The unboxing thing has been entirely caused by the modern wish to do away with too much packaging. Can’t have it both ways! I use the M11-P. No problem with focusing up to 50mm. I have the 75 Apo. Can’t focus that at f2 without the EVF etc unless the light is really good and the subject easy to focus. Even the 1.4 magnifier won’t help in poor light. In case it’s the lens, I’m sending it for a CLA to Leica later in the year.
@jimizell
7 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing!!
@MakePictures
6 ай бұрын
have you considered PRK treatment for your vision? it worked well for my wife- removed her astigmatism. imo, when the camera sensors reach medium format level it starts to get very difficult to tell the difference in iq. i think you made the right choice going with gfx- i think fujis are always overperforming in the respective markets. yea, there’s no way any camera is actually worth double digit thousands, leica included. and it certainly doesn’t improve images more than something like better lighting lol
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
I haven't gone to an optometrist for surgical solutions for years. The technology may have improved since my last visit but ironically I've got really big eyeballs which is responsible for my bad vision. The large size makes me high risk for retinal detachment. So like big eyeball but normal retinas so a lot of surface tension and distortion, which kind of made surgery less viable. When I use it I don't notice digital medium format but every time I stop I recognize the difference, the increase in harshness, decrease in tonality, and the more abrupt focus fall off. So I totally understand why people who haven't used medium format dismiss it but yeah...if IQ is the priority I think people who say the difference is 'marginal' are only trying to convince themselves. 💯 agree that lightning is the secret sauce. An old camera with top notch lighting trumps 'newer/better' camera. I fantasize about owning a 150cm parabolic but I shoot primarily outdoors so not exactly practical but seeing what people do with true parabolic kits makes me 🤤 Oh yeah let's throw in a few Profoto Pro-11s while I'm dreaming.
@MakePictures
6 ай бұрын
@@jimizell is gfx not a medium format? i guess it's not a "real" one? but i thought the pixel density is the same exact 100mp vs 150mp for their respective sensor size- is the image difference between gfx and phase/hassy that big?
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
@@MakePictures the GFX and Hasseblad X/V systems have a 0.79x crop compared to 35mm 'full frame'. Phase One have a 0.64 crop. It's 1.5x bigger than the GFX sensor, 2.5x bigger than full frame and the same size as 645 film format. Some medium format shooters seem to take umbrage in the GFX, X/V being called 'medium format' since it's on the small side for the format,
@drs-Rigo-Reus
6 ай бұрын
Leica; emperor’s clothes……
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
Love or hate them, there is no denying Leica is a successful and increasingly profitable company.
@user-vr3sq1kq6i
6 ай бұрын
just get the Pentax monochrome ...... its only 2k and eliminates all the issues you had ..... the image quality is amazing too
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
I've never been a fan of Pentax. They never really got a solid footing in the dslr days and post Ricoh merger, I don't trust their future. Like people who invested in the 645D/Z...that system is basically dead.
@BrunoChalifour
6 ай бұрын
??? You just needed to have your rangefinder (or your vision) adjusted.
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
My M11M didn't need calibration. And until buying new eyeballs are a thing, any close focusing gains I get through glasses come at the expense of mid/infinity distances.
@z4570
6 ай бұрын
I'm 68 years old and worked with a Leica M3 and M4-2 with the Summicron F2.0 and the Tele Elmarit F2.8. Any Leica user will tell you that if you used these lenses at full aperture, it was because you really needed to or and if you properly calibrated your rangefinder and used a tripod. The Visoflex was always a pain in the .....(fill in the blank). When people show me pictures with their high end Digital cameras taken with super fast lenses at full aperture, they are usually unsharp at the point of focus intended. When done properly(and this is rare), they are spectacular. All in all, making good photographs is more about the "thinking" behind the picture than the equipment. Btw, I now shoot digital for everything.
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
The entire 'it's not the gear it's the photographer' cliche in reality is always more nuanced. Good photographer trumps good gear. Good photographer + good gear trumps good photographer. Good photographer and terrible gear does not automatically trump mediocre photographer with great gear. Etc. To me it's always been a bit ironic Leica photographers like this particular bit of myth building when Leica is the MOST expensive and for the longest time had the reputation as having the BEST optics. 💯 agree with the difficulty in accurate focus at fast apertures. Modern AF systems are amazing and people just take for granted sharp focus. Even in the mid DSLR years getting accurate sharp focus was only reliable in the center of the AF patch with the cross type AF points.
@z4570
6 ай бұрын
I agree with you. The joy of using a Leica is "using the rangefinder".
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
I think every photographer owes it to themselves to use a rangefinder and a film medium format waist level viewfinder camera. Just such unique and rewarding experiences. I've always been curious about large format but...no one I know ever used it and the camera setup just looks beastly.
@marc6652
6 ай бұрын
I personally did the opposite journey. I bought a M6 at a time where Leica was known as the best lens manufacturer. To shrink the story a bit I sold it and bought different AF cameras. But at the end, pointing and shooting was boring. Few years ago I bought a M262, and recently I added a M10 monochrome. Currently 90% of my pictures are made with the M10M + Summilux 50. But the main difference between you and me is that I started photography in 1984, with film cameras. And a digital M is closed to this. So is the pleasure I have to shoot with. Not to mention the sweet melody of the M10's shutter 🙂
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
Yes, the M is probably the closest to analog a modern digital camera can be. Though, it's a shame the Sony A900 never got the love. It was basically a love letter to film SLR cameras. Giant viewfinder. Didn't have live view. And did I mention that viewfinder?
@MARKLINMAN1
6 ай бұрын
I Have to agree with you on where LEICA is going and their practices of WAIT time, i myself got TIRED of waiting for the Q3 and just decided to buy a FUJI XT-5 to go along with my XPRO-3, MIND you i still shoot with a LEICA M6, as for digital i will stick with FUJI and just forget the LECIA digital stuff ALL TOGETHER.
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
Everyone says the Q3 is a better Q2 and I've held a Q2 in hand and it is damn sexy....oh yeah takes phenomenal photos too, 😅 EVERYONE seems to love film Leicas. I don't think I've ever seen a "bad" thing said about one except maybe, "rangefinders aren't their thing." Fujifilm does seem to be "the new Leica" for photographers who grew up with digital cameras. I like how they seem to march to their own drum, not in a bad way.
@jeremykeller211
6 ай бұрын
Unfortunately, the majority of KZitem presentations regarding photography do not devote themselves to the difficult art of creating fine photos. They focus on buying and selling equipment instead. Pity...
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
To each their own. If someone's joy in photography comes from the gear and gadgets, I'm happy for them as much as the photographer who treks the mountain before dawn to get that one magical shot. To me that's the beauty of KZitem and the internet, everyone can enjoy.
@tomasis7
6 ай бұрын
Leica M films are much simpler.. I owned them when i began photography. I will always continue use Leica. You simply buy 2-3 used bodies. M9, M8, M10. It doesnt have to be something fancy. Even you add SL and use it as M-body. I still have Epson Rd1. M-lenses are what got me "stuck" forever. Nothing is better than it.
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
M film cameras are undefeated for what they do. The RD1 should have been more successful than it was. Sadly I think it was just lost in the analog to digital tsunami of year over year tech turnover. M lenses are fantastic and what really seem to make Leica fans Leica fans. But to play devil's advocate, I think in the modern era it's the mystique more than the performance. Computer design and automation really leveled the playing field. Leica's price/performance ratio has gotten really bad and no longer automatically have 'best in class.' Though I do love Leica's balance of modern and vintage trade offs. Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc have gone too far towards acing clinical test charts.
@tomasis7
6 ай бұрын
@@jimizell I disagree re lenses. I still use 70s lenses (from Mandler era). So today they are 50 years old. Still very good and have personality! Leica even reintroduced 35 Lux preasph, Summaron 28mm. Super Angulon 21/3.4 has a great personality. New APO lenses are boring and clinical. Im not even tempted towards it. New prices are insane. Also I disagree re the comparison of Japanese cameras. The problem is that we crave for new features, say improving AF, new custom button, new sensor. We forget about the true meaning of photography. To make a good picture. One doesnt have to buy newest M11 or 50mm APO or 0.95 Noctilux. One goes far with the fairly low budget of a good new Japanese camera. M9 and 3rd generation Summicron from year 1969. Like you said, nothing beats compactness and simplicity of Leica lenses. Zeiss ZM Sonnar and some Voigtlander Retro lenses are nice as well. I've tried various cameras and I feel i want a simple life, lol. Pressing button and thats all i need :)
@tomasis7
6 ай бұрын
to add further comment. Im glad I did do film bodies so I could keep simple way shooting digital bodies. If I started with digital, so i might lost myself in 200 pages manuals forever, lol. Re clinical charts, I agree. Once I tested leica lenses, I want more. I tested old lenses, Tessar from Rolleiflex Standard year 1919, 40mm Sonnar from Rolleiflex 35SE, Konica 90mm M-mount (Zeiss formula), Leica Elmar very old, Russian copies etc :)
@SavedbybGrace
6 ай бұрын
Shooting on an M11P with an 28mm Summilux... 75 APO Cron. Tack sharp, crazy dynamic range... seriously nice camera. Box is buried in the closet... with the other junk.
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
It's good you're satisfied.
@SavedbybGrace
6 ай бұрын
@@jimizell No doubt there would be advantages to shooting on something like a Sony... as an example. The Leica is more challenging that's a given. It's the process though, the experience. Shooting on the current iteration in a line of cameras that go back to the first 35mm camera. Takes me back to my early days shooting on the Blad. In all the cameras I've owned since only Leica has that feel... only better. In saying that I do miss inhaling fixer. In your case, I reckon years down the track you'll refer to the Monochrom as the camera you regrettably sold!!!
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
@@SavedbybGrace it's my ideal Leica but my eyes just aged out of rangefinders, even using magnifiers and diopters. A friend had a Hasselblad film camera. Not ideal for handheld shooting, which he loved and used the Blad for, but man...beautiful big viewfinder and the shutter thump and wind was just a lot of fun.
@SavedbybGrace
6 ай бұрын
@@jimizell Yea I used to shoot weddings on the Blad. I was so fast at changing backs... reloading, winding... middle of the church aisle I'd have it off and a new one loaded in seconds. Great fun. It was a blast. That mirror slap 🙂. And yea... hard to nail focus. The Leica is way easier than that!!! Pity about your eye sight. I'm 65 and seem to be doing OK in that regard. Still don't need glasses!!!
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
@@SavedbybGrace using a Blad for weddings is hardcore. I imagine the photos were epic. I used to focus f/1.4 with a good hit rate. Didn't even occur to me to check if my eyes could still use a rangefinder accurately. But even f2.8 at 75mm is hit or miss. Focusing is 'blurry vs less blurry' with my astigmatism now.
@jensruckert4763
6 ай бұрын
... the packaging is a problem, argument not to buy a camera? do I get that right??
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
Obviously it's more nuanced than that. If you watch video or the relevant comments, it's not the packaging that is the reason to buy or not buy a camera.
@jensruckert4763
6 ай бұрын
… , I watched the video and of course their are other reasons mentioned, but the package/box as well is one of those arguments, and I find that - sorry - quite funny… as if one could judge a book by its cover …
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
@@jensruckert4763 presentation is a huge part of the Leica brand. If you look at the turbulent film to digital transition era, Leica made a conscious choice to market itself as a boutique luxury brand and began to regularly increase prices in line with those markets. You literally pay 2-10x more than a similarly spec'd camera or superior spec'd camera/lens. It's funny that you say "if one judges a book by its cover" because if you didn't do that with Leica...then you would NEVER buy Leica since in every metric the price/performance/quality ratio is terrible. One shoots Leica for a multitude of reasons but presentation/build and after service used to be one of the superior experiences of owning Leica.
@jensruckert4763
6 ай бұрын
… one of the superior experiences with my many years of shooting Leica - film&digital- owning all from M2 to M6/ M8 to 240.. is their built quality, those lenses and their outcomes, the haptics, the easy use without many buttons, their reliability, they are just good looking, strong and capable working horses for me and many photographers I know of. None of them I know has ever bought them for their presentation, packaging or as a symbol of status. But if you think so, maybe their are some people out there. I’ve never thought about that. Also when I use other cameras, Nikon or Hasselblad the packaging was never I thing to think about, but the haptics, the lenses and the outcome in the end. Period;-)
@SavedbybGrace
6 ай бұрын
@@jensruckert4763 Same. Had em all, from Hasselblad, Leica R & M film, pro digital DSLR's from the start in 2020, right through to the M11P current. Look back at amazing images and a great income... boxes... not so much!
@natelidner
6 ай бұрын
You're right, for the young generation like mine, Fujifilm is our Leica, not only because it boost the photography experience, making it super fun, but the quality and more accesible price. I own a Sony and Fuji, i've tried plenty of cameras from all brands, from DSLR to Evil, compact, analog, etc. From my own experience, Sony and Fuji are the way to go if the other brands don't catch up! :)
@jimizell
6 ай бұрын
Sony has definitely become the brand of choice for the majority of new photographers who entered photography in the mirrorless era. And I agree that Fujifilm seems to have captured the 'retro' niche for the new(er) generations. But never count out Canon and Nikon. The former is still the behemoth of the industry and the latter always seems to hit a 'hot streak' when things get dire, 😎
@changez77654
7 ай бұрын
The ridiculous wait times are a sign in itself - shows that whatever Leica is doing is working. I cant see a time in the next 10 years where Leica doesnt sell out every camera they make, so maybe thats why they dont feel the need to do all the extras. It's a shame but it seems to be working for them...
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
It'll definitely be interesting to see if they are able to maintain their customer base as a lot of their customers begin to age out and stop buying new gear.
@changez77654
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizellIndeed! I reckon the X100V users of today will funnel into Leica users as they grow up and get more disposable income. I call the X100V the poor man's Leica and the Q3 the rich mans X100V.
@Deetroiter
6 ай бұрын
I’ve been using Leica m10, m240, and TL2…I went the other direction and pretty much exclusively use a Lumix GX85 at this point. Got tired of the long wait times for any servicing, being treated like I am the one who should be fortunate I’m a Leica customer and not the other way around, etc. The rangefinder experience is obviously the only game in town, but I don’t see it as a reason to treat customers as such. The service should match the price, no doubts about it. If someone took their Mercedes in for maintenance, Imagine them telling that customer it’ll be 3-4 months before getting their car back on minor service…I’m sure it would go over extremely well.
@manilamartin1001
7 ай бұрын
Sounds like a decent lens for the money at least. At this point, I have started to buy Tamron lenses, mostly for video on a Sony A74. I hope to get my hands on one of the AF TTArtisans soon.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Manual focus lenses hold the edge in 'character' design. Instead of trying to find a good working copy of a vintage design or buying black pro mist filters, that 'itch' can be scratched by a Laowa, TTArtisan, Light Lens Lab, etc.
@manilamartin1001
7 ай бұрын
I still shoot Panasonic for micro four thirds but have recently bought a Sony a74 and love the third party lenses available. It did creep me out when suddenly everyone was praising Panasonic when the s5ii came out. Apparently they all got free cameras and all the lenses Panasonic had to offer. At this rate I will probably build out my Sony because I also shoot Nikon but Nikon is far behind in video.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Yes. One KZitemr mentioned how he'd gotten all the prime lenses. It's a great camera. Great primes. But...did the exact opposite of what Panasonic PR hoped it would do for me. Nikon caught up with video with the Z9/Z8. And given how Nikon has traditionally worked, the next iteration of their other cameras will gain a lot of the same video specs.
@manilamartin1001
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell I disagree Nikon has caught Sony in any way., My z8 overheats here in the Philippine heat, especially in video. Nikon can't record video on 2 cards, Nikon doesn't also have something as nice as clear image zoom. Nikon. preamps are horrible for run and gun compared to Sony with Sony mics. I still love the look of Nikon photos best but their video needs a couple of more generations.
@ralph4840
7 ай бұрын
You are so correct. Years ago when visiting Germany on business I could drive up to Wetzlar/Solms for a brief visit at the Leica factory for a chat, and my film M6 and the digital M8 was quickly checked and adjusted while waiting. Nowadays you have somebody at Leica telling you that you should send the camera(s) in to Leica USA, they would ship them to Germany, also to "comply with customs regulations". Time estimate: 3-6 months. Leica now reminds me of Germany as a whole: Overly complicated, bureaucratic, customer-unfriendly.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
It's a shame because I feel the passion and enthusiasm still beats within the company but the artisans, photographers and engineers are handcuffed to the whims of the MBA/marketing execs. I wish it were more like Dyson, which seem like an engineer's playground. Can we make a fan-less fan - let's find out. How about lasers and over engineering a vacuum cleaner, great! I'm not the biggest Dyson fan but all their products scream 'nerd engineer approved.' It's kind of how I felt about Leica in the past when it came to their products and company.
@ansgarbook712
6 ай бұрын
If you visit Wetzlar you can bring your M cameras and they will be serviced instantly and free. My M8 just needed a Pixel repair of the sensor.......it used 2 month yes but it was 160€
@flickmerauld9858
7 ай бұрын
Regarding the packaging - maybe Leica are doing the right thing for the planet with downgrading their packaging. We are probably at tipping point now, globally, and I personally (much as I love packaging, and i really do!) would rather have less of a luxury ethos and more of an ecological one -
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
That's a commendable attitude on your end, but weak justification on Leica's end. Leica charges more each year but you get less. It's like the companies who cite "inflation" for price increases but somehow keep recording record profits year over year while the product at best remains the same but more likely is worse for consumer value be it quality, size, etc.
@kqschwarz
7 ай бұрын
I was a long time Leica M6 and M7 user. I have never used a digital M, but the keeper rate for critical focus on an eyeball when shooting at wide aperture was not great even with film. The keeper rate for critical focus on small objects, like an eyeball, has to be even lower with the higher resolution and higher acutance of digital photography. I don’t see how it is possible to have a high keeper rate using rangefinder optical focusing when the target is so small in the viewfinder and the aperture is wide. Modern autofocus cameras can manage critical focus of wide-aperture portrait shoots with eye-auto detect, but manual focusing in these situations require a magnified digital view (rear LCD or Visioflex).
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
All true but when my eyesight was better had a much better keeper rate. These days it's not even fine details like eyes I miss focus on with a rangefinder but heads, objects, etc even with diopters and magnifiers. It's why I finally let go of the rangefinder experience.
@umaraslam7731
7 ай бұрын
Great video! As a lumix user I see where you are coming from. But I think it already happened. They have more or less let m43/compact bodies to die. I got a lumix g7 because it was a compact body with great video and photography features. But when I was starting to look for an upgrade with new tech. There wasn't an upgrade path for me to go with. Their new m43 body the g9ii is nearly the same size as the s5ii which is already pretty big for mirrorless ff. Plus, their other m43 bodies more compact offerings are from 2016 and a 2020 vloging camera. They don't have a compact ff either. I believe Panasonic is doing a lot of good and I hope they push the industry forward. But I feel forgotten by them just because I want a compact body. Ironically the company with a compact body that seems like a great replacement for me is the a7c ii.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
To be fair to Panasonic, m43 ended up being an evolutionary dead end in its current incarnation. The small size advantage of 4/3 and m43 never offset the cost/performance vs APSC/FF. And now APSC/FF have small body/lens combinations. I mean they've outlasted Olympus, the creator of the format. The only success of m43 ended up being the GH line where it has held a competitive feature/spec advantage until only the latest generation competition. I still think there's life in m43 but only if it embraces computational photography fully but then again...maybe you don't even need m43 size sensor and a 1" is big enough if you go that route.
@umaraslam7731
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell that's is very true! The reason I started to look for a replacement for my G7 was because android phones with the Samsung gn1 in 2021. The gn1 was on par or in some cases beating m43 and it was a 1/1.35 sensor! At this rate our phones will have a m43 sensor in them lol. I was hoping that Panasonic would at least make a compact ff. But they seemed to go in the opposite direction. So my only options left are Fujifilm or Sony.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@umaraslam7731 My 2c is Fujifilm, if you lean more heavily towards photography. Sony, if you lean more towards video. Ironically, the hybrid winner to me is the Panasonic S5II. The photos are great. The video is great. The only compromise is slow motion.
@umaraslam7731
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell I'm also interested in the Fujifilm cameras but they seem to be out stock in my area all the time and one im really interested in is the xe4 which is discounted now and cost more used than new 😭.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@umaraslam7731 Yes. Fujifilm does seem to have a lot of supply issues these days with some of their cameras. Have you looked at the X-S10/S20? Many people consider that body to be the best value in the Fujifilm lineup.
@pdiseris
7 ай бұрын
I'm using a Sigma fpL with manual lenses and the EVF-11. 60mp, multple colour modes, 1/4 of the price of the Leica. Digital negatives almost as good as my Phase One IQ160. I'm very happy for the amount I spent. 1,300 euros used for the body. Raw cinema too if you you're inclined to shoot it.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Sigma is definitely a slept on camera, but the lack of a physical shutter and slow readout really make it more of a cinema camera than a hybrid.
@JJ-gm4ck
7 ай бұрын
what you shoot now?
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
GFX 100 II.
@MakePictures
7 ай бұрын
haha Panasonic's not, 'not evil' persay. I think they have two faces- there are definitely camera enthusiasts working there developing the products, and then there are suits in sales and marketing do what they do. you made an excellent comparison with Apple- exactly the same. you can trust these products to be solid and great quality and innovative, and then at the same time their marketing and sales are extremely cunning and cutthroat. Apple's always been fronting as some kind of moral and philanthropic beacon- and they've never been that in reality. the best sales people are sociopaths, and so every major company has a lot of those in the business departments. sony, canon, panasonic they're all "evil" but they all also provide the best product they can to customers
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Well...I said the 'Not Evil Sony' but maybe I should have said, 'the Less Evil Sony," 😆
@rodnyg7952
7 ай бұрын
good, you're learning that it's more important to focus on what you need in order to create the art you want. This is the view of an actual artist, and not just someone who thinks a particular camera will make them better. In the end, a real artist can manage to create high art with whatever tools they have. Expensive cameras don't make anyone an artist
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
I bought the Leica not because it was expensive but because it was a full frame rangefinder. The Leica M was always my dream 'retirement' camera but in an ironic twist my aging eyes made it so it's greatest feature, rangefinder focusing, was something I could no longer use accurately and reliably.
@rodnyg7952
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell well, there aren't many alternatives outside of Leica for full frame digital rangefinder. Perhaps Epson R-D1. Yes, the human body ages with time, and we gradually realize our limitations. However, we accept it all, and our dreams adapt. Hopefully our art does as well
@MakePictures
7 ай бұрын
are you absolutely looking for an optical rangefinder experience? if you still have an M lens, maybe give Pixii a try...
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Actually, I looked at Pixii before I bought a M11M, 😁. Crop sensor and uncertain future support (it's a startup) made it unappealing. And I sadly found I've now aged out of rangefinder focusing. Loved my M11M. I just could no longer focus accurately at shallower DoF due to worsening astigmatism even with diopters and magnifiers.
@RonK
7 ай бұрын
Not sure I understand - it's a M11 issue, meaning for example a M10-R would still work with your eyes? Why not and try that? And: that's an awesome shot at 1:14 (Asian woman wearing a dark coat), absolutely love it, and yes, she's a gorgeous model
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
M11 was fine. My eyes, namely worsening astigmatism, has made rangefinder focusing unreliable for me at narrow DoF.
@D.Trider
7 ай бұрын
I use the m Bodies for my lifestyle and documentary style work. You should try the sl2, sl2-s or the Nikon ZF (as I mentioned previously). All fantastic bodies for manual focus, the ZF being the best.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
No interest in Leica's other systems. They just can't justify their price compared to the competition. The M had the novelty of full frame rangefinder. I like the Zf but the Leica M is the only retro digital camera I hold any nostalgia for. Every other brand be it Nikon, Fujifilm, etc I don't find the retro styling overcomes operational quirks in the name of 'said styling'. I'd just rather have the 'ergonomic functional soulless black box' that make up workhorse digital cameras these days.
@D.Trider
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell I don’t think I that exists. Camera manufacturers aside from Leica have to design cameras/ functionality based on their demographic. Sometimes adding functions that are not suitable or needed for all use cases. You have to be realistic on what is currently available. Maybe go back to a dslr. I shoot with both Nikon and Leica. M and SL2, ZF and FM3a for my 35mm needs. The SL2 is definitely worth the cost on the used market and 100% justified. However I purchased the ZF for its af and manual focus assist tools when adapting glass. Sometimes an evf is nice. There are 100’s of different digital bodies in the marketplace, there is definitely something suitable. Unfortunately comprise needs to be factored in your decision. like camera bags, there is not one perfect camera. People think they need 100mp but never print. They think they need fast af but shoot landscapes. You need to decide what your use case is, and plan accordingly.
@D.Trider
7 ай бұрын
Meet the Nikon ZF.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
It's a great addition to the Z lineup. Though Nikon has been erratic at best when it comes to its commitment to retro/nostalgic design in bodies/lenses over the years. They have such a rich history of beloved film cameras and lenses that it's always surprised me by the company's lack of interest in the niche. Fujifilm took that concept and ran with it ever since the XPro1.
@D.Trider
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell well first you must try the ZF. It’s an incredible camera. I wouldn’t say erratic however. I’d say it has a ton of features for those people that value manual lenses and the manual experience.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@D.Trider I don't think you read my reply correctly. I said Nikon's commitment to its retro/nostalgic designs in cameras/lenses was erratic, not that the Zf was erratic. The Zf is a fine choice for using manual focus lenses and a nostalgic nod to classic film cameras.
@neilcuneo2803
7 ай бұрын
Respectful & eloquently put. I think Leica are dropping the ball, their treatment of people who bought the S3 & now don’t support it, $30k only a few years ago was an insight into where their branding is today. Fuji film & Sony with their advancements in autofocus & colour will swallow the Leica market. Price point versus quality is being eroded.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
I would have given a kidney when the S line dropped back in the day. Medium format in a DSLR body and Leica optics, 🤤 They did that group of customers dirty in support from what I saw from afar. I see nothing wrong with boutique luxury pricing but...the after service care has to match. I remember when Olympus was getting serious with M43 and the OM-D E-M5 dropped. I invested pretty heavy. For New Years, Olympus Korea sent me a bottle of wine and a OM-D E-M5 miniature. When I spent 15K+ on the M11M, Leica gave me a free LCD protector...
@Narsuitus
7 ай бұрын
I had my dream film Leica, an M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses. I bought my dream digital Leica, an M10, but was very disappointed with it because it was so defective that Leica gave me a full refund for it.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
That's a nice set of focal lengths on the film Leica. The M9 was my dream digital Leica but didn't have the funds when it was the new hotness. Given the sensor issues...maybe it was fortunate that I did not pre-order that one. The M11M was rock solid for me.
@jimjimgl3
7 ай бұрын
I have a few fast lenses and find, like you, the focus issue is real. Has more to do with how shallow the focus range is when open than it being off focus. I really liked that portrait you did with the Voiglander.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
The 75mm Voigtländer Nokton is a good portrait lens. I just found 75mm too close to 50mm for my taste. And I like the 50mm f/1 Voigtländer Nokton more, 😁
@jimjimgl3
7 ай бұрын
My gear when I began as a full-time commercial photographer back in 2000 was RZ67 and Pentax 67 which, of course, are all manual focus. Now mostly Canon R5 (which I own with several lenses--mostly Zeiss and I use the adaptor and also the Fujifilm GFX100s which I shoot when I'm hired to go to a studio an advertising agency owns). The ease of focus with the Canon R5 and GFX is amazing. I have a few Hasselblad lenses (and an old P45+ back) so I am considering the X2D, but the GFX has video which makes it a bit more sensible if I have to shoot small motion segments on a job that is mostly stills. I've never shot with a Leica but I bet it must be a sweet experience....but that price tag at $9200 USD seems over the top... Enjoyed your presentation and reasoning.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
I got the R5 when it was first released and it was a bit of a lemon. Overheat gate was a real thing for me...even shooting photos. I think it's the first digital Canon that Canon transformed over its lifespan to actually live up to the initial hype. With old gear and legacy brands, nostalgia plays a huge factor. And as photographers, if it makes us happy, than it's not wrong persay. Though I do think it's easy to get blinded by our bias. As a working photographer I think have to be far more practical than enthusiasts. It's not about what makes you feel good but what pays the bills, 😅
@oldgittarist
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for your thoughtful video, you raise some very pertinent points for the brand. I can also relate to the effect of deteriorating eyesight on the shooting experience! There is nothing like an M series for film but I'm with Fuji for digital ...
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
I too still think M series for film is an amazing experience. In digital, like I mentioned in the video, I think Leica is either at an evolutionary dead end now with the M or it becomes a REALLY expensive homage to itself, that you can argue Fujifilm already does better. And for it's other lines like the Q and SL, I just think the competition does it as well or better for far cheaper. Hard to justify the huge price increase for just color science, UI, and build quality in the digital age.
@sdhute
7 ай бұрын
Great video explaining your journey. Myself looking at a new Leica MA film camera for its price and only a 1 year warranty. The MP only gives a two year warranty. Possibly because of the built in light meter.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Nice. A friend's M6 is what introduced me to Leica M years ago. Loved the way the film M felt in hand and the whisper of the shutter.
@devlincook5741
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for the honesty! I hope you’ll update us on where you go next. I’ve been shooting slr’s for years and just got an M10-p. Loving the experience so far!
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
The rangefinder experience is rich and rewarding. I know I'll miss it.
@rf8221
7 ай бұрын
I saw an unboxing of an M11 when it was first released and was slightly shocked at how unimpressive it was. I own an M9 and just recently sold my M10. Both M9 and M10 packaging felt really special. I also own Hasselblad X1DII and X2D, the packaging is very minimalist, eco friendly (no foam) and yet feels very high end. Matte black sturdy boxes with no space wasted. I think Leica might have rushed this release of M11's and it's showing, the software freezes at certain times and I think it's funny when some people say "it's fine you just pop out the battery". I thought long and hard between an M11 or a Hasselblad X2D and I am so happy with the X2D, it has exceeded all of my expectations. Also I will say that I still enjoy using my M9 as it feels very good in my hands and love the shooting experience.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Hasseblad X cameras are lovely. They are the 'Apple' of camera design (as a compliment). I really wanted to get one, when I bought my GFX 100S and again recently when I got the 100 II. But the lack of a mechanical shutter (for adapted lenses) and the high prices of their lenses have kept me as an admirer from afar.
@rf8221
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell I get it, my work around has been to use 14-bit color for a faster readout when using adapted lenses. And I've adapted my series of HC-Lenses using an XC 0,8 adapter which is essentially a "speed booster" with great results. The fun part has been adapting ultra wide 35mm lenses and using the X-Pan mode for pano's. The killer feature for me is being able to shoot ISO 64 handheld in very dim light, I haven't touched my tripod in months.
@xiiiconcepts
7 ай бұрын
When I take photos with my M11 mono and 50 summilux asph, not once do I ever think about the boxes they came in or refreshments served. As an artist I’m reminded that these are merely tools and the boundaries of its limitations are result of the boundaries of my creativity.
@rf8221
7 ай бұрын
@@xiiiconcepts I'm not going to disagree with you but if were buying these tools because of how we feel and the shooting experience, I like the idea that they thought of every detail not only about the design and engineering but presentation as well.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@xiiiconcepts that's valid but it's equally valid to see cheaper equally capable brands who treat their customers better or even compare the company to its former self and find it lacking. Leica is judged by its presentation because Leica, itself, markets itself through presentation. Why is it you get the illusion of boutique luxury brand service at any Leica store when you buy a Leica, but after purchasing said equipment at luxury good prices, the boutique presentation and after service seem to evaporate.
@Tekrel
7 ай бұрын
I use an f2 lens with no problems . That is the limit though i recently tried a 1.2 lens HA back to the drawing board there.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
For me f/2 was the default aperture for most of my work on M bodies. For shallower DoF it was Live View, rocking slightly back and forth and taking multiple shots in the M8 days, and praying for the best when I shot film.
@drwatsonismine
7 ай бұрын
So what will you be using instead? I am in the same position…
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
The Leica M was my nostalgic haptic camera. Since it didn't work out, I went to the opposite end of the spectrum, and returned to a workhorse IQ camera, Fujifilm GFX. Nothing compares to Leica haptics and UI except maybe Hasselblad's X and V systems. But if you like using M mount glass, the Nikon Zf seems excellent. The fact that they utilize an innovative manual focus system that utilizes eye AF is great for portraits. Sony cameras also seems popular with M mount glass. Finally, the obvious next in line would be a Leica SL camera. It's bigger and heavier but it retains the Leica UI. Still has Leica haptics. M glass is easily usable.
@drwatsonismine
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell Thanks. Next question, which Fujifilm GFX did you select? Thanks, I am really appreciating your videos.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@drwatsonismine Thank you for the kind words. I’ve actually owned every GFX camera except the 100. The reason to ‘buy in’ the system is the IQ. It’s a noticeable IQ dip when returning to full frame. It’s akin to using a 120Hz display for awhile and then trying to go back to 60Hz. Nothing wrong with 60Hz in isolation but noticeable once you become accosted to the latter. The 50S sold because once the novelty wore off the lens support wasn’t what I needed at the time. The 50R sold because of lack of video that I wanted at the time. The 100S I sold because I thought I wanted “fps” and “responsiveness”. Presently, I bought the GFX 100 II. Main reasons over the 100S was the EVF. I still enjoy manual focus lenses and I wanted the best I could get. Haptics, video, fps or responsiveness were not huge motivators for me this go around. Considered a mint condition GFX 100 but the added bulk and lesser EVF for not really much cheaper around here didn’t even make it much of a consideration. A bonus is I kill my lust for a XPan. 65:24 crop still plenty of megapixels and removing the EVF makes the GFX 100 II surprisingly storable since it’s just a chunky rectangle.
@drwatsonismine
7 ай бұрын
@@jimizell Thanks so much! Ive been looking at the same situation with Hasselblad between older and new models. Expensive. Also considering Fuji, so your explanations are invaluable. I appreciate your time.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@drwatsonismine it's a big investment for sure. They are Leica-esque in that the build quality is exceptional, the UI minimalistic but effective, and their pricing HIGH except the second hand market is not nearly as good to justify the retail price. As an analogy, Fujifilm is Panasonic and Hasseblad is Leica.
@bernardlesperance742
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing. You did not specify why you can no longer get proper focus reasonably reliably with your M11 when shooting wide open or nearly so. Did you consider the reason may well be because of the M11's very high mp count - 60mp I believe. The higher the mp count, the more difficult it becomes to achieve critical focus at any given aperture, and the wider open, the more so. Try shooting with a 24mp Leica (most M10 and M typ models), which you probably have in the past and presumably had no focusing issues. I've experienced the same thing and that is what the problem was - too high an mp count (i.e. higher than 24mp). Also, I find that when you do get focus right with a high mp camera, the photos are just too sharp for my taste. For me, 24pm is the sweet spot in terms of sharpness and critical focus reliability. Try it.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
I did say I could no longer achieve reliable focus faster than f/2.8 because of my worsening eyesight and growing astigmatism, which was terrible when I was much younger. I'm not new to Leica Ms and had no issue hitting focus in the past with Summilux and Noctilux lenses. I did try out a M8 again and my keeper rate was still not great. It's not the MP, it's my eyes. I like shooting f/2 and faster, which again some may say the M system doesn't excel at, but I used to be able to shoot confidently at. My eyes just 'aged me out of' the M system.
@franklee9213
7 ай бұрын
You just need a diopter
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
@@franklee9213 i already mention in the video that I used both diopters and magnifiers.
@bolajipopoola
7 ай бұрын
I couldn't have put this better. Between August 2023 and just two weeks ago, I have bought and tried both M11 and M11P. Not to add the 35 APO-M and 50 APO-M and some other lenses. I so much wanted to love the cameras but I was just not happy with my keeper rate plus how slow I have to be and eventually decided the M system is just not for me. I however got the Q3, trying to convince myself that it is better than Fujifilm XT-5 and an18mm 0r 23mm lens. We shall see about that. Thank you very much.
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
It's also hard to swallow the price for Leica APO when Voigtländer APO are pretty much the same performance for a fraction of the cost... The Q3 looks superb but it's competing more with the X100 series than X series. The SL line is Leica's competition with ILC cameras. But...for me I just couldn't justify the price increase to myself for what amounts to aesthetics and build quality compared to rival systems.
@RodMacQuarrie
6 ай бұрын
"Not to add the 35 APO-M and 50 APO-M and some other lenses" Why would you NOT add these lenses?
@bolajipopoola
6 ай бұрын
@@RodMacQuarrie What I was trying to say is that, not to include the price of both APO Lenses that I bought. My point is that I went all in hoping to like the eco-system but I guess my eyes did not get used to the rangefinder system because I am still getting pictures that are not sharp.
@RodMacQuarrie
6 ай бұрын
@@bolajipopoola I have heard that sometimes the rangefinder calibration is off from the factory. My M11m seemed off to me. I found that the Visoflex 2 helped alot in this regard. Between the rangefinder, and the Visoflex, I was able to get much sharper photos. The screw on the front (red dot on M11) is what you remove to change the alignment, but probably should be done by Leica.
@bolajipopoola
6 ай бұрын
@@RodMacQuarrie Thank you for this info. Wish I had known before I returned it.
@pinkeye00
7 ай бұрын
well, dental floss view finders are optional
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
😶...?
@asteele911
7 ай бұрын
Totally agree on the packaging. The m10 boxhad drawers and opening it felt like something special. M11 was such a let down compared
@jimizell
7 ай бұрын
Sadly, it seems to be the trend across all camera brands. Even the GFX 100 II unboxing is utilitarian, almost identical to unboxing a Panasonic S5II in layout.
@TheVFXbyArt
6 ай бұрын
I say the new my packaging is the best: simple, straight forward, no goofy drawers, just a presentation box. Something is going on overall… the fuji xt2 came in a kewl black box, the xt3 later came with a white box, the xt3ww came with no charger. Canons always came well pack in cardboard in a pragmatic way. But the 2018 canon R came in like a fruit packaging molded plastic thing that let it all slide around the the box! Someone must have gotten fired because later canons returned to molded cardboard. I prefer the way the new m11 come packaged…. Very German… either keep that or go jewel box. Most Lenses come in a fetish indistinguishable leather case…. Love those! But those cardboard box shelves? Glad they are gone. Boys, these are cameras, not purses! 😂
@TheVFXbyArt
6 ай бұрын
Apple packaging is nutz… I get all of my macs refurbished… very utilitarian packaging. Everything else, seriously boys, grow up…😂
@TheVFXbyArt
6 ай бұрын
Have you tried an SL2 - S? With todays lenses and sensors, you are gonna need an evf. Look at old Leica film photography…. Sharpness was so relative,. Digitally, I think we jump the shark past 25 mp for a hand held 35mm camera. When canon released a 50 mp 35mm dslr, you couldn’t shoot without a tripod or risk a soft image. Even fuji, I prefer the last generation’s 26mp sensor. Sure the new cameras have ibis, but 40 mp. Is a bit much for me… good for commercial work, but for street…. Again, look at old Leica street photography, 25mp ran circles around it…now 60mp?!?!
@TheVFXbyArt
6 ай бұрын
Curious if any princesses returned the m11 because of the packaging! 😂
@Chris707ac
8 ай бұрын
I think they are trying, but I agree, I am part of their Lumix creators group they formed about a year ago, I have noticed most people are influencers,but as someone that doesn’t really have a youtube influence I think people that are in the group are passionate about Lumix and we are trying to stir them in the right direction
@jimizell
8 ай бұрын
Influencer reviewers are just a part of doing good business, but something about this influx of 'sponsored by Panasonic' by largely non-Lumix creators cheerleading Lumix make Lumix feel less trustworthy.
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