with its next iteration of the SL line. I fully expect it to have autofocus on par with the leading brands, which I think is not unreasonable given the price of the camera bodies and lenses. If not, I think I might reluctantly part with it and go all in on a Nikon Z8 (I still have a Z6 and a number of Nikon lenses). I won't want to do that as I love the interface and the design of the SL series cameras and the SL lenses. I won't be parting with my M10-P, though.
I hear you! The Z8 seems to be fantastic! I still have my fingers crossed for the next SL 🤞🏻
I love Leica for the simplicity of things compared to other camera brands. Doesn’t always have the assistance of other cameras in its class (makes you work for the image!), better built, doesn’t have a new version every year, resell is great, simple menu, manual controls etc… they are fun to use! Usually when I’m out someone will stop me and say nice camera and spark up a conversation about photography, no one ever does that when I take my lumix haha.
True... ;-) And I think you are absolutely right regarding the resell value of Leica stuff... This is an aspect I did not mention in the video. Yes, they are expensive, but when you sell them you get the much higher value then for a camera of a brand that releases new bodies every 18 months.
@@flofroschmayer yup! It’s expensive to get into but if you don’t like it, it’s easy to get back almost if not all of your money. It also helps buying used so that you can save a little. In my experience too talking to the seller and having a discussion on cameras or whatever it may be, they will be happy to see it go to a good home and will make you a better deal. Worked like that for me when I bought my most recent Leica.
A long journey, and I appreciate all of it! And, I get it. I'm a former Nikon F, then Olympus, and SONY, and then Nikon Z shooter and finally went all Leica. I had the Leica Q, which convinced me during my SONY and Z days, and now shoot a Q3, Q2M, and SL2. Had a CL and the Q before, selling them for the Q3 and never looked back, keeping some of the CL (TL) lenses for the SL2. Brilliant lenses, by the way. And 20mp with them on the SL2 is not a problem for me. I did have an M9 and then a 240 for a while, but I'm older than you with aging eyes and gave up the rangefinders. Would own them if my eyes were better. Nevertheless, it's easy to ignore all the rolling eyes and shaking heads because I get what you did, and what I did. All of it. Thanks again.
Thank YOU! Yes, I also get what you did... let them shake their heads... ;-) / I never tried out CL lenses, but it is on my bucket list as well! Congratulations to the Q3... sometime in the future I will be able to talk about it ;-)
Interesting story, As a student I had a Zenit B, then Nikkormat FTN and a Bronica SQ. As professional I used Nikon F, F2, F3, Mamiya RB67. When I stoped professionally, for my personal cameras, I had Canon A1, then EOS (as a change to Nikon) but lost a lot of interest when digital came around... until the Nikon D100, then D300, D700, D4 and now a D850 and 7 lenses. Bought a Q2 at the end of '22. Recently went on a touring holiday in Ireland and took the Q2 and the Nikon D850 and 24-70mm f2.8. The Nikon never came out of the bag, so I have decided (probably) to sell all my Nikon gear but I do need something for my project photographs which are normally done with the 850 and 14mm to 24mm. Considering an M11 and 21mm Elmarit. Most of my project shots are ultra wide, nature of the subject, and considered... just not sure how I'd get on with the rangefinder (although having said that, i"d need a visoflex or work form the rear screen with the 21mm) anyway but no doubt I would get a 35mm or 50mm for it as well. Love the quality, heft of the cameras, the Leica menu and the look of the mages. I need to scale back so that I use the camera more than I do. I also have a Nikon D1J5 in the car all the time, just in case. Interesting camera.
Have you considered looking at the SL system? There is a Leica 14-24 available and plenty of 3rd-pary L-mount lenses… I had a 21mm M lens, which was fantastic, but I did not use it that much because the Visoflex is good to have but not fun for everyday use. I'd instead take an SL.
@@flofroschmayer Funny you should say that. I stopped by the local Leica store in Manchester this morning (Stephens Cameras) and they recommended an SL3 with the 14mm to 24mm f2.8. Basically a mirrorless replacement for the D850 and 14-24 but I'd have to sell all my Nikon kist to get that one camera and lens. Having said that, if I don't use it why keep it. I also tried and M11 and 21mm Elmarit but not sure. Love the lightness but... maybe the SL3 is the right one. They also have good deals on the SL2 and SL2S at the moment, for obvious reasons.
Well I kicked off with a Kiev iv, Zenith EM, then Nikon, Sony, and now the Leica M series and Q2. So, having started with a range finder, I’ve come home (but I’m older, wiser).
Great video!
Love your passion & at the same time honest opinion.
Thank you! That means a lot!
Thank you for sharing your Leica experience. It was very interesting.
Thank you!!
Very inspiring video! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Happy you like it!
It was great meeting you at NAB and talking Leica:)
True! Great meeting you! Love your channel!
Currently Eyeballing a SL2-S Reporter...haha@@flofroschmayer
Wow this is almost my same exact journey. I’m looking to get a Q2 Mono but I need to keep my A7SS3 for video.
The Q2 Mono is a great camera... was thinking a lot of getting it too... but now I have the M10M which I love very much!
Highly recommend the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 f/3.4 ASPH, love it on the M10M!
Thank you. I will check it out for sure!
Great video and thanks for sharing your Leica journey.
Thank you for watching!
Great video Florian. I han a very similar way to Leica. Im sooo happy with my system now. I have the Sl2 with 24-90 ( insane optics) the 50 summicron SL and a 20mm Sigma f2 I series for nit escapes. Ive owned the M10-monocrom for some time and love it. have a 28 summilux, 50 summilux black chrome and a 90 elmarit. For most of my work I don't need fast autofocus, as long as it's accurate. And the SL2 autofocus is very accurate, so that's me a happy camper 😀
Cool... I am bit jealous of the 50 Summicron ;-) I hear it is fantastic. I also have a Sigma 85mm for portraits. Very cool lens. You are right, the focus is accurate. For photo work it is totally working for me.
Absolutely great video. Thank you
RS. Canada
Thank you so much! And greetings to Canada!
For the fulfillment of my dream toy in photography
Welcome to my team.
SL 3 will be a game changer for sure
I think so too!!
It's a Leica AND it can focus LOL@@flofroschmayer
My journey in photography as an enthusiast is similar to yours. I started with the Nikon F80 and moved to D70, then the D700 with a couple of F2.8 lenses and i was happy with that for a good ten years and then as i got older i wanted a lighter set and quicker autofocus. I moved to the Sony systems with the A7IV and A7RV and have build out a considerable kit of lenses and my passion to click photos got reignited in many ways. I turned 50 in December and wanted to celebrate it and have been looking at the Leica as a way to mark the milestone. I am thinking about the M11P and still trying to figure out which should be my first lens.... should i go for a 28, 35 or 50 and a F2? Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated. I think i will keep my Sony kit as have some great Gmaster lenses there., but you never know maybe i may fall in love with leica and get rid of all them in the end. Thank you for your video Florian.
I always loved the f1.4 - Especially with the M 35mm... If you are not going for the apo I would recommend at least go for the 35mm Summilux FLE! It is a fantastic lens... I also think you'll get it used for a good price... Wit the M11 and the 60MP sensor the regular Summicron is not sharp enough... at least this is my experience with the M10R. I also love the 50mm Summilux... So I would recommend start with those two... maybe used... or if you want to go with a new one... It is hard to say... I probably would start with the 35mm Summilux if I could do it all over again ;-) Let me know what you decide! // And yes... keep the Sony... If you are get addicted like I did it G Masters are a good source to generate money to maybe buy into the SL system to still have the an AF camera... ;-)
@@flofroschmayer I must thank you again for your inputs. I picked up the M11P today and the SUMMICRON-M 28 f/2 ASPH III 11618
(0.4m minimum focusing) from the Leica store in Hong Kong. Hope I picked up a decent lens to start off with.I have lots to learn and your channel is going to be my primary source of information to come up to speed. I was torn between which lense to start off with. Hope I picked a decent one to kick off, maybe the 50mm 1.4 will be the next one I will get someday.
Haha! In 2020 you bought a Leica and I bought a House. 😂 I think it got pretty expensive for both of us. ;-)
But you definitely have your fun with gas, I see. What a journey. I came from canon, but till 2011 I was student and therefore poor. 😅 from 2011 to 2019 I got the original Canon 5D and then changed for the Sony A7III. Just now I started looking into the Nikon Z system, which is so incredibly versatile. You can adapt everything on it and it works soo good. I wonder, why I did not check into that system before. 😊
Z System is phenomenal! It was late. Sony was first, I think this is why a lot of Nikon and maybe even Canon DSLR people switched to Sony. And true, you can adapt it very well!
I never thought I would buy into the Leica train especially when I was happy with my Nikon Z9/and pro S lenses. Plus my Fuji GFX100s medium format was also great. Bought Leica SL2s early this year since their promo that got me interested. Had to sell the GFX100s and 3 expensive lenses to out fit my new Leica with Leica 24-70 & 90-280, sigma 85/1.4 and 105/1.4. Now I’m broke but happy with Leica system. Can’t wait till sl3 comes out but will be a big loss in value for SL2s.
Oh wow... Never had the GFX100s in my hands but I am always thinking it could be my next camera... your comment actually calms me down a bit... I recently got the Sigma 85 1.4... I think it is a fantastic lens! - Being happy is more important than being rich and miserable. ;-)
@@flofroschmayer i was impressed with Sigma 85/1.4 and used it more than the 105/1.4 due to lighter weight. But 105 is also a great lens for portrait work, you just need to lift some weight to hold it.
Looking forward to more of your Leica journey as a new subscriber to your channel. Goal fir 2024: q3 or 24-90mm or both 😮
Aloha from Hawaii 🌺🌺🌺
I’ve owned many Leica cameras and lenses from their TL and Sl series. I just don’t connect with the rangefinder now even though I shot a Mamyia 7 for years.
At this juncture the lumix L Mount bodies for me are ultimately more ergonomic the the leica SL. The leica glass is great. Interestingly I picked up a gr3, and it’s incredible and my want for the Q that I once owned has vanished. The Q series of cameras are wonderful. For me easy access to the camera and less weight equals more interesting and better photos
thank you for sharing. I never tried the GR series... I will check those out for sure!
Funny to learn, how many photographers are buying and selling their gear after just a short period of use. After 30 years with Minolta SRT-101 and some years with Leica R 6.2, I tested a Canon dSLR, which I found awful. The next step was a Sony dSLR, a real catastrophe. Then Leica launched the Digilux 2 and later the M8. Today I stick to my M240 and MP240 plus three M-lenses and some R-lenses. There's for me no reason to downgrade to an M11 or get at SL. The latter weights much more than the M. But anyway: thanks for sharing and keep on rolling.
True…
I just like to try out new stuff… it is something that is great fun for me… but I totally understand keeping gear… keep on enjoying yours! Sounds like a fanatic set!
How could you "downgrade" to an M11??? ;o)
@@BrunoChalifour Very easy: my POV is, the M-P240 is better for me than the M11. 🤓
@@paulsehstedt6275 There is a major difference and a major issue with the M240, and I am not speaking of the bigger files, faster recording of images (my M240 often stalls if I take 3 or 4 images in too short a succession) available on the M10 and M1. I am not speaking the low res. EVF, the extra thickness of the body which I found bulky coming from an M6, either. My major issue regarding the M240 is with noise showing up as soon as 800 ISO, almost problematic at 1600 and impossible with banding at 3200. The only advantages to the M240 are 1-when used between 100 and 400 ISO, the colors which I find less flashy, more pleasing straight out of the camera than with the ulterior models, 2-and the possibility to be able to shoot video if need be. But since I invested in an M10-P, the M240 is history as the M10 solved all the drawbacks of the M240 mentioned above.
Lovely video. I had similar experience, but from a Canon perspective instead of Nikon and Fuji instead of Sony. Now have the Leica M10-R, with 35mm summicron and Voigtlander 50mm f1.2. I have thought about the monochrom version, but I think that I may actually be more like to get the M6 TTL and try black and white film. Leica M is a different thought process, and it’s expensive to get into, but I don’t think any other camera gear holds its value better than Leica.
I am absolutely with you on the value of a Leica. / I have a Voigtlander 12mm for M which I like a lot. Strange but fun lens.
Thanks for a good story & review.
Thank you! I am happy you liked it!
Ive been debating on a used Leica or a Pixii. Love the manual process of making instead of taking pictures.
Well said… did you go with Pixii or a used Leica?
@@flofroschmayer trying to determine that now a used m240 or pixii
Why Leica? Because I’m rich!
🤣 - Also very good reason!
@@flofroschmayerI once saw a rich guy buy a Leica. Didn't care about the camera at all.
Why Leica? Because I want to encourage and invest in quality in optics and camera design, and excellence in craft. Because I want to have a tool that is efficient, that is a pleasure to use, that gives me the results I need, that will last and not disappoint me. Because I am a photographer... and definitely not rich. I bought my first M, an old battered M2 with an old collapsible 50 mm, while my bank account was in the red because it looked like a bargain. I still have them and I do not regret the plunge. I borrowed money for my M6, then did reproductions of old photographs, printed and spotted them in order to get my 35 summicron (both bought used). They have served me well and I am still glad I did (in fact I wish I had done that earlier without the fumbling and the cost fumblings bring ;o)
Now I am better-off and I got my first new Leica, an M10 monochrome, to shake myself out of COVID torpor... and it worked: two exhibitions and a book so far.
@@BrunoChalifour you and I care about cameras, that rich guy obviously didn't.
I have given up on owning a Leica or even a Leica lens. I have owned a Sigma SD10 which everyone was enthusiastic about just like Leica, but had in fact too big flaws. Then I thought about a Summicron R-Lens, but after an honest review compared it with an Industar lens I've decided to bury the idea.
@@arneheeringa96Yes I have used an SD10 too. I loved the colors, especially in 2004, but found it limited (ISO, speed). So what did you end up with?
Wow. What a gear journey. I say stick with your Leicas!
Yes... I guess the chances are very high!! ;-)
Great story and images.
Thank you!!
The reason is, because it’s my choice. And that’s all there is to it. It’s amazing how many UA-camrs have to explain why they shoot a Leica.
...just giving inside in a question I get ask a lot... and of course: My choice!
As Florian answered, many people, essentially those who have never owned and used a Leica camera, especially an M model, often challenge Leica owners for their choices without understanding them in depth. I suppose Florian, as I did, had objections before starting using Leicas, the financial one is usually the major that we tend to obfuscate, even for ourselves, with bad reasons... before actually owning and using one (I have also been a Nikon user since my first Nikkormat in the 1970s, I have used FE, F3, F5 then D2oo and D3... until in the late 1980s when I had a chance to use a Leica M6 and was converted. Leica M and Q have become my #1 cameras even if I still own a Z7 (to give my Nikon lenses some use and when I need a zoom or work with flash).
Klasse Erfahrungsbericht von dir Florian.
Ich bin mit meiner SL2S leider noch nicht so warm geworden in den paar Wochen wo ich sie besitze.
Bei der Q war das anders, direkt verliebt und immer wieder begeistert.
Mir fehlt am SL System zB ein professioneller Aufsteckblick und verlässlicher Autofokus.
Gerade bei Reportage-Fotografie.
Hast du vielleicht einen Tipp oder Ratschlag für mich? Nutze das Sigma 24-70 sowie Lumix 50mm 1.8 an der SL.
Denke darüber nach sie ziehen zu lassen und Aufträge wieder nur mit der Sony zu bearbeiten.
Beste Grüße aus München
Adrian
Mit Blitz habe ich leider keine Erfahrungen. Ja, der AF ist halt was er ist... ist halt ein System von 2019 und damals schon nicht besonders inovativ. Ich mag die Kamera halt auch wegen dem Menu und vor allem dem Haptischen... für spielt der AF auch nicht so eine Rolle, da ich sowieso immer single modus habe und auch den Augen AF nicht brauche... Ich habe seit ein paar Wochen (vor allem für Video) die Lumix S5II - ich würde Dir sehr empfehlen die mal anzuschauen. Der AF ist super, auch für Video. Hab mit dem Sigma 85 1.4 schon gedreht... super... Ich denke, dass Leica diesen AF in zukünftigen Kameras einbaut. Ist ja bei der Q3 auch schon drin... Ich denke, das wäre bei der SL2 auch nachgerüstet worden, wenn es nicht ein Hardware Problem wäre. - Lumix S5II ist ja praktisch die SL2s mit besserem Autofocus... und Du kannst Deine Objektive weiter verwenden... ich werde in den kommenden Wochen ein Video machen, wo ich die Qualität der beiden Kameras (SL2/S5ii) vergleichen möchte.... dauerte aber noch einen Moment.
@@flofroschmayer danke für deine Ausführliche Antwort. Tatsächlich hatte ich die S5II mal für eine Woche, das Menü und die Anzeigen auf dem Display haben mich allerdings recht gestört. Wäre schon eine gute alternative, habe eben auch manche Jobs wo ich verlässlichen Autofokus brauche und eben mit Aufsteckblitz.
Used Leica for 25 years .Digitally its a 246 , a CL and an SL2s. Love the first two but the SL2s auto focus is so poor and I haven`t invested in any native Leica lenses for it . Instead I use a Pany 70 -200 and my CL lenses .I only really need the SL2s for equestrian shots but of course when things start moving it often lets me down. The 246 has become my daily carry.
Yes! I think the 70-200 Panasonic is amazing! I still hope the SL3 will solve the AF problems.
Thanks for sharing your Leica journey! I really enjoyed your video a lot! You've gained a subscriber for sure! I have been on a similar journey myself. I started with Canon, then went Fujifilm for a good while, then eventually over to Sony, and now I'm slowly migrating over to Leica. I have acquired a similar kit to yours. I have the M10-R, Leica Q3, Leica Q2 Monochrom and recently picked up the SL2-S. Struggling with the SL2-S's AF a bit but love the image quality a lot! I still have a small Sony and Fuji kit, but considering selling it all and just committing to Leica full-time. It seems like after you committed to Leica, you seem happy with the performance and image quality. Do you feel confident enough with the SL2's AF for now?
I am absolulty 100% confident with the AF for photos... under certain circumstances. I do spot or field metering and move the field in the place I need the focus... works for everything expect very fast moving objects... and I mean objects that are moving around in my frame... this is basically the way I worked with AF for the past 3 decades... the iAF with eye detection etc is not working for me. First the SL2 is always spot on and second the squares around the eyes confuse me... when I then have to decide which eye and move the "active" field back and forth... I feel I am just faster with field metering und putting the field in the right spot. // Thanks for subscribing... And so cool that you have an Q3 and Q2 Monochrom! Sound amazing!
Because it's lovely Camera. None better
If any body ask me why Leica I give them my camera to try 😁
Smart move!!
There is no way in hell I’m giving my camera that cost nearly $10,000 to anyone to try.
@@carlosmcse probably also a smart move!
@@carlosmcse I don’t mind 😁
Cool story, went the same way with me.
So welcome to the club! ;-)
Very thoughtful. The Leica look is very particular. Working with rangefinders can be clunky. The SL2 seems to be a good all-rounder I would definitely try. I own one Leica camera and I don't use it but the little QL camera you showed would be something that I'd like.
If you own one… please start to use it. It is really fun!
Working with a rangefinder is definitely not clunky, one could almost say it is the opposite, it's a real flow. But agreed, as Florian mentioned, it requires practice and the process does not agree with everyone. If it agrees with you then it is really a pleasure.
Really interesting vidoe! MAy I ask what didn't you like on the Sony cameras? I have aa A7iii for a few years and while it takes great picture, I always feel that something is off and I can't put my finger on it.
Quality wise I was not necessarily unhappy. My problem was the menu and especially the shape of the buddy. I do not have big hands but the bodies were just that 5-10% too small and I never had a comfortable feeling holding them. Also the buttons… I was somehow always searching or pressing the wrong one. - The feeling of something off describes it actually very well.
@@flofroschmayerThanks for sharing! I feel that too. It's OK but kind of soulless...
What was the main reason to sell the Panasonic 70-200 and change to the bulky Leica lens?
Having the 24-90 and now the 90-280 gives me more flexibility because i have the 280 as highest focal length. The lens feels actually that bulky. In fact, it is only a 280 grams heavier and about 3cm longer... and it has a very good grip. The 70-200 2.8 from Panasonic is a fantastic lens. I was very happy with the results. In the end it was the possibility to have 280 and to complete my Leica set.
I can relate to what you described, Florian. Used to shoot Fujifilm, then switched to Sony because of the outstanding autofocus. Then earlier this year I decided to stop most of my professional photography and focus on a lighter package which suits more my increasing travel and desire for lighter gear. Coming from Sony A7-IV I was mislead with the idea, that the all new Fuji X-H2 would be an easier way back to Fujifilm, as it has a very similar way to use it. A couple of weeks later I realized, that I had more lenses than before and neither cut the weight nor the size of the equipment - and made a hard cut, selling most of it and got a Q3. Since then the journey was quite similar to yours, got myself a M10-R and a bunch of lenses. Loving it very much - very lightweight system with an outstanding image quality. And it reignited my love for photography again - instead of using tools to fulfill a job ;-)
Merry Christmas
Fantastic to hear that I am not alone with my journey! Which lenses do you have for the M?
@@flofroschmayer my recent favorite is the LLL 35/2 8-element, waiting for the LLL 50/2 ELCAN..But I also own the Voigtländer Color Skopar 21/3.5, a Nippon Kogaku Nikkor SC 50/1.4 and a Summicron 90/2
Wow - impressive amount of gear. You must be rich man, because just one of those bodies is $10,000 here in Australia and the lenses about at least half of that. You buy and sell them like oranges, so they are obviously a bit cheaper in your country, but still many thousands of dollars. Except for the new Q3, the thing that killed Leica off for me is that none of their cameras have a flip up screen. Especially for my street photography, but even my event photography and even weddings, I shoot the majority of my shots on my two Nikons, with the flip up screen out (not using the viewfinder). Each to their own though, I'm glad you are happy.
No kids, but Leicas ;-) I circle around everything I buy for quite some time and I always try to finance most a new purchase by selling existing stuff… but yes… I like camera gear…
Well a Z9 is around AUS $ 8,000 and as for the the flip up screen, it might be a way to operate stealthily but definitely not the way most street photographers operate for many reasons. Personally I definitely prefer the eye-level view-finder which helps tremendously in terms of the precision of composition (yes, true, I am a masochist and I have established a self-discipline of never cropping or over-shooting and I use manual focus over AF in such instances. As a conclusion, Leica Ms (or more affordable but limited to a 35mm equivalent lens, a Fuji X Pro100) or any Q model are my preference for street-photography.
So ist es mir auch gegangen! Jahrelang sitze ich an einem dieser brandneuen Rechner. Doch dann fällt mir ein, dass ich noch den guten alten Bernsteinmonitor aus den 80zigern im Keller habe und den Computer dazu. Von wegen Automatik! So ein Quatsch! Endlich wieder die alten Befehlszeilen fürs Booting zu schreiben - Zeile für Zeile -, was für eine Wohltat. Und auch das Internet: Kann ich glatt drauf verzichten!!! Wofür gibt es schliesslich Freunde. Kaffee gratis und kurz ins www einmal im Monat. Das reicht doch vollkommen!
Nun zur Leica:
1. Es sind die schönsten Kameras der Welt Punkt
2. Aber: Manuell fokussieren mit offener Blende, sagen wir 2.0 bei einem 75er, wenn sich das Motiv bewegt?
3. Und dann: Immer wieder Staub im Strahlengang, im Gegensatz zur Zeiss Batis Reihe (um nur mal ein Beispiel zu nennen).
Leica Q2/3: Ja!
Leica SL: Ja! (Wenn auch viel zu schwer und teuer)
Leica M digital: Nie wieder.
I'd rather shoot Fujifilm and spend my money on travelling the world, in the end no one really see the difference in prints up to 70cm. I even sold a 120cm print to a
Leica photographer who thought it was shot on medium format. That was shot on Fujifilm xt2 and the kit lens
Cool! Fuji is a brand I don't know at all and I am very interested to look into. A friend on a wedding just showed me one I it looked amazing.
@@flofroschmayer for the price of a new Leica Summilux 50mm1.4 you gould get 2 great Fujifilm cameras and their 10 best lenses used. The XF35mm1.4 even better than the Leica.
FUJI is a totally different experience. First they are lens makers and their lens are definitely good if not excellent BUT they do not manufacture any full-frame cameras, their attempt at a "range-finder" experience is interesting but does not match Leica Ms in seriousness and sturdiness of camera bodies, and definitely not the experience. As for medium format for all their technology qualities and their price, I would choose a Hasselblad X series camera over any Fuji equivalent (50 or 100 Mp).
@@Swingkid14 Yes, and for the price of a Michelin star meal you could get lots of hamburgers. Obvious these are two different things. You can also get used Leica cameras and lenses. They are more expensive, granted, but they are also for full-frame cameras. As for the XF 35mm f 1.4, the first version was not that great (and I went back to the more compact f2 version); the latest f 1.4 has definitely been improved but is definitely no match to the summilux 35. [PS: I have used these 3 lenses and speak from experience not from hear-say]
@@BrunoChalifour I love the xf35mm1.4 more than any lens incl Leica lenses I've shot. I had the 23, 35 and 50mmf2 but only kept the 50mm. The rendering on the new 33mm1.4 is too clinical, same as the new 18mm1.4. All of a sudden the Fujifilm images look just like Nikon or Sony. These days I only use 18mmf2, 35mm1.4 & 55-200mm. For paid portrait work I use the 50mmf2. I sold of all my other Fujifilm lenses.
Why Leica? Well why not, especially if you can afford it.
I want one, if I had the cash.
Yes you guys complaining in the back, we all know owning Leica cameras don't turn us automatically into Cartier-Bresson, Martin Parr, Lee Friedlander or ... (put your favourite iconic Leica master shooter) :p
Could not agree more!
From the living: Aleksey Myakishev and Alan Schaller
I used to drive toyota but now that i come of age i now use a bmw.
Completely understandable!
Have you thought about just being a gear dealer?
:-D maybe in another life!
I got so many M lens I never use
If you don’t use them sell them and buy something to you will use… dead capital in the shelf!
the leica has a directness that is addictive, both the sharpness and color, and even the menus and built quality.
I completely agree!
How do you still have any money? Did you win the lottery?
No, unfortunately not won the lottery… always selling the old stuff and keep working hard to earn the price difference to upgrade.
A lot of blabla.
How about the Zeiss look, the Rodenstock look or the Meyer look?
A photographer needs at least two identical camera bodies.
What about them...? Please give more insight about those looks. And why does a photographer need two identical bodies? I would say this is a bit of a blabla note as well... ;-) a photographer should have the right tool(s) for what's right for the job.
Was it the same school that rejected funny mustache boy?
For sure!
"Bought and sold after 6 months..." That's called a rental fee. Try it out and sell at a slight loss. And then you know. And Leica lenses last 70+ years.
true
I don't get it. Even if you have the greatest glass on the planet and the af is not up to the task (no or not as good eye af) or not available at all you'll get not as sharp pictures. This has happened to me with the Leica M: Great glass, but only soft pictures of anything that was moving. Doesn't make any sense at all to get the sharpest lenses, if the pictures turn out soft in the end. So I sold all my Leica equipment, never looked back and I'm now very happy with my Sony Alpha 1 and A7rV.
In the end everyone needs to find the system they like and that works best for them! I am sure the A1 and A7RV are good set!
???? Having motion-blurred images has STRICTLY nothing to do with the quality of the lenses used but with the knowledge and experience of the photographer. All it takes is using a higher shutter-speed!!?? Learn and practice more it may help you avoid bad experiences and financial mishaps... as well as soft images. ;o)
@@BrunoChalifour Out of focus. Not motion blurred. I've got 50 years of experience btw
@stefan_becker Then if you have 50 years of experience, it is not "soft" but out-of-focus. "Sharp" and "soft" are usually used to describe the optical qualities or flaws of lenses, with a 50-years' experience you should know that. Here it is a focusing problem, not a sharpness/softness problem. Solutions: 1-you anticipate on the movement and focus where the moving subject is going and wait for it to be there, 2-you use the hyperfocal distance and the appropriate aperture, 3-you position yourself so as to minimise the movement regarding depth, 4-you learn to focus faster, 5- if that does not work, you do not use your M in such situations which are in fact rather limited. That is what 50 years of experience have taught me, and that I have learnt, and probably that is why I am still using M cameras in most situations (I also choose to use them in situations that suits them). Now that they are not the most versatile tools, agreed (no AF, no zooms), but I would not use a Porsche to go to the baker's half mile away and back or to track a trailer for that matter ;o)
@@BrunoChalifourI am from Germany. Curious if your German is better than my English 😅
Leica digital cameras are essentially all designed and made by Panasonic now. Leica don’t contribute much on the cameras but only have a few engineers in Japan for quality control. Panasonic also made similar models but the high end one in the Leica brand. Even the L- series lenses are made by Panasonic and some by Sigma but with the best and most expensive glasses. The M series are still made by Leica but so expensive. Germany couldn’t design good electronics for the cameras. Even Hasselblad is using Sony sensor. For the money or much cheaper, I would rather buy Nikon Z8 with Z lenses. It is not the legendary Leica from the 1930’s. It is just the Japanese Panasonic.
Panasonic makes Leica's M lenses?
@@ForeverBrooklynNYC Sigma is also part of the L- mount alliance and they make lenses for Leica too as well as Panasonic. The Sigma expensive ART lenses are the best so they also make similar lenses for Leica brand and sell them for double the prices. Most Leica lenses are made in Japan by Sigma and Panasonic except the M- series. Panasonic also can make good lens too.
Mhm… The chips are probably Sony… I agree that S5 and SL2 are having some similarities… l love Nikon… as laid out in the video… I see significant differences to the Leica… especially regarding the glass! I never tried a Z8… but I had Z glass. As far as I know M lenses are made in Germany and some in Portugal… the newer less expensive SL lenses are rumored to be manufactured by Sigma… a lot of secrets there! ;-)
Except they are handmade in Germany. Think you might be confusing the L-mount alliance lenses with everything Leica. They literally give tours of the factory in Germany where there are 2nd and 3rd gen workers!
But they curate the Leica look which is nonsense from the sensor point of view. Deep innocent pockets buy this fluff.
"I watched a video on UA-cam and got a Leica"
Which one did you get?
@@flofroschmayer ahah no I meant most people does that whereas you have a lot of history behind it. Anyway got a M6 and M11
purely prestige image
🤓
If you have worked for over 30 years both professionally and personally with a Leica, you cannot say that, definitely. not. Quality and satisfaction, pleasure too, way over prestige. But let us be honest, well-deserved prestige may not be a bad thing and the inventor of 35 mm photography has won it, haven't they?
The video is a perfect example why photographers are always poor! ;-)
🤣
Yes but happy! ;o) Good tools for good work does that, don't you think? What is money for anyway, if not to improve one's environment and for a photographer...
All fine but you spent so much money for all this over expensive Leica stuff therefore I adore Nikon which is top gear for an affordable price and on the picture you dont see the difference or you are a pro
Nikon is great!
It is an opinion, obviously not shared by many Leica users world-wide and prestigious photographers too. And nobody is wrong. Just take the right tool, for the right job, for the right people. There is no competition here.
Then the zf came out…. 😂
Did you try it out?
@@flofroschmayer I got one. I’m impressed. Personally, I still prefer Nikon imaging above others. Also ui and ergonomics. Zf feels very premium and hefty. I could be in the minority. No joystick but I never used it anyway. Leica is too rich for me. It’s above my bracket but maybe sits right with yours ✌🏽
You should sell your Leica gear....
And buy a Fuji gfx gear!... for half
Price you Will get a medium format
System!.... the 24 90mm leica is so
Expensive.... and the quality not
Great....
I love the 24-90 a lot!... but I am eager to try out the medium format. Did not go there yet because I am afraid it'll cost me a lot ;-)
Good video but still doesn't give a clue about your decision to move to Leica's archaic products.
Glad you liked the video.
Archaic in what? Leica invented 35 mm photography. They are the only brand in the world still producing a decent range-finder with the latest technology and excellence in optics (again with the latest technology) that many value over some hyper technological cameras that offer too many useless and unused options, menus where one gets lost, impractical design. Brands that have lost sight of good craft, quality and durable products, that just produce goods for the market, multiply models whose difference are not so notable just to occupy the advertising and buzzing space, brands that export. their factories and labor to countries that underpay, do not protect, in other words exploit their labor force. Is that the world you want to live in? Everything has a price, every choice consequences. Think of it with that angle and decide.
Why "Leica-Look"? What's wrong with your own artistic "look"? Surely as an artist, you aim to express your own vision as opposed to a brand's vision.
I'm not convinced that Leica lenses are any sharper or better performing than any other modern lenses. I have personally compared Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 on a M11 with a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G lens on a D850. I must say Leica didn't impress me at all; the colour aberration was pretty bad.
The only aspect of Leica that I personally admire is its physical aesthetic and form factor; everything else other manufacturers do better.
Nothing wrong with my own artistic look... I just like the colors the Leica DNG file provides out of camera... which is known as "the Leica look". D850 and 35mm 1.8 sound like a fantastic combination... but the 35mm Summilux on the M11 sound also like fantastic combination ;-)
@@flofroschmayer fair enough🙂 but how do you justify that price tag on the Leica camera and lenses? (A genuine question - not trying to be an a$$) It just doesn't perform on parr with its price tag.
@@azadpeymaparham I would say it is probably a mix of their overall minimal market share, meaning the number of units they produce is probably significantly smaller than Canon, Sony, or Nikon. Then, the fact that they do most of the manufacturing in Germany and not China... They do QC of every item before it goes out to the customer. And I think they use very high-end materials (this is not knowledge, just a feeling) compared to other brands.
@@azadpeymaparham Leicas are designed in Germany, most of the parts are also manufactured there. They are assembled in Germany. This means a highly skilled labor force paid through conventions with the trade-unions (to maintain good working conditions, a decent salary and social benefits (health insurance, retirement) under German/European laws). Most employees are just proud to work there. The emphasis is on craft and quality, durability. There have also been major investments in the early 2000s by the new owners (the Kaufmann family) to rescue Leica and give it its visibility back; including, agreed, investment in restoring its image (Oskar Barnack awards, versatility of looks [which tend to tap into the luxury market rather than the photo market)], Leica galleries world-wide, and new dedicated stores world-wide. All this has a price. It is quite high, agreed, but it is what it is, unique. Only Hasselblad in Europe has managed to stay alive with almost the same strategy, not quite. As a result, less visibility, less sales than LEICA, and FINALLY they have been bought by non-European investors. Leica has remained 100% German with its tradition of excellence in optics and craft (as well as its legendary ethos, such as its behaviour toward its Jewish employees during WW II). Definitely unique, almost a modern legend. ;o)
@@BrunoChalifour I partly agree with you but at the same time Nikon and Canon are also designed in Japan that has similar working conditions and almost all Prosumer cameras/lenses are made in Japan.
Leica's design for M cameras have not changed much for a very long time so there won't be much design cost involved. It's all manufacturing, material and labour cost. There have been some software improvements/enhancements but then again that's just some poor software developer bashing away codes.
Another point that you made is Leica's employees are proud to work there. That's wonderful but that doesn't mean customers have to pay for that. That's a contract between the employer and its employees; nothing to do with customers.
Leica's build quality is great so is Canon's, Nikon's, and Sony's.
The main reason that I say Leica M cameras are over-priced is because they don't have the most important and expensive part of modern cameras; auto focus systems. As such their price theoretically should be lower than equivalent cameras with advanced auto focus systems but it is not.
If you listen to what Andreas Kaufmann has to say about Leica cameras, then you immediately see where this crazy pricing model is driven from!
Bottom line, as a customer, I want quality and performance for a fair price and that's where Leica fails. Just because it was manufactured in German doesn't mean I have to pay 3 times the price. Just because of its history, doesn't mean customers are required to pay 3 times the price! As a photographer, I need a camera that can do the job for me perfectly which Leica is a very good candidate but when it comes down to the price, I'm not convinced Leica delivers value for the money.
Funny how every leica buyer has to convince himself so he can backwards rationallies his purchase 😂
…funny how non line shooters thinks that… If I would not like it, I just would sell it. Good thing about Leica… you do not loose that much money when you decide to sell your stuff.
Funny how noone ever says the same about any other brand. Despite selling a Leica means loosing a lot less, than any other brand :-)
Btw - also took me 30 years of photography to finally try and really get it ;)
I think the obvious reason is that it took most of us years to make the jump (especially financially), and when we made it we may not have been fully convinced-it took a friend of mine to lend me his M6+summicron 35 and for me to compare the images taken with it with the ones I took with my F3+35 mm f2 to start understanding the difference)... so once we have experience the Leica experience we tend to realise why our gut-feeling (in the end) pushed us over the cliff, but we understand it after the fact. Just a thought.
@@BrunoChalifour sounds reasonable :)
Just too expensive for average people.
Yes, they are expensive, especially when you start buying into the system. But you get a good resell value, so once you made the step, upgrading is not so expensive anymore. But sure, I understand your point, I think it is the main reason that it is still a niche product.
Quality has a cost and yes these are specialised tools. Some "average' people have made and will make the jump though for that little extra that quality and efficiency give, not mentioning the pleasure of using a well-designed tool with a legendary past. In the same way some average people invest in BMWs or Audis, or SUVs to go to work or buy their daily bread, huge TV screens for a small rooms, expensive motor bikes, or even simple expensive bikes. Who needs gold ring for a wedding? To do what with it? ;o)
Its all smoke and mirrors.
🤣🤪🙄🙄
Seems like a guy who doesn't know what he wants. All this repeated buying and selling and buying again looks exhausting. GAS is a low hanging fruit, but to each their own. I figured very early on in my photo journey that my focal lengths are 28 and 50, and I've stuck to my guns. It's interesting that someone who has done photography for so long still does not know what focal lengths and body types work for him! I picture you soon selling all your Leica stuff to move onto Hasselblad or Fuji medium format, before selling it all again to come back to Leica. Wish you the best!
Oh no... I know exactly what I want... to explore, learn und be curious... me not settling on certain cameras or focal length has more to do with exploring and actually working outside my comfort zone.... and yes you are right... there is a big possibility I will sell one of the Leicas to explore the medium format world... but as of now, I am not finished with exploring my existing set of Leicas.