Owning a Leica is merely a dream for a lot of. Their gorgeously designed and extremely well-made cameras and lenses are costly. Like a Rolex watch, they’re an indulgent luxurious merchandise, and many people merely can not justify the associated fee. If you’ve perused a Leica Store, you’ve in all probability found a brand new Leica M11 paired with a bit of APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH will value you simply shy of $20,000.
Why on earth would somebody need to spend a lot cash on a digital camera system? Well, it’s not sometimes for picture high quality. Many cameras costing a lot much less may give you an analogous degree of high quality and, on the identical time, provide extra performance and options that make getting an amazing picture a lot simpler than a Leica. Leica lenses are famend for his or her sharpness and rendering traits. But a Leica digital camera, nicely, that’s all about heritage, superior construct high quality, and consumer expertise. And for a lot of—let’s be sincere—that purple dot is a standing image.
One may argue buying a Leica is an emotional and sometimes irrational determination. You purchase a Leica due to the best way it makes you are feeling. As somebody who has simply bought their second Leica, I converse from expertise. I knew shopping for a second one made no rational sense, however I purchased it anyway. Leica is sort of a cult, or getting right into a hardcore drug behavior. You grow to be an addict.
Here are my 5 high picks—comparatively inexpensive Leicas—which is able to act as gateway medicine and draw you into a complete new photographic world of habit. Read with warning, and please notice, I can take no duty and can’t be held liable in your actions when you’ve examine these cameras.
I’m going to share some ideas from a photographer’s perspective, along with a collector’s perspective. Why? You would possibly need to contemplate investment or resale potential down the highway, ought to your spouse threaten to divorce—pissed off by your all-consuming consideration towards your Leica and never her—and provide you with an ultimatum: “It’s me or that camera.” Tip: Buy her flowers occasionally. That will preserve her comfortable and provide you with one thing to {photograph} indoors if it’s raining.
M6 (1984–2002, 2022 — Analog)
The hipsters’ movie digital camera of alternative. Because of its speedy rise to grow to be a standing image for these sporting cowboy hats and lined with tattoos, costs have shot up in recent times.
This is my least favourite Leica. I don’t just like the purple dot brand and the phrase “Leica” in massive white capitals on the entrance of the digital camera, together with the mannequin identify. There’s one thing barely pretentious and cheesy about that, in my view. But beauty preferences apart, the M6 is essentially the most fashionable iteration of the M movie digital camera legacy and an honest performer.
The M6 is made with lighter, cheaper supplies than the sooner fashions. A magnesium alloy replaces brass for a lot of iterations of this mannequin, and the identical goes for most of the inside components. There’s even a plastic cog or two, however let’s not inform the hipsters that; they’ll spill their particular mix espresso.
There have been a couple of variations of the M6, together with earlier fashions with an elective—and higher—0.85 viewfinder, and later fashions with a 0.72 viewfinder. The re-release in 2022 was primarily based on the MP, so some would say it’s not a real M6. Although it does have brass high and backside plates, the plastic ISO dial is disappointing.
Photographer’s Perspective
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The most versatile movie M for on a regular basis capturing, due to the handy built-in gentle meter.
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The brilliant viewfinder is simple to make use of with lenses starting from 28mm to 135mm.
Collector’s Perspective
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It’s the final “classic” metered mechanical M and subsequently fascinating.
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Strong demand is conserving the costs excessive.
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Limited editions—just like the titanium and platinum variations—are particularly collectible.
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The finest M6 in my view is the restricted version M6J issued in 1994, which was made to seem like an M3.
Price: $3,200–$4,500+
Leica Q (2015 — Full Frame Fixed-Lens Digital)
This is by far essentially the most inexpensive and best-value digital Leica camera ever made. It’s additionally the unique gateway drug. If it wasn’t for my love of monochrome sensors, that is the digital camera I’d have purchased.
It has a 24 MP sensor, which actually is all you want for many pictures. Paired with the unbelievable and unequalled 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens, this 10-year-old full body digital camera is nearly as good as something being made at the moment.
Photographer’s Perspective
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The good full body small journey digital camera.
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Cheaper than the Q2 and Q3.
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The built-in EVF and macro mode make the Q extra interesting than a digital M for a lot of photographers.
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The solely actual downside is the dearth of climate sealing that may be discovered on the Q2 and Q3. If you’re trying to purchase one, be certain no mud has discovered its approach inside and onto the lens parts.
Collector’s Perspective
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The Q is extra of a consumer’s digital camera, though restricted editions just like the “Snow” or “Khaki” are fascinating.
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The Q holds its worth nicely, regardless of Q2 costs dropping for the reason that Q3 variations had been launched.
Price: $1,900–$2,500
M3 (1954–1966 — Analog)
Arguably, not solely an important digital camera within the historical past of Leica, however within the historical past of pictures. Its revolutionary design—together with a mixed viewfinder/rangefinder permitting for sooner, correct focusing, the brand new bayonet M mount, and quiet and dependable mechanical design—turned an on the spot favourite with nice artwork photographers and photojournalists.
The M3 feels strong, well-balanced, and reassuring to carry. It’s like a nice classic Rolex or Steinway piano. It’s the highest quality Leica ever made. There was no compromise on elements, a lot of which had been brass and all hand-assembled by true craftspeople.
Photographer’s Perspective
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The digital camera has three focal size frames within the viewfinder—50mm, 90mm, and 135mm. Hence the “3” in M3.
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The 0.91 viewfinder is the best to make use of of all Leica M cameras and presents a beautiful expertise for 50mm shooters specifically. Cartier-Bresson thought so.
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The solely downside for some is the dearth of ease utilizing wider lenses. You can get a 35mm Summicron f/2 lens with “goggles,” or use an exterior viewfinder for even wider focal lengths.
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With no built-in gentle meter, there are not any electronics or batteries required. You have to study the Sunny 16 rule, which doesn’t take too lengthy to grasp, or purchase an exterior gentle meter.
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M3s usually require servicing, notably in the event that they’ve been sitting round unused for many years. If you’re severe about proudly owning and utilizing an M3, I wouldn’t suggest only a obscure “CLA” (clear, lubricate, and regulate); I’d go for a full service overhaul from a Leica knowledgeable.
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The M3 has higher construct high quality than every other Leica. It’s so nicely constructed it is going to take plenty of abuse and can outlast its consumer.
Collector’s Perspective
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The Leica M3 is a extremely fascinating and sought-after digital camera. Its superior engineering and construct high quality, timeless design, and historic significance imply a mint situation M3 can fetch massive cash.
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Early double-stroke fashions, notably in uncommon black paint end, command enormous premiums.
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Unlike different fashions that always journey a development for some time, the M3 will proceed to be a fascinating collectible digital camera.
Price: $1,200–$3,000+, depending on service data and situation. Mint examples with field and paperwork—even silver variations—can promote past $15,000.
M240 (2013–2019 — Full-Frame Digital)
The Leica M (Typ 240) is a little bit of a black sheep within the digital M digital camera lineup. It’s the one mannequin within the M rangefinder line to have video capabilities. You don’t purchase an M for video, so after this mannequin, they didn’t hassle including it once more.
The M240 is fatter than all the opposite Ms, due to the added {hardware} and enormous battery.
Photographer’s Perspective
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First M to have a 24 MP CMOS sensor, which supplies a stunning, wealthy, and distinctive picture high quality.
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First mannequin to have Live View.
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It has a big battery and is subsequently a heavier digital camera than different M fashions, nevertheless it permits for prolonged capturing, which many photographers respect.
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The M240 is a really succesful digital camera with greater than sufficient pixels, offering a really inexpensive entry level into the trendy Leica M system.
Collector’s Perspective
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This just isn’t a very fascinating digital camera with collectors, and costs have dropped over the previous couple of years.
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However, the M-P Safari version holds good worth, as do the Edition 60 and the titanium field set. Only 333 items had been produced of the latter.
Price: $2,400–$3,300
Leica CL (2017–2022 — APS-C Digital)
There is an analog CL that got here out within the Seventies, however we’re speaking in regards to the digital CL right here: a small APS-C digital camera with a decent 24 MP sensor. Despite doubts from some, it nonetheless has an all-metal, premium-quality Leica really feel to it.
This little digital camera additionally shoots 4K/30 video.
The Leica CL is corresponding to Fujifilm X100 sequence cameras and is an usually ignored different for somebody who’s on the lookout for a small digital camera however desires the flexibleness of interchangeable lenses over the fastened lens on the X100 sequence.
Photographer’s Perspective
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It’s smaller and lighter than the Q sequence, so it’s good for touring and an amazing on a regular basis digital camera.
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It has a superb 10 FPS burst charge, good sharp picture high quality, and really first rate dynamic vary for an APS-C sensor digital camera. This makes it good for road pictures the place there’s loads of motion to shoot.
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The CL has an L-mount, so most of the great M-mount lenses Leica is legendary for can’t be used with this digital camera except you employ an adapter.
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If you need to personal a Leica on a restricted funds, that is essentially the most inexpensive choice. But don’t neglect the price of lenses.
Collector’s Perspective
Price: $600–$1,000
Summary
If you desire a digital camera you should utilize now, get loads of enjoyment from, after which promote later down the highway for what you paid for it or much more, the M3 and M6 are your finest choices.
If you’re on the lookout for a sensible small journey digital camera, the Leica Q or CL shall be your finest choices.
All of the cameras featured on this article could be discovered at MPB.com.
Images from MPB.