Why I Switched from DSLR to Rangefinder: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace: AdoramaTV

In this episode of Exploring Photography, Mark Wallace explains why he's made the switch from a Canon DSLR system to the Leica M Rangefinder system. Here he explains why the Leica is the right tool for his travel photography needs. Learn how the smaller camera helps with size, weight, security, and more earning potential.

Related Products at Adorama:

Leica M Digital Rangefinder Camera Body, Type 240

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Canon EOS-5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera Body

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Leica 135mm f/3.4 APO-TELYT-M Telephoto Manual Focus Lens

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L

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Like, share, and comment on the video below...let's get the conversation started!

[Itscarlosocando]

I think this video is more about Mark trying to convince himself and everybody else about buying a Leica, you could get a Canon 6D, Nikon D610 with prime lenses instead of those huge zoom lenses, with the D610 you could even get Nikon Ais manual focus prime lenses which are great quality, and very compact. And if you are worried about getting mugged don't buy a 6500$ camera with 10000$ or more in lenses, just get a fuji or sony a6000 and you are good to go with a small and great quality camera which could be easier to replace if you get mugged.

[masonresnick]

Thanks, Mark, for the unexpected shout-out and complement!

[SKgeostrat]

Mark, this doesn't smell right. Camera thieves know LEICAS. You could achieve the same by putting primes on a Fuji system that gives you better quality and AF, not to talk about a MFT system camera like the GH4 or the OLy EM1. You could achieve the same by putting good primes on a 5DMKII. If all of a sudden you want to shoot Leica, so be it, but it is still twice the price of the Canon kit and liable to be stolen.

[LEXPIX]

You're not quite immune to muggings toting a 7K Leica camera my friend.  Maybe a piece of black gaffer's tape over the badge wouldn't be a bad idea.

[gabrieleutube]

Nice to see all these "better than Leica" comments from people that quite obviously never used one.

[jaybillups]

Great discussion about using the right tool

[photographerjonathan]

I agree with all your points of size and weight, people not running from your huge camera and lens pointed at them, and not looking like a tourist, and not being such a target to get mugged for your gear, everything you said makes total sense, and it is exactly what I have been wanting to do, since I bought my 5Dlll, my love for taking a camera out with me everywhere i go has just disappeared, and the last trip I went on, I took the 5D with me, along with my Canon 70/200 f2.8, Tamron 24/70 f2.8, and my Sigma 85 f1.4, a couple of speed lights and controllers, batteries, and so on, and my bag weighed a ton, and on three quarters of my trip I found myself leaving the camera behind and using my cell phone, also, when I saw my relatives that i hadn't seen in 13 years, I pulled out my 5Dlll with the 24/70 on it, and everyone was running from me, or they would look uncomfortable, but when i pulled out the cell phone, everyone posed for pictures, it seemed so crazy to me, I really wanted some pro pictures of my family, but I never got them, and after that trip, i decided that I will never take my full size gear on a trip again, and I am considering the A7 cameras, the NX1, XT1, Em1, GH4, but I still haven't gotten anything yet, I want a full frame for studio work, but I want great image quality for street photography and everything else, but I am not sure they can both be the same camera, but I do know in the near future, I will be ditching my 5Dlll and all my big and heavy gear, I enjoyed this video, and I have been saying that mirrorless is the future ever since I tried the first OMD when it first came out, and finally the rest of the camera world is starting to get it, and in one or two more generations of mirrorless cameras, there will be no more excuses left, except maybe battery life  

[MrFloopaJoopa]

Well timed police siren at the drop of, "Now, don't steal this bag." Love happy accidents like that.

[elr]

Wow mark you talk about security and you walking around with a $6500 camera you should've just got a Sony a7s and you'll be just fine. It's small it cost less and had outstanding image quality.

[eyewandersfoto]

My modest travel kit are a Ricoh GR and a Pentax film MX with 2 small primes... but all of that ASIDE.. If you're concerned about shedding weight, start with ditching the denim. :) Nothing eats up space and weight faster than a couple heavy, 2-days-to-dry, pairs of jeans. Leave them - leave them right on that roof where you are.

[JacobdelaRosa]

First thing I would do with a Leica before I went globe hopping is to cover that damn logo and make it look worthless.

[neilpiper]

We had a Leica M2 with an Elmar 2.8 lens when I was working as a wedding photographer in 1963.
No one liked it.
We all carried on using medium format.
Rolleiflex Rolleicord and Linhof 6x9.
The M2 was great to use for portraits.
But low synchronisation speed was a killer.
We could use the medium format cameras at any speed which made fill in work easy.

[geraldprost]

I know exactly what you mean about the size of a DSLR and how it impacts travel photography. I agree with you 100%. I did have a Fuji XPro 1 and I loved the quality of the pictures but I found it fussy and I missed a lot of shots. Now I use a GH3, okay, it's not a Leica but it does shoot wonderful video. Gerry in Calgary

[senior_ranger]

I'm making the same kind of switch. Selling my SUV and going with a 1954 Chrysler Imperial.

[italianreviewer]

What if you changed from zooms to prime lenses with the Canon? I'm sure your bag would be lighter and smaller.
Also, have you considered going with Fuji? Wouldn't it make the game?

[FranciscoAlvRai]

Super funny how you came to buenos aires to comapre the security of walking whith the cameras. Big shout out to the insecurity in my country! We love it!

[ThatGuyBW]

In addition to the comments about equivalent muggability aside, I still wonder if the trade off in flexibility (zoom range and autofocus performance) will be too great for this switch to persist? Your rationale seems best for travel street photography, but little else.

[schultzphotographic]

Rock on. LEICA is the bomb. For those who don't have spare kidneys to sell to afford it, FujiFilm is the way to go for the "rangefinder" experience.

[emilkjrbo]

The original Olympus XA is used here! And i loooove it!

[JKrantz]

I got my first Leica M4 in 1972, and it stills works perfectly. Granted Leica is expensive, but no other camera has the functional lifespan of a Leica. I've gone digital with the new Fuji X system. Fantastic glass and a very retro design. My whole Fuji system costs about the same as a Leica M10. My film system consists of two M6 bodies and 24-35-50-90mm glass. You really don't need much more than that. As for theft, I suppose I've been lucky. I've had equipment stolen a couple of times when I became careless about my surroundings, but no physical harm has come my way. My Leicas are meant to be used on a daily basis. These cameras won't be found on display anywhere anytime soon. Every decade they get a full CLA from the factory; then they're good as new. As a photographer, a Leica is an investment in the future As for photographers having to use backpacks to haul their equipment around...that justs scream expensive gear. I think a robber would notice that photographer long before he sees me with an M6 and my Domke F803 satchel. When it comes to traveling with gear, I'm reminded of a saying from the 70s and 80s: If the system doesn't fit in a Domke F2 bag; then you don't need it. All the greats have had the same goal...KEEP IT SIMPLE.