Leica Camera Guide: Which One is Right for You?

[@reianae.smiley8573]

I can’t wait to save up for the Sofort 2! It’s absolutely stunning with its sleek and modern design-way cooler than those bulky Polaroid cameras! Plus, the fact that it takes both Sofort film and Instax Mini film is just the cherry on top!

[@davidherring]

It's really a fun camera!

[@polygoncoco]

Feel like I’m too poor to even watch this video 😂

[@davidherring]

Lol I address this towards the end of the video.

[@polygoncoco]

@@davidherring haha I'm mostly joking, I would get a Leica if it suited my photography style (I shoot wildlife - and then my everyday camera is a fuji x100~). I think when I finally slow down/do more street/documentary stuff a Leica is definitely on my horizon!

[@davidherring]

I took the SL2 with a 100-400 to shoot wildlife last winter, and the M with a 135mm I borrowed. Never again haha. Sticking with my Sony. 😂

[@AyhanSelmann]

I'm using the Leica M11-P professionally and it's in repair since a few month, from day one Leica (Germany) send me a loaner M11-P and due to a dejected rangefinder, they swapped it to a Leica Q3 43. So I personally never had problems with Leica regarding "pro support".

[@davidherring]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@Bikes-n-Stuff]

That’s a rarity I’d say. Maybe helped you’re professional and based in Germany. The rest of us wait an insane amount of time - Leica should extend the warranty to get offset the downtime.

[@AyhanSelmann]

@Bikes-n-Stuff I have to wait the same time, but yeah it probably helps that I'm a professional and live in Germany. I don't know what the service requirements in other countries are (for the Leica customer care)

[@simonbnyc]

Excellent overview. When I returned to photography after an absence of many years my decision to purchase a Leica Q2 didn't take long after just a short amount of research. It's a decision I have never regretted. How I see the world is replicated with ease by the Q2 with very little manipulation in post. The Summilux lens gives me the painterly quality I need. As someone once said, "a Leica works the way I think". And let's face it, if expense is an issue then the Q system is certainly a cost effective way of entering the world of Leica!

[@davidherring]

Love that, thank you for sharing!

[@rauliflemington7045]

Hey, greetings from Australia. I really liked this overview of the Leica range. Indeed, they have the most nuanced selection of any camera maker. Your views on the rangefinder M bodies reonate with mine. I've been a photographer since 1984, I abandoned my commercial career 20 years ago to pursue art. I came to Leica only 18 months ago purely out of curiosity. I wanted to know what all the fuss was really about, why Leica is such an iconic brand that illicits so much impassioned commentary. The only way to find out fully was to get one. What ensued was profound, humbling, and empowering. I genuinely thought I knew it all, but my Leica M4-2 taught me otherwise, and I grew reskilled as a photographer. This coming new year I plan to purchase a Leica MA. It's very expensive for me, but, as you hinted, there are ways to achieve it with a dedicated and disciplined approach. Thanks, Cheers.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing! Best of luck to you!

[@cheekyboop]

I got my M4 this summer and I love it! It's the perfect camera!

[@davidherring]

I love the M4! Most of my film cameras don’t have a light meter, and I prefer it.

[@jurrevandermeer4857]

Bought a Q3 a while back and love it to bits. The hurdle to get one was high because of the price point but seeing the results I have zero regrets. I'm even considering adding the Q3 43 for the extra length and APO lens. I've never tried an M...who knows some day😊

[@davidherring]

The Q is an M gateway... be careful haha

[@jurrevandermeer4857]

@davidherring that's what i hear...already in too deep now to be careful😂😅

[@sincosy]

I have been a Sony shooter for over 16 years now. Now did my first step into Leica with a Q and I think the path is set to go for an M sooner or later. We will see :-D Sony has some incredible workhourses, like the Sony A7 RV and great filmcameras like the FX3 and A7 S3. But there is something very special about Leica, what I can`t put in words... Have a great Christmas season Dave!

[@davidherring]

I love my Sony cameras, and even used one on a shoot today alongside my M11 (A7RV with a vintage Minolta lens). But I absolutely love my Leica M . You're right - something special about it.

[@sincosy]

@ oh lovely! I sometimes use some minolta lenses, too! What are your go to minolta lenses?

[@davidherring]

@sincosy I have a 50mm Rokkor 1.4 on today!

[@joseuribe430]

Hey bud, thanks for sharing as always. Which month is better to head to the Bay Area as far as nice weather? Thanks!

[@davidherring]

We have pretty decent weather all year but if you want guaranteed sunshine and nice, cooler temps, come in May or October!

[@joseuribe430]

@@davidherring thanks, May it is! I noticed you smoke a pipe. Do you smoke cigars also? I have some to bring if you're interested.

[@PatrikSkiffardFoto]

Im on a Q3 but want to move on to m11 monochrom, also using Canon R5 for work

[@davidherring]

The Q is the gateway to the M!

[@PatrikSkiffardFoto]

@davidherring yes! Very mutch! Had the Q2 Monochrom for a short while, and got scared by only having b&w but 97% of my work end up being b&w anyways so it's like go big or go home by now! 😅

[@andyxmunoz]

ALL OF THEM

[@davidherring]

ALL. OF. THEM.

[@0913danielify]

if you have to choose just one leica-M (film or digital), which one is gonna be??

[@davidherring]

Film, because it's timeless and will never get old.

[@alexfrederickson1540]

Hey Dave, I have a question please 😁 I shot Fujifilm for years before getting my Q2M and all the way through I heard one message, it’s about the glass, invest in glass not camera bodies. Now I’m with Leica and I’m seeing lots of folks using the M 10 and 11 with really really cheap Chinese lenses. I’m confused now. I do understand that not everyone can afford Leica lenses having just dropped 8 or 9k on a body, but how does this stack up?

[@davidherring]

Good question. I am in the camp that the lens follows the body, so invest in great lenses and while you may change bodies, your lens is your look. Regarding M cameras with cheaper lenses, sometimes it's about size / weight / risk, etc. when choosing a lens. I have a friend who prefers street photography with a $600 lens on his M10, but also has a $5K lens he'll take with him when he travels to national parks. There are many reasons you may find someone using a cheaper lens on an M.

[@jimgonyea]

I started my Leica journey with an X (type 113) then a Q2. Sold the Q2 and my current camera is an M10 and looking to pick up an M-P by the end of 2025. Might grab a Sofort 2 along the way.

[@davidherring]

The Sofort 2 is great in a lot of scenarios. As I shared, I use mine as a printer when I'm on a client shoot to print their fav photo!

[@kiwipics]

​@@davidherring .. Why pay the extra for the red dot when the Fuji Evo is the same camera and far cheaper ??

[@davidherring]

Why drive a Porsche and a Altima will get you there?

[@kiwipics]

​@davidherring ... In this case, the Instax it is the same as the Sofort apart from the price and colours. The Sofort is £360 and the Fuji Instax EVO is only £175, which would leave you with plenty of money for the Instax film to shoot with. A Porsche for Altima money 💰

[@Spearmanmark]

As a Buddhist, I feel obliged to point out a Middle Way that is not quite the M experience, but is a delightful SL experience when one uses manual-focus M Leica lenses with the SL, particularly the SL2, which is slightly more slender and a more streamlined form factor than the new SL3. Just black tape that thing up, slip on 35 Summilux and it’s plum magical.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnlocke_1]

Why would being a buddhist obligate you to spout your opinion?

[@ab185]

Trying to find a used CL and a Q-P currently!

[@davidherring]

The CL is a great little camera!

[@anthonyazanon6160]

I realized I have an issue when my current ones are: Q3, MP, M 245 and soffort 2… I started with the Q… 😬

[@davidherring]

Q -> M, always

[@VinZarate]

M8.2… still going GRRReat!!!

[@davidherring]

Nice! M8 is so good.

[@Seafishing-f1t]

I have a 1980’s M6 all Black I have even started dressing in all black that’s how this Leica fever affects you. The problem is I have 4 children and have been saving for over 12 months to buy it, I don’t have a lens yet as I have no money. But when I do eventually have the funds I am going to purchase the Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron aspherical black VM Type II. Spain the country where I live is perfect for photography so I can’t wait to snapping away.

[@davidherring]

Congrats on that! I had the 35mm Voigtlander Ultron VMII for a long time. Love that lens!

[@OriolRedemer]

I love my kislux bags. I've had them for a long time and they look like new. I like to spend money wisely. How many people spend all their money on expensive handbags, cars and accessories only to have it blown away? There's nothing special about high priced luxury bags

[@davidherring]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Bikes-n-Stuff]

Mmm, was hoping for less of an infomercial. Have a few Leicas including an M and sad to see the many faults/weaknesses not mentioned.... disappointing purchases for me personally.

[@davidherring]

This was a 13min video attempting to simply say "who is this camera for" and address their entire lineup. I have plenty of other videos where I share strengths and weaknesses of the cameras I have personally owned (M, Q, and SL cameras)/

[@flixbert]

The best Leica is the one your rich friend has, who lets you hold it from time to time 😂

[@davidherring]

MANY photographers have more value in their Canon or Sony kits than Leica photographers.

[@OpenDGuitar]

Using a Q2…can’t afford more. Set up as much like an M as possible. Painted black thumb grip is brass aging well. Wish the whole cam would. While new models have advantages, the Q2 feels like a long haul camera even today.

[@davidherring]

The Q2 is incredible and I have a ton of images I've used in travel / tourism commercial shoots (as well as everyday stuff) that are made with that camera.

[@stevieraveon]

😍😍😍

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@joshuacerbito]

First? Yeah!

[@davidherring]

Haha congrats!

[@JungjoonKim]

M is M. I love it.

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@cameraman655]

What if you aren't impoverished non-medical professional, ditch diggeing scrub with barely 2 dimes to rub together eatin’ Alpo for dinner…if I am, lucky. Whatever can I do…?

[@davidherring]

Not sure.

[@p13579a]

Why do you consider the Q (series) a professional camera? Shouldn't a professional camera have dual card slots or internal memory in case of card failure?

[@davidherring]

I have done a ton of professional work with the Q2, from travel/tourism commercial shoots to product to lifestyle/fashion. See any of my galleries at dave.online/ for examples. Also, professional photography existed long before dual card slots or internal memory. And in my 20yrs of work, I've only had one card failure, and that was a Sandisk card in a Sony in 2020.

[@Bikes-n-Stuff]

Leica's aren't professional cameras, sorry to say. That requires a whole host of things beyond the purchase, like fast and efficient support and firmware fixes etc. Leica is a luxury brand. I say that owning a few (which I tried out of interest). they're not terrible, but they're not professional and extremely over-rated and over-priced. Dont get sucked into the hype

[@p13579a]

@Bikes-n-StuffI have a few too and rather like using them. My Sony cameras beat them on tech specs but I would rather take out a Leica for personal use. It’s not just about the end result

[@davidherring]

I’m a professional photographer, and I use Leica cameras. Best to you.

[@SILVERGOLDWING72051]

What is a "professional camera"? It's any device that you can earn money with. I have a good friend who carries numerous phone cameras and his images rival any photographers work. I own the q3-43, and must say it's an amazing imaging device. I also have the M, SL and Sony equipment, but the Q goes with me almost every day.

[@astirink7617]

Y’all just looking to look like a bloody photographers. Dudes like this that are planting the seed that you need to have a Leica to be a photographer. Look through these people’s body of work. Honestly, if it a wasn’t for the “dreamy vintage” look that these expensive cameras give off, the photos wouldn’t be worth your attention. Remember, the camera is just a tool to take a snapshot of a great moment. But people are confusing these cameras with good quality photos. They aren’t. If you’re taking mid photos with your camera phone, you’ll be taking mid photos with a Leica. Just shoot for something like a Fuji XT4 - you’ll take better photos than most chumps with a bowler hat, Chelsea boots and a £6K camera dangling from their neck

[@davidherring]

“Look through these people’s body of work.” Feel free to post a link yours right below.

[@astirink7617]

@ take solace in knowing you’re not the only one, mate. There are 500 “social media” photographers at any given moment - trying to tell the world how “this is the best lens / composition / camera…blah blah blah”. You’re all talking over the top of each other, talking absolute nonsense - just spewing out anything for a “like or comment”. Fair play if it’s paying the bills, bud. But you and the other “Leica back street boys” aren’t photographers, you’re just job-dodgers

[@davidherring]

Link?

[@astirink7617]

@ maaaaate, you don’t have time to look at my link. You’ve got to fit yourself into your sisters skinny jeans and figure out which bracelet goes with that shiny Leica of yours

[@sf-evans]

@@astirink7617redirecting much? I have popcorn ready. Let’s goooooo…