Interesting history of your love affair with photography and cameras. I think we all reach that point when we get the top, the best of what is out there. In the U.S. Air Force, I worked in the media, base newspapers and did a lot of shooting pictures for the paper. The military used Nikon and I finally got mine while stationed in Japan. It's still with me, a 45 year old Nikon F2A. Still alive and still the best camera ever built. It's been with me for many years and even took a trip to the DMZ between the two Koreas. I also took it for a stroll into N. Korea so it has history with me. But it didn't improve my photography, but it did get its picture taken with N. Korea in the background. Both Leica and Nikon have incredible histories and I think that is where sentimental value plays a part in our love of photography. The images taken with this camera will be with me and family members for a very long time. Enjoy your love, your Leica and enjoy every picture you take.
I've just got a Leica M11. It is HARD to move from an autofocus mirrorless camera to a manual focus rangefinder and I feel like my photography has gone back years... but I'm embracing the challenge and will work to get used to the system.
I recently had a similar experience as well. My mother was having her home remodeled, and while we were packing everything away, I found her old 28mm Canon FD lens. Found an adapter for my 90D, and was having so much fun with it. It was also challenging me out of my comfort zone, which eventually made my shots more creative... then, I found someone selling a Zeiss 50mm Makro, practically unused. And MY GOD 😵💫, it's like all that fun and creativity I experienced with the FD lens, but times 10
@@CreativePixelPhotos All part of the journey 😊 It's funny too, because normally I tell others, "You don't need fancy gear to become a better photographer, just learn with what you have"... but after playing with this Zeiss, might bite my tounge a little from now on 😆... May not instantly make you a better photographer, but it opens a whole new world of opportunities.
I’ve a host of Nikons currently. 2 lovely brassed film models (FE2 & FM2N), a beautiful autofocus tank (F100), the OG of CCD sensors (D200) and the Z8…I rarely use the Z8 site purchasing it specifically as it doesn’t do anything for me…mainly I feel due to no mechanical shutter slap (which is ridiculous really) . Recently splurged on the new ZF and fell in love with digital all over again due to the experience. Shooting vintage NIKKOR ais F mount glass on adapted to the Z mint and manual focus is it!. I appreciate your sentiment with your Leica due to this. I did too try the Leica M2,then M5 and M6 but it didn’t do it for me. Even the Leica M8 with its beautiful CCD sensor…none survived for more than a year sadly. But my current FM2N and ZF with a shoulderbag full of prime glass is where I found my sweet spot. 😊. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I wish you continued enthusiasm with your M10. Cheers ~Peter
Compliments for this great and honest video. I don't have the money for a Leica but get a somekind similar image and experience by using a Nikon D610 in combination with a 50 mm f 2.0 AI and 35 mm F2.8 AIS. There has been a test showing that this nikon lens (which I used as a teenager on my FtN) is sharper or as sharp as the summicron. Your assessment that the image from modern Nikons is harsh I totally agree upon. This is closely related to the new lenses. I had a mirrorless Nikon but it all became to easy and uninspiring. Lacking contrast and so on
I’ve been shooting since I was a teenager now 59 still working full time on newspapers. I’ve shot and own many cameras brands formats a lot of which i feature on my channel I love them all. A while back I decided it was time to scratch the Leica itch I opted for the Q2 absolutely love the thing to bits I wouldn’t say it’s transformative in my photography but I enjoy shooting it every time. Film wise my new fave toy is a canon L3 with an elmar lens fun to shoot and lovely results. My daily work gear is all canon 1dx bodies and lenses solid reliable does the job without fail but I don’t find it sexy it’s just a work tool. I say whatever you enjoy do it live once shoot loads📷 liked and subbed
After years of using Nikon film kit I lost my way a bit and sold it all - didn't take any photos for years until I got the urge again in all the covid nonsense. I then bought an old but mint Fujifilm XPro-1 and some XF lenses and never looked back! I now have two XPro1's, An XE1, an XE-2 and Two XT-1's - all of them are the absolutely gorgeous XTrans one and two sensors that produce the most film-like images that I've seen and that I absolutely love. I absolutely LOVE the retro design and the fact that I have everything on a dial and aperture ring (like the old days) I cant stand buttons and menus (Ugh!). The 16.9 MP sensors are all I need, I see no reason to upgrade any of it and now know them all backwards. I suspect they'll see me out now. The only 'new' kit I buy is an ever increasing collection of vintage lenses and adaptors which are all such fun to shoot with and give some lovely unique images. I just don't see the need for anything else 'newer' - if anything I think the kit has got far too complicated and feature packed and take you away from the basic joys of simplicity and function. Each to their own though!
Hi and I've had Fuji's Xpro1 Xro2 Xe2 x100t and several lenses and you're right - they are lovely and "different" to the usual Nikon, Canon etc. I also agree about the sensors 🙂 Just thought it was time to try a Leica and instantly understood why they have such a reputation. I also see myself having this camera after I stop doing weddings and sell all my Sony and Nikon stuff.
A friend has already compared the leika M10 vs q3. Believe me, this is not the magic of the camera, this is the magic of the lens; if you put this lens on any Nikon, the colors will be just as magical!
I do agree! I have a Sony to Leica adapter and whilst the f1.4GM lenses I have are superb the 2 Leica ones are even more special - more arty, more character.... BUT - I actually find the Leica focusing even easier than the focus peaking on the Sony's which I never expected even after just a few weeks use - sure in a few months I'll find the Leica focusing super quick and accurate 🙂
It is a different system. M is a fantastic camera (especially Leica M film cameras). Unfortunately M cameras are overpriced. Other than that, they are so simple thus perfect.
Isn't it funny how millions of us take photos trillions every second but only a handful of photographers shine, even the ones decades ago are still talked about. It is always where you point your camera and why, the more subtle and ambiguous the better as that creates a dialogue with your audience and leaves room for slightly different or rather personal interpretations. That is very difficult to do, and I cannot. Gear I'm afraid will not save us.
See this is where I do slightly disagree - gear I agree won't "make us better photographgers" but if it inspires and boosts our enthusiasm then that just might in time help improve our photography. Photography is for most of us a matter of practice - I'd guess the "greats" had/have natural ability but even they wouldn't be greats if they never had the enthusiasm to go out and shoot.
Maybe I lack the required sophistication, but I don't see anything in the examples you have shown from the Leica that couldn't be achieved with any other marginally competent camera. I have yet to come across a credible report of someone being able to tell them apart in a blind test. My own experience with finding inspiration or motivation in new gear is that it's always been short lived, and that it never had a meaningful effect on the aesthetic quality of my work. I hope that yours will be different.
Hi. Of course with LR you can pretty much get any look from any camera. I'm still working on getting the look I want from the Leica but I took a shot of my garden with my Sony, Nikon D780 and the Leica and compared the raw files. Sony and Nikon quite similar with the Nikon having more natural colours then the Leica stood out with deeper shadows, vibrant but not over saturated natural colours and just kinda looked more arty. And of course the actual experience of shooting is night and day compared to sale or mirrorless.
I'll admit to having spent a lot of time and effort (and money) and getting the most suitable gear for my weddings. I really doubt I'll be changing the Leica anytime soon.
You are still in the honeymoon phase of your leica.. make this review in 2 years from now.. I guess in the next 3 months your motivation to shoot will be gone if you don't get another toy..
Hmm... I do agree with regard to the SL range - my Sony's have more features and as you say a similar sensor - Cmosis actually make the Leica modern sensors not Sony. The M9 used a Kodak ccd sensor and the M240, M10 and M11 never have used Sony sensors. BUT - a large part of the Leica thing is their lenses which are argueably the best and with the M range it's also about the unique experience actually shooting with it. And Leica are definitely not trash!
This could be said of so many things these days. Just because sensors originally come from a manufacturer does not mean that what a manufacturer does afterwards does not make a different with processors etc. the sensor is slightly different on a Leica sensor to deal with the steeper angle light enters Leica m lenses. Sony’s own TVs feature LG OLED panels with LG being one of the largest producers of TV OLED panels. Does not mean Sony don’t bring unique things to the rest of the product via their processing, algorithms, software.
YES!!!! My M11 Mono has "taken me bacK" to when I first began shooting 50 years ago. Thanks for reminding
Always enjoyable content Alan, entertaining even, well done...
Interesting history of your love affair with photography and cameras. I think we all reach that point when we get the top, the best of what is out there. In the U.S. Air Force, I worked in the media, base newspapers and did a lot of shooting pictures for the paper. The military used Nikon and I finally got mine while stationed in Japan. It's still with me, a 45 year old Nikon F2A. Still alive and still the best camera ever built. It's been with me for many years and even took a trip to the DMZ between the two Koreas. I also took it for a stroll into N. Korea so it has history with me. But it didn't improve my photography, but it did get its picture taken with N. Korea in the background. Both Leica and Nikon have incredible histories and I think that is where sentimental value plays a part in our love of photography. The images taken with this camera will be with me and family members for a very long time.
Enjoy your love, your Leica and enjoy every picture you take.
I've just got a Leica M11. It is HARD to move from an autofocus mirrorless camera to a manual focus rangefinder and I feel like my photography has gone back years... but I'm embracing the challenge and will work to get used to the system.
It's certainly different but I'm sure every week I'll get better and I'm sure you will too. It's good to have a challenge 😁
Congratulations on your M, enjoy it!
I recently had a similar experience as well. My mother was having her home remodeled, and while we were packing everything away, I found her old 28mm Canon FD lens. Found an adapter for my 90D, and was having so much fun with it. It was also challenging me out of my comfort zone, which eventually made my shots more creative... then, I found someone selling a Zeiss 50mm Makro, practically unused. And MY GOD 😵💫, it's like all that fun and creativity I experienced with the FD lens, but times 10
Good to hear it's not just me !!
@@CreativePixelPhotos All part of the journey 😊
It's funny too, because normally I tell others, "You don't need fancy gear to become a better photographer, just learn with what you have"... but after playing with this Zeiss, might bite my tounge a little from now on 😆... May not instantly make you a better photographer, but it opens a whole new world of opportunities.
I’ve a host of Nikons currently. 2 lovely brassed film models (FE2 & FM2N), a beautiful autofocus tank (F100), the OG of CCD sensors (D200) and the Z8…I rarely use the Z8 site purchasing it specifically as it doesn’t do anything for me…mainly I feel due to no mechanical shutter slap (which is ridiculous really) . Recently splurged on the new ZF and fell in love with digital all over again due to the experience. Shooting vintage NIKKOR ais F mount glass on adapted to the Z mint and manual focus is it!. I appreciate your sentiment with your Leica due to this. I did too try the Leica M2,then M5 and M6 but it didn’t do it for me. Even the Leica M8 with its beautiful CCD sensor…none survived for more than a year sadly. But my current FM2N and ZF with a shoulderbag full of prime glass is where I found my sweet spot. 😊. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I wish you continued enthusiasm with your M10. Cheers ~Peter
Compliments for this great and honest video. I don't have the money for a Leica but get a somekind similar image and experience by using a Nikon D610 in combination with a 50 mm f 2.0 AI and 35 mm F2.8 AIS. There has been a test showing that this nikon lens (which I used as a teenager on my FtN) is sharper or as sharp as the summicron. Your assessment that the image from modern Nikons is harsh I totally agree upon. This is closely related to the new lenses. I had a mirrorless Nikon but it all became to easy and uninspiring. Lacking contrast and so on
I’ve been shooting since I was a teenager now 59 still working full time on newspapers. I’ve shot and own many cameras brands formats a lot of which i feature on my channel I love them all. A while back I decided it was time to scratch the Leica itch I opted for the Q2 absolutely love the thing to bits I wouldn’t say it’s transformative in my photography but I enjoy shooting it every time. Film wise my new fave toy is a canon L3 with an elmar lens fun to shoot and lovely results. My daily work gear is all canon 1dx bodies and lenses solid reliable does the job without fail but I don’t find it sexy it’s just a work tool. I say whatever you enjoy do it live once shoot loads📷 liked and subbed
Thanks. ☺️
After years of using Nikon film kit I lost my way a bit and sold it all - didn't take any photos for years until I got the urge again in all the covid nonsense. I then bought an old but mint Fujifilm XPro-1 and some XF lenses and never looked back! I now have two XPro1's, An XE1, an XE-2 and Two XT-1's - all of them are the absolutely gorgeous XTrans one and two sensors that produce the most film-like images that I've seen and that I absolutely love. I absolutely LOVE the retro design and the fact that I have everything on a dial and aperture ring (like the old days) I cant stand buttons and menus (Ugh!). The 16.9 MP sensors are all I need, I see no reason to upgrade any of it and now know them all backwards. I suspect they'll see me out now. The only 'new' kit I buy is an ever increasing collection of vintage lenses and adaptors which are all such fun to shoot with and give some lovely unique images. I just don't see the need for anything else 'newer' - if anything I think the kit has got far too complicated and feature packed and take you away from the basic joys of simplicity and function. Each to their own though!
Hi and I've had Fuji's Xpro1 Xro2 Xe2 x100t and several lenses and you're right - they are lovely and "different" to the usual Nikon, Canon etc. I also agree about the sensors 🙂 Just thought it was time to try a Leica and instantly understood why they have such a reputation. I also see myself having this camera after I stop doing weddings and sell all my Sony and Nikon stuff.
I have the xpro2 love it but not used it as often as it deserves so converted it to shoot infrared now it’s with me all the time love it
A friend has already compared the leika M10 vs q3. Believe me, this is not the magic of the camera, this is the magic of the lens; if you put this lens on any Nikon, the colors will be just as magical!
I do agree! I have a Sony to Leica adapter and whilst the f1.4GM lenses I have are superb the 2 Leica ones are even more special - more arty, more character.... BUT - I actually find the Leica focusing even easier than the focus peaking on the Sony's which I never expected even after just a few weeks use - sure in a few months I'll find the Leica focusing super quick and accurate 🙂
Magic of the lens is only half the equation, though.
Magnify peaking through an EVF will never feel like rangefinding through an OVF.
Despite your rather disjointed ramble, I do agree that new gear can help encourage one to better photos.
Set picture control to neutral and then the only issue greens are still exaggerated.
No question; a better sensor is a better sensor. However, that won't help someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
It is a different system. M is a fantastic camera (especially Leica M film cameras). Unfortunately M cameras are overpriced. Other than that, they are so simple thus perfect.
Certainly agree on the overpriced bit! And love it's simplicity and feel and images.
Time to try canon 🥳🤓😎
Seriously - Canon -v- Leica?? Yes for sports and Bif etc but for anythiing artistic, documentary etc then Leica.
Isn't it funny how millions of us take photos trillions every second but only a handful of photographers shine, even the ones decades ago are still talked about. It is always where you point your camera and why, the more subtle and ambiguous the better as that creates a dialogue with your audience and leaves room for slightly different or rather personal interpretations. That is very difficult to do, and I cannot. Gear I'm afraid will not save us.
See this is where I do slightly disagree - gear I agree won't "make us better photographgers" but if it inspires and boosts our enthusiasm then that just might in time help improve our photography. Photography is for most of us a matter of practice - I'd guess the "greats" had/have natural ability but even they wouldn't be greats if they never had the enthusiasm to go out and shoot.
Maybe I lack the required sophistication, but I don't see anything in the examples you have shown from the Leica that couldn't be achieved with any other marginally competent camera. I have yet to come across a credible report of someone being able to tell them apart in a blind test. My own experience with finding inspiration or motivation in new gear is that it's always been short lived, and that it never had a meaningful effect on the aesthetic quality of my work. I hope that yours will be different.
Hi. Of course with LR you can pretty much get any look from any camera. I'm still working on getting the look I want from the Leica but I took a shot of my garden with my Sony, Nikon D780 and the Leica and compared the raw files. Sony and Nikon quite similar with the Nikon having more natural colours then the Leica stood out with deeper shadows, vibrant but not over saturated natural colours and just kinda looked more arty. And of course the actual experience of shooting is night and day compared to sale or mirrorless.
You are obsessed with gear and always in a quandry.
I'll admit to having spent a lot of time and effort (and money) and getting the most suitable gear for my weddings. I really doubt I'll be changing the Leica anytime soon.
You are still in the honeymoon phase of your leica.. make this review in 2 years from now.. I guess in the next 3 months your motivation to shoot will be gone if you don't get another toy..
Remind me in 3 months and I'll post some pics from the M10 taken in the previous week - let's see - I really do feel this one is different
Enter Islam and success
Leicas are trash. Modern Leica digital cameras are just another way to buy a Sony sensor, with a higher price tag
Hmm... I do agree with regard to the SL range - my Sony's have more features and as you say a similar sensor - Cmosis actually make the Leica modern sensors not Sony. The M9 used a Kodak ccd sensor and the M240, M10 and M11 never have used Sony sensors. BUT - a large part of the Leica thing is their lenses which are argueably the best and with the M range it's also about the unique experience actually shooting with it. And Leica are definitely not trash!
@@CreativePixelPhotos The sensor in the M11 is made by Sony
@@VoltLover00 correct. The only M that has and from what I see many M11 owners aren't happy that the Famed Leica look is no more🥴
This could be said of so many things these days. Just because sensors originally come from a manufacturer does not mean that what a manufacturer does afterwards does not make a different with processors etc. the sensor is slightly different on a Leica sensor to deal with the steeper angle light enters Leica m lenses. Sony’s own TVs feature LG OLED panels with LG being one of the largest producers of TV OLED panels. Does not mean Sony don’t bring unique things to the rest of the product via their processing, algorithms, software.