Great video and I agree with you on many aspects. I used to work with Fujifilm (which I still love) but I wanted to switch to Full Frame and I had always dreamed of owning a Leica. After many tests with M10 and M11, I decided to get my first Leica but I chose the SL2s, always used with M lenses (Leica and Voigtlander). Choice due to the possibility of having a body that allowed me to use both autofocus and weather sealed optics or manual optics and have fun. Only big flaw: Heaviness and bulk. Then the Q3 came out and I said to myself: Wow... it could be the right choice since I always use 21mm, 28, and 35mm, it's compact, light, super performing and I can also use it in manual focus. So I sold the SL2s for Q3 and after 1 month I already regretted it. Not for the quality of the Q3 which is excellent but personally, for my way of photographing, it gave me more frustration than joy and using it with manual focus was a nightmare for me. So I resold it at a super price, luckily, and got the SL2s used but like new, at a great price. As much as I love the M models, unfortunately I have to choose a camera that allows me, for work, to better manage the scene and I have decided that the SL models are right for me but when I have the economic possibility to also have a model for pleasure alone , here I'll take an M. instagram.com/andreaperuzzi_photos/
I basically followed the line you described in this video: Q, Q2M, M6 + M9 (Q3 I had for couple of months, but it's gone now). I totally agree with you, that range finder experience is just special, if you like the experience. If not, happy for you and your wallet :D I did some preparation for my next video and shot with the Nikon Zf, Fuji X100VI and Leica M6. Didn't look into the pictures yet and have to wait until the film is developed, but man the shooting experience of the rangefinder was the most pleasing :) Btw your photo editing looks STUNNING! Really like your style!
I have my M240 four years ago. Got many beautiful pictures with it, and got so much fun to use it. Fully agree your point why using a Leica M body. In fact, I’m still learning how to use it today. Of course, I also have some other AF cameras as well, just like the newest Nikon Zf.
Yep, agree completely. Took identical path myself, and quite recently. IMO, this specific era of Leicas is the perfect moment where they had one foot in the past and one in the future. I still haven't put my Q116 up for sale because of that sensor/lens combo. The color is just perfect... But i do use the M240 95% of the time now. I dont know what would make me upgrade, honestly. These dusty old babies are just too good.
I've started with the SL2, then added a Q2 to the mix - being much smaller. Sold both and recently picked up a M11-P. Not a rational decision, but the M11-P rejoice my interest in photography again, and it and its lenses are just small, so easy to carry.
Leica is usually never the logical decision haha. Its fueled by passion. M11P looks ridiculously good man. Good for you! Its the most important thing, to feel like you want to pick up the camera and shoot. 🙂
M or Q all the way. The Leica magic happens with small cameras and small lenses. As an SL3 owner, I just can't recommend the SL system to anyone. The Japanese brands have caught up in build quality, and far surpassed Leica in technology.
Fair point. It's personal preference for sure. I think Leica deliver the best user experience in general. Interesting that you still picked the SL3? Or are you planning on switching it out? 🙂
@@RadsbyCo I sold my Q3 and Sony for the SL3. I definitely regret that decision. The Q3 was so much nicer to carry everywhere, and Sony is simply better than the SL3 at taking great pictures and video. The build quality of the SL3 went backwards IMO. It just feels cheap and plasticky. And the auto focus is way, way behind other cameras. I think the magic is still with the Ms and Qs.
@@c141charlie Holly... I was just ordering the SL3 and I found your comment. Any alternative you would recommend instead? I have a Sony A7C but always have to remove the zombie green tint (have tried everything in LR profiles and camera settings) that's why I was thinking upgrading to another system.
I used to own the SL2-S and that thing was such a joy to use. No Nikon or Canon or god forbid Sony, would ever come anywhere close to the feel of an SL camera. Also, I have owned multiple digital M cameras, as well as Q2, and I still say the SL2-S has the best image quality of them all....until I got the M10-R which might be slightly nicer. But as I said, I "used to" own the SL2-S...sold it because of the size. Even though I only used it with M lenses, the M still felt much better. Q is rubbish, I won't even mention it.
Back in the film days I lusted after a Leica M but couldn’t afford one. A few years ago, tired of confusing menus and having to choose what lens to use, I bought a Q2. Fantastic camera and the 47 Mp means you can crop to simulate much longer focal length lenses. I still have it but got frustrated at its size, which meant it was hard to slip into a non-camera bag or coat pocket. An inheritance meant I had the opportunity to get a M11. I’m glad I did but I’d say that most of my best pictures are taken on the Q2. Overall, I’d recommend a Q as a starter Leica.
Love your vedios! I started my leica journey with MP 240 when I was in college and bunch of vintage leica lenses like Elmar 50, 90 , summicron 35, Hector 135. I really enjoy the color of the 240 generation. I would want to get a M11 P but I guess I would still love my MP240 more. Please keep uploading more vedios 🎉 ❤
M11P does seem amazing. Of course id love to own one but I like you really love the M240. It does it all, just a bit slower than the rest of the family haha 😛
Your photos are beautiful - one on your Instagram of the guy in a leather jacket sitting on the side of the street is amazing. In general, your color grading is wonderful. You have a defined color palette that consistently tells your stories. Would love to see how you make your selects and process your images.
Started with the Q2, love it! Added the M6 and. a 35 and 50mm Voigtlander lenses. Still use my Fujifilm X-T4 for video and other work. Saving for the M10, maybe monochrome but that would be a few years away. Love shooting film, started in the 70's, glad it has made a come back!
That's so great to hear! I'm happy film is back too even though prices are ridiculous. But at least people are taking photos and appreciating the craft 🙂
I started with MP240 with Voigtländer 35mm 1.4 ii( which is very good lens) then M10R ( I love M10R but sometimes I miss the IQ from M240, so I keep both) later on get M6. After backpacking trip with my friend I kinda miss auto focus and also close focusing because sometimes I kind lazy to manual focus all the time so I get OG Q1 (I had X100 V but I feel I like DOF from full frame more), love the IQ, file size is perfect but the only thing as you mention that It has no weather sealing. My next backpacking trip I might bring only my M6 and Q and the rest just enjoy the moments.
I think there is a reason why most people start with the Q. It really comes down to people asking themselves the question "do I want a range finder, or do I want a Leica"... and not being sure. The fact that the Q can be either a casual camera AF camera, or something you use MF with a crop mode to mimics a rangefinder window is appealing. I know when I chose to go with a Q it was that, the fact that I didnt want to buy an M without a Leica lens (felt like I would only get half the Leica experience), indecision on which M body (crop, sensor issues, CCD vs CMOS, price, monochrome, etc), and then which lens... You just end up in a very expensive analysis paralysis. I decided both are a proven gateway drug... and that the Q route can't be that bad if soo many people start there.... but it was definitely between M240 + 35mm lens or Q.
The Q is a perfect all arounder. It just works for so many different types of photographers. As for the M without Leica lens. It's always possible to find fairly cheap leica lenses, especially if you go the f2.8 and above route. But the other manufacturers are definitely catching up in terms of quality but I get your point completely 🙂
I started off with the M240 and a Voigtlander 35f2 Ultron lens. Love it. But now I am hooked onto the Leica system. I'm saving to buy a used Summarit 75 f2.5.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. While I'm definitely no expert here, and I'm right on the edge of jumping into the Leica world myself, all your advice sounds reasonable, and more importantly, it comes from your past experiences. I often see people recommending cameras like they're the best thing in the world, but their next video is how they sold it because it wasn't for them. While that can obviously happen, I much prefer the more considered takes like this, and I'm looking forward to what you share next.
Thank you that means a lot. I will only talk about gear if it's gear that I've actively used for a longer time so I can give proper advice on it. I never understand gear reviews where they test out something for a day or two and then push a review of it. It's dumb. We spent waay too much money on gear without knowing if it works for us or not. I always want to speak from a place of experience and show real-world shots as well!
Interesting. My approach to the leica system was Q2 -> M10 -> M11P + M6 -> SL3 + MP Loved the Ms for it’s compact form but it got lots of drawbacks I moved away from the digital Ms because of the it was showing too much of camera shake for the 60MP without an IBIS. If you want an M go with something lower in megapixels. If you need high res then SL and Q is a way to go because of its stabilization. SL3 is still a long way to having a great AF but the 60MP and IBIS just simply fantastic.
M8 and Q116 user here. Love em both but have to say the Q is my winner because of the lvf and focus peaking for my older eyes. Both use in-camera mono presets. It’s a rabbit hole for sure and I’m still gripping the edges - just…✌️🇦🇺
Started off with the Q2. Then the M-P240. Now I ended up with my beloved M10. But the switch to the M10 was a little hard. needed my time for good exposures..
Never tried it. The crop factor and the must have filters to correct the colors thing is a bit annoying maybe. But people seem to love it so I'd like to try one at some point 🙂
Leica Q seems bulky with its lens. Been thinking about the Leica M240 for a while now. 😅 I read an interesting thing about the M240 and it's video feature. I read you can shoot stills while you're recording video? Have you tried it? They say you get an image file of the still you took and the video recorded would have a still shot also at the moment you shot then continues. Seems like a neat feature. Can you confirm it?
I haven't tried it at all but I do know that this is possible with a lot of cameras. Did it with my Canon 5D Mark II. Problem is. It blacks out the video for a little bit because it takes a photo. Not really usable 😅
I've carried the Q and M240 in the same bag quite a few times. The Q feels almost toy-like after I've been using the M. It's wild because the Q felt bulky after using my A7c when that used to be my combo. The M240 is similar size to the Q with a small-ish lens mounted, but being brass and thick with the bottom plate... It feels way bulkier. Personally, I like it.
subscribing before you hit 100.000😁, your creativity is amazing !! BTW i will recommend 262 instead of M240 ( one of the best leica digital camera ever made)
I believe so too. I don't understand purists at all. Show me real work where the lens made or break the work because it was cheaper than the body? Makes no sense to me haha. Lovely set of cameras man. I still want an M6 at some point 🙂
I started to feel how you felt, seeing your other video just now..I was bored so decided to purchase an M6 from my friend and learned how to develop my own b/w and color film therefore saving money. It rejuvenated my love for photography so perhaps that may be your next venture! Looking forward to seeing more from you..!
Recently purchased the Q2 and I love working with its wonderful lens but then what to do with my Leica and Voigtlander M glass that had used with my Sony A7? So I picked up a M240 and totally love the images from its sensor. When I nail exposure the images just make me say wow! I’m hooked!
This is a great channel. I have the M262, which i believe has the same sensor as the 240. I had the Q2 but sold it. The 262 has a magical look that i can't put my finger on, a kind of luminous glow like you get in the skies in spring. The colours are nicer than the Q2, which I find colder. I have a Voigtlander Heliar 40mm and an ancient 90mm Elmar f4 with the camera. I have a workhorse Fuji system, but the 262 is so much more fun. Love your style of delivery. Keep 'em coming!
Leica lenses are sharper on all apertures. Less distortion and less vignetting. But I don't think it matters for the work I do shooting mostly portraits & lifestyle. Buy what you can afford and upgrade later if you feel it's needed. 🙂
Yes fairly strong. I tried a bunch of filters. The nisi 1/8 is as strong as 1/2 from other companies etc. It's probably better to buy 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 depending on what you need.
100%. I currently own 4 leica cameras and lenses now. Went downhill real fast haha. That said. I've never been happier with my gear. It's a good thing for me 🙂
