LEICA CL: the most stylish mirrorless camera ever? Lok tells us more about the new camera

[@TheLokCheung]

Most stylish mirrorless, of course, if you kindly don't count Leica M series cameras as mirrorless

[@Photogearnews]

+Lok Cheung of course!

[@villagranvicent]

You are wrong, the TL2 was not the first mirrorless APS Leica camera, not even the TL nor the T. The first mirrorless APS was the Leica X1.

[@Photogearnews]

+Ricardo Villagran Vicent Leica X1 has a fixed lens so is generally classed as a large ‘compact’ style camera rather than a mirrorless

[@villagranvicent]

Anyway, he said the TL was the first mirrorless camera. The Fuji XP1 was launched in 2012, 2 years before the first T.

[@RichardSibley]

Ricardo Villagran Vicent Obviously meant First Leica mirrorlessIf you are being pedantic you can go back a lot further... Epsom RD1?

[@albertdl5795]

Lok's English is getting pretty good! Very watchable, great job

[@gavingynert2455]

No it's not!

[@davecooper6173]

How can anyone thumbs-down Lok? I heart Lok.

[@Aceofswe]

I wish some of the fixed TL-lenses had an aperture ring. It would have made this system more appealing.

[@fellowcitizen]

Two years later, and the new "DN" Sigma ART lenses are releasing with aperture rings and in native L-mount :)

[@julianmartinez9124]

7:20 'you can fuk with this why not' lol

[@angriestphotographer3590]

The Autofocus, FPS are leap forward innovation, nicely done Leica.

[@chirag4]

that's fantastic, mechanical 10 FPS

[@cfagil]

Thank you Lok for your excellent CL review. The way you said "Selfie" while holding that table tripod is just like what Mr Bean would say. Priceless.

[@Bill_Hunt]

Great review, thank you! I’ve just ordered a TL2, but I’m loving the look of the CL!

[@davidhutton8060]

For all those who just wanna be negative here, please take your bell-endery of thought processes elsewhere... I use Leica optics,I can tell you for sure they are a cut above the rest and for sure worth every penny... Their camera's are beautifully built, again a cut above the competition, the feel alone make the price seem worth it, even if other camera's have better specs, Leica gear makes you want to come back for more, not a feeling I get with my Xpro2 or any other camera I've owned or used...

[@MiCoopRS]

I SECOUND your feeling here! Have they held one of those babies in their hands.... USED them.... OMG I CRY a TEAR or two every time I look at all the AWESOME SHOTS I have composed... on trips after I return, in my DREAMS I am still shooting..... NOW that is a DRUG that has no limit.....

[@BarryMaskell]

I agree I get the same feeling and amazing results from my Panasonic G85

[@frankiecalabro2617]

THANKYOU Lok I really enjoyed your video

[@DamianBrown]

I have a bilora stabilet 1011, german mini travel tripod... almost the same design as that but more compact and black grip. Found it for a fiver in an antique shop :D

[@fotologo2568]

Lok, that was a a very informative review, given you were stuck inside the shop with it. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

[@Otokichi786]

The "Digital Leica CL" looks interesting. But for now, I'll use Ye Olde Fujifilm X30, from the company that "made the rangefinder look Cool again." With the satin chrome version of the 18mm pancake lens mounted, Kai's "review" reminded me of my old Minolta Autopak 700 Instamatic camera. (Very Hipster Lomographic Chic.)

[@JimmyGunawanX]

Interface wise, Fuji is still simplest, I found. Button toggle can be slightly difficult when you want to change ISO and shutter quickly.

[@FauxtakuLounge]

I hear this a lot, but in practice, Fuji is tough because it forces you to make several steps to do simple stuff like selecting half or third exposure stops. Changing ISO on Fuji cameras requires removing the camera from the eye just the same, and pretty different uses. I have a GFX. Great output. Psychotic interface, same as all Fujis, trying to be all things to every permutational opinion.

[@The_Essential_Light]

Love the Travel Feels music.

[@ThickCutOhio]

Any body else just get done watching Kai’s video?

[@BobbyLam]

same

[@TheLokCheung]

Same

[@knighriderredux]

Yup literally 2 seconds ago, lol

[@poppycocksa]

lmao!

[@bennylofgren3208]

Yup!

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

Good Work!! I am only 1 min in to the clip, and you have more content the Mr. Kai Man Wong... He's got duck's in his CL video, but no sauce... IMHO

[@fredricknietzsche7316]

its good to see Lok.

[@kalvino67]

You should get together with a guy named Kai to do camera reviews! ;)

[@lensezz]

came from Kai's review. This review actually have more information than Kai's O: nice to know that it works with an M lens on adapter, but what about other M lens like from Zeiss or Voigtlander? does peaking still work?

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Can think of no reason why it wouldn't but you could always check with the Leica shop in Mayfair or contact Zeiss before you commit big money....£££.

[@samacochan]

Lok you mentioned that the menu design of CL is like unique with the favorite menu items come up first when the menu button is pressed 3:37 and no other cameras did the same thing. Really ? Canon has the my menu settings which can do the same thing. Just for clarification. Good presentation. Keep going.

[@waltermitty5883]

Excellent video Lok!

[@artecphoto9296]

does it take m mount lenses? and what is the price? for body and pancake lens?

[@MHSFL]

artec photo Can attach M mount lens, using adapter

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

I have one of the original Leica CL film camera lenses from the 70's - brilliant but destined sadly to never see the digital Leica. May be blasphemy but I put my Leica film lenses on a Fuji X.

[@808islandlife_HI]

Nice review Lok!

[@japrabiangkerok3135]

This CL is so good but my gx85 with the wooden grip is sexy enough for me, and all the features and performance, AF, 4K result etc...

[@gavingynert2455]

But it's a loser four thirds sensor. That leica brick features an aps-c loser sensor. Get yourself a decent full frame camera, that's the only way to be a cool kid.

[@landscapephotograffer]

It is a very beautiful camera. $2.8k is too much for crop sensor though.

[@joseherrera8489]

I know, right? I paid less than that for my 5D MKII a few years back.

[@CarloTimothy]

the song reminds me of KZbinr Travel Feels’ intro song

[@metalsponge]

The background music is same with the intro used by Matti of TravelFeels, correct me if I'm wrong.. Nice review by the way.. ;)

[@TheLokCheung]

metalsponge As far as I know PGN paid for this exclusive specially composed music

[@TheLokCheung]

Sorry misread, you mentioned the background music not our intro music. Yes we got it from artlist.io

[@magnuseriksson8081]

I love the Leica Q and APC has not impressed me so far, I got the XT2. Don't you work with Kai anymore??

[@MTMT-wm2dq]

Just bought 1 Leica CL.

[@chhansen]

thanks for your review. i hope you can revisit the Leica Q.

[@azizulzulzaha]

i need this before i die.

[@mhsvz6735]

Thanks.

[@angriestphotographer3590]

The 1st gen Leica CL was co operation with Minolta, could this CL co- operate with Sony too? Since it has fast AF & fast FPS

[@perhedlund685]

Tack.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I really like the introduction of TL and CL. To me, they are "real" cameras compared to the M.

[@MiCoopRS]

Thank You, LOK.... you showed both the Mirrorless.( that I can afford )...and I am on the FENCE now, having had a Leica T I certainly need to UPGRADE, More is better, not ONLY mega-pixels but everything has been upgraded.... I have the L lenses, 11 - 23 and 18 - 56....... I shoot between f 5.6 and up so I do not need all OPEN 2.8 2.0 or even 1.7.... why really is a BIG aperture needed if you stop down to have everything in focus? on WIDE shots?

[@刘曦元]

Hey, Just a quick question, what is the background music... BTW, cool camera, but too expensive...(coming from a sony a6300 shooter)

[@Johnkostercreative]

Dude, when I watch your channel I miss Kai.

[@BarryMaskell]

Fantastic Panasonic

[@catnamestaken]

Cool

[@snowcountry322]

I like the silver CL. The black one looks too plasticky

[@flmail7126]

Hello Mr. Lok, I'm a huge fan of yours, can you please send me something you own?

[@chirag4]

well explained Lok

[@tomscott4438]

Still almost double the price of my X-Pro-2 and mine has more and faster focusing points, dual card slots, hybrid viewfinder, and the focus joystick. I know Leica is never about value, but maybe it's time that it was. I'll pass.

[@villagranvicent]

Tom, but the XP2 won't give you the bragging rights. Those cost $2500, the other $500 goes for the actual camera.

[@dimanatti]

This is the same guy that was saying Leica lost it's Mojo lol. good thing i don't listen to people.

[@TheLokCheung]

Well they could always come back right?

[@loriolus]

that vintage camera was NOT the original M it's the Barnack Leica

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

3k to photograph a coffee cup right

[@MiCoopRS]

YUPP ! those that can, will and those that can't.... complain... JUST enjoy... one day you will be doing the same thing, DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT....

[@villagranvicent]

You are wrong, the TL2 was not the first mirrorless APS Leica camera, not even the TL nor the T. The first mirrorless APS was the Leica X1.

[@Photogearnews]

+Ricardo Villagran Vicent Leica X1 is fixed lens, not ‘mirrorless’

[@villagranvicent]

As I said in another post, the Fuji XPro1 is a mirrorless camera released in 2012, way before the first T.

[@5nanometers]

It looks nothing like the CL :/

[@mahamza86]

I m surprised by the responsiveness of the menu and overall system. Only reason to get this camera is to utilize the Leica lenses.

[@takuan650]

Lok would cut a nice figure as Leica's CEO in this stylish office. I like Leica cameras and lenses but there is no way they are worth that kind of bread.

[@noelcastro8765]

;D

[@SatanSupimpa]

Near, far, wherever you are

[@cleverandroid]

Background music is really distracting

[@langmeng825]

I believe it will cost twice as it should be.... only because that red Leica dot. And I don't think it will better than Sony

[@TheLokCheung]

Well I do like it being leather wrapped. If one can afford it I can't see why not, especially it works really great!

[@AndySnap]

A Lumix in Leica clothes. The PanaLeica CL.

[@RichardSibley]

Andrew Higgins I always see this banded about, with no actual evidence of exactly how Panasonic are involved in the development of any specific Leica mirrorless camera. The Leica compacts and bridge cameras are clearly rebadged Panasonics. The mirrorless range is very different and not comparable to anything in Panasonic’s line-up; they don’t look the same, they have completely different size sensors and different feature sets. There is obviously a relationship between the two companies and there may even be some Panasonic components in the camera,, but to say it’s a ‘Lumix in Leica clothes’ is like saying the iPhone is ‘Xperia in Apple clothes’ as they use the same sensor... forgetting of course all the Samsung and various other patented technologies and components in there.

[@AndySnap]

I was meaning there would clearly seem to be some Panasonic Lumix influence technologically, inside the camera (as you say). I'm thinking that the electronics could be designed to work with m43 or APS sensors, a form of plug and play? Maybe adapted firmware on unique circuitry? A Lumix user would find the the CL easy to learn because of what appears to be similarities in some features and the menu. The days of Leica merely rebranding Lumix cameras would seem to be ending, and the development of a more unique Leica mirrorless range offers much more interesting and different cameras, sharing technology (maybe) with Panasonic. Regardless, I think it's great that Leica are now fully moving into a bigger market from their M series with some very appealing, though still high end, cameras.

[@RichardSibley]

Andrew Higgins agreed. You never quite know what the exact partnerships involve. A previous commentator on the Leica TL2 video seemed pretty adamant that it was entirely Panasonic except the body itself! And yes, Leica seem to be making some genuinely good cameras after a few patchy years. The M9, M10, Monochrom, Leica Q, SL... and now the CL. They seem to be getting the handling spot on and actually excelling. Now if only they would take 1/3rd off of the price no one would have anything to complain about

[@ala-bp9lj]

FIRST!!!!1111

[@Ed-lz4jv]

So pretty can I pay way to much money for blingy thingy? X100F Much BETTER and cheaper

[@villagranvicent]

For almost $4000 (CL plus kit lens) you can have an X100F, an XE1 and like 4 prime Fuji lenses. But of course you don't have the "bragging rights".

[@8strings]

Just a suggestion. Re-upload your video without the background music and see if this reduces the 'thumbs-down' count

[@Yiannis172]

English

[@fellowcitizen]

No, German.

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

Sony A6300 and Fujifilm X-E3 are way more practicable to buy and have all and more feature than this Way overpriced Leica!! If you like the Rangefinder style slab like cameras.

[@senthilpriya6755]

Leica very costly

[@photosquare7]

Music is to loud

[@davidmcc6666]

What a waste of time.

[@oc2phish07]

Not in a million years. The same over-rated, over-hyped Leica. I love Lok, and I ALWAYS give his videos a thumbs-up but not Leica. Sorry.

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

Sony A6300 and Fujifilm X-E3 are way more practicable to buy and have all and more feature than this Way overpriced Leica!! If you like the Rangefinder style slab like cameras.

[@TheLokCheung]

Really the only thing you could complain is the price. I think it is a GREAT camera, compact size with performance (10 fps burst!) and great industrial design. Really no more you could say Leica lack behind with features.

[@villagranvicent]

Leica is a joke. How much would you pay if this were a Sony body, $800 tops? for this price I can buy a Sony A7Riii, or a D850.

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

@Lok Cheung That is true. I understand that yes it is German and has Heritage in the camera community, But with that said there pricing structure just is not going to work for much longer in this economy! Camera sales are in a steady decline from what they once was. Leica as a company need to understand if they would price their camera at a more competitive price it will not devalue their brand as a long standing great camera company! If anything it would let the common folk enjoy and take part in their 103 yr. heritage in cameras, Their first in 1914.

[@halimj7]

Bismillah I tried the Q because of all the hype surrounding it. The image quality and build quality were nice, but I did not find them to be beyond what most camera companies are doing with their higher end models. There is a special look to Leica, but this can be created in LR. Then there is the functionality - do not find Leica cameras to be functional at all. They give you less options and features for more money. So I have to assume people are paying for the name and history. In the end I sold my Q and got a Pentax K1 and KP for the same price. They both out perform the Q in every area - build, image quality, handling and features.

[@onthemoverealestatephotogr9655]

Am I the only one that thinks the body looks ugly?

[@villagranvicent]

No, the hump looks awful, any Fuji is nicer than this, but all fanboys would say the contrary.

[@arzuarzu2903]

R.I.P.

[@keithspillett7312]

Apart from the fact it's the wrong format, it looks rather 'Panasonicy'!

[@smiff4748]

Totally boring over-priced rubbish.

[@r-l-l]

It is not a Panasonic Leica but it is a Leica Panasonic? LOL

[@notyetdecided5811]

Who will buy this camera if it's cheaper than other mirrorless cameras?

[@TheLokCheung]

I would! It has the performance, the best menu system, one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless with EVF. Really the only thing is it IS expensive.

[@BriteFrog]

$3K for a crop sensor....yeah right lol

[@garymanning4402]

Is it the most stylish camera ever? NO! Remarkably ugly and uninspiring. Sorry. About as attractive as a Sony which is not a compliment. Please don’t compare it to a Fuji.

[@angriestphotographer3590]

Gary Manning Modern Leica & Sony style are Modern Industrial Design, Fuji's design is Retro, imitatting the Old Leica. Not original at all (copycat)

[@garymanning4402]

Angriest Photographer You are correct about the Fuji, retro and nostalgic. However the Leica is not attractive on any level. It looks more like desperation by the companies designers. Beauty is in the eye...etc. It’s only an opinion.

this camera is soooo unglyyyyyyyy

[@Styraxtwinblade]

1st

[@marcomontanari7558]

Please, work on your english pronunciation, it's really hard to understand you. Thank you! :-)

[@TheHikeChoseMe]

why don't you work on understanding better

[@marcomontanari7558]

I'm an english interpreter, is this enough for you?

[@Ganeshgautama]

Marco Montanari I'm not fluent and i understand everything ... if as an interpreter you dont understand what he said you really need to go back to school

[@albertdl5795]

Have you even seen his old videos in DigitalRev? Lok is miles ahead from where he was, in terms of English fluency. It was painful to watch then.

[@marcomontanari7558]

Yes, this is true. But I think he should work a lot more