What is the Leica mystique all about?

Fat Albert · 08-07-2015, 06:07 AM

Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above? I've been trying to figure it out, but separating fact from BS seems to be exponentially tougher for Leica than any other brand.

SpecialK · 08-07-2015, 06:15 AM

All of the above. It's the same for any high-end product.

**MJSfoto1956** · 08-07-2015, 06:17 AM

Their lenses are indeed exceptional -- no duds in their lineup.
Service and repair around the world are also top notch, albeit not cheap.
The other obvious part is the (high) price and subsequent status associated with it.
Not a bad niche to be in given the race to the bottom that every other camera manufacturer seems to be headed these days.

Michael

RMabo · 08-07-2015, 06:33 AM

Leica has offered tremendous quality in bodies and lenses for a long time, and they have always had their own ways of doing things. Manual focus, low on features, high on quality. Special materials, hand made in Germany, and made to live forever... Only the cheaper Leicas isn't true Leicas, they are made by Panasonic and are - frankly - overpriced Panasonics. Today Leica is perhaps more about accessory as a luxury item than photography, only few photographers can afford them...

vonBaloney · 08-07-2015, 06:42 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Fat Albert

Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above? I've been trying to figure it out, but separating fact from BS seems to be exponentially tougher for Leica than any other brand.

We are not allowed to tell you.

**boriscleto** · 08-07-2015, 07:00 AM - **2 Likes**

Why don't you ask Ned Bunnell?

Painter · 08-07-2015, 07:14 AM

You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave.
I think their cameras are overpriced for what they deliver performance wise but that's not the value they are being considered at. It's a little bit of paying heavily for the best and exclusivity. I have a pair of Leica binoculars they are absolutely the best but what does that mean so many binoculars are really really good but to be that extra 5% better requires materials and attention to detail that costs way more.

TaoMaas · 08-07-2015, 07:48 AM

I've always felt that it was Leica's glass that was at the heart of their "mystique". Build quality is certainly part of it, too, but Leica built their reputation in an era where lenses were a huge factor in image quality. It may be just me, but I make a distinction between the look of Leica's rangefinder lenses vs their SLR lenses. Their SLR lenses never seemed significantly better than the best from the other major manufacturers. But when you hit the sweet spot with one of their rangefinder lenses, the pictures used to seem to jump off the screen.

**jpzk** · 08-07-2015, 07:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Painter

You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave.

Sounds much like Hotel California ... !

I have a friend who own an "old" film Leica -- I don't know which model --- but he apparently will never part with it!

wildman · 08-07-2015, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

What is the Leica mystique all about?

mystique - A quality lacking substance or reality surrounding a thing.
Leica mystique is a humbug - a nonsense

drypenn · 08-07-2015, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by wildman

mystique - A quality lacking substance or reality surrounding a thing.
Leica mystique is a humbug - a nonsense

Ouch!!!!

Honestly, I think, it's the build quality, the tightness, the heft. As for the IQ, I still can't see a thousand dollars worth of difference.

Having bought recently into that "mystique", I think it's akin to buying a Mazda vs. a BMW. there's an obvious difference, as to the question of whether it's worth the difference or not, will require a very emotionally charged, and subjective reply, depending on who you'll ask, a Leica owner or a non-owner.

As they say, for Leica owners, Leica is not a photography tool. It's a religion.

P.S. Ask me the same question again after a few weeks, when I've inhaled enough Leica's pixie dust!

ChristianRock · 08-07-2015, 08:59 AM

Ken Rockwell's "Leica Man" article is actually pretty funny. The Leica Man

When I read guys like Eric Kim talking about the Leica as the ultimate and whatnot, and see pictures that a Yashica rangefinder could easily have taken, I think there's a bit of that "Leica Man" mystique going on for more people. It's just a status thing IMHO. Leica digitals are especially a mystery to me, they seem to make as much sense as the rebranded Sonys that are sold under the Hasselblad name.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-07-2015, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by Painter

You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave.
I think their cameras are overpriced for what they deliver performance wise but that's not the value they are being considered at. It's a little bit of paying heavily for the best and exclusivity.

Yep, that's about right. I own two, still fully functional Leica rangefinder camera from the mid 1930's, that are still amazingly good today. Simple, small, tough, sharp, etc. Before Japan ruled cameras, there were German cameras and Leica was (still is?) on top of the heap.

osv · 08-07-2015, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above?

if you have to ask, you can't afford it

TaoMaas · 08-07-2015, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by drypenn

Having bought recently into that "mystique", I think it's akin to buying a Mazda vs. a BMW.

Did you buy a film camera? And, if so, was it a rangefinder or an SLR?

08-07-2015, 06:07 AM	#1
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	What is the Leica mystique all about? Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above? I've been trying to figure it out, but separating fact from BS seems to be exponentially tougher for Leica than any other brand.

08-07-2015, 08:46 AM	#11
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Originally posted by wildman mystique - A quality lacking substance or reality surrounding a thing. Leica mystique is a humbug - a nonsense Ouch!!!! Honestly, I think, it's the build quality, the tightness, the heft. As for the IQ, I still can't see a thousand dollars worth of difference. Having bought recently into that "mystique", I think it's akin to buying a Mazda vs. a BMW. there's an obvious difference, as to the question of whether it's worth the difference or not, will require a very emotionally charged, and subjective reply, depending on who you'll ask, a Leica owner or a non-owner. As they say, for Leica owners, Leica is not a photography tool. It's a religion. P.S. Ask me the same question again after a few weeks, when I've inhaled enough Leica's pixie dust! Last edited by drypenn; 08-07-2015 at 09:00 AM.

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08-07-2015, 06:15 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	All of the above. It's the same for any high-end product.

08-07-2015, 06:17 AM	#3
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	Their lenses are indeed exceptional -- no duds in their lineup. Service and repair around the world are also top notch, albeit not cheap. The other obvious part is the (high) price and subsequent status associated with it. Not a bad niche to be in given the race to the bottom that every other camera manufacturer seems to be headed these days. Michael

08-07-2015, 06:33 AM	#4
RMabo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 845	Leica has offered tremendous quality in bodies and lenses for a long time, and they have always had their own ways of doing things. Manual focus, low on features, high on quality. Special materials, hand made in Germany, and made to live forever... Only the cheaper Leicas isn't true Leicas, they are made by Panasonic and are - frankly - overpriced Panasonics. Today Leica is perhaps more about accessory as a luxury item than photography, only few photographers can afford them...

08-07-2015, 06:42 AM - 3 Likes	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Fat Albert Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above? I've been trying to figure it out, but separating fact from BS seems to be exponentially tougher for Leica than any other brand. We are not allowed to tell you.

08-07-2015, 07:00 AM - 2 Likes	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Why don't you ask Ned Bunnell?

08-07-2015, 07:14 AM	#7
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave. I think their cameras are overpriced for what they deliver performance wise but that's not the value they are being considered at. It's a little bit of paying heavily for the best and exclusivity. I have a pair of Leica binoculars they are absolutely the best but what does that mean so many binoculars are really really good but to be that extra 5% better requires materials and attention to detail that costs way more.

08-07-2015, 07:48 AM	#8
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	I've always felt that it was Leica's glass that was at the heart of their "mystique". Build quality is certainly part of it, too, but Leica built their reputation in an era where lenses were a huge factor in image quality. It may be just me, but I make a distinction between the look of Leica's rangefinder lenses vs their SLR lenses. Their SLR lenses never seemed significantly better than the best from the other major manufacturers. But when you hit the sweet spot with one of their rangefinder lenses, the pictures used to seem to jump off the screen.

08-07-2015, 07:52 AM - 1 Like	#9
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Painter You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave. Sounds much like Hotel California ... ! I have a friend who own an "old" film Leica -- I don't know which model --- but he apparently will never part with it!

08-07-2015, 08:27 AM	#10
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Fat Albert What is the Leica mystique all about? mystique - A quality lacking substance or reality surrounding a thing. Leica mystique is a humbug - a nonsense

08-07-2015, 08:59 AM	#12
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Ken Rockwell's "Leica Man" article is actually pretty funny. The Leica Man When I read guys like Eric Kim talking about the Leica as the ultimate and whatnot, and see pictures that a Yashica rangefinder could easily have taken, I think there's a bit of that "Leica Man" mystique going on for more people. It's just a status thing IMHO. Leica digitals are especially a mystery to me, they seem to make as much sense as the rebranded Sonys that are sold under the Hasselblad name.

08-07-2015, 09:06 AM	#13
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by Painter You need to own one before you can be told, however once your in the cult you can't leave. I think their cameras are overpriced for what they deliver performance wise but that's not the value they are being considered at. It's a little bit of paying heavily for the best and exclusivity. Yep, that's about right. I own two, still fully functional Leica rangefinder camera from the mid 1930's, that are still amazingly good today. Simple, small, tough, sharp, etc. Before Japan ruled cameras, there were German cameras and Leica was (still is?) on top of the heap.

08-07-2015, 09:21 AM	#14
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by Fat Albert Is it the quality? The price? Implied prestige? All or none of the above? if you have to ask, you can't afford it

08-07-2015, 11:54 AM	#15
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by drypenn Having bought recently into that "mystique", I think it's akin to buying a Mazda vs. a BMW. Did you buy a film camera? And, if so, was it a rangefinder or an SLR?