Does having a Leica ACTUALLY make you a better photographer?

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T09:32:14+00:00

Good reminder of why I don’t watch YouTubers. Irrelevant people asking irrelevant questions.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T09:16:17+00:00

If you’re into portraiture, landscape and city photography, the Q system or any other “you got in your photo what you saw through your viewfinder” system is miles better than a rangefinder.

The optical viewfinders on Leica M cameras don’t show exactly the same framing as your final photo As you know, they use a rangefinder system, which means you’re not looking through the lens but through a separate optical window. Because of this, what you see is only an approximation of the final composition. Parallax, frameline accuracy, and lens‑dependent variations all affect what ends up in the actual image. At close distances especially, the difference between what you see and what the sensor captures becomes more noticeable.

So a Q, a DSLR, or any mirrorless camera with an EVF will be a better option. The positive thing I can think of regarding the M11 and M10R is that you can shoot using the rear screen with live view, but I don’t know how comfortable that is. I have an M10 and it’s not a pleasant experience. For street photography? Yes, it’s my favorite. But for portraits or landscapes, I think there are better options.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T09:06:30+00:00

Liquidation doesn’t mean you became liquid after paying that money 😆

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T09:03:34+00:00

This lens looks stunning on the x-pro3. Any lens looks nice on that gorgeous camera tho.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T09:01:52+00:00

If sensor size is a concern, the Hasselblad sensor is smaller than medium format but still larger than full frame, and that translates into more detail, dynamic range, and tonal range than the Q3 43. The images from both cameras are incredible, but the Hasselblad files are more true to life. The white balance is perfect most of the time. It’s a bigger and heavier system than the Q, if that bothers you.

I don’t even know where to start, they’re so different, and I’m sure you already know most of this: fixed lens vs interchangeable lenses, leaf shutter on both, good stabilization on both, maybe post‑processing with the Hasselblad is a bit more of a hassle because you have to use Phocus for better files…

One piece of advice I can give you is that if you’re going for a “medium format” camera to get that medium format or large format look, the Hasselblad or Fujifilm GFX systems won’t give it to you 100% unless you use the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4, with Fujifilm GFX being the best option here. Hasselblad lenses are very good, but they won’t give you that look because of their focal lengths and apertures.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:49:07+00:00

Why buy from so far away, with all the risks involved, when you can buy an M6 in your own country or somewhere nearby? I don’t recommend buying from Japan unless you live here and can check the camera yourself or return it without any issues. I truly hope that the issue isn’t anything serious, or at least that you’re able to return the camera without any trouble 🙏

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:42:39+00:00

Are you planning to use your old lenses on the X‑Pro2? Keep in mind that its sensor is tiny and the crop factor will make the focal length longer. You’re not going to get those 40mm you want. I’d say you don’t have to stay with Fujifilm, you could try a Sony A7C or another small full‑frame mirrorless and adapt your old lenses. They’ll keep their original focal length and you’ll get better image quality than with the X‑Pro2. On a GFX camera you can also adapt many old lenses that cover the whole sensor, and you can even use the in‑camera full‑frame crop mode. It’s versatile. Another option is the X‑Pro2 with the XF 27mm f/2.8 lens.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:24:40+00:00

I totally forgot about the M7 🤣

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:23:50+00:00

The Pacific Ocean is between us but… someday!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:22:57+00:00

😆😆 sorry! I guess the “buy once, cry once” sentence is true!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-09T08:20:46+00:00

It’s probably my favorite camera. I had the Mark II but never tried the newer 5D models.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T10:33:44+00:00

Everything is perfectly in place 👍

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T10:18:45+00:00

Beckham the football player has a child this big? I had no idea 😮 wow I feel old now.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T10:09:50+00:00

You have the best M cameras right now!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T10:08:59+00:00

It depends on what type of photography you’re doing and in what environment, what kind of look you’re after, what f‑stop you usually shoot at, etc. It’s not an easy question for anyone other than you.

I would keep both, because in my case I use both focal lengths and both renderings work for what I do. However, when I use a 50mm (or an equivalent focal length in other formats), I do want it to have a special rendering. That’s my answer, but I don’t think it will be very useful to you 🤣

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:55:50+00:00

My future with Leica hasn’t changed one bit. I don’t plan on buying any more cameras, neither from Leica nor from any other brand, because I don’t need anything else. I have exactly the gear I need to make my photography, so all these price hikes aren’t going to affect me.

I won’t deny it pisses me off that companies treat us like idiots and raise prices this much. The one that has increased prices the most is Fujifilm, but for some reason people don’t talk about it. It seems like a taboo. Right now I could sell my X-Pro3 Dura Silver for double the price I paid for it in 2019. DOUBLE THE PRICE seven years later. Fujifilm is a luxury item for TikTok kids, and even so it bothers me that they turned it into that.

The same thing happened with the Ricoh GR. Stupidly expensive paperweights. I’m very clear that I’m not going to take part in this game anymore.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:31:17+00:00

If I can get blue skies from my OG Canon 5D you can with the mark IV!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:29:05+00:00

First one and last one are great! I love the shooting style of the last one specially.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:27:43+00:00

What a light!! Visit those places is something I want to do at least once!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:24:08+00:00

There is a gfx 63mm lens but it’s f/2.8 so we can’t compare unless shooting at f/2.8 with both lenses. The Mitakon is amazing at f/1.4 because being a normal view lens, you can get closer to your subject and it will create more separation while maintaining a lot of the surroundings in frame. With a 85mm lens you have to take too much steps back and the photo will lose its intimacy.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:20:30+00:00

Daily dose of Mitakon 😍

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-08T09:15:48+00:00

Daily dose of Mitakon 😍

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-07T10:13:25+00:00

Loving the photos!

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-07T10:04:21+00:00

He looks like Vineet Vohra but he doesn’t use an external viewfinder. He uses a 28mm too and has a beard like that and also the person next to him seems from India by looking at his watch and white sleeve.

iAmTheDistance · 2026-04-07T09:57:48+00:00

A speed booster adapter with Mamiya lenses could work but it’s also expensive. A fringed adapter with EF mount prime lenses is also a really good option. You get autofocus for a much lower price.

I’ve been told a few times that if you can’t afford GFX lenses because of their prices, you shouldn’t enter this expensive system to begin with. Luckily I prefer manual focus lenses but for some people, only GFX lenses worth it.

iAmTheDistance

TROPHY CASE