Made in Germany | Leica -- Focussing on profit

[AshimSingh1]

We should all learn to appreciate true craftsmanship and believe in quality. Leicas are the best. Period!!

[mymovienerd]

In America, Made In Germany has always meant great quality Even When great things were still being made in America. Shamefully now, this is a rarity.

[helthuismartin]

Thats because the Leica lenses are not coller neutral.,they never were.,they never did get the coatings the right way.,the Leica pictures has always lookt as if a Skylight 1a filter has been used,,it gives a warm dynamic sharp look.,Ideal for portraits.

[farabirview]

Go Kauffman, a real camera should only use film. That's what photography is. Everything from 8x10 through Medium format to 35mm has always been about film. Digital should just go away, and we should have improved technology in scanning and processing and should have made em cheaper. Digital with its outrageously artificial colours are disgusting to behold.

[helthuismartin]

@farabirview Its 10 years too late for that.

[CitiesAndColours]

I WILL own a leica before i die!

How much can you get for a kidney?

[aarondkeogh]

so much for quiet shutter, did you hear that @ 2:34! I've heard quieter farts!

[albedoshader]

@aarondkeogh: The question is, was the noise from a leica? And Jim Rakete talked about the analog cameras, not the digital ones. Do digital Leicas play a shutter sound like most other digital cameras on the market? Then the shutter still could be smooth like a baby’s ass while playing a loud fanfare. :)

[zippy045805]

@albedoshader Leica M cameras have shutters - therefore they make a shutter sound. It's not a recording.

[albedoshader]

@zippy045805: Thanks for the info.

[starDEVIL666]

They are actually made in Portugal :)

[LOCOMOTIONNUMBER1]

I've got a 1959 Leica M2. Best camera ever made. Made in Germany, quality product, from a proud English owner.

[SuperHolybasil]

God bless Kaufmann, he kept Leica alive. And this year they made a huge profit compared to previous years.

[willnannan]

holy shit 0:58 that wud cost as much as a house

[Reufsteck]

The X1 is sooo slow...

[logelamutp]

@Reufsteck

So what is the best leica brand??? for compact camera... i want to buy it

[RyanTheTuber]

So many Leica fanboys. Homaygad.

[townes66]

i sold my left nut for one of these then i had to sell my right one to afford a lens.

[patrujo]

you guys have heard this , but a camera is just a light tight box. a $5000 light tight box. their lenses separates them from canon in the final print.

[aarondkeogh]

Thats a lot of Leica on the table

[Ishcoa]

The X1 is great, it combines the affordable price of a compact with the Leica quality, made in Germany, and no pesky Panasonic!

[s2dioart]

good i like it leica

[profssrfunk]

i just want to hold one, maybe take one picture. is that too much to ask??

[Bader88]

After Owning the Leica X1 i sold all my Nikon D700 Setup and got me a Leica M with a lens

[backindauk]

Just ordered a .85 MP, black lacquer. Today is a happy day :)

[WiLmAn07]

@backindauk hahaha its not happy for your bank

[Rec0iled]

If only i could get one of thoes :(

[macwalen]

And has he taken pictures with other cameras like Cannon or Nikon? Those guys are good and you might say the same thing about them.

[marada31]

I have seen great results with my Leica, there is something about the shade and colors that can't be beat. I am happy to see they are pursuing digital and going for a variety of economic markets.

[flappospammo]

i just bought a d lux 4 , yup , i know it's a panasonic in all but name

but leica just have this magical quality , a bit like bang & olufsen

it hits you on an emotional level i guess

[BigRooster747]

hahaha, hes wearing the oskar barnack coat.....

[roger767]

If you like leica but cant afford one, check out the voigtlander R3A and R4a. They''re great camera's but way cheaper than a Leica film camera.

[BoredOfScience]

I think the partnership with Panasonic has done wonders for both companies. By comparing notes, both Leica and Panasonic are going to come out ahead, Leica with improved digital support, Panasonic with better optics.

Essentially I have two recent Panasonic Cameras, a point and shoot rebadged as a Leica (seen in this film) and a newer micro four-thirds camera. Both are fantastic, and both exceed expectations I had of Panasonic.

Exciting times for Leica fans!

[number1Schumacherfan]

@BoredOfScience Agreed. Though it should be noted that Panasonic collaborates with Leica only on point and shoots which use Leica lenses. Panasonic does not contribute anything to the M series or the new SLR.

[sharpanator]

but i think the X1 is also made at the place we saw in the video, i think its not made by Panasonic, only the cheaper Leica Models are made from panasonic

[Lainer1]

Actually, the more I research Leica, the more I'm impressed with the quality. The M9 is a wonderful camera. The 50mm Summilux 1.4 ASPH lens is a dream. It's definitely a niche market though.

[GraceOfFaith]

Statt sich auf den Lorbeeren ruhmreicher Tage auszuruhen und sich auf die noch guten Namen zu verlassen, sollte endlich mehr in Forschung, Entwicklung und Bildung inverstiert werden. Denn so viele Firmen "Made in Germany" gibt es nicht mehr(Grundig, Telefunken, usw.) weil sie wichtige Entwicklungen verschlafen haben und pleite gegangen sind. In vielen Bereichen wie bei den Computern oder der Unterhaltungselektronik spielt "Made in Germany" keine große Rolle mehr- auch technologisch nicht.

[sharpanator]

oder ich erinnere an SIemens Handys, die leider total hausbacken alles verschlafen haben und immer die hässlichsten Displays hatten am Markt :) Schad drumm

[GraceOfFaith]

Leica is overpriced and overrated like so many german products. Technically you cant compare Leica with the high tech japanese cameras.

[evanlane]

@GraceOfFaith you probably have never owned one. High tech isn't the point.

[sharpanator]

yeah cause the image quality of Leica lenses is much much better in combination with the Leica M9 full frame sensor from Kodak its the best u can get. Who cares about functions, in the end the picture quality is the only thing that counts

[backindauk]

@sharpanator

Then one would shoot film :)

[mofarahi]

Leica is expensive because it hasn't changed its design concept since the M3. The Japanese design style is focused on reducing cost during assembly. This concept has kept japan going even long before Canon AE-1. Back then, a third of the cost of M5 was spent on its viewfinder alone. The viewfinder of Leica is still its most expensive assembly. So while Leicas are still the highest priced cameras, and lenses, they also maintain one of photography's highest skilled assets: The camera technician.

[dvamateur]

Let me put it this way: Other camera brands offer something for everyone. Leica offers everything for someone.

[photoallergic]

@dvamateur I will cite this, if you don't mind.

[dvamateur]

@photoallergic Feel free. This saying was originally referring to Porsche 911, which was probably borrowed from somewhere else.

[Starfires]

If you hold a Leica, there is a marriage of qualities that go together for a very photogaphic experience. The combination of the soft shutter, the controls, the small size of a rangefinder and their uinique lenses do indeed produce a unique synthesis of qualities. Yet, the gear is only part of the story and great pictures can be, and of course are taken with other brands.

[Starfires]

Another loved brand is Carl Zeiss- people say the colours and contrast are unique and impossible to reproduce through post-processing. For me their range is more realistic in terms of pricing and also has the magical aura of a lens made from the love of light and beautiful imagery that goes far beyond what is usually 'good enough'. I just hope that the digital rangefinders being released mature quickly, as there is no way in the world I'm buying an M9 but can see the value.

[weetsie]

if leicas are so great he should of only needed 1.

[sharpanator]

i guess they all are fully functional but he got so much addicted like a drug from Leica that he need every year a new one. Nothing wrong with it. I have more then one shirt and pants too,

[weetsie]

buy a sigma sp-1 instead $500 not $5000 and has a similar sized sensor. lens is just as sharp.

[funkpilz]

You might have a bit of a point when talking about the M8, but the rest of the Leicas is not comparable at all to a $500 piece of plastic.

Choosing a Leica over a DSLR is probably not a rational decision, but then again, does it need to be?

[weetsie]

lol what a joke

a film camera = a light proof box.

the only qualities a RF can have is a good shutter, good ergonomics, good range finder and durable.

the zeizz ikon, hexar RF and other leica M mount cameras are equal or better in spec than any leica and are 1/3rd of the price.

any photographer who thinks photos taking with a leica have a unique aesthetic obviously cares more about what camera they are using than there photos. i mean look at him 12 cameras, all 35mm? what a joke.

[funkpilz]

Have you considered the photographer might also be talking about Leica lenses?

You have a point about the gear porn, but don't diss 35mm. It's a great format.

[weetsie]

im not dissing 35mm, 35mm is the only format i use however i only have one RF, if i bought another it would not be 35mm. he has 12 cameras and they are all 35mm and there is little to nothing different about any of them.

im just saying this guy is narrow minded as he seems to think a leica can take a photo no other camera can.

[kernow62]

@weetsie He has a heavy investment in lenses, so he sticks with bodies that can utilize those expensive lenses.

[shane6003PQ]

It's a placebo effect. If you think you'll do better with a Leica then you most likely will do better with a Leica. I use a Zeiss Ikon ZM and love it, but the reason I bought it is because I couldn't afford the Leica MP. I would love to have one, I used one only once in early summer 2008 and have been attached to it ever since. That said Carl Zeiss is amazing for it's cost effectiveness.

12 cameras isn't so bad if he used them vigorously traveling the world.

[funkpilz]

Shane, I agree with your point about placebo, specifically because a camera you care about motivates you to shoot more, and that means you practice more and you get better. Of course, this effect might not make a very noticable difference.

[shane6003PQ]

Very true! If a person is awful enough, they may never improve! I feel this way about skiing, and know I'll never have the skill to perform on the slopes.

[ValueMSW]

what do they use in leica? no single lens reflex?

[funkpilz]

The Leicas discussed here are a type of camera called rangefinder. This type is a bit of a predecessor to the SLR, it has a viewfinder completely disconnected from the taking lens, so there's some parallax, but in that viewfinder there is a focussing mechanism just like the ones in manual focus SLRs.

The advantage of this camera type is that without mirror slap, they are capable of employing lower shutter speeds without risking vibration.

For further information, read the wikipedia article.

[singer1924]

One has to compare what is comparable. Concerning image quality, the M8 is comparable to top-of-the-range (full frame) Nikons or Canons, and the M8 is smaller and cheaper than e.g. a D3x. It's not better or worse, it's different as a RF from a SLR and the choice depends on how one uses it. All the above are cheap cameras if compared to digital Hassys or Alpa anyway.

[yoyodojo4]

2/2

Call me crazy, but I would be far happier with a Leica than that hunk of plastic called a Canon, with all its bells, whistles and automated contraptions.

[mr321861]

@yoyodojo4 , i agree, and i own a Canon 5D

[rustynasty143]

@yoyodojo4 what! Canon plastic? i never thought my canon 1d mark iii is plastic... damn Canon seller.

[khachank]

@yoyodojo4 crazy

[airkid]

@yoyodojo4 we won't call you crazy, but it just different person wants different thing. Like tools, Canon might be the perfect tool for you. So yea, as long as the result turns out satisfy the owner :) And I really hope people stop argueing or being jealous of Leica users. I know they all want to own one if they have the money for that..

[yoyodojo4]

Valenghi, 1/2

Point well taken. But you would have to agree with me that there is a market for the Rolls Royce, correct? If it was simply a matter of dollars and cents, or comparing spec sheets side-by-side, the Lieca would be a consistent looser. The Rolls Royce owner would argue that its a passion for the name and a love affair with the product that causes him to say no to the more economical choice. I believe Leica makes beautiful camera systems.

[sharpanator]

dude, maybe u dont know it but mechanical watches like Rolex have a huge market today and technically a 5$ Analog watch can do the same trick, its not about features, its about quality, the Iphone4 has probably less functions then other cheaper smartphones but the metal frame, glass display and reaction from the touchscreen is just miles better then any other product. Everytime u use such a product like Leica or mechanical watches u have joy, same with the iphone over other smartphones

[PeachJam]

@sharpanator perfect comment! you don't need an 10K watch to see the time. The same way you don't need a 5K camera to make photos. BUT if you can buy one, and you enjoy it, why not?

[roger767]

If they wanna succeed on the digital market they need to make cheaper camera's.

[RudeComment]

Hey look, the CEO is Jewish & the rest of the camera is Japanese, wonderful German camera indeed.,,,lol

[shane6003PQ]

It's made in Germany, and Jewish people if in fact he is Jewish were in Germany for a hundreds of years. I'd say Audi or VW was still German if it were made in Germany and the CEO was Mexican. It doesn't change the fact that Germans designed the M8 after the previous M cameras. It's the lower models like the C-Lux and D-Lux lines that are made by/with Panasonic.

[phonevideo]

think about the stupid things you wrote...

[singer1924]

As a Christian, I am a Jewish too in my heart (just like most Germans), but I can't see what one's religious beliefs have to do with camera technology.

[RudeComment]

,,being German is not a religion, he was refering to the RACE not RELIGION, being most jews find their ways to the position of money head.

[peaceandloveletsblow]

ja, dast killen eist jude, ein mit wock.

[N2CBiohazard]

500 cameras a month is not much.

[shane6003PQ]

Panasonic is only making digital point and shoot cameras for leica/with leica which ever way you look at it. The M systems is completely German and Canadian. (other then the Kodak sensor of the M8 which isn't by panasonic either)

[shane6003PQ]

By the way, when you said that most of Leica stuff is made in Japan, you were way off... most of it is from Canada... and I've seen some lenses that were actually better produced in Canada.

A new factory dedicated to cameras is opening this year in Wetzlar Germany, where Leica Microsystems are produced. I'd say they were FAR from out of the market. There will be a market for it... maybe not for people who love the SLR, but for someone who craves simplicity in their photography.

[shane6003PQ]

So were they on their way out when they were and still are making multi-million dollar micro systems and geosystems? lol

"I have never seen a professional working with a Leica." Funny I've seen tons... ever heard of a fine arts photographer? Plenty of them use leicas, or other rangefinder cameras with leica lenses.

It's not like leica is trying to compete with SLR markets... not until the S2 had been announced. Oh and it's not the 30s that started it. It WAS the first 35mm still camera.

[NorceCodine]

Leica is on its way out - its already (again, actually) is half Japanese. I think next will be half Korean and Singapore, or why not half from China? But they deserve it. They sold out consistently to market-forces and they lobbied the German government to let Praktica go under, which was a much larger company and WAS actually 100% German. Leica: "Advertisement made in Germany" .

[singer1924]

Leica was already "on their way out" when they launched the first small format camera. The M8 is an awesome camera, a niche product at a low price compared to its (excellent but different) competition from Nikon. Two outstanding systems for two different styles of photography for pros or "photoholics" (I am one of these). Long life to both makes, and let 99.9% of people use easy P&Ss which correspond better to their own needs.

[NorceCodine]

I have never seen a professional working with a Leica. (By professional I mean people who make their living with the camera). Leica got its reputation because in the 1930-s it WAS the choice of pros, it was a solid workhorse that took good pics fast and handled the abuse of

pro reporters on assignment.

In other words it was the taxi-cab of cameras. It made money, not cost money.

Today's Leica is pandering to the parvenue. And by the way, the 5K Leica has half of its parts outsourced.

[mipmipmipmipmip]

@NorceCodine Let me paste something I found on the internet:

"I came across a 1936 Contax RF ad with prices recently, and I was shocked to say the least! The top model with fast glass was $371 (1936) US dollars! A brand new Buick was only $700 in 1936 !

In perspective, an M7 or M8 with fast glass will cost around half a Buick today too."

seriously man, high quality rangefinder cameras were always expensive!

I'm not saying you can't get cheap rangefinder fun, I use a 40 year old mamiya myself

[catalinaumbert]

@mipmipmipmipmip The difference here is that LEICA is the purest technology available then and now and that Buick is still a piece of s...

[mipmipmipmipmip]

@catalinaumbert I wasn't comparing LEICAs to Buicks. God forbid! I know what I would choose ;)

Just noting that "It made money, not cost money." was never true for leica.

The thing is, what @NorceCodine means with 'professional' are journalists, wedding photographers, and the like, who usually break their backs carrying tons of L lenses around. I too wouldn't shoot a soccer match with a rangefinder. But I'd say you'll be sure to find freelance photographers earning their money with Leica.

[shane6003PQ]

"Leica was already "on their way out" when they launched the first small format camera."

I'm curious if you actually believe what you wrote. Do you know anything about the history of photography? How about the fact that Leica started smaller format cameras? Leica does a lot more then you seem to believe.

[valenghi1]

The m8 isn't brilliant mate! you'll find camera's with the same spec at half the price! Leica are amazing at film camera's, not too sure about the digis though??? the D-Lux 3??? really? what were they thinking? the M8 can be drastically improved!

[singer1924]

You are right, this morning a 6-year old child tried my M8 and she got bad pictures. Any P&S would have done better in her hands. But, please tell me (1) the name of a camera with the same spec at half the price, and (2) what would you drastically improve on the M8 and how? You should sell your ideas to Leica and make money :-)

[valenghi1]

The M8 has about 10.3 mp res doesn't it? well, seeing as though M8's are around £3000 half would be £1500, right? heres the specs Leica. 3936 x 2630 2952 x 1972, 1968 x 1315, 1312 x 876 ISO 160, 320, 640, 1250, 2500 against, for example, a Nikon D300 Price around £1000 (less than half!) 12.3 MP 4288 x 2848 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 ISO 200 - 3200 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps (100 - 6400 with boost) Hm? don't need for leica to find that info! Don't get me wrong i love leica! Hope this helps! :-)

[singer1924]

First, Megapixels don't make it all. You forgot the diffraction issue and the antialiasing filters. Details are certainly sharper with a 10.3 MP M8 than a 12.3 MP D300. Both are excellent cameras but hardly comparable. Not the same use. Not the same style of pictures. Can you use Leica glass on a Nikon?

Second, I will clap my hands when Nikon sells a digital RF camera.

[valenghi1]

Just buy an M7! I still don't understand your point? just because its RF makes it viable to have a price tag of that much? I think if a photographer likes to have a real camera they would get one with a better spec than the M8 to be honest. It's so over priced. This camera (In my opinion only) was made for wealthy enthusiasts who assume it must be good as it's a leica with an expensive tag.

[valenghi1]

My improvements would be, MAKE A BETTER CAMERA THAT'S ACTUALLY WORTH £3000!! you could get a D3 for that with a Lens!!

[shane6003PQ]

why do people buy a Rolls Royce Phantom when they could get a very nice high end S series Benz with tons of extra features? Most of the time it's the style of shooting, other times it's just the idea of having a very simple camera with all the professional settings one needs kept to a minimum. Great photographers have been using the M8 and love it for many reasons.

[valenghi1]

You just totally made my point about the Rolls. For example, The Leica Digilux 3 and the Lumix whatever that are exactlyyyyyy the same apart from the logo are hundreds of pounds different in price. YOUR PAYING FOR THE LOGO. I just don't understand why you would want to pay more for simplicity? strange logic? if you really want simplicity get a proper camera. Like an M7 or a Nikon F3 or something. Because Leica own this product they could put a tag of £10,000 and people would still buy it.SHEEP!

[shane6003PQ]

you're right! I hate when Leica comes out with collector edition models of everything they make, it's just for collecting and makes the company look tacky. If anybody really wants simplicity al a cart they would get a Leica MP for 4300 USD (if I had the money I would have bought one, instead I use a Zeiss Ikon ZM which is the direct competition to the M7).

The M8 wouldn't be my first choice digital camera, but it's a good choice for professionals who have a lot of leica glass already.

[valenghi1]

Exactly, thankyou! A great reply. Zeizz Zms are beautiful!

[shane6003PQ]

When the man says only a leica could take the pictures, he's absolutely right. Leica makes perfect glass, to the highest standards, and their formulas are so well done, that they are sharp even wide open. The bokeh is one of a kind. The only Range finder company other then leica that even comes close in quality of glass is Zeiss Ikon.

[sasktank]

1950 camera with a 2009 sensor---leica,--you need to modernise youre cameras or youre going the way of the dodo bird-------modern people are the ones buying cameras --and they want the newest styling and features---tradition,they dont care about that stupid shit---they just see a camera that looks wierd and then they go buy a cool one--get with it and change while you still can

[anselmej]

yes but for new photographers where is Leica ?

where (and when) are M9 and R10 ?

[farabirrahman1]

Also for an average user, dslrs are much easier to use especially because dslrs are more prevalent and people generally have more exposure to dslrs than rangefinders. Things for which dslrs are good: fast focus(especially new gen ones like Nikon D3), sports and wildlife, journalism, fast action, wedding, portrait, night shots, and versatility. Leicas are good in: travel, street photos, and photojournalism. So overall DSLRS cover wider fields of photography, while Leicas are awesome, bur niche.

[mith986]

Leica is far superior to any Japanese camera in terms of build/picture quality. You cannot compare a Porsche to a Lexus(Both totally different, one far superior)

[farabirrahman1]

Actually the D3 would be the Porsche GT2, because it is the supreme king of speed. According to field reviews, the D3 is as fast as the Canon 1D markIII, which has been the fastest DSLR for pros until now. The Leica would be more like the beautifully handmade Spyker C8 without it's agility. Leicas are beautifully made, and once you hold one, No Nikon can come close to the feeling, but Leicas are too slow for what my liking, i want the camera to respond immediately in AF, and shutter lag

[anselmej]

no the Leica M8 is not anymore into the race

[farabirrahman1]

Man Germans.."these pictures could only have been taken by a Leica" ....and "pictures taken with a Leica camera have a unique aesthetic".... (wishful baggage of fuming ego)as if like Leicas have some magic inside them. All a camera does is record an exposure of the light, and how a photo looks depends on the material exposed(what type of film) and aperture and shutter speeds. That's it, you can change the white balance with a filter. I was laughing to my pits when i heard this german ego view.

[drjoefo]

I do believe that there is some bias in this video which you should be aware of. However, the body of the camera is also fundamental to the design of the lens. As range finder cameras do not have a mirror to work around, the lens design can be much simpler.

[funkpilz]

He mentioned the shutter being very delicate and almost completely free of vibration. That is why those photos could only have been taken by a Leica. He just forgot to add "or with any other similar rangefinder camera".

[kernow62]

@funkpilz Or any TLR like my Rolleiflex.

[farabirrahman1]

or similar canon using iso 6400 has f stop advantage of about 3 f stops, if we assume the indigenous clean high iso shooting of Leica is 800 iso. So clearly only those old geezers who still use 1950s equipment, can think that current dslrs are at a disadvantage because of mirror slap. Leicas are nothing but expensive toys, that really are made to feel good with it's very high quality construction than take great photos. The Leica lenses are great, but overall the system is compromising.

[drjoefo]

Granted there are some compromises with the RF system, there are also a few advantages. Surely, you are not suggesting that build quality, one of the best in the industry, prohibits taking a quality photo?

[farabirrahman1]

It is like hearing about photography from people who are still stuck in 1950. Huh, Leica has low shutter vibration, so photos have less noise than other 1965 35mm slrs. Man it is like hearing people who are comparing technologies of the 50s not 2010. Has Leica heard of anything called high iso sensitivity full frame digital chip like in the D3 that can will blow away Leica in night shots. The fastest lens of the Leica are about f2, about 1/3 f stop advantage, but with a f2.8 lens, a nikon

[drjoefo]

I do believe the D3 would pwn the M8 at high ISO, but I don't think that Leica's are targeted at the same area of photography. I wouldn't take a Leica to a photo shoot, but I wouldn't take a D3 to do some street photography. So you know, the fastest Nikon lens is around f/1.2 (though few use these) while the fastest Leicas are f/1.0 and more recently f/0.95 (though not many use these either :P)

[farabirrahman1]

Yes, i just noticed that Leica has introduced the new f/.95 lens, but that is for the s system; the fastest M mount is f/1.0. And i never said that Leicas are no good, they are the most supreme cameras for street, documentary, and travel photography. All i was trying to say that Leicas as a system are more compromised than DSLRs and overall as a system the DSLRS are usable in more situation, but are heavier and dont have the ease of use or high material quality as leicas.

[f1eng]

No, the new f0.95 is for the M system. I use both Leica and Nikon SLR, for almost everything I do the Leica produces better prints. The Nikon is good for wildlife, macro and grandchildren autofocus, or the rare occasion I use a zoom.

I know most people only use zooms, I almost never do. The tiny Leica is way more convenient to carry too.

[SquareElix]

get real, its just about reaping people off their money

[Entropy56]

I just bought a Panasonic LX3. I would have bought the corresponding Leica D-Lux 4 but Leica failed to demonstrate why it should cost 2X the price of the former.

[sharpanator]

because the Lux4 is made by panasonic in asia and not by Leica in Hessen/Germany. If it was made in Hessen/Germany the price would be 20x the price of the LX3.

[farabirrahman1]

I hope you know that the photo sensor in the Leica D-Lux 4 is made by panasonic, and we are talking about a point and shoot body made with plastic, just like the panasonic LX3. Common people with sense can see that DLux4 are just a ripoff, overpriced point and shoot. If you want Leica experience, buy a MP or M6 RF.

[sharpanator]

i told you the same thing

[phaedrus182]

You don't have to have 5000 euros to enjoy a Leica. I got a Leica M3 at a garage sale for $100 USD. I spent $150 getting it cleaned and lubed. Now if I could only afford another lens...

[efroymson]

Why do I never see such garage sales!

[chewieyoung]

I will not spend 5000euro to get digital leica.

hhahh

[igorandres2004]

5000 euros!!! but it's the dream of any photographer

[randyp1234567]

bahahahahahahaha 5000 EU for a camera body and 3K+ EU for a LENS?! get fucking REAL

[LeicaM2010]

it's not for you, buddy!

[tanhockjun]

Leica M8,my dream compact camera!

[sloka666]

только идиот будет за имя отдавать 5 тысяч баксов!!!

[welpaa]

paczemu idiot?

[chris00nj]

Thanks for posting. I like my (Cosina) Voigtlander Bessa and some day I want to upgrade to a Leica MP

[foggie]

I see a cosina/voigtlander lens. I think that was the silver 15mm

[locoman1963]

the contax g2 was also a superb camera

and better value

its a shame that they don,t make cameras anymore I hope the same doesnt happen to leica

[stormowl]

as great as the leica is, (and i love my M7), their recent price increases over the last couple years (and especially in 2008) is putting them out of reach of even their target audience. i won't be suprised if they go belly up in a few years.

[kensai7gr]

Mixing good old Leica quality with digital flexibility. I like it.

But I really think they should do something about the design, unless it's on purpose to stay on these traditional looks.

[MardenMay]

It's very much "on purpose."

[fortunecolor]

you should know what's so called range finder.