No they aren’t the most practical, or take the best images, or the smallest or lightest or blah blah blah. But they are the most fun and that’s what counts, right? Unless you’re doing photography for money. If it’s just a hobby, then why not choose the instrument that you have the most fun with. Why play the piano and get no girls when you can play the guitar and have them lined up for you.
For me it’s all about fiddling. I like using my hands. I grew up doing manual labor, working in trades and being active. I still look back on my early years in the workforce. I was probably 23 or so working as a maintenance guy in a 600 unit apartment complex. Trying to unclog a strangers toilet at 3am. It sucked at the time but looking back I was fulfilled. Using my hands to fix something feels damn good. Using a Leica is like using a snake to pull a tampon out of the toilet. It’s just fun man. Or maybe I’m a werido. Shooting on P mode is cool too, and I do that a lot using my GR. But there’s something about getting all the settings right and looking through that sweet rangefinder that’s a unique experience. I’ve heard this from others for years and thought it was cliche…but it’s not.
In my short photography life, I’ve owned an embarrassing amount of Leica rangefinders. Leica M3 DS, M4, M6TTL, M8, M240, M9-P, M10M. Yes, seven different ones. My favorite is the M3 all the way. The best feeling when you crank that double stroke. My next favorite and current camera is the M8. It’s closest to film. Not in the images, I think that’s gimmicky. But in the way you operate it. High ISO is garbage so I’ve challenged myself to shoot everything manual at 160 ISO. It’s fun man, that’s why people sell their blood for these things.
Chris Athanasiadis 