Leica Leica T - worth buying?

QBI

Veteran
I've found a new Leica T with 18-56 lens included discounted by about £800. Sounds like a bargain.
But there isn't even a Leica T section in this forum. Is it worth having or is the T just a fail of a system?

Any thoughts?
 
It's a camera that's much different than than the M, Q, or X cameras. What makes it different is touchscreen operation versus mostly dedicated controls of the other systems.

If you can try one out before buying it, see how well you get on with it. That's the most important consideration.

I don't see it being a very popular system, which means it's lens offerings won't be as robust. To turn that around, Leica would need the next generation with different characteristics to entice more people to buy. Probably would need an integrated evf to start ...
 
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I had it, couldn't sell it for $1500 USD even (less than half), so gave it away. The camera is competent and performs OK, but it's weird, clunky I think, has a weird shape. I think if you buy the silvery version and give it to a special friend as a gift, they'll love it. Until they start shooting with it.
 
Perhaps you might cuddle up and read what Erwin Puts had to say about Leica strategy and Leica T....on his blog.

He did not disguise what he thought might be the kind of direction appropriate for a successful new line of Leica cameras.

I don't know. Wont be long and there will be no difference between and phone and a camera functioning at extremely high levels. This may not be good for camera makers unless they adapt. Leica seems to be partially adapting with the T, that has a connection to M....if you want it. Or go in a new direction, that appears modern but exploits the Leica design and execution.
 
Perhaps you might cuddle up and read what Erwin Puts had to say about Leica strategy and Leica T....on his blog.

He did not disguise what he thought might be the kind of direction appropriate for a successful new line of Leica cameras.

I don't know. Wont be long and there will be no difference between and phone and a camera functioning at extremely high levels. This may not be good for camera makers unless they adapt. Leica seems to be partially adapting with the T, that has a connection to M....if you want it. Or go in a new direction, that appears modern but exploits the Leica design and execution.

All's fair in cameras and phones as far as I'm concerned - I have iPhone 6s-plus pages, some with the 27 mp image app Cortex, and some with the Olloclip lenses. I might even go for the Zeiss lenses in June. But the T - nobody who's a camera enthusiast wanted it, so if Leica is going to sell real Leicas (not the Panasonic compacts) to non-photo-enthusiasts, that indeed would be very different from what they've done before. All of that is fine too, unless it compromises the stores by having non-enthusiasts under the same roof as the enthusiasts, and/or compromises Leica's design and manufacturing. I've seen marketing disasters so many times .....
 
All's fair in cameras and phones as far as I'm concerned - I have iPhone 6s-plus pages, some with the 27 mp image app Cortex, and some with the Olloclip lenses. I might even go for the Zeiss lenses in June. But the T - nobody who's a camera enthusiast wanted it, so if Leica is going to sell real Leicas (not the Panasonic compacts) to non-photo-enthusiasts, that indeed would be very different from what they've done before. All of that is fine too, unless it compromises the stores by having non-enthusiasts under the same roof as the enthusiasts, and/or compromises Leica's design and manufacturing. I've seen marketing disasters so many times .....

Jono Slack really liked his. Its a favorite travel camera of Tom Brichta as well, and as the Leica rep for Northern California he gets to use whatever he wants and still usually takes the T.
 
Andrew......if that IS your real name:). thanks for your response. I reread Erwin Puts blog article with mentioned the T....and he called it a different paradigm for Leica...and obviously a risk. Implicit in that comment is the notion that not everyone will find the different paradigm appropriate. I wouldn't call it a marketing ploy. Although it may end up being a disaster, I 'm ok with Leica innovating or if that's not the right word, looking to execute other's ideas in a better package (also a Puts position). If I'm not mistaken, that's how the Barnack cameras came about. the T has some attraction for me. However, I admit to never having examined one in the flesh.
 
Jono Slack really liked his. Its a favorite travel camera of Tom Brichta as well, and as the Leica rep for Northern California he gets to use whatever he wants and still usually takes the T.

I liked it too. For awhile. But I paid $4000 for it, and it didn't measure up on my value meter. If it were a loaner I'd probably write a great review and then hand it back to the source, unconcerned about the long-term value. And I'm not against botique items - I bought the G-Star Raw Leica D-Lux6 - loved it - got a good used price for it. I've got a lot of patience though - still waiting for more user reports on the T.
 
Andrew......if that IS your real name:). thanks for your response. I reread Erwin Puts blog article with mentioned the T....and he called it a different paradigm for Leica...and obviously a risk. Implicit in that comment is the notion that not everyone will find the different paradigm appropriate. I wouldn't call it a marketing ploy. Although it may end up being a disaster, I 'm ok with Leica innovating or if that's not the right word, looking to execute other's ideas in a better package (also a Puts position). If I'm not mistaken, that's how the Barnack cameras came about. the T has some attraction for me. However, I admit to never having examined one in the flesh.

What appears to me to be the same paradigm as Barnack and the miniature camera, is Bill Hewlett (co-founder of Silicon Valley) and the first true personal computer - pocket size, 1974. Both examples were extremely useful products that came to dominate their markets, unlike a primarily botique product.
 
Andrew......if that IS your real name:). thanks for your response. I reread Erwin Puts blog article with mentioned the T....and he called it a different paradigm for Leica...and obviously a risk. Implicit in that comment is the notion that not everyone will find the different paradigm appropriate. I wouldn't call it a marketing ploy. Although it may end up being a disaster, I 'm ok with Leica innovating or if that's not the right word, looking to execute other's ideas in a better package (also a Puts position). If I'm not mistaken, that's how the Barnack cameras came about. the T has some attraction for me. However, I admit to never having examined one in the flesh.
Yes, my real name.
 
When it comes to photographic equipment disasters.....Lyttro tends to come to mind. the entire "living picture " thing just didn't make it. Furthermore, the last incarnation was clunky and poorly functioning in anything but perfect light...or a must with artificial lighting. The software unwieldy.

Probably better to have focus stacking on an Oly. the Light camera is intriguing.
 
No comment....which is ...a comment. Perhaps you could opine for me regarding the Leica X and X Vario. Other than lens are guts similar?
 
I can't run for elected office anyway. I'm an atheist and I refuse to pretend belief in a deity. Not a problem in much of the world, but a campaign-ender in the USA.

If I did want to run for office, I'd believe in Santa Claus if that would get me votes. And I wouldn't feel like a hypocrite at all, since the Big Guy wouldn't be looking over my shoulder anyway. It's all fun as far as I'm concerned - there are a thousand different people types to serve from public office, and there are extremely few that I'd have a hard time pandering to.
 
A beautiful camera...mint. I wish it were mine. Too pricey. Just thought I would temper my remarks with pornography.

s-l1600.jpg
 
I've found a new Leica T with 18-56 lens included discounted by about £800. Sounds like a bargain.
But there isn't even a Leica T section in this forum. Is it worth having or is the T just a fail of a system?

Any thoughts?
I got one; well, I love it because it fits me so well. Leica T makes me feel like a professional photographer.
 
You're so right Leia, what matters is that it allows you to get the shots you want, and that it feels like a big positive while doing so.

I haven't been out shooting lately, work has been consuming my time. If you've been taking photos, it would be great to see more of them!
 
You're so right Leia, what matters is that it allows you to get the shots you want, and that it feels like a big positive while doing so.

I haven't been out shooting lately, work has been consuming my time. If you've been taking photos, it would be great to see more of them!
I have not been out shooting either. I am going to Chile this coming summer and since I will transfer my flight from America, I decided to spend a week there visiting Alaska. Wait for my pictures.
 
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