Leica Look

Nikon 2 · Thursday at 7:32 PM

I’ve done some research on the Leica Look that seems to be accurate.

1. A Leica M lens designed for the rangefinder camera is a simple design since the flange distance is shorter.

2. This simple design of less glass has the ability to have better micro contrast resulting in better detail.

3. Also this design can show less aggressive sharpness.

These attributes are what is described as the Leica Look…

mshchem · Thursday at 7:44 PM

Leica look!

Nikon 2 · Thursday at 7:53 PM

mshchem said:
Leica look!

View attachment 408114

Exactly…

koraks · Friday at 5:07 AM

Nikon 2 said:
These attributes are what is described as the Leica Look

Here's what search AI says about the 'Leica look':

Understanding the Leica Look
The "Leica look" refers to a distinctive visual aesthetic associated with photographs taken using Leica cameras. This look is characterized by several key attributes:

Key Characteristics

High Contrast: Images often feature strong contrasts, with deep shadows and bright highlights.

Color Palette: Leica images typically have a unique color science, producing rich and intense colors that differ from other cameras.

Three-Dimensional Quality: Many photographers note a certain depth or three-dimensionality in Leica images, enhancing the viewer's experience.

Vignetting: The lenses used in Leica cameras often create a subtle vignette effect, adding to the overall aesthetic.

Achieving the Leica Look
While the Leica look is often attributed to the camera's hardware, it can also be emulated through editing techniques. Here are some methods:

Editing Software: Use presets in software like Lightroom or Capture One that mimic film-like qualities, enhancing contrast and color saturation.

Shooting Style: The look is closely tied to the genres of photography, such as street photography and reportage, where spontaneity and authenticity are key.

Leica Looks App: For smartphone users, the Leica Lux app offers filters designed to replicate the Leica aesthetic, although it may not fully capture the depth and quality of actual Leica cameras.

The Leica look is not just about the equipment; it also involves the photographer's vision and style in capturing moments.

Supposedly, there's more to it than microcontrast. Heck, it's not even mentioned in the AI summary above.

Back to the drawing board...?

mshchem said:
Leica look!

I think the 'Leica look' is an example of punctuation gone missing. "Leica, look!" The internet made a slip, and sent us on a wild goose chase.

koraks · Friday at 5:14 AM

This is the Leica look as a correlation between two Very Important Photographic Attributes, plotted within a collection of Overall Very Good Photographs:

The Leica look is evidently a highly conceptually distinct construct with clearly defined boundaries.

Ian C · Friday at 7:21 AM

The graph exhibited in post #5 nicely captures the essence of this phenomenon. It is sublime, ethereal. It is sometimes referred to as the “je ne sais quoi” effect.

It defies definition. But, like pornography, Leicaphiles know it when they see it.

Nikon 2 · Friday at 8:30 AM

The “Leica Look”

Did not see this head shaped cloud while shooting this landscape!

Leica M-D 262/ Summicron Rigid…

Nikon 2 · Friday at 8:34 AM

koraks said:
This is the Leica look as a correlation between two Very Important Photographic Attributes, plotted within a collection of Overall Very Good Photographs:
View attachment 408123

The Leica look is evidently a highly conceptually distinct construct with clearly defined boundaries.

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 9:23 AM

Look at this Leica photo…

BrianShaw · Saturday at 9:33 AM

mshchem said:
Leica look!

View attachment 408114

Yep, I looked and I Leica.

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 10:43 AM

BrianShaw said:
Yep, I looked and I Leica.

I like a that you liked it…

koraks · Saturday at 11:09 AM

Leica virgin
Touched for the very first time

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 11:56 AM

koraks said:
Leica virgin
Touched for the very first time

The landscape shot is virgin territory…

Dali · Saturday at 12:08 PM

Nikon 2 said:
I’ve done some research on the Leica Look that seems to be accurate.

...

Nikon 2 said:
These attributes are what is described as the Leica Look…

You forgot the "Leica glow".

Dan Fromm · Saturday at 12:19 PM

koraks said:
This is the Leica look as a correlation between two Very Important Photographic Attributes, plotted within a collection of Overall Very Good Photographs:
View attachment 408123

The Leica look is evidently a highly conceptually distinct construct with clearly defined boundaries.

I thought sarcasm was prohibited on this forum. And you're a moderator. Shame on you..

Dan Fromm · Saturday at 12:20 PM

Nikon 2 said:
Look at this Leica photo…

You're making fun of us. Obviously shot with an early small chip digital camera.

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 12:36 PM

Dali said:
...

You forgot the "Leica glow".

You do know,
I forgot the Leica glow;
So it has to show,
If you are a pro…

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 12:38 PM

Dan Fromm said:
You're making fun of us. Obviously shot with an early small chip digital camera.

Shot with a Leica M-D 262/ Summicron 50mm Rigid…

Dan Fromm · Saturday at 12:47 PM

Nikon 2 said:
Shot with a Leica M-D 262/ Summicron 50mm Rigid…

Surely you jest.

Nikon 2 · Saturday at 1:14 PM

Dan Fromm said:
Surely you jest.

It’s the best,
No jest…

George Mann · Sunday at 11:30 PM

I don't need to own a Leica to get the Leica look. I just mount my Nikkor 50mm f2 Ai, set it within its optimal aperature range and take a picture.

Nikon 2 · Monday at 12:02 AM

George Mann said:
I don't need to own a Leica to get the Leica look. I just mount my Nikkor 50mm f2 Ai, set it within its optimal aperature range and take a picture.

Congratulations…

Leica Look

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Understanding the Leica Look

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Achieving the Leica Look

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Leica Look

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Achieving the Leica Look​

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Understanding the Leica Look

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