When I started photography in school, my photography teacher a Mr. Littlewood helped me by letting me use his Leica M2 (or was it the M3, I can never remember). I fell in love with the Leica 35mm rangefinder, it's just so beautiful to hold and use. It’s not really easy for me to explain why, but I’ll try.
I love how the Leica rangefinder camera fits in the hand and just how easy it is to use. There is nothing auto on this camera, you even have to focus manually which I love. Now shooting on the streets with Leica is and isn’t easy, I like to move fast and with the Leica, I’m unable to do this, and for me, this is what I love about using the camera, it slows me down and trust me at times I need to slow down.
Ever since I used this camera I’ve been wanting one, I find myself in camera stores drooling over the Leica digital cameras and yes before anyone says, this is sad and embarrassing. So a few days ago my good friend Craig (@sixstreetunder on Instagram) let me use his Leica M 240 on the streets of Cambridge. Well, how could I pass up the chance of shooting with one of the worlds best cameras.
The first thing I noticed was how heavy the camera was, but even with the weight of the camera, it felt comfortable in the hand and I took to it like a duck to water. I was very much like a child in a candy store, now it took some time to get over the excitement of holding and using a Leica. Once the excitement was over and I had relaxed into the camera, I found something strange was happening, I was missing my Fuji. Now I use a 56mm F1.2 Fujifilm lens which is 82mm focal length or there about’s. The lens I had on Leica was 75mm F1.8 and I have to say I was enjoying that focal length as there's not much of difference from what I’m used to shooting with……so why wasn’t I enjoying the camera I had been dreaming about owning for so long? Was it because the Leica’s I had used in the past were film not digital?
I really can’t answer those questions, all I know was I couldn’t wait to get my Fujifilm X-T2 back in my hand.
The dream was over and for me, I will be sticking with Fujifilm.
Now don’t get me wrong if Craig lets me use his Leica again I will jump at the chance, but I just don’t see me owning one anytime soon.
I’ve posted a few photos below taken with Leica, enjoy
