This is Why a Leica Will Always Be in My Camera Bag (And You Might Want to Add One Too)

[@IDontKnow733]

Hey man I just found your channel and love your videos. I 1000% share the same story. I grew up in A poor area of South London (England) and I'm first generation from Nigerian parents. My dream camera was a Leica M6 so coming from where I grew up and not having any money it was just a unreachable pipe dream. I was luckely enough to land a life changing job back in 2016 which granted me access to a life I never thought in my wildest dreams I'll experience. In 2019 I was finally able to save up and make my dream a reality and bought a Leica M6.... 11 months later I add a Leica MP-240 to the party!!!... I still can't believe I bloody own 2 Leica cameras LOL!

[@ByJ.Francois]

Nice !!!

[@billymilligan1369]

Keep making your art and don't apologize to anyone for it! I love the design of your glasses, too!

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thank you! They are from oliver people i believe

[@boferrell6011]

Dude! I understand you. You want things because now you can afford them. I too grew up dirt poor, so I understand. I jut bought a Leica Q3 43!

[@ByJ.Francois]

Bro I’m trying to stay away from that camera lol

[@boferrell6011]

@@ByJ.Francois, don’t do it. The camera is a beast!

[@boferrell6011]

@@ByJ.Francois, do you ever get to D.C.? If so, give me a yell.

[@ByJ.Francois]

@@boferrell6011 I live in Philly so it ain’t far ! I need to go more often. Hit me up

[@boferrell6011]

@@ByJ.Francois, come on down.

[@JohnAlot]

Je me suis abonné à ta chaîne. J'aime beaucoup tes photos.

[@Narsuitus]

I was introduced to Leica in college when I used a Leica M1 on a microscope. Before I purchased my first Leica rangefinder (the M1 was not a rangefinder), I used Argus C3, Minolta Hi-Matic 9, Canon QL17, and Contax G1 35mm rangefinders. I also used Fuji 6x7cm and Fuji 6x9cm medium format rangefinders. The Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses was my first Leica rangefinder. For years, I used it for photojournalism. Recently, I purchased a Leica M10 digital rangefinder. Thank you for sharing your Leica history with us.

[@craftnut]

maybe im a canon guy but i leica's cool if you got the cash one of the great things about photography is that there is so much choice and there are no wrong choices

[@ByJ.Francois]

That’s so true especially now.

[@Micardi12]

“Because I want to.” “I enjoy it."😎 Damn right.

[@ByJ.Francois]

Only way to live life

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

Truth always wins. Love the lighting in the thumbnail.

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thanks you. I still not sure if I like it lol

[@Joacimbylehn]

Found your video through the algorithm gods, and love the photos. Keep up the great work.

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thank you !

[@georgekase3324]

my first camera was something like praktiflex or something…but my second was an old beat up Leica iiif …as time went on I went thru Nikon, Leica M 4, M6, M8…then Hasselblads and finally lately I am back with the three Leica lenses I never sold (50summi R, 21 super angulon R and my fave, the Summi 40mm M) and a used Leica SL and an M3 and M2 I cant seem to part with even though I never want to bother with film again…I’m a painter at heart and I approach photography as an art practice and consider my camera as an instrument…musicians are particular about the sound of their instruments and and I am particular about how my cameras and lenses ( instruments) make my images look…I do occasionally use non leica glass but its a rare exception…I applaud your choice of Leica and glad you were able to make that choice at a young age…buying the best tools for your art is a great investment!

[@ByJ.Francois]

Anything that is worth it is an investment. Sounds like a cool journey

[@JJ_Photo]

Don't use your time making apologizes for using some kind of gear. You will be judged anyway. That is how social medias has become. Just do what you want with your photography and your money. And enjoy. There are to many channels talking about gear. And they somehow all show the same. Instead show your creative work. Much more inspiring. I know - gear talk will give you more followers. But not the followers you would want, I am sure 😉

[@ByJ.Francois]

That is exactly my goal here !

[@TheTuscaloosa]

Watched your Video twice. Thnx. Regards from Germany.

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thank you for watching

[@TheWutangclan1995]

There’s also more technicians who can fix these cameras. I own a Contax g2 and have to get it cla because something happened with the viewfinder. Thankfully there’s one camera repair shop that specializes in fixing Contax cameras and got mines to successfully work that it feels like new. But since they’re the only shop that can fix my Contax, it’s also a problem because nobody is interested in learning how to fix film cameras. If nobody wants to service them, the cameras will ultimately become a plastic brick or decor. Also most of the camera techs are getting older and if no one wants to learn, the knowledge goes away with them. So far there are newcomers who can service/repair Leicas. Which is why I’ll stay with the brand.

[@daysofgrace2934]

It's your life, one day you're going to die and everyone else's opinions aren't going to matter; be true to yourself...

[@ByJ.Francois]

Definitely

[@JohnAlot]

Complete opposite of how you were raised? I don't think so. They raised you to be a successful, confident, discerning citizen of the world.

[@ByJ.Francois]

Well said.

[@jasongold6751]

no actual photos! sorry..

[@mosesp6200]

Just "found" your channel and i really like it! Keep grinding - i think you have the potential to grow here very fast and big! Since its release i am thinking about getting a Q2M but i just cant "justify" to spend that much money on a camera as a non professional. And especially now with the thought in my mind that a Q3M could be released like every moment... I used it a couple of times and really love it - maybe i will get it some day

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thanks and sure. I would say if you enjoyed the q2m just get it. Unless you’re hoping that with the q3m release the q2m will become cheaper used. Life is too short to wait for something that may never happen. If you get one used in good condition you can always resell it and upgrade if you think you need to.

[@mosesp6200]

@@ByJ.Francois i wish my wife would have that mindset 😂 But yeah, a lot of true things in what you said.

[@waichow96]

Story time followed by enlightenment. Many years ago I wanted to reward myself for my hard work, delayed gratification and what not. I bought a Porsche 911. The same week I got a promotion after getting the car. Seeing the coincidence, I didn't want to be that guy that gets promotion and buys expensive car. It looks bad and probably sends different messages. I emailed the director who also owns a higher end 911, basically saying that, hey, it a coincidence, I got the car first and didn't know of the promotion...didn't want to seem like that...etc. He wrote back, 'Sometimes you just gotta live.' Sometimes you just gotta live. 😉

[@ByJ.Francois]

Great story

[@Narsuitus]

My first Leica was a Leica M1 that I used on a microscope while I was in college. The M6 was my second Leica. I used it for photojournalism. My last Leica was an M10 that I purchased as a retirement gift to myself. Thank you for sharing your Leica history with us.

[@patrickdoherty8701]

Yawn

[@ByJ.Francois]

Thank you for watching