Why Leica body? I understand that reviews claim Leica builds a camera made expressly for B&W photography and that it is clearly superior to any other digital product on the market. If...

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I understand that reviews claim Leica builds a camera made expressly for B&W photography and that it is clearly superior to any other digital product on the market. If true, purchasing a unique product is always worth the expense to some.
I also know the reputation that Leica lenses hold. The question is are Leica bodies worthy of the prices they command, or is one primarily purchasing a status label?

Lovers of Leica talk about quality of build and, in the same breath, the inconvenience
of having service done only in Germany. They speak of simplicity of design while conceding that their cameras lack some of the sophisticated features offered by other name brands. I hear some people say it is a joy to hold their Leica; and that the shutter sound is beautiful; but is this mostly a rationalization for what the had to pay?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Never having owned a Leica I can't respond specifically, but to an aficionado the aesthetic appreciation of a finely crafted tool may itself add considerable value. That would not just be a rationalization, but part of the experience.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

lesdmd wrote:

I understand that reviews claim Leica builds a cam... (show quote)

Just like any product, it's worth what folks are willing to pay for it.

That's it.

I've owned a film Leica and it was truly a joy to use however it was a bit expensive and service charges were outrageous so I ended up going to a basic film SLR for 1/10th the cost that serves me just fine.

They are what they are; nicely built, solid and fun to shoot. If they are worth the cash...only you can decide that for yourself.

Rent one and find out. :)

BebuLamar

I do not have Leica simply because I prefer SLR over rangefinder (and no I don't want the Leica SLR). I handled the Leica M series in stores and in my opinion they are worth the money.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

lesdmd wrote:

I understand that reviews claim Leica builds a cam... (show quote)

Leica is like a religion with those who shoot with them. And yes, if you shelled out $8000 for a mirrorless camera body and had to spend $2400 on a 50 mm lens to take Monochrome images, you'd have religion too.

Maybe just go to Staples and get some self adhesive red dots?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Leica is like a religion with those who shoot with them. And yes, if you shelled out $8000 for a mirrorless camera body and had to spend $2400 on a 50 mm lens to take Monochrome images, you'd have religion too.

Maybe just go to Staples and get some self adhesive red dots?

And predictably those who just can't believe that someone who buys a Leica just simply bought what they like to shoot, just like anyone else. :(

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

One other thing that I just remembered...I didn't like walking around with several thousand dollars around my neck. I was always paranoid of something happening to it to put it out of commission. I scratched my "what is it about a Leica?" itch and now I'm done.

In any case..here is a photo of it.

(Download)

BebuLamar

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Leica is like a religion with those who shoot with them. And yes, if you shelled out $8000 for a mirrorless camera body and had to spend $2400 on a 50 mm lens to take Monochrome images, you'd have religion too.

Maybe just go to Staples and get some self adhesive red dots?

You can get the Leica M-A without the red dot. It's $4695 for a 35mm film camera body only.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

BebuLamar wrote:

You can get the Leica M-A without the red dot. It's $4695 for a 35mm film camera body only.

Now, that is a smart shopper tip.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Now that you've gotten me thinking about Leicas I'll mention one other thing. When folks talk about how amazing they are they mean how well put together they are. The film winding is so butter smooth it's hard to put into words. The focus controls are like butter also. Every part is engineered so tightly it's a joy to look at and touch.

Even the Leica strap is the best camera strap I've ever owned. I liked them so much that after selling my own Leica I bought a couple of straps to use with my other cameras.

The film loading method is genius too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jNhaOFiXBQ&frags=pl%2Cwn

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

lesdmd wrote:

I understand that reviews claim Leica builds a cam... (show quote)

While its true that Leica cameras and lenses are of good quality, they are absolutely not worth the outrageous amount they're asking for them. Everything made in Germany is waaaaayyyyy overpriced!!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

speters wrote:

While its true that Leica cameras and lenses are of good quality, they are absolutely not worth the outrageous amount they're asking for them. Everything made in Germany is waaaaayyyyy overpriced!!

And there are so many Panasonics that are badger either Leica or Lumix (the same camera with MINOR differences), that it's not worth spending $3000 for an identical camera available for <$600.

User ID

speters wrote:

While its true that Leica cameras and lenses
are of good quality, they are absolutely not
worth the outrageous amount they're asking
for them. Everything made in Germany is
waaaaayyyyy overpriced!!

Much of Leica's operation is in Midland,
Ontario, and those products are not any
cheaper than the German lines. Acoarst,
Canada is not China or Thailand.

As to the "worth it" question, a Bentley
or Rolls is also not "worth it". But that is
also why their buyers keep buying them.
You can't just call it snob appeal. There
are people who are not concerned with
"appealing" to anyone else.

`

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Why own a Leica? For the same reason we drive a Ferrari to Walmart, write notes with Mont Blanc pens and keep track of time with Rolex watches... simply because we can. No reason, no excuses.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, it seems Leica has one and the only current digital B&W - only camera on the market. Nikon had a B&W P&S/Bridge Digital camera a number of years ago. Much less than the Leica of course.

I get by fine Converting color digital to B&W with Photoshop or shooting B&W 35mm or 4x5" film!