Tony Hayman

This is something I suspect that many of you deal with… First: I have 2 very good cameras a Nikon D850 and a Sony a7 II… Along with a modest selection of lenses. I do not need another (or even a replacement) camera since I no longer earning a living with a camera.

I dream of getting a Leica!

I am not willing to spend $10,000 or more for a high-end Leica with a lens or two, but I am open to spending $3,000 which puts me at the lower end of the Leica line, and since B&H has a TL2 with an 18 – 56 mm lens for $2,500 I am very tempted. Even though it has an APSC sensor and comes without a viewfinder.

There is no good reason to get a lower end Leica, it is unlikely that the quality of the photos would be better than either my Sony or my Nikon. However, I have heard about the “Leica Look” and the detail I see in reference photos is very good.

I know that I am just trying to convince myself that a Leica will give me something worth the expenditure.

The real reason I want a Leica is ego!

My Uncle had an old 35mm Leica Rangefinder which I admired from a distance (he would never let me touch it) and I dreamed that someday I would get myself a camera like that.

Running around with a Leica, would make me feel “unique” even though few would notice the camera make.

When it comes down to facts, taking better pictures with the TL2 Leica Camera, is probably minimal.

So, I get back to “there is no good reason to get another camera”.

But I want a Leica…

Then I go back to the beginning… Just like a loop in a computer program.


Am I the only one doing this sort of thing? Or do many of you keep looking at a new camera or lens telling yourself that it would make you stand out in the crowd? The selling point to yourself is that with this new toy you would be able to take better photos.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

It's your money, buy whatever makes you happy. But I don't think the images you get with it are going to be any better than what you get with the two cameras you already have.
I think you just want the prestige of owning a Leica camera.

will

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

The "Leica look" is magical as not everyone can see it. It becomes increasingly visible in relation to how much you've spent on your Leica gear.

BebuLamar

You may take better pictures with the TL2 because it's smaller and looks nice. Not so much because of its lenses or sensor or whatever processing software in the camera.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

"A rose by any other name smells just as sweet."

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

Actually, I have been doing the exact same loop as you. I have a very nice Canon R5 that will do any type of photography I ask of it (within reason). Plus I have a IR color converted Canon M6 to play with. But, I also have a Leica history. I had a silver TL2 which I liked very much. Photos had a different color science that I liked. Loved the touch screen interface. But….in sunlight I really couldn’t see the display enough to feel comfortable composing.

I should have added the Leica 020 aux viewfinder. Instead, I bought the CL. Real nice to have an built in viewfinder. But…I lost the wonderful touch screen. Also, most Leica TL glass is slow and I hoped to use it as a fun family, pet, trip camera. I added a piece of Sigma glass that was fast but the autofocus is not what a Canon R5 or 6 would do. It’s a different kind of autofocus, better suited to landscape, travel, flower etc photography. Plus the technology is 4 or 5 years old. So I sold the TL and kept the glass, hoping for a CL2; then the pandemic hit any all the timetables were shot.

A week ago, I once again gave into the allure of Leica. After looking at M’s and SL’s, I purchased a Used special edition CL in great condition. I’ve accepted that it’s meant to be a fun, funky colored camera, to play with outside. I’ll learn to use higher ISO’s for pets and grandkids to get the shutter speed up. I will add more faster Sigma glass and maybe a couple more used Leica TL lenses. When Leica finally does upgrade the TL/CL, I probably will sell it unless a grandchild wants to try it. Then with a CL2 or TL3, maybe I’ll truly be satisfied with the small Leica. It’s probably a lot of GAS, the search for the perfect camera.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It's always a good idea to let G.A.S. pass.

Leica makes beautiful cameras. But these days, their electronic guts are likely to be made by Panasonic, since they have a deep relationship with Lumix. They design lenses for Lumix, share a full frame lens mount with Lumix (and Sigma), and get all sorts of electronic features from Lumix.

So... If it is the Leica IMAGE QUALITY look you want, you can probably get it with a Lumix body and Leica or Panasonic Leica lenses. If it's the Leica brand around your neck that you want, well, that's expensive. And you're right, it's just marginally better in some cases.

I know I will eventually buy some Leica glass for my Lumix camera... probably after I upgrade to a better body. I've never needed the penguin or alligator or polo player on my shirts...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nope, my 10 year old camera does just fine for what I need.

No G.A.S. here. Some dreams, but no G.A.S..

(Would a '65 Mustang make me a better driver?)

therwol Loc: USA

Or the BMW logo on my car. Toyota and Honda will get me to where I'm going just fine. I predict that if you buy a Leica, you will convince yourself that you are getting better quality images, but if you use your Nikon with good glass, it will be an illusion.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

One camera I have never desired!!!!
What I have will last me the rest of my life, I did think about the D850 the though lasted about 20 mins. until I thought about the image file size , processing speed of my computer, the storage and last but not least the lens. nope my D800 and D810 are just great.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I used Nikon products for years. I never had any complaints about the images. Oh, the D100 was a non-starter for portraiture (by the time the shutter finally opened after pressing the button, the subject expression was stale, or a blink). Aside from that, their hardware was rock solid. And so were the Canons I owned and used. I switched to Lumix for the video features that the others couldn't match at the time. No complaints there, either...

I drive a Prius and have driven Toyotas since 1977. My wife had a Honda Accord wagon for a while. All her other cars have been Toyotas.

Would I own a Leica? Sure, but someone would have to give it to me. I have other priorities for that kind of money.

Would I use a Leica if given to me? Maybe for stills. But I'd be tempted to keep it in the box and will it to my kids as a collection piece. New, old stock Leicas hold their value or appreciate! If I elected not to keep it, I would trade it for several more useful tools.

BebuLamar

If I get a Leica it would be a Leica M film camera. Perhaps a Leica MP or something like that. Something that is fully mechanical.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

If it had a stick shift and manual steering, it just might force you to be

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

NOT that I wouldn't want one!.!
It would be so much fun, and yes, a stick would be a must!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

It would not make you a better driver but it might make your driving experience more enjoyable because it is something you want.

Dodie