The Great Leica Bargain! A Photographers Review

[@jorgemtrevino]

You might call me an *old* Leica hand, as my father bought a IIIf shortly after I was born (1st son) and I learned photography with that camera, that my _kid bro_ dropped into _Zürichsee_ some years later. After my father passed away in '91, I came across an identical IIIf with a wealth of accessories and I jumped on it and *that* was really my first Leica. Got an M6 in 2002 and I'm still shooting mainly Leicas. Although I now have an M10-R, some months ago Leica was cleaning house and Amazon had an irresistible deal on one NOS* TL and I grabbed it. Since I already had the Visoflex for my M10, that was no problem and at the same time I got a superb Sigma _C_ 18~50/2.8 (28~85 FF eq.). I love this camera! It's a great streetwalker and no one notices you; the zoom covers everything and the Maestro II processor can do 1.5~2x digital zoom on the image giving you a fair 140mm tele equivalent. The only problem is that since my wife discovered it, I cannot get my hands on it. 😂

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thanks for sharing your story and the hilarious ending 😂😂📸

[@Bill_Hunt]

Great video Paul, thank you! I agree with you on the viewfinder, but I bought one, and do find it useful purely out of habit of using the viewfinder on my old Fuji. The fact that the Visoflex can be angled upwards also makes it great for street photography - no-one knows what or who you're photographing!

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thanks Bill for sharing your experience. I have since bought the visoflex but sold the TL and got the X2.. TL is a fantastic design and great shooting experience but i didn't use it that much. Now shooting X2 and Q

[@brompterdam]

I used to own a T and then TL afterwards back in 2018. All bought and sold in Marktplaats. Just recently bought again the T with Elmarit-TL 18mm f2.8 for 850 euros complete everything. This time I plan to keep this set-up. It is a love and hate relationship but this camera being slow is one of the reason I love it. It is like a ZEN using the camera and that Leica 3D look is really visible. The fact that it is also a L-Mount opens it up to more lens options. I am planning to buy that Sigma 56mm actually, do you find it good?

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

I do recognize the re-buying of a camera. I love cameras that were released between 2012 and 2018. Not perfect but so enjoyable to use. The sigma 56mm f/1.4 is my favourite all time lens. I use it on Sony, Fuji and L-mount and it never disappoints. So much bang for your buck

[@18yearsoldnot]

I hate to be a grouch but the sigma 56 is not worth it in my opinion. It is much slower to autofocus than the tl lenses, but it offers good portability for an 85mm equivalent… but I also have the 18mm and 35mm tl lenses and if you want 3d pop, and the saturated colours, the sigma 56 is simply not good enough in my opinion. You should pot the money instead save up for a second hand 35 or 60 tl lens :)

[@18yearsoldnot]

I am actually considering selling the 56mm for the 45mm I-series, because I think the i series from sigma are more premium glass. For me it’s worth it because I have a sigma fp in addition to the tl2… so for you I’d probably just save up for the 60 apo

[@tomfenn7149]

I may be wrong, but I remember reading somewhere that Olympus' far cheaper VF range of viewfinders could also be used on this camera. But to be honest, ever since buying a Ricoh GR I've rarely felt the need for a viewfinder when using wide angle lenses, preferring to use my eyes directly and remembering what a 28mm Field of View looks like.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

You are not wrong you are right about the EVF and about the Ricoh, I do love that camera. Well basically i love a lot of cameras except the x100v and x100vi

[@fellowcitizen]

Thanks! Leica T typ 701 was a 2014 release, and the TL is the same except doubles the internal storage to 32gb and various firmware improvements - notably AF. Then the TL2 in 2017 made significant hardware improvements.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thanks for clarifying. I have to improve the research here :) Which Leica are you shooting on?

[@ronpardue]

What are your recommended lens for the Leica T

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Sigma 56mm

[@joseangel4428]

Very good review, thanks a lot!

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thank you

[@barcostudio]

I love your ceiling!

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Canadian Mahogany . Installed in 1956, so I was told