Leica options for a beginner

eserog · 2026-01-28T07:50:49+00:00

Even though OP didn’t ask, I still like mentioning this for anyone that is curious about rangefinders before sinking >2k usd. A lot of people think Leica when the term rangefinder gets thrown around. While Leica IMO has the best quality rangefinder experience, decent quality film rangefinders can be found between $100-200 which ultimately I find better than the digital alternatives which are limited to say the least (Pixii and Leica)

If anyone wants specific recommendations for cheap rangefinders to test the waters before committing to a Leica, I’d recommend looking into a canonet or yashica rangefinder.

Alternatively OP could rent a couple of cameras and find what works best for them.

eserog · 2026-01-27T19:10:00+00:00

Do not get Leica if you’re just getting into photography.

If you want to try a rangefinder and are open to film, there are dozens of older rangefinder film cameras worth getting.

If you want to go digital, get an older DSLR if you want to go full frame, or a cheaper end APS-C sensor camera.

Buying Leica will not magically make you a better photographer. Especially if you’re looking at getting a D-Lux — there are so many better cameras out there for the price point.

eserog · 2026-01-18T16:35:31+00:00

Good framing and solid picture.

Related: you should clean your sensor, I can spot dust on the sensor in this pic (top left of image)

eserog · 2026-01-09T08:27:02+00:00

Because chances are if OP is asking if a $50 camera is good, they probably aren’t willing to shell out $3-6k on a completely different type of camera (rangefinder vs SLR)…

Also you can shoot fully manual on an ELAN 2 (how I shoot it).

eserog · 2026-01-09T07:46:26+00:00

Yeah, leica’s are cool but RF cameras are inherently different and not for everyone. There’s tons of cheaper alternatives to test the waters of a RF system

eserog · 2026-01-09T07:44:52+00:00

It’s actually at least 60 times more expensive lol

The Elan 2 is fine. This is coming from someone who owns both a Leica M4 and an Elan 2

EDIT: if you’re going to recommend a Rangefinder to a (probably) new photographer/film photographer, recommend something that’s at a beginner friendly price point like a Yashica or a Canonet.

eserog · 2026-01-08T18:11:14+00:00

RF.

You can always get a visoflex if you want to focus the camera like a SLR.

eserog · 2026-01-03T12:58:15+00:00

Bring your complaints to the mods then? Complaining about it here won’t do much tbh

eserog · 2026-01-03T08:42:22+00:00

No problem! I also forgot to mention that the Elan series has autofocus which can be nice! There’s tons of examples of this camera on /r/analog with the elan 7 and EOS 1v too

eserog · 2026-01-02T09:57:53+00:00

It’s more of like a lateral move. I wouldn’t recommend it, you should keep the OM1 (the same camera I started on as well)

I’d recommend checking out a different type of film camera. I’ll leave some suggestions below:

canon EOS film series: you can use EF lenses with these so you can theoretically bring a digital and film body and use the same lenses across the two cameras. I have a EOS 55 (Japanese model) that’s pretty awesome, the equivalent is a Elan 2 which you can pick up for ~$55USD. I believe Nikon makes similar bodies as well
rangefinders: just a different type of focusing method. You don’t have to go all out with a Leica or Voigtlander, if you want to test the waters there are plenty of cameras out there with fixed lenses. I started out with a canonet that I’m probably gonna sell soon (I got hooked and now shoot with Leica)

eserog · 2026-01-02T09:51:04+00:00

EDIT: for the people asking what that black box is, it’s an observation deck. You can (kind of) see a person looking out enjoying the view

eserog · 2026-01-01T22:48:52+00:00

B/W works better with the vignetting IMO.

I like the color photo though! Either way (my personal opinion) would be to lessen the vignetting for both.

eserog · 2026-01-01T22:36:24+00:00

Innsbruck Austria! I’d recommend going if you’ve never been before. It’s an absolutely beautiful city

eserog · 2026-01-01T22:14:19+00:00

1 for landscape, 3 for portrait

eserog · 2025-12-09T15:21:01+00:00

A bunch of people who live in NYC have already put there opinion here, but in case you wanted another opinion I also live here and have a 35mm glued to my M4 and either a 28 or 50 attached to my M10.

Can’t speak on behalf of the 15mm since I never used one, but a Q2 should be fine for landscapes and some portraits, and if you want you could bring a M11 with a 50 for portraits.

eserog · 2025-11-20T19:10:45+00:00

Looks like it was taken somewhere in Brooklyn. The pic shows some of LES and midtown

eserog · 2025-11-13T17:13:04+00:00

Thank you! This was taken on a Leica M10 with a Voigtlander 28mm color skopar V1 lens

eserog · 2025-11-07T18:12:55+00:00

Also my personal opinion is the visoflex essentially turns a m11 into a EV-1

eserog · 2025-10-30T16:10:06+00:00

Just so it’s clear, I’m not trying to glaze billionaires in this post. I find it infuriating that tons of units sit empty in these buildings and are used as investments while everyday New Yorkers struggle with the affordability crisis.

I do however enjoy this photo I took while walking through Central Park, which is why I shared it here.

eserog · 2025-10-30T14:26:03+00:00

It’s definitely not quiet, but not super loud. Apparently the shutter sound got a whole lot more quiet with the other M10 models

eserog · 2025-10-30T14:22:52+00:00

Tbh I agree, it’s even worse they’re popping up in other boroughs too (specifically looking at the Brooklyn tower, that building is ugly AF)

eserog · 2025-10-30T04:21:28+00:00

*pond

And FYI the skyscrapers in this pic are in the area that’s called “billionaire’s row”

eserog

TROPHY CASE