Age to get a Leica?

When I was 16 I didn't even know what a Leica was. In fact the closest my dad would let me get to a camera was a cheap plastic piece of crap (with none of the characteristic charm of a Holga). He was concerned I'd break the point and shoot he'd use. But here I am now, a professional photographer.

I suppose it's different now that digital cameras are everywhere and cheap, and film equipment is comparatively cheap as well. In this regard I'm very envious of you because, looking back, I wish I had a hobby like photography back then.

Should you get a Leica? It's up to you. There's lots of cheaper alternatives you could use to produce great results with... but I think I say this now with my Olympus RC and Yashica-Mat, knowing full well they'll be an M7 and Rolleiflex in a year or two.

BUT, being a teenager, cash is scarce and you need it for other things as well. Namely, use it to court the ladies.
 
When you can snatch the Summicron from my hand young grasshopper ... then you will know you are ready! 😛
 
in my opinion it is never too early. but on the other hand i think you should buy camera with your own money when you are able to afford it. i find it much more fun when i buy stuff for myself... if you dont have enough money you can try out canonet ql17 , and if you have a bit more - you can try leica cl or minolta cle or some used bessa r - that way you will be able to use all lenses for few years and see if you are still interested in leica in few years....
 
Just remember that your Leica is a tool, not a trophy. Tools are to use. You should find your pleasure in using your tools and admire what you produce with them.
 
what about too old?

what about too old?

maddoc said:
I wanted a Leica when I was 16 and I got my first Leica when I was 41. The only thing I regret is not having started earlier using Leicas so ... you are not to young ! 🙂
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......Also if you keep postponing the Leica could turn from a camera to a holy grail or another kind of fetisch.

best regards!
Des
 
Dear Marko,

When I was about 20 (or maybe even 19), my girlfriend (about 17 or maybe even 16) wanted a high-quality, reliable camera, so we found a Leica II. It cost £20. After three weeks she wanted it back so I had to buy my own. A IIIa, for £25. I used it more than my 'real' camera (the Pentax SV my father bought me when I was 16).

Then I bought my first M when I was about 23 or 24. A VASTLY better, more usable, more versatile camera. I wish I'd been able to afford one earlier.

I'm 59 in June...

And no, there's no real substitute. Fixed-lens RFs are nice, but they ain't Leicas, or even interchangeable-lens RFs. The best among the cheaper interchangeable-lens RFs are almost as nice as Leicas, but comparing e.g. a Zorkii and a Leica is comparing a Lada and a Rolls Royce. Sure, the photographer makes the picture, but it's easier to make good pictures with kit you really like using. Photography is about making pictures, not about purifying the soul through suffering.

Cheers,

R.
 
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MarkoKovacevic said:
I'm 16 currently, and I'm thinking of saving for a Leica M. Either M6 or M3.
Is this age, or this stage in my photographic career too early for a Leica?

What are your thoughts on this?
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You are far too young to appreciate jewels and photographic icons of this calibre, ideally you should wait untill you are around sixty, well versed in the mixing of nasty chemicals, able to waffle endlessly about the merits of your 50mm lens collection, going into raptures over 'signatures', 'footprints' and 'bokeh', and have far more disposable income, and spare time, than you know what to do with!, meanwhile there are plenty of high-tech digital toys, to occupy young whippersnappers like you! 😉
Dave.
 
I have had an M6 for some time now, not a day to early. I only wish I would have bought the M3/M2 back when I had the money (instead of a different camera and the M6 later) 'cause I really prefer the M2 over the M6. I'd say go for a cheap beater M2/3 rather sooner than the M6 later.

martin
 
MarkoKovacevic said:
I'm 16 currently, and I'm thinking of saving for a Leica M. Either M6 or M3.
Is this age, or this stage in my photographic career too early for a Leica?
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if you're 16 now, take advantage of whats still there (affordable film and processing), it might not be so when you get older.

and why Leica and not another brand ? cant give rational answer, but after I got my M, there was no doubt in my mind anymore 😛 hard to argue about personal preferences.
 
I spent fifty years lusting after a Leica and in the meantime spent enough money on lesser gear to pay my kids' education. They bought me an M3 for my sixtieth and it is surely everything it's cracked up to be. Don't waste all that time and money buying gear that's not really what you want. Save up and buy an M now and you'll always know that "if your pictures aren't strong enough, you aren't close enough!" At least you'll know it's not your gear.
Enjoy, Vic
 
Hi

1st post here..hello all.

When at University in the 80's I decided I wanted a Leica (the then new M6) - could never dream of affording it.
20+ years on (not so long ago) my wife bought be an MP for my 40th birthday. With hindsight I really wish I had sacrificed other things during all those years to get and use what I knew I wanted - many times over in those 20 years I spent enough money (or more) on other things which have come and gone, and could have afforded that Leica if I had prioritised it.

If you want it, and can "reasonably" afford it, I suggest you do it....

Iain
 
IainG said:
Hi

1st post here..hello all.

When at University in the 80's I decided I wanted a Leica (the then new M6) - could never dream of affording it.
20+ years on (not so long ago) my wife bought be an MP for my 40th birthday. With hindsight I really wish I had sacrificed other things during all those years to get and use what I knew I wanted - many times over in those 20 years I spent enough money (or more) on other things which have come and gone, and could have afforded that Leica if I had prioritised it.

If you want it, and can "reasonably" afford it, I suggest you do it....

Iain
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Dear Iain,

Yup. 'Bargains' and 'things you can afford' are often more expensive in the long run. It's something I come back to periodically in my column in Amateur Photographer in the UK (including last week's on 'frittering')

Oh: and welcome to the forum.

Tashi delek,

R.
 
My father bought a Leica (IIIf) as soon as he could afford one, when he was 18, in '53 or '54.

He bought me a Minolta SLR in high school; he had given up on Leica, because every local tech that touched his IIIf screwed it up. I finally got it fixed a while back and started using it a LOT. Wish I had started on it instead of the now un-repairable Minolta. I eventually bought an M.
 
Before family and kids

Before family and kids

Best age to get a Leica? Any age before your wife and family take all of your hard earned money away :bang: Of course, you won't have time to go take photographs either, so it doesn't really matter.
 
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