How do you justify the Leica prices (for yourself) ?

Like some others here, I have only purchased (and only have plans to purchase) used Leica equipment, because I personally have difficulty justifying the prices for new equipment. That used equipment still costs more, but to me it's worth it because of small size, quality, ease of focusing (particularly in low light), a wide range of available lenses and accessories, and the sheer pleasure of using something so well-built and timelessly designed.
 
Make a big print from a negative with the 50/1.4 ASPH. Then make an equal size print from a negative made with a Nikkor 1.4 or a Pentax 1.4. You will never think about price again. There is no comparison when looking at a 23" wide print. No direct experience with the Mamiya 7, but I've gotten crisper detail at this size from the latest Leica lenses I own than from my current Rollei, and the Pentax 67 and the CB Hasselblad lenses I've used, with the same film & developer combos.

Plus for me it's the form factor.
 
dave lackey said:
If one can afford to buy something, there is no need to "justify" to anyone. If one needs a tool for the business, there is only the business decision. If neither of the aforementioned situations are applicable, one buys what one wants.:angel:
Click to expand...

Nice way to wrap it up.
 
I have a Leica body because I know very well that if I didn't, I'd always be chasing down another. As soon as I tried one, I knew I couldn't be without, so it's worth it to me.

Leica glass, on the other hand, isn't. The price is too dear for that last 5% of performance, especially when there are alternatives that deliver the same level of quality, or just about.
 
Got into Leica backwards. Always wanted one but they were too expensive. Then a neighbor loaned me an M4-2 and CV 35mm f2.5 PII for a couple of weeks. He made me a really good deal on the CV 35 and a 21 too so I had to get a body, right? But that was in early 2010 before prices went wacko.
 
I think others have summed it up well, but my experience is that after owning a Leica, I sold it, the extra cash wasn't worth it to me, the money can be put to better use.
If the owning of a Summilux (or whatever), makes you happy, then keep it, if it makes you feel uneasy, like it did for me, then get rid of it.

I get slightly uneasy feelings when eating at expensive restaurants, so I choose not to now.
 
To the extent that I need any justification to spend as much on my photo gear as I do, I simply pause to think for a moment; just about all of my gear is bought second hand, so someone else took the depreciation hit. Also, I'm not in a hurry when I scout out some new (to me) lens or body, so I can wait around a while for a good deal.

Most of what I've got (Two DSLRs and a 70-200 f/2.8 VRI aside) I could sell today for what I gave for it or more. So - yes, while it is a lot of money (to me, anyway) tied up in gear, I can convert it back to cash without taking a significant financial hit should need arise.

Besides, having a couple of great bodies and some terrific glass to go along with them is a lot more fun than having the same kind of $$$ in a savings account. :)
 
Life is too short to worry about the little money, you can earn it back as time goes.
Go out and shoot more with it, don't keep thinking about the money spent worth or not, you will end up as a sad old man.
 
Part of earning a living. It suits what I do, better than any other camera.

But as others have said, why try to 'justify' it? How do you 'justify' not giving all your money to the poor? I used Leicas before I earned a living with them, too.

Cheers,

R.
 
My thinking: If your going to end up there anyway, don't waste money on anything else in the meantime hoping you'll think its good enough. Just spend the money, find out that Leica is not magic, then resell it while its still mint. That way you don't spend money, sell, spend money, sell, spend money. You just spend money, sell, spend money.
 
Seems like i wasn´t the only one ever thought about it... Anyway, I guess using the word struggle was a bit much. I´m not really struggling with the issue, it´s just a thought that came up.

I guess already the first response to my message by hans voralberg summed up pretty well what was the deciding factor for me.

1. Speed + closer focussing opens up lots more opportunity and i can do it the way i do it with the Mamiya-> use any aperture at any distance without having to think other aspects about it.

And yes, i´m not just sitting inside wondering if to use the lens or not. Since day 1 i´ve been carrying it with me on my M3.

Even my wife says: if it´s good, just use it.

Niko
 
I don't buy Leica lenses. Too expensive, if I think how many lenses I've wrecked during the last 20 years.
But I can justify my M-bodys: they are so expensive, a repair is always worthwhile. :D
 
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