The GetDPI Photography Forum

Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!

What's your favorite Leica?

My M4. It's just a no bullsh*t picture making machine. The MP and M-A are just clones of this existing design for people with more money than sense. The M4 is perfect (if you want no meter and the framelines set). I also love it's uncluttered VF.
 

doug

Well-known member
When using film my favorite is the Leicaflex SL modified to use ROM lenses. Digital? The SL.
I have to change my answer. Until today I loved almost everything about the Leica SL and I was about to ask the dealer what I'd have to do to keep it at the end of my 1-month trial. Then I ran into that stoopid automatic viewfinder brightness thing again. I detest that mode and I can't use a mirrorless camera that doesn't allow me to lock in exposure preview mode.
 

doug

Well-known member
I have to change my answer. Until today I loved almost everything about the Leica SL and I was about to ask the dealer what I'd have to do to keep it at the end of my 1-month trial. Then I ran into that stoopid automatic viewfinder brightness thing again. I detest that mode and I can't use a mirrorless camera that doesn't allow me to lock in exposure preview mode.
I have to change my answer again. Or, there's a good chance I will in the near future :)

I complained to my dealer last night and this morning Leica USA's SL specialist called to clarify what I'd like the camera to do. He said it ought to be possible to fix this in a future firmware update. What are the chances that CaNikon, Sony or another maker would do this?
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
Film wise, Minolta CLE. But I am probably walking on slippery ice now.
At one time, it was the Leica CL for me. That camera with 40, 90, and 21mm lenses was a perfect travel kit.
But that was long ago and far away...

G
 

John Black

Active member
The M Monochrom 246 is my favorite M camera - the B&W results from the camera with red filters is alot of fun. Picking a favorite single Leica lens would be very difficult it depends on what I'm taking pictures of - such as people vs landscapes. And if color vs black & white, my preference changes again... Candidates would be -

35 FLE - low light, landscape, general walk around
50 Lux ASPH - people, portraits, people and more people :)
90 APO - some people, but ,mostly landscape
135 APO - landscape
 

Photon42

Well-known member
My M7 because it is à la carte with personal engravings
The Q for the best fluid all-digital experience
The M-D for the most emotionally engaging marriage between film and digital
The M3 for the sexiest film camera ever
 

asiafish

Member
I'm sure this might have been asked before, but humor me as my nostalgia and melancholy for Leica's I once owned has me again rethinking how to incorporate these beauties into my workflow. I was curious of all the Leica film and digital models, which were some of the best or worst from users experiences here. Personally, I owned the M6 TTL, M9, and M3, 50mm, 35mm Summicron. I sold them all to fund other endeavors...I regret that very much because no other camera (digital/film) has given me the elemental value of simplicity and joy of composition. (My Rolleiflex 3.5f comes close though). This is not always practical, but shooting with Leica has always been a rewarding experience that i've yet to find in today's mirrorless offerings. Obviously, this all personal and i'm keeping my A7Rii and amazing FE lenses, but I need a back up camera for my style of work. Do any of the newer digital models have that contrasty CCD quality of the M9? I'd like to spend less time editing too, so OOC images are important. I'm leaning towards a few very different models though. The Q looks amazing on paper. Portable and with the 28mm 1.7 Summilux is a great focal length for me. The 10fps and AF is a major bonus and this camera would be a great combo to have for my workflow as my semi wide angle. Black and white has always been close to me as does the MM for it's absence of interpolating color and purely measuring luminance levels, but will a digital color sensor replicate that MM look? On the other side is the MP, a purely mechanical film camera that oozes character and since I develop my own film a slow, but practical option. But an M body and 50mm Summilux 1.4 ASPH is my absolute top budget. The Q might be a good way to ease back in and save a bit. Thanks for any insights, experiences or the occasional intervention.

M5, by far.
 

topoxforddoc

New member
Film camera - my 1958 Button rewind M2 - perfect with the 35 frame line, simple and buttery smooth

Digital - R9/DMR - I have a S(006) a M9 as well as two DMRs (and 8 batteries inc 2 NOS), but the R9/DMR still produces stunning images for something, which is now 11-12 years old.
 

Knorp

Well-known member
In random order: M3, MP, M8, M9 . . . but alas all stolen :cry:
Perhaps an M10 will cheer me up :rolleyes:
 

bensonga

Well-known member
I haven't owned a Leica M (film or digital). Just haven't been able to fall in love with rangefinder focusing, despite many efforts and I am still often tempted.

However, I have 8 R cameras and 12 R lenses. Of those my favorite camera is the Leicaflex SL2 with either the R6.2 or R8/R9 coming in second. Favorite lens for sure is a late version of the 50mm Summicron-R. I love using that lens on my Canon DSLRs or various mirrorless cameras.

The one digital Leica I would really like to own someday is the SL...a natural home for my R lenses.

Gary
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
I haven't owned a Leica M (film or digital). Just haven't been able to fall in love with rangefinder focusing, despite many efforts and I am still often tempted.

However, I have 8 R cameras and 12 R lenses. Of those my favorite camera is the Leicaflex SL2 with either the R6.2 or R8/R9 coming in second. Favorite lens for sure is a late version of the 50mm Summicron-R. I love using that lens on my Canon DSLRs or various mirrorless cameras.

The one digital Leica I would really like to own someday is the SL...a natural home for my R lenses.
Indeed it is, Gary ... You'd love it!

My Summicron-R 50mm is an ancient, one-cam model from about 1964. A stunning lens and amazing performer! I keep it original because it works best on the Focusing Bellows-R that way, and it doesn't matter when fitted to an adapter and used on the SL. :)

G
 
At the moment I have two favorite Leicas, the Q and the M typ 262.

Didn't like the M240 too much, it seemed too heavy in hand. Before that I really liked the M9, which I part-exed to the M240.

Now this new M10 is tempting. I really liked the film MP I owned for a while, but film wasn't right for me. And now this M10 is similar in size..
 
Top