Leica is like a moment frozen in time. A memory made possible by a device that gets out of the way yet wants to be noticed at the same time. When I see a Leica, I want to pick it up and use it, interact with it. And I want it to help me capture memories.
I have said many times on this site that gear is part of my hobby. And what better gear to use than a Leica? It’s simple, trimmed down and essential. No complicated menus and no messy, scattered controls. Easy to remember. Das Wesentliche shines through in every camera Leica makes.
Staying true
I appreciate the fact that Leica stays true to its vision. So much so that I forgive them the commercial necessities of non-traditional smartphone partnerships. But I prefer to have Leica stay in business, even that means a little compromise.
I feel a kind of kinship with the people that make the cameras. I have not actually met the people that make the cameras, but as an owner and user I do feel connected to them.
Furthermore, I have met many Leica users, and I get along with most of them. There is a shared memory and appreciation for things that are made well.
Why positive engagement?
For me, Leica represents a powerful example of positive engagement. We encounter lots of negative engagement these days. Broken flows in interactions with companies or government institutions. That kind of engagement can only frustrate. The antidote for me is Leica.
But when I use Leica cameras, I experience a different, purer kind of positive engagement. A small nudge, guided by the design and a goal of photographic excellence. To nail manual focus and to create with the bare minimum of assistance is part of my muscle memory. When I fail to get exposure or focus, I want to embrace that failure and learn from it. It’s all the motivation I need to do better.
Memory aid, or aide memoire if you prefer
But most importantly, Leica makes cameras that I want to take with me. For me, photos are more than just a keepsake. My memory is terrible, so I use my photos as an external memory system to record and remember my life’s events.
They are essential for me to remember and cherish moments that are worth returning to for a second look. A recollection of time passed. I don’t want to be someone who lives in the past, but I do want to be able to keep cherishing it. It’s important to be aware of the evolution of our lives and those of our loved ones as we spin through the vast emptiness of space. Can I do that with any camera? Yes, I can. Will it feel the same? No, it won’t.
A memory preserved in an enduring connection
I don’t know what the future will bring. Leica is after all a company, owned by an investment fund. Things can change. I sincerely hope they stay true to ‘Das Wesentliche’ as much as possible. What won’t change is the connection I felt to every single Leica I have ever owned. For that, I am grateful. “Danke“
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