Why Is Leica So Expensive?

DrPablo wrote in post #9812020
Heya airfrogusmc,

About 2 months ago in anticipation our second child being born (now 3 wks old) and realizing that while I'm still a film guy, I really couldn't take the 25 bajillion low yield snapshots I wanted to using a Hasselblad (and my 300D was just not turning me on anymore after 5 years). I hemmed and hawed between the 5DII and the 7D for a long time and decided the 7D was probably a better choice to get pics of our constantly-moving 2 year old.


Leica just has a following. They're like Rolex. The cameras themselves are a work of art. I got to use an M6 very very briefly last year. Man that thing is sexy. Though no camera feels better in the hands than the Hasselblad, that's not even close (though the 7D is pretty nice).

I had 3 500 C/Ms and I wish I would have kept one of them now, the 180mm CF and the 50mmC/F FLE. Noth'n like a Blad. Man I would like to get my hands on an SWC but have you seen the prices on those?

I shot with an M4 for a while many years ago and they sure are sweet. Congrats on the baby...

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9812061
Man I would like to get my hands on an SWC but have you seen the prices on those?

Yeah, me too, but my 50 f/4 distagon is wide enough.

When I want REALLY wide in medium format, I use my Noblex. 137 degree angle of view on 6x12 film. Awesome.

JEC wrote in post #9812054
Thanks for that tip about that Google thing. (Not sure if it'll ever catch on, but it sure was handy tonight)


Canon's the "end all" in photography?
Nah..not a chance, and my choice of motor vehicles doesn't make me a better driver either.

So, maybe we should change the subject rather than bicker.
How many Leica's do you have? Got any pics? What's your favorite lighting?
Why did we get a 20D, 30D, 40D, a 50D, then a 7 or a 5 and 1? Makes no sense to me.
Those silly camera makers...

No I don't own a Leica but I'm seriously thinking of getting an M9 this year.

Favorite lighting? Depends on subject and the statement I'm trying to make. I own 4 white lightning 1200s and 2 travelite 750s if your asking about lights.

Cameras theres a much different mentality to a those that choose a camera like Leica or still work with medium or large format. I have done a good deal of large format work (table top product) with Deardorffs and Horseman and I owned Hasselblads for years.

What should make sense is a camera is a light tight box that holds light sensitive material. There's a shutter to control the time the light is allowed to strike that material and a lens to focus an image on that material and an aperture to control the amount of light allowed to strike that material. All the FPS and auto modes are just bells and whistles and theres a very large number of photographers that prefer to have all that control themselves. Those would be the customers that Leica is geared for.

DrPablo wrote in post #9812081
Yeah, me too, but my 50 f/4 distagon is wide enough.

When I want REALLY wide in medium format, I use my Noblex. 137 degree angle of view on 6x12 film. Awesome.

Yes the Noblex is a very good choice. I have a very good friend that has a Hasselblad xpan and that is really sweet too.

5d II vs. Leica M8.2

JEC wrote in post #9810752
I find that a little hard to believe.
I'm not against Leica, and not "brand fanatic" by any means, but broad brush comments like that are funny sometimes.

Folks who are only familiar with run-of-the-mill Canon/Nikon/etc. lenses are funny.

Take a look at 35mm video lenses sometime-- they absolutely blow the best Canon lenses out of the water when it comes to resolution. Just 'cause it says "L" doesn't mean it's the best out there.

You think Canon and Leica are expensive? Try buying a set of Cooke primes.

DrPablo wrote in post #9812020
Heya airfrogusmc,

About 2 months ago in anticipation our second child being born (now 3 wks old) and realizing that while I'm still a film guy, I really couldn't take the 25 bajillion low yield snapshots I wanted to using a Hasselblad (and my 300D was just not turning me on anymore after 5 years). I hemmed and hawed between the 5DII and the 7D for a long time and decided the 7D was probably a better choice to get pics of our constantly-moving 2 year old.


Leica just has a following. They're like Rolex. The cameras themselves are a work of art. I got to use an M6 very very briefly last year. Man that thing is sexy. Though no camera feels better in the hands than the Hasselblad, that's not even close (though the 7D is pretty nice).

I agree. The only Leica I ever owned was a pristine M3, it was indeed a work of art. I've done dozens of jewelry catalogs shooting Rolex and other high end watches of that quality but in my opinion they weren't as impressive as that M3. Anyone who can appreciate precision tools has to be impressed with Leica. The only problem I had with shooting a Leica was an overwhelming urge to wear loud shirts and sandals. You might only get what I mean if you live in a tourist town.

Congratulations on the new baby.

Leica gear is too expensive, the prices are disproportionate to the quality.


I would still drop 20 grand on that sweet, sweet, glass, though.

Cooke lenses for large format view cameras are supposed to be phenomenal, though the kings of sharpness in that world are the Schneider digitars. The thing is, sharpness is not quite so craved in LF because the system resolution is already intrinsically so high. Character tends to be more desired in LF lenses.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9811815
Leicas are built for serious photographers

Uh oh....guess we better tell all the professional photographers out there that they're using the wrong camera. All that time I thought Canon was professional quality.

Mike you think a new photogrpaher thats never shot before could use cameras lke Leica rangefinder a 500C/M or an 8X10 Deardorff.? Put a 5D on P. These are not cameras for those that don't have some knowledge. Also right tool for the right job. Just saying professional photographer can mean a hundred different things. Some things are better served by large format, some are better served by medium format, some are better served by a range finder and some SLR.

because dentists can afford them?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #9813809
because dentists can afford them?

And many professional photographers that actually charge and get paid for their talent.

I think that a case could be made that Leica has a sort of cult following but unlike most cults they have a very strong foundation to stand on. It's not all in their heads. You really have to experience using a Leica to appreciate the fine fit and finish, the unbelievably smooth and precise controls and above all the results. I've owned Hasselblad, Sinar, Nikon, and now Canon, none were quite as impressive as the Leica for build quality. Hasselblad and Sinar are a close second but Leica is in a class of it's own.

The Leica brand is extremely reputable. People who can spend the money will want the best. I know several people who own the top of the line Leica's with all the lenses. Then, when they want something even better and newer, they can sell the Leica's for an excellent price. It's the name and the quality you are paying for. For the size, the Leica's are amazing. I am not tempted. Canon's are great for me.