WHY LEICA? - My journey to embracing Leica CAMERAS and LENSES

In this video, I tell you about my three-decade-long transformation as a photographer. Exploring my early days with Nikon film cameras, the transition to digital, and the pivotal moments that led to embracing the Leica system. I explored various camera systems, from Nikon to Sony, and I tell you the turning point that ignited my love for Leica's distinct glass and color science. Experience my decision-making process, lens choices, and the profound impact of Leica's lenses.

Leicas in this video:

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Gear used to produce this video:

Visual Add-ons: Envato Elements

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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 FF Entertainment GmbH, Berlin, Germany

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#leica #leicasl2 #leicam #leicaq2 #leicaq #leicaq3 #nikon #nikonz7 #rangefinder

00:00 - Intro
00:30 - My first Camera: Nikon F70
02:43 - My Second Camera: Nikon F100
03:19 - My third Camera: Nikon D100
03:48 - My fourth Camera: Nikon D200
05:12 - My fifth Camera: Nikon D700
05:48 - My sixth and seventh Cameras: Nikon D3s and Nikon D4
06:35 - My Sony years: A7RII and A7RIII
06:55 - Back to Nikon: Z7
07:37 - My first Leica: Q2
09:42 - My first M: Leica M10-P
10:22 - My M10-R
11:00 - My Leica SL2
11:33 - And finally: My Leica M10 Monochrome
12:41 - Chanching my gear
13:47 - Why Leica?
16:20 - Please like and subscribe! Stay Curious!

[hiramabiff]

As a working photographer for 51 years I got my first Nikon in 1974 as a gift when I entered film school. It was a Nikon Ftn. I still have it. I was a Nikon shooter until I was on assignment in LA and had time to go out street shooting with a friend from NBC. It was 1998. He handed me an M6 and said, "Here shoot with this." I asked him why would I shoot with a doctor's jewelry? He laughed and told me just try it out. When I got back to Atlanta and developed and printed the Leica shots I was stunned. Shortly thereafter I was back in LA, went to Samy's Camera and bought a used Leicaflex and two lenses which was very affordable. I wanted to make sure there really was a difference. That did it. Afterwards I've had two "R" cameras, Leica M6TTL's, M8 and M9 and now I use a wonderful M-P Type 240 and a Lumix S1R with my R lenses.

[peterng]

Dear Florian, I love your story of the " Leicas " . Many many years ago ( when I was a kid ) I had an Agfa camera. Now that when I saw the Leica I bought the Q3 43 because of the Apo lens despite of the F2 lens.
I love the pictures that came out of the camera lens. 👍👏

[JayJayNay]

Wow, what a video. One needs to make serious money to go trough all this buying and selling and buying. I’m still watching videos about the M system. Shooting Q2 and Q2M in the meantime.

[drandrewtan]

I had the Ericsson GH337 too (in Australia) in 1996!

[NeilPowell-pj]

Amazing! Loved the story! Some similarity to my own. I’m back down the line from you currently owning the Nikon Z system but looking for my first Leica and leaning heavily towards the Q3. Really enjoyed your story, thank you for sharing

[jimtong]

Great video and thanks for sharing your Leica journey.

[pfarinella]

I agree with your sentiment. I recently had a Leica for a weekend, first time. End of the first day I hated that camera... all manual and so minimalistic... how stupid. The day after, I wemt for a photo walk with a friend and, by the end of the day, everything just fell into place and made sense. Can't describe it any other way but now I just love the system!

[walkingmanvideo]

Great video. I enjoyed listening to your transition to Leica. I am also new to Leica and have purchased the Q3 a month ago. It is now my personal camera and I use all my Sony and canon gear for work.

[TruongNguyen-jkub]

Very inspiring video! Thank you for sharing.

[BrandonTalbot]

It was great meeting you at NAB and talking Leica:)

[davidwasyng]

Great video!
Love your passion & at the same time honest opinion.

[richardsimms]

Absolutely great video. Thank you
RS. Canada

[TMORAN]

Thank you Florian for you honest and very interesting transformation to the Leica brand. I and am sure all your followers are looking foreward to your adventures with the SL-3. i own a Q2 and agree with you with the Leica look.

[dgaijin]

Thank you for sharing your Leica experience. It was very interesting.

[JoseTheRover]

Wow this is almost my same exact journey. I’m looking to get a Q2 Mono but I need to keep my A7SS3 for video.

[lukas_shotz]

Thank you for the cool Video i got my First Leica 2 weeks ago the M10 with the 35mm summicrom asph. I love it and will keep investing in the System altought i really can relate…. Its not the easiest Camera but i‘ll keep on working

[harmenvanwelbergen]

Thanks for your explanation. I am a long time nikon user and shoot with the nikon D850. It is an excellent camera but I am also exploring switching to Leica.

[blubberflutsch]

As I am using the Sony A1 in parallel with Leica M bodies and lenses, I am curious about the reasons, why you did'nt get warm with Sony?
Beeing able to use M lenses on the Sony body with Techart LM-EA9 autofocus adapter is a fantastic option and works surprisingly good with most M lenses.

[thinkpadx]

My journey in photography as an enthusiast is similar to yours. I started with the Nikon F80 and moved to D70, then the D700 with a couple of F2.8 lenses and i was happy with that for a good ten years and then as i got older i wanted a lighter set and quicker autofocus. I moved to the Sony systems with the A7IV and A7RV and have build out a considerable kit of lenses and my passion to click photos got reignited in many ways. I turned 50 in December and wanted to celebrate it and have been looking at the Leica as a way to mark the milestone. I am thinking about the M11P and still trying to figure out which should be my first lens.... should i go for a 28, 35 or 50 and a F2? Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated. I think i will keep my Sony kit as have some great Gmaster lenses there., but you never know maybe i may fall in love with leica and get rid of all them in the end. Thank you for your video Florian.

[photoipster]

The first part of this video made me remember all of my Nikon gear. But i loved your switch to leica, and the reasons why. I own a q2. I also own a complete cl system. But after years of hesitation, i just bought an M10P and a 50 lux, so i relate entirely. Am so pleased with the decision. The quality, size, ergo, human interface, etc., makes me just love everything M. I just found your website, and am watching thru the rest of your videos. Thanks for your experience!