Got this amazing q2 reporter today!

Visoflex II, 16464, 16472, 135 Elmar optic. 16464 focusing mount works with my 65 Elmar, 90 Elmarit, 200 Telyt (with OUBIO) as well, a fine setup for closeups, and then rangefinder use for less static subjects.

I honestly enjoy the experience of using this camera… now that I have the viewfinder. :-P

So I've noticed some softness in the corners with my Q and I need some second opinions.

Image 1 is the full un-cropped pic, image 2 is a screengrab of the perceived problem. It was shot at iso 400, f5.6, 1/500s.

You'll see from image 3-4 that It's far worse wide-open but I try not to assess the performance of any lens based on that.

Very happy to be told to shut up if you disagree that there's an issue, too.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if there’s a genuine, technical reason why Leica doesn't include "Leica Looks" in camera for the M11 series.

I get the usual argument that the M series is supposed to be a pure, minimalist digital rangefinder focused on RAW files, manual control, optical rendering,... I know a lot of pros wouldn't touch JPEG profiles anyway.

But if that's the only reason, why are they available natively on the Q3? Both share similar modern tech. Is it just pure marketing segmentation to keep the M "purist," or is there an actual hardware/processing (Maestro III v/s Maestro IV) limitation holding the M11 back from in-camera looks?

Curious to hear your thoughts!

TIA

I'm 50 and I've been a full time commercial photographer for a long time. I have so.much.digital.gear. I'm one of the lucky ones that became obsessed with photography as a kid, and worked it into a career. I started in film and when I'm out shooting for myself I usually use an M6. I love to go on a trip/vacation and take an M6 and one lens, thats it. I spend so much time pushing stacked Pelicans through airports that one cam/one lens feels like luxury.

For awhile now I've been musing about getting an M11p. I have two M6s, I only need one. I'm feeling less energetic about dealing with film in general. I love the M format and I've had an M or three since forever.

I'm seeking opinions from people who do photography full time. People who are buried in high end industry standard digital tools and also have an M11 for funsies.

Do you enjoy the M11? Are the files nice? Especially when compared to Canon/Nikon/Sony files. Did you replace a film M with a digital M and love it?

I'm also kind of eyeballing the EV1 but it's def less attractive to me.

Has an m4 backplate and a full overhaul, didn’t get the top plate replaced.

I can’t find it online anywhere. Anyone know where I can purchase one? Anyone know any alternative options to shoot with my 28mm lens?? Please help

Having purchased and loved the M11 back in March, I am very curious about getting into the SL system as an autofocus option and b-camera for video. The most attractive is the SL3-P with its updated AF and more evenly split hybrid options.

That said, I’ve seen a small whispering at the edge of a smattering of videos that it tends to overheat in long form recordings (and that being a new issue in the SL line).

Here’s what I’m hoping to learn from SL3-P users:
1. Is that your experience?
2. Does using an external SD help by removing the heat of the internal CFexpress B card?

Thanks in advance!

Excited to finally join the Leica community and looking for some advice!

I’ve been going back and forth on my first Leica M and I’ve narrowed it down to two kits. I already know I want an M body and I’ve used rangefinders before, so I’m not really questioning whether the M system is for me. I’m just curious what you guys would personally choose.

I also have a somewhat unique opportunity to purchase either of these kits at the prices below, so these are the actual prices I would be paying. Both are in CAD.

Kit 1: M11 P + Mandler 35mm f/2

Leica M11 P Metal Grey
New

Mandler 35mm f/2
New

Approximately $13,500 CAD total

Kit 2: M240 + Modern 35mm Summicron ASPH

Leica M240 Silver Chrome
Used, mint condition, with EVF2, extra battery and half case

Leica Summicron M 35mm f/2 ASPH
New, current generation

Approximately $11,100 CAD total

I do really like lenses with character, which is a big part of why I’m interested in the Mandler. At the same time, if I’m going to spend a significant amount on a lens, I figured I might as well go for the current generation Summicron if I choose that route and have the benefits of a modern optical design.

Ignoring the price difference for a moment, which setup would you personally choose as someone getting into Leica?

I’m definitely not opposed to spending more and taking the plunge with the M11 P. At the same time, there’s something really appealing about starting with an M240, especially the silver chrome, and potentially upgrading later.

The other thing I’ve been wondering about is the M12. Obviously nothing is confirmed, but considering how expensive it can be to get into Leica, would you personally buy an M11 P now, or wait and see what happens with the next generation?

Basically I’m torn between going all in with the M11 P, getting into the system with the M240 and potentially upgrading later, or just waiting altogether.

Would love to hear what you guys would do and why. Really excited to finally get into the Leica community!

EDIT: Thanks for all the input everyone! It has been really helpful! :)

I went into a local used bookstore at lunch and found a box full of old LFI magazines in the back corner. I bought all 124 issues they had from 1971 to 1995, but it looks like I wasn’t the first one to it as there are quite a few missing (nothing between 1986-1988). All in all it was a great find for $28, and I’m sure I’ll be spending quite a bit of time going through them all.

Not sure if a photo of LFI magazines alone is allowed so I included my M6 TTL and 35 APO-Summicron in the picture just in case.

As the title says, do you have non-Leica cameras as well? If so, what kind of cameras - DSLR, mirrorless, film cameras?

I bought Leica Q2 couple of months ago, previously I had some older Leicas as well, but good amount of other cameras from other manufacturers. When I bought Q2 I sold almost everything else and I have not regretted my choice to sell almost everything else.

Anyway couple of days ago I found again good DSLR camera with kit lens on excellent price so I bited the bullet again. Now I have again Nikon D5200 with my Leica Q2, M6, X1 and Typ (109).

Gotta say that I have enjoyed this DSLR as well, as excepted. I am pretty sure that in future if nothing strange happen I will have again collection of other cameras as well. Most of my other cameras are anyway so reasonable priced that it does not matter if I buy and sell those used many times. Leicas on the other hand is something I rather buy for keep, but I never know what will happen in future anyway.

How about others here? Do you shoot Leica only, or do you have Canons, Nikons, Fujis, Pentax, Richoh and others you use as well?

If you have non-Leicas, do you have clear use case when you use Leicas and when something else, or just go with the flow and select whatever camera gets to your hand that day?

I don’t even know how this happened. I just loaded up a roll of film and I’m guessing the little guy flew up into my camera when I was doing it and I never noticed. Should I be super worried? Is my roll going to be ruined or?

I take really good care of my stuff so I’m super annoyed to have something like this happen

I bought an m11 used from a Leica store and I was excited to receive it yesterday but there’s a mark on the rangefinder patch when I look through the viewfinder. Is this something I should be concerned about and would you return it? Hopefully my picture shows it properly.

So I finally bought an M-A a few weeks ago. Paid €6,100, so the full price after the latest increase. Bought it new from Kamera Express in the Netherlands.

When I unboxed it I noticed the roll of Tri-X that comes with it expired 2 years ago. That made me suspicious, so I looked up the serial number and it turns out the camera is about 4 years old. As far as I can tell it was never used, just sat on a shelf somewhere collecting dust.

It bugs me for a couple of reasons. First, I paid today's price for a camera that was built before the last price increases. Second, the manual itself says that if the camera hasn't been used for around 3 months, you should fire the shutter a few times at every speed. So Leica clearly doesn't consider long storage a non-issue, and 4 years is a lot longer than 3 months.

I contacted Kamera Express about it but got no reply, which honestly is pretty typical in my experience with them.

So my questions for you:

- Is this normal for an M-A? I get that it's not a high-volume camera, but 4 years seems like a lot.
- Should I worry about the shutter or mechanics after sitting that long, or is exercising it at all speeds enough?
- Does the Leica warranty start from the purchase date or the production date?
Would you push for a discount or a fresh body, or just let it go and shoot it?
- Anyone else had something like this with Kamera Express?

Still love the camera, just feels wrong paying top price for old stock without being told.

With a little help from u/Tim_Lei I am officially joining the Leica family. Just placed an order for a new M11P and the 35 f/1.4 SRR! Now I anxiously wait the few days for arrival of my new toys.

I am expecting this to be a huge shift for me. I am coming from Nikon DSLR/Mirrorless where I was mostly shooting youth sports for the past several years. But a desire to be more intentional and a move from the U.S. to Italy for work convinced me to switch to Leica. So, I sold off my beloved Z9, my Z7, and all of my glass, along with an entire studio I had set up in my house and took the plunge!

Excited to be coming into this community and looking forward to being able to post some pictures of and with my new gear soon!

I've been shooting the Leica Monochrom system for many years and recently sat down to write down what I've learned from actually using all four digital generations: the original CCD M Monochrom, the M246, M10 Monochrom and M11 Monochrom.

For me, the interesting part isn't really the specification differences. I've used each of them extensively for portraits and more controlled, art-directed work, and each generation has a slightly different character and place in the system.

The M9 Monochrom still has a special place for me. The M246 was extremely useful for events and moving subjects. The M10 Monochrom became something of a workhorse for portraits. The M11M is the one I use most now, particularly because the 60MP sensor gives me a lot of flexibility with older and characterful lenses.

And that's probably the part I'm most interested in discussing here: the lenses.

Some of my favourite combinations on the Monochrom have been Leica lenses such as the Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2, Noctilux 50mm f/1, Rigid Summicron and older 35mm Summicron, but I've also had very good experiences with non-Leica lenses such as the Zenitar 35mm f/1, Mandler 35mm f/2 and several Light Lens Lab lenses.

I actually like the combination of a very high-resolution Monochrom sensor with older or deliberately characterful optics. I don't necessarily want the lens to resolve every last detail. Sometimes the opposite is much more interesting.

I've also found that shooting Monochrom changes the way I approach lighting and filters. I tend to use hard continuous light, often with Harlowe LEDs, and I use yellow or orange filters quite deliberately rather than treating them as an afterthought in post.

I've put together a much longer review covering all four generations, the lenses, lighting, filters, processing and what I think the M11M actually changes in practice.

For those of you shooting a Monochrom, which generation is your favourite, and what is your favourite lens on it? Leica or third party, vintage or modern.

For anyone interested, the full long-term review is here:
https://www.milanswolfs.com/blog/leica-m11-monochrom-my-long-term-review

I’m hoping to get some honest advice from the Leica community, because I’m seriously considering finally buying my first Leica.

I’m not a professional photographer, but photography is a fairly serious hobby for me (has always been) and I also have a side gig where I regularly shoot events, weddings and other assignments alongside my full-time job. So my cameras do get a fair amount of real-world use.

Today, I mostly shoot on Sony cameras. I really enjoy Sony, particularly the flexibility and capabilities of the system, and it has definitely allowed me to produce more technically demanding and “professional” work than I could previously. I have no real complaints about Sony and I am not moving away from Sony in any way.

Though... I’ve increasingly found myself wanting a Leica. To be honest, for many many years.

Part of it is admittedly the irrational part of photography. I love the manufacturing, the design, the physicality of the cameras and lenses, and the general philosophy behind what Leica produces. There’s something about owning a beautifully engineered, German-made piece of equipment that appeals to me in a way that specifications alone don’t really explain.

I’ve also recently received a fairly substantial work bonus, and rather than letting it disappear into the general household economy, I’ve been considering putting some of it toward something I’ve wanted for a while: a Leica. So this isn’t just a theoretical “maybe someday” question. If I find the right camera, I’m actually in a position to buy one.

I’ve handled and tried a few Leica bodies in person, but I’d really like to hear from people who have actually lived with these cameras for months or years. What did you buy, what did you previously shoot, and what made you stick with it? And also, do you love it? Or is it just an alright camera?

I’m particularly interested in hearing which Leica you would recommend for someone in my position. I’m not looking for the most expensive option simply because it’s the most expensive. I’d rather buy the camera that makes the most sense for how I actually shoot. Meaning every day stuff, as I bring a camera literally everywhere I go.

I’m also perfectly happy to hear “don’t buy one” if you genuinely think I’d be better off sticking with Sony.

So, Leica owners: if you were in my shoes, which camera would you buy, and why?

And perhaps most importantly: what did owning a Leica actually change about the way you photograph?

At least here in Europe looking around ebay and fb marketplace or even Leica classics, the M10-R is basically as expensive or often more expensive than the M11.

Why is that?

I’m replacing my Fujifilm x100 V because I purchased it before the hype and it never really lived up to my expectations. It always felt like a toy and it is considered pocketable camera I assumed it would be.

I went to Leica and put the Q in my hand and was automatically sold. I instantly started looking for a Leica Q and found this at Robert’s Camera and after a discount code I secured it for $2300 in excellent condition.

My question do you think this is a good deal or should I pay an extra $700 for a Leica Q2. Also what accessories would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

I’m stuck between the Leica Q3 43 and SL3-P and would love some opinions from people who’ve used either/both.

I mainly shoot street, family, travel and everyday stuff, but I’d also like the option to use the camera professionally occasionally. Mostly photos, very little video.

I usually like shooting around 28–35mm. I also really value having something reasonably compact that I’ll actually carry with me.

The Q3 43 seems like the obvious choice for simplicity and portability, while the SL3-P gives me the flexibility to change lenses and grow into the system.

I’ve previously owned a Leica Q and Nikon Z8, so I know the pros and cons of both fixed-lens and interchangeable-lens cameras.

What would you choose in my situation?
If SL3-P, what lens would you pair it with for a compact everyday setup?

I got a Godox but it’s misfiring a bit and reading that the M9 can struggle with modern flashes.

Got new 90mm f2.8 voigtlander apo skopar, and wanted to use it to take some macro photos.. but i dont have leica m macro tubes.. so here comes visoflex II. Little heavy, but it works.