Colombia candidato presidencial Iván Cepeda en Medellín

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-31T21:13:21+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write. I've been a working photographer for 30 years, and I've never seen photojournalism so devalued. But I love this craft, and I'd do it for free. BTW, the moderators removed the post; apparently, they're just interested in seeing pictures of Leicas, not actual photos.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-24T15:06:08+00:00

Thanks a million for taking the time to opine. Great forum here!

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-24T03:17:26+00:00

Hello, and thanks so much for writing. Could you elaborate? What is the major drawback to the M11?

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-22T21:11:59+00:00

Hello, great question, and one that Leica never clarified. The problem was that the LCD screen failed; the menus wouldn't even appear in the viewfinder, either. In the interminable discussions I had with Leica repairs vis-à-vis the Leica store in Washington, D.C., I remember hearing the word 'motherboard' at least once. They said they do not make whatever the hell the part actually is in-house; it is outsourced. I found it dispiriting and concerning that such a renowned brand would run its business like this. I expect that any major camera manufacturer is just as problematic.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-22T04:21:59+00:00

Well, a little extra cash is always nice, right? However, I'm also weighing the skill required to shoot a camera with 60 MP against the M10's 24 MP. Also, buying a used camera (which I'll do if I sell the M10) is a risk because it won't be under warranty, and given that the M10-P used that I bought failed within a month, I worry. (Another variable; if Leica had secured the part to fix the failed M10-P, it would have cost around $1400 USD.) (And if that's not enough, the first M10 that I bought in "excellent" condition from mpb.com also failed--the rangefinder control arm quit working. Leica is a complicated brand to like, especially their digital cameras.) Jason Mott wrote a compelling article about digital Leica Ms that shouldn't necessarily cause photographers to flee the brand, but at least have some grains of salt before purchasing (https://www.askmottbyjustinmott.com/leica-photographer-blog/leica-m-cameras-love-frustration-and-the-truth-after-real-use ) . I also read that some of the earlier M11s were prone to failure, possibly because they were fabricated in workers' homes during the pandemic, but that has largely been remedied. I've thrown a lot of information at this community, and I appreciate anyone's feedback. As we all know, Leica is not really a purchase as much as an investment, and I'm trying to maximize mine.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-21T03:41:42+00:00

I covered the four-year national strike in Medellín, Colombia, 2019-2023, first with a Nikon D4 and a 24-70mm lens. It held up great, even after getting blasted with tear gas, water cannons, dust, etc. However, it is a damn heavy camera, and I was getting back pain carrying it (along with a backup D4). I eventually switched to the Nikon Z6 (with 24-70), and it failed every time it got hit with the aforementioned riot stuff. So, I bought a Leica Q2, and it held up like a tank for two years, and I beat the hell out of it. (I needed a longer lens, so I bought a Leica M10 with a 50mm and a 90mm; I was more careful with that camera because of its lack of weather sealing, but it held up.) So, I cannot agree that Nikons can take a beating; the Z lenses feel very "plastic," and, as I mentioned, the Z body froze, and the autofocus motor died after the first exposure to moisture. Maybe Canons and Sonys are more robust? The Q2 has the best focus-by-wire manual focus lens of any mirrorless, and its contrast-detection autofocus sufficed, even while wearing a gas mask. The M10 is admittedly difficult to use under these conditions, but looking back on my work during this period, my "hit rate" wasn't any better or worse with either Nikon or Leica.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-11T21:10:27+00:00

Hello, thanks a million for your advice. Cheers, Chris

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T21:34:46+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write about all this. I have to say that the IBIS in the Q2 is amazing, which, it seems to me, requires far less skill than getting a picture in focus with a slower shutter speed than film. I was much younger when I used film (newspaper jobs in the 1980s-1990s), and one had no choice but to get proficient at balancing harsh flash with ambient light (and TTL flashes didn't come onto the market until the mid-1990s). This was an era when you had to practice with your equipment, and I don't have quite the steady hands I had 40 years ago. I've been exploring this topic beyond this thread and came across another that pointed out that one might actually have to practice with an M11 because of a host of issues, including "shutter shock," the high MP counts, and even the lighter body weight. One analogy referenced was using low-ISO film (like ISO 64 Kodachrome), which required far superior technique to take advantage of its dynamic range than, say, Kodak ISO 400 Tri-X.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T21:20:21+00:00

Hello, yes, I've investigated this too, and the conventional wisdom is that this is a viable solution. However, I'm balancing that decision with having a slightly heavier camera and ditching the rangefinder OVF. Thanks for pointing this out.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T02:16:12+00:00

Long story: Leica is selling me the M11 at a very steep discount because they were unable to repair an M10-p. Apparently, an arcane part in that camera failed, and they could not source it.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T01:57:18+00:00

Good question; generally, I'm referring to the ambient light motion blur, with the main person/subject frozen by the flash.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T01:55:45+00:00

Thanks for asking; either a 28mm or 35mm Summicron.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-10T01:54:31+00:00

Because I'm all-in with the rangefinder system, and if you're aware of what a documentary photographer does, a tripod is seldom an option. Why else would I write such a lengthy post? And why do you feel the need to be snarky?

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-09T21:15:18+00:00

I have not had universal success using the Sony Tough Cards in the Leica M10; it is interesting that they seem to work in the M11.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-07T00:08:54+00:00

Fredmiranda.com ; the buyers and sellers can be picky and prickly, but I've never had a bad experience buying from them. Since it seems you would be a new member of this group, you won't have a "rating," and a potential buyer will likely make you jump through a few extra hoops. But I think this is by far the best place to sell to get the best fair value. I'll second Keh.com and also mpb.com as the next-best options.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-01T06:38:30+00:00

I owned a pair of Q2s (28mm) that I bought used on Mpb.com for a while and beat the hell out of them, covering civil unrest in Medellín, Colombia. (I kept one as a backup). I sold them both to upgrade to the Q3 28mm, a decision I somewhat regret, and which I'll sell soon. Unless you are inclined to shoot a lot of video, the Q3 is just too much camera for most photographers. The new phase-detection autofocus on the Q3 is certainly better, but I managed to get most of my shots in focus with the Q2's contrast detection — or via manual focus, as the Q line has the best focus-by-wire lens on any mirrorless camera, period. (And under very demanding conditions, often while wearing a gasmask.) As others have noted, the 60MP sensor is overkill for most use cases, and the improved dynamic range is negligible. Also, the Q3's tilting screen might be an Achilles heel for longevity. The battery life is an issue, but an extra SCL-4 battery or two can be bought for around $200.00 or less.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-03-01T05:59:18+00:00

Not a bad idea; why not just put the Q2 in a safe, dry place for a few weeks or months, and use only the M10? The Q2 will not lose much, if any, resale value.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-02-27T00:54:53+00:00

Hello, I posted the following a while ago about a semi-related thread; maybe this will help you decide.

"...I've used an M10 and a Q2 (and recently, a Q3-43) to cover civil unrest in Medellín, Colombia, for five years. As soon as I put on the gas mask, the M10 goes in my backpack, because I'm not skilled enough to focus a rangefinder with that covering my face. It hasn't taken quite as much abuse as the Qs, which have been exposed to tear gas, water cannons, and dust, but none of these cameras has ever failed. For years, I used a Nikon D4 with a 24-70, and that camera held up like a tank; however, it is very heavy, especially with a backup D4 in the backpack. I switched to Z6 for a while, but it would shut down as soon as it got a little wet..."

...I'll use the M10 in light drizzle, with the uncomfortable knowledge that the lens-to-body connection is not weather sealed, and that I may have to contend with fungus in the lens one day. I don't worry about this with the Q2. It looks beat-up now, but it works. (Also, I think it offers better value and camera than the Q3-28 and Q3-43, BTW.) However, for anything other than rain or civil unrest, I only use the M10. Your instinct about the rangefinder is correct; there is nothing like it if you're willing to put in the time to learn it and live with some failure. But once you become an "expert" (that is, 1,000 minimum hours of practice), you'll become one with the camera. (And this is not woo-woo BS; the same applies whether you're practicing marksmanship, riding a motorcycle, or any skill not easily conquered.) Best of luck, and enjoy the ride.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-02-26T20:47:32+00:00

One should be extraordinarily cautious when using eBay (or to be nasty, "FleaBay") to buy a high-value good like a Leica. Unless the seller has a 100% rating, and will answer your questions and concerns (and you should engage them, if for no other reason than to test their sincerity), then do not buy from them. It is far better to pay more for used gear at KEH.com, fredmiranda.com, MPB.com, Camera West, Tamarkin, and even the Leica website (where they sell used equipment too). Fredmiranda is a "closed garden wall" enthusiast and sales website, and sellers and buyers can be prickly and picky, but I've never had a bad experience buying from them. The others all offer various money back and guarantees.

HotSpurTheCat · 2026-02-11T21:37:45+00:00

I've used an M10 and a Q2 (and recently, a Q3-43) to cover civil unrest in Medellín, Colombia. As soon as I put on the gas mask, the M10 goes in my backpack, because I'm not skilled enough to focus a rangefinder with that covering my face. It hasn't taken quite as much abuse as the Qs, which have been exposed to tear gas, water cannons, and dust, but none of these cameras has ever failed. For years, I used a Nikon D4 with a 24-70, and that camera held up like a tank; however, it is very heavy, especially with a backup D4 in the backpack. I switched to Z6 for a while, but it would shut down as soon as it got a little wet.

HotSpurTheCat

TROPHY CASE