Quite recently, Hamish published an article about Barnack Leica’s giving 7 reasons to own one. Well, he mentioned all the advantages of these cameras, but he didn’t mention their disadvantages. And I found a few of them.
Some introduction: I own a Leica IIIf. I haven’t spent any money on it. Yes, you read that correctly. I got a Mamiya C220f with two sets of lenses as a gift from a friend (cheers Adi, thank you again!). After some time, I’ve decided to trade it for a Leica (well, not directly. I’ve traded the Mamiya for money and then the money for a Leica). So, I’ve got it for free. Hence my views aren’t affected by money spent on it.
Before I’ve got a IIIf, I always (read: for last 6 years) dreamed about a Leica, and an M5 was (and still is) my favourite. I’ve tried a lot of cameras: both film and digital, compacts, instax, rangefinders, SLRs, TLRs, mirrorless etc., but none of them made me stop thinking that a Leica would be better. So, when there was a possibility to get one, I’ve had no doubts.
I had got a Leica, I’ve paired it with a Jupiter-8 (I’m a poor Polish student, mind you), loaded it with a Fuji C200 and started shooting. At first, I was in awe. Such a beautifully engineered machine. So small. So quiet. So solid and delicate at the same time. So clean lines. So simple. So complicated mechanisms. Beautifully designed. Looks fantastic with my old leather strap (taken from a Fed-5B case) (sorry no money for artisan straps here ;)).
I felt so good. It felt so good on me. I’ve been taking it everywhere, to my university, to my fiancée, to a library, even when I was doing some groceries, the Leica was with me. Because you never know when you’ll need it.
So I had plenty of time to get to know her and I started to see her flaws. As it always happens with love…
Quiet, but…
It is silent. But bloody hell, don’t say it’s super silent. Did you shoot with a leaf-shutter camera? Sure, a leaf-shutter has its limitations, but a IIIf shutter has them too! I understand that a Leica shutter is quieter than an SLR one, but hey, even cheapo Olympus Trip 35 is more silent. Not to mention all of these Japanese fixed-lens rangefinders!
So slow
It is SO slow. I started shooting because I wanted to preserve my memories, some beautiful and everyday moments. I’ve wanted to have them ‘saved’, stored, captured. Some people call it “personal photography”, but I believe it’s something more. It’s like a stream of memories. You live something and you capture it, here, now, instantly. Good luck with doing that with a Barnack Leica and 50mm lens. Firstly, you have to set your exposure (meter, set the aperture, set the shutter speed). Secondly, you have to focus (and it’s not easy with my IIIf, I haven’t CLA’d her, because $$$, so the RF isn’t perfectly contrasty). Then, you compose. And after that, you press the shutter button. And you cannot be always prepared, because you have to live – hold a hand of your beloved ones, pet your pet, use your hands to eat, you get the point. I found that for this type of photography, even a cheap 35mm compact is better – because it ‘frees’ you from thinking about a lot of things – and let’s you both live the moment and capture it (I’ve bought an Olympus AF-10 Super and it’s perfect for this).
It may be (and probably is) my fault, but for me, it’s easier to shoot my life (memories) with an autofocus film SLR/compact. It’s so faster. I’m more confident of my results. And when shooting with a Leica, I’m never sure if I nailed the exposure (I don’t have an external meter, I cannot be bothered to get and use one), composition, focus etc. There are so many things that I can screw up when shooting with a Leica – and I don’t want them to happen when I’m shooting my life and memories.
1 meter minimum focus
Also, you cannot focus closer than 1 meter (3 ft). Yes, it matters unless you don’t pay attention to the details (but you do, don’t you? You want/bought a Leica because of its small details).
Parallax Error
With the closer focusing comes the parallax error. I hate it. I’m trying to remember about it, I’m trying to compensate when I’m framing and then I end up with my subject in the center (and not in the one of the “strong points”) or some elements cut out of the frame (when I saw them in a viewfinder). Really, it drives me nuts.
Leader trimming
What can slow you down even more, is the trimming of the film leader. I highly recommend doing it at home, when you have some free time. It takes a while. And after 3rd roll you starting to ask yourself “is this really necessary?”.
No meter
No built-in meter. I know, it’s an unfair one, this design is hundred years old. But we have meters now, and I’m using this camera now, in 2016. In Poland. Where in the winter it’s dark from 15:30 (3:30PM) to 8:00 (8AM). When the light varies from a street to a street (they are quite narrow and dark here). I’m rather good at using Sunny 16 rule, but still, from time to time I’m getting some terribly over- or underexposed frames (and I’m crying when I’m scanning them).
Problems with FSU lenses
Little problems with FSU lenses. They have a different focal register or something like this (google it, it’s fairly simple to find and quite difficult to put into words here). I’ve been trying and doing my best, but still, I haven’t got a single perfectly focused photo, when shooting at 1 – 1,5m distance (read: a portrait).
Expensive
A Barnack Leica is expensive. I know Hamish wrote something opposite, but for me, €200 isn’t the same as for you. In Poland, 80% of people earn less than €400/month and me myself, I’ve been working for €1/hour previous summer (that gives €8/day or €160/mo.; don’t let me even started on economics and politics). But I get that people in the West earn a lot more and paying €200 for a camera isn’t a lot (using some simple calculations, it’s like 200PLN or €50 for me). I get that. You pay €200 for a camera that will serve you for next 30 or 40 years, maybe even 60. Ok.
But then, look into my eyes and promise me you won’t use another camera. You won’t buy another one. If you cannot promise it, the argument about the long lifespan is simply invalid, because after buying a Leica, you’re still buying other cameras (and adding the cost).
Me personally, I’ve bought a Canon 50e with a battery pack and a kit lens (35-70) for a €20 last month (cheers Urban!). Ten times less than my IIIf cost. TEN TIMES. And it uses cheap AAA-batteries (I’m using accu’s, it’s even cheaper). It has an autofocus, a big viewfinder, A METER, semi-autoexposure modes, it is compatible with a lot of lenses (hello m42, of course you lose AF but then you have these adapters with AF confirmation, it’s still easier to be sure about your focus than it is with a IIIf).
Okay, I know, it may break and I won’t get it repaired so easily. But then, it was 10 times cheaper. I can buy another one. And another one. And another one. I can buy 10 of them at the price of one IIIf. Crazy.
And you say you love mechanical cameras and hate electronics? Cool. Take a look at Pentaxes (Spotmatics, K1000), Prakticas (I’ve been buying these for €5/piece). You can mount some fantastic Zeiss and Pentax glass to them (which is cheaper than a Leica glass, too). If you want a rangefinder, get a Kiev. It’s a Contax in a Soviet body. And same, if they break, you just buy another one. Or just buy 10 at once and store them in your closet.
As you can see, a Leica is expensive in comparison to these cameras. And it isn’t any better. It just has “Leica” engraved on top.
It’s just a camera
Concluding, I don’t think that everyone should have a Barnack Leica. It’s definitely nor the best camera, nor the camera for everyone and nor for every purpose. It has a lot of flaws, disadvantages, comparing to other cameras. It’s not the perfect camera. BUT! If you’re serious about your photography, especially when you’re shooting street photography, you should try to get one and shoot a few rolls of it. Then, either you’ll love it or… poof, magic is gone. It’s just a camera.
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Alex on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Francois on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Leicas can be both a joy and a frustration and you'll have to accept its shortcomings if you want to enjoy them, it takes time but it's worth it.
At the end of the day, a camera is a tool and you should enjoy using it, if not, you won't use it and then you should find another camera.
However, Leicas are amazing engineering machines and with proper maintenance (cla) and Leica glass it's hard to appreciate them and the creative potential they offer. You should first have a cla done on the body and find a 50mm elmar 3,5, this will mean a month's salary...but a lifetime of pleasure.
In closing, good luck for finding the perfect camera, I'm still trying after 30 years....
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Dee Sallows on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Like the gear shift on a classic car, it helps to know what you are doing.
Thank you.
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Blinx on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Comment posted: 08/01/2016
Gary Sandhu on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
A Bearman on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Stephen on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
I'm off to buy a Leica Q....
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Matthew Maber on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Filmosaur on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
All the other stuff is basically personal preference or convenience; personally, I dislike plastic cameras, cameras that depend on batteries, cameras that automatically load and wind the film, and especially cameras that think they know better than I do when it comes to exposure and focus, but to each his own.
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
jeremy north on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
You could make these comments about any camera. There is always another that is quieter or cheaper or easier to use. As for the Polish economy, what does that have to do with anything? Never mind the scissors or Soviet Union lenses.
I thought Hamish's original post was just a stream of consciousness musing. A "hey, why not consider a LTM?", rather than a rallying cry to say that no-one serious about photography would be without an early Leica.
I am no Leica fanboy or apologist. Quite the opposite. I can think of only one reason to own a Barnack Leica. History. Nobody can argue with that! Barnack invented 35mm photography.
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Comment posted: 09/01/2016
Urban Hafner on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Tony on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Comment posted: 11/01/2016
Thom on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 14/01/2016
Leica mount is expensive for: Fast and wide. But since with a barnack that means external finders and slightly questionably focusing... There's not much value. Little reason to go iopeter. That said, on an M2 or later; the Iopeter 12 is amazing.
Comment posted: 14/01/2016
Ric Capucho on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 14/01/2016
Set hyperfocus (set yer aperture and then move the infinity symbol to the same number on the focus ring) - then leave it well alone. Follow the "follow me" internal exposure meter using the speed dial only - then leave it well alone. Then snap away to yer heart's content. Dunno what the fuss is all about in terms of slowing yer down. Do it my way, and yer speed up.
Ric
Comment posted: 14/01/2016
Comment posted: 14/01/2016
Brad on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 15/01/2016
Tony on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 15/01/2016
Tony on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 19/07/2017
Comment posted: 19/07/2017
John Robert Young on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 21/10/2017
Leica's of all types require judicious handling. Like fast cars, which you cannot just hop in and drive, the Leica camera requires great skill. Professionally I have been using Leicas for well over fifty years and I am still learning. It is important to use equipment with which you are comfortable. Quite clearly a Leica is not for you. As you are well aware, it's not the camera that takes the photograph.
Steven Uttley on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 11/11/2017
James Ashmore on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 22/05/2018
Bubba Jones on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Cordially,
Bubba
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Bubba Jones on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Thank you for your polite and cordial response. Allow me to disagree, “10 times cheaper” is not a turn of phrase, it is a phrase repeated without consideration of its impossibility thus it cannot enhance any point. Poetic license is for embellishing, “10 times cheaper” is not embellishing it is blatanly false. In any language “10 times cheaper” would not make sense. Again, times indicates more, never less.
There are many words incorrectly used, the reason is they are repeated all without consideration for their correct meaining. It is interesting that a dictionary is now most often used for spelling rarely for definitions. As an example the following words are almost always used incorrectly, jealous for envy, anxious for eager, podium for lecturn, Buffalo for Bison, wind for wend, the list goes on. If nothing is said nothing changes thus their incorrect use is again perpetuated. When words, and phrases are incorrectly used it makes understanding the written or spoken language a challange.
Truly, I very much enjoy your articles and 35mmc site. I look forward to reading many more articles. Your information is a great help for myself and others; you must be commended.
With cordiality, politeness, and respect we can agree to disagree.
Bubba
Hal on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
frank on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 05/09/2019
However, the Leica's are excellent. Of the two, I find the little IIF prettier. I enjoy both, but I enjoy the IIIF more. It IS slower in EVERY way, but that's the point. I am enjoying the process. If I didn't enjoy the process, i would just snap away with my dslr.
PLUS, the IIIF looks and feels like a jewel. It's like a fine watch (which is another obsolete item).
John on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 16/12/2019
Andre on 9 Reasons you shouldn’t own a thread mount Leica – Guest post by Dominik Mrzyk
Comment posted: 18/02/2020
First: it's over 60 years with practically no automation: no metering, no autofocus, etc etc. Shouldn't be a problem if you are an experienced film shooter who can guess the light reading correctly. But if you are a beginner? Well good luck with that. Even experienced film shooters will not necessarily always appreciate the simplicity of Leica system. Sometimes they prefer something more modern.
Second: it's awkward. Two separate windows (one for peeking, and one for focusing)? Cannot change shutter speed before cocking the shutter) Grrrr. Such issues are already removed on the M models, fortunately. Which I think if you want to shoot film rangefinders in a more practical way, just skip the thread mount Leicas and pick a M instead.
Third: it's not cheap. Of course it's obvious. You shouldn't mention cheap and Leica in the same sentence. I paid my IIIF at about $340. Price-wise, I wouldn't say this is super expensive. But considering this is a camera over 60 years old with NO automation, what if I buy something cheaper yet gives me modern conveniences, say like Nikon F4 or F100? :D
Four: it's not well suited for fast-action. Related to my previous point. If that's your thing, a point and shoot and SLR with autofocus should suit you better.
Due to the compactness, the IIIF is always ready in my everyday bag. But that doesn't I always shoot with it everyday, though. Sometimes I carry another camera, like Nikon FM2 or Rolleiflex TLR, depending on the mood.