My complete LEICA Kit EXPLAINED: What I Use and Why

Videos mentioned:
Leica Q-System:
Leica M-System:
Leica Vintage Lens:
Leica SL-System:
Videos on Leica Lenses:

An in-depth look at my Leica photography kit, featuring iconic gear like the Leica Q3, M10R, M10 Monochrom, and SL3. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a Leica enthusiast, or a beginner exploring Leica cameras and lenses, this video has everything you need to know about my go-to tools for street photography, portrait sessions, and product photography.
Discover why I use legendary Leica lenses like the 50mm Summilux, 75mm Apo Summicron, 35mm Summilux FLE, and 90mm Summicron and how they shape my creative workflow. I’ll share insights into my transition from a Nikon shooter to a passionate Leica user, my emotional connection with my gear, and how the rangefinder experience has transformed my photography by helping me slow down and focus on each shot.
This video isn’t sponsored—it’s my honest take on what makes Leica cameras and lenses so unique.

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Gear used to produce this video:

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Disclosures:
1. Some links in the description are affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
2. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
3. All products shown in this video are bought and not sponsored
4. All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged.

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You can find me here:

Video produced by Stay Curious Media GmbH, Berlin, Germany

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#leica #leicaq3 #leicaSL3 #leicam10 @LeicaCameraGlobal @LeicaCameraUSA @LeicaCameraDeutschland @leicacameraschweiz

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00:00 - My Leica Kit
01:11 - The Leica Q System
02:27 - The Leica M Cameras
09:56 - The Leica SL System
13:23 - What's next?

[jeffchastain]

I have some very nice Leica gear some of which I inherited from my Professional Photographer Dad, and some I have purchased myself during MY career as a Pro Photographer. Leica and Nikon were my gear brands and now it's just Leica(Not that there is anything wrong with Nikon, it's just too heavy for my arthritic back to haul around the woods. I no longer work in the studio, I am just a landscape hobbiest photographer). Im sick of having to defend myself for owning this equipment. It's beautiful, it's brilliantly designed, and it works reliably and wonderfully. Im sorry that some people on Social Media feel the need to insult my equipment purchasing choices, and more and more I realize that it has nothing to do with me or with the Leica equipment. It's pure jealousy that I had a Dad who appreciated Leica and their incredible build quality and total ease and joy of operation, and that I was successful enough in my career to afford Leica purchases of my own. So hate away on Leica and on Leica shooters. We will just shoot more pictures with our bullet proof, amazingly designed and hand built magical machines.

[garykuiken]

Many years ago I owned as a newspaper photographer a M2, a SL MOT (10 2A batteries), 90 mm f2 ( made in Canada), 400mm plus 35 mm. Financial reasons and career changes resulted in my selling it all for far to little. Fifty years later I have a M2 back and if I ever spot a SL MOT I'd. consider grabbing it as well. Just for old time reasons. Nostalgia I guess, but that f2 Canadian made 90mm was great.

[Tedwill-home]

Happy New Year! My journey started with the M10R. My first lens was also the 50 Summilux. Then I signed up for a photography workshop in Iceland. I was concerned about the weather so I bought an SL2 and the 24–90, 90–280 and 16–35 because they were weather sealed. Then I later bought a Q2 because it shares the battery with the SL2. Then I later evolved into the SL3 and the Q3 28 which I later traded for a Q3 43 which is my focal range of choice. But it’s interesting how our gear matches up. My M lenses are SE24, Summilux 35, APO 35, 50 Summilux and APO 90 Though I’m not a professional photographer I do a lot of landscape and street photography. I shoot nearly every day and enjoy learning new things.

[sgroadie]

I am a refugee from medium format to Leica. As mentioned in another comment, I just ordered the SL3-S, mainly for video. But have been using Hasselblad H for 25 years, and the Fuji GFX. I am also quite familiar with the Phase One systems, both the XF and XT, as well as with the Alpa. I have also used the Leica S2, S006, S007 and S3.

[madtom]

You should try the 21mm Super Apo Summicron SL, it's phenomenal! For portrait I can recommend the 75mm Apo Summicron SL. Happy New Year!

[jonwalker]

A very Happy New Year to you. Please know that I really enjoy and look forward to your presentations. Please keep up the good, honest, work

[janfogt]

Happy New Year! What a good video you made here – I totally share your Leica philosophy and enthusiasm in general. I'm also very much into the M10R. I have discovered that with a bit of practice I can actually do zone focus based street photography with the Summicron 90 mm ASHP with a relatively high success rate – you just have to practice starting from infinity and then 'get into your fingers' how much you need to turn the focus ring ... It actually works! Apart from that, I can only echo your US-friend regarding the S-system. The camera body is a bit bigger, but not bigger than it can also be used for street and landscape photography. I shoot a S Type 007 – and it is a FANTASTIC camera. The lenses are beyond description (probably the best lenses ever made by man). The 37 MP are perfect for most purposes – meaning that the raw pics are manageable in size. Last but not least the camera is now affordable (because of the coming of the S3) 🙂 Regards, Jan

[wstillerphotos]

I bought the q2 monochrome earlier in the year wondering what was so special about leica and loved it, I now own the Q3 43 as well……………….and I get it

[rudigerwolf]

Happy New Year. Really appreciate your channel. Thank-you for the explanations around using your gear.

[theonlyredspecial]

Brag away ! If you enjoy it. Buy it. People generally spend too long explaining or justifying why they have expensive equipment. Also. Love the 24-90 lens. One of my all time favourites. It’s like having some great primes at many focal lengths. Just heavy !

I’ve loads of Leica gear back to the m9. M240. M9 monochrom. Some old film cameras. Never sell any of it. Loving the sl2 still and the m11 black paint with the matching 50 noctilux . Haven’t got the sl3 yet.

[blackforestshooter]

Happy new year! Looks pretty similar to my system! But I own no Q. I love the M-system, but I also love the SL system. This offers a few very good non-Leica lenses: I love the Sigma Art 105mm f1.4 for moody portraits and the Panasonic 100mm f2.8 macro, which is a very interesting and lightweight walk around-lens. The 90-280 is on my bucket list.

[nathanmiller]

The review of the 90-280 was very helpful as not many reviews from regular users are available on YouTube. I have the SL 90 2.0 which I use with a CL body. Very fun. I also have a Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH. Very nice for product work as the min distance from the lens end is about an inch. Also the aperture will close to f32 ... so less need for focus stacking ... just open the shutter, get a cup of coffee and when you come back the very detailed macro shot will all be in focus.

[luisbperez]

I do not own a Leica, nor can I afford a new one. The closest thing to a Leica is my Aires IIIc, which I love, and I plan to get myself a Canon IVSB shortly. Your honest opinion is well received. Thank you for the video; you earned my sub. By the way, your night photos are breathtaking. I am an old man with an old equipment taste 😂 stay safe.

[FotoWerk]

Auch Dir ein Happy New Year und vielen Dank für die immer wieder interessanten Videos.

[Reportageandart]

Flo, I also had the 85 Art lens but sold it recently for the SL. While the sigma was pretty good, the SL APO lenses are really amazing.

[PBimagescom]

Happy New Year Florian. Thank you for this review and all you do for photography. I totally agree with the Q being the gateway drug, I too was Nikon only and so far I'm able to resist further Leica addiction GAS. But just sold my Z9 and a couple lenses to reduce my kit (and help pay for my Leica addiction) and carry the two Q3's as EDC. Maybe I should stop watching your video so I won't want an M. 🤣

[eltee]

Years and years ago I started saving for an M6. Then I realized that even if I got the M6 it'd be ages before I could use it - a 50mm costs as much as the body.
And it'd take a lifetime before I could afford a tele and a wide.
Re your point about the cost of film processing. I think even a simple M and lens cost more, a lot more thousands of film rolls.

[raucouscrow]

I have found your videos extremely helpful as I move from Canon to Olympus and now Leica. Could you please give me your views on the 24 - 70mm f2.8 vario lens, you mentioned it in the New Year video. This would be my first lens for the new SL 3 which I am purchasing and the focul length my preferred working range. The 24 - 90mm would be a bit to large/heavy for my freelance work. Many thanks.

[StephenPodrasky]

I use my S lenses on my SL3 and they are fantastic. When the S4 is released they are supposed to have an adaptor for the original S lenses to work as well. We will see. Nice video

[IamUke]

Haha my gateway drug to Leica was the Q2 monochrom. Now I own 6 Leicas and sold off my medium format gear.