Is a cheap LEICA better than no Leica (Page 2): As another choice try the Leica CL. It's an hommage to Leica's rangefinder cameras. It's has an APS-C sensor, a great viewfinder, and...

eadler

As another choice try the Leica CL. It's an hommage to Leica's rangefinder cameras. It's has an APS-C sensor, a great viewfinder, and most of the bells and whistles of today's cameras. It produces great images. Finally it's simplicity itself to use. Uses Leica L mount lenses which are now also available from Lumix and Sigma as well any M or R mount glass with an adaptor

Canisdirus

At this point ... you are paying for the name ... more than anything else.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A Leica is a Leica. I bet you didn't realize that.

If you want to own a Leica, there are many available for sale. Just be sure the one you buy has the features you want.

I could never figure out this one. It's a camera that takes only B&W images, and it costs $8,000. It sounds like something I'd expect to see on Saturday Night Live. Yes, I know it's a Leica. No need to attack me.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1144610-REG/leica_10930_m_monochrom_typ_246.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAiA_MPuBRB5EiwAHTTvMYJn4IvRSSZpiYLbwjMWXy45IjDBKgJztygtZ5-kwQkek0NaCvrlUxoCJjoQAvD_BwE

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Compare the Leica D-Lux to the Panasonic Lumix LX100 models.
Or the Leica C-Lux to the Panasonic ZS200.
They are amazingly similar... except price and a few other features.
(Panasonic makes some great cameras)

Neither are in the same category as the M or Q models, other than the Leica name.

Because the Leica is just a rebadged Panasonic at a higher price.
I really like the M3 Leica.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Architect1776 wrote:

Because the Leica is just a rebadged Panasonic at a higher price.
I really like the M3 Leica.

I am aware. (though it’s a bit more than swapping badges)
Too bad tone of voice doesn’t come through in text. LOL!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Architect1776 wrote:

Because the Leica is just a rebadged Panasonic at a higher price.
I really like the M3 Leica.

Where is Panasonic made? My M10 is made in Germany.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

TonyP wrote:

Jim, had a look at your pics. What a fantastic eclectic collection. I think you do better with the ability to swap lenses out and may not have been happy with the limitations of the LX100.
Ive used the Nikkor 24-70 for many years as my main lens so am comfortable with the LX100 range and dont seek the broad range of subjects you do so well with.

Thanks! The photos that are obviously travel were shot with the X-E1 and the 18-55 “kit” lens.
The LX-100 focal range is close, but runs a bit wider, which I would enjoy.
Both would be great travel cameras, in my opinion.
The other photos were shot with a mix of digital and film: Nikon, Mamiya and Miranda.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Mac wrote:

Where is Panasonic made? My M10 is made in Germany.

China?

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Leica earned its rep due to its lenses. Yes I know that the M2 is a solid tank like body that is a wonderfully engineered product, but back in film days, a camera body was basically a box that allowed one to run film past a lens. In the digital era, sensors in the bodies are almost as important as the glass.

Today, there are numerous bodies that offer fantastic sensors. If you covet the look of a Leica image, buy some legacy Leica lenses (I am talking about REAL Leica lenses, not the newer “Leica” lenses which are produced under license from Leica). Not badmouthing the licensed lenses; in fact while I am a Nikon guy, I do use a Sony mirrorless and love my Sony “Leica” lenses. But please do not equate Leica licensed products with the old legendary Leica glass.

You can buy adaptors to mount the Leica gems on all sorts of film or digital bodies. And if you are shooting digital, I see no advantage to spending huge $ for a Leica body, other than of course the convenience of mounting lenses. But spending 5 times the price for a digibody with a red dot makes no sense to me

One last point is, of course, that mounting legacy Leica lenses on non-Leica bodies does limit new tech functionality like AF and metering.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Gene51 wrote:

They even had a little side business - a machine shop that made Tilt-all tripods. I worked in the warehouse, which is why I got first dibs on a lot of stuff.

I had a Tilt-All tripod marked "Leica." It was a sort of anodized bronze color instead of black. Stolen from car long ago.

BebuLamar

Mac wrote:

Where is Panasonic made? My M10 is made in Germany.

I am not sure about the Leica D-Lux II but the original D-Lux Type 109 was made in Japan and yet the Panasonic version of the the same camera was made in China.
Your M10 is made in Germany and it's a Leica. I disagree with Jerry when he said a Leica is a Leica. Many Leica's were not Leica's.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

kpsk_sony wrote:

Dear folks, a long, long time ago, in my hippie days I sold a beautiful Leica M2 because I was giving up my middle class lifestyle . Well that was a mistake since it only took about a year of marijuana abuse to bring me back to a more sensible existence sans weed but still ‘alternative’. Now, I see thousand $ Leica D-LUX or C-LUX. Is the red dot better tHan the other cameras in that class? Or am I still yearning for that old M2?

Let’s see if a Lumix S or Micro 4/3 user with old film Leica gear AND Panasonic Leica lenses will comment on this one.

Panasonic and Leica are partners in a very symbiotic relationship. It’s worked well for them.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Back in the '50s I had a couple friends who were into photography. We got some good cameras and had a lot of fun with them. I had an Exakta SLR. One other guy was into Leica. At the time the Leica lenses were screw-on and the Exakta was a bayonet mount. We had a lot of discussion over the lenses. It wasn't a big deal because when we started we were poor students and only had one lens each.

But they both took photos.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

kpsk_sony wrote:

Dear folks, a long, long time ago, in my hippie days I sold a beautiful Leica M2 because I was giving up my middle class lifestyle . Well that was a mistake since it only took about a year of marijuana abuse to bring me back to a more sensible existence sans weed but still ‘alternative’. Now, I see thousand $ Leica D-LUX or C-LUX. Is the red dot better tHan the other cameras in that class? Or am I still yearning for that old M2?

Trust me, the D-LUX is nothing like your M2.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Just my opinion, but if you want the nostalgic feeling of shooting an old, mechanical Leica, go buy an old mechanical Leica. I love using the old gear, but it's not suitable for everything. I shoot DSLRs for the things that they're best at, and use film for most of my attempts at art. The feel of using Hasselblad, Leica, Zeiss, Rollei, etc. does not compare to any digital camera available today, and that includes the models with red dots.

Andy