Would the real Leica please stand up?

[wrenhunter]

I brought my M3 to a wedding last weekend, and had a lot of fun talking to people about it (including the photographer!).

But something one person said struck me as, well, interesting. She said, "I have a real Leica, an M9".

I told her politely that many would say the M3 was "realer" (including me!).

Obviously, I chose my forum here carefully, but what do you all think?

 

[pepeguitarra]

She was right and you are too!

However, the realest Leica is the M5! I just found out.

 

[YYV_146]

Pfff. Both your cameras are just Leica A wannabes. 🙂

 

[mfogiel]

Haha, this reminds me of these religious objections, that having sex with a strange partner or in a strange way is "not natural". If it happens, it means it is natural, just like all cameras with the registered Leica logo coming out of Leica factories are "real Leicas". In this sense, I'm afraid, an M9 is as real as an M3 - but no more real !

 

[Vics]

M3 is realer.

 

[pepeguitarra]

Not real Leicas

Not real Leicas

This article tells you how to identify fake Leicas.

 

[css9450]

I've got a real Leica too.... Made in a Minolta factory in Japan.

 

[coelacanth]

I'd politely smile, say "oh that's great" and walk away. I love M9 and certainly wouldn't say it's not real Leica, but I'd never say what she said to a person holding an M3. I mean, that's just silly.

More sinister part of me kinda wishes that she goes home, looks online and learns about the heritage, and realizes she made a very silly (embarrassing, really) comment... 😉

 

[froyd]

Black Leica are fake, chrome are real.

 

[Jockos]

There can be only one; bash them together until one stops working.



I'm betting the M3 finder will separate with the first blow, then the M9 Mg/Al will start cracking.

 

[Huss]

However, the realest Leica is the M5! I just found out.

This is true. It was created when the intention was to build the best camera to actually use as a camera. Which is why the form changed.

The outcry from Leica owners, not users, made sure that the following cameras - to the present day - would not be real Leicas anymore. They would be driven primarily by style, then function.

So yes, the last real Leica was the M5.

😀

 

[maggieo]

Very easy to determine:

Does the camera say "Leica" on it?

Yes: Real Leica

No: Not a real Leica

 

[Jockos]

Very easy to determine:

Does the camera say "Leica" on it?

Yes: Real Leica

No: Not a real Leica

What about the Russian counterfeits?

 

[maggieo]

What about the Russian counterfeits?

WHAT A COUNTRY!

Sure, why not? 😀

 

[pepeguitarra]

Black Leica are fake, chrome are real.

Do you mean real or half-real? 😱

 

[NeeZee]

M Leicas are all fake - screwmount Leicas are real 🙄

 

[ferider]

Leica M3 and M9 are real Leicas. In contrast to the M8.2, MP and M, they are also integer Leicas.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Both are real and she is real bitch.

 

[xayraa33]

Which model has bragging rights to being a real classic?

 

[coelacanth]

(mostly joking)

Well, Leica from Leitz era could be called "realer" because they are Leica (Leitz Camera = LeiCa) as product! Today it's Leica's (brand name) M9 or M type 240 (product name), etc. 😀

Again, just joking. All Leica are real Leica unless it's M5!! (completely joking!)