Since that first Kodak, I've had decades of experience with many of the top camera manufacturers. I shot Minolta for 10 years, Nikon for 20 years, Canon for 15 years, and Leica for 20 years. I also shot underwater with a Nikonis for 10 years. After all this exposure to some pretty terrific systems, I've transitioned exclusively to Leica within the past two years. I currently have three Leica bodies -- a medium-format S, a full-frame SL, and a full-frame Q. Between the S and the SL, I have 12 lenses. (The Q has its own built in, non-interchangeable 28mm lens.) With focal lengths of 300mm, 180mm, 100mm, 70mm, 55-110mm, 45mm, 35mm, and 24mm for the S, and 90-280mm, 24-90mm, 55mm, and 16-35mm for the SL, this collection of Leicas prepares me to handle any subject in any shooting conditions.
Why all Leica? This system produces what photographers commonly refer to as “the Leica look,” which is absolutely unmistakable. Leica produces high-contrast images that are extraordinarily sharp from corner to corner and that have a smooth, natural look and superior color capture. Leica cameras and lenses are hand-made in Germany, and are the finest and most highly regarded available in the world.
One of the benefits of Leica glass is that the results coming out of the camera are naturally strong and require minimal post processing. In fact, I sometimes find that making changes to an original Leica image does more harm than good. Leica cameras have been producing beautiful images for more than100 years; indeed, it was Leica which invented the 35mm camera.
You’ll know a picture shot with a Leica when you see it. It’s the one that gets attention.