I Bought My Dream Camera - The Leica MP // Unboxing & First Rolls in Venice

I've been actually waiting for this moment for years, and it's finally here! I just got my hands on the legendary Leica MP, and I can't wait to share this journey with you.
Unboxing of this iconic camera. I'll share why it took me so long to make this purchase, touching on its hefty price tag and my internal debate of "Do I really need it?"
First Rolls in Venice: Join me as I take the MP for its first spin in the picturesque streets of Venice. I'll be shooting my first two rolls of film, capturing the beauty and essence of this magical city.
Why the Leica MP?
This camera is more than just a piece of equipment; it's a tool that helps me slow down and truly enjoy the art of photography again. Every shot is intentional, and every moment is savored.
My Gear:
- Leica Q3
- Sony rV
- Sony 24-70 GM II amzn.to/3xgyEiX
- Cinebloom Filter 5% (Sony) amzn.to/3RJtO4J
- Tiffen ProMist 1/8 (Leica) amzn.to/4eteKlB
- ND Filter (Sony) amzn.to/3XG9EfO
- SmallRig Cage amzn.to/4cl0ZUk
- Thumb Grip (Leica) amzn.to/3z60saj
- Q3 Bag amzn.to/4blua8w
- Portable SSD amzn.to/3XBxSYx
- SD Card amzn.to/3XGVD1f
Timecodes:
0:00 Unboxing
0:40 Intro
1:22 The Question: Do I Really Need It?
3:03 The Joy Of Using The Leica MP
3:39 Perfect Tool To Slow Down
5:24 Venice On Film
9:25 Outro

[@lensman5762]

MP is the child of the M3 & the M6. It will make you think before you press the shutter, I promise you that. Just one piece of advice, stick to just one or at most just two lenses. That is the only way to get the best out of yourself and this amazing tool for pure photography. Enjoy the camera.

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks! Will stick to my 35mm always as it is my favorite focal length and I’ve used it a lot on the M9 & M10 - also buying more lenses for the Leica will make me absolut poor 😅

[@150g3]

Hi, what camera strap are you using in this video?

[@nielsfreidel]

Hey! in this video I actually have the original Leica strap on the MP which comes with the camera when you buy it new

[@dkcarroll13]

Congrats on the MP. I’ve had mine for a few years now and it goes everywhere with me. It’s a special one

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks Kevin! Absolut :)

[@tommymonolo]

So happy for you bro !

[@nielsfreidel]

thanks Tommy!

[@testarosso1368]

No You don’t need it . but it’s a thing of beauty

[@RichardPilon]

Congrats! I bought a new black paint MP in February and couldn’t be happier 😎

[@nielsfreidel]

thank you Richard! Congrats likewise! :)

[@bybenoit5593]

Ah man, I have the exact same thoughts... I think when I have a kid, that's when it'll come into my life to document that part of my life. Nice shots!

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks for your nice comment Benoit! If you can dont wait till you have a kid :D rent one for a roll...each photo is a joy!

[@maxwellwellmax878]

Congratulations! I got my own dream cam the M7 a few years ago. Im still trying to figure out how to get an MP 🤑

[@nielsfreidel]

thank you Maxwell! The M7 is also very nice! I waited a bit more - and decided to get the MP...but I have one friend who is super happy with the M7

[@camerafusion]

Beautiful camera, congrats! Great images.

[@nielsfreidel]

Thank you!! for the first two rolls I think they are ok...but look forward if I have a bit more experience with it... Also great stuff on your channel!

[@tvthegreek]

Awesome video, awesome shots and great camera bro

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@adambrosz5219]

What an awesome camera! I am having the exact same dilemma as you were having. :) I want to buy the Leica M-A. Still trying to justify the purchase - should I go ahead and buy it, or should I spend much less and buy the new MINT Rollei AF? On the other hand, I want to get a camera for a lifetime, something I will hand down to my son. Not sure about the Rollei's longevity...

[@nielsfreidel]

Hey Adam, Thanks for your comment! I would definitely go for a Leica if you can - is a bit like a Rolex, they cost more, but you don't really lose that much value in the long run. Especially if you decide, that you dont want to keep it in the end.

[@crispin8888]

Buy an M-A ...

[@23wewee]

Man nice shots! I’m also contemplating on getting the MP or M11p. Same thoughts regarding the slowing down process. I’m currently shooting my Canon FTb and been experimenting different film stocks. On your first 2 rolls of portraits, did you meter them to overexpose of with correct exposure? Thanks man! Cheers!

[@nielsfreidel]

Its amazing how this manuell focusing end everything makes you be more present - and not just taking shot by shot digital all the time... i usually expose correct with the MP and other cameras - the Portra400 roll was accidentally over exposed one step because I forgot to move the ISO dial :D turned out to be really nice! (its mostly the shoots at the end)

[@23wewee]

@@nielsfreidel thanks man! More to come!

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Congrats on your MP! Mine also arrived last week (second hand, but good condition with CLA a few years ago) and now I have time to put a roll through it :) Also mine in silver chrome really looks great next to my M3 :) Did you purchase your MP before the price increase? I was blown away when I saw the MP was in 2019 around 4350€ :O Happy shooting und schönes WE!

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks! :) I just saw one of your Q3 Videos just a few weeks ago! I actually bought mine from an official shop - including "MWST" so I got it around 4000 new over all. I think silver is a great choice as well! they look very classic in silver - had mine M10 in Silver, which I loved...

[@IntrovertAmateur]

@@nielsfreidel oh really? Thanks for tuning in :) Curious to see more shots of your MP!

[@eddie_g]

congrats on the mp. Hope I can visit Venice one day

[@nielsfreidel]

Thank you Eddie! definitely try to go a bit of season as it is a bit less touristiy...venice is absolut beautiful - but whole Italy is actually...(especially the north in my opinion)

[@j.teunissen450]

Best camera ever❤

[@nichoschmees]

Geiles Video Niels!

[@nielsfreidel]

Vielen Dank Nico! Schön, dass du vorbeischaut hast! :)

[@aobane841]

Congrats! Have fun.

[@nielsfreidel]

Thank you!

[@FrankDavalos]

Worlds greatest!

[@nielsfreidel]

definitely a classic :)

[@JohnSmith-gs4zv]

I never regretted spending so much money on my MP. It’s my favorite tool ever and I still love it since the day I purchased it. Congrats to you and I wish you many many great photographs!

[@nielsfreidel]

Thank you very much John!

[@RobertAllen-ru8wo]

Your photos will be legendary

[@nielsfreidel]

Thanks Robert - I hope so :D

[@CamerasandGrain-eb8of]

fantastic Camera .

[@nielsfreidel]

Absolut!

[@KameraObskura]

The Leica MP is worth every € I think (got myself a silver version two years ago), because its so small and the since the rangefinder system has less camera body shake when you need to hold it very still I always prefer it over my SLRs. A little something on the side.....why does every Leica/Film photographer have to wear a fishermans beanie and use Lo-Fi hip hop beats as a background music. Of course Im thinking: You do You but I am just so tired of this look and feel which feels like a copy/paste version of any other photographer KZbinr. Look at Jamie Windsor or Samuel Streetlife. They are doing their own thing. I dont want to hurt you but I think that Im not alone with those thoughts (also regarding lots of other content creators). I always think to myself: It would be even better if there was less of a professional feeling to it, since it would be more raw and therefore more personal.

[@nielsfreidel]

Ich antworte mal eben auf Deutsch, weil ich glaube das ist etwas einfacher zwischen den Zeilen zu lesen ;) Also ich ziehe mich an und trage, worauf ich Lust habe, nicht weil ich glaube es gefällt jemanden. Ich mache Videos auf die Lust habe - und mache Content den ich selber gerne sehe. Mehr gibts eigentlich garnicht zu sagen. In dem letzten Video trage ich übrings keine Mütze und es läuft House Musik :D das nur mal so nebenbei erwähnt. Ich frage mal so rum: warum müssen Menschen hier auf KZbin über alles ein Fass aufmachen? Leben und Leben lassen sage ich mal. Ich schreibe doch auch nicht über dein Japan Kurzfilm: warum trägst du da ein Anzug, warum ist der Film so komisch bläulich gelooked... Lange rede, kurzer Sinn: ich glaub man muss sich als KZbinr einfach ein dickes Fell aneignen und bestimme Kommentare überlesen.

[@KameraObskura]

@@nielsfreidel Im Grund stimmt’s schon. Leben und Leben lassen ist auch meine Devise…und es tut mir auch Leid, dass ich dir das jetzt geschrieben habe, weil ich das im Grunde auch unter viele andere Channels die sich dem analogen Fotografieren widmen hätte schreiben können (und normal schreibe ich generell keine Kommentare). Das ist auch das erste Video das ich von dir sehe und habe deshalb auch nicht gesehen wie du deine Videos sonst so gestaltest. In dem Sinn hab ich dir auch ziemlich Unrecht getan. Vielleicht sehe ich einfach auch zu viele dieser Kanäle und erkenne irgendwann einfach zu stark die Klischees. Ich wollte mir nur mal meinen Frust darüber von der Seele reden, weil ich das Gefühl habe YT Creators kopieren bewusst oder unterbewusst einfach immer die selben Muster…aber das ist vermutlich einfach nur allzu menschlich. Und ja ich glaube auch man braucht ein dickes Fell als KZbinr….ich wollte dich damit aber wirklich nicht angreifen und habe es dummerweise trotzdem getan. Tut mir Leid. Der Kurzfilm von mir war übrigens ein Experiment… mit dem ich in keine bereits existierende Kerbe schlagen wollte. Dafür fehlt dem Film aber halt die Professionalität…daraus kann man dann machen was man will.

[@nielsfreidel]

@@KameraObskura Danke für deine ausführliche Antwort :) und es stimmt natürlich schon auch mit den Klischees! Ich weiß es zu schätzen, dass man sich dann doch so offen drüber austauschen kann! Ich nehme das auf jeden Fall mit und probiere mit jedem Video etwas mehr mein "eigenen" Stil zu finden...aber das braucht natürlich auch Zeit... Und keine Sorge, wollte dein Film überhaupt nicht kritisieren, sollte nur ein Beispiel sein ;)

[@dunerino892]

was kb angeht definitiv auch meine traumkamera in genau der ausführung. ...werd ich mir aber erst gönnen wenn meine m6 mal den geist aufgibt - also wahrscheinlich nie😅

[@nielsfreidel]

bis eine M6 nix mehr kann, wird viel Zeit vergehen! :D aber auch eine sehr schöne Kamera!

[@Rocking70s]

Had the same thoughts before pulling the trigger. Never since regretted. This is a fantastic piece of gear that itself inspires to shoot. Once you get used to it and controls become second nature and you get used to a paired lens, know the film latitude it becomes a neurosurgery instrument shredding perfect shots way faster then any digital camera (non-M, though). This is THE ONE camera to take with you that never fails.

[@nielsfreidel]

Well said! :) thanks for your comment!

[@henkvrieling9586]

Unnecessary annoying music

[@nielsfreidel]

Hey Henk, music is understandably down to personal preference - will nevertheless consider it for my next video...