Why are leicas so good

The camera was a resounding success, spurring Leitz and Barnack to refine the platform for continuous production. In , the Leica I Schraubgewinde was born, and with it, an interchangeable lens system that was based around a 39mm diameter screw thread, which would become universally accepted as the Leica Thread Mount LTM. In the years to come, the brand would release a handful of rangefinders , cameras, and devices, including the renowned Leica II in , and Leica III in This bayonet-like mount would redefine the way that interchangeable lens systems were seen by manufacturers — many of which would follow suit to create their own bespoke offerings.

Materials, Detail, And Design. But amidst an industry rife with innovation, why do these minimalistic bodies demand such a high price? First off, Leica cameras have remained relatively the same in size, shape, and structure since the M3 was introduced in This means that each and every example can be produced at the utmost quality — oftentimes, in small numbers.

Even focus planes, unparalleled sharpness in in-focus regions , and buttery bokeh also play a large role in the timeless recognition that Leica has received. Premier journalists from the 20th century, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, war photographer David Douglas Duncan, French visionary Marc Riboud, and Thomas Hoepker, are an exceedingly-small number who have documented history with their captivating photographs.

Surely, not everyone feels the same way. The fact of the matter is this. Now, the Leica M camera also happens to be extremely well made and has a satisfying and solid feel in the hand. They are all-mechanical contraptions and can withstand both freezing and very hot temperatures. A Leica camera can be made to work accurately with fairly simple technology; the shutter apparatus has hardly changed at all since it was first introduced in But most importantly, the Leica M camera is stealthy, placing nothing extraneous between the photographer and his or her subject; it is the epitome of light and fast and allows photographers to get in closer to make more intimate and compelling photographs.

Thanks to Simon Gosling for a favorite portrait. Plus, nothing feels like a Leica. They are treasures, and the just feel good in the hand.

Who cares? Well, if you are fortunate enough to be right-eye dominant, as about two-thirds of people are, you can continue to engage your subject and the world through the left eye as you use the camera rangefinder. Lucky dogs. Anyhow, this is important when discussing the Leica M camera. The camera is fairly small compared to DLSRs, which often gives the impression that it is less able, or not a professional type of camera, and so people seem to relax a bit more around the Leica M.

But that other 15 percent are rabid fans, and we all love to talk about Leica and share stories. Ready to own a Leica? Have more questions? That's what we're here for. Contact us by phone or email — we are happy to share what we know and offer advice.

Why do so many photographers use — and love — the Leica Rangefinder? Here are what I believe are the reasons, plain and simple: Only the Leica M allows you to see what is about to happen in your frame. The lenses also admit light with hardly any spillage, producing quality high-contrast shots even if there were strong shadows and highlights in the scene.

Leica cameras can put a hefty dent in your bank account, yet they often do not offer nearly as many features as substantially cheaper makes. Leica has taken years to successfully unite quality digital technology with its rangefinder models. Considering these facts, Leica cameras are only worth it for a certain calibre of photographer. The Leica M works best for highly skilled photographers looking for total control over their exposure and focus settings.

The M series suits fine art photography which demands technical superiority. The almost silent shutter and discrete look has also made the rangefinder renowned for street photography. Not to mention Leica lenses and film cameras are famous for their longevity — they retain their value incredibly well.

Nor may they be the best options for wildlife and action photographers who rely on fast focusing and huge zooms. The inherent design and functionality of a Leica go against much of what modern tech is. Yet somehow or another, a Leica M can be a better image capturing device than others on the market. First off, none of us are swimming in money. We make a small portion off of any purchase you make after clicking our links.

Those finances go towards paying our staff, our server bill, and our other expenses. Every purchase you make helps:. God forbid: a journalist trying to do their job!

If you want something new and digital, I strongly recommend going and getting a new one. The same applies to specific lenses. The reasons for this are numerous. First off, Leica cameras and lenses are built like tanks. That adds to the reliability. Next, there are lots of great places for you to get a second-hand Leica. Our choice is Adorama , but there are loads of Facebook groups and other spots where you can also get your hands on them. You also know that someone else tested it and tried it out.