Thank you Phil, I really appreciate it. I like how you just break all that stereotypes of a type of photography and do it unapologetically. Like big zooms for street or crop sensors for landscape, you just do it for the joy of it and don’t care. That is so awesome to me. 👍📸
Thank you! I was shooting with my CL just last night!!! Wonderful little camera. I hope they bring the gen 2 version soon since they discontinued the CL recently. 👍📸
Thanks for making another good video. I enjoy hearing you talk about how you use a camera. It’s not gear for the sake of gear but appreciation of a tool. Well made tools are a treat. Owning a Leica is a life goal. Gonna pay for some kids’ college first.
I haven't heard Florida room in yrs, grew up with one in N. FLA which is really S. Georgia in Disguise, See you repping the Biz, small world since you have a dealer 3mi away from us in Trenton TX. I do like the simplicity and compactness of the Leica from what you've shown, would of thought the Fuji would of fit the bill for ya and I should of gotten one being their so tactile...still lug my camera bag everyday to work even though my phone currently has over 2K pics and 43 videos on it now. I'm thankful for my manual lenses though.
I am too lazy to change shirts😬🤷🏻♂️ Yeah, we had a couple of family friends that had built florida rooms on their house... the good ole days... The XT3 didnt go anywhere, I still use it too, it is just not as fun as the little Leica. I actually had it out (the XT3) just a few days ago ... It isnt going anywhere. 😉👍📸 Thanks!
They make a whole host of different cameras, so nothing to worry you too much there. 😂 Where they see us coming is the glass, dear lord is it costly... I have kinda found a setup I like though with a vintage Pentax 50mm f1.4 on my CL and it is sweet!
The CL is by far my favorite travel camera ever. It produces great files, small, discrete form factor, brilliant native lens system and ability to use M lenses are the pluses for me. That 23mm is a real gem.
Thank you Ken, I really appreciate it. Alas, I am a dying breed though. The new generations of people have less regional accents from what I have seen and I think it has to do with the internet. Kids get so much exposure from other accents on the web that they no longer adopt the local accents and intonations anymore. I am here for you though😬📸👍 Thank you again!!!
I have a TL and really like it, I normally use it for family gatherings and such. Great little machine, but I keep grabbing the CL when I just want to go shoot photos...👍📸
Good point. I WANT to use some of my SL glass on it with autofocus but not being able to divorce the shutter release and autofocus from the shutter release button makes that very difficult for me now. This is why I relegated the camera to manual glass. In the end, I am actually glad to be honest as I just use the SL2 or my D810 if I want autofocus and most of my general walk around photos I shoot manual on the CL. Thank you !
HEY DAVID, SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF ...THE DOWNSIDE OF IN CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING IS MOST OF THE TIME A BATTERY WILL HEAT UP WHILE CHARGING..IN AN EXTERNAL WALL CHARGER THE BATTERY SHEDS THE HEAT TO THE OPEN AIR BECAUSE ITS NOT ENCLOSED..IN CAMERA CHARGING THE BATTERY HAS A "BLANKET" ON NAMELY THE ELECTRONICS OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAMERA..HEATING CAMERA ELECTRONICS WILL SPEED UP THE AGING PROCESS OF YOUR CAMERA..PS..WHAT A NIGHTMARE IF YOUR CHARGING YOUR BATTERY INSIDE THE CAMERA AND THERE IS A SURGE OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE OUTLET...PEACE FROM MANHATTAN
Great review - how does it compare to your XT3 in terms of dynamic range and colours? Does the Leica have any internal picture profiles or ability to change colours/contrast etc?
Great questions! It does have a few pictures profile options, but nothing like the XT3. I think two monochrome and a couple of color options is about it. You can fine tune these profiles to your liking to some degree as well with a few sliders but once again, nothing like Fuji has. The color is incredible coming from Leica, and dynamic range is pretty much identical as both have similar pixel density and algorithm programming. If you like Film simulations and you like images with little too no post processing, then get the XT3. That is the magic of that camera to be honest. I use Leica images right out of camera too but for different reasons.
Hi David. Hope and pray that you and your family are doing great. Im trying to make a decision here. I have a CL and a Q2 and also an SL and I have a trip coming up and am trying to determine which one I should take with me. Im an autofocus shooter and I DON’T shoot at night. So, it will mostly be used during the day for pics in the streets in Ma. Any suggestion? On the CL I have the 11-23, the 23 and the 18 and for the sl I have 28-70 and also a 23. Please advice. Thanks. Jro
If it were me, I would take the CL with the 11-23 zoom. That would be the perfect street setup for daylight operations in my book. Lighter, plenty of pixels, Leica glass… what more can someone possibly want?😉📸🤷🏻♂️ The 23mm prime is also a great choice but I don’t know if you like shooting wide angle, so I leaned into the zoom to cover that possibility. When I go out personally now, it is either the SL2 with the 50mm or the CL with the 35mm. They take essentially the same photo but one it a lot lighter. I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
My external grip is made by Lims but now seems to be out of production. The lens adapter is from Amazon. Nothing really special about it to be honest. I hope this helps. Thank you!!!👍📸
Great review! I've been eying this camera for well over a year now (the price is the cause for my hesitation, as you can imagine) and while I think you pretty much answered this question, I'll still put it out there: Have you tried Leica's 18mm f/2.8 pancake lens? One of the things that appeals to me so much about this camera is its small size, and I'd mostly use it for street photography and travel--so that tiny lens is very tempting (though I realize prime lenses have their limitations, too). Thoughts?
I dont shoot 18mm personally, not that I have a problem with it, I just prefer the longer focal lengths myself. The 18mm (from what I have researched) is an amazing little lens and if you like the 28mm field of view, it will be perfect for you. I like a 35mm at the shortest to be honest. I normally have a 50mm on my CL but today I am shooting family/friends event (and indoors) so I have a 24mm… 😬🤷🏻♂️📸 The 18mm would be an amazing lens though. Simply amazing.
I'm looking out one but the problem is there doesn't seem to be a lot of adapters for vintage lenses. Minolta etc. 5 batteries? You're taking a thousand pictures a day?
I have an M42 to L mount and the Pentax K to L mount as well as a Nikkor adapter. The more obscure ones are not out there though, I agree, but those have gotten me into the game...so to speak.
Hey David, I wonder if you could name the brand of the grip you're using? I'm using the Leica grip and the battery replacement issue is getting very tiresome
Hi David Even though I'll never own a Leica I still enjoyed your video!! It was a very honest and fair review!! I know from watching your other videos you really enjoy your Leica!! How does the size of the Leica compare to the Nikon Z50? Best wishes Duane
They are pretty similar in size, but the Z50 is lighter from what I can tell. The Z50 could easily become my street camera without much effort, it is that easy to use.
@@davidsaylors That's a pretty big statement on the Z50 considering how much you like your Leica. I will be interested in hearing how you are liking your Z50 and if you can find an adapter how one of your Leica lenses would work on it. Best wishes Duane
@@duanemcclun I can say that I am not married to the Leica glass just yet. I do like it, but I only have the older Leica glass so it really isn’t representative of what is currently available. I am looking forward to trying some newer stuff at some point, just not yet.
I recorded the video with a GoPro hero 7 black in this video. It is one of the last videos I filmed with it. The stabilisation failed in it and I had to retire it.
Hello sir! I am from Hong Kong. I use the same camera CL as you. I watched your video a long time ago. I have two questions to ask. (1) Have you encountered the problem of camera overheating, (2) or the battery The question is not enough, what brand of battery produced by the third party you bought, thank you!
This is the batteries I bought. Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) and... www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSBW1VG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share They are good batteries and last just as long as the Leica brand batteries. As for overheating, I have never had that happen to me. Mine doesnt even get warm that I can remember. Are you using yours for video? I do not use mine for video and that is probably why. 👍📸
@@davidsaylors It is still very easy to use, small and easy to carry, but there are too few buttons, and its color is different from Fuji. I also have an X-E3.
I am also torn betwethe colors of my XT3 and my CL, like you I find them quite different in color too. I am really starting to like the Leica color more and more though and that is starting to spell disaster for the XT3...😬🤷🏻♂️
The images you get out of that camera speak for themselves. Do you think the Nikon glass produces as good a quality image as the Leica glass, or is there a difference? How much of it is actually the camera’s sensor that makes it a Leica image? Or is it the glass? The “nose-focusing” feature is pretty cool! It certainly appears to be the camera you just want to grab for a little walkabout because it’s just fun to shoot.
So far the glass is probably 20% of the image for what I can tell. The camera is where most of the magic seems to happen. I still want to get a new lens and see if that makes much of a difference, but the older glass seems to be good, but not any better than my vintage Nikkor or Pentax stuff... Thanks!!!!👍📸
Possibly one day I might invest in a Leica Body, the closest I have is the micro 4/3rds LX100 II with its 24-75 equivalent built in Leica lens, its a fantastic travel camera. But I told myself I need to buy a permanent home before I drop that much on a camera body and lens.
Yeah, they aint for everyone, I get that. One of the reasons I got this particular machine was it was second handed. I saved a mint off the new camera price and it was basically new when I got it. Thanks! I really appreciate it!
@@johnpayne1608 nice. I love this one, it has battery access as well as an Arca Swiss plate built into it and a nice leather cover to make the cameras feel good in the hand. But it is pricey... I did pay a lot for it.
😂 Ill bring you one to play with when we come to the ATL to shoot with you! How about that? 😉👍📸 There cool but not the end all of cameras for sure. I really like mine, but I also like my other cameras too...alot. Really liking your new channel ideas too. Good job on finding a direction for your channel.
@@daifuruta581 I am going to be honest, it is just a camera. Made by a small company in a far away land. Nothing more. I just like the images they produce. Fuji and Nikon also make wonderful cameras and in the hands of a passionate shooter, will always produce better images than the most expensive Leica in the hands of a mediocre photog. That is fact. Dont let brands get in your head. Alot of people do and it makes them miserable.
Honestly, at this point, it comes down to personal preference of the device, well Fuji does have that thing with the odd green colors, but with that aside… they all produce wonderful images now. The straight out of cameras Leica images seem better to me, but that is probably bias since I like the cameras to be honest about it. I shoot Nikon a good bit as well and they work great for me. But to just throw a rank on them, it would look like this. Leica SL2 Nikon D810 Nikon z50 Leica CL Nikon Z6 Fuji Xt3 But that is just me 🤷🏻♂️
The CL is a nice camera I was tempted but I have so much Fuji glass that I couldn’t see getting another crop sensor camera. I do agree with you about Nikon’s favorite menu being at the bottom so annoying.
I can understand that, since I only have two Fuji lenses, it was easy for me to jump ship. 🤷🏻♂️😬 I like it almost exclusively with manual lenses anyway though so it really don’t matter. lol... Thanks so much!
About the same to be honest. They are just Panasonic batteries from what I have read. These fit a bunch of Panasonic as well as several Leica cameras. I think the CL is just power hungry to be honest.
To me it seems easier to get on focus with the Leica. I can focus mag easily, then highlight peaking plus I can see the image sharpen up really well too. The Fuji is the hardest for me with the Nikon Z6 being the next easiest. Honestly though, practice with any of these systems will produce excellent results, but to me, the CL is easier to use. 👍📸
@@davidsaylors thanks! Agreed on the practice: I used the old analogue SLRs with focusing screens, and it’s pretty easy. For street pre-focusing is my preferred method btw, but I value your opinion on the subject, for if I go mirrorless.
There is nothing like a legit focus screen in a slr camera. NOTHING compares to that experience. The mirrorless stuff is a close second, but cant touch it to be honest. At all. That is one of the reasons I still shoot a roll of film every once in a while. I just love that connection with the machine. 👍📸
You can buy an original Panasonic battery , its the same like the Leica and has the same lifetime but just cheaper. I even believe that Leica is buying their batteries from Panasonic.
I believe they do as well. My aftermarket batteries I have work fine with no problems. I use them interchangeably without thought of it at this point. Thank you!
...grizzly repellent...🤔 Never thought of that one, but it would probably work well for it!🤣👍 I did notice while shooting in Florida that the D810 battery life was amazing even with aftermarket batteries! I have not given up on it yet, as I have a couple of videos coming up soon featuring this camera. 😉📸
@@davidsaylors It's a small thing, but when all your cameras are set up with BBF, you really miss it when it's not there. Maybe a firmware update will allow it down the road.
That is exactly what I am hoping for too. It could be added in the button assignment section to be able to add it at the users discretion. It should not be a big deal.
Yeah, growing up I can remember lots of people having Florida rooms and having never been there, I wondered what it was all about. Neat little piece of history 😂 I am surprised by how many people caught that too. 👍📸
Have the M3 and M4, M9, the original Monochrome and an SL. The CL would make a great travel camera and I could adapt all my current lenses to it. I rarely shoot film now days so may part with the M3 and try the CL.
It has become my defacto travel camera too. Ít recently went to England with me and only took two lenses a 17mm and a 35mm. The kit traveled effortlessly and I was easily able to get wonderful photos of the trip too. You have an incredible collection of machines. Thank you for your thoughts.
Leica batteries stupidly expensive. Panasonic have same battery for less, but hard to find. However - Sigma also used the same spec battery and the price is about 30% of Leica's. All three or OEM spec and give same shooting life.
I think it's really cool how much you use manual focus glass. Nice review and really great light in the room you used.
Thank you Phil, I really appreciate it. I like how you just break all that stereotypes of a type of photography and do it unapologetically. Like big zooms for street or crop sensors for landscape, you just do it for the joy of it and don’t care. That is so awesome to me. 👍📸
Thanks for the review! I'm thinking of either the CL or the SL, this is a very good review!
Thank you! I was shooting with my CL just last night!!! Wonderful little camera. I hope they bring the gen 2 version soon since they discontinued the CL recently. 👍📸
Thanks for making another good video. I enjoy hearing you talk about how you use a camera. It’s not gear for the sake of gear but appreciation of a tool. Well made tools are a treat. Owning a Leica is a life goal. Gonna pay for some kids’ college first.
Thank you Jim, I really enjoy using this camera, it is s real joy to just grab it and go. Life goals is a good way to put it. 👍
I haven't heard Florida room in yrs, grew up with one in N. FLA which is really S. Georgia in Disguise,
See you repping the Biz, small world since you have a dealer 3mi away from us in Trenton TX.
I do like the simplicity and compactness of the Leica from what you've shown, would of thought the Fuji would of fit the bill for ya and I should of gotten one being their so tactile...still lug my camera bag everyday to work even though my phone currently has over 2K pics and 43 videos on it now. I'm thankful for my manual lenses though.
I am too lazy to change shirts😬🤷🏻♂️ Yeah, we had a couple of family friends that had built florida rooms on their house... the good ole days... The XT3 didnt go anywhere, I still use it too, it is just not as fun as the little Leica. I actually had it out (the XT3) just a few days ago ... It isnt going anywhere. 😉👍📸 Thanks!
That was a really nice review. Thank you 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the review! I have been interested in getting a Leica and still in the process of deciding what I want.
They make a whole host of different cameras, so nothing to worry you too much there. 😂 Where they see us coming is the glass, dear lord is it costly... I have kinda found a setup I like though with a vintage Pentax 50mm f1.4 on my CL and it is sweet!
The CL is by far my favorite travel camera ever. It produces great files, small, discrete form factor, brilliant native lens system and ability to use M lenses are the pluses for me. That 23mm is a real gem.
My thoughts summed up much more concisely. Thank you!
If you got the money for those lenses. Not alot adapters roaming around
I love the accent! It's brilliant!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!!! 👍📸
Nice review David. My personal photo challenge for next month is manual only. This month is using a 20-60mm.
That is a great idea! I do like the one lens stuff alot. I also have wandered into a favorite focal length as well... but that is cool!!! Thanks!
Good job! Outstanding!
Thank you. I really appreciate it. 👍📸
I figured you would like that camera and im glad you do!!! Be careful in the shop, remember to machine the metal not your hand...lolol
Yeah. I have something I am gonna bounce off of you a little later... 😉👍
Georgians have the coolest accents , nice show David
Thank you Ken, I really appreciate it. Alas, I am a dying breed though. The new generations of people have less regional accents from what I have seen and I think it has to do with the internet. Kids get so much exposure from other accents on the web that they no longer adopt the local accents and intonations anymore. I am here for you though😬📸👍 Thank you again!!!
It’s my favorite all round camera too! I also loved the TL2, but sold it for the CL.
I have a TL and really like it, I normally use it for family gatherings and such. Great little machine, but I keep grabbing the CL when I just want to go shoot photos...👍📸
I'm looking forward to your TL review, i always wanted to buy a TL2
Sometime soon, I just havent had much time lately with work being so busy and all. I am working on it though.👍📸 Thank you!!!
I got them both. TL2 it’s a bit too modern for my taste. Really good camera tho
On my Nikons I have a Fn button set to pop my favorites so they can be accessed in about a second. Works slick as part of the custom functions.
That is a GREAT idea. I had no idea it would even do that!!! Shows you how much I worry with the menu stuff. 😬🤷🏻♂️ Thank you for that tip!!!👍
Good review. Bit confused though, you mainly use vintage manual glass on the CL so why do you need a back focus button?
Good point. I WANT to use some of my SL glass on it with autofocus but not being able to divorce the shutter release and autofocus from the shutter release button makes that very difficult for me now. This is why I relegated the camera to manual glass. In the end, I am actually glad to be honest as I just use the SL2 or my D810 if I want autofocus and most of my general walk around photos I shoot manual on the CL. Thank you !
HEY DAVID, SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF ...THE DOWNSIDE OF IN CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING IS MOST OF THE TIME A BATTERY WILL HEAT UP WHILE CHARGING..IN AN EXTERNAL WALL CHARGER THE BATTERY SHEDS THE HEAT TO THE OPEN AIR BECAUSE ITS NOT ENCLOSED..IN CAMERA CHARGING THE BATTERY HAS A "BLANKET" ON NAMELY THE ELECTRONICS OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAMERA..HEATING CAMERA ELECTRONICS WILL SPEED UP THE AGING PROCESS OF YOUR CAMERA..PS..WHAT A NIGHTMARE IF YOUR CHARGING YOUR BATTERY INSIDE THE CAMERA AND THERE IS A SURGE OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE OUTLET...PEACE FROM MANHATTAN
Thanks for the information! I see your point, it never occurred to me that it could lead to problems but it does make sense. Thanks!
Great review - how does it compare to your XT3 in terms of dynamic range and colours? Does the Leica have any internal picture profiles or ability to change colours/contrast etc?
Great questions! It does have a few pictures profile options, but nothing like the XT3. I think two monochrome and a couple of color options is about it. You can fine tune these profiles to your liking to some degree as well with a few sliders but once again, nothing like Fuji has. The color is incredible coming from Leica, and dynamic range is pretty much identical as both have similar pixel density and algorithm programming. If you like Film simulations and you like images with little too no post processing, then get the XT3. That is the magic of that camera to be honest. I use Leica images right out of camera too but for different reasons.
@@davidsaylors Thanks very much
Hi David. Hope and pray that you and your family are doing great. Im trying to make a decision here. I have a CL and a Q2 and also an SL and I have a trip coming up and am trying to determine which one I should take with me. Im an autofocus shooter and I DON’T shoot at night. So, it will mostly be used during the day for pics in the streets in Ma. Any suggestion? On the CL I have the 11-23, the 23 and the 18 and for the sl I have 28-70 and also a 23. Please advice. Thanks. Jro
If it were me, I would take the CL with the 11-23 zoom. That would be the perfect street setup for daylight operations in my book. Lighter, plenty of pixels, Leica glass… what more can someone possibly want?😉📸🤷🏻♂️ The 23mm prime is also a great choice but I don’t know if you like shooting wide angle, so I leaned into the zoom to cover that possibility. When I go out personally now, it is either the SL2 with the 50mm or the CL with the 35mm. They take essentially the same photo but one it a lot lighter. I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
What is the “lens adapter” (with a hole to access the battery compartment) that is mentioned and compared to the Leica Grip Adapter? Thanks!
My external grip is made by Lims but now seems to be out of production. The lens adapter is from Amazon. Nothing really special about it to be honest. I hope this helps. Thank you!!!👍📸
Great review! I've been eying this camera for well over a year now (the price is the cause for my hesitation, as you can imagine) and while I think you pretty much answered this question, I'll still put it out there: Have you tried Leica's 18mm f/2.8 pancake lens? One of the things that appeals to me so much about this camera is its small size, and I'd mostly use it for street photography and travel--so that tiny lens is very tempting (though I realize prime lenses have their limitations, too). Thoughts?
I dont shoot 18mm personally, not that I have a problem with it, I just prefer the longer focal lengths myself. The 18mm (from what I have researched) is an amazing little lens and if you like the 28mm field of view, it will be perfect for you. I like a 35mm at the shortest to be honest. I normally have a 50mm on my CL but today I am shooting family/friends event (and indoors) so I have a 24mm… 😬🤷🏻♂️📸 The 18mm would be an amazing lens though. Simply amazing.
@@davidsaylors Thank you for the input! Hope the family/friend event went well and you got some great shots. :)
Great review David. Which Nikon / CL adaptor are you using? I've got tons of old & new Nikon glass I'd like to use on the CL.
It is the cheapo Amazon “Fotasy” Nikon F to Leica L adapter. I get pretty much all of them from Amazon. 👍📸
@@davidsaylors Thanks!
Your welcome!
I'm looking out one but the problem is there doesn't seem to be a lot of adapters for vintage lenses. Minolta etc. 5 batteries? You're taking a thousand pictures a day?
I have an M42 to L mount and the Pentax K to L mount as well as a Nikkor adapter. The more obscure ones are not out there though, I agree, but those have gotten me into the game...so to speak.
Who makes the handgrip you are using? Couldn't catch the name.
It made by Lims. I bought mine from Amazon but they currently seem to be out of stock unfortunately.
Hey David, I wonder if you could name the brand of the grip you're using? I'm using the Leica grip and the battery replacement issue is getting very tiresome
This one is made by Lims, here is an eBay link…
www.ebay.com/itm/Lims-Design-Lims-Genuine-Italy-Leather-Case-for-Leica-CL-Black-/184892336538?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
@@davidsaylors Thank you very much, this is perfect!
@@aashm1179 your welcome!!!!
Hi David
Even though I'll never own a Leica I still enjoyed your video!!
It was a very honest and fair review!!
I know from watching your other videos you really enjoy your Leica!!
How does the size of the Leica compare to the Nikon Z50?
Best wishes
Duane
They are pretty similar in size, but the Z50 is lighter from what I can tell. The Z50 could easily become my street camera without much effort, it is that easy to use.
@@davidsaylors
That's a pretty big statement on the Z50 considering how much you like your Leica. I will be interested in hearing how you are liking your Z50 and if you can find an adapter how one of your Leica lenses would work on it.
Best wishes
Duane
@@duanemcclun I can say that I am not married to the Leica glass just yet. I do like it, but I only have the older Leica glass so it really isn’t representative of what is currently available. I am looking forward to trying some newer stuff at some point, just not yet.
@@davidsaylors
It's just money - spend it!! 😂 🤣
TRUTH!!! 👍😬📸📸💰
What type of handgrip are you using? Thanks!
It is a Lims brand. I found it on Amazon actually. 👍📸 I really like the grip on the CL, it completes the camera for me. 👍📸
David, just wondering what camera you used to record this video?
I recorded the video with a GoPro hero 7 black in this video. It is one of the last videos I filmed with it. The stabilisation failed in it and I had to retire it.
Hello sir! I am from Hong Kong. I use the same camera CL as you. I watched your video a long time ago. I have two questions to ask. (1) Have you encountered the problem of camera overheating, (2) or the battery The question is not enough, what brand of battery produced by the third party you bought, thank you!
This is the batteries I bought.
Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) and... www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSBW1VG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
They are good batteries and last just as long as the Leica brand batteries.
As for overheating, I have never had that happen to me. Mine doesnt even get warm that I can remember. Are you using yours for video? I do not use mine for video and that is probably why. 👍📸
@@davidsaylors thank you
Your welcome. How do you like your CL?
@@davidsaylors It is still very easy to use, small and easy to carry, but there are too few buttons, and its color is different from Fuji. I also have an X-E3.
I am also torn betwethe colors of my XT3 and my CL, like you I find them quite different in color too. I am really starting to like the Leica color more and more though and that is starting to spell disaster for the XT3...😬🤷🏻♂️
The images you get out of that camera speak for themselves. Do you think the Nikon glass produces as good a quality image as the Leica glass, or is there a difference? How much of it is actually the camera’s sensor that makes it a Leica image? Or is it the glass? The “nose-focusing” feature is pretty cool! It certainly appears to be the camera you just want to grab for a little walkabout because it’s just fun to shoot.
So far the glass is probably 20% of the image for what I can tell. The camera is where most of the magic seems to happen. I still want to get a new lens and see if that makes much of a difference, but the older glass seems to be good, but not any better than my vintage Nikkor or Pentax stuff... Thanks!!!!👍📸
Possibly one day I might invest in a Leica Body, the closest I have is the micro 4/3rds LX100 II with its 24-75 equivalent built in Leica lens, its a fantastic travel camera. But I told myself I need to buy a permanent home before I drop that much on a camera body and lens.
Yeah, they aint for everyone, I get that. One of the reasons I got this particular machine was it was second handed. I saved a mint off the new camera price and it was basically new when I got it. Thanks! I really appreciate it!
What is the after market grip?
It is a LIMS. I got it from Amazon but last time I looked it was out of stock. You might find one on eBay...👍📸
@@davidsaylors Thanks - They are back at $160 each - Leica Prices!
Yeah mine was close to that. It was a lot but it is really well made.
@@davidsaylors Haoge HG-CLB Hand Grip Bracket Holder Designed for Leica CL Camera Body gets a good review at $60
@@johnpayne1608 nice. I love this one, it has battery access as well as an Arca Swiss plate built into it and a nice leather cover to make the cameras feel good in the hand. But it is pricey... I did pay a lot for it.
Everyone be talking about Leica, and I’ve never held one. Great thoughts on it tho
😂 Ill bring you one to play with when we come to the ATL to shoot with you! How about that? 😉👍📸 There cool but not the end all of cameras for sure. I really like mine, but I also like my other cameras too...alot. Really liking your new channel ideas too. Good job on finding a direction for your channel.
You're not the only one, I have never ever held one in my hand.
@@daifuruta581 I am going to be honest, it is just a camera. Made by a small company in a far away land. Nothing more. I just like the images they produce. Fuji and Nikon also make wonderful cameras and in the hands of a passionate shooter, will always produce better images than the most expensive Leica in the hands of a mediocre photog. That is fact. Dont let brands get in your head. Alot of people do and it makes them miserable.
If you were to rank all the cameras you have used in terms of image quality, how would you rank them?
Honestly, at this point, it comes down to personal preference of the device, well Fuji does have that thing with the odd green colors, but with that aside… they all produce wonderful images now. The straight out of cameras Leica images seem better to me, but that is probably bias since I like the cameras to be honest about it. I shoot Nikon a good bit as well and they work great for me. But to just throw a rank on them, it would look like this.
Leica SL2
Nikon D810
Nikon z50
Leica CL
Nikon Z6
Fuji Xt3
But that is just me 🤷🏻♂️
The CL is a nice camera I was tempted but I have so much Fuji glass that I couldn’t see getting another crop sensor camera. I do agree with you about Nikon’s favorite menu being at the bottom so annoying.
I can understand that, since I only have two Fuji lenses, it was easy for me to jump ship. 🤷🏻♂️😬 I like it almost exclusively with manual lenses anyway though so it really don’t matter. lol... Thanks so much!
Are the batteries worse than Fuji's?
About the same to be honest. They are just Panasonic batteries from what I have read. These fit a bunch of Panasonic as well as several Leica cameras. I think the CL is just power hungry to be honest.
Thanks for the review. One question if I may: if you compare manual focusing on the Leica with the z6 or xt3, what's the best system to use?
To me it seems easier to get on focus with the Leica. I can focus mag easily, then highlight peaking plus I can see the image sharpen up really well too. The Fuji is the hardest for me with the Nikon Z6 being the next easiest. Honestly though, practice with any of these systems will produce excellent results, but to me, the CL is easier to use. 👍📸
@@davidsaylors thanks! Agreed on the practice: I used the old analogue SLRs with focusing screens, and it’s pretty easy. For street pre-focusing is my preferred method btw, but I value your opinion on the subject, for if I go mirrorless.
There is nothing like a legit focus screen in a slr camera. NOTHING compares to that experience. The mirrorless stuff is a close second, but cant touch it to be honest. At all. That is one of the reasons I still shoot a roll of film every once in a while. I just love that connection with the machine. 👍📸
You can buy an original Panasonic battery , its the same like the Leica and has the same lifetime but just cheaper. I even believe that Leica is buying their batteries from Panasonic.
I believe they do as well. My aftermarket batteries I have work fine with no problems. I use them interchangeably without thought of it at this point. Thank you!
My D810 has back button AF. The battery will last for about a week 😂 I can also use it as a weapon to fight off grizzly bears 🐻
...grizzly repellent...🤔 Never thought of that one, but it would probably work well for it!🤣👍 I did notice while shooting in Florida that the D810 battery life was amazing even with aftermarket batteries! I have not given up on it yet, as I have a couple of videos coming up soon featuring this camera. 😉📸
And smudging and files that kill you computer
No back button focus is a bummer.
Yes it is. That is the only real down for me about this camera.
@@davidsaylors It's a small thing, but when all your cameras are set up with BBF, you really miss it when it's not there. Maybe a firmware update will allow it down the road.
That is exactly what I am hoping for too. It could be added in the button assignment section to be able to add it at the users discretion. It should not be a big deal.
Florida room? I thought Georgia hated Florida. lol Hate is a big word, more like a rivalry. 😀
Yeah, growing up I can remember lots of people having Florida rooms and having never been there, I wondered what it was all about. Neat little piece of history 😂 I am surprised by how many people caught that too. 👍📸
Have the M3 and M4, M9, the original Monochrome and an SL. The CL would make a great travel camera and I could adapt all my current lenses to it. I rarely shoot film now days so may part with the M3 and try the CL.
It has become my defacto travel camera too. Ít recently went to England with me and only took two lenses a 17mm and a 35mm. The kit traveled effortlessly and I was easily able to get wonderful photos of the trip too. You have an incredible collection of machines. Thank you for your thoughts.
Leica batteries stupidly expensive. Panasonic have same battery for less, but hard to find. However - Sigma also used the same spec battery and the price is about 30% of Leica's. All three or OEM spec and give same shooting life.
I have three Leica and two not-Leica batteries and I cant tell a difference either. I agree
Do you know if the Sigma 24MM 1.4 L mount would fit on this?
Yep, it sure will. From what I have seen they are fairly good lenses too. Especially for the money. Yeah