Why Leica Matters

[noisycheese]

One man's thoughts on Leica cameras...

Link: http://blog.duanepandorf.com/2014/01/02/the-barnack-way-why-leica-matters/

The Barnack Way – Why Leica Matters

If one sits back and examines the current photography market it is easy to see how rapidly this field is changing. The recent quarterly reports from the camera manufacturer’s show a continuing decline in overall sales. Especially in the small point and shoot cameras as, I don’t know about you, about everybody today has a smart phone with a camera built-in. Its become very easy and simple to take a snap with your phone, even make a few edits, and then quickly upload the image to your favorite social media websites.

...

Your thoughts, please.

 

[healyzh]

Simplicity does a pretty good job of summing it up. It's small, lightweight, and most importantly it doesn't get in the way when taking photo's. Another way of putting it is that it doesn't think that it knows better than I do what I want. It's also small and unobtrusive. The lenses also play a big role, as they are the best of any of my lenses, with the exception of my Hasselblad 500CM.

It doesn't replace my Nikon D-SLR, but it sure makes a nice companion for it.

When I'm shooting Medium or Large Format (especially 8x10), it's nice as it is easy to carry while lugging a much larger camera around.

The only thing I'd change about my M9 would be the dynamic range of the sensor. That's its only failing.

 

[waileong]

I agree

I agree

I find it hard to use digital cameras. Even for point and shoots. I want to turn on a fill flash but I can't even figure out how to do it.

 

[ricnak]

I agree completely.

The M9 is a simple camera. I waited many years for my first digital camera. I wanted it to be as simple as my first film camera from the 70's. The M9 ticked all the boxes - digital, manual focus, an aperture scale on the lens and a shutter speed dial. What more could you want?

I am happy.

 

[btgc]

For 99.95% of users iphone is WAY easier tool than any Leica is. And all digital cameras ARE computers regardless of how many dedicated controls they have on body. We again are dealing with attempt of rationalization.

 

[Richard G]

It is indeed the simplicity of the Leica I prize. Ken Rockwell was very frustrated by some of the obligatory menu offerings in the Sony RX1. There is very little that the M9 or the Monochrom ties you to. The other thing about these modern cameras is all the options you may not remember you selected. The two things I have to check regularly with the M9/MM is the ISO, and whether I have jpeg or DNG selected (I know, don't tell me.) With the MM there is no white balance item in the Set menu.

Here is a thread I started and got one response to, related to mode errors. These can be legion in some digital cameras. In it I mention that my M2 is my most reliable street shooter. The M9 offers more mode errors, but is as minimal a departure from the 1958 M as a 2009 M digital could reasonably be expected to be.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2266499

 

[Wburgess]

I'm sorry but the digital M cameras are unreliable and their longevity in no way justifies their cost.

I'm my opinion, Leica matters less every year.

Marketing is a powerful thing...

 

[Linkert]

Leica M-E VS. Nikon D200 DSLR
Peter Dinklage VS. Muhammad Ali

Lugging around a rather small actor would be easier than a huge power plant of a man. Comparing two totally different beasts to make an argument.

 

[edge100]

Leica M-E VS. Nikon D200 DSLR
Peter Dinklage VS. Muhammad Ali

I'd liken it more to:

M-E vs D200
George St-Pierre vs Muhammad Ali

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I'm my opinion, Leica matters less every year.

Marketing is a powerful thing...

I think this is a good, objective view of the situation.

However, I accept that subjectively, a lot of the regulars on this forum are very committed to their Leica outfits. If, subjectively, one prefers film simplicity to digital versatility, that's fine. If you veer the other way, that's fine too.

Currently, I find my film cameras get less and less use while my digital kit gets more and more. As my digital lenses say "Leica" on them, that seems like a reasonable compromise to me.

😉

 

[helen.HH]

I'm sorry but the digital M cameras are unreliable and their longevity in no way justifies their cost.

I'm my opinion, Leica matters less every year.

Marketing is a powerful thing...

Couldn't AGREE more...well said !

Though I do understand the Romantacism with Leica Film Cameras....😉
The Quality & craftmanship to a Barnack/M body is really quite amazing

 

[daveleo]

??? Simplicity

How much simpler can you get than my wife's point and shoot cell phone?? or the X100 (set on auto-pilot)?
Or my Konica HexarAF? or Nikon FM3? or Canonet? (if you're doing film)

Love Leica all you want, but "smplicity" is a weird reason to do so.

 

[Richard G]

??? Simplicity

How much simpler can you get than my wife's point and shoot cell phone?? or the X100 (set on auto-pilot)?
Or my Konica HexarAF? or Nikon FM3? or Canonet? (if you're doing film)

Love Leica all you want, but "smplicity" is a weird reason to do so.

Dave, I love the Hexar and the X100. But in my phone I have the Hexar quick guide menu, as if I want shoot a reflection or through glass, or shoot at infinity, or override the auto-ISO, or make an exposure compensation, I am just not going to remember all those arcane button presses.

My X100 is set up with ISO auto ISO to 1600 with the chosen value 200. So far so good, but for podium head shots I want to switch to spot focussing and right now I don't remember how to do it. I have settings which get wiped with the firmware upgrades, and if I hadn't written them down I wouldn't remember all of them nor even why I have those particular settings. I've recommended the X100 to lots of friends. A few bought one. All sold them after a short interval: too complicated. It's a photographer's camera, and its simplicity is only appreciated and mastered by photographers. I have the X100 manual in my iPad. I'd say I've read the whole of it, twice. Conversely, I didn't read the M9 manual or the Monochrom's.

 

[Mcary]

I'm sorry but the digital M cameras are unreliable and their longevity in no way justifies their cost.

I'm my opinion, Leica matters less every year.

Marketing is a powerful thing...

Perhaps you could share the methodology you used to determine that digital M are unreliable.

Maybe the number of failures per 1000 units sold?
Maybe the number units per 1000 sold that require repair?

 

[jschrader]

??? Simplicity

How much simpler can you get than my wife's point and shoot cell phone?? or the X100 (set on auto-pilot)?
Or my Konica HexarAF? or Nikon FM3? or Canonet? (if you're doing film)

Love Leica all you want, but "smplicity" is a weird reason to do so.

I don't agree.

When I started with photography, I could (and had to) set three items: distance, f-stop and shutter speed. The interconnection between the three I could easily grasp (I was 13).

Now, you need to understand what auto mode the camera is in (when you are mountain biking and take a photo of the landscape, do you choose "landscape" or "sport"?).

Check the number of pages that the manual of a new digicam has.

Leicas are closest to the type of camera where you just set three items...

 

[btgc]

How many of you buying a car would prefer one with a crank start over electric motor driven? Crank is more reliable, doesn't depend on battery, can't be affected by moisture. And when you crank your car in frosty morning bypassers give you a funny looks and say wow, that must be a real car 🙂

 

[Keith]

How many of you buying a car would prefer one with a crank start over electric motor driven? Crank is more reliable, doesn't depend on battery, can't be affected by moisture. And when you crank your car in frosty morning bypassers give you a funny looks and say wow, that must be a real car 🙂

Yes ... but what is your argument here? 😀

 

[helen.HH]

A real car for a real man...lol

Quite Funny your analogy 'btgc'

 

[helen.HH]

Leica Matters= Product Worship= Who Cares.....

There are LOTS of Wonderful Cameras by Different manufacturers that Create Sublime bodies of Work
As for Simplicity, (yes, i have been a Leica Junkie)
if you know your Gear and know how it works
Your Results should be all the more Gratifying

 

[btgc]

My argument is quite simple - those who like and use cameras beyond AE&AF digital we all look cranking car to the average person on street.