recommend Leica review/article to convince my wife I need one

BetterSense · Mar 12, 2014

Wife keeps asking why I need one, when I already have other 35mm cameras. Need sufficiently touchy-feely glowing reviews on M2/M3/M6 to help explain that they are worth so much money. Please advise.

gone · Mar 12, 2014

Careful, wives have a sixth sense about that sort of thing. Like the time a friend and I set out to go fishing, then decided to do it in the bar. Before heading home we grabbed some flounder from the bait store as proof we had been fishing....neither wife bought it.

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2014

BetterSense it is real basic. When questions like this come up my girlfriend says, "You have spent your working years up to now earning money to buy things that other people thought they needed or they wanted. Now you have earned the right to buy things for yourself without having to justify or explain. If you will be happier having it and will use it, then certainly you should go ahead and buy it." This covers cameras, lenses, darkroom equipment, photographic supplies as well as parts and build ups for my offroading 4x4. [The list is much longer.]

She also said that if your wife does not like hearing that, then my girlfriend would see if she can find "a line item replacement" for your wife.

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2014

momus said:
Careful, wives have a sixth sense about that sort of thing. Like the time a friend and I set out to go fishing, then decided to do it in the bar. Before heading home we grabbed some flounder from the bait store as proof we had been fishing....neither wife bought it.

Of course, flounder is not a fresh water fish.

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2014

Also if you really have that many cameras, she would never know that you quietly added another one. And when she saw the most recent addition, she would not know that you just bought it.

elekm · Mar 12, 2014

You want one but you think you need one.

Your wife is aware that the first statement is true but knows the second isn't.

Sell your other cameras to cover 75% of the cost, and you should be able to persuade her to allow you to buy one.

Or you can just do what you want and deal with the consequences later.

BetterSense · Mar 12, 2014

All my other cameras aren't worth enough to make it worth selling them. I could sell them for maybe $300. That probably buys a Leica lens cap.

What is the viewfinder magnification of a QL17GIII? I'm still not sure if I should be lusting after a .91 finder or .85 or .72.

MattKing · Mar 12, 2014

BetterSense said:
All my other cameras aren't worth enough to make it worth selling them. I could sell them for maybe $300. That probably buys a Leica lens cap.

What is the viewfinder magnification of a QL17GIII? I'm still not sure if I should be lusting after a .91 finder or .85 or .72.

If you want to convince your wife, I would avoid referring to your "lusting" after anything other than her.

The only practical advice I can give you is to find some photographs that she might be inspired by, and show her the ones where a Leica was used.

jp498 · Mar 12, 2014

search and replace "camera or leica" with "shoes" and repeat the general question to her. Will the shoes be worth the same amount if she keeps them for a couple years in good shape and then sells them.

I'm not bitten with the leica bug, so maybe she's right. Just compare the M3 to a D800 or 5Dmk3

Nuff · Mar 12, 2014

BetterSense said:
All my other cameras aren't worth enough to make it worth selling them. I could sell them for maybe $300. That probably buys a Leica lens cap.

What is the viewfinder magnification of a QL17GIII? I'm still not sure if I should be lusting after a .91 finder or .85 or .72.

It might be the case, but if you tell her that you will downsize your collection considerably, lets say from 20 down to 3 cameras, since that single one does it all. She might be convinced. I'm against hoarding myself, get rid off the stuff you don't use and collects dust... I'm looking at getting Leica, but I will sell all of my unused gear first.

Pioneer · Mar 12, 2014

Although it may take awhile to convince your wife that the Leica would be a great option for you I do think you are on the right path. Much better to convince her of the Leica to start with than to convince her of something less expensive and then realize you still want the Leica.

I would start by emphasizing the fact that it is a "people" camera and that it will be great for documenting the family. With the right lenses flash isn't necessary and focusing a rangefinder indoors is arguably easier than working with other cameras. Then move onto the service life benefits. A Leica will last for a very long time. You can use it to take photos of children, then grandchildren and finally, even your great grand children. It really is an investment in your future. Finally, emphasize the value. Face it. Though the camera is expensive to start with, given some occasional service, it will probably outlast you. Unlike digital cameras that are frequently tossed out in 5/10 years or so, these cameras keep on taking excellent pictures.

There...if you can't get a good start with that then you need to take a debating class.

Pioneer · Mar 12, 2014

And go for the .72 finder. There is a very good reason why it has been a Leica favorite for a very long time.

Alan Gales · Mar 12, 2014

Whenever I buy another camera I promise my wife that I'll sell one out of my collection. It's not hard keeping my promise since I own too many cameras to begin with.

Pioneer · Mar 12, 2014

Alan Gales said:
Whenever I buy another camera I promise my wife that I'll sell one out of my collection. It's not hard keeping my promise since I own too many cameras to begin with.

I say good luck with that. For me selling is a lot tougher than buying. It has become such a pain that I sold my entire Canon EOS setup straight to KEH a while back. Got about 50 cents on the dollar so I definitely did not make money but it got it out of my house pretty quickly.

Over the years I have accumulated so much stuff that it could take me another 10 years to get it sold. I refuse to watch "Hoarders" anymore because my wife says; "I know one of those!" And she is only being partly snide.

NedL · Mar 12, 2014

It says here that Leica clarified that the titanium M9 only cost $26,000. Even though this is the camera you need, you are willing to settle???

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/leica-m9-titanium-unboxed-handled-with-all-the-care-a-32-000-c/

Alan Gales · Mar 12, 2014

Pioneer said:
I say good luck with that. For me selling is a lot tougher than buying. It has become such a pain that I sold my entire Canon EOS setup straight to KEH a while back. Got about 50 cents on the dollar so I definitely did not make money but it got it out of my house pretty quickly.

Over the years I have accumulated so much stuff that it could take me another 10 years to get it sold. I refuse to watch "Hoarders" anymore because my wife says; "I know one of those!" And she is only being partly snide.

I know the feeling. My wife has mentioned Hoarders too!

Fixcinater · Mar 13, 2014

It's not just a camera, it's a family heirloom and you want your (future if not already present) kids to have something small, easily portable, and usable to remember you by.

It'll save you $$$ by not wasting film due to missed focus due to the superior RF.

It'll save you mental anguish by establishing that you have the best 35mm RF ever made. Don't mention you might want one with a meter inside next.

It'll give her more time with you (or you more time to do house chores if she already sees enough of you) by stopping the search for 35mm RFs. Don't mention they take lenses that all look different from a span of nearly 100 years that mostly can be used with this camera, plus the other brands of lenses available. Plus RF style bags, accessories for the lenses, etc etc.

It'll give you furthered sense of "Quality" as Pirsig put it in "Zen & Art of Moto. Maintenance" and thereby is a life improvement step not to be missed. Don't mention this might affect your choices in medium/large format cameras as well.

Pioneer · Mar 13, 2014

Please, please, please DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT (is that a double negative?) say this is the last camera you will ever need.

jcc · Mar 13, 2014

Sign up for a new email, start a Wordpress blog with it using a nom de plume, then write your own glowing review of whichever Leica you wish to buy. That way, you can custom tailor the "review" to fit your needs perfectly. Just don't let her find out.

For added bonus, come back here after writing said review and have people comment on its spot-on evaluation on why you need one. :munch:

Ken Nadvornick · Mar 13, 2014

elekm said:
...and deal with the consequences later.

No! No! No! No! Nooooooooooooooooo...

:eek:

thegman · Mar 13, 2014

Rather obviously, you don't *need* one.

However, I've owned a few Leicas (not anymore) and they are fantastic cameras indeed.

If I had to in some way justify the purchase of a Leica. I'd say this:

'They are beautiful items, 100% functional, and hardly anyone makes beautiful items any more. It's a chance to own something remarkable".

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Mar 13, 2014

When I cant convince Leica is better than japanese cameras in APUG , even comparing it to mercedes and I could not convince mercedes is better than toyota , you cant convince your wife to it. And if you need a article to explain everythiing to your wife , you have no idea what is leica is also so you have no business with it.

But let me find you a way , buy a 60 dollar or cheaper ps Leica and just start with it , buy a fixed lens , not zoom , it will explain your wife and to you , how it does perform , 4 months later , when the gas bill cut , you open the matter again to your wife.

darkosaric · Mar 13, 2014

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m3.htm

... trying to review the LEICA M3 is about as meaningful as trying to review any other immortal masterwork, like Beethoven's 9th Symphony or the Mona Lisa.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Mar 13, 2014

Ignorants would say Michael Jackson is better than Beethoven , coca cola is better than Moet Chandon and ford to rolls royce , better way living alone and not marry or work, like me.

benjiboy · Mar 13, 2014

You want a Leica, you don't "need" one.

recommend Leica review/article to convince my wife I need one

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