Leica for Less... how to do it

** This video is NOT sponsored **
Leica for Less!
One of the biggest barriers to entry for a new Leica photographer is the high cost of Leica equipment. Many get quickly discouraged when they see the prices of new Leica gear. Few look at the used alternatives which lower the financial bar of entry to the system. Surprisingly, getting a model one or two behind the current model saves you lots of money and you won’t be sacrificing much.
In this video will look at the various Leica used options, from Dealer Used to Private Seller Used. We also look at the balance between new features and high price versus older feature sets and value. This video explores the pitfalls of buying used from private sellers and on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. We also examine the warranties offered by many dealers.
Bottom line, Leica photography isn’t just for high net worth photographers. While still a challenge to entry, there are things you can do to lower that high cost of ownership.
**Thank you to Tony Rose, owner of PopFlash Photo online dealer and formally of Tony Rose Camera in Montecito, California for his wealth of information I used to make this video. Tony has been a staple of Leica photography in the Los Angeles area for many decades. He says “information is always free.” Please visit his site at the following link:
www.popflash.com
Color grading LUTS from Gamut
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:46 - How Expensive is a Leica camera?
01:36 - Buying a Leica Digital Camera for Less
02:09 - Even Cheaper Leica Digital Cameras
02:25 - M9 Sensor Corrosion
02:33 - Digital and Film Leica Model Numbers
02:40 - Cheaper Leica Film Cameras
03:25 - Where to Buy Used Leica Cameras
04:22 - Overall Used Market Savings for Leica Cameras
05:36 - Economics of Purchasing Leica Lenses
06:28 - Leica Retro Lenses Rock!
06:49 - Third Party Lens Options for Leica M Mount
07:39 - Wrap Up and Goodbye
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Website: www.garybuzel.com
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#Leica
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[@wildbillgreen]

Those new prices boggle the mind. Even the used prices. Yikes!

[@forgottenamericana]

Oh yes, the pinnacle of high cost! But to their credit they found a path to carve out a niche in the high end market.

[@wildbillgreen]

⁠​⁠@@forgottenamericanaso true.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Great video. 👍 I recently switched from a Canon R5 to the Hasselblad X2D, but I also want a compact zoom lens EDC camera, so my first Leica will be the D-Lux 8. I know it’s old Panasonic/Leica tech with a few upgrades, but it’ll be perfect for what I want. Maybe an M will follow in the future.

[@forgottenamericana]

Thank you Peter! Curious to see what you think of the DLux.

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@forgottenamericana Me too. I keep looking at the alternatives, but I’m not convinced there is one. That said, you got me scouring the internet for Leica Ms last night. Because I’ve already bought a trio of Voigtlander M lenses for my X2D, I’d only need a body.

[@Being_Joe]

M3 through a trade and refurb voigtlander 40. Overall cost me about $750 for my setup. Then film, and dev, and scanning. I dev and scan myself so save cost there. That new Pixii Max is looking nice at that price.

[@forgottenamericana]

You really got the price down with that M3!

[@thomashilmersen711]

Wrt lenses, the 35mm are way more expensive than the 28mm. The 28mm Elmarit is a great lens and not all that expensive.

[@forgottenamericana]

Yes but its 28mm...LOL...With primes, focual length is like trying on a pair of pants. Use what fits you. For me, 28mm is a tad wide for everyday work (One of the reasons why I never by a Q series - 28mm). And 50mm is too tight. Now, with that said, I do dabble in 28mm and 50mm from time to time. But 35mm is my EDC lens.

[@stephanegainche8235]

Fujifilm X-t1 and TTARTISAN 27 mm, 350 €.

[@forgottenamericana]

That’s a reliable classic Fuji!

[@Ho-RiPrototype]

Leica M8 never failed me

[@forgottenamericana]

Love it! Go M8!

[@luisbustamante9869]

How about a Fuji X-Pro2 with 23mm/f2? for under a grand?

[@qwertyuijamesop]

that won't do for them because it's not leica.

[@forgottenamericana]

YES! I used to have a X-Pro3 and XT-4 before I was into Leica. Great cameras, but I got tired of APS-C and some of the primes not being updated.

[@luisbustamante9869]

@@forgottenamericana And they have too many functions that get in the way.

[@Leah-ju8ht]

Over heard a comment that all automobiles are technically perfect through the power of comuters No different for cameras; the pictures I have seen on youtube and else where I have been told were by Leica. Had this not been the case I could have assumed they were by Pentax, Canon, Nikon or Fuji Hermès, louis Vuitton and Leica follow the ethos like De beers Diamonds; trickle sales

[@forgottenamericana]

Yes m sure there is a plan of action on leicas part in their production numbers and release cycles.

[@Narsuitus]

I have owned and used three Leica cameras. M1 -- used on a microscope while I was in college. M6 -- used with 21/35/90mm lenses as a supplement to my Nikon SLR film system. M10 -- used as my only full-frame digital camera.

[@forgottenamericana]

Excellent!! Thanks for watching the video