What a lovely camera this is ... The Leica. Real life reviews by photographer Thorsten Overgaard

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Chapters:
Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.
Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.
Video Credits:
Produced by: Thorsten Overgaard (www.overgaard.dk)
Equipment:
This video was made with the Leica SL bhpho.to/3cIbPEg and Leica 50mm Summilux-L ASPH f/2.0, using Sennheiser wireless microphones bhpho.to/2zafn4v .
#Leica #expert #review
Job 2226-1223

[@roswellminard9350]

Enjoy your commentary Thorsten; I always come away from your videos with something of value. Wishing you all the best for a happy and prosperous 2024!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you 🙂

[@varejolux]

Straight to the point!!! Thanks Thorsten, great knowledge on M cameras & photography!

[@carltonphelps8088]

I so much enjoy your videos. I've had your Leica book for years. Thanks for educating me a little bit more.

[@jmbosma8439]

Great no-nonsense review with humor, common sense and down to Earth approach! It’s inspiring and brings back pleasure in photography instead of eternal GAS or Fomo! Thanks for that Thorsten!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Glad to hear that. Thank you 🙂

[@Phil.Austin]

Got my M9 3 years ago on the back of your videos and recently got the M9 Monochrom. It's becoming an obsession :) and am now showing photos at local galleries. So thanks :)

[@johnfarley4201]

You are such a lovely chap Thorsten Thank you for posting and sharing your wisdom

[@rolf_siggaard]

Follow your passion a good reminder and great advice, how great images are made. Thanks so much for this. So easy to get lost in technical specs. The M9 proves the point, nice one.

[@jovandevijver9400]

I bought a corroded Leica M9 modified to M9-P, with the replaced parts inclusive. I sold those parts, replaced the UV-IR cutfilter myself and now I have a perfect camera for about 400 euros. I am happy 🙂 Also love my M8

[@olestolberg483]

Great stuff! Cheers, Ole

[@babybinjp]

Great Video! I've been hooked on Leica ever since your seminar at Tokyo Ginza in 2011. You are so right when you pick up a Leica, you instantly fall in love with it or you don't. Well, I did and there is no going back. Love my M8.2, M240 and M6!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Thank you for the cordial presentation and information. And I am with you on the M-9. Tak

[@garydmorris]

I enjoyed watching this. The M9 was the first Leica I owned. I'm currently using an M11 which I like very much. Maybe the best digital M I've owned. USB C charging is liberating; worth the upgrade, to me. Currently I am also using a Q2 Mono. Not being a b&w person I have been shooting the Q2 Mono and then converting the images in Photoshop using the Neural Colorize filter to colorize the Q2 Mono images. The color conversion is not always very accurate particularly in shadows however I like the digital Kodachrome "look" and with some practice fixing the filter errors is becoming easier. I'm having fun which is why I do photography at this stage in my life.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Converting b&w to color ... that sounds fun 🙂

[@shy-guy5544]

Very interesting and informative video, as usual, with a lot of food for thought. Thanks

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you 🙂

[@patrikfager7796]

Great content! Thank you so much!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you 🙂

[@ansgarbook712]

So Thorsten if your M11 is defect now one could say: back to the root (s): the M9 is your "I will always return to you" Leica M. In so far it is a real and great and very loveable tool. Nice video! See You

[@tomwerner352]

Thanks for the free book ❤

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Most welcome 🙂

[@wb7905]

Thanks a lot for this simple story, I own M9 M10 and D-Lux and feel just equipped for everything but still M9 is - as you almost say - a best and magic tool to paint with light. Thorsten you ignited my photography passion years ago and BIG THANKS 😊 keep doing your mission !

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you. Happy to hear that 🙂

[@mh2synergetic]

I feel so proud that you like the picture from Amsterdam ❤

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I do. It's great 🙂

[@mikedesimone1783]

Thank you.👍

[@wilfredshum3703]

I use my M9 more than my M240 and M10-P. An excellent match with my 35 mm Summaron f/2.8 lens for my travels.

[@user-wq2km3ul3x]

Great video I love the straps the one for the SL2 can you tell me who makes it thanks.

[@lovbladkarl-olof3975]

Great video

[@Gardiroth]

Throughout the years I watched your videos, I have bought the M3, M9 and recently the M11-P. The colour and rendering of the M9 is unmatched, mine has the sensor replaced to CCD15 so I do not worry about corrosion.

[@peetje28021970]

Back in the day I had all the cameras and all the lenses, mainly Nikon and later Canon, always the biggest and most expensive but I also had two MP bodies and a m6 TTL titanium, I regretted selling them and took the decision to go back to Leica, only digital, so I sold all my digital gear and in a year time I bought an SL2s, SL2S reporter, a silver SL2 and a Q2 reporter. I got some nice lenses on them and want to add some more. They give me the pleasure of making pictures everywhere I go and they improved my skills. I live by the motto, always wear a camera, I never did before.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Makes me happy to hear, "Always Wear A Camera". The Q2 reporter is gold 🙂

[@peetje28021970]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard took some beautiful images when I didn’t expected it, thanks to you.

[@Sniper5354]

Hi Thorsten, could you please consider to make a video about the durability of Leica lenses and cameras? Like how much they can withstand impact (from minor bumps to drops), how likely is the image quality going to be affected, how we should look for and deal with impact damages. Please also advise how often we should send our gears back to Wetzlar for CLA(with or without impact damages). Thank you.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Good idea. Thank you

[@dimesdede]

thx for the free downloads... but is that correct? without a code one would have paid 48 US$ for 4 (!) LR presets?

[@costascosta273]

I loved my m9 and still own an m9m alongside an m10r. The biggest downside with the m9 colour version is the iso performance. Anything above 800 or so and the image starts to fall apart. If you shoot it in good light it can produce an organic image that is very special. A real classic.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, a real classic 🙂

[@Kappavandam1495]

Get the Hasselblad x1d2 , the only camera thats will come close to the wonderfull m9 colours

[@Biosynchro]

Here is a tip, FWIW: if you need to use an M9 above its base ISO, leave the ISO at base, and just underexpose. Then, bring up the exposure in post. After that, apply chrominance NR, but ignore luminance NR (unless you truly, desperately need to use it). This method will preserve highlights while shadow noise remains the same.

[@eek0212]

if you have chance, you should get the m9!!! and hope you are lucky to have got some black paint m9-p its real gem. most beautiful digital camera i ever seen so far

[@thomashilmersen711]

I wish you would have a video about Leica Ms and how they work in difficult Scandinavian weather. How about very low temperatures, like minus 20 degrees celsius? How about rain and snow? How about dust in a big city or on a trail in the forrest?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I find Scandinavian light the best, so for that reason alone I would love to use it there. There is this article on going to ice landscapes with the Leica M240: www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M-Type-240-aka-Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-40-Leica-M-240-Safari-by-Byron-Prukston.html

[@thomashilmersen711]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Thanks. That is a great article. I have not had any issues with low temperatures with the M246 myself, but it has several times stopped working due to moisture. After it dries up, it is fine again, but this can take several hours. I now always bring a Rollei 35 as a backup, and that camera holds up well under in all conditions.

[@dovetomarc]

Thorsten, I am also a big fan of the M-9. I also really like the M10-p. What's your take on the M10-P? I think the M10-P is the last of the true classic M Body Styles. There is certainly a practical side to the M-11 without the bottom plate but I do believe over time the M-10 will be seen as the last generation of "true M" body styles. What do you think?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

The Leica M10-P is the constant producer, the best M in the digital lineup, basically. It is well-tested through 5-6 years of production run, it has the ISO dial and quiet shutter. And it even has the charm of the M9 (except that it isn't as classic yet. You know, Leica folks like old stuff, and the older the better So the oder the M10-P gets, the more love it will get 🙂 I use M10-R as my main camera, just because. Not a big difference between my M10-P and M10-R other than the color of the camera and the 40MP vs 24MP sensor.

[@LeneMulan-jt2dc]

Nice video very inspiring i use lumix with lica glass i am happy with the results but i am sure ill be happier with a lieca camera jijijiji i would never be able to affor one very expensive.. thanks for sharing your videos i really injoy the info

[@louisgaarphotography4249]

I have shot Nikon for 20 years but now considering Leica - thank you (Jeg har optaget Nikon i 20 år, men overvejer nu Leica - tak)

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Will be an interesting change 🙂

[@maze400]

Here's a question for you. The M8 can shoot in 16bit RAW not DNG but RAW. To enable this you hit the right arrow key 4x followed by the left key 3x followed by the right key 1x then hit info then press the shutter lightly. hit set and scroll to raw+jpeg. I cant open the files but there is twice as much information in them than the 8bit DNG files. Any ideas?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

That is new to me. What happens if you import them into Capture One Pro or Lightroom Classic? I think we talked about "compressed DNG files" back then, whoch basically meant that all the empty spots of data was deleted. And that resulted in a lossless compressed file (as no image data was lost).

[@maze400]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard ended up with gray progressive scan lines (looks like)

[@dylanhill1640]

Thanks for sharing your passion for photography. A+

[@Gus-nv1qw]

Hello I watched your video “What a lovely camera this is” you had black and red camera straps attached to your cameras. Can you please tell me what brand they are, I would like to order some myself. Thank you

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I design the straps, you can find them on www.alwayswearacamera.com

[@BruunMedia]

I just sold my Leica D Lux, I want to get into the M Series but on a low budget. Would I be better off with an M8, or M2? I prefer digital but someone said the M8 sensor is near the end of life and Leica don’t replace them. Advice please.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

M8 sensors doesn't have a near-end of life. If they work, they work. So I would look for a Leica M8 or Leica M8.2

[@rf8221]

Anyone know which version M9 he has? His black paint is glossy but most of the black paint M9's I've seen the paint is almost dull. Also I'm fairly certain he got the Leica script done at Leica Wetzlar.

[@webersteve1547]

There was only black paint and silver chrome at this time. You can make some polish if the paint looks dull, and it will shine...

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

They are all black paint, so when used they get glossy. I met one in Singapore who treated his M9 with car polish, and that made it shine. Good trick.

[@rf8221]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard interesting thank you

[@Biosynchro]

I would not buy an M9 for one reason: the shutter is too loud. Now, when you next speak with a Leica technician, can you ask them if they can replace the M9 shutter with a shutter from a later model? E.g. the M10-P.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Can't change the shutter. I think it is charming that it sounds like it does 🙂

[@allgamestotal6773]

wicked!! by the way upon downloading your preset for lightroom, ive encountered some error upon unzipping it. Anyone here encountered some issues when unzipping. thanks

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Could be if you use PC?

[@allgamestotal6773]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard yes prolly. am using PC

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

@@allgamestotal6773 Yes, special handling. I actually haven't figured it out. Support have and can tell you

[@dgoullet1]

I think I prefer the colors of the M10 than the M11, it’s to digital. M10 feels more organic. What do you think?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

M11 is defect is what I have arrived at.

[@izzyleicanut9190]

I agree. I use my Mandler era lenses with my M10 and I love the images that come out of it. Thanks

[@webersteve1547]

Good advice to take only one camera and a lens. I will try this

[@SSJBLADE1]

Amazing video as always! Your insight is extremely appreciated and it is amazing that it is archived here on KZbin! Wish you all the best! I do have a question if you have the time for it. I own some fujifilm gear but I always wanted a Leica. I always felt that it is way out of reach though. Over the years I gathered some gear that I figured now if I sold I could afford a second hand Leica. Would you recommend the Leica M240/ Monochrome Typ 246? I would love a M9 but I am scared of the corroding sensor issue. And the M10 is out of budget as of now. Would you think it would be better to put some money aside and grab a M10/M10 Monochrome? I would see all my gear in an instant for a Leica! But it's difficult! Hope you can shed some light and illuminate the answer for me! Kind Regards!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Leica M240 is probably "the best deal" considering the price, reliability and how well it works. The sensor is a bit underrated, I continually stumble over photos where I am surprised by the clarity. Yes, it has too many buttons for video etc, but that is all. The M monochrome cameras, the M9 Monochrom is the best sensor, and then M11M.

[@SSJBLADE1]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Thank you so much for the reply! Would you risk buying a M9 and hope for a replaced "good" sensor?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

@@SSJBLADE1 Yes, I wouldn't be afraid of buying a Leica M9. 14 years old, so I would know I might encounter something. Bought a Pentax 67 camera fro 1969, and it needed a trip to the service genius to work. More of a surprise that 98% works than that 2% didn't.

[@SSJBLADE1]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard I see! Thank you very much and hopefully in the near future I'll be a proud owner of a M9!

[@gurugamer8632]

Which 35 mm Summilux is better? 11663 vs 11726?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I like the FLE version because if the shade you can add. Optically, the same. The new one can focus closer.

[@user-uz2it5hq6l]

😊

[@Beinhartwie1chopper]

The M9 sensors that are prone to corosion are actually of a better Qualität

[@reginaldgooden3495]

😮😮😮

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have used a Leica rangefinder camera ,it is NOT a joy to use ! So to get me into Leica, first of all Leica have to be much more realistic with prices ! Second Leica need to build a "Q"- style Camera with a large EVF and Leica M-mount, then I may get a Leica, not any of Leica´s cameras today can tempt me !

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, the rangefinder separates people. Some love it, some don't get it. I agree that Leica needs to make a Leica M with built-in EVF

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard I hope it will come, it will maybe not sell like butter, but it will sell plenty ! I "get" the rangefinder, I just do not like to work with it.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

@@cameraprepper7938 They mentioned that it is feasible if they sell 1,000+, and I am sure it will come.

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard It will sell 10,000+, I think it will sell 100,000+, maybe much more !

[@hansalbers9894]

😊😊😂😢

[@user-ho8zn9rd2n]

I only got the M-E /M9 recently and was immediately blown away by it. It's almost like shot with a film camera - the handling, the colour, the bnw emulation etc.. The newer M cameras produces files that is almost identical to Sony which is good by all means but the M9 colour is just so much better straight out of the camera. I am glad I bought into the hype of the CCD sensor.

[@jaunman71]

Too risky to buy a used M9

[@chrismann5070]

Yeah nice if you’re rich enough to own one

[@robiulahmed]

The "real camera" bit is just gatekeeping.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Nor sure I understand what you mean by that

[@robiulahmed]

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Well, they're all real cameras. We can't say this one is and that one isn't based on the level of automation. Is the M2 more a real camera than an M9 simply because it's more manual? And would a Rollei 35 be even more real since getting sharp images requires more skill? Modern technology is marvelous and will make certain types of images easier to make. Preferring a Leica over the latest pro cameras has validity, but it doesn't make other brands less valid. We're in a fortunate position where we can have these luxuries, but some people can't. Perhaps there's a young photographer out there who aspires to own a Leica, but comes across the message that his camera isn't a real camera. That could make a person think a certain way about Leica owners. I dunno, man. I always welcome a conversation with any enthusiastic photographer, regardless of the gear they use. As photographers, it's important to keep the community alive and well so products continue to run and develop.

[@MichaelORourkeProd]

@@robiulahmedhis definition of “real camera” in the video was very clear: regardless of make, a box & lens with control/capacity to adjust ISO, shutter speed, aperture and focus. Your “gatekeeping” commentary seems to be reaching for something you want to suss out, rather than what our favorite KZbin Leica aficionado is communicating.

[@robiulahmed]

@MichaelORourkeProd Yeah, that's gatekeeping. "You don't have a real camera unless you spend 10k USD".

[@terryallen9546]

Have you watched the entire video yet? He explains what he means by real. It is not anything like you say.

[@braveheart3583]

It would be better, you would show good photos instead of filming yourself. This applies to all of your videos.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Okay, Braveheart!

[@braveheart3583]

Hello Thorsten, my comment was not meant badly. I think you have to show more than we are currently seeing in your videos. Best regards and Merry Christmas

[@mjbxxv]

Thorsten the goat 🐐 the greatest of all time. 🥹