Why I Want To Stop Using Leica | Honest Pros & Cons After 4 Years

Today i'm giving my honest thoughts and the truth around using Leica cameras as a professional.

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CHAPTERS
Changing brands 00:00-00:14
My background 00:14-02:27
Hater- 02:27-03:09
General Cost 03:09-04:08
Battery 04:08-04:41
Video 04:41-06:06
Lineup 06:06-07:16
Lenses 07:16-08:19
Sponsor 08:19-09:17
Colors 09:17-10:10
Craftsmanship 10:10-11:20
Interface 11:20-12:05
Glass 12:05-13:05
Value 13:05-14:04
Conclusion 14:04-17:31

[maskinmoller]

The much cheaper but highly praised Panasonic S5 ii X seems like an obvious choice to add for video and multimedia use and perhaps replace the SL2 with the upcoming replacement of the Panasonic S1R for high resolution work - if the S5 ii isn't enough. This way you can keep all your L-mount lenses which will cost a lot in trade in for similar Nikon Z glass. I actually like the Nikon Z line up a lot too but the combined Panasonics/Sigma L-mount line up seems to bee best value for the money.

[joeypandabear]

I’d suggest grab a Lumix S5iiX! You can still using the SL2 for photo and S5iiX for video! And keep all the l mount lens!!

[davidherring]

Great video! An alternate thought, as someone who shoots Leica and Sony, professionally. You’re not wrong about your issues with Leica, but I think one of the biggest disadvantages to your setup is using 3rd party lenses on the SL system. It’s almost like this… if you’re going to use Leica, you have to keep it all Leica for its advantage. The magic with Leica happens in the marriage of the lenses to the sensor.

That said, I have Leica M lenses on my M system, which I use for photography. For videography, I use Sony. I just couldn’t go all-in on the SL system with cameras and lenses.

[nelo]

Great video Evan!

I’ve had my Q2 for 3 years now and I love it. The perfect lifestyle camera, not too intrusive and I take it everywhere. Colours & depth are so unique, and the high contrast B&W isn’t spoken about enough! I use it for street & social photography. My downside is face detect AF is trash! My favourite thing about it is being able to take it into venues where a pro camera would be banned or intrusive (anything from concerts to restaurants), and you end up with unique images that nobody else would capture!

When I went for my Pro camera I considered the SL2-S, however for the same price I could get a Canon R5. I went for the canon and I don’t regret it for a second! Pulling perfect focus at 20fps is incredible, something I would never get with Leica at the same price!

So when I go out I take my Q2 and R5. The R5 for business and the Q2 for pleasure. I don’t think I’d ever consider Leica for business, but I love it all the same!

[-grey]

I'm surprised your jump wouldn't be to the Panasonic S5II. It seems like it would solve a lot of your problems for being essentially the same camera with a different badge. The Z9 does look great though.

My only problem with Leica is that I'd want to shoot the M because it's more compact, but the Range Finder is too hard to see in suboptimal light when you need to nail bright aperture critical focus the most. In most of the conditions it's easiest to see the patch, I'd probably be zone focusing anyway. So it's kind of awkward for me. The Q 100% is the answer, but I have a Ricoh GRIII and I don't want to give up all that amazing UX design. I swear the usability considerations are so intelligent on that camera, it makes me feel stupid. 😂

[gamingwithstand]

Most people that are pros don't shoot Leica but a few do.

I feel people that buy Leica are people that saved their money or have very well paying jobs.

When it comes to wedding photography once in a blue moon you'll read about someone using Leica.

[kurtlwrr]

great points all around. I'd just wait on the SL3 which will surely incorporate a flip screen, video upgrades, etc. than reinvest in a whole different system and lenses

[TofuShop]

Why not get a Fuji XH2 for video to complement the Leica system?

[nickapagan]

I think the more obvious solution is to pick up the S5 IIX for video. You wouldn't have to worry about getting new lenses and you'd have way more than you'd need out of a video camera.

[chrishilton]

Evan - Can't speak to your Leica issues but I can tell you the Z9 is the best camera I've ever owned. It's so good I bought a second one as a backup/video option. Yes it fits on a gimbal, yes it tracks really well. The battery on the Z9 goes all day for me and only once did I have to swap in my backup battery. For stills, drop on the 50mm f/1.2 or the 85mm f/1.2. The 35mm f/1.2 is on the way and the 20mm f/1.8 is pretty amazing. The zoom lens trinity is amazing.

Not sure you can go wrong going back to Nikon with the Z9.

[GamachePhoto]

Very smart take on this. I no longer shoot video, just photography, I have the M10R and the SL2, enjoy them both, but prefer the M10R because of the rangefinder, small manual lenses. SL2 when I do need AF and good backup as well. I’m older than you, in my 60s and have been shooting since my teenager years! You mentioned before having regrets purchasing the Q2 when the Q3 came out soon after, perhaps wait and see what improvements the SL3 brings next year. Or get a Lumix body for video that way you can stay in the L mount. Good luck!

[ChaseMoreLight]

Been using a z9 and z8 combo right now for weddings. Z9 has been my main camera for about 60 weddings at this point. Absolutely amazing camera. Skin tones, dynamic range, autofocus and lenses make an incredible system. 🤙🏼

[ThierryGibralta]

It sounds to me that Fuji would be good for your needs no? The colors on the photos side is great, video wise, coloring is not an issue either. It does not cost an arm to have accessories with it and it is still compact and not over complicated

[Gj_frames]

I bought my Leica M10 almost 2 years ago. I came from Fujifilm X-series and I fell in love directly. I've been watching the SL2 and the Fuji GFX cameras for a switch. But the small form factor and the genuin feel and handling of the M10 beats everything! I just shoot stills and I've used my M10 booth professionally and for my family shots during this time and if you just shoot stills, I think it's very flexible, specially with a visoflex on it when you need it. 
But of course, I miss AF some times, I miss a shorter focus distance from time to time. But there is something to special about the Leica M, so I can't switch it!
I do agree with everything you said though, don't know much about video features (M10 doesn't shoot it at all), but the rest, it's spot on. Great cameras, but it comes with a price, and the M-line-upp has it's pros and cones, that's for sure!

[brettlinder]

What about a Lumix for video? Can use same lenses so you won't take a $$$ hit from selling all the L-mount gear and great video capabilities

[GatorheadLuis]

Why not pick up a lumix S5II for video? Same L mount, it’s video is amazing, affordable, video autofocus is great. - I keep wanting an sl2s but I look at my S5II and it does everything I want.

[tyjwilliamson]

I'm shocked you don't just stick to L mouth and get the S5ii for video or the new Nikon Z8

[WahidFayumzadah]

Love my Z9, nothing it can't do. For traveling with a backpack I've come to the conslusion that it is too big and heavy, that's why I carry a Z6 II with me 😆 but when back home, in the studio, or with client work, I absolutely love it. Think I'll be getting the Z8 in the very near future.

[judeemclaughlin]

Been shooting Nikon since pre digital. Broke my D750 and replaced it with a Z6II. To be honest, I rented a bunch of cameras before making the purchase and stuck with Nikon because I could use all my F mounts on the Z with the adapter and replace slowly. Recently got my husband the Z8. I could not justify the price of the Z9 for what we shoot.

[GastonShutters]

I’m a Leica shooter myself (Q2, M11) but To be honest with you. I don’t see the point of the SL system. It’s a camera that have been left behind in so many way. Heavy, bulky lenses. For everything else Sony is where is at for me. So much lens option and one of the most innovative tools in their system. But I would never picture myself leaving the M11 system as there is nothing like it that even comes close. I could leave without my Q and easily replace it for a Sony A7C (or the new ones) with a 24 or 35mm lens.