How did you get out of Leica?

[Ko.Fe.]

Here is thread "how did you get into Leica".
So, I wonder if here is any who was into Leica, but left it.

At this moment I feel I'm keeping my film Leica just because if I sell, I wouldn't be able to afford to buy again.

 

[JeffS7444]

I sold the last of my film Leicas around 2007 when the M8 arrived. Leica M6 costs a bit more now, but M2, M3 and M4 prices actually seem a little cheaper now.

 

[Richard G]

I first got out from Leica to a Nikon Cookpix 4500, my first serious digital in 2004. Next was the X100 in 2011. Sweet camera. The fork in the road came when considering the X-Pro 1. Rather than a new system and then a further switch to Nikon DSLR, maybe, in 2012 I bought an M9-P. And that’s as close as I came to getting out of Leica. My M2 has film in it. I even bought a few Barnacks after this too.

 

[RObert Budding]

Then there are those of us who never ventured down the Leica slippery slope. But I did leave Contax (IIa). And now my camera of choice is a Nikon SP.

 

[James24]

I sold all my Leica kit in early 2019 to release some funds. Over a period of 10 years I had built up a nice outfit, comprising 2 bodies and 7 lenses.

I've had Nikons for ever and a day and I thought I could live with just Nikons, but I couldn't. At the end of last year I splashed out on an M10-P.

I am still in the process of buying the Leica lenses again that I sold.....

 

[zenza]

Then there are those of us who never ventured down the Leica slippery slope.

I'm in this club. See no reason to ever 'upgrade' my Bessas. Thousands of dollars to get an M with meter and aperture priority no thanks.

 

[presspass]

Which time? First Leica kit, early 70s, went to fund SLRs when I started newspaper work. Back into them, only to sell again to fund a house. Now on my third try and still occasionally shooting film for publication. The most recent time was this morning for a volunteer fire company drive-through fundraising barbecue. Do the film at 8 tonight, scan tomorrow, publish in print Monday afternoon. I have left the fold twice and bought back in both times. I have used them for so long, shooting with Leicas is quicker than with Canon autofocus digital.

 

[narsuitus]

Decades ago, when I was in college, I used a Leica M1 on a microscope. After I graduated, I sold the M1 and the microscope. I did not use a Leica for decades. However, within the last 10 years, I purchased a Leica M6 and a Leica M10.

 

[steveyork]

A first stint with Leica rangefinders lasted 12+ years. I sold out and largely went back to SLR's for the better part of the next decade. Mostly I shot a pair of Leicaflex SL, so I never really got out of Leica's per se, but it was some years before I returned to rangefinders. Still have the Leicaflex; just don't use it much.

 

[jsrockit]

The first time I got out of Leica was when I sold my M6 for a Contax G1 in the mid-90s. The second time ... I had Leica X1 which made me realize that the Leica M8 I also had wasn't the best for my style. However, I still bought an M9 for full cost before selling it a year later once Fujifilm mirrorless cameras came onto the scene, specifically the X100 and X-Pro1. Haven't used a Leica seriously since then. Still nice cameras, but just not great for what I want to do anymore. That said, I'm considering a Leica Standard just because I think they are cool...

 

[traveler_101]

Have a IIIf and Bessa-R. M2 is appealing, but contrary to what I read above I find it rather expensive. Just purchased a Canon 7.

So I am not completely out, but I am not in the M-club either.

 

[charjohncarter]

I'm not sure if I was ever got into Leica. I got a IIIc in 1963 and sold it then bought a IIIf in 1964 (still use). The only Leica products I bought since have been some 39mm filters and one of those cool adjustable viewfinders plus a 90mm Elmar somewhere along the line and a 135 Hektor.

So I'll stick to my Pentax stuff (especially the 6x7) and my other 120 folders, 120 RFs, and TLRs.

BUT my Leica IIIf has been a dream to use with very little maintaining.

 

[jultou]

I had an M6 6-7 years ago. I left Leica mostly because of money. Started to buy older/cheaper cameras, ex: Flexaret, Pentacon Six, Zeiss contaflex, etc. I sometimes miss my M6... At today price I don’t see myself ever buy another one...

 

[gavinlg]

I got out of my first leica when I sold my M6ti back around 2008. At the time, I had an OM2n which made me question if I needed that much money lumped into one camera body with the m6. Last year I bought a well priced m4-2 from a member here in well used condition. I immediately sent it off for a full CLA and have been using it non stop since.

For me, it took 12 years for the circumstances to align for me to be able to afford another one, and if anyone wishes to take it from me, they'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands. Lesson learned.

 

[Vince Lupo]

The Nikon Z7 got me out of the Monochrom, though I still have and will likely keep the M-D.

 

[Rayt]

Bad eyes so can’t avoid going AF.

 

[jmonat7]

I've learned my lesson when I sold my M6 a couple of years ago and no longer can afford one now. I now only have an M4 but don't plan on ever selling it. The system that keeps competing with my M system in my bag is the Contax SLR system. Had the S2 but recently upgraded to an RX (shoot 28+50) to shoot alongside my M4 (strictly 35), they contrast each other quite nicely.

 

[splitimageview]

Not out of Leica, but out of Ms. Didn't make sense to tie up funds on cameras I just don't use much, regardless of their exquisite feel and operation.

Prefer the smaller lighter Barnacks for Leica, but only for a fun diversion.

I simply *see* better using SLRs. It's a bonus that they are now so cheap...

 

[benlees]

I guess I got out of 35mm film. Sold the M4P. But then got another Ricoh GR1... and then left 35mm behind for good. And sold the GR1.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I sold the last of my film Leicas around 2007 when the M8 arrived. Leica M6 costs a bit more now, but M2, M3 and M4 prices actually seem a little cheaper now.

In Australia at least, M3/2/4 prices have more than doubled since I got my M2 in 2014.