Six Reasons Not To Buy A Leica M Film Camera
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Update: Here is my experience with a mint Leica M4-2: • Leica M4-2 In Depth Re... and M4-2 winder operation video can be found here: • Leica Winder M4-2 Revi...
If you own a beautiful Leica M system and are extremely sensitive to anything negative about Leica, close this video right now to avoid getting upset about what I'm going to say. While Leica M cameras are beautiful to look at, extremely simple to use, and well crafted, they just don't fit my needs at all.
So in this video, I share with you my personal opinion on why Leica is not for me. If you haven't bought a Leica and are thinking about selling all your other film cameras and lenses just to be able to afford a Leica M body, I hope this video helps you make a sound judgment.
0:00 Introduction
0:57 Reason #1 - Cost of Ownership
7:27 Reason #2 - Overhyped Viewfinder
10:48 Reason #3 - Cost of Repairs/CLA
14:20 Reason #4 - Shutter Quietness
17:58 Reason #5 - Leica Ergonomics Is Not For Everyone
22:21 Reason #6 - Leica is Not Designed For Glass Wearers
25:10 Future (or lack) of Film Photography
27:28 Conclusion
Cheers!
#Leica #FilmPhotography #Cameras 
Хобби
I've watched this video so many times. I feel bad the way people are bashing you when your video wasn't about bashing Leica.
To me, your points are valid and the way you presented them by giving off your experience is meaningful because that's what people would want to hear: the nit bits of what doesn't make it perfect. No camera is perfect and this Leica might not be perfect for you, and some others.
I agree on the glasses part, the cost and CLA cost, quietness too (but nothing can ever compare to leaf shutter), and I do think it was built for different built people when Canonet fits so easily to people with smaller hands.
Leica is amazing and it's definitely one of the top tier! But no camera is perfect and I've learned that everyone will find the gear that works best for them and that can be the most unusable to someone else.
Disclaimer: I own Leica M4, Leica CL, Olympus OM-1, Nikon FM2, Minolta X-300. Leica M4 and Nikon has the best tactile, Nikon's viewfinder shows the most information, Olympus OM-1 works best for me (even with glasses I see the whole frame), CL is the most compact and surprisingly reliable for the bash it gets, Minolta X-300 is great for beginners, Olympus has the best intuitive experience (you can operate by feel, you know the shutter position, it's light yet very strudy). If I had to be with any of these cameras, I'd be fine. If I had to part with one, I can choose Minolta X-300 easily. If I had to choose one to be with, that's the difficult question. Olympus OM-1 and Leica M4 to me are both on the same level of value. One is more tactile than the other, one is more usable to my glasses than the other, one takes slightly smaller lenses, other one gives accurate framing, one is a luxury camera, other one is an innovative camera.
Your delivery wasn't negative by all means, it suits your title and it wasn't with hate. I enjoy this video 🤝🏻
I appreciate your thoughts @amaniahnuar I go though many gadgets and toys and Leica is one of the more premium stuff that I've played with, time to move on... Currently sticking to my Minolta XDs, excellent reliable camera with (relatively) quiet shutter.
For an old film camera that is delightful to hold and shoot, get a Pentax Spotmatic.
Have you consider Nikon F100 or Canon EOS 3? They are "cheap", pro level build and ergo, and works with modern lens if you have any. There are good reasons why rangefinder got replaced by SLRs.
I used professional film cameras (F5s, Hasselblad/Mamiya medium format etc) extensively decades ago for work, nowadays I just try to find a camera that is fun and enjoyable to use
Bla bla bla , you bought the wrong piece, and you blame Leica LOL
Let's see, Just bought a mint M4-2, let's see if it will change my view... or not, lol
I have an M6 TTL that I have been using for 25 years and it has never failed me once. 6 years ago I had it checked by the technician and other than general cleaning it has done nothing else. He told me that my M6 is perfect. I've bought new. If I had to buy a used one, I honestly wouldn't take it from a private seller but from a shop where it is overhauled and above all where they give you a guarantee. Logically these are expensive cameras and if you can't afford to spend even 3k $ for a used but overhauled and guaranteed Leica, better leave it alone.
Yes sir, I agree with you.
Looking to buy any old vintage gear you run the risk of defects like these. Price aside, the good thing is you can get them repaired easily. I got lucky with my M2, functions perfectly but it is physically beat up but that's why I like it.
I agree, that's why I just bought a mint condition M4-2, I hope a mint condition Leica would change my view, and have a followup video soon.
I wear glasses, it took me 1 year to find a 0.58 Leica M2 and took me 3 months and 500$ to fix everything. But every dollar I spend still there with my fixed Leica. Any time if I wanna sale it the money just comeback and plus interests and 50roll of films at least. So this kind of vintage high brand camera is kind of investment and meanwhile you can enjoy it. But if you don’t like it, Nikon F3 then. Or your OM-4. They are all great camera. But man, the lens is soul of camera, I can’t justify spend thousands dollars for a camera boy don’t get the Leica lens.
Indeed, that's great you found a 0.58x eyepiece, I was able to sell my Leica for a bit more than I paid for it, in terms of collector value it's definitely one of the best among all vintage cameras. Now I have a Rollei 35RF (Bessa R2) that can do automatic exposure so it works just just a bit better and for my workflow.
Leica’s are great rangefinder cameras. I think you just bought one that was in poor condition. But then again they aren’t for everyone. Personally I don’t think your negative experience with the M2 warrants bashing the brand. It is one of the iconic and best quality camera gear out there - and a brand that still sells new 35mm film cameras when all other manufacturers have gone under.
Indeed. I later acquired a M4-2 in perfect condition that I enjoyed quite a lot.
1-6: buy one
You are not ready to do any such reviews. I am not a Leica owner and don't see that changing, however your explanations are v. hollow especially when you bring out TTartisan junk. I am done watching your video.
Hey, TTArtisan is quite valid and produces excellent results. You don't have to watch if my experience doesn't align with yours. Happy shooting.
You jumped on a cheap deal with issues. Buyer's error. Also, .58 mag is for glasses wearers.
Yes, I did jump on a cheap deal to start with, but imagine if I jumped on a mint deal and discovered that I need to then get or convert to 0.58 mag body just to be able to enjoy the viewfinder. The camera is returned, and I'm sure someone else who could appreciate the ergonomics and don't wear glasses could appreciate this M2 one way or the other. Cheers
0.58 mag body are hard to come by and they are all expensive. Cheap deal or not, the points he is making are still valid even with a mint leica M.
@@byte_dance Expensive for some. Not for others.
@@Nerdzombiedisco No need to rub my face with your financial success, I am speaking for people like me who can't spend 3K plus on a film body.
@@byte_dance Relax. I just stated a fact. Don't take it personally. I'm not a millionaire either.
There are reasons used Leicas are selling for such a high price. If more people had the same view as you have there would not be such a high demand for them.
I bought my M3 and M2’s used in the 70’s when the demand wasn’t so high.
Like any used camera as old as the M2 and M3 bought used you will need a CLA.
Film is making a comeback but it is not for everyone. Kodak just raised their prices to expand production. There are new companies making film.
Didn’t appreciate your bad experience with a Leica M2 to bash Leica and film photography.
I just viewed your box opening when you got it from KEH. You were very impressed by it then.
You should have spoken to the rep and ask why it was rated ugly. When buying Leicas one question to ask is if there are view finder issues. If so then pass there are still others available.
Bought a M4-2 after I returned the M2 and loved it. Although I much appreciated the M2's look and build quality.
Thank you for your opinion. Yes I may have gone too far on this critical review.
1st you need to understand what a Leica is! Do research and buy from a well known dealer. Allow fact some of these cameras are 50+ years old. Leica-M cameras of M-3, M-2, M4-2, M4-P, M4, M5 and M6 are some of the best cameras ever built. It's easy to find fault. A 50 year old automobile? The Oly-OM's was a poor camera system. Not reliable even when new! Magnum tried them out and were not happy. You are uneducated.. Sorry. I am not a fanboy but a user. My M-3 is 55 years old in pro usage from new in box. At least 10,000 rolls. Yes serviced. A car goes in ever few thousand miles for lube and adjust. My newest body is M6TTL. Small reapir 2 years ago. I bought it new at Samy's in LA. Traded the monster Pentax 6x7 for it! Best exchange. I hope never to see your nonsense again.
A Leica is a piece of quality mechanical tool that is fun to use and play around if you are fortunate to own one prior to price hike. Enjoy your original Leica but unfortunately it doesn’t suit my needs
Never buy an old Leica, Hasselblad or SINAR.
Those cameras used to be the tools for the
professional photographers.
Show off guys need a Leica or a Hasselblad now.
Scanning a film is a blasphemic act.
Just go digital.
It could be a hobby for people who enjoy it and have the resource ($$$) to play around with better condition vintage stocks.
I think you should not buy a Leica M film camera at the first place, because you re not meant to have one. I do not understand why you are bashing a Leica, while others including me happily owning many of them.
Just stating the facts, I'm happy for you, if your Leica is a pleasure to use for you.
Yeah no one is shooting a wedding on film hahaha 🤣